HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION Applications for Demolition and Relocation Permits April 1, 2026 PR-2026-022411; GF-2026-025343 1406 Garden Street 13 – 1 Proposal Demolish a ca. 1903 house and later carport and garage. Architecture The house at 1406 Garden Street appears to originally have been a wing-and-gable Folk Victorian building, constructed around the turn of the century. It features horizontal wood siding and traditional cornice returns at gable ends, though a wraparound porch shown in Sanborn maps appears to have been removed around 1971, and a small gabled hood with triangular brackets constructed over the door in the 1930s or 1940s. Outbuildings on the site were constructed during the 1970s. Research The house at 1406 Garden Street was constructed around the turn of the 20th century. Its earliest recorded owner in city directories was Mrs. Maggie Piper, a widow who shared her home with two of her children. She sold it to another widow, Rachel Jones, around 1906. By 1912, Jones had sold it to J. C. and Mary Elizabeth Fox; J. C. Fox is listed as “retired” in directory listings but appears to have lived in Austin for some time per obituaries. After his wife’s death in 1914, Fox took in boarders, remarried, and tried to sell the home, but failed; he and his current wife both died in 1920. The home was then rented briefly to the Jones family, and then to Mrs. Elizabeth Frame, who eventually purchased it. Frame lived in the home for a little under ten years. Throughout the 1940s, various short-term renters occupied the home before it was purchased by Augustina and Hubert Halsell, who remained there until the late 1970s. Most of the home’s modifications appear to have taken place while Augustina Halsell owned the home. Department Comments April 1, 2026 is the first meeting at which the demolition application will be discussed. Property Evaluation The 2016 East Austin Historic Resources Survey lists the property as contributing to potential local and National Register historic districts. Designation Criteria—Historic Landmark 1) The building is more than 50 years old. 2) The building appears to retain moderate integrity. The character-defining porch was removed late in the period of significance, but no major modifications occurred after the 50-year cutoff. 3) Properties must meet two criteria for landmark designation (LDC §25-2-352). Staff have evaluated the property and determined that it does not meet two criteria for landmark designation: a. Architecture. …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Environmental Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once, either in-person or remotely, and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nicole Corona, 512-974- 3146, Nicole.Corona@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Jennifer Bristol, Chair Mariana Krueger, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Richard Brimer Isabella Changsut Annie Fierro AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Mar Moretta-Urdiales Allison Morrison David Sullivan The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Regular Meeting on March 4, 2026. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. 3. Name: 1404 East Riverside PUD, C814-2025-0111 Applicant: Amanda Swor, Drenner Group Location: 1404 East Riverside Drive Council District: 3 Staff: Sean Watson, Environmental Program Coordinator, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-963-2167, Sean.Watson@austintexas.gov Applicant Request: The applicant proposes a new Planned Unit Development (PUD) Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions Name: Rundberg Multifamily, SP-2024-0381C.SH Applicant: Sydney Barre, WGI Location: 204 East Rundberg Lane Council District: 4 Staff: John Clement, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-974-1475, John.Clement@austintexas.gov Applicant Request: Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 (G) to allow floodplain modification in a Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ); Request to vary from LDC 25-8-263(C)(3) to allow floodplain modification outside of a CWQZ in an area determined to be in good condition. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. Approve a recommendation to Council regarding the impact of data centers and their energy consumption and water usage. Sponsors: Commissioners Fleury and Sullivan. Conduct officer elections for the Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A …
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 2026 The Environmental Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Krueger called the Environmental Commission Meeting to order at 06:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Mariana Krueger, Vice Chair Haris Qureshi, Secretary Richard Brimer Justin Fleury Martin Luecke Allison Morrison Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: David Sullivan PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Environmental Commission Special Called Meeting on February 19, 2026. The minutes from the Environmental Commission Special Called Meeting on February 19, 2026, were approved on Commissioner Brimer’s motion, Secretary Qureshi’s second, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Sullivan was off the dais. Chair Bristol and Commissioners Changsut, Fierro, and Moretta-Urdiales were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Presentation on Austin Watershed Protection’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget, Programs, and Projects Overview and approve recommendations for their FY27 budget. Presentation by Albert Castro, Financial Manager, and Janae Spence, Assistant Director, Austin Watershed Protection. 1 The motion to approve the recommendation to Council to support Austin Watershed Protection’s budget, programs, and projects was approved on Secretary Qureshi’s motion, Vice Chair Kruger’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Chair Bristol and Commissioners Changsut, Fierro, and Moretta-Urdiales were absent. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Name: Circuit of the Americas (COTA) Planned Unit Development Amendment (PUD), C814- 2018-0122.03 Applicant: Armbrust & Brown, PLLC (Michael Whellan) Location: 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard, Austin, Texas Council District: 2 Staff: Leslie Lilly, 8914, Leslie.Lilly@austintexas.com Applicant request: The applicant proposes to amend a previously approved Planned Unit Development (PUD). This is amendment #3. Staff Recommendation: Recommended with conditions The public hearing was conducted, and a motion to close the public hearing was approved on Commissioner Luecke’s motion, Commissioner Brimer’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Chair Bristol and Commissioners Changsut, Fierro, and Moretta-Urdiales were absent. Program Manager, Environmental Conservation 512-535- There was a motion to recommend the project Circuit of the Americas Planned Unit Development Amendment, C814-2018-0122.03, located at 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard, to Council, with Staff conditions and the following conditions: • Restrict administrative cut/fill approvals to 15’ throughout the PUD • Remove the “fee in lieu” option for parkland • Require each cut/fill approval exceeding 15’ to be reviewed and specifically approved by the Environmental Commission throughout the PUD • …
ZONING CHANGE REVIEW SHEET CASE: C814-2025-0111 (East Riverside PUD) DISTRICT: 3 ADDRESS: 1404 East Riverside Drive ZONING FROM: ERC- CMU TO: PUD SITE AREA: approximately 2.6069 acres (approximately 113,556 square feet) PROPERTY OWNER: South Shore Apartments Owner LP AGENT: Drenner Group, PC (Amanda Swor) CASE MANAGER: Jonathan Tomko 512-974-1057, jonathan.tomko@austintexas.gov STAFF RECOMMEDATION: Pending PLANNING COMMISSION / OTHER COMMISSION ACTION / RECOMMENDATION: March 10, 2026: Small Area Joint Planning Commission approved unanimously April 1, 2026: Case is scheduled to be heard by the Environmental Commission April 14, 2026: Case is scheduled to be heard by the Planning Commission CITY COUNCIL ACTION: TBD ORDINANCE NUMBER: TBD ISSUES: None CASE MANAGER COMMENTS: The subject tract is approximately 2.5 acres of cleared land from the former Acton School north of East Riverside Drive just east of Manlove Street. It fronts Lady Bird Lake to the north, four multifamily apartments to the west, single family commercial to the south across East Riverside Drive (up a steep embankment) and older two-story multifamily buildings to the east. The site is approximately ¼ mile from the proposed Project Connect rail stop at East Riverside Drive and South Lakeshore Boulevard. Ther are several power lines and an easement along the front of the property, as well as a gravel off- street trail separate from the existing sidewalk. As a result, the building will have to be