[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6520739,"mediaKeyId","5122387-c0fb8e9ae47645d411c93a846debb84d","parentId",5122387,"title","Public commenter raises concerns about TxDOT condemnation of Edward Rendon Senior Parkland and potential removal of historic pecan trees","audioSeconds",191,"startMs",203000,"endMs",394000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5122387-c0fb8e9ae47645d411c93a846debb84d&start=203&end=394","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5122387-c0fb8e9ae47645d411c93a846debb84d/thumbnail_203000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6520739/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Public-commenter-raises-concerns-about-TxDOT-condemnation-of-Edward-Rendon-Senior-Parkland-and-potential-removal-of-historic-pecan-trees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520739-d23f1510c09b8b164ad2b3f772c67472/orig.mp4?Expires=1770647620&Signature=BAOn8XZL1aM8xuJmPCxNY1R30OEx3mBEPTdrWQHDtQO9YMqOOKuxG0aNs7u7DW8LmbQYaC7mMQSOS0xMMDconiTuayGMqCSnv8GWv7ncK79KcMlsxeTwZrjecjpqOTjSPg8JRIagd0pwQT10-zQJSblChBSD~~xFGNjeMy4yvuGjCAOAz9Iqz4gmTQ1BjIJwU5NChyYwMCqBiAmp6izprQ6s75BJ3SJ5yo7zRe8eY9i68MtqxkjDrMjeCKdODgxEzHANGha5APZZnf7Qq6zmuvIKfBsNLRcqlVSaAeSIjw8FCYp3uCTHEeD17TLCagtpanGAOXpdSjpAk1E4yQHMiA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-07-02T00:00:00Z","article","A member of the public raised concerns about proposed I‑35 construction impacts on Edward Rendon Senior Park (City of Austin parkland), saying Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) used condemnation proceedings and placed $1,160,000 in escrow for roughly 0.6 acres of parkland without apparent compliance with Land and Water Conservation Fund protections under Section 6(f).

The commenter, who identified himself as Santiago, told the commission he had reviewed probate court records indicating condemnation through Travis County in February, and said the parkland in question is protected by the Land and Water Conservation Fund (administered by the National Park Service) and by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department grant rules. He said those agencies’ grant managers had confirmed the protections he described, and that the City Attorney’s office had told him the land remained in public use.

Santiago said six historic pecan trees in a pecan grove—marked by a granite memorial placed in 1965—are slated for removal under a proposed temporary construction easement of six months or less. He said plans also show a proposed pedestrian bridge through the area and voiced concern the bridge and other permanent work may follow. He asked for updates from staff about feasibility of alternatives such as a boardwalk along the north shore and about coordination with TxDOT, and requested visibility into the 21‑foot diameter stormwater tunnel work beneath Cesar Chavez and related tunneling operations already underway near the airport and I‑35.

Commission staff did not provide a substantive staff response during the public comment period; commissioners acknowledged the request and the speaker asked the commission to pursue staff collaboration with TxDOT and updates to the public. No formal action was taken at the meeting on this issue.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Environmental Commission - Jul 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A public commenter asked the Environmental Commission to seek staff coordination with TxDOT after alleging TxDOT condemned 0.6 acres of Edward Rendon Senior Park and placed $1,160,000 in escrow without apparent compliance with Land and Water Conservation Fund protections.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520743,"Equity Action urges funding for climate equity measures in community investment budget",83,75000,158000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5122387-c0fb8e9ae47645d411c93a846debb84d&start=75&end=158","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5122387-c0fb8e9ae47645d411c93a846debb84d/thumbnail_75000.jpg","/articles/6520743/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Equity-Action-urges-funding-for-climate-equity-measures-in-community-investment-budget","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520743-9a730b5009988c7039a1ad9e658f4843/orig.mp4?Expires=1770647620&Signature=H1ITg~zdCXxDPL178aG-Qu8LC6Fg90Zko8yBNEob~r54THFPCXKYSMzS5f--3JImxSWLLzyA3zZlQ4DgN~mGitWlL9V~bLl9kGiEWqj3JJwUPmvSufxVKwz4zYXBNnzktYeaHB04OgudkXxK7RyF~XvZ9mXfAXXIlx~Izdbd8Iqy9MZ-69OfLvu25lLDeh7EkXYv~zNxfr8W4x62G7Mg28z8kI2~7shlv151401O8EwlIfQizuqTa2YLMBSNTICd3l5WUgnnrPByRFqQrm1-y~f7P-C7NDncu8aI8knJsLG9tfsLbdIHeN0NHDBzxRH-18B1EJJvMj~0wMn1ycM9eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During public communication at the July 2, 2025 Environmental Commission meeting, Savannah Lee of Equity Action urged commissioners to support climate‑related items in the community investment budget, including funding for implementation of the Climate Equity Plan.

