Joint Sust ainabilit y Commit t ee Climat e Program Manager Updat e May 27, 2020 Current Status ● The First DRAFT of Goals / Strategies from the Advisory Groups are in (with a few additions coming later this week). ● Friday 6/5 – Steering Committee comments due. ● Monday 6/15 – Advisory Groups submit final goals/strategies to Steering Committee ● Friday 6/19 – First full draft of the Revised Climate Plan Complete ● Next JSC Meeting in June 24 – Another update with more details Schedule - Revised as of 5/15 July 3 - OOS Finalize 2nd Draft July 3-10 - 2nd Draft Review July 10 - 24 - Finalize 2nd Draft July 24 - Deliver Executive Summary to Designer Boards and Commissions Tour Aug 3 - Draft Final Plan released for Public Comment Aug 10-21- Address Public Comments, Review & Finalization of Plan July 24 - 31 Layout 2nd Draft into Plan Template Aug 21-28 - FINAL REVIEW Sept 1 -11 FINALIZATION OF ALL MATERIALS CMO Presentation Prepare for Council Action Oct 1 - Council Meeting May 22 - first draft goals / Strategies Due June 12 - OOS Finalize 1st Draft May 26- June 5 - Review & Finalization of Strategies OOS Full Plan Drafting June 12-19 - 1st Review June 19 - July 3 - Address Comments and create 2nd Draft May June July August September 1st view of the DRAFT goals DRAFT Transport at ion and Land Use - Goals 1. By 2030, 70% of new housing units are located within the growth centers and corridors and 80% of new non-residential development are located within the growth centers and corridors. 2. Preserve 10,000 deeply affordable housing units and produce 1000 deeply affordable units by 2030. 3. By 2030, Public Transit will make up 20% of total commutes in Austin. 4. By 2030, 20% of Austin residents will work from home. 5. By 2030, People-powered Transportation (bicycle, walking, wheelchairs, etc.) will make up 15% of total commutes in Austin. DRAFT Transport at ion Elect rificat ion - Goals 1: By 2030, 40% of total vehicle miles traveled in the City of Austin are electrified (approximately 460,000 electric vehicles) and vehicle ownership is diverse culturally, geographically and economically. 2. By 2030, has adequate and equitably distributed charging infrastructure that is a mix of level 1, 2, and DC fast charging to accommodate 40% of total vehicle miles …
Green Infrastructure Story Map JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE 5.27.2020 Background Dynamic web portal that introduces the concept of green infrastructure and serves as a streamlined, user-friendly gateway to city data and resources The story map is divided into eleven major topics: Introduction, Urban Forest, Water Resources, Parks, Wildlands, Trails, Green Streets, Food, Habitat (including Endangered Species), Landscape, and Land Management (including Wildfire Risk). Part of a larger response to Council Resolution 20170615-071 to develop an Integrated Green Infrastructure Plan as directed by Imagine Austin Under final internal review and will be published in early June
Item 1 JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING MEETING MINUTES May 27, 2020 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a special meeting on May 27, 2020 via videoconferencing. Vice Chair Katie Coyne called the Board Meeting to order at 1:08 pm. Board Members in Attendance: Kaiba White Chair, Katie Coyne Vice-Chair, Nhat Ho, Fisayo Fadelu, Rob Schneider, Holt Lackey, Melissa Rothrock, Karen Hadden, Karen Magid Board Members Absent: David Carroll, Kelly Davis, Alberta Phillips 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. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a) April 22, 2020 meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee • Motion to approve (Commissioner Schneider), second (Commissioner Hadden), 7 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained. 2. NEW BUSINESS a) Community Resilience Discussion (Discussion and/or possible action) • Moved item to 2C in meeting order • Commissioner Coyne discussed community resilience resolution that was passed by council on May 7, 2020 and provided overview of next steps for the response to the resolution b) Green Infrastructure Update (Discussion and/or possible action) • Erin Wood, Principal Planner with Watershed Protection Department, reviewed the Green Infrastructure Story Map, which is part of a larger response to Resolution No. 20170615-071 • The Story Map was created as a one-stop resource including ten topics to keep track of all the cross-departmental initiatives related to green infrastructure throughout the city. • Commissioners noted recommendations on highlighting education efforts for children’s and ways for the public to get involved within the map • Gaps and strengths analysis of green infrastructure initiatives will be released soon. c) Update on the Austin Community Climate Plan Revision (Discussion and/or possible action) • Zach Baumer, Climate Program Manager at the Office of Sustainability, provided an update on the first draft of goals • Reviewed draft goals for the five topic categories (Consumption, Natural Systems, Sustainable Buildings, Transportation Electrification, and Transportation and Land Use) • Provided overview of schedule to get plan to council by October 1st • Commissioners noted interested in how COVID19 has affected transportation emissions and support for a glossary of terms and plans for community collaboration for implementation. d) Commission members report back on any relevant discussions from their respective boards and commissions – (Discussion and/or possible action) • Planning Commission • Update on Land Development …