set back from East Riverside Drive further to the north. There is a substantial amount of tree cover on the northern and eastern portions of the tract. This site is within the Riverside Stations Imagine Austin Activity Center, along Riverside Drive which is an Imagine Austin Activity Corridor, an ASMP level 3 corridor, and part of the ASMP transit priority network. BASIS OF RECOMMENDATION: Site North (across Lady Bird Lake) South (across East Riverside Drive) East C814-2025-0111 TBD EXISTING ZONING AND LAND USES: 2 LAND USES ZONING ERC-CMU Undeveloped land P-NP Undeveloped parkland/trail ERC-NMU Office/retail in a two-story single family constructed in approximately 1951 ERC-CMU Several multifamily apartment buildings of 2 stories constructed in approximately 1963 West ERC-CMU Four apartment buildings were constructed in approximately 2012. The buildings are approximately 11, 9, 6, and 4 stories each. NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING AREA: East Riverside/Oltorf (Riverside) Combined Neighborhood Planning Area WATERSHED: Lady Bird Lake and Harpers Branch Watersheds SCHOOLS: A.I.S.D. Sanchez Elementary School Martin Middle School Austin High School COMMUNITY REGISTRY LIST: Austin Independent School District, …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: April 1, 2026 1404 East Riverside PUD, C814-2025-0111 Amanda Swor, Drenner Group LOCATION: 1404 East Riverside Drive COUNCIL DISTRICT: 3 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: WATERSHED: Sean Watson, Environmental Program Coordinator, 512-963-2167, Sean.Watson@austintexas.gov Urban Watershed, Lady Bird Lake Watershed, Harpers Branch Watershed, Desired Development Zone REQUEST: The applicant proposes a new Planned Unit Development (PUD). STAFF RECOMMENDATION: STAFF CONDITIONS: Recommended with conditions. Staff recommends approval of the PUD with the environmental superiority elements as conditions. • PUD will provide for additional off-site water quality capture of currently untreated stormwater from Manlove Street of a minimum of 7,000 square feet using innovative Jellyfish filter • A 54-inch live oak heritage tree will be relocated to rear of property per approved SP-2021-0451C • PUD will achieve a 3-star Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) rating, at a minimum • The project shall collect condensate from air conditioning units to support 100% of ground level irrigationThe project will be compliant with the LEED pilot Bird Collision Deterrence credit, ST7 Light Pollution Reduction and comply with Dark Sky regulations • All required tree plantings shall utilize native tree species selected from Appendix F of the Environmental Criteria Manual • Project shall utilize methods to support local Austin biodiversity through innovative native plant landscaping and/or rooftop installations • 100% of required stormwater will be treated using on-site water quality methods • This project will include several landscape solutions that will be achieved with the installation of raised terrace green roof media to be planted with a focus on pollinator-friendly species. 100% of rooftop plantings shall be native to the Edwards Plateau and Blackland Prairie ecoregions. A minimum of 10% of the roof terrace shall be dedicated to landscape installations • The Critical Water Quality Zone will remain free from all development except approved storm drain outfalls and restoration • 100% of all non-turf plant materials will be native or adapted • Shade trees that are not influenced by utility constraints shall be upsized to 4” caliper within the PUD • 1.17 acres of the property is dedicated to the City of Austin as parkland which constitutes approximately 44% of the property. As otherwise specifically modified by the PUD ordinance, the development will comply with current code. 1404 East Riverside PUD C814-2025-0111 Austin Watershed Protection | April 1, 2026 1404 East …
February 4, 2026 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION VARIANCE APPLICATION FORM PROJECT DESCRIPTION Applicant Contact Information Name of Applicant Street Address City State ZIP Code Work Phone E-Mail Address Sydney Barre 4700 Mueller Blvd, Suite 300 Austin, Texas 78723 512-669-5560 Sydney.Barre@wginc.com Variance Case Information Case Name Case Number Address or Location Environmental Reviewer Name Environmental Resource Management Reviewer Name Applicable Ordinance Rundberg Multifamily SP-2024-0381C.SH 204 E. Rundberg Lane David Michael John Clement LDC 25-8-261 (G) and LDC LDC 25-8-263(C)(3) Watershed Name Little Walnut Creek Watershed Classification X Urban ☐ Suburban ☐ Water Supply Suburban ☐Water Supply Rural ☐ Barton Springs Zone City of Austin | Environmental Commission Variance Application Guide 1 February 4, 2026 Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone ☐ Barton Springs Segment ☐ Northern Edwards Segment X Not in Edwards Aquifer Zones Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone Distance to Nearest Classified Waterway ☐ Yes X No The centerline of Little Walnut Creek is located north of the subject property and clips the property boundary at the northeast corner of the parcel according to COA GIS. Water and Waste Water service to be provided by Austin Water Utility (AWU) Request Impervious cover square footage: acreage: percentage: Provide general description of the property (slope range, elevation range, summary of vegetation / trees, summary of the geology, CWQZ, WQTZ, CEFs, floodplain, heritage trees, any other notable or outstanding characteristics of the property) The variance request is as follows (Cite code references: Floodplain modification in the COA fully developed floodplain and CWQZ (LDC 25-8- 261(G)) and floodplain modification outside of the CWQZ with a FAFH score of good (LDC 25-8-263(C)(3)). Existing ____0____ ____0____ ____0____ Proposed ____185,173 SF__ _____4.251 ac___ ____65.01%_____ The proposed development for the site is a 199-unit affordable multifamily development located at 204 E. Rundberg Lane. The total site area is +/- 6.54 acres and is currently undeveloped. The existing topography ranges from roughly 688 to 664 and there is one heritage tree located on site that is being preserved. There are primary Cedar and Hackberry trees located on site that are being preserved where feasible for development. There are no CEFs identified on the project site. While there is no FEMA delineated floodplain on site, there is City of Austin 25-yr and 100-yr full developed floodplain that crosses the northern border of the site due to the offsite contributing area greater than 64 acres immediately upstream. The offsite contributing area is routed along the northern …
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE INVENTORY City of Austin March 8, 2024 PE Project No.: 202402082 Approximately 6.54 Acres 204 East Rundberg Lane Austin, Texas 78753 Travis County Prepared for: Elmington Capital 1030 16th Avenue South Suite 500 Nashville, TN 37212 Prepared by: Phase Engineering, LLC 5524 Cornish Street Houston, Texas 77007 Case No.: (City use only) Environmental Resource Inventory For the City of Austin Related to LDC 25-8-121, City Code 30-5-121, ECM 1.3.0 & 1.10.0 The ERI is required for projects that meet one or more of the criteria listed in LDC 25-8-121(A), City Code 30-5-121(A). 1. SITE/PROJECT NAME: Rundberg Lane 2. COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT PROPERTY ID (#’s): 814678 3. ADDRESS/LOCATION OF PROJECT: Approx. 6.54 acres at 204 East Rundberg Lane, Austin, Travis County, Texas 78753 4. WATERSHED: Little Walnut Creek 5. THIS SITE IS WITHIN THE (Check all that apply) Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone* (See note below) .................. ☐YES ☒ No Edwards Aquifer Contributing Zone*.................................. ☐YES ☒ No Edwards Aquifer 1500 ft Verification Zone* ....................... ☐YES ☒ No Barton Spring Zone* .......................................................... ☐YES ☒ No *(as defined by the City of Austin – LDC 25-8-2 or City Code 30-5-2) Note: If the property is over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge zone, the Hydrogeologic Report and karst surveys must be completed and signed by a Professional Geoscientist Licensed in the State of Texas. 6. DOES THIS PROJECT PROPOSE FLOODPLAIN MODIFICATION?.......☐YES** ☒ NO If yes, then check all that apply: (1) The floodplain modifications proposed are necessary to protect the public health and safety; (2) The floodplain modifications proposed would provide a significant, demonstrable environmental benefit, as determined by a functional assessment of floodplain health as prescribed by the Environmental Criteria Manual (ECM), or (3) The floodplain modifications proposed are necessary for development allowed in the critical water quality zone under LDC 25-8-261 or 25-8-262, City Code 30-5-261 or 30-5-262. (4) The floodplain modifications proposed are outside of the Critical Water Quality Zone in an area determined to be in poor or fair condition by a functional assessment of floodplain health. ** If yes, then a functional assessment must be completed and attached to the ERI (see ECM 1.7 and Appendix X for forms and guidance) unless conditions 1 or 3 above apply. 7. IF THE SITE IS WITHIN AN URBAN OR SUBURBAN WATERSHED, DOES THIS PROJECT PROPOSE A UTILITY LINE PARALLEL TO AND WITHIN THE CRITICAL WATER QUALITY ZONE? …
