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JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING September 25, 2024 City Hall – Council Chambers The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at City Hall. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Kaiba White, Rodrigo Leal, Anna Scott, Lane Becker, Charlotte Davis Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Alberta Phillips, Diana Wheeler, Heather Houser, Jon Salinas, Yure Suarez, Haris Qureshi, Natalie Poindexter Board Members Absent: City Staff in Attendance: Rohan Lilauwala Braden Latham-Jones Tim Harvey Heidi Kasper Marc Coudert CALL TO ORDER Chair Kaiba White called the meeting to order at 6:08 pm. 1. Approval of minutes from the July 8th special called meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Wheeler motion, Qureshi seconds, passes 12-0. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Scott Johnson speaks on low carbon concrete and residential landscape equipment 3. Presentation on Solar for All program and the Solar Standard Offer – Tim Harvey, Austin Energy • Scott – do energy arbitrage benefits come into play? • Harvey – one of the considered benefits. Utility will control battery to a certain depth of discharge to benefit the utility (leaving enough charge to support resilience). On edge of event, batteries not used. On blue sky days, AE will use batteries for price chasing, 4CP avoidance, peak usage, to get max value out of battery • PPA will be used for solar purchases, performance contract for battery will • Grant will be used to buy down PPA and performance contract to AE’s avoided allow AE to benefit from them. cost of solar and make it feasible. • Phillips – questions around how program works, if benefits flow to wealthier folks • Harvey – AE starting proposal is to allow any residents in EPA designated Disadvantaged Community (DAC) zones, but this could be changed/refined.provides clarification • Opportunity to provide feedback in community engagement process to shape program/ • Leal – why is program designed this way • Harvey – difficult to find 2500 low-income homes that are viable • If model is successful, potential to receive unused funds later • Leal – would roof repairs/rebuilding be part of it? • Harvey – there are existing programs, this grant can’t be for that as per EPA agreement. Homes will receive free weatherization if customer qualify. Homeowners will be informed about home repair program. • Opportunity for community engagement to help define what homes to target • Leal – what does governance look like? …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE HYBRID MEETING FORMAT August 28th, 2024 at 6 pm City Hall – Council Chambers 301 W 2nd St, Austin TX 78701 Some members of the Committee may be participating by videoconference Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, email or call Rohan Lilauwala at (Rohan.lilauwala@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9394). CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Home Commission Electric Utility Commission Resource Management Commission Urban Transportation Commission Environmental Commission Zero Waste Advisory Commission Community Development Commission Austin Travis County Food Policy Board Economic Prosperity Commission Water & Wastewater Commission Parks & Recreation Board Design Commission Planning Commission Austin/Travis County Public Health Commission City Council Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Alternate Randall Chapman Member Kaiba White (Chair) Charlotte Davis (Vice-Chair) Genell Gary Diana Wheeler Haris Qureshi Melissa Rothrock Vacant Larry Franklin Amy Noel Chris Maxwell-Gaines Vacant Jon Salinas Vacant Natalie Poindexter Vacant Richard Brimer Craig Nazor Miriam Garcia Rosamaria Murillo Luis Osta Lugo Vacant Lane Becker Ben Luckens Alberta Phillips Vacant Vacant Rodrigo Leal Anna Scott Yure Suarez Christopher Campbell Heather Houser Vacant For more information, please visit: www.austintexas.gov/jsc AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the July 8, 2024 special called meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. DISCUSSION 2. Sustainable Purchasing Update – Amanda Mortl, Office of Sustainability 3. Updates from Environmental Investment Plan effort and City Budget; JSC next steps. 4. Update from the Resource Management Commission on recommendations regarding advising on gas utility matters and support of progressive natural gas rates. – Charlotte Davis 5. Update from Urban Transportation Commission on recent recommendation to update the Urban Trails Plan map – Diana Wheeler 6. Update from the Electric Utility Commission on Austin Energy Resource Planning, solar program development, and Austin Internation Energy Conservation Code update – Kaiba White 7. Update from the Environmental Commission on the ATX / Travis County Food Plan, Cities Connecting Children …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES July 8, 2024 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at Austin Energy Headquarters. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Diana Wheeler Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Lane Becker, Kaiba White, Heather Houser, Jon Salinas, Alberta Philipps, Anna Scott, Rodrigo Leal, Melissa Rothrock, Chris Campbell, Haris Qureshi Board Members Absent: Larry Franklin, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Yure Suarez, Amy Noel, Charlotte Davis City Staff in Attendance: Rohan Lilauwala CALL TO ORDER Acting Chair Diana Wheeler called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm. 1. Approval of minutes from the Jun 24th meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. • Salinas motions to approve with amendment to include all members absent, Scott seconds, passes 10-0 with Qureshi off dais. 2. Recommendation of investments the City should fund as part of council resolution 20240215-025 ‘Environmental Investment Plan’. • Leal – where did the $250-300 million number come from? o White – number discussed by council subquorum. Should be $250-350 million range. • Qureshi provides minor copy edits • Qureshi amendment to increase number to $250-300 million • Leal - What about water conservation? o White – city-owned solar can offset Austin Water’s energy costs to allow for reinvestments into water conservation. Conserving land improves source water quality. • Scott motions to approve as amended, Campbell seconds, passes 11-0. 3. Recommendation in support of a ‘Climate Fee’ as outlined in the staff response to council resolution 20240215-025 ‘Environmental Investment Plan’. • Discussion of progressive vs regressive nature of tax. Intention to steer options to reduce impact on low-income earners. • White amends last paragraph to “This new fee should be structured to be equitable and responsive to Austin’s wealth gaps and the fee should provide predictable revenue. A legal analysis of options that could be paid by residents, businesses, corporations and/or visitors should be conducted and presented to the City Council for consideration as soon as possible.” • Scott motions to approve as amended, Phillips seconds, passes 11-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:43 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 …
Sustainable Procurement Program update to the JSC August, 2024 Agenda ○ Summary from last JSC update in December 2023 ○ February 2024 Resolution & August 2024 response ■ Sustainable Purchasing program development ■ Prioritized purchasing categories ○ Next Steps ■ Internal Share Platform pilot Summary from last JSC update in December 2023 ● 2022 Procurement Emissions inventory complete in Dec 2023 ○ 2022 Procurement emissions: 206,000 MT CO2e ○ Construction-related purchasing category represents highest spend and largest climate impact Resolution 20240229-058 Be it resolved that we… the City ● Develop a systemic approach for the procurement processes of ● Commence an initial pilot program: ○ concrete construction and ○ greenspace maintenance services and equipment. ● Include environmental impact information used for evaluation or tracking, such as Environmental Product Declarations, as a part of any request for Council action on a Council agenda related to these pilot areas. Program development systemic approach Sustainable Procurement Leadership Council Coaching ● Sustainable procurement program development action team meetings to develop: ○ Organizational inventory, ○ Strategy cycles/pilots for prioritized purchasing categories ● Includes quarterly check-ins with SPLC staff ● Outputs: ○ Program vision and charter, ○ Strategic program plan Landscape pilot: ● Preference policy to be added to greenspace solicitation documents, and a zero-emission requirement will be used on a case-by-case basis as the market expands ● Staff will identify active contracts and update solicitation documents to add environmental preferences and requirements as appropriate Concrete pilot The process of developing contracting contracting preferences requires: ● Collecting data on and understanding the life-cycle emissions from different concrete mixes; ● Testing new concrete mixes to ensure they meet performance ● Defining “lower carbon” concrete and establishing a regional baseline; requirements; and ● Adding a preference policy for concrete with emissions below a baseline carbon intensity (kg of CO2 per cubic meter of concrete). EPDs ● Environmental preferences and requirements for concrete are being developed in accordance with the Plan to Transition to Low-Embodied Carbon Concrete in pursuit of a Carbon Neutral Austin. ● This document, authored by the Transportation and Public Works Department’s (TPW) Office of the City Engineer, is meant to be a living document and lays out a plan and timeline for updates to low carbon concrete preferences and requirements. Next Steps: ● This resolution further directs additional data tracking, monitoring, data analysis and reporting as well as procedure development and regular contract review and …
