SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr. Room 1401/1402 Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the African American Resource Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Ryan Sperling, 512- 874-3568, ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Serita Fontanesi, Chair Roger Davis Elaina Fowler Daryl Horton Nelson Linder Mueni Rudd Cherelle Vanbrakle Dewi Smith, Vice Chair Dr. Chiquita Eugene Joi Harden Anthony Jackson Antonio Ross Greg Smith CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the African American Resource Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on October 1, 2024. 1. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion on feedback received and updates on the strategic plan formed by the Strategic Planning Working Group. Discussion on updates to Carver Center funding and the work done by the A3 Art Alliance Austin to support the Carver Center’s Artist Residency Program. Presentation by Laura Esparza, Executive Director, A3 Art Alliance Austin. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Conduct an emergency election for Commission officers. Approve a recommendation supporting an Austin Center for Events permitting fee waiver for Sunday Sessions ATX. Presentation by Cierra Madison, Founder, Sunday Sessions ATX. Approve a recommendation supporting the approval of the Equity-Based Preservation Plan. Approve the formation of a working group to plan the agenda for a commissioner retreat. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 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 request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please contact Ryan Sperling, Office of the City Clerk at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY …
L A U R A E S P A R Z A E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R W H AT I S A 3 ? - A non-profit Local Arts Agency devoted to supporting artists, musicians, performers and arts contractors who make Austin a vibrant city. - An all-volunteer organization of business and arts professionals who believe that the arts are integral to our quality of life. - A catalyst for community change in collaboration with others who are committed to the value of the arts. WHAT IS A LOCAL ARTS AGENCY? • The nation’s 4,500 Local Arts Agencies (LAAs) promote, support, and develop the arts at the local level ensuring a vital presence for the arts throughout America’s communities. LAAs are diverse in their makeup—they have many different names and embrace a spectrum of artistic disciplines. But each LAA, in its own way, works to sustain the health and vitality of the arts and artists locally, while also striving to make the arts accessible to all members of a community. • The Cultural Arts Division is a Local Arts Agency but cities can have more than one thus diversifying the funding pool. • A Business Council for the Arts is another piece of civic infrastructure that Austin is lacking to support its arts. WHY SUPPORT THE ARTS? • Arts strengthen the economy. In Texas, $59.3 billion industry supporting 383,066 jobs. • Arts drive revenue to local businesses at an average of $38.46 per person. • Arts unify communities: 72% of Americans said it provided a shared experience • Arts are tourism drivers with 70% agreeing “the arts improve the image of my community.” • Arts strengthen mental health, wellbeing and improves healthcare in hospitals. • The arts provide a sense of connection to family, loved ones and the community leading to greater civic engagement. Museum with an Arts and Crafts Festival. • Kevin Ivester, Gallery Owner WHO IS A3? PA S T • The Texas Fine Arts Association started in 1911 at the Elisabet Ney Museum. • In 1950 it fundraised for Laguna Gloria • In 1956 they renamed their festival FIESTA, in an inappropriate act of cultural appropriation. • In 1989 the organization became Art Alliance Austin and produced Art City Austin. • It went dormant in 2020 due to COVID- 19 pandemic. P R E …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION African American Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: 20241112-005: Support of Sunday Sessions ATX WHEREAS, Sunday Sessions ATX is a community-focused organization dedicated to fostering inclusivity, well-being, and engagement through free, open-to-the-public music events hosted in outdoor greenspaces that reflect the City of Austin’s cultural identity and enhance its reputation as the "Live Music Capital of the World"; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin recognizes the significant social and economic benefits of supporting free community events, which attract visitors, support local businesses, and provide meaningful opportunities for community engagement; and WHEREAS, the City Council, in Resolution No. 20240215-023, acknowledged the challenges faced by event organizers due to rising costs, emphasizing the need for support to sustain free, accessible community events like "Blues on the Green," which contribute to Austin’s cultural vibrancy; and directed the City Manager to solicit input from the Arts, Music, and Quality of Life commissions in developing recommendations to support and sustain these events by utilizing partnerships across all areas of expertise involved in the live music and arts event space, with the goal of expanding opportunities for the City to co-sponsor community events that are centered around locality, diversity, and inclusivity; and further established an ordinance for associated fee waivers, co-sponsorships, or related budget authorizations needed to effectuate these goals; and WHEREAS, Sunday Sessions