2020-2021 Budget Recommendations Root Cause Analysis Story: What did you hear from the community? This request is related to the RISE relief approved by Austin City Council on April 09, 2020 of 15 million dollars allocated to the Austin community to fill the gaps in the Austin community to either lower income communities, communities that are unemployed or underemployed. Furthermore, it is the mission of the resolution that, “RISE relief can be achieved by expanding the capacity and reach of community-based organizations that may already be in partnership with the City of Austin, but may also require new partnerships with specialized providers with existing models to reach particular populations in new ways that meet impacted families where they are. Services and direct assistance should target populations who are traditionally marginalized or typically face additional barriers to enrolling in assistance programs, such as, but not limited to, language barriers. Services and assistance should be distributed by providers that have a history of trust and success in reaching communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrant communities, and other historically marginalized communities.” Problem: What is the problem you identify? There are few Asian organizations that are directly in place in Austin to direct this funding towards eligible members of the Asian community in Austin. Furthermore, there is a large segment of the Austin Asian population that that might not be eligible for the stimulus payments under the CARES Act signed into law by the federal government. This affects many Asian families here in Austin. How does the problem show up in your community? Who is most impacted by the problem? There is a large segment of the Austin Asian population that that might not be eligible for the stimulus payments under the CARES Act signed into law by the federal government. This especially applies to employees of small businesses, restaurant employees, Asian immigrants, and other Asians in the community that are low income or unemployed. Furthermore, barriers to language access affects the Austin Asian population, resulting in difficulties in applying for the RISE relief payments or even knowledge that the RISE payments are available. Such payments will help the Austin Asian population with remedies such as: Improve food access; Provide rental or mortgage assistance; Provide assistance with necessary bills, such as utility bills to enable children to attend school remotely; Assist with medical expenses; Assist with the purchase of diapers and baby formula …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Asian American Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: (20200410-04a): Support for the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) Project Delivery Method for the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Master Plan Phase 2 Project. Description of Recommendation to Council • The AARC Oversight Work Group is tasked with overseeing the AARC facility, including the project. The Work Group meets monthly with AARC Cultural Arts & Education Manager Sona Shah, who is often joined by the Parks & Recreation Department (PARD) Division Manager Laura Esparza. The Work Group receives regular updates on the progress of the project from Project Manager Riley Triggs and other Public Works staff. • Work Group discussions with the project manager and staff have centered around project scope, finding, and timeline. The timeline is nearing a milestone when the project delivery method must be selected before the project can move on to the next phase. The project manager provided the Work Group with information on the CMAR delivery method, which, among other benefits, can shorten the time to complete construction when compared to the traditional project delivery method. The Work Group agrees with Public Works staff’s recommendation to proceed with the CMAR delivery method and recommended it to the full Commission. • The Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission hereby supports the proposed CMAR delivery method for the AARC Master Plan Phase 2 project. Date of Approval: April 10, 2020 Record of the vote: Moved by Commissioner Cobalis, Seconded by Commissioner Chen. Unanimous on a 11-0 vote (Commissioner Yoshida, DasGupta, Saxena, Sethi, Yang, Patil, Huang, Stanton, and Radhakrishnan) Absent: Commissioners Chao, Wang, Conte, and Patel Attest:
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: (20200410-04b): The Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission supports 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). Description of Recommendation WHEREAS, the City Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) provides meals as part of their Senior Programs at many City Recreation Centers, Neighborhood Centers and Cultural Centers, and WHEREAS, PARD has contracted with Meals on Wheels and More to provide meals to most Senior Programs, but not the Asian American Resource Center which provided culturally appropriate meals for Asian seniors through other vendors, and WHEREAS, Meals on Wheels and More has agreed to provide vegetarian meals and other meals specifically designed to meet the needs of Asian Americans, and WHEREAS, the AARC Oversight Working Group reviewed and supported the planned changes, and WHEREAS, PARD and AARC staff briefed the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission (AAQoL) in December 2019 about the plan to modify the food service portion of the AARC Senior Program; WHEREAS, the contract with Meals on Wheels and More must be amended to reflect the additional services at the Asian American Resource Center. Supports an increase in the City budget for up to $50,000 for canvassing, media, and the need to NOW, THEREFORE: BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISION: recognize ethnic subgroups among the AAPI population; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: the City of Austin to pursue the efforts of the 2020 Census that produces data representative of the AAPI Community and other minority communities. Date of Approval: April 10, 2020 The Asian American Quality of Life Commission strongly encourages and endorses the efforts by Record of the vote: Moved by Commissioner Cobalis, Seconded by Commissioner Yoshida. Unanimous on a 11-0 vote (Commissioner Chen, DasGupta, Saxena, Sethi, Yang, Patil, Huang, Stanton, and Radhakrishnan) Absent: Commissioners Chao, Wang, Conte, and Patel Attest:
