Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, October 2, 2024 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Bedford called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Perry Bedford, Hanna Cofer, Mariana Krueger, Melinda Schiera, David Sullivan, Richard Brimer Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Haris Qureshi Commissioners Absent: Jennifer Bristol and Colin Nickells PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on September 18, 2024 The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on September 18, 2024 were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Cofer’s second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Krueger was off the dais. Commissioners Bristol and Nickells were absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation on Hays Commons Municipal Utility District (MUD) and request for a recommendation to initiate a Site-Specific Amendment to City Code Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 of the Save Our Springs Initiative – Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Watershed Protection Department Speakers: Leslie Lilly, Watershed Protection Robert Deegan, landscape architect for the project Jeff Howard, speaking for the applicant 1 1. 2. Mike Clifford, Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA); received time donation from Anne Mason Jim Camp, Local landowner next to Hays Commons Bobby Levinski, Save Our Springs Alliance Tanzia Karim, Save Our Springs Alliance Brian Zabcik, Save Barton Creek Association Carol Pennington, Local landowner next to Hays Commons (virtual) Lee Burton, Save Barton Creek Association Craig Nazor, Sierra Club Roy Wayley, Sierra Club Liz Johnston, Interim Environmental Officer A motion to close the public hearing passed on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Bristol and Nickells were absent. A motion to recommend the initiation of a Site-Specific Amendment to City Code Chapter 25-8, Subchapter A, Article 13 of the Save Our Springs Initiative for the Hays Commons Municipal Utility District (MUD) with conditions failed on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Cofer’s second, on a 3–3 vote. Commissioners Cofer, Bedford, and Sullivan voted in favor. Commissioners Krueger, Schiera, and Brimer voted against. Commissioner Qureshi abstained. Commissioners Bristol and Nickells were absent. Chair Bedford called for a recess at 8:08. Chair Bedford reconvened the meeting at 8:16. DISCUSSION ITEMS Presentation and discussion on listed endangered and potentially listed species in Travis County – Michael Warriner, Supervisory Fish & Wildlife Biologist, Fish and Wildlife Service Item conducted as posted. No action taken Presentation and discussion on Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan (BCCP) and covered species – Sherri Kuhl, Environmental Resource Officer, and Kimberlee Harvey, BCCP Officer, Austin Water Speakers: Sherri Kuhl, AW Kimberlee Harvey, AW Craig Nazor, Sierra Club Item conducted as posted. No action taken 2 3. 4. ACTION ITEMS 5. Review and approve the draft 2025 Environmental Commission Regular meeting schedule A motion to approve the 2025 Environmental Commission Regular meeting schedule was approved on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on a 7–0 vote. Commissioners Bristol and Nickells were absent. COMMITTEE UPDATES 6. Update from the Urban Forestry Committee on the rescheduled meeting – Richard Brimer Item conducted as posted. No action taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Cofer requested to keep informed on the SOS amendment process. Commissioner Brimer requested applicant and public presentation materials be distributed to commissioners prior to the meeting. Chair Bedford adjourned the meeting at 9:25 pm. The minutes were approved at the November 6, 2024 meeting on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Qureshi’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Krueger and Nickells were absent. 3