1. African American Resource Advisory Commission REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 4, 2025 The African American Resource Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the African American Cultural & Heritage Facility in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Eugene called the African American Resources Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 5:56 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Dr. Chiquita Eugene, Vice Chair Roger Davis Nelson Linder Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Daryl Horton, Chair Elaina Fowler Joi Harden Kyron Hayes Mueni Rudd Greg Smith PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL List name of speaker(s) and brief description of topic. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the African American Resource Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on February 4th, 2025. The minutes were approved on Commissioner Smith’s motion, Commissioner Davis’ second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Jackson and Ross were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Briefing on the Facility Expansion Plan Phase 1 for the George Washington Carver Museum. Presentation by Marjorie Flanagan, Division Manager, Museums & Cultural Programs, Parks & Recreation Department. 1 Briefing by Adrienne O’Keefe, Community Engagement Specialist; Tony Hron, Associate Project Manager; and Marjorie Flanagan, Division Manager, Parks and Recreation Department. DISCUSSION ITEMS Presentation regarding updates to the 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. Presentation by Laura Esparza, Executive Director, A3 Art Alliance Austin. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Approve recommendations to council regarding the FY 25-26 budget as it relates to the African American Resource Advisory Commission. The recommendation was amended to strike $6,000,000 and replace it with $11,000,000 on Commissioner Smith’s motion, Commissioner Rudd’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Jackson and Ross were absent. The recommendation was approved on Commissioner Smith’s motion, Commissioner Linder’s second, on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Jackson and Ross were absent. 3. 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Juneteenth celebration Presentation from Toby Futrell, former City Manager Vice Chair adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m. without objection. 2
REGULAR MEETING of the African American Resource Advisory Commission Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 5:30 P.M. African American Cultural and Heritage Facility 912 E 11th St. Creativity Studio Austin, Texas 78702 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 BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Daryl Horton, Chair Alexandria Anderson Sophia Dozier Kyron Hayes Nelson Linder Antonio Ross Greg Smith CALL TO ORDER Dr. Chiquita Eugene, Vice Chair Roger Davis Joi Harden Anthony Jackson Justin Parsons Mueni Rudd AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 1. Approve the minutes of the African American Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on March 4, 2024. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Briefing regarding the Housing and Urban Development Action Plan and how grants may impact the commission’s interests in FY2025-26. Briefing by Rocio Pena-Martinez, Grants Program Manager, and Julie Smith, Community Engagement Specialist, Housing Department. DISCUSSION ITEMS Presentation regarding American Gateways’ work supporting the immigrant community in Austin. Presentation by Rebecca Lightsey, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. Presentation by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) regarding the ADL’s work locally in combatting antisemitism, hate and extremism. Presentation by Courtney Toretto, Director of Policy for the Central Division, and Kazique Prince, Board Member, ADL. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. Nominate Commissioners to serve as the African American Resource Advisory Commission’s primary and alternate representatives to the Joint Inclusion Committee. 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 …
Discussion on community needs and spending priorities for the FY 25-26 Action Plan for federal grants. Agenda Federal Grants Overview FY23-24 Goals, Outcomes & Impact Community Engagement Background Continuing the dialouge: FY25-26 Priorities The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocates entitlement funding to municipalities and state governments. The City of Austin applies for approximately $14 million in annual grant entitlements across four grants for affordable housing, community development, economic development, and public services. These grants are part of a 5-year cycle. Consolidated Plan (5-Year) Allocates federal resources to housing and community development Action Plan (1-Year) Summarizes actions, activities and federal/non- federal resources in the Consolidated Plan Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) (1-Year) End-of-year report on progress toward consolidated plan 3 HUD Funding Sources 4 Programs & Activities Overview FY 23-24 5 Goals & Outcomes FY 23-24 6 Who Did We Serve? Fiscal Year 22-23 Snapshot 1,856 # households served FY 23-24 Source: City of Austin FY 23-24 CAPER Who Did We Serve? Fiscal Year 22-23 Snapshot 1,856 # households served FY 23-24 Source: City of Austin FY 23-24 CAPER Who Did We Serve? Fiscal Year 22-23 Snapshot 2024 Median Income for family of 4: $126,000 Source: City of Austin FY 23-24 CAPER How do we fund our programs? HUD Annual Entitlement Grants Housing Trust Fund Approved City Bonds City Operating Budget Project Connect Anti-Displacement Funds 2024 Community Needs Assessment Feedback immediate help stability trust building wealth access 11 2024 Community Needs Assessment Feedback from Boards & Commissions African American Resource Advisory Council Transparency & Accountability What is the total funding for housing programs? What has changed since you came to us last? How are you holding partners accountable? Outreach and Engagement How are you reaching our community? Data and Impact How great is the need? How are you serving our community? Funding Possibilities Programs and projects specific to each community Disappointment and Distrust More questions than input Calls for accountability The commissioners expressed interest in knowing more about the zip codes and other demographics of those served by federal funding, and staff agreed to bring more data back to the commission for future meetings. 2024 Community Needs Assessment Feedback Data and Impact Transparency Outreach to vulnerable communities Progress and Commitments New policy and data team in Housing Department New Housing Hub on Speak Up Austin, with impact of feedback as core component (launching in early …
