Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

ZERO WASTE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 The Zero Waste Advisory Commission convened in a REGULAR meeting on Wednesday, February 11th, 2026, at City Hall Room 1001, 301 W 2nd St., Austin, Texas 78701 Chair Acuna called the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Gerry Acuna, Chair; Commissioner Seth Whaland Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Ian Steyaert, Vice Chair; Commissioner Melissa Caudle; Commissioner Caitlin Griffith; Commissioner John Harris; Commissioner Iris Suddaby; Commissioner Michael Drohan; Commissioner Ali Ishaq 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 meeting on November 12, 2025. The motion approving the minutes of the regular Zero Waste Advisory Commission meeting of November 12, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Ishaq’s motion, Commissioner Harris’s second, on a (8-0) vote with Commissioner Drohan absent. ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve a recommendation to Council to authorize negotiation and execution of contracts for consulting services for Austin Resource Recovery with Baer Engineering & Environmental Consulting, Inc., Intera Inc., TRC Environmental Corporation d/b/a Trc, and Zara Environmental, LLC., for a term of five years in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000. Funding: $150,000 is available through the Operating Budget, and $50,000 is available through the Capital Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. The motion approving a recommendation to Council to authorize negotiation and execution of contracts for consulting services for Austin Resource Recovery with Baer Engineering & Environmental Consulting, Inc., Intera Inc., TRC Environmental Corporation d/b/a Trc, and Zara Environmental, LLC., for a term of five years in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 1 was approved on Commissioner Suddaby’s motion, Commissioner Harris’s second, on a (9-0) vote. 3. Approve a recommendation to Council to authorize a contract for Central Business District Collection Services for Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) with Texas Disposal Systems, Inc d/b/a Texas Disposal Systems, for an initial term of 3 years with up to two 1-year extension options in an amount not to exceed $20,000,000. Funding: $2,333,333 is available in the Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. The motion to approve a recommendation to Council to authorize a contract for Central Business District Collection Services for Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) with Texas Disposal Systems, Inc d/b/a Texas Disposal Systems, for an initial term of 3 years with up to two 1-year extension options in an amount not to exceed $20,000,000 was approved on Vice Chair Steyaert’s motion, Commissioner Whaland’s second, on a (9-0) vote. STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. Staff briefing regarding Public Information and Marketing. Presentation by Paul Bestgen, Marketing Supervisor, Austin Resource Recovery. The presentation was made by Paul Bestgen, Marketing Supervisor of Austin Resource Recovery. 5. Staff briefing on the status of Austin Resource Recovery Operational and Administrative projects by Richard McHale, Director of Austin Resource Recovery. The presentation was made by Richard McHale, Director of Austin Resource Recovery. ADJOURNMENT Chair Acuna adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m. without objection. The minutes were unanimously approved at the April 8, 2026, meeting on Commissioner Giffith’s motion, Commissioner Whaland’s second on a 6-0 vote. 2