City of Austin Water Oversight Committee met May 25.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
The Austin Water Oversight Committee convened in a regular meeting at City Hall, Council Chambers, 301 West 2nd Street in Austin, Texas.
Chair Vanessa Fuentes called the committee meeting to order at 1:36 p.m.
Committee Members in Attendance:
Council Member Vanessa Fuentes (Chair), Council Member Ann Kitchen (Vice Chair), Council Member Leslie Pool, and Mayor Pro Tem Alison Alter
Committee Members Absent:
None
Other Council Members in Attendance:
Council Member Paige Ellis
PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL
There were no public speakers
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Approve the minutes of the March 31, 2022 special called meeting of the Austin Water Oversight Committee.
The minutes of the March 31, 2022 special called meeting were approved on Mayor Pro Tem Alter’s motion, and Council Member Pool’s second, on a 3-0 vote, with Vice Chair Kitchen off the dais.
BRIEFINGS
2. Status updates on Winter Storm Uri and February 2022 Boil Water After-Action Reviews
Randi Jenkins, Austin Water Assistant Director of Customer Experience and Shay Roalson, Austin Water Assistant Director of Engineering Services presented an update and answered questions on the Winter Storm Uri and February 2022 boil water events. The presentation covered the status of implementing recommended improvements for Austin Water’s operations staffing/procedures/training, short and long term infrastructure enhancements and emergency preparedness, as well as internal and external communications.
3. Austin Water’s Service Extension Request Program
Kevin Critendon, Austin Water Assistant Director of Environmental, Planning and Development Services and Shwetha Pandurangi, Austin Water Division Manager of Utility Development Services gave a presentation on Austin Water’s Service Extension Request program and answered questions. They provided an overview of the program’s purpose, history, and process, as well as the types of service extension applications that require Council approval.
4. Austin Water’s Aquifer Storage and Recovery Project Update
Kevin Critendon, Austin Water Assistant Director of Environmental, Planning and Development Services and Helen Gerlach, Austin Water Project Manager for the aquifer storage and recovery project gave a presentation and answered questions. They provided background on the technology involved, where such projects are used and Austin Water’s project timeline, along with an overview of completed and future phases. The current phase includes community outreach and narrowing down feasible project locations.
5. Austin Water’s Wildfire Mitigation Strategies
Kevin Critendon, Austin Water Assistant Director of Environmental, Planning and Development Services and Sherri Kuhl, Austin Water Environmental Resource Officer gave a presentation on wildfire mitigation strategies and answered questions. The presentation addressed strategies for Austin Water’s facilities as well as the endangered species preserves and water quality protection land that Austin Water maintains. Topics covered included mitigation techniques, risk modeling, staff training, public education, and collaboration with the Austin Fire Department and regional partners.
FUTURE ITEMS
6. Identify Items to Discuss at Future Meetings
Vice Chair Kitchen requested an update on Water Forward
ADJOURN
Chair Fuentes adjourned the meeting at 3:21 p.m. without objection.
https://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=389821