Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, February 20, 2024 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, February 20, 2024 The Resource Management Commission convened in a Regular Called meeting on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Austin Energy Headquarters 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723. Chair Louis Stone called the Resource Management Commission meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. in Attendance: Commissioner Louis Stone, Chair; Board Members/Commissioners Commissioner Paul Robbins, Vice Chair; Commissioner Trey Farmer; Commissioner GeNell Gary Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioner Melissa Carugati; Commissioner Charlotte Davis; Commissioner Shane Johnson; Commissioner Alison Silverstein PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Resource Management Commission Regular Meeting on November 14, 2023. The motion approving the minutes of the Resource Management Commission meeting of November 14, 2023 was approved on Commissioner Silverstein’s motion, Commissioner Gary’s second on an 8-0 vote with Commissioner Scaffidi absent and two vacancies. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommend approving issuance of a capacity-based incentive to KMFA Station, for the installation of solar electric systems on their facilities located at 41 Navasota St, Austin, TX, 78702, in an amount not to exceed $80,676. The motion to approve a recommendation approving the issuance of a capacity-based incentive to KMFA Station, was recommended on Vice Chair Robbins motion, Commissioner Silverstein’s second on a vote 8-0 with Commissioner Scaffidi absent and two vacancies. 3. Recommend approving issuance of a capacity-based incentive to Kensington Apartments, LLC, for the installation of solar electric systems on their facility located at 3300 Manor Rd Austin, TX, 78723, in an amount not to exceed $184,802. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, February 20, 2024 STAFF BRIEFINGS The motion to approve a recommendation approving the issuance of a capacity- based incentive to Kensington Apartments, LLC, was recommended on Vice Chair Robbins motion, Commissioner Silverstein’s second on a 6-2 vote with Chair Stone and Commissioner Gary voting against, Commissioner Scaffidi absent, and two vacancies. 4. Recommend approving issuance of an incentive to the Texas Solar Energy Society for their Pathways Pilot Program to demonstrate how Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding can be applied to solar installations in Austin Energy service territory, in an amount not to exceed $90,000. The motion to approve a recommendation approving the issuance of an incentive to the Texas Solar Energy Society for their Pathways Pilot Program, was recommended on Commissioner Silverstein’s motion, Vice Chair Robbins second on an 8-0 vote with Commissioner Scaffidi absent and two vacancies. 5. Recommend approving issuance of a performance-based incentive to Starwood Capital Group LLC, for the installation of solar electric systems on their facilities shown in the table below, in an amount not to exceed $2,142,861.70. The motion to approve a recommendation approving the issuance of a performance- based incentive to Starwood Capital Group LLC, was recommended on Vice Chair Robbins motion, Commissioner Silverstein’s second on a 6-2 vote with Chair Stone and Commissioner Gary voting against, Commissioner Scaffidi absent, and two vacancies. 13. Staff briefing regarding the Water Forward Updates by Kevin Critendon, Assistant Director, Environmental, Planning, and Development Services, Austin Water. The briefing was presented by Kevin Critendon, Assistant Director, Environmental, Planning, and Development Services, Austin Water. 6. Recommend approval to conduct a public hearing and consider amending City Code Chapter 25-9 (Water and Wastewater) relating to clarifying requirements for water conservation in the implementation of the Water Forward Plan, including distances for the Reclaimed Water Connection requirement, clarifying definitions, and modifying variances including adding certain affordable housing exemptions for Reclaimed Water Connections and Onsite Water Reuse requirements. The motion to approve a recommendation approving to conduct a public hearing and consider amending City Code Chapter 25-9 (Water and Wastewater), was recommended on Commissioner Davis’s motion, Commissioner Carugati’s second on a 7-0-1 vote with Commissioner Gary abstaining, Commissioner Scaffidi absent, and two vacancies. 