BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: (20200410‐3a): COVID‐19 Minority Small Business Aid WHEREAS, immigrant‐owned businesses in 2019 employed 8 million Americans; and WHEREAS, about 3.2 million immigrants ran their own businesses, making up one in every five entrepreneurs in the country; and WHEREAS, in Texas in 2018 there were: 389,455 immigrant entrepreneurs and 635,942 employees at immigrant‐owned firms; and WHEREAS, in the Austin Metro Area in 2017 we had 25,037 immigrant entrepreneurs; and WHEREAS, local small businesses continue to shape and influence the local economic landscape of our city. Unlike other businesses, many local small Latino minority/women‐owned businesses continue to face market and financial barriers and discrimination. People of color continue to earn less than their white counterparts and are routinely subjected to predatory lending and higher interest rates, which impairs their ability to raise traditional capital and financing. Much of these disparities are documented in previous City of Austin disparity study reports; and WHEREAS, to date, there are gaps in the proposed loan programs recommended by the City that do not serve/support many Latino own businesses and/or our immigrant owned businesses; and WHEREAS, the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission’s purpose is to advise the City of Austin on Latino/Hispanic American quality of life; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission requests that Austin City Council: 1. Expand scopes of work, tasks and deliverables with existing service provider contracts with Trade Associations and Chambers in an effort to expand the City’s efforts to support local small businesses, enhance communications, outreach and resources including, but not limited to the following: ● Expand and provide additional bilingual technical support and advocacy to local small firms to address and resolve potential procurement, contract and/or payment resolutions with Prime contractors and/or the City of Austin; and ● Expand and provide bilingual technical assistance, consultation and support to local small, minority owned construction/consulting firms interested in seeking and submitting SBA loan requests; and ● Expand and provide additional bilingual outreach and communications to local, small firms access City/Community information, resources during the COVID‐19 pandemic to support their businesses; and ● Apply an across the board flat contract increase to all services providers; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: ● Allow for the electronic submission of invoicing and fast track payments; and ● Fast track payment on invoicing for all consultants/contractors working on …
Water & Wastewater Commission Regular Meeting April 10, 2020 Approved May 6, 2020 The Water and Wastewater Commission convened in a special called meeting on April 10, 2020 via videoconference in Austin, Texas. REVISED AGENDA Commissioners: William Moriarty, (Mayor)-P Chien Lee, Chair (District 4)-P Christy Williams (District 8)-P Grant Fisher (District 9)-P Susan Turrieta (District 10)-P Jesse Penn (District 1)-P Christianne Castleberry, Vice Chair (District 5)-P Mia Parton (District 6)-A Nhat Ho (District 2)-P Travis Michel (District 3)-P Annie Schmitt (District 7)-A Commissioners in Attendance: William Moriarty, Jesse Penn, Nhat Ho, Chien Lee, Christiane Castleberry, Christy Williams, Grant Fisher, Susan Turrieta Staff in Attendance: Greg Meszaros, David Anders, Denise Avery, Blanca Madriz CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 8:01 am by Chair Chien Lee. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION None. A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the March 11, 2020 Water and Wastewater Commission regular meeting were approved on a 9-0-0-2 vote on Commissioner Castleberry’s motion and Commissioner Turrieta’s second. Commissioners Parton and Schmitt were absent. B. ITEMS FOR COMMISSION’S REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION FOR APPROVAL TO CITY COUNCIL 1. Recommend approval to award and execute a multi-term contract with Westcoast Rotor Inc., to provide Robbins and Myers progressive cavity pump parts, for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $617,500. Recommended by the Water and Wastewater Commission on Commissioner Turrieta’s Motion and Vice-Chair Castleberry’s 2nd on a 9-0-0-2 vote with Commissioners Parton and Schmitt absent. 2. Recommend approval to award and execute a multi-term contract with ACT Pipe & Water & Wastewater Commission Regular Meeting April 10, 2020 Supply, Inc., to provide high-density polyethylene meter boxes, lids and cleanouts, for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $709,000. Recommended by the Water and Wastewater Commission on Commissioner Turrieta’s Motion and Vice-Chair Castleberry’s 2nd on a 9-0-0-2 vote with Commissioners Parton and Schmitt absent. 3. Recommend approval to award and execute a contract with Kinetic Motorwerks, LLC, to provide three polyethylene chemical tanks, in an amount not to exceed $124,350. Recommended by the Water and Wastewater Commission on Commissioner Turrieta’s Motion and Vice-Chair Castleberry’s 2nd on a 9-0-0-2 vote with Commissioners Parton and Schmitt absent. 4. Recommend approval to award a multi-term contract with CD & SA-S, Inc. D/B/A Compound Security Specialists/South Austin Metals, to provide maintenance and repair services, inspection, replacement, and modernization of automatic gates at various …
