SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION MARCH 20, 2025 6:00 PM CITY HALL ROOM 1001 301 W 2ND ST AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission maybe participating by videoconference. 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 contact Gustavo Valle, at Gustavo.Valle@AustinTexas.gov or via phone at 512-974-4350. AGENDA Members: Gerry Acuna, Chair Ian Steyaert, Vice Chair Melissa Caudle Cathy Gattuso Caitlin Griffith Amanda Masino Craig Nazor Melissa Rothrock Michael Drohan Seth Whaland Vacant CALL MEETING 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. DISCUSSION ITEMS ACTION ITEMS 1. Approve Commission's Recommendations for FY26 & FY27 Budget Goals 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 call Gustavo Valle at Austin Resource Recovery, at (512) 974-4350 or email Gustavo.Valle@AustinTexas.gov , for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Electric Utility Commission, please contact Gustavo Valle at (512) 974-4350 4350 or via email Gustavo.Valle@AustinTexas.gov or Karina Camara at Karina.Camara@AustinTexas.gov at (512) 978-0751 or via email at Claudia.Quiroa@AustinTexas.gov.
Resolution: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Whereas, It is the Responsibility of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission to review, evaluate and make recommendations to City Council, City Management and City Staff regarding policies concerning solid waste, recycling, organic and heavy brush collection pursuant to its Zero Waste Master Plan Goals; and Whereas, Austin Resource Recovery is one of four Enterprise Departments within the City of Austin and is responsible for meeting its annual financial responsibilities through sound budgeting and efficient customer rate setting that provide Residents with a safe and cost effective collection and disposal service; and Whereas, Austin Resource Recovery has established waste diversion and circular economy programs such as MoveOutATX, Fix-it and Repair Clinics and Zero Waste Business Incentive and Rebate Programs; and Whereas, Implementation and/or adherence to City policies must be reflected in the process of planning for future disposal and diversion challenges within the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas and supporting Austin Resource Recovery (ARR), who is responsible for implementing such Policies and Operations; and Whereas, in 2000 the City of Austin adopted a comprehensive Master Plan for future garbage, recycling, organic and brush collection within the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas area; and Whereas, The City of Austin has grown dramatically in population, development and competitiveness over the past five years and is in need of disposal options in the northern portion of Austin, Travis County, Texas; and Whereas, the 2024-25 Austin Resource Recovery Budget recommendation was seeking to provide competitive compensation for support and collection staff and for the development of a much more efficient and cost effective North Austin Transfer and Hazardous Waste facility which will minimize employee attrition and provide much needed disposal, recycling and hazardous waste drop off options for north, northeast and west Austin residents seeking more comprehensive garbage, recycling, household hazardous waste and organic and brush disposal and collection options; and Whereas, it is the goal of the Commission to more closely adhere to our Zero Waste Master Plan’s diversion goals while acknowledging the future financial demands of unforeseen weather and environmental events facing ARR in meeting these evolving responsibilities beginning with the 2025-2026 Budget cycle; Now Therefore, Be It Further Resolved the Zero Waste Advisory Commission of the City of Austin; asks City Management and City Council to support a 2025-26 Budget increase that will fund ARR’s innovative programs, future infrastructure development, provide competitive employee compensation and …
Resolution: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Whereas, It is the Responsibility of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission to review, evaluate and make recommendations to City Council, City Management and City Staff regarding policies concerning solid waste, recycling, organic and heavy brush collection pursuant to its Zero Waste Master Plan Goals; and Whereas, Austin Resource Recovery is one of four Enterprise Departments within the City of Austin and is responsible for meeting its annual financial responsibilities through sound budgeting and efficient customer rate setting that provide Residents with a safe and cost effective collection and disposal service; and Whereas, Austin Resource Recovery has established waste diversion and circular economy programs such as MoveOutATX, Fix-it and Repair Clinics and Zero Waste Business Incentive and Rebate Programs; and Whereas, Implementation and/or adherence to City policies must be reflected in the process of planning for future disposal and diversion challenges within the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas and supporting Austin Resource Recovery (ARR), who is responsible for implementing such Policies and Operations; and Whereas, in 2000 the City of Austin adopted a comprehensive Master Plan for future garbage, recycling, organic and brush collection within the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas area; and Whereas, The City of Austin has grown dramatically in population, development and competitiveness over the past five years and is in need of disposal options in the northern portion of Austin, Travis County, Texas; and Whereas, the 2024-25 Austin Resource Recovery Budget recommendation was seeking to provide competitive compensation for support and collection staff and for the development of a much more efficient and cost effective North Austin Transfer and Hazardous Waste facility which will minimize employee attrition and provide much needed disposal, recycling and hazardous waste drop off options for north, northeast and west Austin residents seeking more comprehensive garbage, recycling, household hazardous waste and organic and brush disposal and collection options; and Whereas, it is the goal of the Commission to more closely adhere to our Zero Waste Master Plan’s diversion goals while acknowledging the future financial demands of unforeseen weather and environmental events facing ARR in meeting these evolving responsibilities beginning with the 2025-2026 Budget cycle; Now Therefore, Be It Further Resolved the Zero Waste Advisory Commission of the City of Austin; asks City Management and City Council to support a 2025-26 Budget increase that will fund ARR’s innovative programs, future infrastructure development, provide competitive employee compensation and …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Zero Waste Advisory Commission Recommendation Number (20250320-1): FY26 & 27 Whereas, It is the Responsibility of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission to review, evaluate and make recommendations to City Council, City Management and City Staff regarding policies concerning solid waste, recycling, organic and heavy brush collection pursuant to its Zero Waste Master Plan Goals; and Whereas, Austin Resource Recovery is one of four Enterprise Departments within the City of Austin and is responsible for meeting its annual financial responsibilities through sound budgeting and efficient customer rate setting that provide Residents with a safe and cost effective collection and disposal service; and Whereas, Austin Resource Recovery has established waste diversion and circular economy programs such as MoveOutATX, Fix-it and Repair Clinics and Zero Waste Business Incentive and Rebate Programs; and Whereas, Implementation and/or adherence to City policies must be reflected in the process of planning for future disposal and diversion challenges within the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas and supporting Austin Resource Recovery (ARR), who is responsible for implementing such Policies and Operations; and Whereas, in 2000 the City of Austin adopted a comprehensive Master Plan for future garbage, recycling, organic and brush collection within the City of Austin, Travis County, Texas area; and Whereas, The City of Austin has grown dramatically in population, development and competitiveness over the past five years and is in need of solid waste drop off options in the northern portion of Austin, Travis County, Texas; and Whereas, the 2024-25 Austin Resource Recovery Budget recommendation was seeking to provide competitive compensation for support and collection staff and for the development of a much more efficient and cost effective North Austin Transfer and Hazardous Waste facility which will minimize employee attrition and provide much needed solid waste, recycling and hazardous waste drop off options for North, Northeast and West Austin residents seeking more comprehensive garbage, recycling, household hazardous waste and organic and brush collection and dropoff options; and Whereas, it is the goal of the Commission to more closely adhere to our Zero Waste Master Plan’s diversion goals while acknowledging the future financial demands of unforeseen weather and environmental events facing ARR in meeting these evolving responsibilities beginning with the 2025-2026 Budget cycle; Now Therefore, Be It Further Resolved the Zero Waste Advisory Commission of the City of Austin; asks City Management and City Council to support a 2025-26 Budget increase that will fund …
ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES Thursday, March 20th, 2025 The Zero Waste Advisory Commission convened in a SPECIAL CALLED meeting on Thursday, March 20th, 2025, at City Hall Chambers, 301 W 2nd St. Austin, Texas 78701 Chair Acuna called the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Commissioners Commissioner Seth Whaland in Attendance: Gerry Acuna, Chair; Commissioner Michael Drohan; Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ian Steyaert, Vice Chair; Commissioner Melissa Rothrock; Commissioner John L. Harris; Commissioner Melissa Caudle 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. ACTION ITEMS 1. Approve Commission's Recommendations for FY26 & FY27 Budget Goals The motion to approve the Zero Waste Advisory Commission's Recommendations for FY26 & FY27 Budget Goals was approved on Commissioner Drohan’s motion, Commissioner Whaland’s second, on a (7-0) vote with Commissioner Masino, Commissioner Griffith Commissioner Ishaq and Commissioner Suddaby absent. ADJOURNMENT Chair Acuna adjourned the meeting at 6:14 p.m. without objection. The minutes were unanimously approved at the April 9, 2025, meeting on Commissioner Whaland’s motion, Commissioner Steyaert’s second on a 7-0 vote. 1
