Versión en español a continuación. Early Childhood Council Meeting January 13, 2021 Early Childhood Council meeting to be held 1/13/2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (1/12/2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Early Childhood Council Meeting, members of the public must: •Email or call the board liaison at Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov or 512-663-2792 no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live (Note, the Early Childhood Council meetings are not broadcast live.) Reunión del Early Childhood Council 13 de enero del 2021 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (12 de enero antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Envíe un correo electrónico o llame al enlace de la junta en Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov o al 512- 663-2792 a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • …
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL JANUARY 13, 2021, 8:30 A.M. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING AGENDA ADDENDUM The Early Childhood Council is adding item 3d below to the agenda for the January 13, 2021, regular meeting: 3. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS d. Vote on draft resolution to support the City of Austin state legislative agenda
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING Wednesday, January 13, 2021 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse, Vice Chair Worthington, Members Alvarez, Bliss-Lima, Conlin, Cortés-Castillo, Gordon, Hosking Pulido, Huston, Paver, and Wren Staff in attendance: Rachel Farley, Larry Elsner, Cindy Gamez, Ashlee Kraus, Mary Jamsek, Donna Sundstrom CALL TO ORDER – Chair McHorse called the meeting to order at 8:34 a.m. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION- none 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES- Minutes from the November 17, 2020 meeting will be approved at the February 2021 meeting 2. PRESESNTATION a. Parent Voice and Parent Leadership Initiative- Paola Silvestre Porras, Director Family Pathways, United Way for Greater Austin The vision of Family Pathways is more parents attain economic stability and more organizations are family focused. Ms. Silvestre Porras reviewed the 2-gen strategic plan for our community and the theory of change that will lead to greater economic mobility for families. She then talked about the parenting groups they started in October 2019- the Family Leadership Council (FLC) and Link-Up Austin. Key goals of FLC include having the expertise of parents with young children inform community-wide strategic plans and helping parent leaders influence systems change. Link-up Austin is made up of young parents and key goals include connecting them with leaders and experts and supporting them as they grow leadership and problem-solving skills. Ms. Silvestre Porras noted that the parents are considered consultants and are compensated after each session. She explained some unique aspects of the groups: parents are provided training (examples- public speaking, leadership skills, racial equity, advocacy, equity and inclusion); the content is tailored to needs of the group and does not follow a curriculum; they make sure parents have a seat at the table where decisions are being made about them- not just a voice; and they connect parents to opportunities to share their stories with change agents. Participants have joined organizational boards, spoken to large groups, and helped make decisions about funding allocations. Ms. Silvestre Porras also outlined 8 principles for engaging and centering parent voices. ECC members asked what issues were most important to the parents in the groups. Ms. Silvestre Porras said many are focused on digital equity issues especially since pandemic; access to child care and navigating a challenging child care system; and pathways to career and education so they can provide for their families. ECC members asked …
Versión en español a continuación. Special Meeting of the Early Childhood Council November 17, 2020 Early Childhood Council to be held Tuesday, November 17, 2020, with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (by noon on Monday, November 16, 2020). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Early Childhood Council Meeting, members of the public must: • Contact the board liaison by email at Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov or by12-663-2792 no later than noon on Monday, November 16, 2020 (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • This meeting is not broadcast live. Reunión del Early Childhood Council 17 de noviembre del 2020 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (antes del mediodía el lunes, 16 de noviembre del 2020). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov o al 512- 663-2792 a más tardar al mediodía el lunes, 16 de noviembre (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya …
EMGA’S THREE PILLARS Promoting Best Places for Working Parents • Encouraging workplace policies that support working parents as a baseline for improving conditions for young children and families. Influencing Public Policy • Advocate for local and statewide policy and funding to increase access to high-quality early education. Advancing Innovation • Incubate, pilot and scale innovative solutions to challenges of access and affordability in the early-childhood sector. 2 In January, EMGA will be launching Best Place for Working Parents in Austin. • Partnering with Ft. Worth, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio • Implementing a first-of-its-kind business self-assessment • Promoting research-backed policies that benefit working parents and business’ bottom line 3 Best Place for Working Parents (BP4WP) • The online self-assessment and built-in designation scoring technology • 3-minute, confidential online self-assessment for local businesses of all sizes and industries • Real-time dashboard report-out of how each business is positioned against other local businesses of similar size & industry across all 10 family-friendly policies • Real-time designation awarding to encourage and promote best practices amongst city businesses • Access to an online EMGA’s Toolkit for employees and employers Promoting research backed policies that support working parents and businesses’ bottom line. WHY BEST PLACES FOR WORKING PARENTS? LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 60% OF ALL CHILDREN UNDER AGE 6 IN AUSTIN HAD ALL AVAILABLE PARENTS IN THE WORKFORCE. • • If parents don’t have access to trusted, safe learning environments for their young children, they won’t be able to return to the workforce now or after the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. Implementing family-friendly policies allows employees to be more productive and focused at work. • Helps employers attract and retain employees. • When childcare is inaccessible, businesses see serious economic impacts. • 70% of non-working middle skilled parents cite child care as one of the top 5 reasons for not participating in the workforce. • 83% of millennials say that they would leave their jobs for one with more family-friendly benefits. • Turnover can cost an employer up to 150% of the base salary of the replaced employee. • First-time mothers who use some form of paid leave are 32% less likely to quit their job before or after childbirth and are 19% more likely to return to the same employer after leave. • When businesses provide child care for employees, absenteeism decrease by 30% and job turnover declines by as much as 60%. How BP4WP …
Parent Support Specialists Family and Community Engagement Support Early Childhood Council Presented by: Leonor Vargas, LMSW, Administrative Supervisor of Parent Programs Par ent Engagement Support Office #AISDgamechangers Parent Engagement Support Office Main: 512 -414-0726 The Parent Engagement Support Office and Parent Support Specialists, foster partnerships among families, schools and communities that create a sense of shared responsibility, accountability and shared leadership for students and schools, and for community success: • We connect, engage, educate, support families and their students, in collaboration with other AISD departments and community partners. #AISDgamechangers Framework: Family Engagement & Support • Relational • Interactive • Collaborative • Developmental • Linked to Learning • Cultivate trust. #AISDgamechangers Family Support: Referral to Case Management Services Individual short-term counseling sessions: VIDA Help Desk: 512-518-2209 or by email at vidacare@vidaclinic.org Help with understanding special education services & accessing programs available within AISD: Email : speddept@austinisd.org Help Desk: 512-414-7733 Assist in improving and strengthening parenting, coping & problem-solving skills. Listen to concerns & provide social/emotional support counseling. #AISDgamechangers Family Support: Resource Connection Resource Connection to assist families in accessing school and community resources including the following services and programs: Financial Assistance (Guidance/Information/Referrals) • Basic Needs-Application assistance (Food, Housing, Employment) • • Medical Services (Appointment Setup/Preparation/Referrals) Virtual • Counseling Services (Referral & Appointment Setup) Care for Kids #AISDgamechangers Family Support: Support Services • Education & Training Classes for families and AISD professionals on topics specific to which may include the following: • Pathways to College, Career, & Life • Special Education 101 • • Training Series specific to Continuous Learning Taking Care of You Workshop-Stress management, COVID-19 #AISDgamechangers Teams of Support Family Resource Centers (schools they serve) • Counselors, Licensed Mental Health Professionals (LMHP) • • Social Emotional Learning teams • Graduation Coaches • Austin Council of PTAs • Refugee Office & Welcome Centers • Project Help • Non-profits, City and County #AISDgamechangers COVID-19 https://www.austinisd.org/covid19 • Communications • Meals • Telehealth • Chrome Books & WiFI • Let’s Talk • Technical Support for the Austin ISD Community #AISDgamechangers COVID-19 https://www.austinisd.org/covid19 Learning At Home • Early Childhood • Multilingual • Special Education • School, Family & Community Education • Library Media Services #AISDgamechangers https://www.unitedwayaustin.org/connectat x/ Connect ATX: United Way 211 #AISDgamechangers Gracias For The Privilege of Your Time Thank you for sharing your time talent resources with our students, their families and schools #AISDgamechangers
