03 Planning Commission Recommendation September 12, 2023 — original pdf
03 Planning Commission Recommendation September 12, 20231 of 2 03 Planning Commission Recommendation September 12, 20232 of 2
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03 Zoning and Platting Commission Recommendation August 5, 2025 — original pdf
Zoning and Platting Commission Recommendation Request that Council initiate an area regulatory plan WHEREAS, the area of Austin generally bounded to the east by Capital of Texas Highway 360, to the south by the shoreline of Lake Austin, to the west by FM 620, and to the north by Boulder Lane and Bull Creek is one of the nation's riskiest areas for uncontrolled wildfire; and WHEREAS, the general boundaries include recently annexed geographies that lack city services, infrastructure and planning; and WHEREAS, the general boundaries have amongst the highest population growth rates in the city; and WHEREAS, the insurance industry has identified this area as high risk or uninsurable; and WHEREAS, this is a critical time to expand safe and affordable housing opportunities; and WHEREAS, the city's most valuable resources for climate resiliency occupy this region; and WHEREAS, the lack of a regulatory plan could result extreme loss of human life and catastrophic financial disaster. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Zoning & Platting Commission encourages the Austin City Council to initiate a generalized regulatory plan to evaluate roadway capacities, to evaluate and ensure the safe delivery of city services such as fire evacuation, to evaluate and plan sustainable capacity along the WUI corridor including affordable housing and missing middle housing, to evaluate and plan the city's preserve lands, and strategic acquisitions. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ 03 Zoning and Platting Commission Recommendation August 5, 20251 of 1
04 Zoning and Platting Commission Revised Rules of Procedure — original pdf
ZONING & PLATTING COMMISSION RULES OF PROCEDURE As amended by the Zoning & Platting Commission on February 18, 2025 ARTICLE I. GENERAL PROVISIONS (A) Legal Authority & Jurisdiction. (1) The Zoning & Platting Commission (hereafter “Commission”) derives its legal authority from the Texas Local Government Code, Chapters 211 and 212, and the City of Austin’s Land Development Code (Title 25). (2) The Commission serves as the Land Use Commission for matters within its jurisdiction under LDC § 25-1-188, which include: (a) Control over platting and subdividing land within the corporate limits of the City and extraterritorial jurisdiction of the City; (b) Make recommendations to City Council regarding proposed zoning changes; and (c) Other functions, as established by ordinance, including but not limited to review and approval of applications for conditional use site plans and environmental variances. (3) The Commission may request that the City Manager provide relevant information and staff support in relation to its functions. (B) Rules of Procedure. (1) These Rules of Procedure (“Rules”) establish standards and guidelines for the conduct of public hearings and the resolution of cases before the Commission. In the event of a conflict with City Code or other applicable law, the Code or other law supersedes these Rules. (2) Applicants and other interested parties should familiarize themselves with these Rules before filing an application or testifying on a case to the Commission. For information regarding membership, terms, and other requirements relating to the operating and structure of the Commission, please consult the Commission’s bylaws and City Code Chapter 2-1. 04 Zoning and Platting Commission Revised Rules of Procedure1 of 8 ARTICLE II. OFFICIAL ACTS AND RECORDS (A) Announcement of Official Acts. (1) The Secretary, who shall be selected by the Commission, shall prepare for the Commission all letters of transmittal to the City Council for Commission approval and shall sign all documents required for Commission action relative to zoning plan changes, special permits, and subdivision plans. Letters to the Council shall be signed by the Chair of the Commission and posted online. (2) In the absence of the Secretary, the Chair, Vice Chair, or other member selected by the Commission may perform functions assigned to the Secretary under these rules. (B) Official Records. (1) The official records of the Commission shall be its adopted minutes and electronic recordings of its meetings. (2) The official records of the Commission shall constitute a public record …
02 SPC-2024-0424A - Crow Bar; District 3 - Letters of Support — original pdf
August 4, 2025 City of Austin Zoning & Platting Commission, As president and general manager of Callahan’s General Store, a family-owned/operated business at 501 Bastrop Highway, we are eager to welcome Crow Bar (523Tthompson Lane) as a potential new business neighbor. Their presence will create an opportunity to provide Austin-area residents and visitors a unique and positive Southeast Austin experience. Sincerely, Charley Wilson President, CEO & General Manager Callahan’s General Store 02 SPC-2024-0424A - Crow Bar; District 3 1 of 3 02 SPC-2024-0424A - Crow Bar; District 3 2 of 3 02 SPC-2024-0424A - Crow Bar; District 3 3 of 3
