Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 2, 2022 The Environmental Commission convened in a public meeting on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 City Hall in Council Chambers at 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Commissioners attending in person: Kevin Ramberg Commissioner attending remotely: Perry Bedford Pam Thompson Jennifer Bristol Linda Guerrero Rick Brimer Audrey Barrett Bixler Commissioners absent: Haris Qureshi Rachel Scott Staff in Attendance: Kaela Champlin Katie Coyne Ryan Hebrink Liz Johnston Keith Mars Daniel Priest Wendy Rhoades Naomi Rotramel Thain Maurer CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chair Ramberg called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 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 January 19, 2022 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting Minutes (5 minutes) 1  2. 3. 4. A motion to approve the minutes of the January 19, 2022 Environmental Commission Regular Meeting was approved on Chair Guerrero’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Qureshi and Scott were absent. Commissioner Barrett Bixler was off the dais. ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER UPDATES a. Update on discharge of acidic waste into tributary of Harris Branch Creek, Katie Coyne, Environmental Officer; Assistant Director, Watershed Protection Department Item conducted as posted. No action taken. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Briefing on rule changes to Environmental Criteria Manual Section 3.5—Daniel Priest, Naomi Rotramel, and Keith Mars, Development Services Department Community Tree Preservation Division (1 hour) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Name: 7715 1/2 West State Highway 71, C14-85-288.23(RCA) Applicant: Amanda Swor, Drenner Group Location: 7712 Oak Forest Lane, Austin TX 78736 Council District: District 8 Staff: Liz Johnston, Deputy Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department and Leslie Lilly, Environmental Program Coordinator Watershed: Williamson Creek, Barton Springs Zone (Contributing Zone), Drinking Water Protection Zone Request: Conduct a public hearing and approve a restrictive covenant amendment Staff Recommendation: To grant an amendment to the restrictive covenant (30 minutes) A motion to postpone Item 4a was approved on Commissioner Ramberg’s motion, Commissioner Bristol’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Qureshi and Scott were absent. 5. COMMITTEE REPORTS a. Urban Forestry Committee –Pam Thompson, Richard Brimer, Linda Guerrero, and Rachel Scott Commissioner Brimer gave an update on the Urban Forestry Committee. b. Report on the Joint Sustainability Committee – Audrey Barrett Bixler Commissioner Barrett Bixler gave an update on the Joint Sustainability Committee. 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, Pam Thompson, and Rachel Scott e. Report on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board – Linda Guerrero 2  FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None ADJOURNMENT Vice-Chair Ramberg adjourned the meeting at 7:36 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