ITEM FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION AGENDA COMMISSION MEETING DATE: NAME & NUMBER OF PROJECT: NAME OF APPLICANT OR ORGANIZATION: April 1, 2026 Rundberg Multifamily, SP-2024-0381C.SH Sydney Barre, WGI LOCATION: 204 East Rundberg Lane COUNCIL DISTRICT: 4 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW STAFF: John Clement, Environmental Conservation Program Manager, Austin Watershed Protection, 512-974-1475, John.Clement@austintexas.gov WATERSHED: Little Walnut Creek REQUEST: • Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 (G) to allow floodplain modification in a Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) • Request to vary from LDC 25-8-263(C)(3) to allow floodplain modification outside of a CWQZ in an area determined to be in Good condition. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Recommended with conditions. STAFF CONDITIONS: Staff recommends the following conditions: • Restoration of 0.67 acres of floodplain to include: o Native seeding throughout the restoration area Invasive plant removal throughout the restoration area o o Planting of 0.22 acres of the restoration area with native trees and shrubs to improve canopy cover Installation of a bunchgrass hedgerow at the stormwater outfall to reduce erosion risk and facilitate infiltration o • Payment of $119,403 into the Riparian Zone Mitigation Fund Rundberg Multifamily SP-2024-0381C.SH Austin Watershed Protection | 4/1/26 John Clement Rundberg Multifamily Property Data • Little Walnut Creek Watershed • Urban Watershed Regulation Area • No Critical Environmental Features on site • Council District 4 2 Rundberg Multifamily Project Background • Currently undeveloped • Proposes 199 units of affordable housing through the Affordability Unlocked and SMART Housing programs, with more than 50% of units having 3 or more bedrooms • The site is on an Imagine Austin Corridor and adjacent to an elementary school • The site is constrained by parking needs of the development and total lack of nearby street parking • Variance would allow full build-out of the site by permitting modification of a portion of the floodplain 3 Rundberg Multifamily Variance Request 1. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 (G) to allow floodplain modification in a Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) 2. Request to vary from LDC 25-8-263(C)(3) to allow floodplain modification outside of a CWQZ in an area determined to be in Good condition. 4 Rundberg Multifamily Location 5 Rundberg Multifamily Site Plan 6 Rundberg Multifamily Floodplain Modification 0.72 acres 7 Rundberg Multifamily Floodplain Health • Floodplain is in “Good” condition due to high canopy/understory cover • However, much of that cover is invasive and the creek typically has little to no base flow • The modification and …
Austin Watershed Protection Staff Recommendations Concerning Required Findings Project Name: Rundberg Multifamily, SP-2024-0381C.SH Ordinance Standard: Watershed Protection Ordinance (current code) Variance Request: • Request to vary from LDC 25-8-261 (G) to allow floodplain modification in a Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ) • Request to vary from LDC 25-8-263(C)(3) to allow floodplain modification outside of a CWQZ in an area determined to be in Good condition. A. Land Use Commission variance determinations from Chapter 25-8-41 of the City Code: 1. The requirement will deprive the applicant of a privilege available to owners of other similarly situated property with approximately contemporaneous development; Yes The project proposes 199 units of affordable housing facilitated through the SMART Housing and Affordability Unlocked programs. The site is uniquely situated on an Imagine Austin growth corridor and adjacent to a public elementary school. The on-site parking needed to serve the high density of affordable housing proposed necessitates expanding the development footprint into the floodplain and further modification of the floodplain, including a small portion of Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ), to compensate for the displaced flood volume. The site is further constrained by fire lane requirements for the adjacent shared private driveway which prohibits street parking on the driveway. 2. The variance: a. Is not based on a condition caused by the method chosen by the applicant to develop the property, unless the development method provides greater overall environmental protection than is achievable without the variance; Yes The project will reduce the total width of the floodplain but improves environmental protection by 1) benching a portion of the remaining floodplain, 2) increasing the density and diversity of native vegetation, 3) removing the dominant invasive understory vegetation, and 4) provide additional protection by installing a native bunchgrass hedgerow at the stormwater outfall. b. Is the minimum change necessary to avoid the deprivation of a privilege given to other property owners and to allow a reasonable use of the property; and Yes The project proposes 199 units of affordable housing facilitated through the SMART Housing and Affordability Unlocked programs. The site is uniquely situated on an Imagine Austin growth corridor and adjacent to a public elementary school. The on-site parking needed to serve the high density of affordable housing proposed necessitates expanding the development footprint into the floodplain and further modification of the floodplain, including a small portion of Critical Water Quality Zone (CWQZ), to compensate for the displaced …
AI, Data Centers, Electricity, and Water Dave Sullivan, Ph.D. The University of Texas Center for Energy and Environmental Resources March 2026 3/26/2026 AI, Data Centers, Electricity, and Water 1 Ironically…. • WASHINGTON – On February 4, 2025, U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency’s Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative, to achieve the agency’s mission while energizing the greatness of the American economy. • Pillar 4: Make the United States the Artificial Intelligence Capital of the World • “As we rapidly advance into this new age of AI, it is important that the United States lead the world in this field. Those looking to invest in and develop AI should be able to do so in the U.S., while we work to ensure data centers and related facilities can be powered and operated in a clean manner with American-made energy. Under President Trump’s leadership, I have no doubt that we will become the AI capital of the world,” said Administrator Zeldin. 3/26/2026 2 Ezra Klein, NYT, 3/4/2025 • “If you’ve been telling yourself this isn’t coming, I really think you need to question that. It’s not web3. It’s not vaporware. A lot of what we’re talking about is already here, right now. • I think we are on the cusp of an era in human history that is unlike any of the eras we have experienced before. And we’re not prepared in part because it’s not clear what it would mean to prepare. We don’t know what this will look like, what it will feel like. We don’t know how labor markets will respond. We don’t know which country is going to get there first. We don’t know what it will mean for war. We don’t know what it will mean for peace. • And while there is so much else going on in the world to cover, I do think there’s a good chance that, when we look back on this era in human history, A.I. will have been the thing that matters.” 3/26/2026 3 Ezra Klein… • “What’s fascinating to me is that this is the first revolutionary technology that is not funded by the Department of Defense, basically. And if you go back historically, over the last hundred years or so, nukes, space, the early days of the internet, the early days of the microprocessor, the early days of large-scale aviation, radar, the global positioning system …
REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the COMPREHENSIVE PLAN JOINT COMMITTEE April 1, 2026 at 4:00pm PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 2103 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DR. AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee 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, call or email Christopher Crain, 512-974- 8041, christopher.crain@austintexas.gov. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: PLANNING COMMISSION ZONING AND PLATTING COMMISSION Adam Powell (Vice Chair) Imad Ahmed Peter Breton Anna Lan Hank Smith (Chair) Betsy Greenberg David Fouts AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the COMPREHENSIVE PLAN JOINT COMMITTEE REGULAR CALLED MEETING on January 7, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the current status of the Imagine Austin update. Presentation by Evelyn Mitchell, Principal Planner, Austin Planning. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion and possible action to approve transmission of the CIP List of Recommendations FY 26-27 to Planning Commission on May 12, 2026, to meet the Austin City Charter Article X, section 4(4) requirement. 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 call Christopher Crain at the Planning Department, at 512-974-8041, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee, please contact Christopher Crain at 512-974-8041.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN JOINT COMMITTEE REGULAR CALLED MEETING DRAFT MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026 The Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee convened in a Regular Called meeting on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Room 2103 in Austin, Texas. Commissioner Smith called the Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee Meeting to order at 4:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Betsy Greenberg, Adam Powell, Hank Smith Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Imad Ahmed, Peter Breton, David Fouts PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee REGULAR CALLED MEETING on October 8, 2025. The minutes from the Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee meeting on October 8, 2025 were approved on Commissioner Greenberg’s motion, Commissioner Breton’s second on a 5-0 vote. (Commissioner Powell was off the dais) DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussion and possible action to amend bylaws for the Comprehensive Plan Joint Committee to increase required meeting frequency from quarterly to monthly. No action was taken on this item. Commissioner Smith adjourned the meeting at 4:14p.m. without objection. 1
FY2026-2027 Capital Improvement Recommendations Item: XX Description: FY2026-2027 Capital Improvement Recommendations Background: Required by City Charter, Article X. Planning, Section 4. The Planning Commission – Powers and Duties: “The Planning Commission shall: (4) Submit annually to the city manager, not less than 90 days prior to the beginning of the budget year, a list of recommended capital improvements, which in the opinion of the commission are necessary or desirable to implement the adopted comprehensive plan or element or portion thereof during the forthcoming five-year period.” Summary of Item: These capital improvements are intended to further the City’s long-term vision and aspiration of being a “beacon of sustainability, social equity and economic opportunity; where diversity and creativity are celebrated; where community needs and values are recognized; where leadership comes from its citizens and where the necessities of life are affordable and accessible to all” (Imagine Austin Vision, p.2). Imagine Austin has eight Priority Programs that provide the structure and direction to implement the plan’s policies and actions: Invest in a compact and connected Austin Sustainably manage our water resources Continue to grow Austin’s economy by investing in our workforce, education systems, entrepreneurs, and local businesses Use green infrastructure to protect environmentally sensitive areas and integrate nature into the city Grow and invest in Austin’s creative economy Develop and maintain household affordability throughout Austin Create a Healthy Austin Program Revise Austin’s development regulations and processes to promote a compact and connected city This List of Recommendations is organized by these eight Priority Programs. In the lists below, items with an asterisk (*) are substantially the same from the FY 25-26 Capital Improvement Memo of Recommendations and remain relevant today. 1 Invest in a Compact and Connected Austin Implement the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP). * • • Align investments with the updated Bicycle Plan, Urban Trails Plan, and new Sidewalks, Crossings, and Shared Streets Plan, Transit Enhancement Infrastructure Report (TEIR), and Safe Routes to School Infrastructure Reports. * • Continue to deliver Mobility Bond improvements funded in 2016, 2018, and 2020, as identified in the 2026 Local Mobility Annual Plan. * • Expand the amount of Vision Zero safety improvements to address the disproportionate share of people of color among severe crash victims in Austin. * • Prioritize capital renewal and maintenance of infrastructure that supports our mobility goals. * • Focus capital improvements …
Imagine Austin Update Austin Planning | April 1, 2026 AGENDA Why Updating Imagine Austin Matters Overview of the Past Six Months Project Goals and Scope Advisory Groups Imagine Austin Plan Framework Imagine Austin Implementation Project Timeline 2 Why Updating Imagine Austin Matters Provides a guiding framework Turning community, Council, and department priorities into actionable programs Cross-departmental alignment and collaboration Breaking down silos so departments can work together more easily and effectively Provides a strong foundation for decision making Guides choices with up-to-date policies and alignment across citywide plans Strengthens how the City operates Building a more proactive city 3 Overview of the Past Six Months AUG 28, 2025 SEP - NOV 2025 NOV 20, 2025 NOV 2025 - PRESENT Resolution Adopted Consultant Selected and Onboarded City Council Reallocated $1.5M of IA’s $3M Budget Project Rescoping Phase • Refined scope based on reduced project budget • Identified staff tasks and internal responsibilities 4 Project Goals Develop a Place Types map to support consistent land use planning throughout Austin that helps achieve citywide goals while recognizing the needs of different communities. Create regular engagement opportunities with the community. Update policies to provide clear guidance for current and future planning and decision-making. Refine the plan document for clearer organization and to be more user-friendly. Strengthen alignment between Imagine Austin and other citywide strategic plans to provide clearer direction and consistency. 5 Project Scope CONSULTANT LED CITY STAFF LED Project Support Existing Conditions and Future Trends Assessment Task 0 Task 1 Task 2 Task 3 Engagement Vision and Goals Task 4 Priority Programs and Policies Land Use Goals and Policies Task 5 Place Types Palette and Methodology Place Types Map Task 6 Task 7 Task 8 Task 9 Plan Alignment Implementation Document Design Task 10 Plan Writing 6 Imagine Austin Community Working Group Evaluation and Selection Process Applications: ~360 applications Evaluation Committee comprised of seven departments Austin Communications and Engagement Austin Development Services Austin Housing Austin Planning Austin Public Health Austin Watershed Protection Final Working Group 45 members - aimed to reflect City of Austin demographics as closely as possible Duration: 5-6 meetings – Spring 2026 to Summer 2027 Goal: Support with the creation of the Place Types Map and policy revisions 7 Demographic Breakdown of Working …
REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 12:00 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM, #1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Commission for Women may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Chelsea Pfeifer at chelsea.pfeifer@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2498. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Becky Bullard, Chair Alexandria Anderson Vanessa Bissereth Angela Harris Diana Melendez Alicia Ramirez CALL TO ORDER Jocelyn Tau, Vice Chair Katrina Scheihing Rabia Shaik Shaimaa Zayan PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women regular meeting on March 4, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff Briefing regarding the Levers of Economic Mobility Index. Presentation by Gary Aaron, Business Process Consultant Sr., Austin Equity and Inclusion and Shivani Datar, Business Process Specialist, Austin Equity and Inclusion. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. WORKING GROUP UPDATE 3. 4. Update from the Collective Sex Crime Response Model Working Group regarding updates from the last meeting. Update from the Quality of Life Working Group regarding updates from last working group meeting. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Chelsea Pfeifer at the Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512-974-2498 or chelsea.pfeifer@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Commission for Women please contact Chelsea Pfeifer at 512-974- 2498 or chelsea.pfeifer@austintexas.gov.