Versión en español a continuación. Special Meeting of the Early Childhood Council October 21, 2020 Early Childhood Council to be held October 21, 2020, with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by Tuesday, October 20, 2020 by noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the October 21, 2020, Early Childhood Council Meeting, residents must: • Email or call the board liaison at Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov or 512-663-2792 no later than noon the day before the meeting (Tuesday, October 20, 2020). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • This meeting is not broadcast live. Reunión del Early Childhood Council, 21 de octubre La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social. Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (antes del mediodía el martes, 20 de septiembre). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512-663-2792 or Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el 20 de octubre el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al …
Dove Springs Public Health Facility 5811 Palo Blanco Lane 2018 Bond Project, Austin Public Health Community Input Meeting - October 15 & 17, 2020 Kymberley Maddox, Austin Public Health Kalpana Sutaria, Public Works SpawGlass, Design-Builder Here is what we have done so far Consultant hired from rotation list Review of Alternative Site Analysis Survey of Site Geotechnical Investigation Preliminary Review by Watershed Protection for flood plains Preliminary Layout of Site Elements Chapter 26 Process for Use of Parkland Presentations to Parks Board Council Approval of Use of Parkland Council Approval of Design-Builder, SpawGlass Schematic Design Phase started by SpawGlass Basic Needs Services (Food Pantry, Clothes Closet, application assistance) Community Services Full-Service Neighborhood Center Public Health Nursing/Health Screening Social Work Services Seasonal services (Blue Santa, Thanksgiving Baskets) Women, Infants & Children Clinic (WIC) Immunization Clinic Shots for Tots Big Shots High Quality Childcare Center Multipurpose space and commercial kitchen for community use Construction of Youth Soccer Fields for community Construction of trails for connection of neighborhood to Dove Springs District Park trail system Community Outreach To Date City outreach conducted during Bond Projects Development prior to Bond election – Fall 2018 Elementary School Middle School Meeting of Community Leaders held on April 3rd, 2019 at Widen Public meeting held on June 13th 2019 for community vision at Mendez Speak Up Austin.Org Survey thru June 27th Public meeting held on September 21st, 2019 at the South East Branch Library to share design criteria and the Request for Qualification process for a Design-Builder A Task Force consisting of community leaders was formed in the Spring of 2020 to help increase community participation Task Force Members Frances Acuna – GAVA Arlyn Argumedo - Dove Springs Recreation Center Anna DiCarlo – Parks Board Member, District 2 Barbara Garcia – Dove Springs Recreation Center Robert Kibbie - Dove Springs Advisory Board Gloria Lugo – Community Alberto Mejia – Community Development Commission, District 2 Irene Magna-Noverola – Austin South East Branch Library George Morales – Dove Springs Advisory Board Mathew Worthington – Early Childhood Council, District 2 Raymond Young - Dove Springs Advisory Board Ofelia Zapata – Community Leader Ricardo Zavala – Dove Springs …
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING Wednesday, October 21, 2020 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse, Vice Chair Worthington, Members Bliss-Lima, Gordon, Hosking Pulido, Huston, Paver, and Wren Staff in attendance: Rachel Farley, Donna Sundstrom, Kymberley Maddox, Cindy Gamez, Filip Gecic, Larry Elsner, Shay Breen CALL TO ORDER – Chair McHorse called the meeting to order at 8:50 a.m. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from September 18, 2020 meeting Member Huston motioned to approve minutes. Member Paver seconded the motion. The minutes were approved with no changes by a vote of 8-0-0. 