03 Tschoepe Amendment — original pdf
Amend the August 5th, 2025 Zoning and Platting Commission recommendation as follows: BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Zoning & Platting Commission recommends that Council request a staff evaluation of real-world fire-safety performance across all housing types—including single-family homes, middle housing, and large-scale multifamily developments—to guide the regulating plan; and to direct staff to develop actionable recommendations to strengthen building fire resistance and prevent fire spread within the plan area. 03 Tschoepe Amendment1 of 1
03 Emergency Response Management Briefing — original pdf
Emergency Management Presented by Kimmi McMinn and Dan Valbracht August 5, 2025 TPW Emergency Management Emergency Management (EM) Program Team • Kimmi McMinn • Arabella Walker Operational Response Groups • Street and Bridge Operations (SBO) • Arterial Management Division (AMD) • Signs and Markings Division (SMD) • Urban Forestry Division (UF) Support Function Groups • Public Information Office (PIO) • Data and Technology Services (DTS) • Logistics • Human Resources and Safety • Finance 2 TPW Emergency Management Activations (Estimated past 12 months) • 3 winter weather this season • 3 severe weather (debris, asst to WPD) • Special events (ACL, F1, SXSW, VIP visits) Scale of Response • EOC activations, DOC activations, Situational Assessment Teams Actions Taken • Road treatment • Debris clearing • Lane/road closures • Sign replacement • Signal repairs for signals in flash or dark • Generator deployment for signals City-wide coordinated efforts • EOC activations, coordination calls 3 TPW Emergency Management Technology Solutions TPW Emergency Response Technology • Emergency On-Call Contact Dashboard • Current Road Conditions Dashboard • Mapping of Critical Assets and Facilities • Signal Status Dashboard • 3-1-1 Customer Service Requests and Workorder Management Systems • Centralized Emergency Response Communications Tool 4 TPW Emergency Management Current Priorities COA Wildfire Planning: • Coordination with HSEM and AFD/APD • Trailer and traffic device preparations in progress • Determining trailer staging areas • Dry run deployment evaluation Winter Weather Preparations: • TPW Operational Plan Updates • Department Tabletop Exercise • New Equipment, Liquid Application Systems (LAS) • Equipment training and field exercise 5 TPW Emergency Management Planning Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Updated TPW COOP plan inclusive of all functions since TPW’s creation Overarching plan will be developed Quarterly exercises and reviews will be performed Development of a singular guiding document to include appendices on: fire evacuation, winter weather, flood response, and debris management 6 Coordinated Citywide Efforts Hazard Mitigation Action Plan (HMAP) Coordination with HSEM and H2O Partners COA Common Operating Picture Coordinating with AFD/ARR/HSEM on debris management platform Exploring opportunities for inclusion in the VEOCI city-wide application Monthly Coordination Meetings HSEM/Regional Emergency Management CAPCOG Mass Care Coordination TPW prioritizes the clearing of priority routes for access to shelters and other sites 7 TPW Future Plans (FY26) Incident Command System (ICS) Training • Industry Standard Emergency Management structure • Used by public safety entities (APD, AFD, EMS, and HSEM) • Training …
04 Autonomous Vehicles Overview — original pdf
Autonomous Vehicle Update Urban Transportation Commission August 5, 2025 Kristin Bray| Business Process Consultant Texas Legislative Update • Currently: Texas Transportation code 545.452 – cities cannot regulate or permit AVs. • SB 2807 effective September 1, 2025. Rules to be finalized and effective at a later date. • Gives the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) authority to permit AV companies. • Requires permits for any commercial use of autonomous vehicles. • Can suspend, revoke, or cancel permits. • As part of the application AV companies must provide the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) a First Responder Plan that includes: • How to communicate with fleet support staff. • How to safely remove the vehicle from the road and tow. • How to recognize the AV is in autonomous mode. DMV Proposed Rules • DMV has published proposed rules related to AVs in the Texas Register on 7/25/25. • Automated Motor Vehicles, Ch. 220 Updates • Adjudicative Practice & Procedure, Ch. 224 Updates • 30 days for public comment ending on 8/25/25 at 5 p.m. • City’s Intergovernmental Relations Office is submitting comments on behalf of all City departments to the State. Autonomous Vehicle Operation Phases Mapping Testing Deployment • The vehicle is driven by a person across the intended area of operations, collecting data. • Data compiled into a detailed map. • The vehicle drives itself in AV mode. • A safety driver may be present in tests as a