SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH 16, 2026, AT 5:00 P.M. AUSTIN ENERGY HEADQUARTERS, ROOM 1111 4815 MUELLER BLVD. 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 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, contact Natalie Leone, 512-974- 3428, natalie.leone@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Susan Somers, Chair Daniel Kavelman, Parliamentarian Deshon Brown Heather Buffo Kevin Chen Nathan Fernandes Justin Jacobson Varun Prasad Joshua Sorin Spencer Schumacher, Vice Chair AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 5 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 2/3/2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. Transit Enhancement Program Update. Presentation by Max Schwartz, Program Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works. Austin Core Transportation Plan Update. Presentation by Michelle Marx, Transportation Officer, and Cole Kitten, Division Manager, Austin Transportation and Public Works. Austin Transportation and Public Works Services and Budget Update. Presentation by Richard Mendoza, Director, Austin Transportation and Public Works. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. Approve a recommendation regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-20727 budget of Austin Transportation and Public Works. Approve proposed changes to Urban Transportation Commission By-laws. COMMITTEE UPDATES 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Update from Commissioner Chen from the Downtown Commission regarding actions taken at the February 18, 2026, meeting. Update from Commissioner Prasad from the Joint Sustainability Committee regarding actions taken at the February 25, 2026, meeting. Update from Commissioner Schumacher from the Bicycle Advisory Council regarding actions taken at the February 17, 2026, meeting. Update from Commissioner Kavelman from the Pedestrian Advisory Council regarding actions taken at the February 2, 2026, and March 2, 2026, meetings. Update from Chair Somers from the City Council Mobility Committee regarding actions taken at the February 12, 2026, meeting. Update from Chair Somers from the Community Advisory Committee of the Austin Transit Partnership Board regarding actions …
URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, February 3, 2026 The Urban Transportation Commission convened in a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 1101, Austin, Texas. Chair Somers called the Commission Meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Heather Buffo - (District 1) Nathan Fernandes – (District 2) Susan Somers, Chair - (District 4) Daniel Kavelman - (District 5) Spencer Schumacher, Vice Chair - (District 9) Commissioners in Attendance Virtually: Kevin Chen - (District 6) Justin Jacobson - (District 8) Deshon Brown (Mayoral) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION Philip Wiley Santiago APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on 1/6/2026. The minutes from the meeting of 1/6/2026 were approved on a motion from Chair Somers, seconded by Vice Chair Schumacher, on an 8-0 vote, with Commissioners Prasad and Sorin absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Long Range Population Forecasting. The commission received a presentation from Genest Lila Valencia, City Demographer, Austin Planning. 3. Curb Management Study. The commission received a presentation from Lewis Leff, Assistant Director, and Joseph Al-Hajeri, Parking Enterprise Manager, both from Austin Transportation and Public Works. 1 URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES 4. Sixth Street Design. The commission received a presentation from Anna Martin, Assistant Director, Austin Transportation and Public Works. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a recommendation to Council on Sixth Street Rebuild. Amendment 1: On a motion from Commissioner Kavelman, and a second from Commissioner Fernandes, the amendment was approved with a 7-0 vote, with Commissioners Jacobson, Prasad and Sorin absent. Amendment 2: On a motion from Commissioner Schumacher, and a second from Commissioner Somers, the amendment was approved with a 7-0 vote, with Commissioners Jacobson, Prasad and Sorin absent. Amendment 3: On a motion from Commissioner Buffo, and a second from Commissioner Schumacher, the amendment failed with a 4-3 vote, with Commissioners Jacobson, Prasad and Sorin absent. On a motion from Commissioner Kavelman, and a second from Commissioner Schumacher approved as amended with a 7-0 vote, with Commissioners Jacobson, Prasad and Sorin absent. 6. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) South Mopac project. On a motion from Commissioner Kavelman, and a second from Commissioner Somers, approved as amended with a 7-0 vote, with Commissioners Jacobson, Prasad and Sorin absent. 7. Approve proposed changes to Urban Transportation Commission By-laws. …
