JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MEETING MINUTES October 23, 2024 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, Marissa Bell, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Charlotte Davis Board Members in Attendance Remotely: Amy Noel, Lane Becker, Diana Wheeler, Heather Houser, Melissa Rothrock, Anna Scott, Chris Campbell, Alberta Phillips Board Members Absent: Yure Suarez, Jon Salinas, Haris Qureshi, Natalie Poindexter City Staff in Attendance: Leti Alvarez Jim Dymkowski Daniel Priest Naomi Rotramel CALL TO ORDER Chair Kaiba White called the meeting to order at 6:09 pm. 1. Approval of minutes from the September 25, 2024 meeting of the Joint Sustainability Committee. Chris Maxwell-Gaines motion, Houser seconds, passes 12-0 (Phillips off Dais) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 2. Presentation on low-carbon concrete – Johanna Anderson, EPA • White –Clarification on Federal highway/transportation departments is already utilizing concrete that’s already in the top 20% of best? o Anderson – Federal funding flows to the development of the building of highways is it goes from the federal highways department directly to state department of transportations and then they use that funding to build roads. • Bell – Procurement, curious do you imagine people utilizing these labels without limiting fair and open competition and meeting any procurement regulations that are required o Anderson – Initially you might give extra points for a product that has a label. Like any new sustainable product on the marketplace, one might set up a separate agreement for the sustainable products versus the lesser. Market availability, purchasers will have to do their due diligence and provide situation-by-situation basis. • White – Looks like this grant closes 11/25, will they be able to get something together in a month? o Anderson – In general grant programs there’s a real interest in reaching folks that are not professional grant writers so I would assume that the federal highways grant is going that way also. • Scott – How to we implement this? And how to we implement faster? o Anderson – There are tools already. I would say see how the federal government is doing it. Looking at how to take the approach, prioritizing, finding partners most willing, testing out carbon concrete, see what work is being done. • White – You talked about standards for the environmental product declarations, should we expect that they’re automatically adhering to those standards? …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE HYBRID MEETING FORMAT September 25th, 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 Committee. DISCUSSION Energy Wheeler 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 August 28th, 2024 meeting of the Joint Sustainability 2. Presentation on heat resilience planning efforts – Marc Coudert, Office of Resilience 3. Presentation on Solar for All program and the Solar Standard Offer – Tim Harvey, Austin 4. Presentation on the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2024 Update – Heidi Kasper, Austin Energy 5. Updates from the Urban Transportation Commission on the Living Streets Program – Diana DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Consider approval of a Recommendation on the Austin Energy Solar Standard Offer Program 7. Consider approval of a Recommendation on the adoption of the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code 8. Create working groups to support Joint Sustainability Committee oversight of Comprehensive Climate Implementation Process FUTURE …
JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES August 28, 2024 The Joint Sustainability Committee convened in a hybrid meeting via videoconferencing and at Austin Energy Headquarters. 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 …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Sustainability Committee Resolution 20240925-xx on Solar Standard Offer Program WHEREAS, Austin Energy needs more clean renewable local generation; and WHEREAS, Google Project Sunroof estimates that Austin has about 7,900 MW of rooftop solar potential, with about 4,000 MW coming from rooftops with capacity for less than 50 kW;1 and WHEREAS, the vast majority of Austin's rooftop solar potential is still unrealized; and WHEREAS, opportunities to build new solar farms or other clean renewable energy production within the Austin Energy Load Zone are limited; and WHEREAS, while Austin Energy's solar incentive programs have been successful in deploying local rooftop solar for those with access to capital, many residential and commercial property owners do not have enough capital to take advantage of these programs; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy started working with stakeholders, including from the Resource Management Commission, in 2018 to identify a way to expand access to rooftop solar for residential properties; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s last two local solar requests for proposals have not yielded new local solar developments; and WHEREAS, Austin does not currently offer a solar program that allows property owners to host rooftop solar owned by others without utilizing the host’s own capital, even though such a program would enable more solar development on sites that cannot participate in the current solar incentive programs for financial reasons; and 1 While actual potential is likely less once the downtown network and older buildings are excluded, the potential is still large enough to make a significant contribution to Austin Energy’s generation needs. 