Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, September 1, 2021 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications via remote video conferencing. Commissioners in Attendance: Perry Bedford Haris Qureshi Rachel Scott Pam Thompson Audrey Barrett Bixler Rick Brimer Kevin Ramberg Katie Coyne Linda Guerrero Commissioners Absent: Jennifer Bristol Staff in Attendance: Pamela Abee-Taulli Kaela Champlin Nikki Fowler Kelly Gagnon Liz Johnston Pam Kearfott Mike Kelly Jorge Morales Victor Nelms Darcy Nuffer Janna Renfro Mateo Scoggins Lee Shermann Lisa Storer Ramesh Swaminathan Annabell Ulary Diana Wang CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Coyne called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. 1  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. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION UPDATES a. Update on Climate Equity Plan—Liz Johnston, Deputy Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department (5 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ACTION a. Approval of the August 18, 2021 Environmental Commission Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) A motion to approve the minutes of the August 18, 2021 Environmental Commission Meeting was approved on Commissioner Guerrero’s motion, Commissioner Ramberg’s second on a 7-0 vote. Bedford abstained. Commissioner Qureshi was off the dais. Commissioner Bristol was absent. 3. 4. BRIEFINGS a. Update on Northwest Park Dam Maintenance and Modernization project—Annabell Ulary, Engineer B and Pam Kearfott, Supervising Engineer, Watershed Protection Department (30 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. b. Update on Watershed Protection Department Equity Initiative—Nikki Fowler, Kelly Gagnon, Victor Nelms, Jorge Morales, Janna Renfro, and Ramesh Swaminathan, Watershed Protection Department (30 minutes) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. Commissioner Coyne called a recess at 8:12 P.M. Commissioner called the meeting back to order at 8:23 PM ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Update and request for recommendation of support for the Waterloo Greenway Creek Delta Project—Diana Wang, Project Manager, Watershed Protection Department (30 minutes) A motion to recommend support for the Waterloo Greenway Creek Delta Project was approved on Commissioner Coyne’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Ramberg recused on Item 4a. Commissioner Bristol was absent. a. Urban Forestry Committee –Pam Thompson, Richard Brimer, Audrey Barrett Bixler, 5. COMMITTEE REPORTS and Linda Guerrero b. Report on the Joint Sustainability Committee – Katie Coyne 2  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 Commissioner Guerrero gave an update on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Coyne adjourned the meeting at 9:10 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