. African American Resource Advisory Commission Special Call Meeting May 4, 2020 African American Resource Advisory Commission Special Call Meeting to be held May 4, 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 (May 3, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the May 4, 2020 African Resource Advisory Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at Sylnovia Holt-Rabb at 512-974-3131, Linda Haye at 412-974-3131and Joshua Robinson at 512-974-9006) no later than noon, (May 3, 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 lindak.hayes@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 this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION Special Call Meeting – May 4, 2020 1:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS Daryl Horton, Chair Greg Smith Volma Overton, III Cherelle Vanbrakle Elaina Fowler Tam Hawkins Aaliyah Nobles AAUL-Vacant CALL TO ORDER Miriam Conner, Vice Chair Nelson Linder Dr. Chiquita Eugene Rashida Wright Clifford Gillard Elton Randal Ellen Sweets AGENDA 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting on the April 10th, meeting 2. SPECIAL PRESENTATION, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Michael Ward Jr., - Austin Urban Technology Movement [AUTM] 3. WORKING GROUPS – DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION a. Safety i. Review Community Response Letter from Austin Justice Coalition a. Economic Opportunity and Affordability i. Review recommendation from Family Independence Initiative (FII) ii. Review Fair Chance Housing Resolution b. Health and Environment i. …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number: 20200410-03di: Support for Creative Space Project WHEREAS, the African American Resource Advisory Commission (the "Commission") is authorized by Austin City Code§ 2-1-101 to advise the City Council on issues related to the quality of life for the City's African American community; and WHEREAS, the Commission is specifically authorized to recommend programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront African Americans in social, economic, and vocational pursuits, including (1) health care; (2) housing, including affordable housing, home ownership, and homelessness; (3) entertainment opportunities for professionals and students; (4) employment; and (5) cultural venues, including museums, theaters, art galleries, and music venues; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has invested significant resources in developing and executing initiatives that help accelerate the growth of the Creative Arts industry infrastructure; and WHEREAS, collectively, Austin’s Creative Arts ecosystem generates productive, social, cultural and economic benefit; and WHEREAS, in addition to its economic development role, the City of Austin, through its Cultural Arts Division Office (CAD), regularly assists creative persons/venues with required permits and works jointly with both small and large creative individuals/festivals on issues concerning the development of Austin Creative/Creators. The building of a Creative Space and program in the central-eastern crescent of Austin would provide the City of Austin with an opportunity to honor the wishes of the collective Austin community, as demonstrated through collected surveys and recorded open community forums which have indicated their desire to see the use of the $12M bond in this area. This addition would also further meet the City of Austin’s need to provide affordable and easily accessible resources to those creative populations who have been traditionally and systemically underserved and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s CAD Office has recently begun establishing funding criteria for the development of creative spaces and is developing funding criteria for use of the $12M bond approved in 2018; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has passed various resolutions directed at supporting Austin’s Creative Arts industry, in particular, City Council Resolution No 20180809-061 and Austin Music Commission Resolution (20200106-3, a) and the Cultural Arts Commission Resolution (20191209-6, a. iii, A). Each resolution created to address a variety of priorities, goals, and objectives within the City Council’s Strategic Directions 2023, particularly, Cultural and Lifelong Learning with strategic indicators of (A) Quality, accessibility, and diversity of civic and cultural venues, events, programs, and resources; (B) …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation number: 20200504-03ai: Family Independence Initiative (FII) Cash Direct Assistance WHEREAS, the African American Resource Advisory Commission (the "Commission") is authorized by Austin City Code§ 2-1-101 to advise the City Council on issues related to the quality of life for the City's African American community; and WHEREAS, the Commission is specifically authorized to recommend programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront African Americans in social, economic, and vocational pursuits, including (1) health