Community Investment Budget Fiscal Year 2025 Introductions Who is Equity Action? ● Equity Action is a non-profit (c4) focused on protecting and expanding Austin’s transformative justice efforts. What is the Community Investment Budget? ● In collaboration with dozens of community organizations, Equity Action facilitated a FY2025 Community Investment Budget prevent violence and overdoses, stabilize people and families living on the margins, address crises with appropriate first responders, create opportunity and ensure that the long-awaited Climate Equity Plan and Sustainable Food Plans are implemented starting FY25. History of CIB and other Community-Led Budget Initiatives Austin has a long history of community-based budgeting. ● For many years Communities of Color United organized and advocated for an annual People’s Budget. These community-driven spending priorities centered public health and equity. ● The first Community Investment Budget was FY22-23 and reflected input from the largest coalition ever coordinated to address unmet community needs. After voters rejected a ballot proposal to tie up $120M in additional police, we pressed the city to think about public safety in a new way -- well-maintained parks, housing, youth activities, living wages, an independent forensic lab, public health initiatives to keep people safe from the pandemic and more! ● This year we’re back because mental health first response, substance-related deaths, rehousing and housing stabilization, safe and well maintained parks, and workforce opportunity requires ongoing investment! Community Investment Budget Priorities Fiscal Year 2025 ● Crime survivor support, violence prevention ● Park maintenance, library materials ● Overdose prevention/NARCAN ● Mental health crisis response ● Sheltering/housing the unhoused ● Preventing eviction and stabilizing vulnerable families ● Re-entry assistance with jobs, housing for formerly incarcerated ● Resilience hubs in areas most vulnerable to extreme weather ● Workforce development & opportunity ● New sustainable food plan ● Implement climate equity plan and address water availability/cost Why is the CIB important? While Austin is considered one of the best cities in the country to live in for many people, we still have a long way to go to ensure that it is the best for everyone - regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, language and income. The CIB this year details spending priorities for 5.7% of the roughly $1.4 billion General Revenue budget. These funding recommendations address well established community needs, gaps in existing programs and services, and suggest ways to improve the safety and quality of life for Austinites across the city. …
Summary of Community Investment Budget and Endorsing Groups The City’s budget is a reflection of our values. Austin is a progressive city, but budget processes are by nature conservative. Each budget is built on the prior one, and such a process makes the city resistant to change, regardless of the priorities expressed by voters and those they elect to address the urgent needs of today. The undersigned organizations jointly urge the city to continue its commitment to AFSCME (4%) in the baseline and invest in the following priorities in community health, housing, affordability, sustainability and safety for FY24 totaling $79.5 million or 5.7% of this year’s roughly $1.4 billion General Revenue budget. ● Parent Support Specialists [$2.4M] ongoing ● Tenant Relocation Assistance Program [$1M] ongoing ● Emergency Rental Assistance, Eviction Defense, and Tenant Legal and Support Services [$10M] ● Forensic Nursing, Austin Health Department [$328K] ongoing ● Mental Health 1st Response [$4M] ongoing ● Library books/materials [$900K] ● Reentry navigators for jobs/housing formerly incarcerated [$1.4M] ongoing ● Workforce Development [$3.46M ] ● Office of Violence Prevention [$500K] ● Implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan [$1.335M] ● Improve rebates for residential and commercial landscape conversions [$400,000, Austin Water Utility Revenue] ● Increase Leak Detection Programs [$2.28M, Austin Water Utility Revenue] ● Park Maintenance and Safety [$2M] ongoing ● Tenant Education, Stabilization Support, and Community-based Agreement Support [$300K] ongoing ● Displacement Prevention Navigators [$1M] ongoing ● Fair Housing Education, Support, and Testing [$350K] ● Emergency Supplemental Assistance for Low Income Residents [$300K] ● Inclement Weather Response [$4.5M] ongoing Community Crisis Response [$2.3M] ongoing [$4M] ● Street Outreach Services, Case Managers, and Peer Support Specialists ● Strengthen Rapid Rehousing (RRH) and create a bridge to Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) [$8M] ● Service funding for Permanent Supportive Housing [$4M] ● Early Childhood Education and Development [$1.575M] ongoing ● Resilience Hubs [$15M] ● Harm Reduction Services and Infrastructure [$1M] ongoing ● Immigration Legal Services for Low Income Families [$250K] ● Equity Office [$800K] ongoing ● Family Stabilization Grant [$3M] ongoing ● Logistical Support For Austinites Seeking Abortion Care [$250K] ongoing ● Food Sovereignty and Food Systems-Related Funding [$850K] ● East Austin Performing Arts Funding [$850K] ● Austin Community-Owned Food Retail Initiative [$500K] ● Give the Resilience Office a budget [$1M] ongoing TOTAL REQUEST FOR NEW FUNDS: $79.5M (General Fund) $2,680,000 (AWU) Endorsing Organizations Alliance for Safety and Justice American Civil Liberties Union of Tx …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240703-004 Second by: Mariana Krueger Date: July 3th, 2024 Subject: Community Investment Budget proposal Motion by: David Sullivan RATIONAL: WHEREAS, marginalized communities in Austin are disproportionately threatened by food apartheid and insecurity, heat islands and limited access to green space, climate change and its resultant natural disasters, pollution and poor health, and housing instability and homelessness; WHEREAS, the City of Austin, to varying degrees, has acknowledged these inequities and pledged to curtail them, including through the implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan and the first-ever Austin/ Travis County Comprehensive Food Plan; WHEREAS, in order to achieve a more equitable city and see the fruition of these plans and other equity-oriented policies, the City must appropriately fund them with input from the community at- large; WHEREAS, Equity Action has organized a broad coalition of support for an FY2025 Community Investment Budget after public input, thorough research, and endorsements from more than 40 organizations and individuals, including the Sierra Club (Austin Regional Group), Black Lives Veggies, Austin Environmental Democrats, Save Our Springs Alliance, Fruitful Commons, Sunrise Movement Austin, and others; WHEREAS, the City Manager and his office will soon draft a proposed FY2025 budget for City Council’s approval; WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission may advise City Council on matters of environmental importance, including as they relate to funding initiatives related to the environment and intersecting issues; THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends that the City Manager’s office incorporates the entirety of the Community Investment Budget proposal into the forecasted, baseline FY2025 budget. Vote: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: 1 of 1
URBAN FORESTRY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20240627-004 Seconded by: Richard Brimer Date: June 27, 2024 Subject: City of Austin Tree Canopy Ordinance Motion by: Melinda Schiera WHEREAS, the Urban Forestry Committee recognizes Council approved, on August 8, 2019, a Resolution declaring a climate emergency in the City, and WHEREAS, the Council approved, on September 30, 2021, the Austin Climate Equity Plan setting a goal of 50% Tree Canopy by 2050, and WHEREAS, Council re-affirmed its target of net-zero community-wide emissions by 2040 on February 15, 2024, and WHEREAS, current data shows 41% canopy cover city-wide based on satellite imagery captured in the summer of 2022, and WHEREAS, the payment rate to the Urban Forest Replenishment Fund (UFRF) was last set in 2010 and has not been updated since then, and WHEREAS, the tree canopy over East Austin is less than West Austin, and there is a specific need to increase tree canopy on private land in East Austin, and WHEREAS, an expansive Tree Canopy mitigates the heat island effect, removes carbon from the air, improves community health by removing pollutants from the air, and improves biodiversity, and WHEREAS, feedback from Urban Landscape Architects to the Environmental Commission is that trees planted from site plan requirements are not surviving, THEREFORE, the Urban Forestry Committee recommends the Environmental Commission advise Council adopt the following actions to more aggressively expand, protect, and enhance the City’s Tree Canopy: 1. Set a goal of 50% city-wide canopy cover by 2040 instead of 2050 with a particular emphasis on racial equity and and reducing heat island effects in East Austin (that is, land East of I-35 within the city limits). 1 of 3 2. Capture satellite imagery to calculate the city-wide canopy cover biennially instead of every four years and use this data to inform methods for achieving 50% canopy cover by 2040. 3. Require the City Arborist and the Development Services Department to document the number and scope of unpermitted removal of protected and heritage trees removed each year by address and actions taken. A report of these activities shall be presented to the Environmental Commission, Urban Forestry Committee, and Council annually. 4. Add fruit and nut-bearing trees to the list of preferred trees that are appropriate for the Central Texas climate. Bennually update the list of preferred trees to adjust for changing climate. 