Regular Meeting ZONING & PLATTING COMMISSION Tuesday, January 5, 2021 The Zoning & Platting Commission convened in a meeting on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 @ http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Chair Kiolbassa called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: Cesar Acosta Ana Aguirre – Secretary Nadia Barrera-Ramirez – Vice-Chair Timothy Bray Ann Denkler – Parliamentarian Jim Duncan Bruce Evans Jolene Kiolbassa – Chair Ellen Ray Hank Smith Absent: David King EXECUTIVE SESSION (No public discussion) The Zoning & Platting Commission will announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel on matters specifically listed on this agenda. The Commission may not conduct a closed meeting without the approval of the city attorney. Private Consultation with Attorney – Section 551.071 CITIZEN COMMUNICATION The first four (4) speakers signed up prior to the speaker registration deadline will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. Ms. Karen Reynolds – Not present A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes from December 15, 2020. PUBLIC HEARINGS Motion by Commissioner Denkler, seconded by Commissioner Ray to postpone approval of December 15, 2020 minutes was approved on a vote of 10-0. Commissioner King absent. B. 1. Rezoning: Location: Owner/Applicant: Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: C14-2020-0131 - FPT Apartments; District 5 1434 Genoa Drive, Slaughter Creek Watershed David Malone, Molly Denham, Jimmye Malone FPT Holdings, LLC (Saad Fidai) DR to MF-5 Recommendation of MF-3, with conditions; Postponement request by the Applicant to January 19, 2021 Wendy Rhoades, 512-974-7719, wendy.rhoades@austintexas.gov Housing and Planning Department Staff: Motion to grant Applicant’s request for postponement of this item to January 19, 2021 was approved on the consent agenda on the motion by Commissioner Denkler, seconded by Commissioner Smith on a vote of 10-0. Commissioner King absent. 2. Zoning: Location: Owner/Applicant: Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: C14-2020-0138 - TCR McKinney Falls; (Contiguous to District 2) 8201 Thaxton Road, Marble Creek Watershed Philip Boghosian, as Trustee of the Philip Boghosian Living Trust Husch Blackwell LLP (Micah King) Unzoned to SF-6 Recommended Wendy Rhoades, 512-974-7719, wendy.rhoades@austintexas.gov Housing and Planning Department Motion by Commissioner Aguirre, seconded by Vice-Chair Barrera-Ramirez to postpone the item to January 19, 2021 was approved on a vote of 7-1. Commissioner Evans voted nay. Commissioners Acosta and Bray abstained. Commissioner King absent. 3. Subdivision …
MBE/WBE and Small Business Enterprise Procurement Program Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Tuesday - January 5, 2021 The MBE/WBE and Small Business Enterprise Procurement Program Advisory Committee convened in a regular meeting on Thursday, November 5, 2020 via videoconference at 5:39 pm. Board Members in Attendance: Eliza May, Lena Banks, Daniel Berner, Usha Boddapu, Barbra Boeta, Schiller Liao, Ahmed Moledina CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL There were no speakers. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes for the regular meeting of October 6, 2020 were considered for approval. The minutes were approved on a motion by Committee Member Schiller Liao and seconded by Committee Member Barbara Boeta. Minutes approved on an 7-0 vote. 2. NEW BUSINESS For discussion and possible action on recommendations to City Council (City Code § 2-1-163(B)) regarding the following: a. Director’s Updates and Announcements with discussion and possible action • Edward Campos, SMBR Interim Director gave the update. o Moved the Contractor’s and Consultant’s Appreciation virtual event to December 9th. b. Discussion and appropriate action regarding the 2016 Mobility Bond and Corridor Improvements Program • Susan Daniels, Deputy Director of the Corridor Program Office gave a presentation (posted on the Advisory Committee website) focused on the Corridor Mobility portion of the program. o There are three different areas within our regional mobility program, which is dedicated to primarily TxDOT partnership projects and a couple of local ones. We have local mobility programs, which are our sidewalks, bikeways, urban trails, Safe Routes to School and others, and then the Corridor Mobility Program all totaling $720 million. There are over 300 projects. o Nine different corridors eligible for construction funding. These 50 miles of roadway in Austin reaches many of the people who are using our roadway network throughout the days/week, therefore the focus is improving these 50 miles. A very large project out is out to bid right now. 2021 will be a big year for the Corridor Program. About 25 projects are scheduled to move through the design process over this next year. There are about 10 different projects completed as well as some that are in process right now. Spent $58 million thus far. o o We have continued stakeholder input and engagement with business owners, property owners, Page 1 of 8 and the general community, ensuring that we are doing the right improvements. Ensuring that the public understands upcoming work that will be done and any potential impact …
