Versión en español a continuación. Special Meeting of the Urban Transportation Commission September 11, 2020 Meeting to be held with physical distancing modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Thursday, September 10 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the September 11, 2020 Urban Transportation Commission meeting, residents must call or email the board liaison at (512) 974 8796 or Kaycie.Alexander@austintexas.gov no later than noon on Thursday, September 10 and provide the following information: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral regarding the item, and a telephone number or email address. Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak. Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. Late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. Handouts or other information may be emailed to Kaycie.Alexander@austintexas.gov by noon on Thursday, September 10. This information will be provided to Commission members in advance of the meeting. If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live. Reunión del Urban Transportation Commission 11 de septiembre de 2020 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (10 de septiembre antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en (512) 974 8796 o Kaycie.Alexander@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al enlace de la junta, los residentes recibirán un correo electrónico o una llamada telefónica …
Nomination and Election of Officers Objective: Elect a Chair, Vice Chair, and Parliamentarian for the coming year. Required annually per City Code. 2019-2020 Annual Internal Review and Report Objective: Approve an annual report (covering July 2019-June 2020) for submission to the Office of the City Clerk. Required annually per City Code. Presentation of the Draft 2020 Austin Climate Equity Plan Requestor: Zach Baumer, Office of Sustainability. Item objective: Opportunity for the commission to review the Draft Climate Equity Plan: the result of a year-long stakeholder engagement process to center Equity in our plan for addressing climate change. We are presenting this plan to 20 City Boards / Commissions and bringing this to City Council for approval in October. Transportation is very soon to be the largest source of carbon pollution in our community, so many of the goals / strategies are focused on transportation issues. Time-sensitivity: Council consideration of the plan for adoption is anticipated in October. Update on Healthy Streets Program Requestors: Commissioners Alvarado, Champion, and Somers. Objective: Receive an update on the implementation of Austin City Council Resolution 20200507-062, the current status of Austin’s Healthy Streets Initiative, and possible long-term implementation and funding for the program.
Austin's Healthy Streets Initiative Urban Transportation Commission September 11, 2020 City Council Direction: Early Efforts – April 2020 Batch 1 – May 2020 • Installed quickly • Approximately 5 miles • Criteria included: • Lack of park space • Disproportionate COVID impacts • Lack of comfort for people walking or bicycling using existing infrastructure • Alternative to crowded trail system • Connection to existing infrastructure Listen, adjust, iterate, modify… Batch 2 - July 2020 • Installed after public engagement process • Added another 5 miles • Focused on neighborhoods further north and south "Seeing neighbors, kids, and families out and about enjoying life has given a renewed sense of happiness with our previously congested city. Austin I am so happy you have been a leader in this movement around the country." "Something is not working here. I don't like the way it's currently set up." "I was considering moving to the country since my job is now fully remote forever, the cost/benefit of living in town has gone upside down. But this Healthy Streets initiative changed my mind." Next Steps • Initiate wind down of select streets • Maintain readiness to launch Batch 3 should community experience a surge in COVID-19 cases • Apply lessons learned into permanent infrastructure solutions • Launch slow streets pilot in the Sidewalk and Urban Trails Plan update austintexas.gov/healthystreets healthystreets@austintexas.gov
Aust in Climat e Equit y Plan Sept ember 2020 Summary ● We’ve been updating the Community Climate Plan o Draft for public comment out now o Council in October ● What we’re looking for from you: ○ Comments ○ Areas of Interest ○ Pledge of Support 2015 Communit y Climat e Plan Adopt ed by Council in June 2015 Electricity & Natural Gas Transportation & Land Use Materials & Waste Management 135 qualitative actions directed at departments 2017 Travis County Carbon Footprint 12.5 million metric tons carbon dioxide-equivalent Industrial Processes How w as t his plan updat e creat ed? • • • • • • • • 24 City Staff 120 Community Members (NGO, Govt., Business) 12 Ambassadors 4 Equity Trainings 5 Community Workshops (over 250 attendees) 14 Steering Committee Meetings 60+ Advisory Group Meetings 50+ Interviews by Ambassadors St eering Commit t ee Members Co-Chairs Mayuri Raja, AZAAD, Google Shane Johnson, Sierra Club Katie Coyne, Asakura Robinson Susana Almanza, PODER Joep Meijer, Citizen Jim Walker, Univ. of Texas Rocio Villalobos, Equity Office Drew Nelson, Mitchell Foundation Rodrigo Leal, Guidehouse Rene Renteria, Citizen Kaiba White, Public Citizen Lauren Peressini, Sunrise Movement Shawanda Stewart, Huston-Tillotson Univ. Kenneth Thompson, Solar Austin Ben Leibowicz, Univ. of Texas Suzanne Russo, Pecan Street Inc. Pooja Sethi, Sethi Law Darien Clary, AISD Alberta Phillips, Joint Sustainability Committee, ECHO AG Representatives: Nakia Winfield, Brandi Clark Burton, Karen Magid, Kurt Stogdill, and Nick Kincaid A Hist ory of Inequit ies t hat Remains Today • • • • • The Austin 1928 Master Plan divided the city along racial lines, forcibly displacing Black residents into specific, undesirable areas. The Tank Farm fuel storage facility, Eastside Landfill, and the Holly Power Plant exposed people of color to toxic pollution in East Austin neighborhoods. Gentrification is taking place in parts of the city where low-income people and people of color have been forced to live, the African-American share of the Austin population declined from 12% in 1990 to 7.7% in 2010. As of 2015, 52% of white Austin residents were homeowners, only 27% of African-American and 32% of Hispanic/Latinx residents owned homes. Cases of COVID-19, hospitalization and mortality rates are disproportionately affecting Latinx and Black communities W e are Changing t he Eart h’s Climat e could be Warming over 2 catastrophic to ℃ life on earth Climat e Project ions for Aust in • Low-income communities and …
