Approved Minutes_JSC_20201028 — original pdf

Approved Minutes

Item 1 JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES REGULAR MEETING October 28, 2020 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a regular meeting on October 28, 2020 via videoconferencing. Chair Kaiba White called the Board Meeting to order at 5:37 pm. Board Members in Attendance: Kaiba White Chair, Katie Coyne Vice-Chair, David Carroll, Nhat Ho, Karen Hadden, Rob Schneider, Fisayo Fadelu, Holt Lackey, Kelly Davis Board Members Absent: Karen Magid, Melissa Rothrock, Alberta Phillips City Staff in Attendance: Zach Baumer, Phoebe Romero CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION The speakers who registered in advance for public comment have three minutes each to address items on the agenda at this time. • None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a) September 25, 2020 meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee • Motion to approve (Commissioner Hadden), second (Commissioner Coyne), 7 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. 2. NEW BUSINESS a) Recommendation stating support for public transit as part of Austin Climate Equity Plan (Discussion and/or possible action) • Moved this timing of this item to follow staff presentations (Items 2B and 2C) • Recommendation emphasizes the need for bold actions in order to support the successful implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan. • The recommendation was approved with a friendly amendment by Commissioner White to write out the Austin Generation, Resource and Climate Protection Plan by its full name. Motion to support (Commissioner White), second (Commissioner Lackey). Record of the vote: 8 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. • Commissioner Davis was not able to vote in previous vote due to technical difficulties, requested for vote to be reconsidered. Motion to reconsider vote (Commissioner Schneider), second (Commission White). Record of the vote: 9 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. • The recommendation was approved on a second vote with a motion to support (Commissioner White), second (Commissioner Carroll). Record of the vote: 9 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. b) Presentation on Community Solar - Tim Harvey, Austin Energy (Discussion and/or possible action) • Provided an overview of all community solar projects in Austin • Provide community solar discount for Customer Assistance Program customers, including for new Austin-Bergstrom International Airport solar project • Request for Proposal (RFP) out for local solar and includes call to provide Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and local workforce development plan • Provided overview of shared solar multi-family projects • Testing automation in the billing system; target date July 2021 c) Presentation on equity and the Austin Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan – Liz Jambor, Austin Energy (Discussion and/or possible action) • Overview of Request for Proposal (RFP) for equitable participation in programs • Staff went through training to create a more equitable RFP • Aiming to collect more health data to advance equity • Will be thinking creatively about how to do engagement with community organizations and residents safely in the time of a pandemic. • Project is aiming to begin by mid-2021; report will be provided within a year of the RFP • Goal is to create successful, affordable programs that best serve limited-income communities and communities of color d) Update from the Climate Program Manager – Zach Baumer, Office of Sustainability (Discussion and/or possible action) • Continued presentations to city boards and commissions; some have passed recommendations for plan • Feedback from public comment period and boards and commissions are being reviewed for a final draft • Will provide some briefings to some council committees e) Commission members report back on any relevant discussions from their respective boards and commissions – (Discussion and/or possible action) • Design Commission voted to support the JSC recommendation on the Austin Climate Equity Plan. • Earlier in October, the Urban Transportation Commission passed a recommendation regarding recommended actions to strengthen climate plan by taking actions to improve public transit and active transportation • Planning Commission wants to strengthen climate provisions of land code, including parking, but unclear when the lawsuit process will be resolved and a rewrite could happen, so they are dealing with affordability and transit issues on an ad hoc basis. • Environmental Commission had a presentation from Austin Fire about new code and another from Brie Franco from the Office of Intergovernmental Relations on the state legislative agenda. The Green Infrastructure Plan in the city is moving forward. • Water and Wastewater Commission provided an update on the new My ATX Water project and a leadership change at Austin Water. Thinking about concerns and solutions for multi-family residents and how to roll out the system in an equitable way. • There is concerns in the Electric Utility Commission about the use of herbicide to clear trees and keep stumps from growing in order to have line clearance for fire protection. • Community Development Commission passed resolution in support of the JSC recommendation on the Austin Climate Equity Plan. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Legislative Session Update from Intergovernmental Relations Motion to adjourn (Commissioner Coyne), Second (Commissioner Scheinder): All in favor (9 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained). Meeting adjourns at 7:05 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 call Zach Baumer with the Office of Sustainability at 512-974-2836, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Joint Sustainability Committee, please contact Zach Baumer at (zach.baumer@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2836).