Regular Meeting of the Art in Public Places Panel January 4th, 2021 – 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Art in Public Places Panel to be held January 4, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance, the day before the scheduled meeting, Sunday, January 3rd by Noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the January 4th Art in Public Places Panel Meeting, residents must: • Contact the panel liaison at 512-974-6345 or laura.odegaard@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Sunday, January 3. 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 panel 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 laura.odegaard@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before (Sunday, January 3) the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. Reunión del Art in Public Places Panel FECHA de la reunion (Enero 4, 2021 – 6:00pm - 7:30pm) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Enero 3, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512-974-6345 o laura.odegaard@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para …
Versión en español a continuación. Regular Meeting of the Public Safety Commission January 4, 2021 at 3:00pm Public Safety Commission meeting to be held, January 4, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (January 3, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the January 4, 2021 PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION Meeting, members of the public must •Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-5747 or Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov no later than noon, January 3, 2021 (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 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 Janet.jackson@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 Reunión del PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION la junta en FECHA de la reunion January 4, 2021 La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (January 3, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de (512) 974-5747 or Janet.jackson@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por …
Versión en español a continuación. Special Meeting of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board January 04, 2021 Meeting of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board to be held January 04, 2021 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 January 03, 2021 by noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the January 4th Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at Amanda Rohlich, at Amanda.Rohlich@austintexas.gov no later than noon Sunday, January 3rd. 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 Amanda.Rohlich@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 Reunión del Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board FECHA de la reunion 4 de enero de 2021 u por otra correo pueden folletos enviarse electrónico información reunión se La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (3 de enero de 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en Amanda.Rohlich@austintexas.gov, (512) 974-1364 a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número …
Versión en español a continuación. Music Commission Meeting January 4, 2021, 6:30pm Music Commission meeting to be held January 4, 2021, with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (January 3, by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the January 4 Music Commission Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at Kimberly.mccarson@austintexas.gov, 512-974-7963 no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time 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. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular Reunión del MUSIC COMMISSION al correo envíe un electrónico enlace de FECHA de la reunion (January 4, 2021, 6:30pm) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (January 3 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o en 512-974-7963, Kimberly.mccarson@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • Una vez …
CITY OF AUSTIN FIREFIGHTERS’, POLICE OFFICERS’ AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL’S CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC REGULAR MEETING Monday, January 4, 2021, 10:00 a.m. DIAL IN NUMBER: 512-974-9300 Participant Code: 849237 • Public comment will be allowed via telephone using the number above; no in-person input will be allowed. • The presiding officer may require that a speaker remain on the topic of a particular agenda item with the exception of general citizen communication. • Following the Call to Order the Commission Chair will call for general citizen communication on items not posted on the agenda. Citizen communication is open-ended in subject matter as long as it does not contain profane, obscene, or threatening speech. • Speakers may sign up to speak for ANY agenda