1 WHEREAS, Austin Energy could significantly increase the amount of solar development within the Austin Energy Load Zone by facilitating solar development on more rooftops in Austin, where solar developers lease the rooftop from the property owner; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy supports new behind-the-meter solar projects under 10 MW with photovoltaic incentives, treating the Value of Solar payment for all PV generation as a bill credit (which renders it non-taxable income), and including the 2.3 cent/kWh societal benefits portion of the Value of Solar tariff; and behind-the-meter rooftop PV projects are exempt from property tax; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s proposed Solar Standard Offer program will apply to new solar projects under 10 MW connected to Austin Energy’s distribution system on the grid side of the customer meter, but will not offer any solar incentive, the solar project will be subject to property tax, the …
CITY OF AUSTIN Heat Resilience Playbook 9/25/24 Outline 01 Background 02 Components of the playbook 0403 Climate Projections 04 Next Steps Heat Resilience Playbook Why have it? What is it? Temperatures are rising Council is asking for it The Community wants to know The City and local agencies are doing a lot! Heat Resilience Playbook identifies neighborhood-based and citywide projects, programs, and policies that combat extreme heat. This Playbook seeks to uplift existing City & agency-led heat resilience efforts Let’s communicate the strategies currently underway It’s not a plan No budget or timeline Heat Resilience Playbook Timeline Partners include Go Austin/Vamos Austin (GAVA), University of Texas at Austin, City of Austin (COA) Departments. Who We Worked With ● Austin Bergstrom International Airport ● Austin Energy ● Homeland Security & Emergency Management ● Homeless Strategy Office ● Austin Energy Green Building ● Housing ● Austin Public Health ● Human Resource ● Austin Public Libraries ● Parks and Recreation ● Development Services - ● Watershed Protection ● Planning ● Travis County ● Austin Water ● Cap Metro Forestry Steps 01 02 03 04 Reviewed national & internal best practices Assessed how city, and agencies, compare to best practices. Id’d 70+ strategies COA+ currently pursuing Reviewed findings with staff & drafted/ refined strategies Assembled strategies into report Extreme Heat Impacts Our: AUSTIN’S HEAT EQUITY When there are major heat events, our residents who are most vulnerable feel it the worst. While all of Austin is expected to experience increases in extreme heat, not all residents face the same impacts. People with the least amount of resources or who spend time outdoors are most at risk — including outdoor workers, infants, elderly, incarcerated people, individuals experiencing homelessness, low-income communities, and people with chronic or mental illness. Spotlight on Neighborhood Cooling Cool Connections Built shade Outdoor Cool Oases Cool Homes Connected trails with access to creeks Tree-lined sidewalks Built shade Shaded bus stops Green infrastructure Park with cooling features, like sprinklers & water fountains Cool Community Spaces Austin’s Heat Resilience Playbook is Composed of 3 Pillars, Divided into 13 Strategies and 56 Actions 1.1 Heat Risk and Mitigation Communications 1.2 Enhanced Outreach During Extreme Heat 2.1 Cool Homes 3.1 Cool Buildings 2.2 Cool Community Spaces 3.2 Tree Planting and Maintenance 2.3 Outdoor Cool Oases 3.3 Parks and Green Space 1.3 Safety Measures and Policies 2.4 Cool Connections 3.4 Resilient Energy System 1.4 Data and Evaluation …
Recommendation for Action (Energy Code) Posting Language Conduct a public hearing and consider an ordinance repealing and replacing Article 12 of City Code Chapter 25-12 (Technical Codes) to adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code and local amendments; and creating offenses. Lead Department Development Services Department Fiscal Note This item has no fiscal impact. Prior Council Action: June 3, 2021 - Council adopted the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and local amendments on Mayor Pro Tem Harper-Madison’s motion, Council Member Ellis' second on a 10-0 vote. Council Member Kelly was absent. For More Information: Todd Wilcox, Building Official (DSD), Todd.Wilcox@austintexas.gov, (512) 974-1681 Heidi Kasper, Director, Energy Efficiency Services, Heidi.Kasper@austinenergy.com, 512-482-5407 Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: August 20, 2024 - Adoption of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code and local amendments to be considered by the Resource Management Commission (RMC). <<vote info to be added>> Additional Backup Information: The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) provides reduced energy use in both residential and commercial buildings. The 2024 IECC represents a significant change in energy efficiency from the 2021 version. The proposed ordinance reduces local amendments, provides more flexibility to the design community, and aligns with existing City climate goals. The Development Services Department, in collaboration with Austin Energy Green Building, conducted stakeholder engagement through the Speak Up Austin platform. For the 2024 IECC, energy efficiency increases in the commercial sector look to be in the range of 13% as a weighted average across all building types over existing code. For residential construction, savings of 4-7% are anticipated across all building types. Specific changes to the current code include: • • Requires new commercial energy code buildings over 10,000 square feet to provide renewable energy systems of 0.5 W/ft2 based on the combined gross conditioned floor area of the three largest floors. This also impacts multifamily buildings 5 stories or greater in height. Inclusion of Electrical Energy Storage System Readiness Appendix for all new commercial buildings Inclusion of Electric Ready Appendixes for all new buildings Inclusion of Electric Vehicle Readiness Appendixes for all new buildings • • • Provides a great number of choices for designers to choose from to meet additional energy efficiency requirements in sections C406 and R408. • Requires tighter building envelopes for new buildings. • Requires residential bathrooms with intermittent exhaust fans to include controls to help remove excess moisture. • Reduces prescriptive requirement of attic insulation in …