Special Meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee April 22, 2020 Joint Sustainability Committee to be held April 22, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (April 21, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 22, 2020 Joint Sustainability Committee Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at Zach Baumer at 415-694-3111 and zach.baumer@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (April 21, 2020). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to zach.baumer@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE APRIL 22, 2020 3PM-4:30PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Kaiba White, Chair (Resource Mgmt. Commission) Katie Coyne, Vice-Chair (Environmental Commission) Melissa Rothrock (Zero Waste Advisory Commission) Kelly Davis (Urban Transportation Commission) Fisayo Fadelu (Community Development Commission) AGENDA Karen Magid (Austin Travis County Food Policy Board) Nhat Ho (Water & Wastewater Commission) Holt Lackey (Economic Prosperity Commission) Vacant - (Parks & Recreation Board) David Carroll (Design Commission) Alberta Phillips (City Council) Karen Hadden (Electric Utility Commission) Rob Schneider (Planning Commission) For more information, please visit: www.austintexas.gov/jsc 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. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a) February 26, 2020 meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee a) Budget Discussion and Recommendations (Discussion and/or possible action) b) Overview of Austin Community GHG Goals and Trend Dashboard (Discussion and/or 2. NEW BUSINESS possible action) action) c) Charitable Feeding Organization Permit Recommendation (Discussion and/or possible d) Climate Resilience Update (Discussion and/or possible action) …
Climate Resilient Austin Response to Resolution 20190509-019 1 Climate Resilience Activities Timeline Austin-specific climate projections by Dr. Katherine Hayhoe Climate Resilience Action Plan for City Assets and Operations. Toward a Climate-Resilient Austin The Integrated Water Resource Plan response to Council Resolution review of city codes for wildfire (Water Forward) Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire 2014 2016 2018 Response to Resolution 20190509-019 2020 2013 2015 CAMPO Extreme Weather vulnerability assessment of regional transportation Resolution 20131121-060 passed by Council, directs staff to identify climate change impacts Austin Community Climate Plan adopted by Council Global Covenant of Mayors signed by Mayor Adler City Council Policy Workshop on Resiliency 2017 Rockefeller Foundation holds Climate Adaptation Workshop Climate Resilience Action Plan for City assets and operations 2019 Atlas 14 Update Council + Resilience Resolution 20190808-078 2 Council Response Timeline August 26, 2019 Phase 1 Response March 9, 2020 Phase 2 Response M J J A S O N D J F M 2019 May 9, 2019 Climate Resilience Resolution 20190509-019 2020 3 Climate Resilience Resolution 20190509-019 Resilience Planning Directives • “perform a literature review of climate resilience plans of peer cities…” • “explore available, potential partnerships (such as the 100 Resilient Cities model)…” • “recommendations for creating a comprehensive, community-wide climate resilience plan that is fair, just, and equitable…” Chief Resilience Officer sources, to … • Recommendations should include funding options, such as grants or other revenue 1) fund a position for a Chief Resilience Officer and staff necessary to produce a resilience plan; or 2) hire a consultant to draft or assist city staff with drafting a comprehensive resilience plan; or 3) other recommendations for achieving this objective. 4 Case Studies Criteria for selecting cities: 1. Population between 600,000 and 1.5 million 2. At least one 100RC city (Boston, Dallas, DC) and one non-100RC city (San Antonio and Indianapolis) 3. At least one city that has attempted a combo mitigation/adaptation plan (Indianapolis) 4. At least two exemplary plans (Boston, Washington DC. According to USDN CRO) 5. At least two from Texas (Dallas and San Antonio) 6. At least three not directly impacted by sea-level rise (Dallas, Indianapolis and San Antonio) Selected Cities: 1. Boston 2. Dallas 3. Denver 4. Indianapolis 5. San Antonio 6. Washington D.C. 5 Case Studies Separate documents for mitigation and adaptation Stand alone plan led by Department of Environmental Health & consultant Stand alone plan led by 100RC consultant Single …