precaution. • Vehicle accepts commercial passengers and operates on the roadway, fully autonomous. Current AV Operations in Austin Deployed Waymo Jaguar i-Pace 100+ Zoox Toyota Highlander ~20 Zoox Robotaxi – Not yet in Austin 0 Tesla Model Y ~20 VW ADMT ID. Buzz ~12 Avride Hyundai IONIQ 5 ~40 AV Safety Working Group The City has been proactive by establishing the AV Safety Working Group to: • Prepare and train for incidents, • Facilitate communication, • Collect data and standardize documentation. Data for Geofences Infrastructure & Events • Hospitals • Fire Stations • EMS Stations • Police Stations • Special Events • Schools & School Zones Emergencies An email is automatically sent from our Computer- Aided Dispatch system. Our expectation is an exclusion zone of 1,000 feet for one hour. AVs & Citations The City of Austin can cite AVs for moving violations. But not by giving them a ticket. APD can register complaints with the court for …
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Approved Minutes — original pdf
ZONING AND PLATTING COMMISION REGULAR CALLED MEETING TUESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2025 The Zoning and Platting convened in a regular called meeting on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001, 301 W. Second Street, in Austin, Texas. Chair Smith called the Zoning and Platting Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Hank Smith Betsy Greenberg David Fouts Luis Osta Lugo Christian Tschoepe Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Alejandra Flores Ryan Puzycki Lonny Stern Commissioners Absent: Scott Boone Taylor Major PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Zoning and Platting Commission regular meeting on July 15, 2025. The minutes from the meeting of July 15, 2025, were approved on the consent agenda on Commissioner Flores’ motion, Commissioner Tschoepe’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Boone and Major were absent. 1 PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Conditional Use SPC-2024-0424A - Crow Bar; District 3 Permit: 523 Thompson Lane, Carson Creek, Suburban Watershed Location: Owner/Applicant: Crow Bar (Steve Gee) Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: Element 5 Architecture; PLLC (Drew Randall) Conditional Use Permit for a Cocktail Lounge in the CS-1-CO Zone Recommended Randall Rouda, 512-974-3338, randall.rouda@austintexas.gov Development Services Department The motion to approve Staff’s recommendation of a conditional use permit for a cocktail lounge in the CS-1-CO Zone for SPC-2024-0424A - Crow Bar; District 3, located at 523 Thompson Lane, was approved on the consent agenda on Commissioner Flores’ motion, Commissioner Tschoepe’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Boone and Major were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and action regarding the September 12, 2023, Planning Commission Recommendation to Council to establish a Regulatory Plan for the area generally bounded to the east by Capital of Texas Hwy 360, to the south by the north shoreline of Lake Austin, to the west by 620, and to the north by Boulder Lane and Bull Creek. (Sponsored by Vice Chair Greenberg and Commissioner Tschoepe) The motion to approve and transmit to the Austin City Council the recommendation that is regarding the September 12, 2023, Planning Commission Recommendation to Council to establish a Regulatory Plan for the area generally bounded to the east by Capital of Texas Hwy 360, to the south by the north shoreline of Lake Austin, to the west by 620, and to the north by Boulder Lane and Bull Creek was approved with the following friendly amendment on motion by Vice Chair …
Approved Minutes — original pdf
URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, August 5, 2025 URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, August 5, 2025 The Urban Transportation Commission convened in a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at 6310 Whilemina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Schumacher called the Commission Meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Spencer Schumacher, Vice Chair - (District 9) Justin Jacobson - (District 8) Commissioners in Attendance Virtually: Susan Somers, Chair - (District 4) Daniel Kavelman, Parliamentarian - (District 5) Kevin Chen - (District 6) Joshua Sorin – (District 10) Deshon Brown- (Mayoral Appointee) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on July 1, 2025. The minutes from the meeting of 7/1/2025 were approved on a motion from Chair Somers, and a second from Vice Chair Schumacher on a 6-0 vote, with Commissioners Buffo, Alvarez, Chen, & Prasad absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion on the Cap Metro Bike Share Expansion. The commission received a presentation from Michael Kimbro & Jacob Barrett, Transportation and Public Works with JD Simpson, CapMetro 3. Discussion on Emergency Response Management The commission received a presentation from Kimmi McMinn & Dan Valbraht, Transportation and Public Works 4. Discussion on Autonomous Vehicles The commission received a presentation from Kristin Bray, Transportation and Public Works 1 URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, August 5, 2025 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion on and approval of Urban Transportation Commission comment to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles on Autonomous Vehicles Rules adoption. On a motion from Vice Chair Schumacher, and a second from Chair Somers, the item was postponed indefinitely with a 7-0 vote, with Commissioners Buffo, Alvarez, & Prasad absent. 