6. Joint Sustainability Committee Annual Report - Draft — original pdf

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Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2024 __________Joint Sustainability Committee_____________ (Official Name of Board or Commission) The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. The JSC passed the following recommendations over the last year: - July 26, 2023 o 20230726-7 Recommendation of Proposal to Preserve the Independence of the Offices of Sustainability, Resilience, Equity, and Civil Rights o 20230823-6 Recommendation on Multifamily Composting Ordinance o 20230927-010 Recommendation for accelerating implementation of the Austin - August 23, 2023 - September 27, 2023 Climate Equity Plan - December 13, 2023 - January 24, 2024 o 20231213-007 Recommendation for support of Austin Energy Resource Planning o 20240124-002 Recommendations on amendments to the Ausitn Climate Equity Plan on telework and disposal rate goals - February 28, 2024 o 20240228-013 Recommendation on supporting Pro-Climate Food Choices in the Austin Food Plan o Approved amendment to bylaws to add a member from the Austin Travis County Public Health Commission to the Joint Sustainability Committee. o 20240228-015 Recommendation for Support of the goals of the Great Streets Initiative that contribute to the Green Infrastructure Resolution. o 20240228-017 Recommendation for Environmental Impact Study for Parking in Austin - March 27, 2024 - April 30, 2024 o 20240228-014 Recommendations for City of Austin FY25 Budget o 20240327-006 Recommendations on the FY 24-25 Budget o 20240430-002 Recommendation for Environmental Investment Plan Funding 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. (If any of the board’s actions were outside the scope of the mission statement, the report should explain the non-compliance issues.) All of the Joint Sustainability Committees actions complied with its mission statement. 3. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. (Make sure the goals and objectives fall within the mission statement of the board/commission.) 1. Oversee and contribute to the implementation of the Austin Climate Equity Plan by working with all city departments, city management and the Austin City Council to evaluate and expand efforts to reduce emissions within City operations and in the community 2. Monitor and advise on effective communication of progress to implement the Austin Climate Equity Plan via the Dashboard, with an emphasis on increasing the level of detail reported 3. Monitor assessment of high-potential funding opportunities and novel finance mechanisms, including through the possible creation of a new climate-related infrastructure finance mechanism or regional climate funding collaborative, and advise on implementation of such strategies 4. Work with city staff, stakeholders and experts to develop a model for carbon impact statements for all significant budget and policy decisions 5. Monitor and advise on future structure and projects for the Community Climate Ambassadors 6. Monitor and advise on the update to and implementation of the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan, including retirement of the Fayette coal plant, expanding community and rooftop solar, and implementing utility-scale and customer-sited battery storage 7. Promote policies and programs that will improve energy efficiency and sustainability in construction, including adoption of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, improving the Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure (ECAD) ordinance, and programs and policies to encourage use of the Passive House and Living Building Challenge standards 8. Monitor and advise on the development of a comprehensive Sustainable Purchasing Plan for the city 9. Monitor and advise on adoption and implementation of the Austin Resource Recovery Comprehensive Plan, including electrification of refuse vehicles, implementation of organics collection at multifamily properties under the Austin Universal Recycling Ordinance 10. Advise on expanding and creating programs to support circular economy businesses, including those that provide repair services, sell used goods, and use refillable containers 11. Monitor and advise on the development of a refrigerant leak mitigation plan for the city and the Austin community 12. Collaborate with the Austin Travis County Food Policy Board and advise on policies and programs to enhance the regional food system, promote climate-friendly diets, and reduce food waste, including possible incentives for climate-friendly, plant-base protein 13. Monitor and advise on implementation of the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan 14. Advise on policies and programs to mitigate and adapt to extreme heat in an equitable way, including by improving shading for key pedestrian, bike and transit corridors 15. Work to implement Vision Zero policies that promote mode shift to reduce private vehicle use, including improving pedestrian and bike safety with protected bike lanes 16. Work with city staff and Cap Metro to speed the transition to electric vehicles, including buses and heavy vehicles for Austin Resource Recovery. 17. Make equity a priority in all of these initiatives