Joint Sust ainabilit y Com m it t e e Clim a t e P la n Re vis ion - Goa l Upda t e April 22, 20 20 1 How do we choose a goal? • What’s necessary to meet 1.5C • Take full responsibility in the global context • We have way more resources than others • We’ve already emitted way more than other • We’re already reducing more than others • Take responsibility for our historical emissions once beyond zero • What’s realistic in terms of adoption rates / change potential Remember this isn’t all just additional cost. Avoiding catastrophic climate change has a positive NPV Co-benefits of clear air, safety, less pollution, better ecosystems are all valuable 2 Benchmarking Net Zero Goals 2050 - Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, NYC, LA 2045 - Canberra 2040 - Reykjavik, Stockholm 2035 - Helsinki 2030 - Bristol, New Castle, Glasgow, Liverpool 2025 - Copenhagen 2021 - Adelaide 3 UN 2019 Gap Report • At a global scale emissions reductions scenarios are clear • It’s difficult for nations to divide emissions reductions equitably, let alone cities 4 C40 Deadline 2020 Report Austin is a ‘Steep Decline’ city. • • • GDP per capita is over $15,000 and emissions above the average for C40 ‘Emissions need to be immediately and rapidly reduced and the city is sufficiently developed to do so’ 5 Target Comparison ● Deadline 20/20’s Steep Decline curve is slightly outdated (2016) ● The UN Gap Report target is more recent than Deadline 20/20, but it represents a global average ● Steering 20/20 captures the urgency of the UN Gap report and the city specific recommendation of Deadline 20/20 as well as: ○ A Net Zero by 2040 goal ○ A more aggressive reduction schedule to show Austin is a global leader ○ Negative emissions targets beyond 2040 to account for historic emissions 6 Proposal • Move from Net Zero by 2050 to Net Zero by 2040 • Re-starting in 2020 • Follow the C40 Steep Decline Trajectory • Aiming for Climate Justice by 2050 – Taking responsibility for historical emissions – Deeply negative emissions 7 20 5 0 v. 20 4 0 St e e p 8 This is Possible, but very aggressive 9 What could it take to meet this goal trajectory in 2030? ■ Austin Energy meets REACH carbon reduction targets and renewable energy targets ■ …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Sustainability Committee Recommendation 20200422-2A.1 – Budget Recommendation – Funding Climate Justice The Joint Sustainability Committee urges the Austin City Council to make climate change mitigation and community resilience a top priority in the FY 2020/2021 budget and as the city seeks stimulus or recovery funding. The COVID-19 emergency has once again highlighted inequities and vulnerabilities in the Austin community and throughout the United States. In many cities, Black people represent a disproportionate number of COVID-19 cases and deaths. This may prove to be true for Austin. Past local disasters have had a disproportionate negative impact on Austin’s communities of color. Climate change will continue to exacerbate these inequities. It is critical to simultaneously respond to the COVID-19 emergency and the ongoing climate crisis, which will likely be the source of our next acute emergency situation. Racial equity is the condition when race no longer predicts a person’s quality of life outcomes in our community. The City of Austin Community Climate Plan revision process recognizes that racial inequity is wrong and solving the problem of climate change is impossible without racial equity. In Austin, this means our Climate Plan will only succeed if we center racial equity in the goals, strategies, and plans developed through the Revision Process. City of Austin infrastructure, policies, and investment have historically and systemically neglected and harmed low-income communities and communities of color. We acknowledge these injustices and the need to right these wrongs by changing city institutions, policies and programs and creating a culture of equity. To align with the Austin Strategic Direction 2023 Health and Environment and Economic Opportunity and Affordability outcomes, the Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that the Austin City Council prioritize the following principles in all aspects of the budget and as the city seeks stimulus and recovery funds from the federal government and other sources: 1. Reducing Emissions: The science is clear that rapid emissions reductions are needed now to avoid climate change impacts that we won’t be able to adapt to. While Austin has been a climate leader in many respects, we must redouble our efforts to reduce emissions more quickly from all sectors, including transportation, natural gas use in buildings, refrigerants, local industry and electricity. 