6. Discussion and possible action regarding an appointment to the Downtown Commission (one vacancy). On a motion from Vice Chair Schumacher, and a second from Commissioner Chen, the item was postponed to the September 2, 2025 meeting with a 7-0 vote, with Commissioners Buffo, Alvarez, & Prasad absent. COMMITTEE UPDATES 8. Update from Commissioner Schumacher from the Bicycle Advisory Council regarding actions taken at the July 15, 2025, meeting. The commission received an update from Vice Chair Schumacher. 9. Update from Commissioner Kavelman from the Pedestrian Advisory Council regarding actions taken at the July 7, 2025, meeting. The commission received an update from Commissioner Kavelman. 10. Update from Chair Somers from the City Council …
Approved Minutes — original pdf
African American Resource Advisory Commission Minutes August 5, 2025 African American Resource Advisory Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Tuesday, August 5, 2025 The African American Resource Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the African American Cultural and Heritage Facility at 912 E 11th St, in Austin, Texas. Chair Horton called the African American Resources Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 5:41 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Daryl Horton, Chair Roger Davis Nelson Linder Justin Parsons Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Alexandria Anderson Sophia Dozier Joi Harden Kyron Hayes Mueni Rudd Greg Smith PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the African American Resource Advisory Commission Regular Meeting on June 3, 2025. The minutes were approved on Commissioner Parsons’ motion, Commissioner Linder’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Davis and Rudd were off the dais. Vice Chair Eugene and Commissioners Jackson, Ross, and Weisberg were absent. 1 African American Resource Advisory Commission Minutes August 5, 2025 STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing by Ann Eaton, Assistant Director, Economic Development Department regarding funding priorities and project updates by the Economic Development Department that impact the African American Community. Staff briefing provided by Ann Eaton, Assistant Director, Economic Development Department. Staff briefing from David Alcorta, Paraprofessional, Communication and Public Information Office (CPIO) and Houmma Garba, Community Engagement Consultant, CPIO regarding CPIO’s and Homeland Security and Emergency Management’s (HSEM) new emergency language access plan. Staff briefing postponed until September 2, 2025. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Discussion and approve the date, time, location and subjects of a 2025 African American Resource Advisory Commission Retreat. Discussed no action taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS SXSW’s impact on Black Austinites and how the commission can support them in improving engagement. Community Powered ATX’s impact on Black Austinites and how the commission can support them in improving engagement. Updates from the previous JIC meetings and informational clinics. Chair Horton adjourned the meeting at 6:51 p.m. without objection. The minutes of the August 5, 2025 regular meeting were approved during the September 2, 2025 regular meeting on Commissioner Linder’s motion, Commissioner Parson’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioners Anderson and Rudd were off the dais. Commissioners Jackson and Ross were absent. 2
Agenda — original pdf
REGULAR MEETING of the ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PANEL Monday, August 4, 2025, at 6:00 PM Economic Development Offices 5202 East Ben White Boulevard, Suite 400 Austin, Texas 78741 Members of the ART IN PUBLIC PLACES PANEL may participate by video conference. Public comment will be allowed remotely via video conference or telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item 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 participation. To register to speak, call or email AIPP Program Manager Jaime Castillo at jaime.castillo@austintexas.gov, (512) 974-7852. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Chair – Kristi-Anne Shaer, Vice Chair – Andrew Danziger, Taylor Davis, Bernardo Diaz, Monica Maldonado – Arts Commission Liaison. AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 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 minutes of the Art in Public Places Panel Regular Meeting on July 7, 2025 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. Discussion of Arts Commission Liaison Report on Action Items from July 21, 2025, Arts Commissions Meeting by Arts Commission Liaison Maldonado Discussion of Resolution No. 20250306-029 Update Discussion of Concept Design for the Elisabet Ney Museum Art in Public Places Project – Tamara Johnson DISCUSSION ITEMS DISCUSSION ITEMS AND ACTION ITEMS 5. ACTION: Approve the Final Design for the Duncan Park Art in Public Places Project – Andre Fuqua STAFF BRIEFINGS 6. Art in Public Places Staff Briefing on Conservation, Current Projects, and Milestones FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please contact AIPP Program Manager Jaime Castillo at jaime.castillo@austintexas.gov or (512) 974- 7852 for additional information; TTY users' route through Relay Texas at 711.