item except those listed as “Briefing” for which • no action will be taken. If you wish to speak on an agenda item during the meeting, please contact the Commission Coordinator Michael Sullivan at 512-974-3314. Speakers may sign up until the item they are speaking on is taken up by the Commission. After introducing each agenda item the Chair will ask if anyone has signed up to speak on the agenda item, and each person will be provided 3 minutes to speak. • Speakers wishing to introduce any supporting materials should email them to the Commission Coordinator michael.sullivan@austintexas.gov as far as possible prior to the agenda item being called for appropriate distribution to the Commission and for record keeping. CITY OF AUSTIN FIREFIGHTERS’, POLICE OFFICERS’ AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL’S CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Monday, January 4, 2021, 10:00 a.m. DIAL IN NUMBER: 512-974-9300 Participant Code: 849237 AGENDA EXECUTIVE SESSION (No Public Discussion on These Items) The Commission will announce it will go into closed session to receive advice from Legal Counsel, or to discuss matters of litigation and personnel matters pursuant to Texas Government Code (LGC) Chapter 551, Section 551.071 and Section 551.074. If necessary, the Commission will go into closed session, as permitted by law regarding any item on this agenda. CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Approve the minutes from the Firefighters’, Police Officers’, and Emergency Medical Services Personnel’s Civil Service Commission Regular Meeting of December 7, 2020. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding the request of an Austin/Travis County EMS Department candidate to the Commission to appoint three-member boards per …
Regular Meeting of the Art in Public Places Panel January 4th, 2021 – 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Art in Public Places Panel to be held January 4, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance, the day before the scheduled meeting, Sunday, January 3rd by Noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the January 4th Art in Public Places Panel Meeting, residents must: • Contact the panel liaison at 512-974-6345 or laura.odegaard@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Sunday, January 3. 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 panel 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 laura.odegaard@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before (Sunday, January 3) the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. Reunión del Art in Public Places Panel FECHA de la reunion (Enero 4, 2021 – 6:00pm - 7:30pm) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Enero 3, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en 512-974-6345 o laura.odegaard@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para …
City of Austin – 87th State Legislative Food Policy FOOD POLICY MANAGER CITY OF AUSTIN Policy and Funding DATE FILED TRACK BILL NUMBER AUTHOR Companion TITLE SNAP HB 343 Cain Relating to prohibiting the purchase of certain food and drink items under the supplemental nutrition assistance program. 11/09/20 SNAP HB 319 Springer Relating to work requirements and employment and training services for certain persons receiving benefits under the supplemental nutrition assistance program. 12/02/20 SNAP HB 701 Walle, Armando 12/02/20 SNAP SNAP SB 224 SB 170 SB 224 Perry and West Blanco, Cesar (F) Perry, Charles 11/09/20 Tax Credit HB 209 Thierry SB 224 HB 701 Relating to simplified certification and recertification requirements for certain persons under the supplemental nutrition assistance program. Relating to simplified certification and recertification requirements for certain persons under the supplemental nutrition assistance program. Study regarding feasibility implementing SNAP simplified certification (companion to HB 701) Relating to a franchise tax credit for entities that establish a grocery store or healthy corner store in a food desert. 11/30/20 Disaster HB 671 Martinez Relating to establishment of the disaster identification system for a declared state of disaster. What’s next? •Participation in Texas Food Policy Roundtable •Tracking local agriculture and food processing bills •SNAP Incentive Working Group • Recommendation from HSSC in October •Planning for extension of COVID 19 emergency feeding programs/funding •Food Policy Board recommendation •Tracking direction of the new USDA secretary