Austin Climate Equity Plan “Environmental Investment Plan” Update August 29, 2024 1 Timeline of Events February 2024 - Resolution Directing staff to create the Environmental Investment Plan March - May - Staff creates 70 project proposals April - JSC Passes 33 EIP recommendations May 24 - Sub-quorum releases letter stating their priority projects May 28 - Presentation to Council Work Session on the Staff Response May 30 - “Public Hearing” on the EIP July 18 - Item 93 - IFC Directing the Creation of a Comprehensive Climate Implementation Program Aug 14 - Item 24 - Budget IFC Directing the Creation of a Land Acquisition Fund 2 Environmental Investment Plan - Resolution 20240215-025 Reaffirm commitment to net-zero by 2040 Prepare capital improvements or programs that would: 1. Reduce carbon emissions 2. Decrease water usage and improve water quality and detention 3. Advance the sustainability of City Operations 4. Improve Community Resilience Review funding sources: ● Utility rates and fees ● General Fund Expenditures ● Grants ● General Obligation Bonds Joint Sustainability Committee (JSC) public hearing and submit recommendations to Council 3 May 24 - Letter to City Manager from Fuentes, Alter, Alter, Ellis, Velasquez We have identified key priorities in the attached table that are far enough in their development to be considered for action this year, including a focused 2024 General Obligation Bond package. While some items within the comprehensive list will require additional development for the 2026 bond package... We are not proposing that every item attached ultimately be in a bond, but by focusing our efforts now, we will be in a better position to make a final decision on what items simply cannot wait for the future and need our attention now. A number of identified proposals are within the purview of our utilities, which can fund these programs through rates. Lastly, we would like to focus on a few priority general fund supported programs also identified below. However, given the limited general fund dollars currently available, we intend to explore how and to what magnitude the proposed climate fee could fund these priorities. 4 Resolution 20240718-093 The City Manager is directed to schedule and conduct public briefings as needed to be presented to Council to provide information regarding the City's current bonded indebtedness and bond ratings for the purpose of planning future bond proposals. The City Manager is directed to bring to Council two items: 1) …
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JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES August 28, 2024 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at City Hall – Council Chambers. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Heather Houser, Kaiba White, Rodrigo Leal, Haris Qureshi, Natalie Poindexter, Charlotte Davis Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Jon Salinas, Anna Scott, Melissa Rothrock, Chris Campbell, Diana Wheeler, Yure Suarez, Amy Noel Board Members Absent: Larry Franklin, Alberta Philipps, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Lane Becker City Staff in Attendance: Zach Baumer Braden Latham-Jones CALL TO ORDER Chair Kaiba White called the meeting to order at 6:10pm. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL N/A 1. Approval of minutes from the July 8th special called meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Qureshi motion, Houser second, passes 12-0 with Suarez off dais. 1. Sustainable Purchasing Update – Amanda Mortl, Office of Sustainability a. Scott – When will we see the first purchase from this work? i. Mortl – Landscaping example, have a list of upcoming contracts and are monitoring when they expire/up for renewal, looking ahead to mid-2025 as the next opportunity. Current contracts have updated preference language. b. White – Can you share preference language? i. Mortl – Can do so, yes. c. White – Can you speak to the upcoming concrete contract opportunities? i. Mortl – Can direct you to that plan. d. White – No progress to changes to that plan? i. Mortl – Not able to speak to that fully, but that’s the latest that I’m aware of. e. Yure – Those first few slides, those are based on spending model? i. Mortl – Industry-wide averages f. White – Any other product areas you’ll be moving on to next? i. Mortl – These two pilots are based on Council priorities, are currently doing those. 2. Updates from Environmental Investment Plan effort and City Budget; JSC next steps. a. White – What will quarterly briefings look like? i. Baumer – Still in the process of creating that, I expect that we’ll present on the Environmental Investment Plan as the first quarterly briefing b. Qureshi – Since the resolution directs City Manager to update Council on Climate Bond and Environmental Investment Plan. Is there a timeline for that? i. Baumer – We’ll be playing a role because we’re coordinating the comprehensive Climate Equity Plan implementation. My hope is that we have multiple departments participating in these briefings moving forward. c. Poindexter – With …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE HYBRID MEETING FORMAT SPECIAL CALED MEETING July 8th, 2024 at 7 pm Shudde Fath Conference Room, Austin Energy Headquarters 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723 Some members of the Committee may be participating by videoconference Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, email or call Rohan Lilauwala at (Rohan.lilauwala@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9394). CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Home Commission Electric Utility Commission Resource Management Commission Urban Transportation Commission Environmental Commission Zero Waste Advisory Commission Community Development Commission Austin Travis County Food Policy Board Economic Prosperity Commission Water & Wastewater Commission Parks & Recreation Board Design Commission Planning Commission Austin/Travis County Public Health Commission