imagine austin priority program teams

Priority Program #1: Invest in Compact

Priority Program #3: Workforce Development

Priority Program #5: Creative Economy

Priority Program #6: Household Affordability

Priority Program #7: Healthy Austin

Priority Program #8: Align Code

Priority Program #2: Sustainable Water

Priority Program #4: Green Infrastructure

Priority Programs

IACP Priority Program No. 1

Invest in a compact and connected Austin.

Key Elements

• Capital investments and economic development support Growth Concept

• Implement high capacity transit system• Build complete streets • Plan and implement demonstration corridors• Leverage funding and partnerships

Priority Progam #2: Sustainable Water


Team Members

Lead: Austin Transportation, Public WorksProject Manager: Keri JuarezPDR Liaison: Stevie GreathouseTeam: Erica Leak, PDRD-Urban Design; Jill Fagan and Greg Kiloh, EGRSO; Keri Juarez, Louis Lindsey, Kit Johnson, and Annick Beaudet, Public Works; Gordon Derr, Transportation; John Warren and Molly Scarborough, Capital Planning Office; Additional members to be determined



In the Works

• Rewrite of Transportation Criteria Manual to support complete streets• Implementation of Strategic Mobility Plan• Implementation of Bicycle and Sidewalk/Pedestrian Plans• Development of Urban Trails Master Plan• Implementation of Bike Share• Development of Airport Boulevard, East Riverside Corridor, and South

Lamar Boulevard Plans• Urban rail planning and identification of transit corridors through Project

Connect• Implementation of 2012 Transportation Bond projects and strategic

coordination of capital improvement projects



On the Horizon

• Implementation of Burnet and North Lamar Corridor improvements

• Identification of funding for implementation of high capacity transit system

• Strategic economic development investments in identified centers and corridors

• Further development of complete streets• Enhanced development review process• Reporting on work through IMMPACT




Revise Austin’s development regulations and processes to

promote a compact and connected Austin.

Key Elements

• Promote a compact and connected city• Preserve the character of neighborhoods• Promote affordability• Integrate nature into the city• Ensure the delivery of efficient services• Provide clear guidance in a user-friendly

format


Team Members

Lead: George Adams and Garner Stoll, PDR Assistant DirectorsProject Manager: to be determinedPDR Liaison: N/ATeam: Multi-department “committee of staff” team to be assembled


In the Works

• Informal outreach to key stakeholders• RFQ to hire consultant firm• Hiring 3 positions in PDR to manage program• Appoint advisory group


On the Horizon

• Multi-year public process• Public/Stakeholder Participation Plan• Listening and Education Sessions



Sustainably manage ourwater resources.

Background

Water is central to Austin’s identity & wellbeing• Context

o Rapidly growing population (demand, impacts)o Fragile Central Texas environmento Climate change & droughto State and regional regulatory complexity


Key Elements

• Ensure resilient, reliable & affordable water supply for future generations

• Protect public health & safety• Protect rivers, lakes, creeks & aquifers• Incorporate conservation, innovation & best

management practices• Lead collaboration at the state, regional &

local levels


Team Members

Leads: David Juarez (AWU) & Daryl Slusher (AWU) / Joe Pantalion (WPD)Project Managers:

Teresa Lutes (AWU) / Jean Drew (WPD)PDR Liaison: Matt DuganTeam: AWU: Drema Gross, Tina Bui, David Greene, Joe Smith, Jeff Fox, Mike Castillo, Danielle Martin.WPD: Jose Guerrero, Mike Personett, Matt Hollon, Erin Wood, Chris Herrington.


In the Works

• Watershed Protection Master Plan implementation• Watershed Programs and Regulations• Non-Degradation Policy in Barton Springs Zone• Integrated Water Management Plan Updates• COA-LCRA Water Partnership• Implementation of Council-approved Joint Committee on

Finance Recommendations (AWU)• Capital Improvements• Auxiliary Water Study


On the Horizon

• New Watershed Protection Ordinance (WPO)• Regional & State Water Plan Updates• Ongoing Coordination with Regional Partners



Use green infrastructure to protect environmentally sensitive areas and integrate nature into the city.

DefinitionGreen infrastructure is strategically planned and managed networks of natural lands, parks, working landscapes, other open spaces, and green stormwater controls that conserve and enhance ecosystems

and provide associated benefits to human populations.

GoalManage Austin’s urban and natural ecosystems

in a coordinated and sustainable manner.

