REGULAR MEETING of the URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TUESDAY MARCH 5, 2024, at 5:00pm BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 CITY HALL- 301 W 2nd St. AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Urban Transportation Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. To register please call or email the staff liaison in advance at (512)-974-3428 or natalie.leone@austintexas.gov no later than noon on Monday March 4, with the following information: name, item number(s) to speak on, telephone number, and email address. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Vacant - (District 1) Melissa Ortiz- (District 2) Arlin Alvarez- (District 3) Susan Somers, Chair- (District 4) Daniel Kavelman-( District 5) Edward Smith- (District 6) Diana Wheeler- (District 7) Athena Leyton- (District 8) Spencer Schumacher- (District 9) Ruven Brooks, Vice Chair- (District 10) Vacant- (Mayoral Appointee) 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. Approve the minutes of the Urban Transportation Commission REGULAR MEETING on February 6, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion on Living Streets program update Presenter: Matthew Macioge, Transportation and Public Works DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and approval of a Right of Way vacation of 5600 Middle Fiskville Rd Presenter: Joseph Fotinos, Transportation and Public Works 4. Discussion and approval of a Right of Way vacation of 64½ Rainey Street Presenter: Joseph Fotinos, Transportation and Public Works 5. Discussion and approval of a recommendation on the Transportation and Public Works and Capital Delivery Services budget allocations 6. Discussion and approval of a recommendation advising on the use of upcoming Climate 7. Discussion and approval of a recommendation on representation on the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Board Equity investments. COMMITTEE UPDATES 8. Update from the Downtown Commission regarding actions from the February 21, 2024 meeting: Commissioner Spencer Schumacher 9. Update from the Joint Sustainability Commission regarding actions from the February 28, 2024 meeting: Commissioner Diana Wheeler 10. Update from the …
Living Streets Program Briefing Urban Transportation Committee – 3/5/2024 Kirk Scanlon, AICP, Division Manager, Smart Mobility Office Matt Macioge, Capital Improvements Program Manager, Living Streets Program Manager Transforming Streets, Building Community Agenda: 1. Living Streets background and overview 2. Types of activations: 1. Neighborhood Block Parties 2. Healthy Streets 3. Play Streets 3. Methodology and selection criteria 4. Program demand and public response 5. Program first activations 6. 2024 Living Streets Program schedule 2 Transforming Streets, Building Community Healthy Streets Pilot Initiative • Started in May 2020 at the beginning of COVID Pandemic, Healthy Streets sought to make residential streets safer and more communal during a period of intense isolation. • Healthy Streets utilized soft closures to reduce through traffic and vehicle speeds. • There were 16 Healthy Street installations throughout the city. • Lessons Learned from the Pilot: • Residents wanted notice and inclusion in the process • The street type matters Living Streets Program Background and Overview A resident survey showed high levels of support for the initiative 3 Living Streets Program Background and Overview Living Streets Program – Initiation Resolution No. – 20211021-02 Council directs the City Manager to create the "Street Programs” - Living Streets Living Streets Program will be a resident-led process. 3. Use "soft" closures to reduce vehicle speed, improve safety, and create connectivity and community. 60% of the residents of a proposed street must approve with a signature to support an activation. 3-6 months with an option for renewal. Address equity issues by making Living Streets accessible 1. 2. 4. 5. 6. 4 2/28/2024 Transforming Streets, Building Community Living Streets Program Background and Overview Living Streets Program Program Activations Neighborhood Block Parties Healthy Streets Play Streets Living Streets Program is 3 types of activations: • Neighborhood Block Parties • Healthy Streets • Play Streets 5 Neighborhood Block Parties Living Streets Program Activations • Applied for and managed by a resident who resides on the street • City staff provides barricades with signage, lights and safety vests • 1 block in length. • A one-time closure, up to 24 hours in length that abides by noise regulations Apply for a Neighborhood Block Party 6 2/28/2024 Living Streets Program Activations Healthy Streets • Applied for by a resident • The city installs and manages cones, barrels, barricades and signage to create street access points • ~3-4 blocks in length • Around the clock “soft” closures …
