20250219-001: DRAFT Minutes from 2/5/25 EVC meeting — original pdf

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1. 2. 3. ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 5, 2025 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, 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, Jennifer Bristol, Justin Fleury, Mariana Krueger, Haris Qureshi, Melinda Schiera, David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Colin Nickells and Richard Brimer Commissioners Absent: Hanna Cofer PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Bobby Levinski, SOS, Mopac South Project concerns APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on December 4, 2024 The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on December 4, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Qureshi’s second 7-0 vote. Commissioner Nickels abstained. Commissioner Krueger was off the dais. Commissioner Coffer was absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS Presentation and discussion on Austin Light Rail Update – Austin Transit Partnership staff. Item conducted as posted. No action taken. PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ACTION ITEMS Name: Westcreek Mixed Use, SP-2023-0276C Applicant: Quiddity, Justin Cadieux, PE Location: 5725 W US 290 Highway EB, Austin, TX, 78749 1  4. Council District: District 8 Staff: Mike McDougal, Environmental Policy Program Manager, Development Services Department; 512-974-6380, mike.mcdougal@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Redevelopment Exception in the Barton Springs Zone [LDC 25-8- 26] Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends the Redevelopment Exception for this project. Speakers: Mike McDougal David Hartman Leigh Ziegler Rita Berry Bobby Levinski Roy Wayley Craig Nazor Justin Cadieux Liz Johnston A motion to close the public hearing passed on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Schiera’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Cofer was absent. A motion to recommend the Westcreek Mixed Use Redevelopment Exception with conditions passed on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second, on a 9–0 vote. Commissioner Cofer was absent. Chair Bedford called for a recess at 9:02. Chair Bedford reconvened the meeting at 9:10. Name: Taylor Slough Dredge Maintenance, SP-2024-0019D Applicant: Janis J. Smith, P.E., Janis Smith Consulting Location: 3704 ½ Meadowbank Dr, Austin, TX, 78703 Council District: District 10 Staff: Miranda Reinhard, Environmental Scientist Senior, Watershed Protection Department 512-978-1537, miranda.reinhard@austintexas.gov Applicant request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261(C)(9)(a) to allow more than 25 cubic yards of dredging in Lake Austin. Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends this variance with conditions Speakers: Miranda Reinhard Janis J. Smith David Goodman 2  DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. A motion to close the public hearing passed on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Bristol’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Brimer abstained. Commissioner Nickells was off the dais. Commissioner Cofer was absent. A motion to recommend the Taylor Slough Dredge with conditions passed on Commissioner Bristols’s motion, Commissioner Schiera’s second, on a 7–0 vote. Commissioner Brimer abstained. Commissioner Nickells was off the dais. Commissioner Cofer was absent. A motion to extend the meeting until 10:30 passed on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion and Commissioner Schiera’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Brimer voted against. Commissioner Nickells was off the dais. Commissioner Cofer was absent. Presentation, discussion, and action regarding a recommendation to Austin City Council on the creation, continuation, termination, and status of a concession including issuance of a Request for Proposal for a concession in Town Lake Metropolitan Park for inclusion in the joint report between the Parks and Recreation Board and the Environmental Commission that is provided to City Council annually – Karen Charles, Contract Management Specialist, and Denisha Cox, Contract Management Supervisor, Parks and Recreation Department. Speakers: Karen Charles Denish Cox Pat Rossett Suzane Piper Chris Flores Holly Reed Susana Almanza Ricardo Chavana Robin Rather A motion to extend the meeting until 10:45 passed on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion and Commissioner Schiera’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Nickells was off the dais. Commissioner Cofer was absent. A motion to extend the meeting until 10:48 passed on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion and Commissioner Schiera’s second on a 8-0 vote. Commissioner Brimer voted against. Commissioner Nickells was off the dais. Commissioner Cofer was absent. 3 A motion to postpone the item to February 19th passed on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a -. Commissioner Nickells was off the dais. Commissioner Cofer was absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Sullivan requested and item to recommend the Project Connect Environmental Impact Statement with comments from the Environmental Commission, seconded by Commissioner Qureshi. Chair Bedford adjourned the meeting at 10:50 pm without objection. 4