JSC_Approved Minutes_20210526 — original pdf

Approved Minutes

Item 1 JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES REGULAR MEETING May 26, 2021 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a special meeting on May 26, 2021 via videoconferencing. Chair Kaiba White called the Board Meeting to order at 5:34 pm. Board Members in Attendance: Kaiba White Chair, Katie Coyne Vice-Chair, David Carroll, Diana Wheeler, Melissa Rothrock, Karen Hadden, Alexis Taylor, Fisayo Fadelu, Solveij Rosa Praxis, Karen Magid, Alberta Phillips Board Members Absent: 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) April 28, 2021 meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee • Motion to approve (Commissioner Hadden), second (Commissioner Taylor), 8 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. Commissioner Praxis and Commissioner Magid were not yet on the dais. 2. NEW BUSINESS a) Austin Area Sustainability Indicators Update – Patrick Bixler and Jessica Jones, UT Austin (Discussion and/or possible action) • Overview of community survey, which focused primarily on flooding and extreme heat hazards, with a focus on zip codes 78744 and 78753 in collaboration with Go Austin, Vamos Austin • Identified racial disparities in impact, actions taken, and varying levels of satisfaction with disaster response services • Discussion on how this will be used for on-the-ground action, and considering platforms for tracking implementation of climate actions, and how to define social cohesion and capital and/or possible action) b) USDA Forest Adaptation Overview – Wendy Gordon, Climate Action Texas (Discussion • Participated in an interdisciplinary team on examining the impacts of climate change on natural systems in Texas and ended with a report titled Vulnerability Assessment of Austin’s Urban Forest and Natural Areas • Provided overview of key findings, including impacts of changes in temperatures and precipitation, and some outcomes of business as usual vs. actionable scenarios • Discussion on how to maintain and increase biodiversity, how to impact decision- making, and engaging in outreach by distributing information to neighborhood contact teams. c) Commission members report back on any relevant discussions from their respective boards and commissions – (Discussion and/or possible action) • Resource Management Commission – did not develop a recommendation in support of the code, will be following up on having a public process before the end of the year to discuss electric-ready and EV-ready buildings. • Environmental Commission – had a presentation on the Austin Civilian Conservation Corps program, and a debrief on Country Club Creek issue to stabilize erosion in creek. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Post Legislative Session Debrief • Austin Climate Equity Plan process Motion to adjourn (Commissioner Wheeler) Second (Commissioner Coyne). Meeting adjourns at 7:32 pm 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).