A STREET RIGHT-OF-WAY VACATION APPLICATION OF AN APPROXIMATE 0.316-ACRE TRACT OF LAND ABUTTING 5600 MIDDLE FISKVILLE ROAD Urban Transportation Commission March 5, 2024 Item #? File #2020-139548 LM District 4 Add location map here Abutting property owner(s): Johnson Special Land LTD and Texas Department of Transportation Add aerial picture from property profile generally outline where the vacation area is 5600 Middle Fiskville Road Paved/developed right of way Picture of property street view Vacation tract is approximately 0.316- acre tract of land abutting 5600 Middle Fiskville Rd. All property owners within 300 feet of the vacation area were sent public notices on February 6, 2024, No objections have been received All affected City Departments and external stakeholders have reviewed and recommend approval of this right-of-way vacation application, subject to the conditions on the Master Comment Report submitted with this presentation The City will retain a Public Utility Easement for Austin Water and Austin Energy facilities. How do you plan to develop the area to be vacated? “To Be Determined – the area to be vacated is not planned for development at this time. However, the owner plans to dedicate Right-of-Way to the City of Austin to allow for an intersection at 56th St and Airport Blvd. This new intersection will eliminate the need for the existing intersection at Middle Fiskville Road and Airport Blvd. The proposed 56th St/Airport Blvd intersection is in coordination with the Corridor Mobility Program Office plan for Airport Blvd.” Existing Site Plan – SP-2020-0273D I am happy to answer your questions regarding the right of way process The applicant can answer your questions regarding the abutting property and the proposed development. Thank you for your time! Christopher Bueckert, 512-974-1780
TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: M E M O R A N D U M Urban Transportation Commission Christopher Bueckert, Property Agent Senior Land Management, Transportation and Public Works Department February 21, 2024 F# 2020-139548 LM Street Right-of-Way Vacation approximately 0.316-acre tract of land abutting 5600 Middle Fiskville Road Attached is the Application Packet and Master Comment Report pertaining to the street right-of-way vacation application for an approximately 0.316-acre portion of land, being the paved/developed street abutting 5600 Middle Fiskville Road, adjacent to Lot 1, Torino Plaza, a subdivision of record Volume 62, Page 72, Plat Records, Travis County, Texas. The proposed vacation tract will be added to the abutting parcels. The abutting properties are owned by Johnson Special Land LTD, a Texas Limited Partnership, and Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT). Per the transmittal letter dated June 29, 2021, received by the City of Austin, the applicant states, “How do you plan to develop the area to be vacated? Response: To Be Determined – the area to be vacated is not planned for development at this time. However, the owner plans to dedicate Right-of-Way to the City of Austin to allow for an intersection at 56th St and Airport Blvd. This new intersection will eliminate the need for the existing intersection at Middle Fiskville Road and Airport Blvd. The proposed 56th St/Airport Blvd intersection is in coordination with the Corridor Mobility Program Office plan for Airport Blvd.” All affected departments and private utility franchise stakeholders have reviewed the application and recommend approval, subject to the reviewers’ conditions shown on the attached Master Comment Report. Per City Code §14-11-71 – Notice to Interested Property Owners Public notice has been sent to owners within 300’ of the area to be vacated. The director of the Public Works Department may approve the application after the 10th day that the notice is issued; and an affected property owner may submit comments regarding the proposed vacation. Public Notice was sent to appropriate parties on February 8, 2023. No objections have been received by staff as of the date of this memorandum. The applicant has requested that this item be submitted for placement on March 5, 2023, Urban Transportation Commission. Staff contact: Christopher Bueckert, Property Agent Senior, Transportation and Public Works Department, 512-974-1780, christopher.bueckert@austintexas.gov Daniel Mahoney, Mahoney Engineering, 512-944-4525, dmahoney@mahoney-eng.com Applicant: Abutting Landowners: Johnson Special Land LTD, a Texas Limited Partnership, and Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) …
A RIGHT-OF-WAY ALLEY VACATION APPLICATION OF AN APPROXIMATELY 1,074 SQUARE FOOT TRACT OF LAND ABUTTING 64 ½ RAINEY STREET Urban Transportation Commission March 5, 2024 Item #? File #2023-131541 LM District 9 Add location map here Abutting property owner: City of Austin Add aerial picture from property profile generally outline where the vacation area is Abutting 64 ½ Rainey Paved/ developed alley 64 ½ Rainey Vacation tract is approximately a 1,074 square foot tract of land. All property owners within 300 feet of the vacation area were sent public notices on February 6, 2024. No objections have been received at the time of this presentation. All affected City Departments and external stakeholders have reviewed and recommend approval of this right-of-way vacation application, subject to the conditions on the Master Comment Report submitted with this presentation The City will retain a Public Utility Easement over the area to be vacated. How do you plan to develop the area to be vacated? The area requested to be vacated would become part of the parkland. The cultural center would then be connected between their existing facility and the new pocket park connected by the alleyway. Within the facility plan for the MACC, this is associated with the Grand Entrada, grand entrance, to the cultural center. No active site plan I am happy to answer your questions regarding the right of way process The applicant can answer your questions regarding the abutting property and the proposed development. Thank you for your time! Joseph Fotinos, 512-978-4659
TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: M E M O R A N D U M Urban Transportation Commission Joseph Fotinos, Project Manager Land Management, Transportation and Public Works Department 2/21/2024 F# 2023-131541 LM Street Right-of-Way Alley Vacation of approximately 1,074 Square foot tract of land abutting 64 ½ Rainey Street. Attached is the Application Packet and Master Comment Report pertaining to the alley right-of-way vacation application for an approximately 1,074 square foot tract of land in the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas, being the paved/developed alley 20 ft wide alley, abutting 64 ½ Rainey Street, and Lot A, Rainey River Addition, BK. 68, Pg. 72, Plat Records of Travis County, Texas. The applicant states the following, on the transmittal letter, when asked how they plan to develop the area to be vacated: The area requested to be vacated would become part of the parkland. The cultural center would then be connected between their existing facility and the new pocket park connected by the alleyway. Within the facility plan for the MACC, this is associated with the Grand Entrada, grand entrance, to the cultural center. All affected departments and private utility franchise stakeholders have reviewed the request and recommend approval, subject to the conditions on the Master Comment Report. Per City Code §14-11-71 – Notice to Interested Property Owners Public notice has been sent to owners within 300’ of the area to be vacated. The director of the Public Works Department may approve the application after the 10th day that the notice is issued; and an affected property owner may submit comments regarding the proposed vacation. Applicant: Public Notice was sent to appropriate parties on February 6, 2024. No objections have been received by staff as of the date of this memorandum. The applicant has requested that this item be submitted for placement on the March 5, 2024 Urban Transportation Commission. Staff contact: Joseph Fotinos, Project Manager-Land Management Transportation and Public Works, 512-978-4659, Joseph.fotinos@austintexas.gov City of Austin, Parks and Recreation Ricardo.soliz@austintexas.gov Abutting Landowners: City of Austin The applicant and/or property owner’s representative will be present at the meeting to answer any questions regarding future development and the vacation request. Attachments: Application Packet Master Comment Report Memorandum TO: FROM: Mashell Smith, Ricardo Soliz, Division Manager for Park Planning Parks and Recreation Department September 25, 2023 SUBJECT: Alley Vacation Request DATE: This memorandum is to request an alley vacation adjacent to 64 Rainey …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20240206‐007: Vote Apportionment in CAMPO WHEREAS, the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 directed Metropolitan Planning Organizations to “consider the equitable and proportional representation of the population of the metropolitan planning area”; WHEREAS, the current Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Joint Powers Agreement was signed on August 5th, 2013 by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), City of Austin, Capital Metro, the County of Travis, the County of Williamson, and the County of Hays; WHEREAS, the CAMPO Joint Powers Agreement designates the Transportation Policy Board (TPB) as the governing body for CAMPO and is made up of 20 elected officials, including four members of the Austin City Council, and a representative from TxDOT and one from Capital Metro; WHEREAS, the City of Austin and the County of Travis collectively represent 56% of the population under CAMPO but only have 45% of the votes on the CAMPO TPB, and 11% of the of TPB Executive Committee; WHEREAS, Article V of the CAMPO Joint Powers Agreement states the agreement may be “renegotiated as necessary to meet changing conditions” by mutual agreement of the signing parties; WHEREAS, Section IX of the CAMPO Transportation Policy Board Bylaws states that the bylaws, including voting representation, “may be revised by approval of the TPB at a meeting at which a quorum, as defined herein, is present”. WHEREAS, on April 5th, 2022 the Urban Transportation Commission passed Recommendation 20220405‐002E, recommending the City Council direct CAMPO to make a number of policy changes including the use of “an equitable, scenario‐based planning approach”; and WHEREAS, on November 7th, 2023, City of Houston Proposition B passed, adding an amendment to the Houston City Charter may only participate in a Metropolitan Planning Organization if “votes on the governing board are apportioned proportionally on the basis of population notwithstanding statutory voting members.” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that City Council members serving on the CAMPO TPB request that the CAMPO TPB form a Select Committee on Representation to consider the following issues: i. the current voting structure of the CAMPO TPB and its impact on regional growth, inequities in resource allocation, and the organization's responsiveness to the needs of historically underrepresented and underserved communities served by the organization; ii. the effectiveness of the CAMPO TPB Executive Committee, including whether the CAMPO TPB Executive Committee is in …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20240305-005: FY 24-25 Budget WHEREAS, the purpose of the Urban Transportation Commission 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. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission urges all relevant departments to consider the following when formulating their budgets for the 2024-2025 fiscal year: ● Collaborate with partners to plan and develop high-capacity transit projects; ● Achieve the 50/50 mode share split set forth in the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP); ● Actively work towards Vision Zero and other safety initiatives efforts; ● Integrate climate goals set forth in the Austin Climate Equity Plan (ACEP); ● Proactively address and mitigate equity concerns caused by decades of inequitable transportation system planning and development; ● Execute the action items listed in the following long-term plans: D R A F T BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that the Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) fund the following priorities for the FY 24-25 budget: ● Increase the capacity of the Living Streets program to build out an additional 50 activations during the upcoming fiscal year; ● Work with Capital Delivery Services to accelerate projects funded by the 2016, 2018, and 2020 Mobility Bonds. In particular, utilize the remaining budgets: $39,840,000 allocated for Bikeways and $80,174,000 designated for Urban Trails (as of December 5th, 2023). Establish an aggressive timeline to ensure prompt project execution. ○ Austin Strategic Mobility Plan; ○ Austin Climate Equity Plan; ○ 2023 ATX Walk-Bike-Roll. ● Enhance the City’s data on the number of people using bicycling infrastructure and how that relates to the type of bike infrastructure deployed (i.e. no bike lane, delineators, curb separated, neighborhood bikeway, etc); ● Ensure that all TPW employees required to work in person are located at City offices where commuting via active transportation is reasonably accessible and safe; ○ Additionally, ensure TPW telework practices align with City Council Resolution 20240215-014 and national best practices; ● Work with the Parks and Recreation Department to complete a Traffic Impact Analysis and Transportation Demand Management Study for Zilker …
WHEREAS, City Council Resolution 20240215-25 directed the Joint Sustainability Committee “to gather input from the public and…submit any recommendations for investments to Council for consideration by May 1, 2024;” WHEREAS, City Council Resolution 20240215-25 directed the City Manager to “solicit community input and prepare options and associated costs of capital improvements or programs that would reduce carbon emissions, decrease water usage, improve water quality and water detention, advance the sustainability of City operations, and improve community resiliency;” BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20240305-006: Climate Equity Investments D R A F T WHEREAS, the Austin Climate Equity Plan (ACEP) sets forth the goal of “by 2030, 50% of trips in Austin are made using public transit, biking, walking, carpooling, or avoided altogether by working from home,” and specifies multiple strategies to achieve the goal including expand and improve public transportation (Strategy 1), prioritizing bicycle networks (Strategy 4), and improving sidewalks, urban trails, and crossings (Strategy 6); WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP) sets forth a goal of reaching a 50/50 mode share (50% drive-alone, 50% taking transit, riding a bicycle, walking, carpooling, or teleworking) by 2039 and identifies infrastructure updates to our pedestrian, public transportation, bicycle, and urban trails systems as paramount to that goal; WHEREAS, City Council Resolution 20240215-25 further directed the City Manager to analyze the investments needed to reach any established goals in climate relation plans, including both the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan and the Austin Climate Equity Plan; WHEREAS, on November 30th, 2023, to achieve the mode-split goals laid out in the ACEP and ASMP the City Council adopted the 2023 Urban Trails Plan, 2023 Bicycle Plan, and 2023 Sidewalks, Crossings, and Shared Streets Plan but did not identify funding sources for these additional investments; WHEREAS, the Austin Climate Equity Plan noted that “our transportation system is already the primary source of local air pollution and will soon become the largest emitter of greenhouse gases; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends the Joint Sustainability Committee, City Manager, and City Council consider the following investments to address local causes of climate change by reducing transportation-related carbon emissions: ● $48,960,000 to ensure the City of Austin builds out an additional 148 miles of the All ○ Projects should be selected using the project prioritization model in the 2023 Bicycle Plan, which scores projects based on equity, destinations & travel demand, connectivity & …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation Number 20240305-007: Vote Apportionment in CAMPO WHEREAS, the CAMPO Joint Powers Agreement designates the Transportation Policy Board (TPB) as the governing body for CAMPO and is made up of 20 elected officials, including four members of the Austin City Council, and a representative from TxDOT and one from Capital Metro; WHEREAS, the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 directed Metropolitan Planning Organizations to “consider the equitable and proportional representation of the population of the metropolitan planning area”; WHEREAS, the current Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) Joint Powers Agreement was signed on August 5th, 2013 by the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), City of Austin, Capital Metro, the County of Travis, the County of Williamson, and the County of Hays; D R A F T WHEREAS, the City of Austin and the County of Travis collectively represent 56% of the population under CAMPO but only have 45% of the votes on the CAMPO TPB, and 11% of the of TPB Executive Committee; WHEREAS, Article V of the CAMPO Joint Powers Agreement states the agreement may be “renegotiated as necessary to meet changing conditions” by mutual agreement of the signing parties; WHEREAS, Section IX of the CAMPO Transportation Policy Board Bylaws states that the bylaws, including voting representation, “may be revised by approval of the TPB at a meeting at which a quorum, as defined herein, is present”. WHEREAS, on April 5th, 2022 the Urban Transportation Commission passed Recommendation 20220405-002E, recommending the City Council direct CAMPO to make a number of policy changes including the use of “an equitable, scenario-based planning approach”; and WHEREAS, on November 7th, 2023, City of Houston Proposition B passed, adding an amendment to the Houston City Charter may only participate in a Metropolitan Planning Organization if “votes on the governing board are apportioned proportionally on the basis of population notwithstanding statutory voting members.” NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that City Council members serving on the CAMPO TPB request that the CAMPO TPB form a Select Committee on Representation to consider the following issues: i. the current voting structure of the CAMPO TPB and its impact on regional growth, inequities in resource allocation, and the organization's responsiveness to the needs of historically underrepresented and underserved communities served by the organization; ii. the effectiveness of the CAMPO TPB Executive Committee, including whether the CAMPO …
URBAN TRANSPORTATION MEETING MINUTES (Tuesday, March 5, 2024) URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 5, 2024 The Urban Transportation Commission convened in a REGULAR meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at City Hall in Austin, Texas. Chair Somers called the Urban Transportation Commission Meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Susan Somers, Chair Ruven Brooks, Vice Chair Arlin Alvarez Daniel Kavelman Melissa Ortiz Spencer Schumacher Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Diana Wheeler Edward Smith PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Adam Greenfield – Safe Streets Austin Bobby Lewinski – Item 7 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on 2/6/2024. The minutes from the meeting of 2/6/2024 were approved on Commissioner Schumacher’s motion, Commissioner Brooks’ second on a 7-0 vote; Commissioners Smith and Leyton absent. Two vacancies on the dais. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion on Living Streets program update The commission received the presentation from Kirk Scanlon and Matt Macioge, Transportation and Public Works 1 URBAN TRANSPORTATION MEETING MINUTES (Tuesday, March 5, 2024) DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and approval of a Right of Way vacation of 5600 Middle Fiskville Road Motion to recommend the City Council approve the ROW vacation, with the contingency that the vacated ROW remain available to pedestrians and bicyclists until the Shared Use Paths on the adjoining side of Airport Blvd are completed. Approved on Commissioner Schumacher’s motion, Commissioner Kavelman’s second on a 7-0 vote; Commissioners Leyton and Edwards absent. Two vacancies on the dais. 4. Discussion and approval of a Right of Way vacation of 64½ Rainey Street Approved on Commissioner Schumacher’s motion, Commissioner Somers’ second on a 7-0 vote; Commissioners Leyton and Edwards absent. Two vacancies on the dais. 5. Discussion and approval of a recommendation on the Transportation and Public Works and Capital Delivery Services budget allocations Amendments Approved on Commissioner Schumacher’s motion, Commissioner Somers’ second on an 8-0 vote; Approved as a whole on an 8-0 vote, Commissioner Leyton absent. Two vacancies on the dais. 6. Discussion and approval of a recommendation advising on the use of upcoming Climate Equity investments Amendments Approved on Commissioner Kavelman’s motion, Commissioner Somers’ second on a 7-0 vote, Approved as a whole on a 7-0 vote; Commissioner Ortiz recusing, Commissioner Leyton absent. Two vacancies on the dais. 7. Discussion and possible action on recommendation relating to Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Transportation Policy Board. Approved …