2. Targeting Affordability Efforts Equitably: At this time when the city budget will be strained, it is especially important to target affordability measures to those who need them the most. While …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Sustainability Committee Recommendation 20200422-2A.2 – Budget Recommendation – Funding Equitable Green Jobs The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends funding: Program 1. Allocate $250,000 in the FY 2021 budget to continue and expand the Equitable Green Jobs program. This investment will allow the city to capitalize on lessons learned from the pilot programs being run by EcoRise, Central South Carpenters Regional Council, American Youthworks, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 520, Solar Austin and Huston-Tillotson University to increase access to green job training opportunities and develop a strong, locally-based pipeline to living wage jobs that support a just transition to a green economy. A permanent staff person should be established in the Equity Office to oversee and engage with this work. Record of the vote: Motion to approve by Commissioner Phillips, second by Commissioner Hadden. Motion passes 7 approve, 0 opposed, 2 abstained, 2 recused. Date of approval: April 22, 2020 Attest: __________________________________ Zach Baumer, Liaison Zach Baumer
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Sustainability Committee Recommendation 20200422-2C – Charitable Feeding Organization Permit The following Austin‐Travis County Food Policy Board recommendation as worded was approved by the Joint Sustainability Committee on April 22, 2020. WHEREAS, the number of food insecure people in Travis County (17.3%) is higher than the national average (12.5%), making it critical to provide this population with constant and reliable access to food; and WHEREAS, the current city policy requires charitable feeding programs to acquire and maintain a Food Enterprise permit, though the majority of these programs are run by volunteers, who have limited time and financial resources as well as limited knowledge of the permitting requirements or the skills to successfully complete the process; and WHEREAS, many charitable feeding programs are offered in borrowed spaces located inside of buildings where they have no legal authority to modify the physical space; and WHEREAS, the Austin Travis County Food Policy Board is tasked with advising the Austin City Council and Travis County Commissioners' Court on the need to improve the availability of safe, nutritious, locally, and sustainably-grown food at reasonable prices for all residents, particularly those in need, by coordinating the relevant activities of city government NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Austin Travis County Food Policy Board requests the Austin City Council to create a task force comprised of Austin Public Health, the Austin Travis County Food Policy Board, and other relevant stakeholders to amend the Food Enterprise permitting process for charitable feeding organizations in order to reduce the barriers of providing access to healthy foods for our community’s vulnerable and food insecure populations. Record of the vote: Motion to approve by Commissioner White, second by Commissioner Schneider. Motion passes 11 approve, 0 opposed. Date of approval: April 22, 2020 Attest: __________________________________ Zach Baumer, Liaison Zach Baumer
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Sustainability Committee Recommendation 20200422-2D – Climate Resilience Update Seconded by: Nhat Ho Motion by: Katie Coyne Approve with conditions Disapprove Postponement Date: 04/22/20 Agenda Item: 2D Subject: Climate Resilience Update Motion: X Approve RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Joint Sustainability Committee recognizes that the future resilience of our City is a fundamental area of focus for this body; WHEREAS, climate and community resilience is generally defined as the ability to effectively manage and rebound from acute shocks and long-term stressors related not only to climate change and weather extremes, but to our ability to survive, adapt, and thrive in the face of chronic stresses such as racial inequities and social and economic disparities; WHEREAS, the Austin City Council passed Resolution No. 20190509-019 May 9th, 2019 directing City Manager to explore the best path forward for creating a comprehensive, community-wide climate resilience plan that is fair, just, and equitable; and, asked for recommendations for funding options for the hiring of a Chief Resilience Officer and a consultant to lead Resilience Planning efforts; WHEREAS, City staff delivered an interim memo on August 22, 2019 and an updated memo on March 9, 2020 outlining no clear path forward for a City-wide resilience plan or the hiring of a Chief Resilience Officer; WHEREAS, the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic presents a new, but not unique and certainly not final, opportunity to more fully understand the concept of Austin as a “resilient community” in the larger context of a global event disrupting all manner of everyday activities, and straining a range of services and supplies on a local, state, national, and international level; WHEREAS, in this context, building a resilient Austin requires adopting strategies to achieve “community resilience” in the face of a myriad of acute disasters including pandemics and catastrophic events especially in communities experiencing chronic racial inequities and social disparities which make withstanding acute shocks and stressors more difficult; WHEREAS, work towards a resilient Austin applies to all categories of the adopted Austin Strategic Direction 2023, including Safety, Health and Environment, Economic Opportunity and Affordability, Mobility, Government That Works For All, and Culture and Lifelong Learning; WHEREAS, many City departments and community leaders are actively working on projects and programs that positively impact resilience outcomes but there is not a comprehensive vision for that work city-wide or regionally; WHEREAS, Austin needs a comprehensive resilience plan that builds on the adopted …