Lee told the commission the requested funding would allow the Office of Climate Action and Resilience to hire staff, expand outreach and engagement for sustainability initiatives, implement a sustainable procurement plan intended to reduce emissions, and support food‑related strategies to address food insecurity and reduce waste. Lee linked these investments to the city’s net‑zero by 2030 goals as described in the Climate Equity Plan and asked commissioners to share the organization’s priorities with partner agencies and organizations.

Lee noted she understood public comment does not trigger immediate action but asked commissioners to relay the message to organizations they work with. No formal action was taken on the comment during the meeting.","A public commenter representing Equity Action asked the Environmental Commission to support funding in the community investment budget for implementation of the Climate Equity Plan, including staff for the Office of Climate Action and Resilience, sustainable purchasing, food security measures and waste reduction to meet net‑zero goals.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520750,"Watershed Protection launches multi‑phase Rain to River strategic plan with focused outreach to underserved communities",3152,1986000,5138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5122387-c0fb8e9ae47645d411c93a846debb84d&start=1986&end=5138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5122387-c0fb8e9ae47645d411c93a846debb84d/thumbnail_1986000.jpg","/articles/6520750/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Watershed-Protection-launches-multiphase-Rain-to-River-strategic-plan-with-focused-outreach-to-underserved-communities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520750-f3e746da34a19a72380a35b7f4199d9b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770647620&Signature=N~AtYCbRN12BWhmgu-lpWbrB-xK0H4tj5hRlUF72N5M9M7ASpR-vE7i7Ue9OKe7PL7nWMpaGWJQkFfh9oliU35O876~2rISBMQeIq-4zOmBYp-FYo50P46s0TT2LyglwkmZg2l0rXVn5JZvb4uw~LY88CRtX8vhuHDDR7~WqvmCEWejBB39kgt3HLi5uLLuQwT2dgCKe0dmHc-LI0-B2tGaGCDFWePNcAYs2-jz~X23hI97RJ9Y4K2OVHREaFN6hJppt3VGlS4LkHC~ws1H7EBNGr1Hdf-mO07gxq-1YtcTgE38~eF6y9QRNHuoRW6vDylQ6SGuCG3NmPXtKtiJ19Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Watershed Protection presented the Rain to River strategic plan update to the Environmental Commission on July 2, 2025, describing a multi‑year effort to replace a nearly 25‑year‑old strategic plan and to center equity, climate resilience and community engagement in watershed priorities.

Erin Wood, planning team manager and lead for the Rain to River project, said the existing strategic plan dates from 2001 and the department needs an updated framework for priorities, measurable objectives and community communication. The new plan will define aspirational goals, objectives, metrics and prioritization criteria for addressing flooding, erosion and water quality across Austin’s watersheds.

The planning team emphasized outreach to communities historically excluded from watershed planning. Sari Albornoz, a senior planner and community engagement lead, described a Phase 1 engagement (2022–2023) that produced nearly 3,000 survey responses, multiple focus groups, a paid community ambassador program and six $5,000 mini‑grants to grassroots partners to bring input from priority stakeholders including communities of color, low‑income residents, non‑English speakers, disabled residents, and people experiencing homelessness. Consultants (Jordan Macklem/MEN Collaborative, Measure, NGO SynTech) are assisting with data synthesis and plan development.

The commission heard a prioritized set of community objectives distilled by a Community Activation Group (CAG). The top priorities (in CAG order) are: equity and inclusion; flood mitigation and emergency preparedness; climate resilience and sustainability; natural resource protection and restoration; trust and collaboration; accessibility and public engagement; sustainable development and growth; support for unhoused and vulnerable populations; education and youth engagement; and innovation and leadership.

Phase 2 engagement launched June 18 and runs through Sept. 15; it centers a web survey asking residents to help prioritize trade‑offs the department will face under constrained budgets. Phase 3 will seek input on a draft plan this winter, with the department aiming for City Council adoption next spring. Staff said they will continue interim actions where feasible, including adding mental health resources to flood‑safety pages, flood‑safety signage at critical drainage channels, and piloting document storage with the Austin Public Library for people at risk of losing vital records.

