JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE HYBRID MEETING FORMAT October 25th, 2023 at 6pm Austin Energy HQ, Shudde Fath Conference Room 4815 Mueller Blvd Austin, TX 78723 Some members of the Committee may 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 Rohan Lilauwala at (rohan.lilauwala@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9394). CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Kaiba White, Chair (Electric Utility Commission) Diana Wheeler, Vice Chair (Urban Transportation Commission) Charlotte Davis (Resource Mgmt. Commission) Haris Qureshi (Environmental Commission) Melissa Rothrock (Zero Waste Advisory Commission) Bertha Delgado (Community Development Commission) Larry Franklin (Austin Travis County Food Policy Board) Chris Maxwell-Gaines (Water & Wastewater Commission) Amy Noel (Economic Prosperity Commission) Stephanie Bazan (Parks & Recreation Board) Jon Salinas (Design Commission) Vacant (City Council) Alice Woods (Planning Commission) Rodrigo Leal (Mayor’s Representative) Anna Scott (Mayor’s Representative) Heather Houser (Mayor’s Representative) Yureisly Suarez (Mayor’s Representative) Christopher Campbell (Mayor’s Representative) For more information, please visit: www.austintexas.gov/jsc 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. DISCUSSION 1. Sustainable Purchasing Best Practices – Johanna Anderson, Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council. 2. Austin Resource Recovery Zero Waste Comprehensive Plan Update. 3. Updates from the Planning Commission. 4. Updates from the Urban Transportation Commission. 5. Updates from the Zero Waste Advisory Commission. 6. Updates from the Design Commission 7. Updates from the Electric Utility Commission. 8. Updates from the Planning Commission. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 9. Approval of minutes from the September 27th meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. 10. Resolution in support of proposed Land Development Code amendments. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT 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 contact Rohan Lilauwala at rohan.lilauwala@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9394 for additional information; TTY users’ route …
Introduction to Sustainable Procurement Opportunities for local government action SPLC leads a global community of public and private purchasers, suppliers, advocates, and experts dedicated to driving positive impact through the power of procurement. Powering Procurement for Good (c)2023 Sustainable Purchasing Council SPLC’s Broad Membership Coalition A membership of 180+ Distinguished Organizations Leveraging $800B in annual purchasing power Multi-stakeholder membership including Fortune 500s, government, higher education, and specialized non-profits Working together to align and aggregate procurement demand for environmentally, socially, economically sustainable products, services and supply chains (c)2023 Sustainable Purchasing Council Today’s agenda Baseline definitions Importance of taking a program approach Local government examples Baseline definitions HEALTHY COMMUNITY ECONOMY ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERYONE FOREVER Procurement that… achieves value for money. strengthens the organization. CONVENTIONAL PROCUREMENT Procurement that… achieves value for money. strengthens the organization. strengthens the economy. strengthens society. strengthens the environment. CONVENTIONAL PROCUREMENT SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT Sustainable Procurement Sustainable Purchasing Sustainable Purchasing Procurement that… achieves value for money. strengthens the organization. strengthens the environment. strengthens society. strengthens the economy. CONVENTIONAL PROCUREMENT SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT Responsible Sourcing Responsible Supply Chain Supply Chain Sustainability Sustainable Procurement Purchasing in ways that intentionally strengthen our… (c)2023 Sustainable Purchasing Council Environment Society Economy • Climate protection • Pollution prevention • Waste reduction • Resource efficiency • Habitat preservation • Air and water quality • Health + Safety • Equal opportunity • Fair wages • Employee training • Workers rights • No forced labor • Supplier diversity • Small business • Local jobs • Fair competition • Transparency • Innovation • Corruption-free Benefits to the organization Tangible Intangible + Process efficiency + Innovation + Performance tracking - Regulatory burden - Costs + Supplier relationships + Brand value + Customer satisfaction + Employee satisfaction + Investor visibility - Business risk (c)2023 Sustainable Purchasing Council Taking a program approach Opportunistic Activity vs. Prioritized Strategic Program More work, less impact IMPACT Lack of prioritized focus Prioritization Prioritization Pilot: Environmental Impacts of Higher Education Spend Electricity Food, & Dining Construction & Maintenance Fuels Sanitary & Waste 5 purchasing categories 64% of total spending 83% of estimated impacts 14 Insight: Analysis and prioritization sharpens focus and reduces complexity Strategic Program Approach Vision Prioritized Impacts Focus Areas Goals and Metrics Solution Strategies Benefits of a program approach Individual activities With a strategic program Silos Cross-functional collaboration Efforts are less impactful …