2. PRESENTATION Director a. Dove Springs Health Center and Child Care Center- Kymberley Maddox, Assistant Ms. Maddox noted that it takes 6 to 8 weeks to plan a public meeting. There is a community Task Force that helps staff and the project team stay connected to the community between meetings. ECC Vice Chair Worthington is a member of the Task Force. Public meetings about the Health Center were held on June 27, 2019, and September 21, 2019. They were well- attended. At the June meeting, the community was asked to provide feedback on key design and green elements. The feedback was that the community prefers the center to have a modern style, metal paneling material, standing seam roof, and solar panels. The Child Care portion of the building will be one-story which will have access to the rest of the health center but will also have a separate entrance. The rest of the building will be two stories. The first floor will include WIC and a community space and the second floor will have an immunization clinic, a neighborhood center, and will house the City’s Community Youth Development (CYD) staff who work with young people in Dove Springs on programming to prevent juvenile delinquency. The outdoor learning spaces for the child care center will not be accessible to public, so staff are proposing adding a nearby public playground. A shaded pavilion is planned between driveway and soccer fields with solar panels and battery storage where the community could charge devices in the event of a blackout. Community members told the project team that children need a safe crossing route from the neighborhood to nearby Mendez Middle School and Widen Elementary School, so pathways from the neighborhood connecting to the district park and/or a crosswalk to the schools …
Versión en español a continuación. Special Meeting of the Early Childhood Council September 18, 2020 Early Childhood Council to be held September 18, 2020, with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by Thursday, September 17, 2020 by noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the September 18, 2020, Early Childhood Council Meeting, residents must: •Email or call the board liaison at 512-663-2792 or Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov no later than noon the day before the meeting. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • This meeting is not broadcast live. Reunión del Early Childhood Council, 18 de septiembre La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social. Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (antes del mediodía el jueves, 17 de septiembre). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512-663-2792 or Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el 17 de septiembre el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al enlace de la junta, los residentes recibirán un correo …
EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES SPECIAL CALLED MEETING Friday, September 18, 2020 The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Friday, September 18, 2020. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Alvarez, Vice Chair McHorse, Members Bliss-Lima, Conlin, Cortes-Castillo, Gordon, Huston, and Paver Staff in attendance: Rachel Farley, Cindy Gamez, Michelle Rodriguez, Ashlee Kraus, Shay Breen CALL TO ORDER – Chair Alvarez called the meeting to order at 3:13 p.m. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from 6/10/2020 meeting The August 10, 2020 meeting minutes were approved by a vote of 7-0-0 with Member Cortes- Castillo off the dais 2. PRESENTATIONS: a. Economic Development Corporations - Matthew Kwatinetz, Q Partners Economic Development entities that function as inclusive growth organizations. People and businesses are not left behind as it grows. Intervenes to make what is needed (such as early childhood education, transportation, workforce training, fresh food, affordable housing, etc.) more accessible so that it is economically feasibility to living here. Makes sense to integrate early childhood education into the economic development entity because if functions as an equalizer for children, workers, and economy of the city. Mr. Kwatinetz has been working with the City on the creation of an Austin Public Development Corporation (APDC) which will function like a real estate developer that works for the people. The APDC was going to launch in March but timeline was slowed by the pandemic. Benefits- broader focus than most developers, more return on the public investment, the organization coordinates the needs, multi-use developments that can be used at all different times of day are more economically viable. The corporation functions as the developer, not as the operator of the businesses or organizations housed there (like child care program, retail space, art space, etc.). It speeds up the processes for real estate procurement and evaluations in collaboration with subject matter and service provider experts. Currently he is working with the City of New York to expand free Pre-K to all areas. Worked on geo-mapping needs, potential public spaces, resources. Conducted analysis of existing child care and schools and proposals to central storage and open up for program space. Partnered with the Department of Education on RFPs to child care programs to provide free Pre-K. The Corporation will be a 501c3 and a local government corporation that can blend governmental funding from all levels. Funds generate by one activity can be used to support another activity within one building or across …
