REGULAR MEETING OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2026, AT 5:30 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER ROOM 1406 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DR AUSTIN, TEXAS 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, contact Nekaybaw Watson, 512-974-2562, nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Alexandria Anderson, Chair Roger Davis Dr. Chiquita Eugene Joi Harden Daryl Horton Nelson Linder Mueni Rudd Justin Parsons, Vice Chair Sophia Dozier Emmy Goss Weisberg Kyron Hayes Antony Jackson Antonio Ross Greg Smith AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 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 June 2nd , 2026. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing regarding the Levers of Economic Mobility Index. Presentation by Gary Aaron, Business Process Consultant Sr., Austin Equity and Inclusion and Shivani Datar, Business Process Specialist, Austin Equity and Inclusion. 3. Staff briefing regarding the Human Rights Impact Review. Presentation by Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director, Austin Equity and Inclusion and Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation regarding the Fare-Free Voting resolution. Presentation by Councilmember Mike Siegel, District 7, City of Austin. 5. Presentation regarding Colony Park Neighborhood Association’s advocacy work. Presentation by Margarita Decierdo, Interim President, Colony Park Neighborhood Association. 6. Discussion regarding no term seat voting. 7. Discussion of Annual Internal Review. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 8. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the Pilot Knob Library Project. 9. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding SAFE Alliance and Eloise House 10. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding PODER. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no …
AFRICAN AMERICAN RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2026 The African American Resource Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center. Chair Anderson called the African American Resource Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 5:37 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Alexandria Anderson, Chair Justin Parsons, Vice Chair Daryl Horton Nelson Linder Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Roger Davis Sophia Dozier Dr. Chiquita Eugene Emmy Goss Weisberg Joi Harden Kyron Hayes Mueni Rudd Greg Smith Commissioners Absent: Antony Jackson Antonio Ross PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Chas Moore – SAFE Sophia Mirto – Survivor Services Triston Stitt – SAFE Annette Price – SAFE 1 Susana Almanza - PODER APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the African American Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on May 5th, 2026. The minutes of the May 5, 2026, regular meeting of the African American Resource Advisory Commission were approved during the June 2nd meeting on Commissioner Dozier’s motion, Commissioner Horton’s second on a 12-0 vote. Commissioners Jackson and Ross were absent. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing from Austin Police regarding an updated policy as it relates to immigration. Presentation given by Lee Rogers, Chief of Staff, Austin Police. Briefing given by Lee Rogers, Chief of Staff, Austin Police. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. Presentation from St. David’s Foundation regarding current grants and community resources. Presentation given by Abena Asante, Senior Program Officer, St. David’s Foundation. Presentation was given by Abena Asante, Senior Program Officer, St David’s Foundation and Tasha Banks, Program Officer, St. David’s Foundation. Discussion regarding the Annual Internal Review Report due in July. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the Pilot Knob Library Project. Withdrawn. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS No Term Seat Voting Discussion Presentation from Colony Park Staff Briefing regarding Levers of Economic Mobility Staff Briefing regarding Human Rights Impact Review The motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:03 p.m. was approved on Commissioner Linder’s motion, Vice Chair Parsons’ second with no objection. 2
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL African American Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: 20260707- 10 Recommendation to Council regarding Senior Meal Program WHEREAS, PODER has been the leading organization for over 35 years on environmental and social justice issues, and has initiated a new project, Seniors Advocating for Generational Equity (SAGE), at the request of the founding members and neighborhood residents in East Austin. For its first identifiable need, SAGE will request a congregate meal program and activities for older adults in Montopolis that will improve well-being and quality of life; and WHEREAS, for many years, the Montopolis Recreation Center hosted a small congregate meal program with limited activities for older adults. However, the program was removed in 2018 when the center closed for the construction of a new facility that has since been completed and opened several years ago. WHEREAS, in addition, PODER-SAGE has established communication with key administrative staff from the Montopolis Recreation Center, Meals on Wheels, and Family Eldercare, and all have expressed positive support for the establishment of a nutrition congregate meal program at the Montopolis Recreation Center. Family Eldercare expressed a strong interest, given that they are presently building a housing complex with 160 units for older adults in the immediate area. WHEREAS, overall, the survey findings of Montopolis residents, along with the interviews of social service providers serving older adults, expressed the importance of re-establishing a neighborhood luncheon program in Montopolis in the immediate future. The survey responses indicate a high interest in participating in a luncheon program, and very positive comments were received NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, African American Resource Advisory Commission supports the establishing a senior luncheon program at the Montopolis Community Recreation Center. The Montopolis Community Recreation Center is located at 1200 Montopolis Drive. Date of Approval: Motioned By: Seconded By: Vote: . For: Against: Absent: Attest: Nekaybaw Watson, Staff Liaison