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 4, 2026 Commission for Women Regular Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 4, 2026 The Commission for Women convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Bullard called the Commission for Women Meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Becky Bullard, Chair Alexandria Anderson Alicia Ramirez Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jocelyn Tau, Vice Chair Angela Harris Diana Melendez Rabia Shaik Shaimaa Zayan PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Shan Schaffer- TX Access to Abortion + Healthcare APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women Regular Meeting on February 4, 2026. The minutes from the Commission for Women regular meeting on February 4, 2026 were approved on Commissioner Anderson’s motion, Commissioner Ramirez’s second on a 7-0 vote. Vice Chair Tau was off the dais. Commissioners Bissereth and Scheihing were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation regarding women’s wellness by Noor Collective. Withdrawn without objection. 1 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 4, 2026 3. 4. Presentation by Mama Sana Vibrant Woman regarding FY 2026-2027 budget recommendations. The presentation was made by Cherelle VanBrakle, Co-Executive Director of Development, Mama Sana Vibrant Woman. Presentation by American Gateways regarding successes with the City of Austin and a request for the prioritization of immigration funding in the FY 2026-2027 budget. The presentation was made by Edna Yang, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. Items 5, 9, and 10 were taken up together. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. Update from the Budget Working Group and discussion of possible recommendations. Update was given by Commissioner Anderson. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 9. Recommendation by the Budget Working Group regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget. Commissioner Anderson provided a final update and read the recommendation into the record. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 10. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget. The motion to approve the recommendation to Council regarding the Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 Budget as follows was approved on Chair Bullard’s motion, Commissioner Anderson’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Ramirez was off the dais. Commissioners Bissereth and Scheihing were absent. “Organization: Mama Sana Vibrant Woman Subject: Maternal Health & Housing Stabilization Description of Recommendation to Council (1 of 2): Being a City of Austin partner since 2016, Mama Sana Vibrant Woman delivers culturally responsive maternal health care to Black and Latinx …
Economic Mobility Austin Equity & Inclusion Our Time Together • Economic Mobility Overview • Quality-of-Life Studies: Key Connections • Building the Economic Mobility Index • Turning the Index Into Action • Upcoming Event 2 What Drives Economic Mobility Economic mobility is shaped by our systems, policies, and investments — not just individual effort. Mobility includes building wealth and long-term stability for future generations. Education, health, housing, childcare, and strong social conditions enable families to thrive. In Austin, persistent disparities limit opportunities, but a person’s future shouldn’t be determined by their neighborhood or systemic barriers. Beyond Wages Quality of Life We Shape Systems 3 Quality-of-Life Studies: Key Connections High-Level Themes Financial Progress & Economic Outcomes • Deeply affordable housing • • Utility assistance and energy relief Job pipelines and employment access programs Quality of Life & Well-Being • Pop-up clinics in high-need areas • Culturally competent healthcare training Inclusive planning processes for older • adults Opportunities & Access Teen job search portal • • Strengthen multilingual outreach • Partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and public agencies Families, Communities, & Systems • Neighborhood safety audits • Greening and beautification initiatives • Strengthen family-support systems through childcare access and wraparound services 4 Definition Economic mobility addresses systems to improve unfair conditions that influence whether individuals, families, and communities can prosper over time and across generations. It means access to opportunities and resources needed for basic needs, financial security, and a dignified, high quality of life — regardless of race, place, gender, or ability. 5 Economic Mobility Index Human-centered, place-based tool for understanding conditions that shape residents’ ability to thrive in Austin. Visualizes neighborhood- level disparities as defined by economic mobility. Focuses on underlying conditions to guide service delivery and decision- making using data and community insights. Provides a common lens to support coordination, planning, and shared outcomes—without replacing existing tools. 6 Our Approach: Identifying Levers National Frameworks & Local Tools • Drivers of Poverty • Social Vulnerable Index • Justice 40 • Neighborhood Prosperity Dashboard etc. Hybrid Engagement Process • Quality of Life Studies • CoA Commissions • Internal & External Stakeholders • Every Texan Peer Cities Review 10 cities similar in: • State • Size • Demographics • Product CoA Levers of Economic Mobility • 3 Themes • 6 Sub-themes • 18 Levers of Economic Mobility 7 Building the Index Together Early childhood foundations shape mobility • Indicator: Enrollment in early education (public …
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2026, AT 6 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, ROOM 1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Planning Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live 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 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, please use the QR code or link at the end of this document. If you have questions regarding speaker registration, please contact Ella Garcia, Staff Liaison, at LandUseLiaison@austintexas.gov or by phone at 512-978-0821. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Alice Woods, Chair (District 2) Casey Haney, Vice Chair (Mayor’s Representative) Felicity Maxwell, Secretary (District 5) Imad Ahmed, Parliamentarian (District 6) Anna Lan (Mayor’s Representative) Vacant (Mayor’s Representative) Chris Gannon (District 1) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS: Nadia Barrera-Ramirez (District 3) Brian Bedrosian (District 4) Adam Powell (District 7) Peter Breton (District 8) Danielle Skidmore (District 9) Joshua Hiller (District 10) Jessica Cohen, Chair of Board of Adjustment TC Broadnax, City Manager EXECUTIVE SESSION (No public discussion) Candace Hunter, A.I.S.D. Board of Trustees Richard Mendoza, Director of Transportation and Public Works The Planning Commission will announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, according to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel on matters specifically listed on the agenda. The Commission may not conduct a closed meeting without the approval of the city attorney. Private Consultation with Attorney – Section 551.071. Staff Liaison: Ella Garcia, 512-978-0821 Page 1 of 5 AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first four speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Planning Commission regular meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on proposed amendments to City Code Title 25 (Land Development) to adopt a new citywide density bonus program that will replace Density Bonus 90 (DB90) and Vertical Mixed Use (V) combining districts and consist of five new combining districts that allow additional …
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 24, 2026 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2026 The Planning Commission convened in a regular on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001, 301 W. Second Street, in Austin, Texas. Chair Woods called the Planning Commission Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Alice Woods Felicity Maxwell Imad Ahmed Nadia Barrera-Ramirez Brian Bedrosian Chris Gannon Joshua Hiller Adam Powell Danielle Skidmore Anna Lan Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Casey Haney Peter Breton Ex-Officio Members in Attendance: Jessica Cohen Ex-Officio Members Absent: TC Broadnax Candace Hunter Richard Mendoza 1 Vacancy on the Dais 1 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 24, 2026 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Planning Commission regular meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. The minutes from the meeting of Tuesday, March 10, 2026, were approved on the consent agenda on Parliamentarian Ahmed’s motion, Secretary Maxwell’s second, on a 12-0 vote. 1 vacancy on the dais. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Plan Amendment: NPA-2023-0014.04 - 4302 Nuckols Crossing; District 2 Location: 4302, 4304 ½, & 4316 Nuckols Crossing Road, Williamson Creek Watershed; Southeast Combined (Franklin Park) Neighborhood Planning Area Owner/Applicant: Katherine Barnidge Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: LOC Consultants Civil Division (Sergio Lozano-Sanchez, P.E.) Single Family to Multifamily Residential land use Pending Maureen Meredith, 512-974-2695, maureen.meredith@austintexas.gov Austin Planning The motion to approve the Neighborhood’s postponement request to May 12, 2026, was approved on the consent agenda on Parliamentarian Ahmed’s motion, Secretary Maxwell’s second, on a 12-0 vote. 1 vacancy on the dais. 3. Rezoning: Location: C14-2025-0065 - 4302 Nuckols Crossing; District 2 4302, 4304 ½, & 4316 Nuckols Crossing Road, Williamson Creek Watershed; Southeast Combined (Franklin Park) Neighborhood Planning Area Owner/Applicant: Katherine Barnidge Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: LOC Consultants Civil Division (Sergio Lozano-Sanchez, P.E.) SF-2-CO-NP to MF-3-NP Pending Nancy Estrada, 512-974-7617, nancy.estrada@austintexas.gov Austin Planning The motion to approve the Neighborhood’s postponement request to May 12, 2026, was approved on the consent agenda on Parliamentarian Ahmed’s motion, Secretary Maxwell’s second, on a 12-0 vote. 1 vacancy on the dais. 2 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, March 24, 2026 4. Plan Amendment: NPA-2025-0030.01 - Ben White; District 5 Location: 2217 West Ben White Boulevard Service Road Eastbound, Williamson Creek Watershed; South Austin Combined (Westgate) Neighborhood Planning Area Owner/Applicant: RPS Family Enterprises, LP (Robert P. Stern) Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: …