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQOLAC) SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES OF FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2020 The AAQOLAC convened in a regular meeting on Tuesday, FRIDAY, April 10, 2020 Chair Vince Cobalis called the Commission Meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. COMMISSION MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Vince Cobalis, Sarah Chen, Kuo Yang, Kirk Yoshida, Shubhada Saxena, Kavita Radhakrishnan, Hanna Huang, Debasree DasGupta, Pramod Patil and Pooja Sethi STAFF IN ATTENDANCE: Rey Arellano, Assistant City Manager Joshua Robinson, Commissions Liaison (Equity Office) CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: Sanjna Malpani – Asian American Health Initiative Reshmi Chowdhury – Virtual Music Event 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: 2. OLD BUSINESS The Commission did not take up the minutes from the AAQOLAC meeting on February 18, 2020. a. Workgroup Reports: 1. Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Workgroup: See workgroup meeting notes in backup material 2. Health and Community Engagement Workgroup: No update provided. 3. Arts and Culture Workgroup: No update provided. 4. Business Planning Workgroup: No updated provided. Budget timeline/process Budget Recommendations b. Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC): No update provided. c. Follow-up Items: 1. Update on AARC Masterplan: No update 2. Update on AARC Bridge: No update provided. 3. Results from prior Mini-Grant awards and Update on upcoming Equity Mini-Grant application and timeline – Commission Liaison, Joshua Robinson provided an update. Listen to audio 4. Asian language access to proposed Land Development Code revisions – No action taken. 3. STAFF BRIEFING 4. NEW BUSINESS Status of the Immigrant Affairs position in the Equity Office – Commission Liaison Joshua Robinson provided an update. Listen to audio. a. Discussion and possible action to provide a letter of support to utilize the Contract Management At Risk (CMAR) process for the next phase of Asian American Resource Center construction. (supported by the AARC Oversight Workgroup - Commissioner Cobalis moved the commission support the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) Project Delivery Method for the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Master Plan Phase 2 Project. Commissioner Chen seconded. Vote was 11-0. b. Discussion and possible action to support the amendment to the Parks and Recreation Department contract with Meals on Wheels and More to provide meals for the Senior Program at the Asian American Resource Center (AARC). Supported by the AARC Oversight Workgroup and reviewed by the Commission in December 2019 – Commissioner DasGupta moved to support the amendment to the Parks and Recreation Department contract with Meals on Wheels and to …
Special Meeting of the Music Commission April 8, 2020 Music Commission Meeting to be held April 8, 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 (Day before the scheduled meeting, DATE by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 8, 2020 Music Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at Kimberly.mccarson@austintexas.gov or 512-974-7963 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 30 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 kimberly.mccarson@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. •Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live MUSIC COMMISSION APRIL 8, 2020, 3:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Chair – Rick Carney, Vice-chair – Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone, Secretary - Anne-Charlotte Patterson, Parliamentarian - Oren Rosenthal, Al Duarte, Gavin Garcia, Doug Leveton, Patrice Pike, Paul Pinon, Graham Reynolds, Stuart Sullivan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 2. NEW BUSINESS 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of Minutes from Regularly Scheduled Meeting on March 2, 2020. Discussion of and Possible Action on the impact of the Corona virus on the music community, including but not limited to a resolution requesting that the City Council create a Music Disaster Relief Fund to assist Musicians and related service professionals and workers affected by the Corona virus. 3. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 4. 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 …
