JSC_20210128 JSC Meeting Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

Item 1 JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING January 28, 2021 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a special meeting on January 28, 2021 via videoconferencing. Chair Kaiba White called the Board Meeting to order at 9:07 am. Board Members in Attendance: Kaiba White Chair, Katie Coyne Vice-Chair, Melissa Rothrock, Karen Magid, Alberta Phillips, Nhat Ho, Rob Schneider, Kelly Davis, Holt Lackey, Karen Hadden Board Members Absent: Fisayo Fadelu, David Carroll 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) November 19, 2020 meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee • Motion to approve (Commissioner Hadden), second (Commissioner Coyne),10 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. 2. NEW BUSINESS a) Approval of 2021 JSC Meeting Schedule (Discussion and/or possible action) • Commissioners voted to approve the schedule as proposed. • Motion to approve (Commissioner Ho) second (Commissioner Coyne) with no changes. 10 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. meeting. b) Resolution for consideration in support of COA State Legislative Agenda (Discussion and/or possible action) • Commissioners voted to approve based on presentation on this topic from a previous • Motion to approve (Commissioner Phillips), second (Commissioner Coyne) with no changes. 10 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. c) Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration Overview (Discussion and/or possible action) • Recommendation for cities to sign on to this food and climate declaration that is well- aligned with Austin Climate Equity Plan, and will also be going to the Austin-Travis County Food and Policy Board • Motion to approve (Commissioner White), second (Commissioner Phillips) with no changes. 10 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. d) Update from the Climate Program Manager – Zach Baumer, Office of Sustainability (Discussion and/or possible action) • Update on process and schedule including finalizing the Austin Climate Equity Plan and getting it on the council agenda • Key issues to think about are accountability, sustained community engagement, funding, and building a baseline for actions • Commissioners discuss the importance of funding, the current budget process and ensuring implementation • Commissioner Coyne makes motion to approve processes outlined by Zach Baumer in his presentation. Commissioner White proposes to have an assessment to hire additional staff to conduct community outreach in a manner to help advance and continue Community Climate Ambassadors program. Commissioner Coyne withdraws motion and offers also having a budget between the Equity Office and Office of Sustainability to share and advance this work. Commissioner Magid and Commissioner Phillips discuss this recommendation as a starting point for future discussions. • Commissioner White makes a motion for a recommendation that council provide all that the Office of Sustainability needs to assess current and future actions to propose this budget cycle for the Austin Climate Equity Plan and additionally, that the city manager be directed to support the Office of Sustainability in making a budget assessment for additional staff and resources to facilitate equitable and inclusive community outreach to assist all departments in implementing items of the Austin Climate Equity Plan, in addition to sustained funding for the Community Climate Ambassadors program, as well as funding for Office of Sustainability to collaborate with Equity Office on community outreach work. Commissioner Coyne seconds. Record of the vote: 10 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. e) Community Resilience Resident Participation Overview – Phoebe Romero, Office of Sustainability (Discussion and/or possible action) • Shared application survey for community participation opportunities in city community resilience efforts f) Commission members report back on any relevant discussions from their respective boards and commissions – (Discussion and/or possible action) • Waster and Wastewater Commission • Work related to advancing upgrading wastewater treatment plan areas and creating a potential “flood wall” in context of Atlas 14 • Economic Prosperity Commission from JSC commissions • Urban Transportation Commission • Work related to economic relief related to the pandemic, looking for ideas • On December 17th, passed recommendation urging TxDOT not to widen I-35 an to work with the city to expand transportation policies that protect climate and are equitable and safe • Zero Waste Advisory Commission • On January 13th, the final rollout for city-wide composting, and though the main drop-off center is closed, will also be doing pickup for hazardous waste • Planning Commission • Continuing work related to zoning changes and following current processes like the Transportation Criteria Manual, but any broader city-wide code revisions are on hold • Environmental Commission • Evaluating opportunities in context of everything that the Biden administration released regarding climate policy • Austin Food Policy Board • Discussing budget recommendations over the next few months, will look to collaborate between commissions FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Austin Area Sustainability Indicators • USDA Forestry Adaptation • Updates on Austin Climate Equity Plan • Budget recommendations • Recurring updates on City of Austin Resilience Motion to adjourn (Commissioner Coyne). Meeting adjourns at 10:26 am 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).