5. Define a new category of protected trees, based on the breadth of …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240703-004 Second by: Mariana Krueger Date: July 3rd, 2024 Subject: Community Investment Budget proposal Motion by: David Sullivan RATIONALE: WHEREAS, marginalized communities in Austin are disproportionately threatened by food apartheid and insecurity, heat islands and limited access to green space, climate change and its resultant natural disasters, pollution, and poor health, and housing instability and homelessness; WHEREAS, the City of Austin, to varying degrees, has acknowledged these inequities and pledged to curtail them, including through the implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan and the first-ever Austin/ Travis County Comprehensive Food Plan; WHEREAS, in order to achieve a more equitable city and see the fruition of these plans and other equity-oriented policies, the City must appropriately fund them with input from the community- at-large; WHEREAS, Equity Action has organized a broad coalition of support for an FY2025 Community Investment Budget after public input, thorough research, and endorsements from dozens of organizations and individuals, including the Sierra Club (Austin Regional Group), Black Lives Veggies, Save Our Springs Alliance, Fruitful Commons, Rewild ATX, and others; WHEREAS, the City Manager and his office will soon draft a proposed FY2025 budget for City Council’s approval; WHEREAS, the Environmental Commission may advise City Council on matters of environmental importance, including as they relate to funding initiatives related to the environment and intersecting issues; THEREFORE, the Environmental Commission recommends that the City Manager’s office incorporate the entirety of the Community Investment Budget proposal into the forecasted, baseline FY2025 budget. Vote: 8-0 For: Haris Qureshi, Hanna Cofer, Perry Bedford, Melinda Schiera, David Sullivan, Richard Brimer, Mariana Krueger, Peter Einhorn Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Jennifer Bristol, Colin Nickels Attest: 1 of 2 Perry Bedford, Commission Chair 2 of 2
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, July 3, 2024 The ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION convened Wednesday, July 3, 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, Jennifer Bristol, Richard Brimer, Hanna Cofer, Haris Qureshi, Melinda Schiera and David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Peter Einhorn, Mariana Krueger Commissioners Absent: Colin Nickells PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speakers Patricia Bobeck, Butler Landfill Kimerly Duda, Exposition School in a REGULAR meeting on APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on June 5, 2024. The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular meeting on June 5, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Cofer and Schiera abstained. Commissioner Nickells was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing on Austin's Drought Contingency Plan and Water Conservation Plan – Kevin Kluge, Water Conservation Division Manager, Austin Water Speakers: Anna Bryan-Borjas, Austin Water Kevin Kluge, Austin Water Ramesh Swaminathan, Watershed Protection Item conducted as posted. No action taken. 1. 2. 1 3. 4. 5. 6. Staff briefing on updates to single family residential landscape transformation activities – Kevin Kluge, Water Conservation Division Manager, Austin Water Speaker: Kevin Kluge, Austin Water Item conducted as posted. No action taken. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Presentation, discussion and recommendation on the Community Investment Budget – Kathy Mitchell, Equity Action. Sponsored by Commissioners Sullivan and Krueger Speakers: Bobby Levenski, Save Our Springs A motion to recommend the Community Investment Budget was approved on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second, on an 8–0 vote. Commissioner Nickells was absent. Commissioner Bristol was off the dais. COMMITTEE UPDATES Discussion on the draft recommendation from the Urban Forestry Committee on supporting Austin’s tree canopy – Richard Brimer Speakers: Bobby Levenski, Save Our Springs Item conducted as posted. No action taken. Update from the Bird-Friendly Design working group on their first meeting on July 1st – Jennifer Bristol Commissioners Sullivan and Krueger provided an update. No action taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None ADJOURNMENT Chair Bedford adjourned the meeting at 8:35 P.M. The minutes were approved at the July 17, 2024 meeting on Commissioner Sullivan’s motion, Commissioner Bedford’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Einhorn and Nickells were absent. Commissioner Qureshi was off the dais. 2