BYLAWS OF THE Urban Transportation Commission ARTICLE 1. NAME. The name of the board is: Urban Transportation Commission. ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE AND DUTIES. The purpose and duties of the board are as follows: 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 public 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. • Perform any other duties assigned by City Council. ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP. (A) The board is composed of eleven members appointed by the city council. (B) A member serves at the pleasure of the city council. (C) Board members serve for a term of four years beginning March 1st on the year of appointment. (D) An individual board member may not act in an official capacity or speak on behalf of the board except through the action of a majority of the board in which the board identifies who is authorized to speak and identifies the actions the individual board member is authorized to take or topics on which the individual board member is entitled to speak. (E) A board member who is absent for three consecutive regular meetings or one-third of all regular meetings in a “rolling” twelve month timeframe automatically vacates the member’s position subject to the holdover provisions in …
ACT Plan Update Urban Transportation Commission Austin Transportation and Public Works | March 16, 2026 ACT Plan Purpose The ACT Plan is a Small Area Mobility Plan (SAMP) covering Downtown Austin and will be adopted by Council as an attachment to the ASMP It is an update to previous transportation focused efforts Downtown – dating back to 2000 Why are we updating the transportation plan for Downtown? changes in transit and bicycle planning changes in highway improvements serving Downtown changes in national best practices on urban street design disruptions to traditional mobility The ACT Plan will create a unified vision for transportation Downtown and align the many projects and initiatives under one actionable plan to help accomplish the goals in the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan. 2 2 ACT Plan Process 2018 - Phase 1 data collection effort 2019 - Phase 2 plan development 2020 - Planning put on hold 2022 - Planning recommences August - October 2022 - Public Engagement Phase 1 November 2022-March 2023 - Public Engagement Phase 2 September 2022-December 2024 - Project and Plan Development February-May 2025 - Draft Plan Review & Public Engagement Phase 3 (Council adoption postponed) June 2025-March 2026 - Revised Final Draft Plan & Council adoption process 3 Public Engagement Worked with Downtown Austin Alliance to form a project Working Group Identified more than 80 Downtown stakeholders Held public events, pop-ups, community meetings, and online surveys throughout downtown and outside of downtown Integrated with other Downtown focused projects and programs (e.g., Palm District, Project Connect, etc.) Identified more than 20 different focus populations to ensure diverse feedback 4 4 Plan Review Timeline February 24, 2025 – Design Commission March 4, 2025 – Urban Transportation Commission March 11, 2025 – Planning Commission March 20, 2025 – Council Mobility Committee March 26, 2025 – Joint Sustainability Committee February 18, 2026 – Downtown Commission March 3, 2026 – Urban Transportation Commission March 5, 2026 – Council Mobility Committee March 26, 2026 – City Council 5 What We Heard Support for pedestrian-first, human-centered design elements Support for current and future transit-priority lanes and protected bike lanes Support for quick build options at lower cost for more facilities in the short term Provide …
Transit Enhancement Program Update Austin Transportation and Public Works | March 16, 20216 Max E. Schwartz AICP, PTP – Capital Improvement Program Manager Agenda ▪ Program Background ▪ Program Overview ▪ Program Accomplishments ▪ Future Work 2 Program Background ▪ Program Mission ▪ Inter-local Agreement with CapMetro 3 Program Background Transit Supportive Plans & Policies 4 Program Background Transit Supportive Plans & Policies ~$50 million of transit work identified in report. 5 Program Background Transit Enhancement History ▪ 2015 – CapMetro and Transportation and Public Works (TPW) staff meet bi-weekly as the Transit Priority Working Group ▪ 2018 – Interlocal agreement (ILA) signed between CapMetro and City for design and construction of operations, access and safety improvements ▪ 2019 – City Council adopts the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP), including specific policy objectives to support transit ▪ 2020 – Austin voters approve the 2020 Safety and Active Transportation Bond, including $19M for Transit Enhancement projects ▪ 2021 – Austin’s updated Transportation Criteria Manual (TCM) is approved by Council, including a chapter dedicated to transit ▪ 2023 – TPW finalizes the Transit Enhancement Infrastructure Report 6 Program Overview Partnering to Improve Transit Operations Improvement Access Improvement Project Coordination 7 Program Overview Work Categories 8 Program Accomplishments 1 Transit Enhancement Infrastructure Report 2+ miles of Transit Priority Lanes 5 Transit Queue Jump Signals 66 Access Improvements 82 Bus Stop Upgrades 9 Program Accomplishments 2020 Bond Allocation $19 Million Total 2.73M, Unencumbered Estimated Completion: End of FY 27 $0.9M Set Aside CAMPO Grants/SS4A $1.07 M In Design $3.2M In Construction $11.1 M, Spent 10 Project Highlights Transit Priority Lanes Guadalupe Infill E 12th and Airport 11 Project Highlights Transit Priority Lanes Trinity and San Jacinto - MetroRapid Support 12 Thank you Program Team Richard Mendoza P.E., M.P.A Director Jim Dale P.E. Deputy Director Anna Martin P.E. Assistant Director Eric Bollich P.E., PTOE Managing Engineer Max Schwartz AICP, PTP Capital Improvement Program Manager Daniil Kontsevoy Capital Improvement Program Manager 13