City Council Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Mayor’s Representative Alternate Randall Chapman Member Kaiba White (Chair) Charlotte Davis (Vice-Chair) Genell Gary Diana Wheeler Haris Qureshi Melissa Rothrock Vacant Larry Franklin Amy Noel Chris Maxwell-Gaines Stephanie Bazan Jon Salinas Vacant Vacant Vacant Richard Brimer Craig Nazor Miriam Garcia Vacant Luis Osta Lugo Vacant Lane Becker Ben Luckens Alberta Phillips Vacant Vacant Rodrigo Leal Anna Scott Yure Suarez Christopher Campbell Heather Houser Vacant For more information, please visit: www.austintexas.gov/jsc AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the June 26, 2024 meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommendation of investments the City should fund as part of council resolution 20240215-025 ‘Environmental Investment Plan’. 3. Recommendation in support of a ‘Climate Fee’ as outlined in the staff response to council resolution 20240215-025 ‘Environmental Investment Plan’. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 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 contact Rohan Lilauwala at rohan.lilauwala@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9394 for …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES June 26, 2024 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and the Permitting and Development Center. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Charlotte Davis, Haris Qureshi, Jon Salinas, Chris Maxwell-Gaines Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Heather Houser, Anna Scott, Alice Woods, Rodrigo Leal, Diana Wheeler, Yure Suarez Board Members Absent: City Staff in Attendance: Rohan Lilauwala and Zach Baumer CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chair Charlotte Davis called the meeting to order at 6:16 pm. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION • Kathy Mitchell – On behalf Community Investment Budget. Includes support for Climate Equity Plan + Food Plan. Looking for JSC endorsement before August. 1. Approval of minutes from the May 22nd meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. • Davis correction – on item 2, reflect that no action was taken. • Maxwell-Gaines motions to approve, Qureshi second, passes 10-0. 2. Recommendation of investments the City should fund as part of council resolution 20240215-025 ‘Environmental Investment Plan’. • Item struck from agenda 4. Update on regional climate planning efforts as part of the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program – Mali Calvo, Office of Sustainability • Qureshi - will we be doing county-specific workshops? Do we have ideas on how o We’re doing outreach to different municipal/county governments. • How are we pursuing funding for four measures not applied for a grant? o We’re opportunistic, looking for funding where available. Supporting EPA Community change grant for trees + AE Solar for all. 5. Climate Fee Best Practices – Rohan Lilauwala, Office of Sustainability • Qureshi – in support of progressive rather than regressive taxation • Salinas – what is the large retailer fee in Portland? o 1% surcharge on companies with more than $1 billion in annual revenue and more than $500,000 in revenue in Portland • Leal - Is Legal department looking into more comprehensive fee approaches? o Unclear at the moment • Woods – are these on utility bills? o Yes • Scott – could projects with revenue/savings be compatible with a climate fee? o Yes, but there could be other revenue streams (green bank, revolving funds) that those projects could fund • Maxwell-Gaines – could hotel tax fund this? Or other tourist taxes fund this? o Potential pushback from hospitality industry • Salinas – is there revenue from micromobility? Could energy/water rates be tiered further? o Fee could be put on …
Joint Sustainability Committee Resolution 20240708-02: Supporting the Environmental Investment Plan WHEREAS, the purpose of the Joint Sustainability Committee is “to advise the council on matters related to conservation and sustainability; and review City policies and procedures relevant to the Austin Community Climate Plan and the Austin Climate Equity Plan, including planning, implementation, community engagement, goal setting, and progress monitoring”; and WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Joint Sustainability Committee to “promote close cooperation between the council, City management, City boards, commissions, committees, and taskforces, and individuals, institutions, and agencies concerned with the politics, procedures, and implementation of the Austin Community Climate Plan and the Austin Climate Equity Plan with the goal of coordinating all similar activities within the City and the community in order to secure the greatest public benefit”; and WHEREAS, the Joint Sustainability Committee has had working groups for the past two and a half years that have gathered information from city staff, the Austin community and experts and advocates in other cities to identify funding needs to implement the Austin Climate Equity Plan; and WHEREAS, the Joint Sustainability Committee solicited and received public input on what needs funding through the Environmental Investment Plan to meet existing environmental goals through a written form, at a public hearing on March 27, 2024, and at the April 30, 