7. Recommend approval of an amendment to City Code Chapter 15-13 (Regulation of Onsite Water Reuse Systems) relating to establishing development project requirements and adding clarifying language to onsite water reuse regulations. The motion to approve a recommendation amending City Code Chapter 15-13 (Regulation of Onsite Water Reuse Systems) was recommended on Commissioner Silverstein’s motion, Commissioner Carugati’s second on a 7-0-1 vote with Commissioner Gary abstaining, Commissioner Scaffidi absent, and two vacancies. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, February 20, 2024 8. Recommend approval of a resolution authorizing Austin Water (AW) to continue a pilot program and issue incentives on a pilot basis during Fiscal Year 2023-2024 for alternative Onsite Water Reuse Systems or Reclaimed Water Connections for new commercial and multi-family developments under AW’s new regulatory framework in the total aggregate amount of $5,600,000 and not to exceed $500,000 for each project subject to funding availability. The motion to approve a recommendation regarding a resolution authorizing Austin Water (AW) to continue a pilot program and issue incentives on a pilot basis during Fiscal Year 2023-2024 for alternative Onsite Water Reuse Systems or Reclaimed Water Connections failed to pass on Vice Chair Robbins motion, Commissioner Silverstein’s second on a 4-3-1 vote with Chair Stone, Commissioners Carugati and Johnson voting against, Commissioner Gary abstaining, Commissioner Scaffidi absent, and two vacancies. Recommend approval of a resolution authorizing Austin Water (AW) to continue a pilot program and issue incentives on a pilot basis during Fiscal Year 2023-2024 for alternative Onsite Water Reuse Systems or Reclaimed Water Connections for new commercial and multi-family developments under AW’s new regulatory framework in the total aggregate amount of $5,600,000 and not to exceed $500,000 for each project subject to funding availability. The Resource Management Commission recommends that the City Council discontinue incentives after Fiscal Year 2024 for any Austin Water customer already required by City ordinances to install water reuse systems or connect to reclaimed water. The motion to approve adding additional language to the posting language was recommended on Vice Chair Robbins motion, Commissioner Silverstein’s second on a 6-1-1 vote with Chair Stone voting against, Commissioner Gary abstaining, Commissioner Scaffidi absent, and two vacancies. DISCUSSION ITEMS 9. Presentation by Texas Gas Service regarding a quarterly update of the Central Texas Energy Efficiency Program by Jasmine King-Bush, Energy Efficiency Program Manager. The presentation was presented by Jasmine King-Bush, Energy Efficiency Program Manager, Texas Gas Service. 10. Discussion regarding the creation of a pilot program of multifamily supportive housing projects and assist with the Passive House certification. (Sponsors: Farmer, Robbins, Stone) The Commission discussed the program and asked to have this item placed on the next meeting agenda. 11. Discussion on repurposing the GreenChoice Program. (Sponsors: Robbins, Stone, Silverstein) The Commission discussed the program and asked to have this item placed on the next meeting agenda. STAFF BRIEFINGS 12. Staff briefing regarding the GreenChoice Program by Tim Harvey, Manager, Customer Renewable Solutions, Austin Energy. The briefing was presented by Tim Harvey, Manager, Customer Renewable Solutions, Austin Energy. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, February 20, 2024 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Climate Equity Plan • Equity Update • Presentation from the Working Group in reference to the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2035 (Sponsors: Robbins) • Discussion and recommendation regarding the creation of a pilot program of multifamily supportive housing projects and assist with the Passive House certification. (Sponsors: Farmer, Robbins, Stone) • Discussion and recommendation on repurposing the GreenChoice Program Sponsors: Robbins, Stone, Silverstein) • Discussion regarding creating a website for all City of Austin rebates to include electricity and water on one website. (Sponsors: Carugati, Robbins) ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m. The minutes were approved at the March 19, 2024 meeting on Commissioner Silverstein's motion, Commissioner Davis's second on an 7-0-1 vote with Commissioner Sasaridis abstaining, Chair Stone and Commissioner Scaffidi absent, and one vacancy.