ACT Plan Update Urban Transportation Commission Austin Transportation and Public Works | March 16, 2026 ACT Plan Purpose The ACT Plan is a Small Area Mobility Plan (SAMP) covering Downtown Austin and will be adopted by Council as an attachment to the ASMP It is an update to previous transportation focused efforts Downtown – dating back to 2000 Why are we updating the transportation plan for Downtown? changes in transit and bicycle planning changes in highway improvements serving Downtown changes in national best practices on urban street design disruptions to traditional mobility The ACT Plan will create a unified vision for transportation Downtown and align the many projects and initiatives under one actionable plan to help accomplish the goals in the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan. 2 2 ACT Plan Process 2018 - Phase 1 data collection effort 2019 - Phase 2 plan development 2020 - Planning put on hold 2022 - Planning recommences August - October 2022 - Public Engagement Phase 1 November 2022-March 2023 - Public Engagement Phase 2 September 2022-December 2024 - Project and Plan Development February-May 2025 - Draft Plan Review & Public Engagement Phase 3 (Council adoption postponed) June 2025-March 2026 - Revised Final Draft Plan & Council adoption process 3 Public Engagement Worked with Downtown Austin Alliance to form a project Working Group Identified more than 80 Downtown stakeholders Held public events, pop-ups, community meetings, and online surveys throughout downtown and outside of downtown Integrated with other Downtown focused projects and programs (e.g., Palm District, Project Connect, etc.) Identified more than 20 different focus populations to ensure diverse feedback 4 4 Plan Review Timeline February 24, 2025 – Design Commission March 4, 2025 – Urban Transportation Commission March 11, 2025 – Planning Commission March 20, 2025 – Council Mobility Committee March 26, 2025 – Joint Sustainability Committee February 18, 2026 – Downtown Commission March 3, 2026 – Urban Transportation Commission March 5, 2026 – Council Mobility Committee March 26, 2026 – City Council 5 What We Heard Support for pedestrian-first, human-centered design elements Support for current and future transit-priority lanes and protected bike lanes Support for quick build options at lower cost for more facilities in the short term Provide …
Austin Transportation and Public Works Services and Budget Urban Transportation Commission March 3, 2026 Austin Transportation & Public Works We are a highly reliable organization that builds and maintains mobility infrastructure for our community. Responsible for a wide range of transportation, mobility, and safety functions across the community Works with all modes of transportation and numerous Austin-area partners and agencies Ensures the transportation system is safe, reliable, and well-maintained By the Numbers $240+ million operating budget 1000+ employees 7 service areas 2 Our Network 7,979 lane miles of streets 1,216 traffic signals 75 miles of alleys 101 pedestrian hybrid beacons 4,000 miles curb and gutter 784 CCTV cameras 466 major bridges 810 culverts and pipes 20 pedestrian bridges 197,038 traffic signs 980 centerline miles of longline 6,900 crosswalks 2,900 miles of sidewalks 41,600 specialty markings 458 miles of bike lanes 139 miles of urban trails 300,000 trees 313 acres mowed + more! 3 Mobility Impacts to the Community Safe and Reliable Infrastructure • Street network • Crosswalks • Bridges • Sidewalks • Traffic Signals Accessible Mobility Options • Effective traffic signage and wayfinding • Expanding urban trail system • Bicycle infrastructure for all ages and abilities • Sufficient crossing guards at Austin schools • Crosswalks near libraries, parks, & bus stops 4 Our Structure Richard Mendoza Director Jim Dale Deputy Director Business Support Services Office of the Director Street and Bridge Operations Transportation Engineering Services Transportation Operations Services Civil Engineering Services Transportation Planning Finance • • Human Resources • Data & Technology Services • Performance Management Equity • • Public Information • District Office • Administration • Legislative Affairs Maintenance • Utilities & Structures • Pavement Operations Infrastructure Operations • • Transportation Engineering • Project Delivery • Active Transportation • Vision Zero • Signs and Markings • Arterial Management • Urban Forestry • Parking Enterprise • • Office of the City Engineer Sidewalks and Urban Trails • Community Services Emergency Management Logistics • • Strategic Projects Systems Development • • • Right of Way • Office of Special Events • Transportation Development Services Land Development Engineering • 5 ATPW Funding Sources Operating Budget Funding Source Description Proper Use Transportation User Fee (TUF) Based on land use type and trip generation (estimated $21.80 / month per household in FY26) Operations and maintenance of mobility assets and small-scale capital investments Temporary Use of Right-of-Way (TURP) Based on amount of …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20260316-005: Fiscal Year 2026 -2027 Budget WHEREAS, in many years, a majority of Neighborhood Cost Share Program projects under the Neighborhood Partnering Program have