2024 Joint Sustainability Committee meeting; and WHEREAS, the public comments received by the Joint Sustainability Committee on the Environmental Investment Plan emphasized the need for action, including more funding to meet a variety of environmental and climate goals established by the City of Austin; and WHEREAS, on August 8, 2019, the Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 20190808- 078 declaring a climate emergency in the City and calling to accelerate the timeline for achieving the City's climate goals; and WHEREAS, the climate crisis continues to worse each year and the window of opportunity to preserve a livable climate is rapidly closing due climate tipping points are likely already being reached; and WHEREAS, it is a scientific fact that greenhouse gas emissions reductions made sooner will yield climate benefits sooner and are therefore more valuable in avoiding tipping points that could make preserving a livable climate impossible; and WHEREAS, land acquisition, increasing the use of solar energy and battery storage, and tree planting are strategies that are adopted within multiple City of Austin plans (including the Climate Equity Plan, Water Forward, Austin/Travis County …
Joint Sustainability Committee Resolution 20240708-03: Resolution on Climate Fee WHEREAS, it is the Joint Sustainability Committee’s responsibility to advise “on matters related to conservation and sustainability and review City policies and procedures relevant to the Austin Community Climate Plan and the Austin Climate Equity Plan, including planning, implementation, community engagement, goal setting, and progress monitoring”, and WHEREAS, the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal established by the Austin City Council in the Climate Equity Plan is to achieve “net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, utilizing a steep decline path followed by negative emissions” that translates to approximately 75% reduction in emissions by 2030; and WHEREAS the Joint Sustainability Committee identified over $2.24 billion in one time costs and $96.14 million in ongoing expenses for implementing the Austin Climate Equity Plan and associated city plans; and WHEREAS increasing pressures on the city budget and utility rates will make funding the identified sustainability needs very difficult without a new source of revenue; and WHEREAS other cities have implemented dedicated fees to fund sustainability needs; and WHEREAS the City of Austin already utilizes dedicated fees to fund certain sustainability needs, including at Austin Energy, Austin Water and Austin Resource Recovery; and WHEREAS funding from existing fees is insufficient in magnitude to fund all existing needs and existing fees can only be used to fund certain programs; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that the Austin City Council and the City Manager actively pursue establishing a new Green Fee to help fill the funding gap for implementing the Austin Climate Equity Plan and associated city plans, including: ● Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan ● Austin Strategic Mobility Plan ● Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan ● Water Forward ● Watershed Protection Strategic Plan ● Austin/Travis County Food Plan ● One Austin: Climate Resilience Action Plan ● Central Texas Regional Air Quality Plan ● Urban Forest Plan This new fee should be structured to be progressive, not regressive, should provide predictable revenue and should be paid by residents, businesses, corporations and/or visitors.
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Joint Sustainability Committee Resolution 20240708-02: Supporting the Environmental Investment Plan WHEREAS, the purpose of the Joint Sustainability Committee is “to advise the council on matters related to conservation and sustainability; and review City policies and procedures relevant to the Austin Community Climate Plan and the Austin Climate Equity Plan, including planning, implementation, community engagement, goal setting, and progress monitoring”; and WHEREAS, it is the duty of the Joint Sustainability Committee to “promote close cooperation between the council, City management, City boards, commissions, committees, and taskforces, and individuals, institutions, and agencies concerned with the politics, procedures, and implementation of the Austin Community Climate Plan and the Austin Climate Equity Plan with the goal of coordinating all similar activities within the City and the community in order to secure the greatest public benefit”; and WHEREAS, the Joint Sustainability Committee has had working groups for the past two and a half years that have gathered information from city staff, the Austin community and experts and advocates in other cities to identify funding needs to implement the Austin Climate Equity Plan; and WHEREAS, the Joint Sustainability Committee solicited and received public input on what needs funding through the Environmental Investment Plan to meet existing environmental goals through a written form, at a public hearing on March 27, 2024, and at the April 30, 2024 Joint Sustainability Committee meeting; and WHEREAS, the public comments received by the Joint Sustainability Committee on the Environmental Investment Plan emphasized the need for action, including more funding to meet