The Office of Police Oversight, the Equity Office and the Office of Innovation Present: Joint Report: Analysis of APD’s 2019 Racial Profiling Data Public Safety Commission| December 7, 2020 Strategic Direction 2023 Kim Olivares, Chief Performance Officer Council Direction • Resolution No. 20200611-050 established zero racial disparity goals for the Safety outcome, including in motor vehicles stops, in citations and arrests resulting from motor vehicle stops, and in use-of-force incidents • The resolution directed staff to utilize the Joint Analysis on APD Racial Profiling Data to serve as the baseline measurement of metric S.D.1a-c and use future reports as the baseline for use-of-force incidents and officer-involved deaths Our Process • Assembled leadership and supporting staff from Office of Police Oversight, Equity Office, Innovation Office, Austin Police, and Office of Performance Management to collaborate on dashboard content and visualizations • Mainly utilized the SD23 performance dashboard measure design template to guide development of S.D.1a-c to maintain consistency with other SD23 measures • Incorporated key information from the Reimaging Public Safety website, Council resolutions, and Racial profiling reports and access raw data • Viewers can learn about measure background, breakdowns by outcome of motor vehicle stops, What’s Next? • Addition of 2019 Joint Analysis Report data and updated data visualizations/trending information • Development and updates to remaining/existing related SD23 measures Report Overview • The Office of Police Oversight, Office of Innovation, and Equity Office examined APD motor vehicle stop data from 2019, as well as trends from 2015-2019 to be in alignment with: • Resolution 50 - Zero Disparity • SD 23 - Fair Administration of Justice • Reimagining Public Safety 6 Methodology Kerry O’Connor, Chief Innovation Officer Methodology • The report accessed 2019 APD motor vehicle stop data from the City of Austin Open Data Portal for information about motor vehicle stops that result in field observations, warnings, citations, searches, and arrests • Proportional analysis was conducted using Austin population data from the 2010 Census Bureau data because it has the smallest margin of error • A new analysis looked at disparity of outcomes, comparing percentages of outcomes after drivers from different races/ethnicities were stopped Disproportionality and Disparate Impact • Disproportionality occurs when a population experiences underrepresentation or overrepresentation of a specific event based on their percentage of the population. • Proportionality is measured by the ratio between the percentage of persons in a particular racial or ethnic group at a …
Public Safety Commission Meeting – January 2021 COVID-19 Information Sworn Civilian Positive COVID Cases % Positive Cases Positive COVID Covered by WC % Covered by WC Employees Currently Off due to COVID Employees Previously Off due to COVID Total Employees Off due to COVID Employees given ADA Accommodations due to COVID Employees Who Received City Emergency Leave Employees Who Received City Emergency Leave due to Workers' Comp Exposure % Due to Workers' Comp Exposure Employees Who Received City Emergency Leave and Expanded FMLA for care of their Children 39 87% 13 33% 26 307 333 1 165 0 0% 11 13% 6 0 1 0% 13 14 12 0 0% 3 1 pending Total 45 100% 13 29% 27 320 347 2 177 0 0% 14
M E M O R A N D U M Mayor and City Council Members Farah Muscadin, Director, Office of Police Oversight Brion Oaks, Chief Equity Officer Kerry O’Connor, Chief Innovation Officer November 16, 2020 TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Joint Report: Analysis of Austin Police Department’s 2019 Racial Profiling Data In January 2020, the Office of Police Oversight, Equity Office, and Office of Innovation released the inaugural Joint Report: Analysis of APD Racial Profiling Data. That report analyzed racial disparity in APD motor vehicle stop data from 2015-2018 and provided recommendations. This current Joint Analysis of Austin Police Department’s Racial Profiling Report provides analysis of how various ethnic and racial groups experience motor vehicle stops in 2019. The 2019 data has shown that racial bias in traffic stops continues to persist, and in some instances worsen. The report is now available on the Office of Police Oversight’s website. Strategic Direction 2023 indicators in the Safety outcome include the fair administration of justice, which challenges our City to ensure that our enforcement and justice processes are accountable, fair, equitable, impartial and transparent. To achieve Strategic Direction 2023, comply with the direction provided in Resolution 50, and align with the Reimagining Public Safety framework, this report offers analysis and recommendations to address racial/ethnic disproportionality in motor vehicle stops to become more transparent, just, and solution-based. The 2019 data shows that: • Data from 2019 reveals that racial disparity in motor vehicle stops is still a pervasive problem, with Black/African Americans being the most overrepresented of all racial/ethnic groups in Austin. o Black/African Americans made up approximately 8% of Austin’s voting age population, but experienced 14% of motor vehicle stops, 25% of stops resulting in searches, and 25% of stops resulting in arrests. • APD vehicle stop data from 2019 also revealed a geographic disparity in warnings, field observations, and arrests. o Warnings and field observations were most concentrated on the west side of the city, while arrests were most concentrated on the east side of the city. Page 1 of 2 • In 2019, Black/African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos were overrepresented in motor vehicle stops by 6% and 2%, respectively, while White/Caucasians were underrepresented by 6%, and Asians were underrepresented by 3%. o While there was a 1% decline in the overrepresentation of Black/African Americans in motor vehicle stops from 2018 to 2019, the Black/African American driving population had two times more motor …