care; (2) housing, including affordable housing, home ownership, and homelessness; (3) entertainment opportunities for professionals and students; (4) employment; and (5) cultural venues, including museums, theaters, art galleries, and music venues; and WHEREAS, on Tuesday, March 3rd the African American Resource Advisory Commission received a presentation from the Family Independence Initiative which identified actions recommended to the City of Austin to create direct pathways of financial relief to Austin residents that are in alignment with the City of Austin’s Strategic Direction 2023; and WHEREAS, on Thursday, April 9th the Austin City Council approved RESOLUTION NO. 20200409-8, item number 81 on the agenda; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION SUPPORTS THE ACTIONS RELATED TO THIS INITIATIVE AND ENCOURAGES THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE RELIEF THROUGH RELIEF IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY(RISE) FUNDING AND DISTRIBUTE EQUITABLY DIRECT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PRIORITIZING UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES WITH DIRE ECONOMIC NEEDS. I affirm this recommendation was approved by the African American Resource Advisory Commission. ____________________________ Daryl Horton, AARAC Chair May 4, 2020 _______________ Date
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number: 20200504-03ci: Support for Human Rights Commission Recommendation 20191125-003b: Race and Equity Within Austin Independent School District’s Closures and Consolidation Plan WHEREAS, the African American Resource Advisory Commission (the "Commission") is authorized by Austin City Code§ 2-1-101 to advise the City Council on issues related to the quality of life for the City's African American community; and WHEREAS, the Commission is specifically authorized to recommend programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront African Americans in social, economic, and vocational pursuits, including (1) health care; (2) housing, including affordable housing, home ownership, and homelessness; (3) entertainment opportunities for professionals and students; (4) employment; and (5) cultural venues, including museums, theaters, art galleries, and music venues; and WHEREAS, on Tuesday, January 7th the African American Resource Advisory Commission received a presentation from the Human Rights Commission which identified actions that could be taken by the City of Austin to address the inequities caused by the actions of the Austin Independent School District as a result of the Board of Trustees vote on school closures on November 18, 2019; and WHEREAS, on November 18, 2019, the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees approved (in a 6-3 vote) a plan to close, consolidate and repurpose four elementary school campuses: Brooke Elementary School, Metz Elementary School, Pease Elementary School and Sims Elementary School; and WHEREAS, Brooke E.S., Metz E.S., and Sims E.S. (3 out of the 4 schools that were approved for closure that reside within the city's historically segregated East Austin neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, nearly 95% of the students at Brooke E.S., Metz E.S., and Sims E.S. campuses identify as being either Hispanic and/or African American students, and nearly 90% or more of the students at each of these campuses identify as being economically disadvantag WHEREAS, 51.3% of all AISD Students are at risk, 53.4% Economically disadvantaged and 27.5%; and WHEREAS, Sims Elementary School has 59.8% of students are considered at risk of dropping out of school and 29.9% of students enrolled in bilingual and English language learning programs. Above average. WHEREAS, Metz Elementary School has 71.2% of students are considered at risk of dropping out of school and 41.4% of students were enrolled in bilingual and English language learning programs. Above average; and WHEREAS, particularly communities of color, and communities in East Austin, have been vocal about their mistrust of Austin ISD …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number: 20200504-04bi: Joint Recommendation for COVID-19 Equity in Food and Testing with Hispanic/Latino QOL Commission Recommendation (20200410-1) WHEREAS, the African American Resource Advisory Commission (the "Commission") is authorized by Austin City Code§ 2-1-101 to advise the City Council on issues related to the quality of life for the City's African American community; and WHEREAS, the Commission is specifically authorized to recommend programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront African Americans in social, economic, and vocational pursuits, including (1) health care; (2) housing, including affordable housing, home ownership, and homelessness; (3) entertainment opportunities for professionals and students; (4) employment; and (5) cultural venues, including museums, theaters, art galleries, and music venues; and WHEREAS, early COVID-19 data around the nation indicates that the coronavirus is disproportionally impacting