Agenda — original pdf
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS AUGUST 4, 2025, 6:30 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 301 W 2nd Street AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs 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 or in person, contact Nekaybaw Watson at nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS : Melissa Ortega, Chair Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Miriam Dorantes, Vice-Chair Diane Kanawati Adrian De La Rosa Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Azeem Edwin Alondra Johnson Yohana Saucedo Aditi Joshi Meghana Roy AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up 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 Commission on Immigrant Affairs regular meeting on July 7, 2025. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing regarding revisions to Austin Police Department’s U-Visa Policy by Lieutenant Robert Smith, Special Victims Bureau, Austin Police Department. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion regarding the Travis County Commissioner’s Court vacancy. 4. Update on the most recent Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) meetings held in July 2025, as they relate to the Commission on Immigrant Affairs. 5. Update regarding the discussion during the July LGBTQ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission Meeting about Immigrant Affairs. 6. Discussion regarding the written update on the Naturalization Informational Sessions and Clinics provided by Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer, Office of Equity and Inclusion. 7. Discussion regarding the written update on the Immigrant Quality-of-Life Study provided by Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion. 8. Discussion regarding the new structure for requesting updates from the Office of Equity and Inclusion. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 9. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the staffing support of the Commission for Immigrant Affairs. 10. Approve the election of Chair. 11. Approve the election of Vice Chair. 12. Approve the appointment of Joint Inclusion Committee primary representative and alternate representative. 13. Approve the creation of a Working Group that prepares statements for commissioners to use when representing the …
Item 1: Draft Minutes 07.07.2025 — original pdf
Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting Minutes July 7, 2025 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, July 7, 2025 The Commission on Immigrant Affairs convened in a regular meeting on Monday, July 7, 2025, at Austin City Hall, W 3rd St, Room 1101 in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Dorantes called the Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Miriam Dorantes, Vice Chair Adrian De La Rosa Alondra Johnson Diane Kanawati Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Melissa Ortega, Chair Azeem Edwin Aditi Joshi Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Meghna Roy PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Carlos Soto – Community Advancement Network Kathy Mitchell – General Budget Savannah Lee – Funding for community investment priorities APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Immigration Affairs regular meeting on June 2, 2025. The minutes from the meeting of June 2, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Johnson’s motion, Vice Chair Dorantes’ second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Saucedo was absent. 1 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting Minutes July 7, 2025 STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding updates on the procurement process and budget of the Quality- of-Life Study by Alejandra Mireles, Equity and Inclusion Program Coordinator and Jeremy Garza, Business Process Consultant – Equity Division, Office of Equity and Inclusion. Staff briefing was made by Jeremy Garza, Business Process Consultant and Amanda Jasso, Program Manager 1 – Equity Division, Office of Equity and Inclusion. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. Welcome new Commissioners to Commission on Immigrant Affairs. Discussed. Update on the most recent Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) meeting held in June 2025, as it relates to the Commission on Immigrant Affairs. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. 