Urban Forestry Committee Meeting June 27th, 2024 at 11:30 AM Permitting And Development Center, Events Center, Room 1401 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Urban Forestry Committee will be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Elizabeth Funk, Watershed Protection Department, at (512) 568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov, no later than noon, the day before the meeting. The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Richard Brimer (Committee Chair) Mariana Krueger Colin Nickells Melinda Schiera CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 5 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES STAFF BRIEFINGS Services Department 1. Approve the minutes of the Urban Forestry Committee Meeting of March 28, 2024 2. City Arborist Quarterly Report FY24 – Naomi Rotramel, City Arborist, Development 3. Staff briefing on climate adaptation and Austin’s urban forest – Emily King, Urban Forestry, Development Services Department DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Brimer, Urban Forestry Committee Chair Richard Brimer, Urban Forestry Committee Chair FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT 4. Discussion and recommendation on strategies to improve Austin’s tree canopy – Richard 5. Discussion and recommendation on the 2023-2024 Urban Forestry Annual Report – The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Elizabeth 512-568-2244, Elizabeth.Funk@austintexas.gov; for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. Protection Department, Funk, Watershed at
Vulnerability Assessment of Austin’s Urban Forest and Natural Areas J u n e 2 0 24 Vulnerability Assessment What is it Why it matters Dive deeper What is it An assessment that evaluates the vulnerability of urban trees and natural and developed landscapes within the City of Austin to a range of future climates. Vulnerability is… …the susceptibility of a system to the adverse effects of climate change. Vulnerability is a function of potential climate change impacts and the adaptive capacity of the system. Use this space for an engaging chart or images Vulnerability Assessment Highlights: Climate ● Increased temperatures ● Precipitation (droughts and floods) ● Shift to aridification Vulnerability Assessment Highlights: Trees Almost 90% of species are moderately – highly vulnerable 76% of low and moderately vulnerable species are native to our area Why it matters Climate change is here; 6 of the hottest 10 years in Austin were between 2000-2019. Austin has over 33 million trees; our trees will be directly and indirectly impacted by climate change. Extreme heat is a threat to our community. Trees shade and cool. Significant Benefits Dive deeper • Summary of the report here • Full report here • Austin's Climate Equity Plan Emily King Urban Forester Emily.King@AustinTexas.gov facebook.com/NatureCityATX instagram.com/NatureCityATX
Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2024 Urban Forestry Committeee The Committee mission statement is: May study, investigate, advise, report, and recommend actions, programs, or plans the Committee determines necessary or advisable for the care, preservation, pruning, planting, replanting, removal, or disposition of trees and shrubs and other landscaping in public parks, along streets, and in other public areas. Develop recommendations for urban forest plans for the planting, maintenance, and replacement of trees in parks, along streets, and in other public area, and submit them to the Environmental Commission for review and appropriate action. 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. • Review current tree removal and public complaint processes. • Review and recommend Austin’s tree canopy status and goals for 2050. • Define the term “ghost trees” and how they impact tree canopy management. • Review Heritage Tree administrative varaiance process. • Plan for upcoming year’s activities and goals. • Receive update on tree preservation numbers. • Update Committee on tree preservation incentives in the HOME code amendments. 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. The Committee’s actions throughout the year did comply with the mission of the Urban Forestry Committee. 3. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. • Continue to work with City Staff on implementation to meet the City’s goal of 50% canopy cover by the year 2050 and focus on increasing canopy equity. • Move the 50% canopy cover date forward to 2040. Annual Review and Work Plan 2024 Page 2 • Coordinate with Parks and Recreation Department and Parks Board in efforts to improve canopy cover along trails. • Work more closely with non-profits (e.g., Treefolks) to increase the number of trees provided to schools, public parks, and individuals in efforts to reduce the heat island effect in urban areas. • Develop plans with City Staff to encourage developers to increase the use of butterfly gardens, micro-forests to improve biodiversity. Improve documentation of unpermitted tree removals. • • Calculate City of Austin canopy cover biennially. • Require Urban Forestry to double the existing canopy coverage in East Austin (east of Interstate I-35) by 2040. • Adjust the tree mitigation fund to account for …