Austin Music Commission Resolution Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund WHEREAS, the City of Austin has invested significant resources in developing and executing initiatives that help accelerate the grow of the music industry infrastructure; and, WHEREAS, collectively, the Austin music ecosystem generates rich, social, cultural and economic benefit; and, WHEREAS, in addition to its economic development role, the City of Austin through its ATX Music Office regularly assists live music venues with the City-required permits and works closely with both small and large festivals on issues related to temporary event permits and other requested City resources for holding those events and helps to mediate agreements related to outdoor music issues; and, WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Music Office has recently begun setting funding criteria in the development of the Live Music Fund and is developing funding criteria for the Creative Space Assistance Program to support Austin’s live music venues and musicians; and, WHEREAS, the City of Austin has passed various resolutions directed at supporting Austin’s musicians and music industry and in particular, City Council Resolution No. 20160303- 019, the Music and Creative Ecosystem Resolution to address a variety of priorities, goals, and objectives; and, WHEREAS, in spite of the City of Austin’s significant contribution to the music industry, the recent threat of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) has necessitated that the City declare a local disaster because of the potential health risk; and, WHEREAS, this local disaster cancelled the South by Southwest music festival that the city was set to host during March 13-22; and, WHEREAS, community gatherings of 2, 10 or 250 people or more anywhere in Austin- Travis County have been prohibited by Orders adopted by the City of Austin and Travis County to slow the transmission of COVID-19; and, WHEREAS, SXSW’s absence and the prohibition of the music nightlife economy will undoubtedly impact the Austin economy and negatively affect the many music-related industry small businesses, venues, and local musicians who rely on SXSW and the music nightlife economy for their subsistence; and, WHEREAS, the issues raised by the cancellation of SXSW and the prohibition of the music nightlife economy will mean that SXSW and the music industry will not inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy and as a result music related local and small businesses, gig workers, music venues, service industry workers, musicians, event workers, and other music related workers who depend on SXSW and …
Special Meeting of the Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission APRIL 8, 2020 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission to be held April 8, 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 April 7. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 8, 2020 Community Technology and Telecommunications Commission Meeting, residents must: • Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-7676 or jesse.rodriguez@austintexas.gov no later than noon April 7. 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 30 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 jesse.rodriguez@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. • Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn- live COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION APRIL 8, 2020, 1 PM – 2:30 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Nehemiah Pitts III, Chair Sophie Gairo Malcolm Yeatts Irfan Syed Michelle Reinhardt CALL TO ORDER David Alexander, Vice Chair Claudia Yanez Dave Floyd Sumit DasGupta Nicole Thompson AGENDA 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 12, 2020 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Commission discussion and action on the Digital Inclusion Stakeholder Summit b. Commission discussion and action on the FY21 Budget Recommendations including City Council Vote Tabulation, Digital Inclusion Stakeholder Summit, Police Video Processing, Remote Meeting Participation, Grant for Technology Opportunities Program, and Residential Technology Study 3. COMMISSION UPDATES (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Digital Inclusion, Civic Engagement, and Strategic Technology and Telecom Policy Working Group b. Knowledge, Information, and Data Stewardship Working Group c. Technology, Infrastructure, and Innovation Working Group FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with …