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Asian American Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: (2020410-04d): FY2021 Budget Recommendations. WHEREAS, the Asian American Quality of Life (AAQoL) Advisory Commission was created to advise the City Council on issues related to the Asian American Resource Center and will provide on-going guidance and support for the City's Asian American quality of life initiatives, and WHEREAS, the AAQoL Advisory Commission, as part of its duties, annually submits budget recommendations each spring in support of programs of that promote equity and the quality of life of Asian Americans in Austin, and WHEREAS, the AAQOL Advisory Commission was in the process of finalizing its budget recommendations for submission to the Equity Office for consideration in the City’s Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget when the COVID-19 crisis hit the Austin area, and WHEREAS, the COVID-19 crisis has and will continue to strain city resources during the response and recovery effort, and WHEREAS, City revenues from sales taxes are anticipated to be greatly reduced by the crisis, and WHEREAS, the complete picture of lost revenue and its effect on the FY 2020-21 budget is difficult to project at this time but it is expected to be severe, and WHEREAS, the City will need to direct additional resources in the current budget and the FY 2020-21 budget to provide relief in the form of health aid, housing, food aid, and other forms of assistance to those facing financial peril due to the spread of COVID-19, and WHEREAS, the City is planning to use a portion of its budget reserves to assist residents, and WHEREAS, City Council and staff are developing guidelines for the Relief in a State of Emergency (RISE) Fund for direct aid programs and health care services and related equipment, and WHEREAS, based on the City’s financial situation and the current and anticipated future resources required to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, AAQoL Advisory Commission made the decision not to submit any budget recommendations to the Equity Office that involve either funding for new programs/projects or additional funding for existing programs/projects, unless offset by reductions; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the AAQoL Advisory Commission request that the City Council accept and review the attached list of unmet needs of the Asian American community in Austin, and NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the AAQoL Advisory Commission requests that the City Council prioritize equity, including the cultural and language …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Recommendation Number: 20200410‐003a ‐ COVID‐19 Equity in Food and Testing WHEREAS, early COVID‐19 data around the nation indicates that the coronavirus is disproportionally impacting Latino/Hispanic and African Americans; and WHEREAS, Latino/Hispanic and African American populations are often on the front lines of exposure to the pandemic and less likely to have health insurance and access to transportation, which complicates the ability to seek treatment for illnesses; and WHEREAS, mass loss of employment and financial strain has worsened food and resource insecurity and increased the urgent need for food resources. WHEREAS, the Austin community values equity and ensuring that all our vulnerable communities are protected and sufficiently served NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission urges the Austin City Council to ensure equitable testing of COVID‐19 Austin prioritizing the Eastern Crescent by restricting and tailoring funds to specifically service these areas. Equitable testing includes geographic equity in location of testing sites, the use of community health workers to conduct mobile testing and contact tracing, distribution of personal protective equipment to community health workers and other frontline staff, and equitable services in care and recovery from COVID‐19. All testing and treatment should incorporate racial and ethnic data collection. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission urges the Austin City Council to ensure equitable access to mobile social service and food distribution sites prioritizing the Eastern Crescent by restricting and tailoring funds to specifically service these areas. In the interest of equity as well as public health, food distribution should be decentralized through the use of neighborhood centers and other methods of mobile distribution opposed to just the Central Texas Food Bank and current existing methods. In order to achieve this, the City of Austin should look to receive recommendations on processes and locations from the Social Services Branch of the Emergency Operations Center and local community groups. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that these funds should not come out of the $15M RISE fund. Date of Approval: April 10, 2020 Record of the vote: (I.e. Unanimous on a 7‐0 vote, 1 abstained – Commissioner Sharon Vigil). Attest: (Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Staff Liaison)
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 …