Citywide Density Bonus Program Planning Commission Briefing | March 31, 2026 Agenda ▪ Housing Affordability in Austin ▪ Density Bonus Programs ▪ What We’ve Heard ▪ Citywide Density Bonus Program Proposal ▪ Other Potential Strategies for Affordable Housing ▪ Next Steps Source: City of Austin 2 Housing Affordability in Austin Austin's Affordability Challenges Because Austin has seen population growth over recent decades and housing production has not kept up with this growth, housing costs have increased, making it more difficult for residents to find affordable housing. Affordable housing is a priority in policy initiatives for the City, including the City's historic investment in Project Connect. Source: City of Austin 4 Project Connect Project Connect includes investment in new light rail, a second commuter rail, and new high-frequency, high- capacity bus rapid transit (BRT) lines. New transit investment is often tied to housing development nearby, but new units can be unaffordable to those who rely on transit most. Policy efforts can increase the proportion of affordable housing in project areas so that new transit can meaningfully serve all Austinites. Source: CapMetro 5 Austin's Affordable Housing Needs ▪ The 2017 Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint set a goal of creating 60,000 new affordable units over 10 years while preserving existing affordable housing. ▪ The Blueprint advocates for the use of various strategies and tools, including: o Public subsidies and grants o Public-private partnerships o Fee waivers o Tax incentives o Density bonuses 6 Austin's Affordable Housing Needs ▪ Affordability is measured using Median Family Income (MFI). Austin MFI Level Annual Income (4-person household) Monthly Rent Limit (2-bedroom) ▪ These figures help determine income limits for affordable housing programs, ensuring that rent levels or home sales prices are aligned with what families at various income levels can afford. 30% 50% 60% 80% $40,150 $903 $66,900 $1,506 $80,280 $1,807 $104,200 $2,345 100% $133,800 $3,010 120% $160,550 $3,612 Source: City of Austin, US Department of Housing and Urban Development 7 Austin's Affordable Housing Needs ▪ A recent housing gap analysis found that, generally: o Households at 80% MFI and above ($104,200 for a four-person household) are able to find rental housing that is affordable to them. o The greatest need is at and below 50% MFI ($66,900 for a four-person household). Austin MFI Level Annual Income (4-person household) Monthly Rent Limit (2- Bedroom) 30% 50% 60% 80% $40,150 $903 $66,900 $1,506 $80,280 $1,807 $104,200 $2,345 100% …
REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT ADVISORY BOARD FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2026 AT 8:00 A.M. ONE TEXAS CENTER, TRAINING ROOM 505 BARTON SPRINGS ROAD AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Board 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 remotely, contact Ana George at participation by Ana.George@austintexas.gov or at (512) 974-4801. telephone. To to speak register CURRENT [BOARD MEMBERS OR COMMISSIONERS]: Lea Downey Gallatin, Chair Anu Kapadia, Vice Chair Kergin Bedell Karly Jo Dixon Patrick Howard Faye Mills Amanda Marzullo Katy Jo Muncie Azalia Perez Josh Robinson Roy Woody AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 including individuals that wish to share first-hand accounts regarding their experiences being served through Austin’s homelessness system. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Board Regular Called meeting on January 16, 2026. Page 1 of 2 STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefings regarding status of Austin Community Court operational areas including performance measures and services delivered through Community Services, Court Services, Homeless Services and Support Services – Presentation by Jennifer Sowinski, Clinical Operations Manager; Bailey Gray, Court Operations Manager, and Robert Kingham, Court Administrator from Austin Community Court. ACTION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. Approve Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget recommendations related to Austin Community Court – (Downey Gallatin/Kapadia) - Lea Downey Gallatin, DACC Advisory Board Chair Amendment of Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Board bylaws to reflect updated name to Austin Community Court Advisory Board – (Downey Gallatin/Kapadia) - Robert Kingham, Court Administrator from Austin Community Court. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. (Downey Gallatin/Kapadia) - Robert Kingham, Court Administrator from Austin Community Court. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Board Recommendation Number: 20260327-003: Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Community Court Budget Recommendation Date of Approval: March 27, 2026 Introduction: The Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Board is grateful to City Council and City leadership for preserving six grant-funded FTEs in the FY 25–26 budget and for the investments in staff and social service resources made in recent years. These resources have meaningfully affected the Community Court’s ability to connect Austin residents experiencing homelessness with services and reflect the City’s stated commitment to addressing homelessness as a top priority. At the same time, the Board is concerned that the Austin Community Court’s central role in the City’s homelessness response infrastructure has at times been underestimated in budget and policy decisions. Funding reductions to social service contracts enacted in FY 25–26, along with those projected for FY 26–27, place the Community Court’s service delivery model at risk and threaten access to essential services for Austin residents experiencing homelessness. The Board believes some aspects of these reductions were mistakes that disproportionately threaten an established, cost- effective, nationally recognized service model that should be preserved and fully supported. To avoid repeating these mistakes, and to ensure the City does not lose ground on a stated priority, the Board offers the following recommendations to stabilize and strengthen Community Court operations. Some include targeted, cost-effective investments that would produce meaningful systemwide benefits. The Board respectfully urges Council and City Management to ensure upcoming budget decisions reflect the City’s commitment to addressing homelessness and sustaining the systems that make that work possible. Recommendation: The Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Board respectfully recommends that the Austin City Council and City leadership consider the following priorities when developing the FY 26–27 budget: 1. Avoid Repeating Disproportionate Impacts on Homeless Services by Preserving Community Court’s Social Service Resources Applying across-the-board 10% social service contract reductions to Community Court last fiscal year effectively cut 17% of direct services integrated into their homeless services and was a mismatch compared to the 4% reductions for Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations (HSO). This year, Council should instead approach cuts cautiously to avoid such disproportionality and compensate in this budget to remedy losses from the previous cycle. 2. Recognize Austin Community Court as Essential Homelessness Response Infrastructure As a nationally recognized community court model, largely due to their intensive and integrated homeless services, and as a pillar of …
Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Board Austin Community Court Service and Data Overview Board Packet – March 27, 2026 Community Services • Community Services Program (CS) – Participants fulfill community service hour requirements through public space cleaning, beautification projects, graffiti abatement, and working at Community Court’s Edgar Fincher III Program Garden, which donates all food and eggs to local providers who feed the homeless community. *Q2 to date contains Jan/Feb of Q2 • Violet KeepSafe Storage Program (VKS) – Free storage located downtown with secure bins to store vital documents, family memories, clothing, bedding, and more. Operates 7:00am- 11:00am and 1:00pm-7:00pm, seven days a week. Program employs people with lived experience to improve service experience and create workforce opportunities. *Q2 to date contains Jan/Feb of Q2 Court Services • Restorative justice and problem-solving court – Fine-only court with emphasis on alternative resolutions, and provides an immediate connection to onsite case managers, basic needs, and social service resources. Community Court resolves Class C criminal offenses in catchment area, and Proposition B and State camping ban cases citywide. *Q2 to date contains Jan/Feb of Q2 • Clinical Diversion Program (CDP) – Dedicated case managers serve people engaging in Court Services to improve connection to case management and social services, while also improving appearance and case completion rates. *Q2 to date contains Jan/Feb of Q2 • Mobile Court – This program, initiated by Council Resolution 20230816-016, is intended to connect people in the community with solutions for resolving cases while providing immediate connection to services and resource navigation through case managers onsite. Homeless Services • Walk-in Case Management – Provides assistance obtaining identification documents and signing up for public benefits, access to basic needs, and linkages to mental health, physical health, and substance misuse services. *Q2 to date contains Jan/Feb of Q2 • Intensive Case Management – Person-centered, housing-focused services with low caseloads and wrap around supports. C’s Intensive Case Management and Walk-in Case Management programs both serve as a diversion from criminal justice involvement by meeting people’s needs before situations escalate to involve law enforcement. *Q2 to date contains Jan/Feb of Q2 *Includes ESG RRH CM as well Support Services - Responsible for special projects and support for all DACC units, administration for the department, internal and external communications, community engagement, support for the DACC Advisory Board and the Austin Homelessness Advisory Council, and social service contracting. • DACC-funded social service contracts …