By 2027, preserve and produce 135,000 housing units, including 60,000 affordable housing units*, with 75% of new housing located within ½ mile of Imagine Austin activity centers and corridors. *This goal is based on the Council-adopted Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint. Strategy 1: Offer immediate affordable housing assistance Engage directly with communities that are vulnerable to displacement and connect them with services. Proactively monitor affordable housing properties at risk of losing their affordability status to extend the period of affordability. How we’ll get there: ● Increase fair housing enforcement and education. ● Incorporate robust tenant protections for all rental properties receiving City support, including streamlining the application process for affordable units. ● Support tenant organizing and engagement and provide legal and other assistance to tenants facing eviction or displacement. ● Provide tenant relocation assistance and emergency rental assistance. “I’m concerned that the low- income and marginalized communities in Austin are being pushed out and reducing the vibrancy and diversity of our city.” – Austin community member Strategy 2: Fund affordable housing Increase funding for the City’s current Housing Trust Fund and support capacity building for community development corporations. How we’ll get there: ● The City may purchase properties in gentrifying areas to preserve or develop new affordable housing units with a range of housing types, such as single-family, duplex, townhomes, etc. ● Recalibrate, streamline and expand density bonus programs to serve renters at or below 60% Median Family Income (MFI). Support the creation of deeply affordable units within the growth centers, corridors, and transit-rich areas at 20% and 30% MFI and below. ● Implement a preference policy to prioritize new City-subsidized affordable units for income- qualified households. ● Make the application process for deeply affordable housing easier, more transparent, and more efficient. | 60 Strategy 3: Enhance community engagement for affordable housing and anti- displacement programs Include low-income communities, communities of color, and people with disabilities directly affected by systemic inequalities in the City’s Housing Investment Review Committee activities and when creating anti-displacement programs. Enhance direct outreach of Housing and Planning Department-subsidized affordable units in gentrifying areas with culturally relevant communication strategies. By 2030, 50% of trips in Austin are made using public transit, biking, walking, carpooling, or avoided altogether by working from home*. *Based on City of Austin and Capital Metro data, includes all trips, and was approximately 20% in 2019. Strategy 1: Expand and improve public transportation Work with …
WHEREAS, the Joint Sustainability Commi(cid:425)ee recognizes that the City of Aus(cid:415)n’s vision for net zero emissions by 2040 outlined in the Aus(cid:415)n Climate Equity Plan priori(cid:415)zes greenhouse gas emission reduc(cid:415)on and calls for 50% of trips to be made by using public transit, biking, walking, carpooling, or avoided altogether by working from home; and WHEREAS, the Aus(cid:415)n Climate Equity Plan outlines how increased property values forces low‐ income residents to the outskirts of Aus(cid:415)n, increasing their dependency on carbon‐intensive automobiles; and WHEREAS, the Aus(cid:415)n Climate Equity Plan outlines specific housing goals to create complete communi(cid:415)es where residents are less reliant on carbon intensive vehicles, including preserving and producing 135,000 housing units with 75% located within ½ mile of Imagine Aus(cid:415)n ac(cid:415)vity centers and corridors; and WHEREAS, the Joint Sustainability Commi(cid:425)ee recognizes that driving contributes to the crea(cid:415)on of ground‐level ozone, which is a harmful air pollutant that causes and contributes to asthma and other respiratory illnesses; and WHEREAS, the Office of Sustainability’s September 2023 Carbon Footprint Update to the Aus(cid:415)n Climate Equity Plan shows that transporta(cid:415)on is the single greatest source of CO2 emissions locally; and WHEREAS, the same update recognizes that vehicle ownership and home size are two of the most significant factors to determine Aus(cid:415)nites’ household‐level emissions; WHEREAS, a report by Environment Texas outlines that compact development delivers environmental benefits including improved water quality, reduced energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, reduced water use, reduced flood risk, and improved air quality, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Joint Sustainability Commi(cid:425)ee recommends that the Aus(cid:415)n City Council approve amendments to the land development code that allow for more compact and connected communi(cid:415)es in keeping with the goals of the Aus(cid:415)n Climate Equity Plan. Specifically, the Joint Sustainability Commi(cid:425)ee recommends approval of the following: 1. amendments included in the Home Op(cid:415)ons for Middle‐income Empowerment (HOME) ini(cid:415)a(cid:415)ve including allowing three units per single‐family lot by right and reducing the minimum lot size requirement to allow for smaller single‐family homes; 2. the Tiny Home resolu(cid:415)on to allow for (cid:415)ny homes within single family zoning districts; 3. elimina(cid:415)on of all city occupancy limits to allow for flexible, affordable co‐living op(cid:415)ons within the City of Aus(cid:415)n, reducing the need for Aus(cid:415)nites to move to the outskirts of Aus(cid:415)n in search of affordable housing and associated dependency on carbon‐intensive automobiles, and reducing household‐level emissions through shared consump(cid:415)on of energy.