been for park improvements, not transportation-related items; WHEREAS, there is no dedicated budget item or maintenance crew dedicated to vertical safety infrastructure in bikeways, crosswalks, and Vision Zero projects (i.e. elineators, flex posts, Ziclas, etc), with the responsibility being absorbed by the ATPW Signs and Markings Division; WHEREAS, if the City of Austin maintains the current levels of funding from the Transportation User Fee/ Transportation Fund for sidewalk rehabilitation and urban trails maintenance, Austin Transportation and Public Works (ATPW) estimates the 10-year maintenance backlog costs to make the systems “functionally acceptable” would be $323-$523 million for sidewalks and $32 million for urban trails; DRAFT WHEREAS, the City Council approved $10 million in Conditional Obligation Bonds to fill sidewalk project funding gaps in Fiscal Year 2025–2026, to serve as “bridge financing to maintain construction continuity, retain skilled labor and institutional knowledge, and prevent rising costs from project delays;” WHEREAS, in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget, ATPW estimated a projected revenue increase from Transportation Use Fee funds of $14,760,755 in Fiscal Year 2026-2027 with a projected fee increase of 8.3% ($1.81 per month for a typical Single Family Residential Bill); WHEREAS, without additional capital funding, ATPW estimates there will only be $2 million for new sidewalk construction in Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (anticipated from Parking Transportation Management District and Sidewalk Fee in Lieu funding); NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that ATPW fund the following maintenance priorities out of any increase in the Transportation User Fee ($8.8 million, total): ● $15.4 million in sidewalk rehabilitation, a 100% increase from $7.7 million in FY 26, to reduce the 10-year backlog of sidewalk rehabilitation projects from $323-$523 million (at existing funding levels) to $246-446 million (31%- 14.7% reduction); ● $1 million in urban trails maintenance, a 150% increase from $0.4 million in FY 26, to reduce the 10-year backlog in Urban Trail repair needs from $32 million (at existing funding levels) to $22 million (31% reduction) ○ If ATPW feels this is already budgeted within Signs & Markings, the UTC recommends that the funding be broken out as a separate budget item within the division; ● $0.5 million and a dedicated maintenance crew for Vertical Safety to replace and repair …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Urban Transportation Commission Recommendation 20260316-005: Fiscal Year 2026 -2027 Budget WHEREAS, if the City of Austin maintains the current levels of funding from the Transportation User Fee/ Transportation Fund for sidewalk rehabilitation and urban trails maintenance, Austin Transportation and Public Works (ATPW) estimates the 10-year maintenance backlog costs to make the systems “functionally acceptable” would be $323-$523 million for sidewalks and $32 million for urban trails; WHEREAS, there is no dedicated budget item or maintenance crew dedicated to vertical safety infrastructure in bikeways, crosswalks, and Vision Zero projects (i.e. delineators, flex posts, Ziclas, etc), with the responsibility being absorbed by the ATPW Signs and Markings Division; WHEREAS, in many years, a majority of Neighborhood Cost Share Program projects under the Neighborhood Partnering Program have been for park improvements, not transportation-related items; WHEREAS, the City Council approved $10 million in Conditional Obligation Bonds to fill sidewalk project funding gaps in Fiscal Year 2025–2026, to serve as “bridge financing to maintain construction continuity, retain skilled labor and institutional knowledge, and prevent rising costs from project delays;” WHEREAS, without additional capital funding, ATPW estimates there will only be $2 million for new sidewalk construction in Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (anticipated from Parking Transportation Management District and Sidewalk Fee in Lieu funding); WHEREAS, in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget, ATPW estimated a projected revenue increase from Transportation Use Fee funds of $14,760,755 in Fiscal Year 2026-2027 with a projected fee increase of 8.3% ($1.81 per month for a typical Single Family Residential Bill); NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Urban Transportation Commission recommends that ATPW fund the following maintenance priorities out of any increase in the Transportation User Fee (increase of $8.8 million, above FY 2025-2026 levels): ● $15.4 million in sidewalk rehabilitation, an increase from $7.7 million in FY 26, to reduce the 10-year backlog of sidewalk rehabilitation projects from $323-$523 million (at existing funding levels) to $246-446 million (31%- 14.7% reduction); ● $1 million in urban trails maintenance, an increase from $0.4 million in FY 26, to reduce the 10-year backlog in Urban Trail repair needs from $32 million (at existing funding levels) to $22 million (31% reduction) ● $0.5 million and a dedicated maintenance crew for Vertical Safety to replace and repair broken delineators, flex posts, Ziclas, and other vertical safety elements in bikeways, crosswalks, and Vision Zero projects; and ○ If ATPW feels this is already budgeted within …