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 BYLAWS OF THE Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Board ARTICLE 1. NAME. The name of the board is Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Board. ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE AND DUTIES. The purpose and duties of the board are as follows: to advise the Downtown Austin Community Court on policy and operations issues 14 and advise City Council about the operations and policies of the court. ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP. (A) The board is composed of eleven members appointed by the city council. (B) A member serves at the pleasure of the city council. (C) Board members serve for a term of four years beginning March 1st on the year of appointment. (D) An individual board member may not act in an official capacity or speak on behalf of the board except through the action of a majority of the board in which the board identifies who is authorized to speak and identifies the actions the individual board member is authorized to take or topics on which the individual board member is entitled to speak. (E) A board member who is absent for three consecutive regular meetings or one-third of all regular meetings in a “rolling” twelve-month timeframe automatically vacates the member’s position subject to the holdover provisions in Section 2-1-27 of the City Code. This does not apply to an absence due to illness or injury of the board member, an illness or injury of a board member’s immediate family member, active military service or the birth or adoption of the board member’s child for 90 days after the event. The board member must notify the staff liaison of the reason for the absence not later than the date of the next regular meeting of the board. Failure to notify the liaison before the next regular meeting of the board will result in an unexcused absence. (F) At each meeting, each board member shall sign an attendance sheet (or if participating virtually via videoconference, send an email as provided by City Code Section 2-1-24(D)) which indicates that the member does not have a conflict of interest with any item on that agenda, or identifies …
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026, AT 6:00 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1406 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nekaybaw Watson, 512-974-2562, nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Seonhye “Sonny” Sin, Chair Sarah Chen Zachary Dolling Hugh Li Alpha Shrestha Nirali Thakkar CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Padmini Jambulapati, Vice-Chair Sarah Xiyi Chen Hanna Huang Ahmed Moledina Nayer Sikder Kuo Yang AGENDA The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission regular meeting on February 17, 2026. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff Briefing regarding the Levers of Economic Mobility Index. Presentation by Gary Aaron, Business Process Consultant Sr., Austin Equity and Inclusion and Shivani Datar, Business Process Specialist, Austin Equity and Inclusion. WORKING GROUP UPDATE 3. Update from Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Commissioner Search Working Group DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve two stakeholder seats to the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission. 5. Approve a Budget Recommendation to Council regarding the Quality-of-Life study. 6. Approve a Budget Recommendation to Council regarding Asian American Resource Center (AARC) staffing. 7. Approve a budget recommendation to Council regarding unmet needs of the Asian American Resource Center. 8. Approve a Budget Recommendation to Council regarding Austin Public Health (APH) Immigration legal services. 9. Approve a Budget Recommendation to Council regarding APH social services and community health navigator positions. 10. Approve a Budget Recommendation to Council regarding Historic Preservation 11. Approve a Proclamation for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison …
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, February 17, 2026 Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Regular Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 17, 2026 The Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Austin Energy Headquarters, Room 1125, 4815 Mueller Blvd. in Austin, Texas. Chair Sin called the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE: Seonhye “Sonny” Sin, Chair Padmini Jambulapati, Vice Chair Sarah Chen Nirali Thakkar COMMISSIONERS IN ATTENDANCE REMOTELY: Hanna Huang Ahmed Moledina Nayer Sikder Zachary Dolling PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Hector Ordaz- Cultural Arts Funding/ACME/Creative Reset APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission regular meeting on January 20, 2026. The minutes from the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission regular meeting on January 20, 2026 were approved on Commissioner Chen’s motion, Vice Chair Padmini’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Xiyi Chen, Li, Shrestha and Yang were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding We All Belong Campaign updates and upcoming programming. Presentation by Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion. 1 ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, February 17, 2026 The presentation was made by Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. Presentation by American Gateways regarding successes with the City of Austin and a request for the Prioritization of immigration funding in the FY 26-27 budget. Presentation by Edna Yang, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. The presentation was made by Edna Yang, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. Discussion regarding the creation of a proclamation for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Discussed. Discussion regarding the Commissioner and Stakeholder Search Community Working Group outreach plan. Discussed. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. 7. Update from the Asian American Resource Center Working Group regarding the AARC’s Capital Improvement Projects. The update was given by Commissioner Huang. Update from the Joint Inclusion Committee Working Group regarding the budget impacts for community organizations, collaborating across commissions for budget updates, and other budget considerations informed by Austin Equity and Inclusion and Austin Police. The update was given by Commissioner Huang and Commissioner Thakkar. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 8. Approve a meeting date change to the March meeting. The motion to approve a meeting date change to the March meeting …
Economic Mobility Austin Equity & Inclusion Our Time Together • Economic Mobility Overview • Quality-of-Life Studies: Key Connections • Building the Economic Mobility Index • Turning the Index Into Action • Upcoming Event 2 What Drives Economic Mobility Economic mobility is shaped by our systems, policies, and investments — not just individual effort. Mobility includes building wealth and long-term stability for future generations. Education, health, housing, childcare, and strong social conditions enable families to thrive. In Austin, persistent disparities limit opportunities, but a person’s future shouldn’t be determined by their neighborhood or systemic barriers. Beyond Wages Quality of Life We Shape Systems 3 Quality-of-Life Studies: Key Connections High-Level Themes Financial Progress & Economic Outcomes • Deeply affordable housing • • Utility assistance and energy relief Job pipelines and employment access programs Quality of Life & Well-Being • Pop-up clinics in high-need areas • Culturally competent healthcare training Inclusive planning processes for older • adults Opportunities & Access Teen job search portal • • Strengthen multilingual outreach • Partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and public agencies Families, Communities, & Systems • Neighborhood safety audits • Greening and beautification initiatives • Strengthen family-support systems through childcare access and wraparound services 4 Definition Economic mobility addresses systems to improve unfair conditions that influence whether individuals, families, and communities can prosper over time and across generations. It means access to opportunities and resources needed for basic needs, financial security, and a dignified, high quality of life — regardless of race, place, gender, or ability. 5 Economic Mobility Index Human-centered, place-based tool for understanding conditions that shape residents’ ability to thrive in Austin. Visualizes neighborhood- level disparities as defined by economic mobility. Focuses on underlying conditions to guide service delivery and decision- making using data and community insights. Provides a common lens to support coordination, planning, and shared outcomes—without replacing existing tools. 