Item 1 JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE SPECIAL MEETING MEETING MINUTES April 22, 2020 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a special meeting on April 22, 2020 via videoconferencing. Chair Kaiba White called the Board Meeting to order at 3:16 pm. Board Members in Attendance: Kaiba White Chair, Katie Coyne Vice-Chair, Nhat Ho, David Carroll, Melissa Rothrock, Rob Schneider, Karen Magid, Alberta Phillips, Karen Hadden, Holt Lackey, Kelly Davis Board Members Absent: Fisayo Fadelu 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. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a) February 26, 2020 meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee • Motion to approve (Commissioner Schneider), second (Commissioner Phillips), 9 approved, 0 opposed, 1 abstained. 2. NEW BUSINESS a) Budget Discussion and Recommendations (Discussion and/or possible action) • The Budget Recommendation for Funding Climate Justice was approved with the following friendly amendments on motion by (Commissioner White), seconded by (Commissioner Phillips) on a 10 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained vote. A friendly amendment from Commissioner Ho included noting alignment with Austin Strategic Direction 2023 Health and Environment and Economic Opportunity and Affordability outcomes. A friendly amendment from Commissioner Magid and Commissioner Phillips included removing reference to Equitable Green Jobs Program to be voted on separately. • The Budget Recommendation for Funding Equitable Green Jobs Program was approved on motion by (Commissioner Phillips), seconded by (Commissioner Hadden) on a 7 approved, 0 opposed, 2 abstained, 2 recused vote. For the purposes of this vote, Commissioner Ho chaired the meeting on motion by (Commissioner Schneider), seconded by (Commissioner Hadden) on a 10 approved, 0 opposed, 0 abstained vote. Commissioner White and Commissioner Magid recused themselves from this item due to a potential conflict of interest. b) Overview of Austin Community GHG Goals and Trend Dashboard (Discussion and/or possible action) • Joep Meijer presented climate plan goals on behalf of the Steering Committee • Steering Committee reviewed IPCC 1.5°C Special Report, UN Emissions Gap Report, C40 Deadline 2020 Report and other city policies to determine revised goal o Revised goal captures the urgency and city-specific recommendations of reports and includes a: Net Zero by 2040 goal More aggressive reduction schedule Negative emissions beyond 2040 c) Charitable Feeding Organization Permit Recommendation (Discussion and/or possible action) • The Recommendation for Charitable …
Joint Sustainability Committee February 26, 2020 6:00pm City Hall, Council Chambers 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas AGENDA MEMBERS Kaiba White, Chair (Resource Mgmt. Commission) Katie Coyne, Vice-Chair (Environmental Commission) Melissa Rothrock (Zero Waste Advisory Commission) Kelly Davis (Urban Transportation Commission) Fisayo Fadelu (Community Development Commission) Karen Magid (Austin Travis County Food Policy Board) Nhat Ho (Water & Wastewater Commission) Holt Lackey (Economic Prosperity Commission) Vacant - (Parks & Recreation Board) David Carroll (Design Commission) Alberta Phillips (City Council) Karen Hadden (Electric Utility Commission) Rob Schneider (Planning Commission) For more information, please visit: www.austintexas.gov/jsc CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a) January 22, 2020 meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee 2. NEW BUSINESS a) FY2021 Budget Process Update – Michael Benbow, Financial Services (Discussion and/or possible action) – 30 minutes b) Cap Metro Project Connect Update – Rob Borowski, Chief Sustainability Officer (Discussion and/or possible action) – 30 minutes c) Austin Energy Resource Plan Update – (Discussion and/or possible action) – 30 minutes d) High Tech Funding for Affordable Housing in Austin – (Discussion and/or possible action) – 30 minutes 3. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS e) Commission members report back on any relevant discussions from their respective boards and commissions – (Discussion) • Ongoing updates from Office of Sustainability on the Community Climate Plan revision • Equity analysis of Atlas 14 • Green Infrastructure Plan • Adaptation overview from US Forest Service workshop 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).