Special Meeting of the Early Childhood Council August 10, 2020 Early Childhood Council to be held August 10, 2020, with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (by Sunday, August 9, 2020 at 12:00 noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Early Childhood Council Meeting, residents must: •Email the board liaison at Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov or text or call her at 512-663-2792 no later than noon on Sunday, August 9 (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Rachel.Farley@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •This meeting is not broadcast live. EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2020, 1:00 P.M. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING AGENDA CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from 6/10/2020 meeting 2. Moment of silence and words of remembrance for Jacquie Porter 3. PRESENTATION: Looking Ahead to the 87th Texas Legislature, City of Austin Intergovernmental Relations Officer, Brie L. Franco 4. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Chair updates, Raul Alvarez i. Discussion and possible action on nominations committee and officer ii. Representation on the Joint Inclusion Committee iii. Discussion and possible action on ECC Annual Internal Review election b. Policy Work Group Updates- Anna Lisa Conlin and Cathy McHorse i. Discussion and possible action on recommendation to Council about 5 key messages for families from the Success By 6 coalition ii. City of Austin investments in child care supports during coronavirus iii. Discussion and possible action on recommendation to Council regarding forthcoming staff response to Council resolution 20200729-089 c. Updates on Dove Springs Health …
87TH STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Intergovernmental Relations Office – Brie L. Franco, Officer TEXAS LEGISLATURE INCREASINGLY FOCUSED ON CITIES Total Bills Introduced Total Bills Passed City-Related bills introduced City-Related bills passed Year 76th-1999 77th-2001 78th-2003 79th-2005 80th-2007 81st-2009 82nd-2011 83rd-2013 84th-2015 85th – 2017 5,813 5,612 5,633 5,512 6,241 7,464 5,938 5,950 6,476 6,800 1,622 1,601 1,384 1,389 1,481 1,459 1,379 1,437 1,329 1,208 1,230+ 1,200+ 1,200+ 1,200+ 1,200+ 1,500+ 1,500+ 1,900+ 1,900+ 2,500+ 86th – 2019 7,324 1,429 2,300+ 130+ 150+ 110+ 105+ 120+ 120+ 160+ 220+ 220+ 294 338 • 54 % more City- related bills were passed between 2015 and 2019 • 182 % more City – related bills were passed between 2009 and 2019 8/6/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 2 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: IGRO ROLE In the 86th session • 3,970 Bills/JR’s were filed in last 10 business days before filing deadline, March 8th. (54%). • 7,324 bills read and analyzed by IGRO. • Over 2,500 bills were determined by IGRO to affect cities. • 1,296 Bills/JR’s required analysis/action by departments and IGRO. 8/6/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 3 TREND: ANTI-CITY TONE: GOVERNOR ABBOTT "As opposed to the state having to take multiple rifle-shot approaches at overriding local regulations, I think a broad-based law by the state of Texas that says across the board, the state is going to pre-empt local regulations, is a superior approach“ * – Governor Greg Abbott, March 21, 2017 *Source: “Abbott wants "broad-based law" that pre-empts local regulations” Texas Tribune, March 21, 2017 Governor Greg Abbott in 2017 8/6/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 4 TREND: ANTI-CITY LEGISLATION: POST 85TH SPECIAL SESSION "Our cities are still controlled by Democrats…And where do we have all our problems in America? Not at the state level run by Republicans, but in our cities that are mostly controlled by Democrat mayors and Democrat city council men and women. That's where you see liberal policies. That's where you see high taxes. That's where you see street crime." * -Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, 2017 Lt Governor Dan Patrick in 2016. Photo by Gage Skidmore. *Source: “Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blames city governments for "all our problems in America" Texas Tribune, AUG. 4, 2017 8/6/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 5 TREND: ANTI-CITY TONE: POST 86TH SESSION “Any mayor, county judge that was dumb ass enough to come meet with me, I told them with great clarity, my goal is for this to be the worst …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Early Childhood Council Recommendation Number: 20200810-4bi Five Key Messages for Families during COVID-19 WHEREAS, current challenges our community faces due to the COVID-19 public health pandemic are unprecedented; and WHEREAS, often-changing in messages to the community have created confusion and fear for families with young children; and WHEREAS the first five years of life are vitally important for healthy intellectual, physical, and social emotional development; and WHEREAS, the Success By 6 Coalition recommends five simple messages for parents and caregivers that can unite us in word, spirit, and a sense of community; and WHEREAS, these five messages represent a consensus of leaders in early childhood education; and WHEREAS, repetition and consistency help combat confusion and misinformation at a time when clarity is vital; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Early Childhood Council encourages the Austin City Council to share and amplify these five Key Messages for families with young children through all available channels including social media, council office communications, and communications from city staff. 