ARR Comprehensive Plan Update for JSC October 25, 2023 Meeting Agenda Introductions Planning Process Benchmarking Research & Analysis Stakeholder Engagement ARR Comprehensive Plan Overview Questions and Next Steps 2 Introductions 3 Update to 2011 Zero Waste Master Plan • The existing 2011 Zero Waste Master Plan has been renamed to the 2023 Zero Waste Comprehensive Plan • 2011 Plan had a goal to reach 90% diversion by the year 2040 • The 2011 plan focused on introduction to zero waste and access to services • This is a roadmap for the next 10 years 4 Key Accomplishments Since 2011 • Curbside Composting at Single Family Homes • Universal Recycling – recycling, food donation, or composting access for employees at all businesses and food permitted businesses • Construction Debris Recycling 5 Planning Process 6 Planning Process Early Improvement Recommendations Feasibility Matrix Preferred Strategies Benchmarking Research Key Definitions, Data/Technology & Policy Issues Analyze Multiple ARR Topics Establish Plan Goals & Objectives Identify Alternatives Evaluate Options Research, Analysis & Recommendations Develop Strategies & Options Multiple Strategy Workshops ARR Comprehensive Plan City/Stakeholder Engagement & Public Outreach Develop Outline & Write Multiple Drafts Based on Workshop and Stakeholder Engagement Feedback 7 Benchmarking 8 Benchmarking Overview Benchmarked 13 Zero Waste cities Zero Waste definitions Technology solutions Policy issues Key findings & recommendations to inform Comprehensive Plan 9 Benchmarking Results Year when City Adopted Zero Waste Vision 2008 2008 2013 1998 2005 2015 2012 2010 N/A N/A 2014 2013 2009 City Los Angeles Portland San Diego Seattle Austin Minneapolis Phoenix San Antonio Fort Worth Denver Boston Dallas San Francisco Published Diversion Rate* Waste Generators Considered Percent Year Commercial Single- Family Multi- Family Construction & Demolition (C&D) 76% 70% 65% 57% 42% 37% 36% 36% 30% 23% 21% 21% City does not use diversion rate 2011 2015 2018 2018 2015 2016 2019 2019 2018 2019 2019 2016 N/A ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ *Metrics are based on data published at the time of benchmarking analysis (2020). More recent diversion rates may have been published by cities but were not updated within the table in order to maintain a baseline benchmarking comparison. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1 0 Benchmarking Results ► Of 13 benchmark cities, Austin’s diversion rate only trails west coast cities (LA, Portland, …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES Sep 27, 2023 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at AE Headquarters. Acting Chair Diana Wheeler called the Board Meeting to order at 6:05 pm. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Diana Wheeler, Alice Woods, Jon Salinas, Yure Suarez, Rodrigo Leal, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Chris Campbell Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Lane Becker, Heather Houser, Melissa Rothrock, Kaiba White, Charlotte Davis Board Members Absent: Kelsey Hitchingham, Haris Qureshi, Larry Franklin, Bertha Delgado City Staff in Attendance: Zach Baumer CALL TO ORDER 9. Approval of minutes from the July 26th meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Motion by White, seconded by Suarez. Approved unanimously (10-0, Maxwell-Gaines and Campbell off dais) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION Scott Johnson (air quality advocate) spoke on the importance of sustainable purchasing to encourage improved air quality Monica Guzman (Go Austin/Vamos Austin) spoke on the need for neighborhood circulators/shuttles in the Rundberg area of North Austin. 