8. Approve the 2024-2025 Annual Internal Review Report. The motion to approve the 2024-2025 Annual Internal Review Report was approved on Vice Chair Dorantes’ motion, Commissioner Kaba’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Saucedo was absent. Approve updates to the membership of the Quality-of-Life Working Group. (Working group Members: Chair Melissa Ortega, Commissioners Alondra Johnson, Aditi Joshi, Jeanne C Kaba; Community Stakeholders: Karen Crawford, Krystal Gomez, Oscar Ponce, and Kirk Yoshida). The motion to approve the addition of Commissioners Kanawati and Roy to the Quality-of-Life Working Group was approved on Chair Ortega’s motion, Vice Chair Dorantes’ second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioner Saucedo was absent. Approve updates to the membership of the Budget Working Group. (Working Group Members: …
Item 14: Travis County Commissioners Court Appointment Letter — original pdf
Dear Travis County Commissioners Court and County Judge, I am writing to you today in my capacity as [Commissioner/member of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs] to respectfully urge your support in filling the Travis County appointment seat, which has been vacant for over two years. On behalf of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for the Court's previous actions, particularly your resolution calling for the constitutional and humane treatment of immigrants in the custody of U.S. law enforcement agencies, as well as your commitment to the Constitution, due process, and the protection of habeas corpus. This resolution holds profound significance for our immigrant community, especially in the current moment, and we deeply appreciate your continued leadership in advocating for justice. The Commission on Immigrant Affairs highly values the Travis County seat. However, the prolonged vacancy in this position has created substantial challenges in our ability to meet and perform our duties. In 2024, the Commission was unable to convene for six consecutive months due to the lack of sufficient members, with just one member short of the quorum required after the addition of the Travis County appointment. This absence has at times, hindered our capacity to serve the immigrant population in Austin. The immigrant community in our city is facing an increasingly hostile political climate, both at the state and federal levels. With policies that disproportionately target immigrants and refugees, it is more critical than ever that the Commission operates at full capacity. The need for a full Commission is urgent to ensure that we can effectively advocate for and support this vulnerable population. Therefore, we respectfully ask the Court to fill the Travis County vacancy as soon as possible, at the latest, to start the process by August 31. The immigrant community in Austin relies on the Commission’s work to protect their rights, ensure their voices are heard, and address the unique challenges they face. Thank you for your time and your continued leadership. We remain grateful for your dedication to our shared values of justice, fairness, and compassion. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Position] [Your Contact Information]
Item 2: U Visa Presentation from APD — original pdf
U Visa Program Updates Lieutenant Robert Smith | Austin Police Department | August 4, 2025 History of the Program The U Visa program was created by Congress in 2000 with the passage of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act. The program aims to strengthen law enforcement’s ability to investigate and prosecute serious and violent crimes, and to protect victims of these crimes through enhanced collaboration with immigrant communities. The program offers temporary legal status to noncitizen victims of certain qualifying crimes who are willing to cooperate in the investigation or prosecution of those crimes. 2 APD’s Role in the Program Applications for U Visa status require the submission of a certification form from a federal, state, tribal or local law enforcement agency, prosecutor, or judge. While APD helps facilitate certifications through this program, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ultimately determines whether an individual qualifies for a U Visa. 3 APD Policy Updates Following staffing changes made by Chief Davis, the Special Victims Investigations Bureau leadership identified ways to better clarify the U Visa application review process, particularly regarding the statute of limitations for reported crimes. Department policy (GO 607) and APD’s internal U Visa Committee Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) have both been updated with clear language that aligns with federal program guidelines. APD staff will be trained on the updated policies and procedures. 4 Impact on U Visa Applicants In 2024: • 508 requests submitted • 4 rejected for expired statute of limitations In 2025: • 304 requests submitted (through July 17) • 10 rejected for expired statute of limitations 5 Next Steps Individuals who previously submitted petitions for U Visas under prior department policy and whose applications were rejected based on an expired statute of limitations have been encouraged to reapply. 6 Engaging the Community The Austin Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all individuals in our community, regardless of their background or immigration status. APD will continue to work with our community to foster trust through continued outreach, education, and collaborative partnerships. 7 Questions? ROBERT.SMITH@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
Item 3: Travis County Commissioners Court Vacancy Report — original pdf
Introduction The Travis County Commissioners Court – the county’s five-member governing body – plays a key role in appointing individuals to various boards and commissions. These appointments include Travis County’s own boards and committees as well as seats on City of Austin boards and commissions that reserve positions for Travis County. The City of Austin’s Commission on Immigrant Affairs is one example: its bylaws stipulate that 11 members are appointed by the Austin City Council and one member is appointed by the Travis County Commissioners Court[1]. However, that Travis County-appointed seat on the Immigrant Affairs commission has been vacant for over two years, highlighting the need to understand and engage in the county’s appointment process. Below is a comprehensive overview of how the Travis County Commissioners Court handles board and commission appointments, a list of all bodies where the Court has appointing authority (with emphasis on City of Austin commissions involving the County), the application process and timeline for appointments, and guidance for community members interested in these roles. Travis County’s Appointment Process: General Overview Two Appointment Methods: Travis County appointments fall into two broad categories – individual Commissioner nominations and the Uniform Appointment Process (UAP). In many cases, each of the five members of the Commissioners Court directly nominates a person to serve (for example, if a board requires one appointee per commissioner or per precinct). In other cases – especially for significant external boards or joint City/County commissions – the full Court uses a uniform, open process to select appointees from the community[2][3]. ● Individual Nominations: When a board has a number of seats equal to the number of Court members (or a multiple thereof), it is common for each County Commissioner (and the County Judge) to nominate a candidate. For instance, if there are five seats to fill, each of the five Court members may put forward one nominee. This ensures representation across all four precincts and the county at-large. (The Travis County Code notes that when the Court has five appointments to make, each Court member will nominate one; if there are more than five, nominations are divided equally among Court members)[2]. These nominations are then confirmed by a Commissioners Court vote. Examples of boards handled in this way include certain advisory committees or task forces – e.g. bond advisory committees – where each Commissioner appoints a constituent from their precinct. These appointments typically do not …
Item 7: Immigrant Quality of Life Study Update — original pdf
M E M O R A N D U M TO: Commission on Immigrant Affairs FROM: Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director, Office of Equity & Inclusion DATE: July 25, 2025 SUBJECT: Update: Quality of Life Study for Immigrant, Refugee, and other Foreign-born Community Members This memo provides a brief update on the status of the study and a tentative timeline for next steps. As a reminder, when City contracts exceed $76,000, staff are required to seek City Council approval via a Recommendation for Council Action (RCA). The Austin Equity and Inclusion – Equity Division is pleased to report that the selected research team, the National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH), has signed the contract, and the RCA has been submitted for placement on the August 28th City Council meeting agenda. Once the RCA is approved by City Council and the contract is officially executed, Austin Equity and Inclusion will coordinate with NCFH to initiate project activities. At that time, we will distribute a Doodle poll to schedule the first Kick-Off Meeting with the Commission Workgroup, which we anticipate will take place in September. Additionally, Welcoming Week is scheduled for September 12–21, 2025. This presents a timely opportunity to align the launch of the Quality-of-Life Study with other key office initiatives, such as the Welcoming Certification Report. Members of the public—including Commissioners—can sign up for public comment at the August 28th Council meeting. If you wish to do so, please follow the City’s guidelines for registering to speak, which are available on the City Council Meeting Information Center. Thank you again for your continued support, dedication and collaboration on this important project. If you have any questions, ideas, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at Lindsey.Wilson@austintexas.gov.