a variety of environmental and climate goals established by the City of Austin; and WHEREAS, on August 8, 2019, the Council unanimously approved Resolution No. 20190808- 078 declaring a climate emergency in the City and calling to accelerate the timeline for achieving the City's climate goals; and WHEREAS, the climate crisis continues to worsen each year and the window of opportunity to preserve a livable climate is rapidly closing due to climate tipping points are likely already being reached; and WHEREAS, it is a scientific fact that greenhouse gas emissions reductions made sooner will yield climate benefits sooner and are therefore more valuable in avoiding tipping points that could make preserving a livable climate impossible; and WHEREAS, land acquisition, increasing the use of solar energy and battery storage, and tree planting are strategies that are adopted within multiple City of Austin plans (including the Climate Equity Plan, Water Forward, Austin/Travis …
Joint Sustainability Committee Resolution 20240708-03: Resolution on Climate Fee WHEREAS, it is the Joint Sustainability Committee’s responsibility to advise “on matters related to conservation and sustainability and review City policies and procedures relevant to the Austin Community Climate Plan and the Austin Climate Equity Plan, including planning, implementation, community engagement, goal setting, and progress monitoring”, and WHEREAS, the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal established by the Austin City Council in the Climate Equity Plan is to achieve “net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, utilizing a steep decline path followed by negative emissions” that translates to approximately 75% reduction in emissions by 2030; and WHEREAS the Joint Sustainability Committee identified over $2.24 billion in one time costs and $96.14 million in ongoing expenses for implementing the Austin Climate Equity Plan and associated city plans; and WHEREAS increasing pressures on the city budget and utility rates will make funding the identified sustainability needs very difficult without a new source of revenue; and WHEREAS other cities have implemented dedicated fees to fund sustainability needs; and WHEREAS the City of Austin already utilizes dedicated fees to fund certain sustainability needs, including at Austin Energy, Austin Water and Austin Resource Recovery; and WHEREAS funding from existing fees is insufficient in magnitude to fund all existing needs and existing fees can only be used to fund certain programs; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that the Austin City Council and the City Manager actively pursue establishing a new Green Fee to help fill the funding gap for implementing the Austin Climate Equity Plan and associated city plans, including: ● Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan ● Austin Strategic Mobility Plan ● Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan ● Water Forward ● Watershed Protection Strategic Plan ● Austin/Travis County Food Plan ● One Austin: Climate Resilience Action Plan ● Central Texas Regional Air Quality Plan ● Urban Forest Plan This new fee should be structured to be equitable and responsive to Austin’s wealth gaps and the fee should provide predictable revenue. A legal analysis of options that could be paid by residents, businesses, corporations and/or visitors should be conducted and presented to the City Council for consideration as soon as possible. Motion: Anna Scott Second: Alberta Phillips Vote: 11-0 Yes: Diana Wheeler, Lane Becker, Kaiba White, Heather Houser, Jon Salinas, Alberta Philipps, Anna Scott, Rodrigo Leal, Melissa Rothrock, Chris Campbell, …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES July 8, 2024 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at Austin Energy Headquarters. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Diana Wheeler Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Lane Becker, Kaiba White, Heather Houser, Jon Salinas, Alberta Philipps, Anna Scott, Rodrigo Leal, Melissa Rothrock, Chris Campbell, Haris Qureshi Board Members Absent: Larry Franklin, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Yure Suarez, Amy Noel, Charlotte Davis City Staff in Attendance: Rohan Lilauwala CALL TO ORDER Acting Chair Diana Wheeler called the meeting to order at 7:07 pm. 1. Approval of minutes from the Jun 24th meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. • Salinas motions to approve with amendment to include all members absent, Scott seconds, passes 10-0 with Qureshi off dais. 2. Recommendation of investments the City should fund as part of council resolution 20240215-025 ‘Environmental Investment Plan’. • Leal – where did the $250-300 million number come from? o White – number discussed by council subquorum. Should be $250-350 million range. • Qureshi provides minor copy edits • Qureshi amendment to increase number to $250-300 million • Leal - What about water conservation? o White – city-owned solar can offset Austin Water’s energy costs to allow for reinvestments into water conservation. Conserving land improves source water quality. • Scott motions to approve as amended, Campbell seconds, passes 11-0. 