20250806-001: 20250702 Draft Minutes — original pdf

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ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, July 2, 2025 The Environmental Commission convened in a Regular meeting on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Bristol called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Jennifer Bristol, Mariana Krueger, Justin Fleury, Martin Luecke, Haris Qureshi Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Richard Brimer, David Sullivan Commissioners Absent: Isabella Changsut, Hanna Cofer, Annie Fierro, Ashika Ganguly PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Savannah Lee, Equity Action, Community Investment Plan Santiago, concerns on the I-35 project APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on June 4, 2025 The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on June 4, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Haris’ motion, Commissioner Sullivan’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Changsut, Cofer, Fierro, and Ganguly were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommend approval of the Austin Water Capital Improvement Projects located in the Drinking Water Protection Zone for approval to include in the 5-year Capital spending plan as required by Financial Policy #8. Speakers: Frida Guo, Austin Water Tina Romero, Austin Water Liz Johnston, Interim Environmental Officer Kevin Critendon, Austin Water 1 A motion to recommend the Austin Water Capital Improvement Projects located in the Drinking Water Protection Zone for approval to include in the 5-year Capital spending plan with conditions passed on Commissioner Krueger’s motion Commissioner Bristol’s second on a 6–0 vote. Commissioner Brimer abstained. Commissioners Changsut, Cofer, Fierro, and Ganguly were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation and discussion on the Rain to River Strategic Plan – Sari Albornoz, Planner Senior, Watershed Protection Department Item conducted as posted. No action taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Chair Bristol requested an agenda item to create a working group to review on WPD’s Rain to River draft strategic plan in the fall. Commissioner Sullivan requested an agenda item on artificial turf, seconded by Chair Bristol. Interim Environmental Officer Liz Johnston said staff are working on researching the topic and offered to present in the future. Commissioner Krueger asked for an update from Austin Energy in the wake of the microburst storm, seconded by Commissioner Qureshi. Interim Environmental Officer Liz Johnston offered to share the after action report from HSEM. Chair Bristol asked for an agenda item to learn more about how projects recycled concrete and other materials during redevelopment. Chair Bristol reminded commissioners that the July 16th meeting is the Annual retreat where they will have dinner, 2 educational presentations, and discuss goals for the upcoming year. Chair Bristol asked update from TXDOT on crossing the river with an Environmental impact. ADJOURNMENT Chair Bristol adjourned the meeting at 7:32 pm without objection. 2