1. City of Austin Carbon Footprints, Phillip Duran, Office of Sustainability White: Great news that we got more funding for this department that needs even more Discussions of pros and cons of using 100-year Global Warming Potential measures vs funding for the large job it does. 20-year GWP Discussion on how to communicate consumption-based emissions 2. Climate Pollution Reduction Grants – Rohan Lilauwala, Office of Sustainability Unclear about whether GHG reductions include Scope 1-3 emissions 4. Updates from the Planning Commission – Alice Woods PC joint meeting with Council on Oct 26 to discuss changes to Land Development Code, voted by PC on Nov 14, Council on Dec 14. Impacts have positive sustainability impacts. Encourages JSC to pass resolution in support of the item. Wants to explore sustainability guide – can help provide objective source of environmental information. 5. Updates from Urban Transportation Commission – Diana Wheeler Encourages defending Project Connect, uses examples of other cities. Congress Ave urban design plan update 6. Updates from Water/Wastewater Commission – Chris Maxwell-Gaines Austin Water external review to improve organization effectiveness and resilience Water supply – Austin at stage 2 water restrictions since Aug 15 7. Updates from Resource Management Commission – Charlotte Davis RMC considering resolution around AE Green Choice – repurpose program towards dispatchable renewable energy and storage 8. Updates from Electric Utility Commission – Kaiba White …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES Oct 25, 2023 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at Austin Energy HQ. Acting Chair Diana Wheeler called the Board Meeting to order at 6:07 pm. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Diana Wheeler, Charlotte Davis, Chris Maxwell- Gaines, Jon Salinas, Rodrigo Leal, Haris Qureshi Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Heather Houser, Melissa Rothrock, Kaiba White, Stephanie Bazan, Yure Suarez, Chris Campbell, Alice Woods Board Members Absent: Haris Qureshi, Larry Franklin, Bertha Delgado City Staff in Attendance: Angela Baucom, Rohan Lilauwala, Jason McCombs, Richard McHale CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION Diana Prechter encouraged JSC to recommend closure of Zilker Park Polo Field to parking. off Dais) Chris Flores encouraged JSC to support audit of the use of fertilizer on Zilker Great Lawn because of its effects on water quality in Barton Creek. 9. Approval of minutes from the September 27th meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Motion to approve by Qureshi, seconded by Davis. Approved unanimously (12-0, Woods 2. Austin Resource Recovery Zero Waste Comprehensive Plan Update. – Jason McCombs, Austin Resource Recovery, Scott Pasternak, Burns & McDonnell. Qureshi asks about multifamily composting. McCombs – thinking about this for a while, coming in Oct 2024. White has several questions around goals, timelines, rollout plans. Discussions at length around workforce development, community engagement, litter control, textile recycling, fees for diversion, etc. 1. Sustainable Purchasing Best Practices – Johanna Anderson, Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council. Discussions around potential staffing needs, resources available, engagement with institutions and businesses 3. Updates from the Planning Commission – Alice Woods PC submitted recommendations in support of changes to city telework policy Joint meeting with council on 10/26 in favor of homes initiative. 4. Updates from Urban Transportation Commission – Diana Wheeler Recent topics discussed safe routes to schools, ETOD program, parking requirements 5. Updates from Zero Waste Advisory Commission – Melissa Rothrock ZWAC made recommendation of support of ARR zero waste plan Working on multifamily composting initiative 6. Updates from Design Commission – Jon Salinas Looking at building/site design guidelines 7. Updates from Electric Utility Commission – Kaiba White AE to present on modeling at Nov meeting. Resource planning WG continued meeting AE part of EPA Solar for All grant application 10. Resolution in support of proposed Land Development …