3. Recommendation in support of a ‘Climate Fee’ as outlined in the staff response to council resolution 20240215-025 ‘Environmental Investment Plan’. • Discussion of progressive vs regressive nature of tax. Intention to steer options to reduce impact on low-income earners. • White amends last paragraph to “This new fee should be structured to be equitable and responsive to Austin’s wealth gaps and the fee should provide predictable revenue. A legal analysis of options that could be paid by residents, businesses, corporations and/or visitors should be conducted and presented to the City Council for consideration as soon as possible.” • Scott motions to approve as amended, Phillips seconds, passes 11-0. Meeting adjourned at 7:43 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 …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES May 22, 2024 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and City Hall. Board Members in Attendance in Person: Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Charlotte Davis, Alice Woods, Christopher Campbell, Haris Qureshi Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Melissa Rothrock, Diana Wheeler, Kaiba White, Yure Suarez, Rodrigo Leal, Anna Scott, Jon Salinas, Amy Noel Board Members Absent: Larry Franklin, Heather Houser, Stephanie Bazan City Staff in Attendance: Rohan Lilauwala and Zach Baumer CALL TO ORDER Vice-Chair Charlotte Davis called the meeting to order at 6:06 pm. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 1. Kayla Reese – speaking in support of parks being added to Environmental Investment 2. Mike Cannatti – speaking in support of parks being added to Environmental Investment Plan recommendations. Plan recommendations. 3. Scott Johnson – speaking in support of battery electric technology. 1. Approval of minutes from the April 30th special called meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. • Maxwell-Gaines motions to approve, Campbell seconds, passes 12-0 with Woods abstaining. 3. Staff update to the response to the council resolution 20240215-025 ‘Environmental Investment Plan’ – Zach Baumer and Rohan Lilauwala, Office of Sustainability • Qureshi asks how to disseminate info to the public? o Share memo. • What could be funding mechanism for climate fee? o Need council support to even have direction, then come up with options • White: Questioning Decker infrastructure as setting stage for new thermal generation • Leal: Question around why “other” category o A gap now, but TPW will seek funding in the future. • Campbell: Is there going to be discussion around priorities? o Next steps from council • Noel: What did we learn? o Hard to compare projects that meet different goals. i.e. water vs carbon o Most funding comes down in silos. In this case – we did things a different way. E.g. land acquisition, city facilities; would require departmental collaborations + thinking beyond budget cycles. • White: Where is ARR fleet electrification. Should take advantage of if funding is available. o Charging network needed first, not enough time to assess fleet cost. • Davis: Estimates – did they line up with JSC? o Not really. Very rough estimates. More work needed to be refined. 2. Recommendation in support of staff response to council resolution 20240215-025 ‘Environmental Investment Plan’. • No 4. Update from the Electric Utility Commission on the Austin Energy Resource Planning Process – …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE HYBRID MEETING FORMAT June 26th, 2024 at 6pm Room 1407, Permitting and Development Center 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752 Some members of the Committee may be participating by videoconference Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, email or call Rohan Lilauwala at (Rohan.lilauwala@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9394). CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Kaiba White, Chair (Electric Utility Commission) Charlotte Davis, Vice Chair (Resource Mgmt. Commission) Diana Wheeler (Urban Transportation Commission) Haris Qureshi (Environmental Commission) Melissa Rothrock (Zero Waste Advisory Commission) Vacant (Community Development Commission) Larry Franklin (Austin Travis County Food Policy Board) Amy Noel (Economic Prosperity Commission) Chris Maxwell-Gaines (Water & Wastewater Commission) Stephanie Bazan (Parks & Recreation Board) Jon Salinas (Design Commission) Vacant (City Council) Alice Woods (Planning Commission) Rodrigo Leal (Mayor’s Representative) Anna Scott (Mayor’s Representative) Heather Houser (Mayor’s Representative) Yureisly Suarez (Mayor’s Representative) Christopher Campbell (Mayor’s Representative) Vacant (Austin/Travis County Public Health Commission) For more information, please visit: www.austintexas.gov/jsc AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from the May 22, 2024 meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommendation of investments the City should fund as part of council resolution 20240215-025 ‘Environmental Investment Plan’. 3. Recommendation in support of a ‘Climate Fee’ as outlined in the staff response to council resolution 20240215-025 ‘Environmental Investment Plan’. DISCUSSION 4. Update on regional climate planning efforts as part of the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program – Mali Calvo and Rohan Lilauwala, Office of Sustainability 5. Climate Fee Best Practices and Case Studies – Rohan Lilauwala, Office of Sustainability 6. Joint Sustainability Committee Annual Report – Kaiba White 7. Update from the Resource Management Commission on amendments to bylaws to include advising Council on natural gas utility matters – Charlotte Davis FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to …