Special Meeting of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Wednesday, April 8, 2020 LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission to be held April 8, 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, April 7, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 8, 2020, LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-2154 or neal.falgoust@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Tuesday, April 7, 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 30 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 neal.falgoust@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. •Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION APRIL 8, 2020, 3:00 p.m. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: District Commissioner 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Kannou (Kimberly) Curette Sandra Chavez Victor Martinez (Chair) Holly Kirby Ruben Baeza Terrance Hines Deirdre Doughty Saul Gonzalez District 9 10 Mayor At-Large At-Large At-Large At-Large Commissioner Nan Dowling Brandon Wollerson Christina Gorczynski Tarik Daniels Charles Curry Kathryn Gonzales (Vice Chair) Melissa Taylor AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Consideration and adoption of recommendations related to the city’s 2020-2021 fiscal year budget. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: All) 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 …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200408-2A(1) Budget Recommendation to Develop LGBTQ-Focused Programs WHEREAS, the City of Austin has recognized in their Strategic Direction the need to inclusively honor and preserve Austin’s unique and diverse history, culture and traditions, and WHEREAS, the adopted Strategic Direction also calls for a regular inventory and evaluation of cultural programming and facilities to identify gaps and opportunities for impacting equity and equality while implementing standardized process for collecting and analyzing demographic participation, and WHEREAS, the LGBTQ community has long advocated for the need for facilities and programs dedicated to the unique aspect of our community’s culture similar to those provided to the African American, Hispanic and Asian American communities, and WHEREAS, the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission community forum on the City’s 2020 Budget heard requests for more LGBTQ focused recreation and cultural programming, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends to the City Council that city departments develop LGBTQ focused programming using existing available resources and facilities as well as utilizing community organizations for support and volunteers, and that BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City Council direct the City Manager to report back to Council on a plan for collecting and reporting on the demographic information on the implementation of such LGBTQ focused recreation and cultural programming prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year. Date of Approval: April 8, 2020 Record of the vote: Unanimous on an 11-0 vote. Present: Martinez, Gonzales, Baeza, Chavez, Curette, Curry, Dowling, Gonzalez, Hines, Taylor, Wollerson Attest: _____________________________________________ Kathryn Gonzales, Vice Chair Page 1 of 1
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200408-2A(2) Budget Recommendation to Utilize Community Organizations and Nonprofits to Achieve Strategic Direction Outcomes WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted a plan for focusing resources on the most important priorities known as Austin Strategic Direction 2023, and WHEREAS, the Strategic Direction recognizes the need for a city government that works effectively and collaboratively for all of us and that is equitable, ethical and innovative, and WHEREAS, city staff has asked that City Commissions be cognizant of the limitations that recent state legislation places on the City’s financial resources and include in their recommendations opportunities for departments to increase efficiencies, improve effectiveness and attain more equitable service delivery, and WHEREAS, Austin has a wide variety of community organizations and nonprofits with objectives similar to those in the City’s Strategic Direction, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council direct staff to explore additional opportunities for utilizing community organizations and nonprofits in achieving the outcomes set forth in the Strategic Direction for the benefit of the community as a whole such as, • Coordinating with community nonprofits who can expand existing efforts while offsetting costs through donations and volunteers such as the job fairs provided by AustinUp; • Utilizing city staff to organize volunteers to provide new or expanded services such as peer mentoring in practical skills suggested by participants at the Commission on Seniors community forum; • Working with community organizations to achieve the mental health outcomes identified by participants in the African American Quality of Life community forum; • Working with community organization grant recipients to identify process changes that can maximize resources on service delivery while minimizing overhead as identified by participants in the Asian American Quality of Life community forum; • Assisting community organizations to fill identified gaps in service delivery such as the number of taxpayers who may not be taking advantage of the property tax exemptions authorized by City Council as identified in previous studies such as “Uprooted” and the “Right to Remain” report on the Montopolis Neighborhood; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the outcomes achieved through the efforts of these organizations and volunteers as well as by organizations with