SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. CITY HALL ROOM 1001 301 W 2ND ST. AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Zero Waste Advisory 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 Gustavo Valle, 512-974-4350, Gustavo.Valle@austintexas.gov. CURRENT [BOARD MEMBERS OR COMMISSIONERS]: Gerry Acuna, Chair Ian Steyaert, Vice Chair Melissa Caudle Michael Drohan CALL TO ORDER Caitlin Griffith John L. Harris Ali Ishaq Iris Suddaby AGENDA Seth Whaland Miriam Athmer Vacant 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 Zero Waste Advisory Commission Regular meeting on April 8, 2026 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. 3. Discussion and action regarding a recommendation on the FY27 Proposed and FY28 Planned Austin Resource Recovery Budget. Approve a representative of one ZWAC commissioner for the Joint Inclusion Committee for the 2026 calendar year. STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. 5. Staff briefing regarding the Austin Resource Recovery FY27 Proposed and FY28 Planned Budget Presentation, by Victoria Rieger, Finance Manager of Austin Resource Recovery. Staff briefing on the status of Austin Resource Recovery Operational and Administrative projects by Amy Slagle, Assistant Director of Austin Resource Recovery. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Gustavo Valle at Austin Resource Recovery Department, at 512-974-4350 or email Gustavo.Valle@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, please contact Gustavo Valle at 512- 974-4350 or Gustavo.Valle@austintexas.gov.
To: From: Date: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Amy Slagle, Assistant Director, Austin Resource Recovery July 29, 2026 Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission MoveOutATX MoveOutATX is a seasonal donation program that helps University of Texas at Austin students in West Campus give gently used items a second life. During summer move out, curbs and dumpsters often overflow with reusable goods. MoveOutATX sets up conveniently located donation stations where students can drop off unwanted items instead of sending them to the landfill. MoveOutATX began in fall 2017 as a pilot program following an eight-month, community-led planning effort organized by the City of Austin. MoveOutATX now partners with the University of Texas at Austin Office of Sustainability and UT Office of the Dean of Students to reduce waste, support local reuse organizations and make the move-out process easier for students when apartment leases end on July 31. Donation stations open July 25 – July 31, 2026, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. • • • Donation station open July 25 – July 27, 2026, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. • Escala Condos, 1000 W 26th St (near 26th and San Gabriel St.) Lenox Condos (across from 2216 San Gabriel St.) 26 West (just south of 2620 Nueces St.) UT Whitaker Courts Parking Lot, 287 W 51st St. The Free Furniture Market The Free Furniture Market is a public event where gently used furniture collected through MoveOutATX is available for free. This year’s market will only operate on two days during the donation event. Furniture donated through donation stations on other days will be taken to the City's new Austin Reuse Warehouse. Once the warehouse opens, these items will help furnish the homes of people transitioning out of homelessness. The Free Furniture Market will take place July 26 – 27, 6:30 – 8 p.m., at UT Whitker Courts Parking Lot, 287 W 51st St. Volunteer at the Free Furniture Market We need volunteers to unload furniture, direct traffic and help visitors claim furniture. We have a variety of roles and times available. Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Adoption Timeline The City’s Fiscal Year 2026-2027 was presented to the Mayor and City Council on July 16, 2026. There will be further opportunities for discussion and to receive community input on the budget during the scheduled work sessions outlined below. Thursday, July 16 FY26 Proposed Budget presentation to City Council Tuesday, July 21 …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Zero Waste Advisory Commission Recommendation Number (20260325-1): FY27 & 28 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, on November 5, 2025, the citizens of Austin unanimously voted against Proposition Q and its proposed Property Tax Rate increase; and Whereas, the City of Austin and Austin Resource Recovery currently own hundreds of acres of non-performing Real Property assets in the Austin, Travis County, Texas area; and Whereas, Austin Resource Recovery has established waste diversion and circular economy programs such as the Construction and Demolition Recycling Ordinance, 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 2026-27 Austin Resource Recovery Budget recommendation is 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 …
