JSC_Approved Minutes_20220223 — original pdf

Approved Minutes

Item 1 JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES February 23, 2022 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting on February 23, 2022 via videoconferencing and at the Austin Energy Headquarters on 4815 Mueller Blvd. Austin, TX 78723. Chair Kaiba White called the Board Meeting to order at 6:26 pm. Board Members in Attendance: Kaiba White Chair, Diana Wheeler, Solveij Rosa Praxis, Christy Williams, Richard DePalma, Audrey Barrett, Fisayo Fadelu, Karen Hadden, Alberta Phillips Board Members Absent: Alexis Taylor, Melissa Rothrock, David Carroll, Karen Magid 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) December 6, 2021 meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee • Motion to approve (Commissioner DePalma), second (Commissioner Hadden). Record of the vote: 8 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. Phillips was off the dais. 2. NEW BUSINESS a) Vice Chair Election – (Discussion and/or possible action) • Commissioner Hadden nominates Commissioner Phillips. Commissioner Phillips suggests an alternate nomination may be best suited. Commissioner Fadelu nominates Commissioner Wheeler, who accepts the nomination. Record of the vote: 8 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. b) Austin Climate Equity Plan implementation update – Zach Baumer, Office of Sustainability – (Discussion and/or possible action) • Memo update was released on February 9th • Key updates include: o Releasing StoryMap overview for the climate plan o Hiring a Climate Equity Engagement Associate who is leading the development of a second cohort of Climate Ambassadors o In process of developing a public dashboard to track implementation o Developing status update for each climate plan strategy o Cross-departmental collaboration on mid-year budget requests • Commissioners discussed questions on tracking metrics, ways to track departmental implementation, and developing a set of questions for all departmental presentations c) Austin Climate Equity Plan Implementation working group update – (Discussion and/or possible action) • Commissioners discussed model for working group, availability of staff support, and form for recruitment for community members • JSC pending Bylaws changes approval from Audit and Finance Committee. Will have to wait for March meeting. d) Fayette coal power plant retirement update – (Discussion and/or possible action) • Commissioner White discussed Fayette Coal Plant community initiative, and importance of shutting down plant to meet climate goals • Created a public meeting on March 3rd that all can attend to discuss next steps e) Electric Readiness and EV-Ready code amendments – (Discussion and/or possible action) • The Joint Sustainability Commission supports adoption of Electric Readiness and EV- Ready amendments to the Austin Energy Conservation Code and recommends that the Austin City Council direct that the City Manager initiate a formal process to make these code updates immediately. The Commission supports staff plans to conduct stakeholder meetings on electrification and recommends that the Austin City Council request regular updates on this work to  ensure that it is completed on a timeline that will allow for implementation of the Electric Readiness and EV-Ready code amendments by September 1, 2022. • Motion to approve (Commissioner DePalma), second (Commissioner Phillips). Record of the vote: 9 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. f) Commission members report back on any relevant discussions from their respective boards and commissions – (Discussion and/or possible action) • Environmental Commission: Commissioner Barrett discussed ongoing issues with Violet Crown development. Proposed 20,000 sf amphitheater, Environmental Commission voted to not provide a service extension request. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • None discussed Motion to adjourn (Commissioner White) Meeting adjourns at 8:18 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).