whom the City contracts for services to the community be included in reporting on the City’s progress toward reaching our Strategic Direction. Page 1 of 2 Date of …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200408-2A(3) Budget Recommendation to Implement a COVID-19 Cash Transfers Assistance Program WHEREAS, on March 6, 2020, Mayor Steve Adler declared a local state of disaster for the City due to concerns related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19); and WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, Mayor Steve Adler ordered the closure of restaurants and bars in the city, and limiting gatherings to 10 people; and WHEREAS, on March 24, 2020, Austin-Travis County announced a “shelter-in place” order to help slow the spread of COVID-19; and WHEREAS, the pandemic and subsequent enforceable safety measures have disproportionately affected hourly wage workers in the service, retail, hospitality, construction, and food and beverage industries, leading to lost jobs and lack of access to benefits; and WHEREAS, according to the US Census 2018 ACS 5-year Survey, over 153,000 Austinites live in poverty, and the number is expected to grow exponentially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn; and WHEREAS, economists note that a large percentage of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, which means that not only do residents have to protect their families from a pandemic, they also have to worry about how they are going to pay rent/mortgage, feed their children and keep the lights on for the foreseeable future; and WHEREAS, a stimulus package given by the federal government will only benefit individuals with social security, which means that these proposals would exclude undocumented families, which are some of our most vulnerable residents; and WHEREAS, unemployment benefits do not cover undocumented families, contractors or informal/formal small businesses that may not have unemployment insurance, which further marginalizes low income families that work in the construction industry, service industry, restaurants, hospitality, ride-sharing, housekeeping, and contract their services formally and informally; and WHEREAS, direct cash transfers can help fill in the gap, in addition to Austin Energy not disconnecting utility services, the no evictions order, food distribution, business resources, workforce services and healthcare services offered as a response to COVID-19; and WHEREAS, academics across the country and world have conducted countless studies that draw the same conclusion: cash transfers are cost-effective and have the strongest track record to reduce vulnerability, as well as demonstrating that people judiciously use the cash they receive to meet their needs, rather than spending it on non-essential items; and Page 1 of 3 WHEREAS, research demonstrates that cash transfers protect people’s standards of living during …
Austin Music Commission Resolution Recommendation Number 20200408-2a: Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund WHEREAS, the City of Austin has invested significant resources in developing and executing initiatives that help accelerate the grow of the music industry infrastructure; and, WHEREAS, collectively, the Austin music ecosystem generates rich, social, cultural and economic benefit; and, WHEREAS, in addition to its economic development role, the City of Austin through its ATX Music Office regularly assists live music venues with the City-required permits and works closely with both small and large festivals on issues related to temporary event permits and other requested City resources for holding those events and helps to mediate agreements related to outdoor music issues; and, WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Music Office has recently begun setting funding criteria in the development of the Live Music Fund and is developing funding criteria for the Creative Space Assistance Program to support Austin’s live music venues and musicians; and, WHEREAS, the City of Austin has passed various resolutions directed at supporting Austin’s musicians and music industry and in particular, City Council Resolution No. 20160303- 019, the Music and Creative Ecosystem Resolution to address a variety of priorities, goals, and objectives; and, WHEREAS, in spite of the City of Austin’s significant contribution to the music industry, the recent threat of the Corona Virus (COVID-19) has necessitated that the City declare a local disaster because of the potential health risk; and, WHEREAS, this local disaster cancelled the South by Southwest music festival that the city was set to host during March 13-22; and, WHEREAS, community gatherings of 2, 10 or 250 people or more anywhere in Austin- Travis County have been prohibited by Orders adopted by the City of Austin and Travis County to slow the transmission of COVID-19; and, WHEREAS, SXSW’s absence and the prohibition of the music nightlife economy will undoubtedly impact the Austin economy and negatively affect the many music-related industry small businesses, venues, and local musicians who rely on SXSW and the music nightlife economy for their subsistence; and, WHEREAS, the issues raised by the cancellation of SXSW and the prohibition of the music nightlife economy will mean that SXSW and the music industry will not inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy and as a result music related local and small businesses, gig workers, music venues, service industry workers, musicians, event workers, and other music related workers who depend …