Date: Subject: JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20240925-006 September 25, 2024 AE Solar Standard Offer Motioned By: Kaiba White Seconded By: Charlotte Davis WHEREAS, Austin Energy needs more clean renewable local generation; and WHEREAS, Google Project Sunroof estimates that Austin has about 7,900 MW of rooftop solar potential, with about 4,000 MW coming from rooftops with capacity for less than 50 kW;1 and WHEREAS, the vast majority of Austin's rooftop solar potential is still unrealized; and WHEREAS, opportunities to build new solar farms or other clean renewable energy production within the Austin Energy Load Zone are limited; and WHEREAS, while Austin Energy's solar incentive programs have been successful in deploying local rooftop solar for those with access to capital, many residential and commercial property owners do not have enough capital to take advantage of these programs; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy started working with stakeholders, including from the Resource Management Commission, in 2018 to identify a way to expand access to rooftop solar for residential properties; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s last two local solar requests for proposals have not yielded new local solar developments; and WHEREAS, Austin does not currently offer a solar program that allows property owners to host rooftop solar owned by others without utilizing the host’s own capital, even though such a program would enable more solar development on sites that cannot participate in the current solar incentive programs for financial reasons; and 1 While actual potential is less once older buildings are excluded, and the hosting capacity of the distribution grid accounted for, the potential is still large enough to make a significant contribution to Austin Energy’s generation needs. 1 WHEREAS, Austin Energy could significantly increase the amount of solar development within the Austin Energy Load Zone by facilitating solar development on more rooftops in Austin, where solar developers lease the rooftop from the property owner; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy supports new behind-the-meter solar projects under 10 MW with photovoltaic incentives, treating the Value of Solar payment for all PV generation as a bill credit (which renders it non-taxable income), and including the 2.3 cent/kWh societal benefits portion of the Value of Solar tariff; and behind-the-meter rooftop PV projects are exempt from property tax; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s proposed Solar Standard Offer program will apply to new solar projects under 10 MW connected to Austin Energy’s distribution system on the grid side of the customer meter, but will …
Date: Subject: JOINT SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20240925-007 September 25, 2024 Adoption of 2024 International Energy Conservation Code Motioned By: Anna Scott Seconded By: Haris Qureshi Recommendation Adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, as recommended by staff. Description of Recommendation to Council The Joint Sustainability Committee recommends that the City Council adopt the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, including the Electric Readiness and EV Readiness appendixes recommended by staff. Rationale: The 2024 Energy Conservation Code will result in energy savings in both residential (projected 6.1%) and commercial buildings (projected 13.4%). The EV Readiness and Electric Readiness provisions, including the changes recommended by staff to require space for hot water heat pumps will give current and future property owners an affordable pathway to choose efficient electric technologies and eliminate polluting fossil fuel use for transportation and use in the home. These changes will reduce both greenhouse gas emission and local and indoor air pollution, yielding environmental and health benefits. Adoption of the 2024 Energy Conservation Code aligns with Sustainable Buildings Goal 1, Strategy 3 of the Austin Climate Equity Plan, “Achieve energy-efficient, net-zero carbon buildings.” Code amendments are specifically listed in this strategy and are a proven strategy for cost-effectively improving efficiency and making other improvements in the home that are much more costly as retrofits. Vote For: Kaiba White, Rodrigo Leal, Anna Scott, Lane Becker, Charlotte Davis, Alberta Phillips, Diana Wheeler, Heather Houser, Jon Salinas, Haris Qureshi, Natalie Poindexter Against: Abstain: Absent: Melissa Rothrock, Larry Franklin, Amy Noel, Chris Maxwell-Gaines, Christopher Campbell Off Dais: Yure Suarez Attest: Rohan Lilauwala, Staff Liaison 1 of 1
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) …
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 …
