Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, May 5, 2021 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, May 5, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications via remote video conferencing. Commissioners in Attendance: Pam Thompson Katie Coyne Kevin Ramberg Linda Guerrero Perry Bedford Audrey Barrett Bixler Rick Brimer Jennifer Bristol Commissioners Absent: Andrew Creel Staff in Attendance: Kaela Champlin Chris Herrington Liz Johnston Jerry Rusthoven Lisa Killander Keith Mars CALL TO ORDER Chair Guerrero called the meeting to order at 6:02 P.M. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the April 21, 2021 Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) The minutes of the April 21, 2021 Environmental Commission Meeting were approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Coyne’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Creel was absent. Commissioner Thompson was off the dais. 1  2. 3. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. PM2.5 Emissions Reduction Plan—Phoebe Romero, Environmental Program Coordinator, Office of Sustainability and Christiane Alepuz, Capital Area Council of Governments Regional Planning and Services Program Coordinator (30 minutes) A motion to recommend updating the region’s voluntary air quality plan to include additional measures targeted at reducing regional PM2.5 air pollution and enhancing awareness of PM air pollution was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 8-0 vote. Commissioner Creel was absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Consider a request from a private property owner, Patrick Fulker to appeal the Urban Forester’s denial of application for an administrative approval, as provided for in City Code Section 6-3-91, to remove public trees located at 13213 Villa Park Drive, Austin, Texas 78729 (30 minutes) A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Thompson’s second on a 8-0 vote. A motion to deny Patrick Fulker’s appeal failed on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Guerrero’s second on a 4-2 vote. Those voting aye were Commissioners Coyne, Ramberg, Barrett Bixler, and Guerrero. Those voting nay were Commissioners Thompson and Brimer. Those abstaining were Commissioners Bristol and Bedford. Commissioner Creel was absent. A motion to reopen the public hearing was approved unanimously on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion. A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Guerrero’s motion, Commissioner Coyne’s second on a 8-0 vote. A motion to allow the removal of the tree at the owner’s expense with mitigation as determined by staff that would be satisfied either with planting at the owner’s expense or fiscal payment to the Urban Forest Replenishment Fund in lieu of planting was approved on Commissioner Thompson’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 6-2 vote. Those voting aye were Commissioners Bristol, Barrett Bixler, Ramberg, Bedford, Thompson, and Brimer. Those voting nay were Commissioners Guerrero and Coyne. Commissioner Creel was absent. b. Name: Central Health Planned Unit Development, C814-2020-0132 Applicant: Travis County Healthcare District dba Central Health (Mike Geeslin, President and CEO) Staff: Jerry Rusthoven, Assistant Director, Housing and Planning Department Location: 601 East 15th Street, Austin, Texas 78701 (District 1) Watershed: Waller Creek Watershed, Urban Watershed, Desired Development Zone Request: Change zoning from P to PUD Staff Recommendation: Recommended (30 minutes) 2  4. A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 8-0 vote. A motion to recommend granting PUD district zoning for the site with conditions was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Coyne’s second on a 8-0 vote. Commissioner Creel was absent. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Urban Growth Policy and Water Quality Protection Committee – Pam Thompson, Kevin Ramberg, and Perry Bedford b. Urban Forestry Committee –Pam Thompson and Linda Guerrero c. Report on the Joint Sustainability Committee – Katie Coyne Commissioner Coyne gave an update on the Joint Sustainability Committee. d. Report on the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee – Kevin Ramberg e. Report on the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Parks and Recreation Board –Linda Guerrero and Pam Thompson Commissioner Guerrero gave an update on the Environmental Commission and the Parks and Recreation Board. f. Report on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board – Linda Guerrero Commissioner Guerrero gave an update on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Guerrero adjourned the meeting at 8:15 P.M. The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days before the meeting date. Please call Kaela Champlin at Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 974-3443 for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Environmental Commission, please contact Kaela Champlin, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 974-3443. * A member of the public may not address a board or commission at a meeting on an item posted as a briefing, per City Code Section 2-1-144(E). 3