ATX is an ongoing, monthly event that aligns with the goals outlined in Resolution No. 20240215-023 by providing free access to local music, arts, and wellness activities, while creating inclusive and diverse spaces for Austinites; and WHEREAS, the ACE permitting fee presents a financial barrier for small, grassroots organizations like Sunday Sessions ATX, and waiving this fee on an ongoing basis would directly support the City’s goal of fostering open, accessible, and culturally enriching events; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to preserving and promoting accessible community events that reflect Austin’s diversity and vibrancy, including supporting organizations like Sunday Sessions ATX through fee waivers and other resources to ensure their long-term sustainability; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the African American Resource Advisory Commission requests that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager’s Office to waive the ACE permitting fees for Sunday Sessions ATX on a recurring, monthly basis in recognition of its valuable contributions to Austin’s cultural and community life, as part of the City's broader efforts to support free, public, and inclusive events; and BE IT …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL TO ADOPT THE EQUITY-BASED PRESERVATION PLAN Draft for commission consideration WHEREAS, Austin’s existing plan to guide historic preservation policies, programs, and activities was adopted in 1981; and WHEREAS, both Austin and the historic preservation field have changed substantially in the past 43 years; and WHEREAS, the Historic Landmark Commission initiated the development of a new preservation plan for Austin in 2021; and WHEREAS, the resulting Equity-Based Preservation Plan (the preservation plan) was developed by a community working group with members from across Austin bringing diverse lived experiences as well as professional and community expertise; and WHEREAS, broad, inclusive outreach and engagement around the draft preservation plan reached more than 2,500 people throughout the city to review and comment on the plan’s goals and recommendations; and WHEREAS, the African American Resource Advisory Commission received a briefing on the draft preservation plan at its October 1, 2024 meeting; and WHEREAS, the community working group and Historic Landmark Commission revised and finalized the preservation plan based on public feedback; and WHEREAS, the preservation plan aligns with and furthers the goals of the African American Resource Advisory Commission, particularly recommendations related to equity-based preservation community engagement and planning initiatives; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION: The African American Resource Advisory Commission recommends that City Council adopt the Equity- Based Preservation Plan and support its timely implementation.
AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2024 The African American Resource Advisory Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. at the City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Room 1401/1402 in Austin, Texas. Commissioner Dewi Smith called the African American Resource Advisory Commission meeting to order at 5:34 pm. Commissioners in Attendance : Serita Fontanesi, Chair Roger Davis Dr. Chiquita Eugene Daryl Horton Nelson Linder Dewi Smith Greg Smith Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Elaine Fowler Joi Harden Kyron Hayes Anthony Jackson Antonio Ross Mueni Rudd APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the African American Resource Advisory Commission Special Called Meeting on September 24, 2024. The minutes from the special called September meeting on 9/24/2024 were approved on Commissioner Greg Smith’s motion, Commissioner Davis’ second on a vote of 9-0. Commissioners Eugene, Fontanesi, Horton, and Rudd were off the dais. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Briefing on the African American community demographics by Lila Valencia City of Austin Demographer Planner Lila Valencia, City of Austin Demographer Planner, presented on African American community demographics in Austin. 3. Briefing on the Preservation Plan Working Group’s and Historic Landmark Commission’s work finalizing and obtaining Council approval of the Equity-Based Preservation Plan by Cara Bertron Program Manager II, - Planning Department Cara Bertron, Program Manager II, Planning Department, and Ursula Carter, a member of the Preservation Plan working group, presented on the Preservation Plan Working Group’s and Historic Landmark Commission’s work finalizing and obtaining Council approval of the Equity-Based Preservation Plan. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Introduction of the new City of Austin City Manager TC Broadnax to the commission. T.C. Broadnax, City Manager, introduced himself to the commission and spoke about his goals as City Manager. 5. Discuss feedback received on the Strategic Planning Summary. Postponed to the November meeting on Chair Fontanesi’s motion, Commissioner Davis’ second on a 12-0 vote. Commissioner Eugene was off the dais. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve changing the November 5, 2024, Commission meeting date to November 12, 2024 The November 5, 2024 meeting was moved to November 12, 2024 on Commissioner Greg Smith’s motion, Commissioner Dewi Smith’s second on an 11-1 vote. Commissioner Davis voted no. Commissioner Eugene was off the dais. 7. Approve the formation of a Retreat Working Group and approval of Retreat Day Postponed to the November meeting on …