African Americans and Latino/Hispanic and; and WHEREAS, African American and Latino/Hispanic populations are often on the front lines of exposure to the pandemic and less likely to have health insurance and access to transportation, which complicates the ability to seek treatment for illnesses; and WHEREAS, mass loss of employment and financial strain has worsened food and resource insecurity and increased the urgent need for food resources. WHEREAS, the Austin community values equity and ensuring that all our vulnerable communities are protected and sufficiently served NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the African American Resource Advisory Commission urges the Austin City Council to ensure equitable testing of COVID-19 Austin prioritizing the Eastern Crescent by restricting and tailoring funds to specifically service these areas. Equitable testing includes geographic equity in location of testing sites, including the addition of Givens Park as a testing site for 78723/21 zip codes, the use of community health workers to conduct mobile testing and contact tracing, distribution of personal protective equipment to community health workers and other frontline staff, and equitable services in care and recovery from COVID-19. All testing and treatment should incorporate racial and ethnic data collection. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the African American Resource Advisory Commission urges the Austin City Council to ensure equitable access to mobile social service and food distribution sites prioritizing the Eastern Crescent by restricting and tailoring funds to specifically service these areas. In the interest of equity as well as public health, food distribution should be decentralized through the use of neighborhood centers and other methods of mobile distribution opposed to just …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number: 20200504-03ai: Concerning Austin Police Department’s Response to Resistance Policy WHEREAS, the African American Resource Advisory Commission (the "Commission") is authorized by Austin City Code§ 2-1-101 to advise the City Council on issues related to the quality of life for the City's African American community; and WHEREAS, the Commission is specifically authorized to recommend programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront African Americans in social, economic, and vocational pursuits, including (1) health care; (2) housing, including affordable housing, home ownership, and homelessness; (3) entertainment opportunities for professionals and students; (4) employment; and (5) cultural venues, including museums, theaters, art galleries, and music venues; and While the Austin Police Department values its core philosophy, as outlined in the Austin Police Department’s General Orders, which states… “The protection of life is the primary core value and guiding principle of the Austin Police Department. As such, all employees will strive to preserve human life while recognizing that duty may require the use of deadly force, as a last resort, after other reasonable alternatives have failed or been determined impractical. The department's basic goal is to protect life, property, and to preserve the peace...” We once again see flaws in this philosophy continuing to repeat with deadly consequences toward African Americans and Latinos/Hispanics at alarming rates; and The death of Mike Ramos on April 24th, 2020, after an altercation with the Austin Police Department, undermines the “core APD values” when encountering African American and Latino/Hispanic civilians. Such deadly disproportionate encounters on African Americans and Latinos/Hispanics are alarming and continue to erode the trust and respect within these communities with the Austin Police Department. The 2018 Austin Police Department Racial Profiling Report, presented at the February 2019 African American Resource Advisory Commission meeting, disproportionately displayed motor vehicle stops and searches for African Americans and Latinos/Hispanics. The data further showed that African Americans, who have the lowest population with the Austin City limits, motor vehicle stops, searches and convictions by hits continued to increase despite the decline in population numbers relative to that of Latinos/Hispanics; and In 2005, after racist comments were heard being made by Austin Police Officers after an African American establishment was damaged by fire, emotions and heated discussions brought national attention to the City. In addition, an Austin NAACP report card graded the city harshly in the category of Police and Safety. …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number: 20200504-03ai: Concerning Austin Police Department’s Response to Resistance Policy WHEREAS, the African American Resource Advisory Commission (the "Commission") is authorized by Austin City Code§ 2-1-101 to advise the City Council on issues related to the quality of life for the City's African American community; and WHEREAS, the Commission is specifically authorized to recommend programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront African Americans in social, economic, and vocational pursuits, including (1) health care; (2) housing, including affordable housing, home ownership, and homelessness; (3) entertainment opportunities for professionals and students; (4) employment; and (5) cultural venues, including museums, theaters, art galleries, and music venues; and While the Austin Police Department values its core philosophy, as outlined in the Austin Police Department’s General Orders, which states… “The protection of life is the primary core value and guiding principle of the Austin Police Department. As such, all employees will strive to preserve human life while recognizing that duty may require the use of deadly force, as a last resort, after other reasonable alternatives have failed or been determined impractical. The department's basic goal is to protect life, property, and to preserve the peace...” We once again see flaws in this philosophy continuing to repeat with deadly consequences toward African Americans and Latinos/Hispanics at alarming rates; and The death of Mike Ramos on April 24th, 2020, after an altercation with the Austin Police Department, undermines the “core APD values” when encountering African American and Latino/Hispanic civilians. Such deadly disproportionate encounters on African Americans and Latinos/Hispanics are alarming and continue to erode the trust and respect within these communities with the Austin Police Department. The 2018 Austin Police Department Racial Profiling Report, presented at the February 2019 African American Resource Advisory Commission meeting, disproportionately displayed motor vehicle stops and searches for African Americans and Latinos/Hispanics. The data further showed that African Americans, who have the lowest population with the Austin City limits, motor vehicle stops, searches and convictions by hits continued to increase despite the decline in population numbers relative to that of Latinos/Hispanics; and In 2005, after racist comments were heard being made by Austin Police Officers after an African American establishment was damaged by fire, emotions and heated discussions brought national attention to the City. In addition, an Austin NAACP report card graded the city harshly in the category of Police and Safety. …
African American Resources Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 4, 2020 The African American Resources Advisory Commission convened in a meeting on Tuesday, May 4, 2020 virtual meeting. The meeting was called to order at 5:46 pm by President Horton African American Resources Advisory Commissioners: Present: Chair Daryl Horton, Clifford Gillard, Dr. Chiquita Eugene, Miriam Conner, Cherelle Vanbrakle, Rashida Wright, Greg Smith, Nelson Linder, and Elaina Fowler Absent: Aaliyah Noble, Tam Hawkins, Ellen Sweet, Volma Overton, III, and Elton Randel and AAUL Vacant City Staff in Attendance: Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Deputy Director, Economic Development Department (EDD), and Joshua Robinson, Quality of Life Commission Liaison, Equity Office Citizen Communication: 1. Approval of Minutes Approval of Minutes – April minutes were unavailable. 2. Presentations: Michael Ward – Discussion on The Austin Urban Technology Movement [AUTM]. It’s a non- profit organization that bridges the gap between the Black, Brown, and Latinx communities and the technology industry through job placement, career development, and networking opportunities. 3. Working Groups - Discussion and Possible Action a. Safety – i. Commissioner Linder requested the commission to draft a letter from the commission in support of Austin Coalition. Vice-Chair Conner and Commissioner Gillard requested support for the Austin Coalition letter. Angelica with Hispanic Quality of Life confirmed her support. b. Economic Opportunity and Affordability – i. Recommendation from the previous meeting for review Family Independence Initiative [FII] drafted a letter. – Chas Moore with Austin Coalition presented a draft letter to commission for review. a) Commissioner Gillard to approve the recommendation and asking each commissioner to sign the letter to support the letter and the commission to sign the letter 2nd by Vice Chair Conner. The motion did not pass. 1) Commissioner Gillard – for 2) Vice Chair Conner – for 3) Commissioner Vanbrakle – for 4) Commissioner Wright – for 5) Commissioner Linder – against 6) Commissioner Eugene – against 7) Commissioner Fowler – against African American Resources Advisory Commission MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 4, 2020 8) Chair Horton – against 9) Commissioner Smith – abstain ii. Fair Chance Housing Resolution is under 1st review by commission. a) Motion to approve by 1st by Vice-Chair Connor and 2nd by Commissioner Linder & Commissioner Smith b) Dr. Eugene recuse c) Council Member Harper-Madison motioned to support d) Resolution to have more food made available Review Resolution Creative Art Space and Music Commission recommendation a) Motion to approve 1st by …