1. Wear a mask every time you leave your home. If you must enter a public building such as a grocery store, try to keep the number of people with you to a minimum. Remember, kids under the age of two should NOT wear masks because of the risk of suffocation. 2. Sign up for Bright By Text for timely resources, simple encouragements, and supports for caregivers: http://www.bit.ly/SMARTATX 3. For the well-being of young children, keep home routines going as much as you can, include daily talking, playing, reading, and singing. 4. Fill out the Census at http://www.mycensus2020.gov/to ensure our community has the resources and representation we need for the next 10 years. 5. Call 2-1-1 or visit http://www.connectatx.org/ to access information about basic needs, including food, childcare, mental health, physical safety, and more. Date of Approval: 8/10/2020 Record of the vote: 7-0-0 Attest:
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Early Childhood Council Recommendation Number: 20200810-4biii Support for action on response to Council Resolution 20200729-089 WHEREAS, on July 29, 2020, City Council adopted resolution 20200729-089 directing the City Manager to collaborate with the Austin-Travis County COVID-19 Child Care Task Force to report on the state of child care and supervision and support for children and youth in our community and include actionable recommendations by August 13, 2020 to address the current and imminent challenges; and WHEREAS, the resolution directs the City Manager to collaborate with local school districts to make City facilities such as libraries and recreation centers available to local school districts and working families for the duration of virtual instruction due to COVID-19 should that be helpful; and WHEREAS, Austin Public Health staff and members of the Task Force are finalizing that report which, as directed by Council, will include recommended measures for stabilizing the local child care system and actions that may be taken at the local, state, and federal levels, including an assessment of the viability of establishing a Child Care Stabilization Fund that may award immediate and ongoing stabilization grants and other solutions to increase equitable access to quality child care; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Early Childhood Council encourages the Austin City Council to support the recommendations in the forthcoming report to Council in response to Council Resolution 20200739-089 and act in a timely manner to fund and implement them. Date of Approval: 8/10/2020 Record of the vote: 7-0-0 Attest:
Regular Meeting of the Early Childhood Council WEDNESDAY, June 10, 2020 8:30 - 9:30 AM Early Childhood Council to be held 6/10/2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Tuesday, June 9, 2020 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 10, 2020, Early Childhood Council Meeting, residents must: • Email both the board liaison at Cynthia.Gamez@austintexas.gov or call Cindy Gamez at 512-972-6216, no later than noon on Tuesday, June 9, 2020. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Cynthia.Gamez@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10, 2020, 8:30 A.M. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING AGENDA CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from 5/6/2020 special called meeting 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Austin-Travis County COVID-19 Child Care Task Force- Cathy McHorse and Anna Lisa Conlin b. Coronavirus-related supports for child care (including, but not limited to, Child Care Relief Fund, Housing and Urban Development funds, support for home child care providers)- Cindy Gamez c. Policy and funding options for supporting child care over the long-term- Policy Work d. Success by 6 Coalition policy advocacy work- Cathy McHorse Group members 5. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Child care facility work 6. RELATED GROUP UPDATES (As needed) a. Austin Chapter of the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children b. Child Care Regulation c. Workforce Solutions Capital Area FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT ______________________________________________________________________________ The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon …
