20250416-001 Draft Minutes from 4/2 EVC meeting — original pdf

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ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, April 2, 2025 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Cofer called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Hanna Cofer, Jennifer Bristol, Richard Brimer, Isabella Changsut, Justin Fleury, Mariana Krueger, Haris Qureshi, Melinda Schiera, David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: None Commissioners Absent: Ashika Ganguly PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Bobby Levinski, CAMPO 2050 Regional Transportation Plan APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on March 19, 2025 The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on March 19, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Qureshi’s second on a 8-0 vote. Commissioner Ganguly was absent. Commissioner Schiera abstained. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Recognition of Melinda Schiera for her service on the Environmental Commission – Liz Johnston, Interim Environmental Officer, Watershed Protection Department Item conducted as posted. No action taken. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. In response to Council Resolution 20250327-062, consider variances and amendments to the Land Development Code, including site-specific amendments to Chapter 25-8, as minimally required to allow the construction of the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment 1 Plant Enhancement and Expansion Project – Leslie Lilly, Environmental Program Manager, Watershed Protection Department (WPD) Speakers: Leslie Lilly, WPD Charles Celauro, Austin Water (AW) Bobby Levinski, Save Our Springs Liz Johnston, Interim Environmental Officer, WPD Naomi Rotramel, City Arborist, Development Shay Ralls Roalson, Director, AW Erik Kunkel, Capitol Delivery Services A motion to recommend variances and amendments to the Land Development Code, including site-specific amendments to Chapter 25-8, as minimally required to allow the construction of the Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant Enhancement and Expansion Project, with additional recommendations, passed on Commissioner Bristol’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on an 8–1 vote. Commissioner Ganguly was absent. Vice Chair Cofer called a recess at 8:43. The meeting reconvened at 8:50. 4. Election of Environmental Commission Officers for May 1, 2025 through April 30, 2026 term. A motion to nominate Commissioner Bristol as chair was approved on Commissioner Cofer’s motion on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Ganguly was absent. A motion to nominate Commissioner Krueger as vice-chair was approved on Commissioner Bristol’s motion on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Ganguly was absent. Commissioner Brimer nominated Commissioner Sullivan for secretary. Sullivan declined the nomination. A motion to nominate Commissioner Cofer as secretary was approved on Commissioner Bristol’s motion on a 9-0 vote. 5. Discussion and possible action on Environmental Commission committee membership The commission nominated Commissioner Cofer and Changsut as members of the Urban Forestry Committee. The commission nominated Commissioner Brimer as a member of the Joint Committee of the Environmental Commission and Parks and Recreation Board. 2 The commission nominated Commissioner Changsut as an alternate for the Joint Sustainability Committee. The commission nominated Commissioner Sullivan for the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board. 6. 7. Discussion and recommendation on 2026 budget priorities from the Joint Sustainability Committee – Environmental Commissioner Haris Qureshi A motion to recommend the 2026 budget priorities from the Joint Sustainability Committee passed on Commissioner Qureshi’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on a 9–0 vote. Commissioner Ganguly was absent. Discussion and recommendation on City-Wide On-Demand Micro Transit to Parks and Recreation Centers – Environmental Commissioners Richard Brimer and Haris Qureshi A motion to recommend the City-Wide On-Demand Micro Transit to Parks and Recreation Centers passed on Commissioner Brimer’s motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second, on a 9–0 vote. Commissioner Ganguly was absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Sullivan motioned for an item on the Austin Transportation Department to discuss what CAMPO, seconded by Commissioner Brimer. ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Cofer adjourned the meeting at 9:28 pm without objection. 3