URBAN FORESTRY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 2024XXXX-00X Date: Subject: City of Austin Tree Canopy Ordinance Motion by: Melinda Schiera Seconded by: WHEREAS, the Urban Forestry Committee recognizes Council approved, on August 8, 2019, a Resolution declaring a climate emergency in the City, and WHEREAS, the Council approved, on September 30, 2021, the Austin Climate Equity Plan setting a goal of 50% Tree Canopy by 2050, and WHEREAS, Council re-affirmed its target of net-zeros community-wide emissions by 2040 on February 15, 2024, and WHEREAS, current data shows 41% canopy cover city wide based on satellite imagery captured in the summer of 2022, and WHEREAS, the tree canopy over East Austin is less than West Austin, and there is a specific need to increase tree canopy on private land in East Austin, and WHEREAS, an expansive Tree Canopy mitigates the heat island effect, removes carbon from the air, improves community health be removing pollutants from the air, and improves biodiversity, and WHEREAS, feedback from Urban Landscape Architects to the Environmental Commission is that trees planted from site plan requirements are not surviving, THEREFORE, the Urban Forestry Committee recommends the Environmental Commission advise Council adopt the following actions to more aggressively expand, protect, and enhance the City’s Tree Canopy: 1. Set a goal of 50% city-wide canopy cover by 2040 instead of 2050. 2. Capture satellite imagery to calculate the city-wide canopy cover biennially instead of every four-years. 3. Require the City Arborist and the Development Services Department to document the number and scope of unpermitted removal of protected and heritage trees removed each year by address and actions taken. A report of these activities shall be presented to the Environmental Commission, Urban Forestry Committee, and Council annually. 1 of 3 4. Add fruit and nut bearing trees to the list of preferred trees that are appropriate for the Central Texas climate. Bennually update the list of preferred trees to adjust for changing climate. 5. Define a new category of protected trees, based on the breadth of the canopy in addition to the diameter as measured four and one-half feet above natural grade. 6. Improve incentive plans for developers to encourage retention of existing trees using non- financial incentives, development considerations, density, increased FAR, etc. 7. Require the Urban Forestry Department develop a plan to double the existing canopy coverage in East Austin (east of Interstate I-35) by 2040. This plan shall be presented to …
1. 2. 3. 4. URBAN FORESTRY COMMITTEE MEETING REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, March 28, 2024 The Urban Forestry Committee convened in a REGULAR meeting on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Chair Brimer called the Urban Forestry Committee Meeting to order at 10:02 a.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Richard Brimer Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Mariana Krueger, Melinda Schiera Commissioners Absent: Colin Nickells PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Urban Forestry Committee Meeting of October 12, 2023 The minutes from the regular meeting on October 12th, 2023 were approved on Commissioner Schiera’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 3–0 vote. Commissioner Nickells was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing heritage tree administrative variance procedures – Jim Dymkowski, Division Manager, Community Tree Preservation, Development Services Department Item conducted as posted. No action taken. Staff briefing on overall tree preservation numbers – Jim Dymkowski, Urban Forestry, Development Services Department Item conducted as posted. No action taken. Staff update on drafted tree preservation incentives in HOME code amendments – Jim Dymkowski, Urban Forestry, Development Services Department Emily King, Urban Forestry, Development Services Department Speakers: Bobby Levenski, Save our Springs Alliance (speaking on items 4 and 5) Item conducted as posted. No action taken. DISCUSSION ITEMS 5. Discuss ghost trees and how they are addressed in the current heritage tree ordinance– Richard Brimer Speakers: Bobby Levenski, Save our Springs Alliance Item conducted as posted. No action was taken. 6. Discuss Committee goals for the upcoming year – Mariana Krueger Speakers: Commissioner Krueger, on increasing food forests and native planting corridors Commissioner Schiera, on the growth of tree canopy and increasing tree review after planting Commissioner Brimer, on actionable items to protect tree canopy and incentives on compliance with existing regulations Item conducted as posted. No action taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Schiera requested to meet to determine high-level priorities and action items for the committee. Commissioner Schiera requested making a recommendation to Council on increasing the inspections of trees after plantings Commissioner Krueger requested an agenda item to create package of recommendations to support food forests and community gardens at the Environmental Commission. Chair Brimer adjourned the meeting at 12 p.m. without objection.