Key Objectives• Encourage and/or require increased public and private investment in

green infrastructure• Maximize ecosystem functions and services, including recreation and

transportation, provided by green infrastructure on city-owned and private lands

• Improve inter-departmental collaboration and coordination in the management of city-owned lands

Priority Program #4:Green Infrastructure Goal / Objectives

Key Elements

• Create an integrated green infrastructure plan and ongoing program

• Perform an initial inventory and evaluation of existing green infrastructure resources and identify needs and gaps

• Develop targets and priorities for conservation areas, parks, trails, farmland, etc.

• Develop guidance, public education and demonstration projects of green infrastructure

• Track and monitor project costs and benefits

Priority Program #4:Green Infrastructure

GI2T

Lead: Mike Personett, Watershed ProtectionProject Manager: TBDPDR Liaison: Paul DiGiuseppe, Planning & Development ReviewTeam: Sustainability Office

Austin EnergyAustin Fire DepartmentAustin Water UtilityParks and RecreationPlanning and Development ReviewPublic WorksReal Estate ServicesWatershed Protection


Green InfrastructurePriority Program

Implementation Team

• Sustainability Office• Austin Fire Department• Austin Energy• Austin Water Utility• PARD• PDRD• Public Works• Real Estate Services• Watershed Protection

Open SpaceAcquisition

• Needs/gaps/priorities• Acquisition strategies

Public Lands Management Sub-Team

• Standards of care for vegetation management• Urban Forestry Management Plan• Riparian Zone Restoration Program• Invasive Species Management Plan Implementation• Wildfire fuel mitigation• Integrated Pest Management• Climate protection• Watershed education

Regulatory Policy Sub-Team

• LDC revisions• Watershed Protection Ordinance• Criteria manual revisions

Priority Program #4:Green Infrastructure GI2T Organization

In the Works

• Bond Funding for Parks, Trails & Open Space

• Austin/Travis County Wildfire Mitigation Task Force

• Invasive Species Management Plan Implementation

• Urban Agriculture Programs

• Green Stormwater Solutions

• Urban Forestry Management Plan


Green Infrastructure

Plan / Program

Invasive SpeciesManagement Plan

Riparian ZoneRestoration

Open SpaceAcquisition

(WQPL, other)

Urban Forestry Plan / Program

Land DevelopmentRegulatory Policies

Integrated PestManagement

WatershedProtectionOrdinance

Wildfire FuelMitigation

Education/Outreach

Standards of Carefor

Vegetation Mgmt

UrbanAgriculture

Climate Protection

Plan

Bicycle / TrailsMaster Plans

PARD Long Range Plan

• Watershed Protection Ordinance

• Sustainable Land Management of City Properties

• Community Wildfire Protection Plan

• LDC and criteria manual revisions (IACP Priority Program #8)

• Urban Trails Master Plan

• Green Streets Criteria

On the HorizonPriority Program #4:Green Infrastructure


Continue to grow Austin’s economy by investing in our workforce,

education systems, entrepreneurs and local businesses.

Key Elements

• Develop a widely skilled workforce• Recruit new businesses; retain and expand

existing businesses• Tap into Austin’s entrepreneurial spirit• Partner with businesses, education agencies

and non-profits to meet workforce and business development goals


Team Members

Lead: Brian Gildea, EGRSOProject Manager: Eve Richter, EGRSOPDR Liaisons: Meredith Bossin, Kathleen FoxTeam: EGRSO: Janet Seibert, Preston Stewart, Mona Sanchez, Vicky ValdezPARD: Laura Esparza


In the Works• EGRSO supports and/or participates in the following:• 3 Day Startup• One Semester Startup• Texas Venture Labs• Austin Technology Incubator• STEM Council• Skillpoint Alliance• Capital Idea • Opportunity Austin • Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce business and workforce efforts• True Austin (partnership with Austin Convention and Visitor’s Bureau)

• Small Business Development Program• Classroom education and one-on-one coaching for owners• Annual events for lending and support• BizOpen program supports navigating permit process• Locally Austin online map and directory

• Any Given Child – CoA (PARD, EGRSO, HR, Libraries) partnering with AISD


On the Horizon

• Economic development focused on:• Transit Oriented Development• Redevelopment areas such as Green Water Treatment Plant

• Increased efforts to promote employment of:• Historically under-employed segments of the population• Ex-offender population• Artists

• Small business needs assessment study in 2013


IACP Priority Program No. 5Grow and invest in Austin’s creative economy

• “Creative Economy is an economic concept based on creative assets generating economic growth and development. It includes interlocking industry sectors that focus on providing creative services or creating and promoting intellectual property products.”