Joint Sustainability Committee Resolution on Climate Fee June 26, 2024 WHEREAS, it is the Joint Sustainability Committee’s responsibility to advise “on matters related to conservation and sustainability and review City policies and procedures relevant to the Austin Community Climate Plan and the Austin Climate Equity Plan, including planning, implementation, community engagement, goal setting, and progress monitoring”, and WHEREAS, the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal established by the Austin City Council in the Climate Equity Plan is to achieve “net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, utilizing a steep decline path followed by negative emissions” that translates to approximately 75% reduction in emission by 2030; and WHEREAS the Joint Sustainability Committee identified over $2.24 billion in one time costs and $96.14 million in ongoing expenses for implementing the Austin Climate Equity Plan and associated city plans; and WHEREAS increasing pressures on the city budget and utility rates will make funding the identified sustainability needs very difficult without a new source of revenue; and WHEREAS other cities have implemented dedicated fees to fund sustainability needs; and WHEREAS the City of Austin already utilizes dedicated fees to fund certain sustainability needs, including at Austin Energy, Austin Water and Austin Resource Recovery; and WHEREAS funding from existing fees is insufficient in magnitude to fund all existing need and existing fees can only be used to fund certain programs; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that the Austin City Council and the City Manager actively pursue establishing a new Green Fee to help fill the funding gap for implementing the Austin Climate Equity Plan and associated city plans, including: ● Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan ● Austin Strategic Mobility Plan ● Austin Resource Recovery Master Plan ● Water Forward ● Watershed Protection Strategic Plan ● Austin/Travis County Food Plan ● One Austin: Climate Resilience Action Plan ● Central Texas Regional Air Quality Plan ● Urban Forest Plan This new fee should be structured to provide predictable revenue and should be paid by both residents and businesses.
Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Joint Sustainability Committee Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown MSA June 26, 2024 Agenda Program Information Priority Climate Action Plan ● Emissions Inventory ● Implementation Grant Comprehensive Climate Action Plan ● Process ● Timeline ● How to Get Involved Climate Pollution Reduction Grant ● Funding across the US for regional and state climate planning our region’s efforts ● City of Austin Office of Sustainability leading ● Several deliverables due over four years ● Planning covers the 5 county region: Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell 3 Climate Pollution Reduction Grant March 2024 ● Deliverable 1: Priority Climate Action Plan ○ Completed March 1, a quick sprint ○ Focused list of near-term, high-priority, implementation-ready measures to reduce GHGs August 2025 Priority Climate Action Plan ● Submitted Mar 1 ● Regional GHG inventory ● GHG reduction measures ○ GHG analysis ○ Benefit/co-pollutant analysis ○ LIDAC benefits analysis ○ Workforce analysis ○ Funding analysis ○ Review of authority 2022 GHG Emissions in the Region Comprehensive methodology, results are representative of real emissions in the region Relatively low compared to others in Texas and even nationally ● Houston-Galveston - 31.5 MT CO2e ● Dallas-Fort Worth - 12.9 MT CO2e ● San Francisco Bay Area - 10.9 MT CO2e 2022 GHG Emissions in the Region GHG Emissions by County Legend Per Capita Emissions Greenhouse Gas Reduction Measures ● Key part of deliverable - identification of near-term, implementation-ready greenhouse gas reduction measures + analyses on each ● Input from staff in the region every two weeks ● Workshop, staff intake form, public survey ● Input from Community and Stakeholder Advisory group (30+ members) monthly Project Ideas Scoped Projects Community & Stakeholder Input Analysis ‘Long List’ of Measures GHG Reduction Impact Regional Scope LIDAC benefits Quick to Implement Not covered by other govts In PCAP Implementation Grant Application Advance to ‘Short List’ Priority GHG Reduction Measures Emission Reduction (MT CO2e) 2025-2030 2031-2050 TRANSPOR- TATION BUILDINGS AND ENERGY WATER AND LAND Implement Transportation Demand Management programs 860,806 725,426 Encourage and subsidize Renewable Diesel fuel (R99) availability 705,137 1,127,532 Install community solar and battery storage 50,357 132,429 Implement holistic building-wide upgrades to municipal buildings 27,214 47,236 Implement water conservation programs 34,224 99,379 Implement community-driven tree planting and forest restoration program 41,068 115,854 Cumulative Emissions Avoided by GHG Reduction Measure CPRG Implementation Grants Transportation Demand Management ● COA Transportation and Public Works + TxDOT, CapMetro, CARTS ● $47.85 million ● Mobility …