City of Austin Water Oversight Committee Met April 19.
Here is the minutes provided by the committee:
The Austin Water Oversight Committee convened in a special called meeting via videoconference.
Committee Members in Attendance:
Chair Ann Kitchen
Council Member Leslie Pool
Council Member Alison Alter
Vice Chair Vanessa Fuentes
Council Member Paige Ellis
Council Members in Attendance:
Council Member Kathie Tovo
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Kitchen called the Austin Water Oversight Committee meeting to order at 1:02 p.m.
CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL
One registered speaker addressed the Committee regarding water billing and rate structure concerns
APPROVAL OF AIINITTES
1. Approve the minutes of the October 28,2020 regular meeting of the Austin Water Oversight Committee
The minutes of the October 28,2020 meeting were approved on Council Member Ellis' motion, and Council Member Pool's second, on a 3-0 vote, with Vice Chair Fuentes and Council Member Alter off the dais
2. Approve the minutes of the March 3, 2021 and March 31, 2021 regular meetings of the Austin Water Oversight Committee
The minutes of the March 3,2021 and March 31,2021 meetings were approved on Council Member Ellis, motion, and Council Member Pool's second, on a 4-0 vote, with Vice Chair Fuentes off the dais
BRIEFINGS
3. February Winter Storm Event Updates
a. Director's Opening Remarks
b. Communications
c. Infrastructure Resiliency
Austin Water Director Greg Meszaros gave opening remarks. Randi Jenkins, Assistant Director of Customer Experience provided a briefing on communication strategies and tools used during the February winter storm event. Rick Coronado, Assistant Director of Operations joined Assistant Director Jenkins and Director Meszaros in answering questions regarding emergency communications.
Shay Ralls Roalson, Assistant Director of Engineering Services gave a briefing on Austin Water's infrastructure planning and performance of drinking water and wastewater facilities during the February winter storm event. Austin Water staff addressed questions regarding infrastructure performance, operations and winter preparedness planning.
FUTURE ITEMS
Chair Kitchen noted drought contingency planning, lake levels and hydrologic modeling as topics for the next Committee meeting. Other future topics are a Water Forward update, including water storage aspects, and an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) pilot update. Another possible topic could include wildfire mitigation and prevention efforts for water infrastructure and wildlands.
ADJOITRN
Chair Kitchen adjourned the meeting at 2:57 p.m. without objection.
https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=360619