• Individuals, nonprofits, and businesses• Arts and culture and creative industries • $4.35 billion in economic activity, over $71 million in City tax revenues, and

almost 49,000 jobs• Creativity is the cornerstone of Austin’s identity and economic prosperity• Continued strategic investment is needed

Key Elements

• Understand infrastructure needs • Develop creative spaces• Create programs to strengthen and grow sector• Integrate creative economy strategies in redevelopment• Create and implement a comprehensive cultural and heritage

tourism plan• Cultivate relationships and partnerships• Identify additional financial resources


Team Members

Lead: Megan Crigger / EGRSOProject Manager: Janet SeibertPDR Liaison: Kathleen FoxTeam: EGRSO – Janet Seibert, Civic Art Program Consultant Megan Crigger, Cultural Arts Program Manager Jim Butler, Creative Industries Manager Meghan Turner, Arts in Public Places Administrator Vicky Valdez, Small Business Development Program Manager Preston Stewart, Business Information Specialist Don Pitts, Music Program ManagerPARD – Laura Esparza, Heritage, Arts, Nature Division ManagerPDRD – Kathleen Fox, Senior Planner Paul DiGiuseppe, Principal Planner


In the Works• Artspace Market Survey•Programs• Family Business Loan Program• Music Venue Assistance Program• Artist Studio Tour Registration• MACC Latino Arts Residency Program

•Partnerships• CreateAustin Accountability Working Group• Creative Enterprises Team• Any Given Child• Smithsonian Affiliation Program


On the Horizon

• Developing a cultural tourism and heritage plan• Comprehensive Plan• Creative Ambassador Program

• Strengthening business and nonprofit management• Needs Assessment• Coordination with partners

• Integrating creative economy strategies into redevelopment• Creative Space Development Tool Kit• Place-making strategies



Create a Healthy Austin Program

Key Elements

• Improve Public Health• Improve Opportunities for active lifestyles• Improve nutrition and food access• Strengthen local food system• Improve access to health care



Team Members

Lead: HHSD Philip Huang/Shannon JonesProject Manager: Cassie DeLeon/Filip GecicPDR Liaison: Pamela LarsonTeam: Staff from HHSD, PARD, PDRDEGRSO, Public Works, Transportation



In the Works• Community Health Assessment/Community Health

Improvement Plan • Obesity• Healthy food access• Active transportation • Access to primary care and mental health/behavioral health services.

• Healthy community code

• Tobacco-free environments

• Increase access to healthy foods



On the Horizon• Community Health Assessment/Community Health

Improvement Plan

• Sustainable Food Policy Board initiatives for sustainable local food production, distribution and food safety.

• Live Tobacco-Free Austin on-going promotion of tobacco-free environments

• Community Transformation Grant Initiatives




Develop and maintain household affordability throughout Austin.

Definition of “Affordable

Housing” The federal government defines housing as “affordable” if no

more than 30% of a household’s monthly income is needed for rent, mortgage payments and utilities.

Housing costs are also examined in the context of area median family income (MFI). The current MFI for the Austin area for a family of 4 is $75,900.

Definition of “Household

Affordability”Household affordability is about the costs of housing, utilities, taxes and transportation.

Key Elements

• Promoting the development and preservation of housing opportunities for very-low to moderate-income individuals and families.

• Developing and utilizing regulatory rules and programs to promote affordability and connectivity in housing, utilities and access to transit.

Team Members

Lead: NHCD - Rebecca GielloProject Manager: NHCD - Kelly Nichols PDR Liaison: Paul DiGiuseppeTeam: Key staff to be identified from NHCD/AHFC, PDR, EGRSO, HHSD, CPIO and other departments and local entities

In the Works

• Identifying funding for a Comprehensive Housing Market Study.

• Identifying and planning for non-federal funding sources for affordable housing development.

• Achieving 350-unit community goal of Permanent Supportive Housing for the chronically homeless.

On the Horizon

• Conduct a Comprehensive Housing Market Study to update available data on housing needs and gaps at all income levels and for specific subpopulations.

• Revise the Land Development Code to better achieve affordability throughout the community.

• Supporting the Community Development Commission in making recommendations regarding an Affordable Housing Siting Policy to direct the City’s geographic investment in affordable housing.

Priority Program #6: Household Affordability

imagine austin priority program teams

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