City Arborist Program Tree Report Environmental Commission Urban Forestry Subcommittee Meeting June 27, 2024 Naomi Rotramel, City Arborist City Arborist Program Tree Report: Preservation City Arborist Program Tree Report: Inches Replanted for Mitigation City Arborist Program Tree Report: Dead, Diseased, Imminent Hazard Removals (Site Plan and stand-alone Tree Permit only)
City Arborist Program Tree Report Environmental Commission Urban Forestry Subcommittee Meeting June 27th, 2024 Naomi Rotramel, City Arborist 1 City Arborist Program Tree Report: Preservation City Arborist Program Tree Report: Inches Replanted for Mitigation City Arborist Program Tree Report: Dead, Diseased, Imminent Hazard Removals (Site Plan and stand-alone Tree Permit only) 5
Regular Meeting of the Environmental Commission June 5, 2024 at 6:00 PM Permitting And Development Center, Events Center, Room 1405 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Environmental Commission will be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Kaela Champlin, Watershed Protection Department, at (737) 230-3786, Kaela.Champlin@austintexas.gov no later than noon, the day before the meeting. The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). Colin Nickells Jennifer Bristol, Secretary David Sullivan Richard Brimer Perry Bedford, Chair CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Haris Qureshi Peter Einhorn Mariana Krueger Melinda Schiera Hanna Cofer, Vice Chair AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on May 15, 2024. Discussion and recommendation of 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 – Frida Guo, Financial Manager II, Austin Water Presentation, discussion, and recommendation on bird-friendly design and building solutions from Travis Audubon – Heidi Trudell, requested by Commissioner Bristol PUBLIC HEARINGS Name: 290 Parmer Industrial – 2, SP-2023-0401C Applicant: Ryan Taylor, Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. Location: 10095 E US 290 Hwy Service Road EB Austin, Texas Council District: District 1 Staff: David Michael, Environmental Review Specialist Senior, Development Services Department Applicant request: Variance request is to A) vary from LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut up to 15 feet and B) vary from LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill up to 16 feet. Staff recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the variances with conditions Name: Stassney Park, SPC-2023-0110C Applicant: Nick Brown / Kimley-Horn Location: …
in a REGULAR meeting on ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2024 The ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION convened Wednesday, May 15, 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, Hanna Cofer, Peter Einhorn, Mariana Krueger, Haris Qureshi, and David Sullivan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Colin Nickells, Melinda Schiera, and David Sullivan Commissioners Absent: Jennifer Bristol PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on May 5, 2024. The minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular meeting on May 5, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Brimer’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Bristol was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Update on the 2023 State of the Environment Report and 2023 Watershed Protection Annual Report – Liz Johnston, Interim Environmental Officer, and Anupa Gharpurey, Assistant Director, Watershed Protection Department Speakers: Liz Johnston Anupa Gharpurey Jorge Morales Kaela Champlin Ramesh Swaminathan 1 4. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Chair Bedford called for a recess at 6:27. Chair Bedford reconvened the meeting at 6:37. Item conducted as posted. No action was taken. Name: 3 Men Movers, SP-2023-0294C Applicant: Hollis Scheffler – Westwood Professional Services Location: 9989 E US 290 Hwy Service Road EB, Austin, TX 78744 Council District: District 1 Staff: Ryan Soutter, Environmental Review Specialist Senior, Development Services Department Applicant request: Request to vary from a) LDC 25-8-301 to allow driveway construction on slopes greater than 15%; b) LDC 25-8-302 to allow building and parking construction on slopes over 15%; c) LDC 25-8-341 to allow cut up to 12 feet; and d) LDC 25-8-342 to allow fill up to 15 feet. Staff recommendation: Staff recommends approval of the variances with conditions Speakers: Ryan Soutter Justin Lange Liz Johnston Mike McDougal A motion to close the public hearing passed on Commissioner Einhorn’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second on a 9–0 vote. Commissioner Bristol was absent. A motion to approve the requested variances with conditions passed on Commissioner Bedford’s motion, Commissioner Qureshi’s second on an 8–0 vote. Commissioner Brimer abstained. Commissioner Bristol was absent. Name: Sunfield PUD Amendment #1; Case No. C814-2014-0083.01 Applicant: Katherine P. Loayza, Jackson Walker L.L.P. Location: 1901 Turnersville Road Council District: District 5 Staff: Leslie Lilly, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Watershed Protection Department Applicant request: To amend a Planned Unit Development (PUD) …