DRAFT – DO NOT DISTRIBUTE Rob Borowski Capital Metro Joint Sustainability Committee February 26, 2020 1 AGENDA • CAPITAL METRO AT A GLANCE • SYSTEM REDESIGN - CAP REMAP • THE PROBLEM & SOLUTION • EQUITABLE IMPROVEMENTS • VICTORIES & LESSONS LEARNED • LONG-RANGE VISION – PROJECT CONNECT • SYSTEM PLAN • PLANNING & ENGAGEMENT PROCESSES • INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES DRAFT – DO NOT DISTRIBUTE 2 CAPITAL METRO AT A GLANCE 33 3 Agency Overview SERVICE AREA 1.1 million residents, 543 square miles MEMBER CITIES 7 cities, including Austin ANNUAL BUDGET $403.7 million ANNUAL RIDERSHIP / AVERAGE WEEKDAY 31 million annual / 119,000 average weekday FLEET SIZE 540 revenue vehicles WORKFORCE 365 administrative, 1150 contract operations DRAFT – DO NOT DISTRIBUTE 4 Agency Governance STATE ENABLING LEGISLATION Chapter 451 – Texas Transportation Code • Metropolitan transportation authority • Member cities vote into system • 1-cent sales tax • Limited revenue sources BOARD STRUCTURE 8-member board • 3 members appointed by MPO • 2 members appointed by City of Austin • 1 member appointed by Travis County • 1 member representing small cities DRAFT – DO NOT DISTRIBUTE 5 Agency Finances ANNUAL BUDGET $403.7 million REVENUE SOURCES FY2020 OPEX $287 million FY2020 CAPEX $110 million SALES TAX $265.7 million GRANTS $60.1 million FARES $22.5 million DRAFT – DO NOT DISTRIBUTE 6 Contract Operations FIXED ROUTE BUS – MV Transportation • $1.4 billion • 5 years, plus two 3-year options PARATRANSIT – MTM Transit (Ride Right) • $210 million • 4 years, plus two 3-year options COMMUTER RAIL – Herzog • $117.5 million • 7 years FREIGHT RAIL – Watco Companies • $5 million (16.5 percent of revenue) • 20 years, plus five 6-year options DRAFT – DO NOT DISTRIBUTE 7 Agency Fares Current Fare Structure • Under 18 ride free • University partnerships • Transit Empowerment Fund • MetroWorks program • Reduced Fare program Seniors • • Medicare • Customers with disabilities • Military personnel DRAFT – DO NOT DISTRIBUTE 8 Agency Fares Farebox Recovery Comparisons DRAFT – DO NOT DISTRIBUTE 9 Agency Facilities PARK & RIDES 17 facilities RAIL STATIONS 9 stations (1 additional proposed) BRT STATIONS 48 station pairs MAINTENANCE FACILITIES 3 facilities, 300,000 square feet • Electric fleet facility U/C ADMINISTRATIVE SPACES 6 facilities, 100,000 square feet DRAFT – DO NOT DISTRIBUTE 10 Agency Innovation DRAFT – DO NOT DISTRIBUTE AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE PILOT • Easy Mile ON-DEMAND PICKUP SERVICE …
FY 2020-21 Budget Overview City of Austin Budget Timeline Policy Input & Forecasting Budget Development Council Deliberation & Adoption JANUARY - APRIL MAY - JUNE JULY - AUGUST Boards and Commissions Council Town Hall Meetings Public Hearings Community Engagement KEY DATES: March 13 – 5-year Financial Forecast Update May 8 – Department budget submittals due to Budget Office July 13 – Presentation of Proposed Budget to City Council July 23, 30 – Public Hearings August 12 – Budget and tax rate adoption 2/25/2020 2 FY 2019-20 ALL FUNDS BUDGET $4.2 BILLION General Fund 24% Other 31% 2/25/2020 Austin Energy $254.7 M Austin Energy 31% Aviation $198.0 M Austin Water $175.4 M Planning & Development Center $81.8 M Voter-Approved Bonds $201.0 M Austin Water 14% Other $289.4 M $0 $100 $200 $300 FY 2019-20 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM $1.2 BILLION SPEND PLAN 3 FY 2019-20 GENERAL FUND BUDGET $1.1 BILLION Transfers & Other 13.5% Austin Public Library 4.9% Austin Public Health 7.7% Parks and Recreation 8.8% Emergency Medical Services 8.3% Police 38.9% Other Revenue 13.5% Utility Transfers 14.6% Sales Tax 23.1% Property Tax 48.8% 0.0% 20.0% 40.0% 60.0% Fire 17.9% FY 2019-20 GENERAL FUND REVENUE $1.1 BILLION 2/25/2020 4 General Fund Budget Forecast 2/25/2020 5 FY 2020-21 Budget Initiatives • Review of the equity and efficiency of Fire and EMS services • Develop homelessness