MUSIC COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200408-2b Date: April 8, 2020 Subject: Music Disaster Relief Fund Motioned By: Chair, Rick Carney Recommendation The Music Commission supports City Council’s efforts to fund disaster relief, especially Council Member Flannigan’s item 91 (March 26, 2020 agenda) and Council Member Tovo’s item 86 (April 9, 2020 agenda) with the following addendums: Seconded By: Graham Reynolds 1. That additional funds are searched for before using the Live Music Fund. If the Live Music Fund is used, Music Commission support is contingent on replenishing the Live Music Fund. 2. The Music Commission recommends an advisory group be formed to guide the distribution of the disaster relief funds. 3. The Music Commission supports that Chair Rick Carney serve as Chair of 4. The Music Commission recommends that a third party be used to distribute 5. The Music Commission recommends that further stakeholder input be the advisory group. the funds. collected. Description of Recommendation to Council The Music Commission recognizes the urgency in bringing about funding for emergency for musicians and the music industry and for that reason it recommends that available funds from current sources be brought forward. This includes HOT funds previously designated for music. The Music Commission notes that this is a one time use of these funds and the Live Music Working Committee will continue its work in crafting recommendations for a future use of HOT funds. The AMC notes that staff capacity may be at its limits and for that reason we recommend that an outside third party may be needed to quickly establish eligibility criteria for the use of funds. Additionally that outside parties be designated to participate in the funding decision making process that have subject matter expertise in the music industry. Vote For: 8 (Chair - Rick Carney, Vice-chair – Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone, Secretary - Anne- Charlotte Patterson, Al Duarte, Gavin Garcia, Doug Leveton, Patrice Pike, Graham Reynolds) Against: Abstain: 0 Absent: Attest: Kim McCarson, Liaison 3 Parliamentarian - Oren Rosenthal, Paul Pinon, Stuart Sullivan 0 1 of 2 2 of 2
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDATION NUMBER: 20200408-002 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION: Recommends budget support to maintain the Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPs), this grant is an essential component to implementation of the COA Digital Inclusion Strategic Plan adopted by Council Resolution No. 20140320-056. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased need for the community’s ability to participate in digital society through GTOPs programs. The Commission recommends program improvements for FY21 include: • Digital Inclusion resource accessibility • Digital Inclusion Ecosystem innovations • Outcome focused alignment In FY20, GTOPs funds available to local Austin nonprofit groups increased to $400,000 and 2020 Awards are underway, with additional COVID-19 digital access funding pathways and awardees depending upon funds. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RECOMMENDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE FOLLOWING: To include an allocation for GTOPs of $400,000, as approved in FY20 unanimously, in the FY21 City of Austin budget. Date of Approval: April 8, 2020 Record of the vote: Motion to approve GTOPs funding of $400,000 annually made by Commissioner DasGupta, seconded by Gairo passed on a vote of 7- 0. ATTEST: _____________________________________ Jesse Rodriguez Telecommunications and Regulatory Affairs City of Austin COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION RECOMMENDATION NUMBER: 20200408-002 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION: Recommends budget support for development of a digital solution for City Council Vote Tabulation (Voting History). This concept was generated from citizen communication delivered in 2019 and aligns with CTTC mission. City Council Resolution No 20190207-031, and recommendation by the Austin Neighborhoods Council also align with this Budget Recommendation. This recommendation will generate the opportunity to: • Leverage Open Data portal for this database of votes • Align with other major Texas cities have vote tabulation systems (e.g. Dallas, San Antonio, and Minneapolis) • Create a searchable voting history The Office of City Clerk believes a new FTE (IT Application Developer) can create a custom in-house system with assistance from the Communications & Technology Mgmt. Dept and managed with existing resources within the Clerks’ Office that will allow individuals to download and/or search the voting history of individual Council Members. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RECOMMENDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL THE FOLLOWING: To include an allocation of $75,400 for an IT Application …
COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION http://www.austintexas.gov/cttc MINUTES Regular Meeting Wednesday – April 08, 2020 – 1:00 PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING Please go to http://www.austintexas.gov/cityclerk/boards_commissions/meetings/10_1.htm for backup material associated with this agenda. All ATXN (City Channel 6) programming is cablecast on Spectrum, Grande Communications, and Google Fiber on their cable channel 6, on AT&T U‐ Verse Channel 99 and webcast online. Over 20 meetings per month, including this commission meeting, are available on demand online, typically within a few hours of the cablecast. Schedules and video can be found at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/atxn-video-archive. CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Sophie Gairo ‐ Mayor Steve Adler Nehemiah Pitts III ‐ Council Member Natasha Harper‐Madison, District 1 Claudia Yanez ‐ Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza, District 2 Malcolm Yeatts ‐ Council Member Sabino “Pio” Renteria, District 3 David Alexander ‐ Council Member Gregorio Casar, District 4 Dave Floyd ‐ Council Member Ann Kitchen, District 5 Irfan Syed ‐ Council Member Jimmy Flannigan, District 6 Vacant ‐ Council Member Leslie Pool, District 7 Michelle Reinhardt ‐ Council Member Paige Ellis, District 8 Nicole Thompson – Council Member Kathie Tovo, District 9 Sumit DasGupta ‐ Council Member Alison Alter, District 10 Commission Members Present Sophie Gairo Nehemiah Pitts III Malcolm Yeatts David Alexander Dave Floyd Nicole Thompson Sumit DasGupta Unexcused Absence Claudia Yanez Michelle Reinhardt Irfan Syed CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 12, 2020 Motion to approve the February 12, 2020 minutes made by Commissioner DasGupta, seconded by Commissioner Floyd passed on a vote of 7-0-1 with Commissioner Gairo abstaining. 2. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action) a. Commission discussion and action on the Digital Inclusion Stakeholder Summit The commission decided to reorient the summit around an online format to adapt to the current circumstances. b. Commission discussion and action on the FY21 Budget Recommendations including City Council Vote Tabulation, Digital Inclusion Stakeholder Summit, Police Video Processing, Remote Meeting Participation, Grant for Technology Opportunities Program Marketing, and Residential Technology Study Motion to recommend the maintenance of a $400,000 per year budget for the Grant for Technology Opportunities Program proposed by Commissioner DasGupta and seconded by Commissioner Gairo passed on a vote of 7-0. Motion to recommend a $75,400 FTE position for the Clerk’s Office to create and maintain a digitized, tabular Council vote tracking system made by Commissioner Yeatts and seconded by Commissioner DasGupta passed on a vote of 7-0. Motion to recommend $60,000 to support the …
City of Austin FY21 Budget Recommendations Community Technology & Telecommunications Commission Nehemiah Pitts III, Chair Commissioner Grant for Technology Opportunities Program (GTOPs) ● GTOPs is an essential component to implementing the COA Digital Inclusion Strategy adopted in 2014 with Council Resolution No. 20140320-056. ● COVID-19 has increased need for Digital Inclusion…. ○ Digital Inclusion resource accessibility ○ Digital Inclusion Ecosystem innovations ○ Outcome focused alignment ● GTOPs budget was doubled last year and 2020 awards have been issued, with additional funding pathways and awardees depending upon funds. CTTC Budget Recommendation: $400,000 (as initially approved for FY-2020) City Council Vote Tabulation ● Citizen Communication originated 2019 inquiry aligned with CTTC mission ● Open data portal enables the capability ● Other major Texas cities have vote tabulation systems ○ (e.g. Dallas City Council & Socrata) ● Meetings with City Clerk Office have confirmed… ○ Goal is a “Database of Votes” ○ Commercial Systems will require customization ○ Additional FTE resources will be required to work on Council voting history ○ Additional FTE resources could also address speaker sign-up and City Hall engagement CTTC Budget Recommendation: $101,858 ----- OR -------- $75,400 1.) IT Database Administrator --------- OR ------------ 2.) IT Application Developer Residential Technology Study ● Current Residential Technology Study provides critical data on the levels of connectedness, device access, and digital literacy in Austin, particularly on our most vulnerable constituents. ● Current Residential Technology Study occurs every (3) years and is slated to take place in 2021, with a purposive sampling taking place this year. ● COVID-19 pandemic dynamics indicate greater frequency than (3) years is required to fairly address widening digital divide. ● Discussions with City Councilmember(s) about education and children being left further behind confirms need to more frequently assessment CTTC Budget Recommendation: $XX,XXX - Specific amount to be calculated with Staff assistance Remote Meeting Participation ● Spring of 2018 CTTC began discussing changes to the COA ordinance on video conferencing for Commission meetings to allow for remote participation ● Summer of 2018 CTTC began to meet with City Clerk’s Office and City Hall IT management to discuss possibilities January of 2019 CTTC submitted a Council Committee Agenda item request ● ○ http://www.