Joint Sustainability CommitteeMay 25, 2022

Approved Minutes_JSC_20220525 — original pdf

Approved Minutes
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Item 1 JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING May 25, 2022 MEETING MINUTES The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting on May 25, 2022 via videoconferencing and at City Hall, Council Chambers, 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas Vice Chair Diana Wheeler called the Board Meeting to order at 6:24 pm. Board Members in Attendance: Kaiba White Chair, Diana Wheeler Vice Chair, Richard DePalma, David Carroll, Solveij Rosa Praxis, Melissa Rothrock, Christy Williams, Haris Qureshi, Frances Deviney, Fisayo Fadelu, Randy Chapman (EUC Alternate for Karen Hadden) Board Members Absent: Alexis Taylor, Karen Hadden, Alberta Phillips City Staff in Attendance: Zach Baumer, Phoebe Romero CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC 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) March 30th, 2022, meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee • Motion to approve (Commissioner Carroll), second (Commissioner DePalma). Record of the vote: 10 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. 2. NEW BUSINESS a) Austin Bergstrom International Airport Presentation– Jennifer Williams, BJ Carpenter, Lyn Estabrook, and Kane Carpenter, ABIA (Discussion) • Crosswalk between airport operations and the Austin Climate Equity Plan • Overview of airport expansion and ongoing schedule and work on infrastructure developments • Overview on air emissions from expansion; provided 2027 modeling scenario with default and additional conditions to mitigate NOx and VOC emissions • Overview of jet fuel tank farm permitting and operations; will do ongoing monitoring • Commissioners discussed ongoing concerns with tank farm, equity, and increased airport emissions b) Climate Ambassadors Update – Sydnee Landry, Office of Sustainability (Discussion) • Program overview of 2022 Community Climate Ambassadors, including goals, schedule, training, resources, and recruitment • Commissioners discussed timeline, size of ambassadors, opportunities for organizations and individuals to partner with, and how ambassadors may help with implementation c) Signature Flight Support Presentation – Jeff Talbert, Signature Flight Support (Discussion) • Provided overview of sustainable airline fuel, made from sustainable feedstock that has a lower carbon intensity over petroleum-based jet fuel • Currently operates out of San Francisco airport, but has a Book and Claim system that allows for carbon attributes to be used for airlines outside of that airport • Commissioners had questions regarding cost and agricultural emissions impact d) Fayette Coal Plant Presentation – Sunrise Movement (Discussion) • Representatives Jordyn Middlebrooks and Zachary Whiteman provided an overview of the Fayette Power Project and issues of concern • Provided recommendations to JSC members, including water and air quality testing, funding for renewables, and just transition. • Commissioners requested recommendation agenda item for next meeting e) Boards and Commissions Rules Refresher – Zach Baumer, Office of Sustainability (Discussion and/or possible action) • Provided overview of some commission rules, including recommendation guidelines and using boards and commission email; staff will follow up on some questions f) Commission members report back on any relevant discussions from their respective boards and commissions – (Discussion and/or possible action) • Environmental Commission – Discussed update on Samsung water spill, and ensuring pervious cover on development • Urban Transportation Commission – Austin Transportation presented on budget, update on Blue Line to airport, and plans to electrify bike fleet • Austin Travis County Food Policy Board – Working on food policy planning, production and storage, and designations of land and food catchment • Water and Wastewater Commission – Staff provided an overview of new water conservation code updates; can look at backup from April 11th meeting • Resource Management Commission – examine healthy and unhealthy building materials to make some recommendations within Austin Energy Green Building program • Parks and Recreation Board – Final draft of Zilker Park plan coming soon, and working on a parkland dedication ordinance for commercial properties • Development Commission – Proposed VMU2 ordinance regarding the density bonus program, and discussed rebuild plan of Austin Convention Center • Planning Commission – Ongoing discussions on how many rezoning properties that are at odds with our zoning goals and continuing to create heat islands, balancing affordability and green space FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Recommendation regarding Fayette Power Project Motion to adjourn (Commissioner Wheeler) Meeting adjourns at 9:11 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).