Commissioners asked about coordination with external partners such as LCRA, outreach to schools and youth, timeline and cadence for future plan updates, and opportunities for the commission to form a working group to review draft materials. Staff said they will share the Capital Projects Explorer link and a social media kit, and they invited commissioners to help distribute the Phase 2 survey to neighborhood networks and community events.","Watershed Protection staff outlined Rain to River, a comprehensive strategic plan update for Austin’s creeks and communities, emphasizing inclusive community engagement, partnership with consultants and a community activation group, and a phased outreach program running through September with a draft plan this winter.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6520753,"Environmental Commission recommends inclusion of 15 Austin Water CIP projects in 5‑year plan",1625,481000,2106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5122387-c0fb8e9ae47645d411c93a846debb84d&start=481&end=2106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5122387-c0fb8e9ae47645d411c93a846debb84d/thumbnail_481000.jpg","/articles/6520753/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Environmental-Commission-recommends-inclusion-of-15-Austin-Water-CIP-projects-in-5year-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6520753-36481c661213efc0d1f1d12da12fb6c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770647620&Signature=UaHcoEfqJfxCp6eQNcEIHQ9NHnE58IjcQO4r3rEqXWmQ-xtEMMu715zsfgIaMgSMeFzEYKtXLnbLGJ2DJHXrnT1i0K2U072WDeHMFilGIQeD9L-AFjvXY3cPZz8A7OpVpcvwE422yfUEvS9IFFWnlI-M6WGmU1HUYB5Rz6UpDDqos9L~LRVLxM-2vpC~Bf5sHLfvZEA2xMvDOOPrGiaYYaAKGLKRDCV9zv-Ghvw8SFQar5JO-O2PumBK8v-Hnd6lIjdo01yXaJ8JfmPR6gjSMMSuZQd-IRUosXd2J~C5ZwyZ5QtjT1wff9G07Hrn0K7WDiCI-fU-R1Sr5KC84JRv6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Environmental Commission on July 2, 2025 recommended that Austin Water include 15 capital improvement projects located in the city’s Drinking Water Protection Zone in the utility’s five‑year capital spending plan, citing compliance with Austin Water Financial Policy No. 8. The recommendation passed with six votes in favor and one abstention.

Austin Water staff presented a seven‑page memo summarizing a subset of projects located within the Drinking Water Protection Zone, saying the list is required under Austin Water Financial Policy No. 8. Fred Guo, financial manager for Austin Water, told commissioners the packet lists 15 projects with a combined five‑year spending plan of about $78,000,000; ten are carryovers from the prior CIP cycle and five are new to the plan. A location map in the memo shows the projects’ positions within the protection zone.

The commission’s recommendation includes a request that Austin Water’s 2026 report explicitly reflect any water leak detection or leak‑abatement activities in the Drinking Water Protection Zone. Commissioners asked staff to clarify project start/ construction status, maps with clearer project locations relative to drinking‑water recharge areas, and how the CIP work ties to water‑loss reduction efforts cited in recent audits.

Assistant Director Kevin Crittendon and Financial Division Manager Tina Romero answered technical and process questions during the discussion. Crittendon said the drinking‑water protection zone covers lands that drain to drinking water supplies, including watersheds that contribute to Lake Travis, Lake Austin and the Barton Springs aquifer, and noted parts of Williamson Creek may fall inside the defined zone where it contributes to those resources. Romero pointed commissioners to the city’s Capital Projects Explorer website for more granular status information and said projects with $0 in the near years of the five‑year plan likely have not started construction.

Commissioners pressed for greater clarity about which projects are already under construction versus in preliminary design, and asked Austin Water to include, where relevant, how projects relate to the utility’s broader $2.7 billion proposed capital plan and its leak‑reduction efforts. Commissioner Krueger referenced recent reporting and an audit that found substantial annual water loss and asked how renewal and replacement work in the capital plan addresses that loss; staff replied that waterline renewal and replacement are part of the broader capital program and that transmission projects on the presented list would generally contribute to water‑loss reduction.

The commission adopted motion Environmental Commission 2025‑07‑02 recommending approval of the request to include the listed CIP projects in the Austin Water five‑year capital spending plan, and requested that the 2026 report show leak‑detection or abatement activities in the drinking‑water zone. The motion passed with six votes in favor and one abstention (Commissioner Breimer).","The Environmental Commission voted to recommend inclusion of 15 Austin Water capital improvement projects located in the Drinking Water Protection Zone in the utility's five‑year spending plan, and requested that next year's report show leak detection/abatement work in the zone.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenter raises concerns about TxDOT condemnation of Edward Rendon Senior Parkland and potential removal of historic pecan trees

Equity Action urges funding for climate equity measures in community investment budget

Watershed Protection launches multi‑phase Rain to River strategic plan with focused outreach to underserved communities

Environmental Commission recommends inclusion of 15 Austin Water CIP projects in 5‑year plan