services performance framework and review service contracts improvements • Strategic Direction 2023 program alignment and operational efficiency • Explore opportunities to broaden and increase General Fund revenues • Develop fiscal sustainability plans for City retirement systems 2/25/2020 6 FY 2020-21 Equity Focus • Examine equity of existing programs and resource allocation $1.2 M Chamber of Commerce Funding • Reviewed the distribution of City funding to all chambers of commerce • Recommended an equitable distribution formula and new methodology $12.8 M Cultural Arts Funding • Community input and program review occurred in 2019 • Goal to have recommendations for future program structure and operations to broaden and deepen access to resources and opportunities 2/25/2020 7 Questions/Comments? For more information: austintexas.gov/budget budget.austintexas.gov austintexas.gov/finance
Item 1 JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES February 26, 2020 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a regular meeting on February 26, 2020 at City Hall in Austin, Texas. Chair Kaiba White called the Board Meeting to order at 6:30 pm. Board Members in Attendance: Kaiba White Chair, David Carroll, Fisayo Fadelu, Melissa Rothrock, Rob Schneider, Kelly Davis, Wendy Gordon Board Members Absent: Katie Coyne Vice-Chair, Nhat Ho, Karen Magid, Karen Hadden, Holt Lackey, Alberta Phillips City Staff in Attendance: Phoebe Romero, Cavan Merski CALL TO ORDER CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the January 22, 2020 Joint Sustainability Committee meeting were approved. Motion to approve (Commissioner White), Second (Commissioner Carroll)- 7 approved, 0 opposed. • None 2. NEW BUSINESS and/or possible action) – 30 minutes a) FY2021 Budget Process Update – Michael Benbow, Financial Services (Discussion • May 8th is the key date for departments to submit their budgets to the Budget Office, so any requests for departments should be made prior. • Focus is on equity of Fire and EMS services, homelessness, Strategic Direction ’23 operational efficiency improvements and budget sustainability. • Deficits are driven by healthcare costs; low unemployment in Austin makes retention difficult. b) Cap Metro Project Connect Update – Rob Borowski, Chief Sustainability Officer (Discussion and/or possible action) – 30 minutes • Overview of CapMetro Project Connect proposed routes and estimated cost. • CapMetro plans a major purchase of electric buses in 2022 when a large portion of the • Questions surrounding density corridors, fare structure and future park and ride buildouts current fleet will be retired. were discussed. c) Austin Energy Resource Plan Update – (Discussion and/or possible action) – 30 minutes • Commissioner White provided updates on Resource Planning Working Group. • • Local solar can track with peak demand since it is sited with actual AE customers. Issues with additionality or customer tiers can be raised in the rate case process next year. d) High Tech Funding for Affordable Housing in Austin – (Discussion and/or possible action) – 30 minutes Item was moved to be addressed at a future meeting. • e) Commission members report back on any relevant discussions from their …
Joint Sustainability Committee January 22, 2020 6:00pm City Hall, Council Chambers 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas AGENDA Karen Magid (Austin Travis County Food Policy Board) Nhat Ho (Water & Wastewater Commission) Holt Lackey (Economic Prosperity Commission) Vacant - (Parks & Recreation Board) David Carroll (Design Commission) Alberta Phillips (City Council) Karen Hadden (Electric Utility Commission) Rob Schneider (Planning Commission) MEMBERS Kaiba White, Chair (Resource Mgmt. Commission) Katie Coyne, Vice-Chair (Environmental Commission) Melissa Rothrock (Zero Waste Advisory Commission) Kelly Davis (Urban Transportation Commission) Fisayo Fadelu (Community Development Commission) CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES For more information, please visit: www.austintexas.gov/jsc a. December 18, 2019 meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee 2. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 3. NEW BUSINESS a) Urban Forestry Presentation – Keith Mars, Development Services Department (Discussion and/or possible action) – 45 minutes b) Food Policy Recommendation on Land Development Code Revision (Discussion and/or c) Community Climate Plan Update – Zach Baumer, Office of Sustainability (Discussion possible action) –45 minutes and/or possible action) – 20 minutes 4. OLD BUSINESS 5. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Working group updates (Discussion and/or possible action) b. Commission members report back on any relevant discussions from their respective boards and commissions (Discussion and/or possible action) - Ongoing updates from Office of Sustainability regarding Community Climate Plan revision - Equity analysis of Atlas 14 - Green Infrastructure Plan - Adaptation overview from US Forest Service workshop - CapMetro – Project Connect Update 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).
AUSTIN COMMUNITY CLIMATE PLAN UPDATE January 22, 2020 Community Content Workshops ■ At these workshops, you will: – – – Provide input and feedback to City staff about the challenges and barriers to reaching Austin’s climate goals. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of current sustainability trends and practices. Help identify priorities and strategies to improve lives, increase affordability, and craft equitable solutions that work for people. Transportation Electrification Community Workshop Tuesday, February 4th from 5:30-8pm at Austin Energy Town Lake Center - Assembly Room 130 Sustainable Buildings Community Workshop Saturday, February 8th from 2-4:30pm at Huston-Tillotson University - Dickey-Lawless Science Building Natural Systems Community Workshop Tuesday, February 11th from 5:30-8pm at the Carver Library Auditorium Transportation and Land Use Community Workshop Thursday, February 13th from 5:30-8pm at the Carver Library Auditorium Climate Change and Consumption Community Workshop Saturday, February 22nd from 10:30-1pm Location TBD *check later for updates 2 Climate Ambassadors ■ Kickoff Meetings are complete ■ Ambassadors will start attending some Advisory Group / Steering Committee meetings ■ They will all be attending / contributing to at least one Content Workshop ■ Brainstorming on their engagement approach as well as questions to get feedback on are in process 3 Upcoming ■ All groups are meeting for 2 hours every other week! – Calendar here: http://austintexas.gov/climateplan ■ Community Content Workshops ■ Communications – – Speak up Austin page is in process Blog postings are in process ■ The Steering Committee is working on: – Analysis of new Long-Term Goals – – Equity Framework and Tools for Advisory Group to use Table of Contents Options for the Final Plan 4 THE INAUGURAL TEXAS RESILIENCE CONFERENCE Conceived by the Office of Sustainability, Texas CROs and professors 2-day event with ~250 attendees Event info: • Palmer Events Center, Austin, TX • May 20-21, 2020 Audience: government, non-profit organizations, community groups, private industry, and academia across the state Organized by: • Sierra C. Woodruff, Assistant Professor Texas A&M University • Sascha Petersen (Adaptation International) • Office of Sustainability + steering & program committee Call for Proposals OPEN NOW! www.txresilience.org/ 2020 Generation & Resource Planning Timeline Sep 2019 - Working group kicks off and establishes charter - Studies directed from 2017 Resource Plan provided Oct 2019 Scope, input assumptions and scenarios prioritized with Working Group Nov 2019 Modeling and scenario analysis performed Feb 2019 Preliminary recommendations presented to Working Group Mar 2020 2019 - 2020 …
