20240501-001 DRAFT minutes from 03/30/2024 meeting — original pdf

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in a REGULAR meeting on ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2024 The ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION convened Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Bedford called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Perry Bedford, Richard Brimer, Jennifer Bristol, Hanna Cofer, Colin Nickells, and David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Mariana Krueger Commissioners Absent: Peter Einhorn, Haris Qureshi, Melinda Schiera, and Kevin Ramberg PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Santiago, I35 projects Shiang Lee, How You Can Benefit from the Inflation Reduction Act APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on March 6, 2024 The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular meeting on March 6, 2024 were approved on Commissioner Sulivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Einhorn, Ramberg, Qureshi, and Schiera were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Presentation on the South Central Waterfront Combining District with a Density Bonus – April Geruso of the City of Austin Planning Department. Speakers: April Geruso, Planning Department Vice Chair Bedford called for a recess at 6:39. Vice Chair Bedford reconvened the meeting at 6:47. 1 3. 4. Chad Sharrad, Planning Department Tyler Tripp, Planning Department Item conducted as posted. No action taken. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Consider a recommendation on the budget recommendations from the Joint Sustainability Committee – Presented by Haris Qureshi and David Sullivan, Environmental Commission Members A motion to support the budget recommendations from the Joint Sustainability Committee was approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Nickells abstained. Commissioners Einhorn, Ramberg, Qureshi, and Schiera were absent. COMMITTEE UPDATES Update from the Urban Forestry Committee on adding a discussion on ghost trees to the March 28th agenda – Richard Brimer Item conducted as posted. No action taken. Update from the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board on the status of the Combining District & Density Bonus Program and Planned Unit Development applications – David Sullivan Item conducted as posted. No action taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Sullivan wanted to discuss IH35 and requested a presentation from staff on the environmental impacts of the IH35 expansion and the benefits of capping, seconded by Commissioner Brimer. Commissioner Bristol requested a presentation from Audubon on bird-safe buildings, which was seconded by Commissioner Bedford. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Bedford adjourned the meeting at 7:50 P.M. 2