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20210104-002 Date: Subject: January 4, 2021 Motioned by: Seconded by: Background facts: Rebecca Webber Rocky Lane COVID+ public safety personnel who can qualify for workers compensation benefits should receive HR support so that they receive a full measure of those benefits. --33% of ATCEMS COVID+ medics have received workers compensation benefits. --72% of APD COVID+ officers have received workers compensation benefits. --ATCEMS has adopted a presumption that medics who test positive WERE NOT exposed at work. --APD adopted the opposite presumption: that COVID+ officers WERE exposed at work. --ATCEMS employs a single HR staff person to assist injured medics with their workers compensation applications. This staff person is also tasked with assisting medics with their FMLA paperwork. --APD has two full-time employees assisting injured police officers to obtain the workers compensation benefits that they are entitled to receive. Recommendation: We recommend that the City Council direct the City Manager ensure that all front-line public safety personnel obtain the full measure of workers compensation benefits to which they are entitled. The following policies should be enacted as soon as possible: 1. All three public safety departments should adopt a presumption that a COVID+ employee was injured at work [note that APD has already adopted this policy]. 2. All three departments (but especially EMS) should be given additional HR resources to assist employees with the complicated process of obtaining workers compensation benefits. All public safety employees interacting with the public on the job should be made aware by HR that they CAN and SHOULD apply for workers compensation benefits as soon as they become COVID+. After that, all employees who choose to apply should be supported throughout the process. 3. The Human Resources Department should immediately undertake oversight of this process to ensure that all of Austin’s front-line public safety personnel are treated fairly and equitably as they continue to risk COVID exposure every day on the job. Vote: For: Unanimous (Commissioner Rebecca Gonzales, Rebecca Webber, Rocky Lane, Rebecca Bernhardt, Kathleen Hausenfluck, Nelly Ramirez, Michael Sierra-Arevalo and Daniela Nunez Against: zero Abstain: zero Absent: Commissioner William (Bill) Kelly Attest: [Staff or board member can sign] __________________________________
MEETING MINUTES January 4, 2021 Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board The Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board (ATCFPB) convened on Monday, January 4, 2021 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Board Members in Attendance: Andrea Abel, Alejandra Boughton, Joy Casnovsky, Joi Chevalier (joined dais at 8:09 am) Emily De Maria, Kacey Hanson, Karen Magid (Chair), Sharon Mays (joined dais at 8:15), Kara Prior (Vice-Chair), Ryan Rosshirt, Ellen Sweets Absent board members: Felipe Camacho Staff in Attendance: Edwin Marty, Amanda Rohlich CALL TO ORDER Board Chair Karen Magid called the meeting to order at 8:06 am CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM DECEMBER MEETING Board Member Emily De Maria motioned to approve the meeting minutes from December 9, 2020, with Board Member Andrea Abel seconding the motion. Passed on a 9-0 vote. Joi Chevalier joined dais at 8:09 am Sharon Mays joined dais at 8:15 am 2. STAFF BRIEFINGS a. Presentation from Edwin Marty, Food Policy Manager – Update on the 87th State Legislative Agenda (see back-up materials for presentation) 3. OLD BUSINESS b. Board Infrastructure and Protocol i. Review Board Members’ meetings with City and County Officials i. Joi speaking with Commissioner Travillion about school support; keen on seeing the Board’s recommendation expanded from County perspective. ii. Ryan Rosshirt met with new Travis County Judge Andy Brown and discussed the relationship with HEB for vaccine distribution. Tesla factory to likely lead to increased population density. c. Board Vacancies i. Travis County Precinct Three, Ann Howard 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 call Edwin Marty, Office of Sustainability at 512-974-2120, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Food Policy Board please contact Edwin Marty at 512-974-2120 4. NEW BUSINESS a. FY 2021 Strategic Planning Review and Discussion b. Working Group Briefings and Recommendations i. Governance – Kara Prior will be reaching out to schedule kick-off meeting. ii. Food and Climate – Karen Magid provided update. Delays in taking Climate Equity Plan to City Council for approval. Instead going to Council Committees first. Karen is tracking progress and will email group of stakeholders to re-engage in …