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=313283 ● Spring 2019 Council Committee Agenda item reviewed at Audit and Finance Committee meeting with agreement to convene working group with City Clerk’s Office Fall 2019 CTTC pilot effort began with one completed round of testing January/February …
AUSTIN MUSIC COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES The Austin Music Commission convened in a special called meeting on April 8, 2020 via videoconference. April 8, 2020 Board Members in Attendance: Chair – Rick Carney, Vice-chair – Jonathan “Chaka” Mahone, Secretary - Anne-Charlotte Patterson, Al Duarte, Gavin Garcia, Doug Leveton, Patrice Pike, Graham Reynolds Staff in Attendance: Kim McCarson, Stephanie Bergara CALL TO ORDER – 3:12pm The Music Commission meeting was held with social distancing modifications due to Coruna virus restrictions. Public comment was allowed on specific item numbers via telephone. The following speakers called in to speak on New Business item 2: Nakia Reynoso representing Austin Texas Musicians stated he is not in support of Council item 86 as currently written. He does not want to take money from other hospitality industry; he is in support of more stakeholder input to understand immediate needs. Reenie Collins representing Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM) asks that input from stakeholders and other organizations such as HAAM be considered. She explains that some musicians are having to face choosing between eating and paying rent or healthcare. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of Minutes from Regularly Scheduled Meeting on March 2, 2020. No action taken. 2. NEW BUSINESS Discussion of and Possible Action on the impact of the Corona virus on the music community, including but not limited to a resolution requesting that the City Council create a Music Disaster Relief Fund to assist Musicians and related service professionals and workers affected by the Corona virus. Commissioner Garcia motions and Commissioner Reynolds seconds to approve the Austin Music Disaster Relief Fund recommendation. Motion carries 8-0. Chair Carney motions and Commissioner Reynolds seconds to approve recommendation that the Music Commission supports City Council’s efforts to fund disaster relief, especially Council Member Flannigan’s item 91 (March 26, 2020 agenda) and Council Member Tovo’s item 86 (April 9, 2020 agenda) with the following addendums: 1 AUSTIN MUSIC COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES April 8, 2020 1. That additional funds are searched for before using the Live Music Fund. If the Live Music Fund is used, Music Commission support is contingent on replenishing the Live Music Fund. 2. The Music Commission recommends an advisory group be formed to guide the distribution of the disaster relief funds. 3. The Music Commission supports that Chair Rick Carney serve as Chair of 4. The Music Commission recommends that a third party …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a special called meeting on Wednesday April 8, 2020, via videoconference, in Austin, Texas. Chair Victor Martinez called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. Members in Attendance: Martinez, Baeza, Chavez, Curry, Currette, Dowling, Gonzales, Gonzalez, Hines, Taylor, Wollerson Staff in Attendance: Staff Liaison Neal Falgoust PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – There were no minutes presented for approval 2. NEW BUSINESS a. The commission considered a budget recommendation concerning the development of LGBTQ-focused programs. Commissioner Curry motioned for approval, and Commissioner Dowling offered a second. The commission approved the recommendation with all 11 present voting Yes. b. The commission considered a budget recommendation concerning the utilization of community organizations and non-profits to achieve strategic direction outcomes. Commissioner Curry motioned for approval, and Commissioner Chavez offered a second. The commission approved the recommendation with all 11 present voting Yes. c. The commission considered a budget recommendation concerning the implementation of a COVID-19 cash transfer assistance program. Commissioner Gonzales motioned for approval, and Commissioner Baeza offered a second. The commission approved the recommendation with all 11 present voting Yes. ADJOURNMENT – Chair Martinez adjourned the meeting at 3:36 p.m. without objection.