Memorandum To: Boards and Commissions From: Shay Ralls Roalson, Director, Austin Water Date: March 30, 2024 Subject: Board and Commission and Citizen Review of new Growth-related Capital Improvement Projects in Drinking Water Protection Zone The Austin City Council approved an amendment to Austin Water’s (AW) Financial Policy No. 8 to provide for enhanced Board and Commission and citizen reviews of AW’s new growth-related capital improvement projects (CIP) located in the Drinking Water Protection Zone (DWPZ). The previous ordinance (No. 20130117-017) took effect on January 28, 2013 and on August 11, 2021 ordinance (No. 20210811-001) amended the DWPZ financial policy. AW is presenting the new growth-related projects to Boards and Commissions as set forth in the ordinance. The revised Financial Policy No. 8 reads as follows: Capital improvement projects for new water and wastewater treatment plants, capital expansions, and growth-related projects that are located in the Drinking Water Protection Zone (DWPZ) will be identified and submitted, as part of the annual budget process, to the following Boards and Commissions: Water and Wastewater Commission, Resource Management Commission, and the Environmental Board. These Boards and Commissions will review growth-related DWPZ capital projects spending plans, obtain Board and Commission and citizen input, review consistency with Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, review effect on growth within the DWPZ, and make recommendations on project approval for inclusion in Austin Water's five-year capital spending plan. This summer, AW representatives will be distributing a brief report to the Commissions on the CIP projects located in the DWPZ related to the financial policy. Attachments: CIP Subprojects Summary CIP Subprojects Supplemental Information and Map The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Austin Water Infrastructure Management Financial Policy No. 8 Drinking Water Protection Zone Projects Summary FY25-29 CIP Plan Development Each year, as part of the City of Austin Budget approval process, Austin Water submits a plan for the capital improvements program (CIP) spending for the upcoming five-year period. Austin Water’s FY25-29 CIP Plan includes projects located across the Austin metropolitan area, including the Drinking Water Protection Zone (DWPZ). In compliance with Austin Water’s Financial Policy No. 8, the capital improvement projects for new water and wastewater treatment plants, capital expansions, and growth related projects that are located in the DWPZ are presented below for consideration by City of Austin Boards and Commissions. …
June 5, 2024 Environmental Commission The Travis Audubon Society requested this report on bird safe buildings for presentation to the City of Austin and general dissemination within the Central Texas community. It was submitted to the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board on March 18, 2024, the Design Commission on April 22, 2024, and was prepared by Heidi Trudell, a bird collision prevention researcher and consultant, who in March 2024 was hired as a technical advisor by Guardian Glass. Passing directly over Austin, North America’s Central Flyway serves as the primary migration corridor1 during spring and fall for hundreds of species of birds. Due to this geographic funneling, Texas is home to three of the top ten most deadly cities for birds2 (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio), making it especially critical to proactively preserve biodiversity. Travis County alone has documented 4273 species of birds, which is more than fourteen states4 have recorded. With bird populations in steep decline,5 and an estimated 621 million to 2 billion6 birds dying at windows in the US annually, it is critical now more than ever that municipal leaders, especially in ecologically significant areas like Austin, step forward to reverse the trend. Initial steps have already been taken; Austin’s dedication to bird conservation has already been established by committing to meet the standards of a Bird City.7 This includes a pledge to reduce nonessential lighting during migration8 that comes as part of a statewide initiative9 to address the detrimental impact that artificial light at night has on migrating birds. As Austinites are well aware, however, it’s not just birds that need dark skies to thrive; even outside of bird migration, bats are especially sensitive to lighting.10 1allaboutbirds.org/news/heres-how-to-use-the-new-migration-forecast-tools-from-birdcast/# 2news.cornell.edu/stories/2019/04/chicago-tops-list-most-dangerous-cities-migrating-birds 3ebird.org/region/US-TX-453?yr=all 4ebird.org/region/US/regions 53billionbirds.org 6meridian.allenpress.com/wjo/article-abstract/125/2/406/129654/Evaluating-the-Effectiveness-of-Select-Visual/ 7austintexas.gov/news/austin-now-designated-bird-city-working-protect-habitats-and-promote-bird-friendly-practices 8traviscountytx.gov/news/2021/2113-lights-out-for-migrating-birds 9tx.audubon.org/urbanconservation/lights-out-texas 10batcon.org/new-paper-suggests-light-pollution-limits-bat-habitat/ The next step is to address the built environment directly. Glass is a dynamic material; it can reflect habitat or be entirely transparent. As a result, birds are unable to see glass11 unless it is modified. Poorly designed buildings dramatically increase the risk of collision. One way to significantly improve the odds of survival for birds living in or migrating through Central Texas is to ensure that buildings meet bird safe standards.12 Every building that is made bird safe - as new construction or a retrofit - will save dozens to hundreds of birds13 per building, per year. Best practices in bird safe building standards align with Austin’s values14 of being …
