Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, June 16, 2021 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, June 16, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications via remote video conferencing. Commissioners in Attendance: Andrew Creel Pam Thompson Jennifer Bristol Perry Bedford Audrey Barrett Bixler Rick Brimer Kevin Ramberg Linda Guerrero Commissioners Absent: Katie Coyne Staff in Attendance: Eric Brown Kaela Champlin Chris Herrington Liz Johnston Atha Phillips 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. Speakers Zenobia C. Joseph 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the June 2, 2021 Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) A motion to approve the June 2, 2021 Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes were approved on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Thompson’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Ramberg abstained. Commissioner Coyne was absent. 1  2. 3. 4. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER UPDATES a. Watershed Protection Department staffing updates (15 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Update on 2020 State of Our Environment Report—Kaela Champlin, Environmental Program Coordinator, Watershed Protection Department (45 minutes) Speakers Ana Aguirre Item conducted as posted. No action taken. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Name: 3800 Island Way, SP-2021-0021D Applicant: Janis Smith, PE, Janis Smith Consulting, LLC Location: 3800 Island Way, Austin, Texas 78746 (Council District #10) Staff: Eric Brown, Senior Environmental Scientist, Watershed Protection Department Watershed: Lake Austin Watershed, Water Supply Rural, Drinking Water Protection Zone Request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-281(C)(2)(B) to allow construction within 150-feet of Critical Environmental Feature (Rimrock) Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions (30 minutes) A motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Creel’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 8-0 vote. Commissioner Coyne was absent. A motion to approve the variance request with conditions was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 8-0 vote. Commissioner Coyne was absent. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Urban Forestry Committee –Pam Thompson, Rick Brimer, and Linda Guerrero Chris Herrington gave an update on the Urban Forestry Committee. b. Report on the Joint Sustainability Committee – Katie Coyne c. Report on the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan Citizen’s Advisory Committee – Kevin Ramberg d. Report on the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Parks and Recreation Board –Linda Guerrero and Pam Thompson e. Report on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board – Linda Guerrero Chair Guerrero gave an update on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board. 2  FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None ADJOURNMENT Chair Guerrero adjourned the meeting at 7:19 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