Economic Mobility: Accelerating Impact Austin Equity & Inclusion June 2026 Agenda • 2026 Fair Housing and Economic Mobility Conference: Recap • Economic Mobility Framework Resources • LEMI in Action: Live Demo • Operational Focus and Next Steps 2 Conference Reflections Keynote Panel Brought together policymakers, advocates, practitioners, community leaders, and business owners to connect efforts around a shared framework for systemic change. Attended by 283 participants 12 breakout sessions 50+ speakers Moderator: Miles Bloxon, Moderator, Producer & Host, KUT New Panelists: • Fran Rosebush Baylor, Senior Director, Asset Funders Network • Carmen Llanes, Executive Director, GAVA • Ingrid Taylor, CEO, United Way for Greater Austin • Henry Van de Putte, CEO, Meals on Wheels Central Texas • Sharon Vigil, CEO, Communities in Schools 3 Economic Mobility Framework: Workshop Recap • Introduced the Economic Mobility Framework and Index • Over 130 minutes, participants explored the tool, engaged in guided discussions, and worked across sectors to identify practical steps that advance economic mobility. 4 Economic Mobility Framework Assets Core Products Communications Technical Users Levers of Economic Mobility Index Report Framework At-a- Glance brochure Technical Document Levers of Economic Mobility Index (LEMI) FAQs LEMI ArcGIS layers StoryMap Tutorial Videos* Raw Data Economic Mobility | Austin Equity and Inclusion | AustinTexas.gov 5 LEMI Walkthrough Advancing Economic Mobility Operationalizing Visualizing Organizing Normalizing 7 Next Steps April 29, 2026 June 2026 August 2026 2026 Fair Housing & Economic Mobility Conference Launch of Levers of Economic Mobility Index (et. al) Boards & Commissions briefings EveryTexan Virtual Sessions Expanded Media Communications Creation of Resource (LEMI) Implementation Guide Resilient Cities Catalyst Austin Energy Affordable Energy Summit Presentation Community Member Virtual Sessions & Workshops Department Working Group Meetings Continuous Engagement Citywide Implementation May 2026 July 2026 September 2026 - 8 Learn More • Economic Mobility Website: • www.austintexas.gov/equity-inclusion/economic-mobility • Austin Equity & Inclusion Newsletter Sign up: • https://www.austintexas.gov/equity-inclusion • Stay tuned for virtual sessions & in-person workshop dates this summer! LEMI Report Index & Story Map Economic Mobility At-a-Glance 9
Annual Internal Review and Report Questions 1 Name of Board or Commission: African American Resource Advisory Commission 2 Has the board or commission's actions throughout the year complied with City Council directives and bylaws? This should address all elements of the board's mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. (Yes, No) Yes a If No, please explain 3 How many recommendations did your board or commission approve? Six 4 Please list the recommendation numbers • Recommendation Number: 20260414-002 (Support of American Gateways in the FY 2026-2027 Budget) • Recommendation Number: 20260414-003 (Support the Career, Research, Learning and Development Institute in the FY 2026-2027 Budget) • Recommendation Number: 20260414-004 (Funding for social services in the FY 2026-2027 Budget) • Recommendation Number: 20260414-005(Support of Mama Sana Vibrant Woman in the FY 2026-2027 Budget) • Recommendation Number: 20260414-006 (Support and funding of a Multicultural STEM Symposium in the FY 2026-2027 Budget) • Recommendation Number: 20260414-007 (Support and funding for Voting Accessibility in the FY 2026-2027 Budget) 5 Which recommendations are closely aligned to the organization's core mission and why? • Recommendation Number: 20260414-005(Support of Mama Sana Vibrant Woman in the FY 2026-2027 Budget) • Recommendation Number: 20260414-006 (Support and funding of a Multicultural STEM Symposium in the FY 2026-2027 Budget) • Recommendation Number: 20260414-007 (Support and funding for Voting Accessibility in the FY 2026-2027 Budget) 6 Which recommendations are adjacent to the organization's core mission and why? • Recommendation Number: 20260414-002 (Support of American Gateways in the FY 2026-2027 Budget) • Recommendation Number: 20260414-003 (Support the Career, Research, Learning and Development Institute in the FY 2026-2027 Budget) • Recommendation Number: 20260414-004 (Funding for social services in the FY 2026-2027 Budget) 7 Please share any further context that could support or explain your recommendations. 8 Is there another body that overlaps with the role and work of the board or commission you serve? (Yes, No)No. We do believe there are many organizations in the community who share our concerns, heart and passion for the quality of life of Women and children in our community however there is not direct overlap. a If yes, which body? N/A b Please explain their alignment. N/A 9 Do the bylaws need to be updated? (Yes, No) Yes a If yes, what would be the amendment (including section) and why? (justin.parsons@austintexas.gov 10 On a scale of 1-10, how engaged are the board or commission …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL African American Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: [20260602-005]: Inclusion of Infrastructure Equity and Medical Resilience in the Pilot Knob Library & Austin Resilience Network Project WHEREAS, the Pilot Knob area is experiencing a rapid influx of high-density data centers equipped with advanced power hardening, while surrounding legacy residential neighborhoods remain on an aging grid; and WHEREAS, data center industrialization creates voltage fluctuations that pose a high risk of motor failure for standard residential HVAC systems and life-saving medical equipment, such as oxygen concentrators, ventilators, and power chairs; and WHEREAS, the medically vulnerable and disabled community in surrounding Austin neighborhoods, particularly those located within historically underserved District 2, face disproportionate life-safety risks during localized outages, making standard "cooling centers" insufficient for their needs; and WHEREAS, the City must ensure that infrastructure improvements made for industrial growth are extended to residential circuits to prevent vulnerable residents from being left on a "second-class" grid. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the African American Resource Advisory Commission encourage the Austin City Council to formally include specific language and funding in the November 2026 Bond to ensure the Pilot Knob Library and Austin Resilience Network serves as a high-capacity "Medical Triage Anchor". This includes scaling the facility for specialized medical plug-in capacity, coordinating with Austin Energy for residential grid hardening, and equipping the hub with industrial-grade redundant power systems to support medical devices. Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Seconded By: . Off the dais: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL African American Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: 20260707-009: Emergency Budget Recommendation for SAFE Alliance - Eloise House Date of Approval: Recommendation: The African American Resource Advisory Commission recommends that the Austin City Council and the Mayor’s Office, in partnership with Travis County allocate a minimum of $430,000 in funding to preserve Eloise House as a community-based, non-hospital forensic exam and advocacy center operated by SAFE Alliance from June 9 through September 30, 2026, and $200,000 to keep the SAFE domestic violence shelter open from October 2026 through October 2027. The Commission further recommends that the City commit to a sustainable, multi-year funding strategy that ensures continuity of SAFE’s full wraparound model without displacement into hospital settings. Services include: ● Forensic exams ● Trauma-informed advocacy ● Shelter ● Legal services ● Culturally responsive care Finally, the Commission calls on the Austin City Council to immediately pause the Mayor’s proposed transition of forensic nursing services to hospital systems and BRAVE Alliance, and to require a meaningful community input process that centers survivors, advocates, and the communities most impacted before any transition moves forward. A press release is not a plan. Survivors and the organizations that serve them deserve a seat at the table before services that took decades to build are dismantled in weeks. Description of Recommendation to Council: Eloise House, operated by SAFE Alliance, is the only non-hospital forensic exam facility in Austin. It provides sexual assault forensic exams and rape kits at no cost to survivors, in a setting purporse built for: ● Trauma-informed care ● Outside the emergency room ● Free from billing ● Staffed by advocates who remain with survivors throughout the process The Mayor’s May 5, 2026 announcement proposed transitioning forensic nursing services to hospital systems and BRAVE Alliance, a Cedar Park-based organization with no demonstrated capacity at Austin’s scale. This Commission asks Council to reject that transition and instead fund Eloise House directly, preserving the co-located model of exam, advocacy, and wraparound care that has made it the destination of choice for survivors; accounting for 95% of all forensic exams in the region. Funding of at least $630,000 would allow SAFE to sustain approximately 600 forensic exams annually, maintain 24/7 SAFEline access, and continue serving the more than 700 survivors per day who rely on SAFE’s shelter, counseling, legal support, and preservation programming. SAFE Alliance - Eloise House Statistics ● 600 forensic exams …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL African American Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: [20260707-008]: Inclusion of Infrastructure Equity and Medical Resilience in the Pilot Knob Library & Austin Resilience Network Project WHEREAS, the Pilot Knob area is experiencing a rapid influx of high-density data centers equipped with advanced power hardening, while surrounding legacy residential neighborhoods remain on an aging grid; and WHEREAS, data center industrialization creates voltage fluctuations that pose a high risk of motor failure for standard residential HVAC systems and life-saving medical equipment, such as oxygen concentrators, ventilators, and power chairs; and WHEREAS, the medically vulnerable and disabled community in surrounding Austin neighborhoods, particularly those located within historically underserved District 2, face disproportionate life-safety risks during localized outages, making standard "cooling centers" insufficient for their needs; and WHEREAS, the City must ensure that infrastructure improvements made for industrial growth are extended to residential circuits to prevent vulnerable residents from being left on a "second-class" grid. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the African American Resource Advisory Commission encourage the Austin City Council to formally include specific language and funding in the November 2026 Bond to ensure the Pilot Knob Library and Austin Resilience Network serves as a high-capacity "Medical Triage Anchor". This includes scaling the facility for specialized medical plug-in capacity, coordinating with Austin Energy for residential grid hardening, and equipping the hub with industrial-grade redundant power systems to support medical devices. Date of Approval: July 7, 2026 Motioned By: Commissioner Dozier Seconded By: Vice Chair Parsons Vote: 9-0 For: Chair Anderson, Vice Chair Parsons, Commissioners Davis, Dozier, Goss Weisberg, Harden, Hayes, Horton, Linder Against: None . Off the dais: Commissioners Jackson and Rudd Absent: Commissioners Eugene, Ross, and Smith Attest: Nekaybaw Watson, Staff Liaison