Austin's Healthy Streets Initiative Urban Transportation Commission September 11, 2020 City Council Direction: Early Efforts – April 2020 Batch 1 – May 2020 • Installed quickly • Approximately 5 miles • Criteria included: • Lack of park space • Disproportionate COVID impacts • Lack of comfort for people walking or bicycling using existing infrastructure • Alternative to crowded trail system • Connection to existing infrastructure Listen, adjust, iterate, modify… Batch 2 - July 2020 • Installed after public engagement process • Added another 5 miles • Focused on neighborhoods further north and south "Seeing neighbors, kids, and families out and about enjoying life has given a renewed sense of happiness with our previously congested city. Austin I am so happy you have been a leader in this movement around the country." "Something is not working here. I don't like the way it's currently set up." "I was considering moving to the country since my job is now fully remote forever, the cost/benefit of living in town has gone upside down. But this Healthy Streets initiative changed my mind." Next Steps • Launch slow streets pilot in the Sidewalk and Urban Trails Plan update • Apply lessons learned into permanent infrastructure solutions • Initiate wind down of select streets • Maintain readiness to launch Batch 3 should community experience a surge in COVID- 19 cases austintexas.gov/healthystreets healthystreets@austintexas.gov
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 2020911-02D: Healthy Streets Initiative WHEREAS, City of Austin staff and the citizens of Austin have piloted a Healthy Streets initiative which prioritizes the safety, comfort and space for People, not just cars, on our publicly maintained streets; WHEREAS, Healthy Streets are supported by about 3 out of 4 people; WHEREAS Pandemic or not, The City of Austin has a direct benefit in providing more accessible opportunities for climate-friendly exercise and multiple modes of active transportation, including bikes, walking, strollers, wheelchairs, scooters and more; WHEREAS Pandemic or not, the City of Austin has an opportunity to reclaim public space for essential activities that benefit from social distancing such as education, outdoor dining, and entertainment; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends City Council make the Healthy Streets Program permanent, with the understanding that the exact streets, and legal and physical mechanisms for prioritizing people while allowing local traffic and public transportation, can be adjusted by the Administrators in the appropriate departments. Date of Approval: September 11, 2020 Record of the vote: 8-0 with Franco, Runas, and Wilfley absent Attest: Emily Smith, staff liaison
Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) Meeting Minutes Special Called Meeting 11 September 2020 The Urban Transportation Commission convened in a meeting on September 11, 2020 via videoconference. Commission Members in Attendance: Daniel Alvarado Mario Champion – Chair Kelly Davis Commission Members Absent: Allie Runas Michael Wilfley Samuel Franco Daniel Hennessey – Vice Chair Alex Reyna Susan Somers Athena Leyton Cynthia Weatherby CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Champion called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: AUGUST 5, 2020 MEETING The August 5, 2020 minutes were approved on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Runas and Wilfley absent and Commissioners Franco and Reyna not yet present. 2. NEW BUSINESS A. Nomination and Election of Officers – Discussion and Possible Action A motion to elect Mario Champion as Chair of the Urban Transportation Commission through April 2021 was adopted on an 8-0 vote with Commissioners Runas and Wilfley absent and Commissioner Reyna not yet present. A motion to elect Susan Somers as Vice Chair of the Urban Transportation Commission through April 2021 was adopted on a 9-0 vote with Commissioners Runas and Wilfley absent. A motion to elect Kelly Davis as Parliamentarian of the Urban Transportation Commission through April 2021 was adopted on a 9-0 vote with Commissioners Runas and Wilfley absent. B. 2019-2020 Annual Internal Review and Report – Discussion and Possible Action Commissioner Champion presented a draft Annual Review, which was approved on a 9-0 vote with Commissioners Runas and Wilfley absent. C. Draft 2020 Austin Climate Equity Plan – Discussion and Possible Action A presentation was made by Zach Baumer and Celine Rendon of the Office of Sustainability. No action taken. D. Healthy Streets program update – Discussion and Possible Action A presentation was made by Laura Dierenfield and Anna Martin of Austin Transportation. Commissioner Champion proposed draft recommendation language which, after debate and amendment, read as follows: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends City Council make the Healthy Streets Program permanent, with the understanding that the exact streets, and legal and physical mechanisms for prioritizing people while allowing local traffic and public transportation, can be adjusted by the Administrators in the appropriate departments. A motion to approve the recommendation was adopted on an 8-0 vote with Commissioners Franco, Runas and Wilfley absent. 3. STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS Staff and Commissioners gave updates regarding the Joint Sustainability Commission, Bicycle Advisory Council, Pedestrian Advisory …
Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2019 to 6/30/2020 ______Urban Transportation Commission_______ (Official Name of Board or Commission) The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: The purpose of the board is to serve as an advisory body to the city council, the city manager, and all other transportation-related departments concerning transportation-related matters including: • transportation energy conservation matters; • grant applications; • streets and highways; • bus and rail service; • pedestrian and bikeway programs and projects; • safety related programs and projects; • provision for the needs of the mobility impaired; • transportation franchise requests, renewals, rate adjustments, and hours of operation. The commission shall: • Review and make recommendations to the city council on all requests for taxicab permits, including annual permits and franchise permits. • Annually review and report to the city council on the City's transportation system, including policies and programs. • Review, study, and make recommendations to the Planning Commission on: transportation-related projects proposed for inclusion in the Capital Improvements Program; and plans and programs submitted by the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. • Receive and study citizen comments and suggestions in all areas of transportation. • In its deliberations: (1) recognize the relationship between transportation and economics, energy, safety, land use, neighborhood integrity, and environmental quality; and (2) consider transportation access to health care, employment, education, housing, and recreational facilities. • Seek to promote close cooperation between the city council, other city boards and commissions, city departments, and individuals, institutions, and agencies concerned with transportation- related activities so that all similar activities in the City may be coordinated to secure the greatest public welfare 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. The Commission’s actions continue to support this mission statement through a combination of deliberative discussion, Recommendations, and other actions. Recommendations made: ● 20200805-02A: Project Connect funding and governance ● 20200805-02B: Safe Mobility Bond ● 20200710-02A: Street Impact Fee Recommendations ● 20200310-02C: Complete Access to Project Connect ● 20200310-03A: Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) 2045 Transportation Plan ● 20191112-02D: University Neighborhood Overlay Code Amendments ● 20191101-02A Part 1: Land Development Code Revision - Subdivision Connectivity ● 20191101-02A Part 2: Land Development Code Revision - Setbacks ● 20191101-02A Part 3: Land Development Code Revision …
Urban Transportation Commission (UTC) Meeting Minutes Special Called Meeting 11 September 2020 The Urban Transportation Commission convened in a meeting on September 11, 2020 via videoconference. Commission Members in Attendance: Daniel Alvarado Mario Champion – Chair Kelly Davis Commission Members Absent: Allie Runas Michael Wilfley Samuel Franco Daniel Hennessey – Vice Chair Alex Reyna Susan Somers Athena Leyton Cynthia Weatherby CALL TO ORDER Commissioner Champion called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: AUGUST 5, 2020 MEETING The August 5, 2020 minutes were approved on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Runas and Wilfley absent and Commissioners Franco and Reyna not yet present. 2. NEW BUSINESS A. Nomination and Election of Officers – Discussion and Possible Action A motion to elect Mario Champion as Chair of the Urban Transportation Commission through April 2021 was adopted on an 8-0 vote with Commissioners Runas and Wilfley absent and Commissioner Reyna not yet present. A motion to elect Susan Somers as Vice Chair of the Urban Transportation Commission through April 2021 was adopted on a 9-0 vote with Commissioners Runas and Wilfley absent. A motion to elect Kelly Davis as Parliamentarian of the Urban Transportation Commission through April 2021 was adopted on a 9-0 vote with Commissioners Runas and Wilfley absent. B. 2019-2020 Annual Internal Review and Report – Discussion and Possible Action Commissioner Champion presented a draft Annual Review, which was approved on a 9-0 vote with Commissioners Runas and Wilfley absent. C. Draft 2020 Austin Climate Equity Plan – Discussion and Possible Action A presentation was made by Zach Baumer and Celine Rendon of the Office of Sustainability. No action taken. D. Healthy Streets program update – Discussion and Possible Action A presentation was made by Laura Dierenfield and Anna Martin of Austin Transportation. Commissioner Champion proposed draft recommendation language which, after debate and amendment, read as follows: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends City Council make the Healthy Streets Program permanent, with the understanding that the exact streets, and legal and physical mechanisms for prioritizing people while allowing local traffic and public transportation, can be adjusted by the Administrators in the appropriate departments. A motion to approve the recommendation was adopted on an 8-0 vote with Commissioners Franco, Runas and Wilfley absent. 3. STAFF AND COMMITTEE REPORTS Staff and Commissioners gave updates regarding the Joint Sustainability Commission, Bicycle Advisory Council, Pedestrian Advisory …
