Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

Zero Waste Advisory Commission May Meeting Minutes May 08, 2024 The Meeting of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission (ZWAC) convened at City Hall and through Video Conference on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024. The following are the meeting highlights. For detailed information please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/304685 CALL TO ORDER Chair Gerry Acuna called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:09 pm Board Members in Attendance: Gerry Acuna, Melissa Caudle, Craig Nazor, Cathy Gattuso, Ian Steyaert, Caitlin Griffith & Katrina Scheihing, Board Members not in Attendance: Madeline Jasper, Melissa Rothrock and Amanda Masino Staff in Attendance: Richard McHale, Theodore Horton, Gena McKinley, Ron Romero, Amy Slagle, Jason McCombs, Victoria Rieger, Marcus Gonzalez, Keri Greenwalt, Elizabeth Nelson, Claudia Quiroz, and Gustavo Valle. 1. Approval of the April 24th, 2024, Meeting Minutes (01:17) Chair Acuna entertained a motion Commissioner Scheihing. The board approved the minutes in a 7-0 vote. for approval from Commissioner Nazor, seconded by 2. Presentation and Discussion of the Equity-Based Preservation Plan – Cara Bertron (01:53) Program Manager Cara Bertron with the City Planning Department and Historic Preservation Office presented the Equity-Based Preservation Plan to ZWAC Council. Program Manager Bertron provided background information pertaining to Austin managing historic preservation sites. Unlike typical city plans, this preservation plan gathered community members to create and develop policy recommendations. In addition, she provided a brief outline of recommendations and their ongoing public outreach plan. I. II. Commissioners, staff, and stakeholders reviewed and discussed the Equity0Based Preservation Plan. Commissioner Gattuso requested clarification regarding how property owners would be contacted. Program manager Bertron reiterated that they have managed to contact a significant amount of property owners through their comprehensive public outreach team and social media campaign. Commissioner Griffith asked whether certain kinds of buildings and residences are targeted. Program Manager Bertron explained that it is a citywide plan that looks for existing older buildings based on specific recommendations around designated historic properties. 3. Approve a recommendation to renew funding in the amount of $1,150,000 for Zero Waste Youth Education Program – Victoria Rieger (23:48) Finance Division Manager Victoria Rieger requested ZWAC’s approval for the Zero Waste Youth Education contract. The contract would provide K-12 students with interactive and educational outreach programs that focus on zero waste concepts and sustainability. These educational programs would support the City’s Zero Waste Initiative. I. II. Commissioners, staff, and stakeholders reviewed and discussed the Zero Waste Youth Education Program. Commissioner Nazor asked when and how frequent these programs would take place. Finance Division Manager Rieger presumed that it is led by Keep Austin Beautiful and would take place during school hours several times a year. Commissioner Nazor also inquired about the program’s development and success and would like to see KAB give a presentation at a future ZWAC meeting. Chair Acuna entertained a motion for approval from Commissioner Nazor, seconded by Commissioner Steyaert. The board approved the recommendation of the contract in a 7-0 vote. 4. Approve Recommendation to support Austin Resource Recovery FY25 Budget Proposal (28:16) With the ZWAC council having reviewed ARR’s Budget Proposal from last ZWAC meeting, Chair Acuna presented a resolution in support of the proposed budget. Chair Acuna entertained a motion for approval from Commissioner Steyaert, seconded by Commissioner Caudle. The board unanimously voted to recommend ARR’s FY25 Proposed Budget in a 7-0 vote. 5. Approve a recommendation to provide funding in the amount of $596,400 for Big Truck Rentals LLC – Lionel Benford (30:21) Collections Division Manager Lionel Benford of Austin Resource Recovery requested ZWAC’s recommendation for approval of a refuse truck rental contact with a total amount not to exceed $596,400. Collections Division Manager Benford explained that there is an ongoing national shortage of parts and equipment and for ARR to maintain its ability to deploy the necessary amount of collection vehicles to provide city mandated services, this current short-term contract is needed. A long-term contract is currently under preparation by Fleet Mobility Services. The prepared contract is scheduled to be presented to ZWAC and council on October 24th. I. Commissioners, staff, and stakeholders reviewed and discussed the Big Truck rental contact. Commissioner Steyaert asked how much was spent and what it was used for. Collections Division Manager Benford explained that the contract had been used to supplement fleet to assist with fixing ARR equipment. Director Richard McHale clarified ARR can follow up with the dollar amount that has been spent so far and that ARR is currently using Big Truck Rentals for their peak season for organics. II. III. Commissioner Steyaert also asked which branch of service had most issues with trucks. Director McHale that there is not specific branch (recycling, garbage, organics, etc.) that has the most equipment issues. Commissioner Gattuso asked what kind of fuel the trucks use. Director McHale explained that rentals at this point only use diesel or biodiesel. Chair Acuna entertained a motion for approval from Commissioner Nazor, seconded by Commissioner Rothrock. The board unanimously voted to recommend ARR’s Big Truck Rental Contract in a 7-0 vote. 6. Approve the negotiation and execution of the Northeast Service Center by the Austin Public Facilities Corporation – Richard McHale (34:58) Austin Resource Recovery Director Richard McHale requested approval from the commission to begin negotiations with Stream Realty to begin building the NESC Campus. Director McHale stated that while there currently isn’t a specific cost figure, it appears that it may cost upwards of $230 million dollars and that ARR’s portion will be approximately $65 million dollars. Commissioners, staff, and stakeholders reviewed and discussed negotiations for the Northeast Service Center. Director McHale explained that the vendor has constructed COA facilities before and that ARR would be able to move in the Fall of 2027. While there are proposed rate increases this year to pay for staffing and the building, there will be operational efficiencies. Commissioner Steyaert requested a review of the NESC benefits in a future ZWAC meeting. Chair Acuna entertained a motion for approval from Commissioner Steyaert, seconded by Commissioner Gattuso. The board unanimously voted to approve negotiations with Stream Realty to commence work on NESC in a 7-0 vote. I. II. 7. Review and Discussion of Director’s Report (Northeast Service Center, Zero Waste Youth Education Program, Rental Trucks, Cart Cleaning, Solar Lease Agreement at FM812, Solicitations Updates, Performance Reports, and Statistical Reports) – Richard McHale (41:59) Director Richard McHale presented the Director’s Report that provided updates on the following: • Northeast Service Center • Zero Waste Youth Education Program • Rental Trucks • Cart Cleaning • Solar Lease Agreement at FM812 • Solicitations Updates • Performance Reports • Statistical Reports Future Agenda Items (46:27) • Recommend ARR’s FY2025 Budget Proposal. • Evaluation of Operational and Financial Impacts of the Deannexation of Loss Creek and Blue Goose • Home Initiative Impact on Austin Resource Recovery The minutes were unanimously approved at the July 22, 2024, meeting on Commissioner Nazor’s motion, Commissioner Steyaert second on a 6-0 vote.