6 Our Approach: Identifying Levers National Frameworks & Local Tools • Drivers of Poverty • Social Vulnerable Index • Justice 40 • Neighborhood Prosperity Dashboard etc. Hybrid Engagement Process • Quality of Life Studies • CoA Commissions • Internal & External Stakeholders • Every Texan Peer Cities Review 10 cities similar in: • State • Size • Demographics • Product CoA Levers of Economic Mobility • 3 Themes • 6 Sub-themes • 18 Levers of Economic Mobility 7 Building the Index Together Early childhood foundations shape mobility • Indicator: Enrollment in early education (public …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number: [YYYYMMDD-XXX]: Funding to Conduct an Updated Asian American Quality of Life Study Date of Approval: _____________ Recommendation: The Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City of Austin allocate $200,000 in the FY 2027 budget to conduct an updated Asian American Quality of Life Study. Description of Recommendation to Council: Austin’s demographics have changed. The data guiding City decisions has not. This funding would support: • Survey design, administration, and data analysis • Participant incentives to ensure representative participation • Community outreach and engagement • Reporting and presentations to City departments and advisory bodies This investment accounts for population growth, inflation, and improved data collection methods compared to the 2014 study. Rationale: The City’s most recent Asian American Quality of Life Study was completed in 2016, using data collected in 2014. That data is now outdated and no longer reflects Austin’s current demographics. Asian Americans are among the fastest-growing populations in Austin, with significant changes in population size, geographic distribution, languages spoken, housing conditions, economic stability, and health needs—particularly following COVID-19. Despite this growth, City departments continue to report limited and incomplete data on Asian American residents, making equitable planning and service delivery difficult. Without updated, disaggregated data, Asian American communities remain underrepresented in City decision-making and program design. The updated study would: RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL • Reflect current demographic and population changes • Provide disaggregated data across Asian ethnic groups, age, language, and neighborhood Identify gaps in access to health, housing, economic, and City services • • Support data-driven planning and equitable service delivery across City departments The study will result in a public report and actionable findings for City use. Seconded By: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: __________________________________
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number: [YYYYMMDD-XXX]: Recommendation on the FY 2026-27 Budget for an Additional FTE (Division Manager) within Austin ACME (Arts, Culture, Music, & Education) to oversee cultural programs. Date of Approval: ________________ Recommendation: The Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission (AAQoL) recommends that the City of Austin fund and establish one full-time equivalent (FTE) Division Manager position within the Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME) for cultural programs. Description of Recommendation to Council: This position would provide dedicated leadership and oversight for ACME’s cultural facilities and programs, align authority and compensation with the scope of responsibility currently being carried through acting roles, and address inequities in program management and staffing structure when compared to similarly titled Division Manager roles across the City. Rationale: In 2025, the City of Austin established the Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME) to consolidate cultural facilities, programming, and creative-sector initiatives that were previously distributed across multiple City departments. The creation of ACME was intended to improve coordination, visibility, and strategic leadership for Austin’s cultural infrastructure while ensuring equitable access to arts, culture, and heritage programming across communities. ACME now oversees the City’s major cultural institutions and community-centered programming sites, including the Asian American Resource Center (AARC), Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC), George Washington Carver Museum, the African American Cultural Heritage Facility, and the newly acquired Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex. Many of these facilities operate as active community hubs, offering daily public programming, intergenerational services, extended hours, rentals, festivals, and citywide initiatives. Despite the scope and complexity of this portfolio, ACME currently does not have a permanently appointed, full-time Division Manager dedicated to overseeing its cultural facilities and programs. Instead, leadership responsibilities have been assumed by existing cultural center managers — most notably the managers of the AARC and MACC — who have been serving in acting leadership capacities over multiple large cultural institutions in addition to their primary site responsibilities. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Their acting roles have included the hiring and onboarding of several new leadership staff within ACME. These acting roles significantly expand the scope of responsibility and require oversight of facilities with distinct missions, staffing needs, and operational demands, including newly onboarded assets. However, acting pay does not compensate at the same level as a permanently classified Division Manager position, resulting in staff performing sustained, higher-level …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION Recommendation Number: [YYYYMMDD-XXX]: Recommendation on the FY 2026-27 Budget Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Unmet Needs Date of Approval: _____________ Recommendation: The Asian American Quality of Life Commission (AAQoL) recommends that the City of Austin allocate additional funding in the FY 2026–27 budget to address critical unmet needs at the Asian American Resource Center (AARC), including staffing, temporary workforce support, and senior nutrition services. The Asian American Resource Center has experienced significant growth in programming, facility use, and community demand since its opening in 2013. To sustain and expand its impact, targeted investments are needed in the following areas: • Pavilion Staffing: Funding for additional full-time staff to support the activation and ongoing operations of the AARC Pavilion, enabling expanded cultural, educational, and community programming. • Temporary Staffing Budget Increase: Increased funding for temporary staff to support programming and operations. Current temporary staffing allocations are not aligned with the level of programming and service delivery provided at AARC compared to cultural centers across the division and department. • Meals on Wheels Support: Increased funding to support senior nutrition services, including Meals on Wheels, to meet the needs of a rapidly growing senior population served by AARC. Senior transport administered by the Parks department is dependent on seniors being registered for the meal program as well. Rationale: The Asian American Resource Center is already operating at a scale comparable to larger City facilities—without equivalent staffing and operational resources. Since its establishment, the Asian American Resource Center has grown into a vital cultural and community hub serving one of Austin’s fastest-growing populations. Data from the FY 2024 Annual Report demonstrates both the scale and continued growth of its programming and services. In FY24 alone, AARC: • Served over 38,800 visitors to the center RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL • Hosted 154 rental events and facilitated 258 community room reservations • Supported 178 artists and presented 9 new exhibits • Engaged 753 volunteers across programs and events AARC’s senior programming has experienced particularly significant growth. This year, the Congregate Meals program serves 80 meals daily and is estimated to reach 16,000 meals by the end of the fiscal year, a 60% increase from FY24. Within 2 months of the current fiscal year, the Senior meal program hit its Meals on Wheels contract cap of $38,000. This amount and overages were covered post-pandemic with American Rescue Plan …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number: [YYYYMMDD-XXX]: Recommendation on the FY 2026-2027 Budget related to Austin Public Health Immigrant Legal Services Date of Approval: ______________ Recommendation: Restoration of the 10% funding cuts to Austin Public Health Immigrant Legal Services Description of Recommendation: Restoration of the 10% cut to the contract to American Gateways and Catholic Charities contracts. Continued ongoing funding of all current contracts along with an expansion for Pro Se services is recommended. Pro Se services provide immigrants with legal advice, help with paperwork, and coaching through the legal system. Although stopping short of full legal representation, these services are a highly efficient use of taxpayer dollars and are vital to helping immigrants navigate the immigration process, since hearings and court dates may take years to schedule in the judicial system. Rationale: The Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission (AAQoL) strongly recommends continued funding for the Austin Public Health (APH) Immigrant Legal Services, Pro Se services, and Citizenship Clinics programs in the FY 2026-27 budget. This program plays a critical role in supporting the well-being of Austin's immigrant population. This need is particularly important at a time when regional and national policies continue to further reduce services for immigrants. Additionally, immigrant rights are being stripped due to frequent recent changes in immigration policies, significant shifts in immigration enforcement and detention, and inaccessible services. APH Immigrant Legal Services currently has several contracts in place for American Gateways and Catholic Charities. Many of these contracts are coming to an end. The 2023 closure of Refugee Services of Texas has further reduced options for legal immigration assistance available in the community for refugees, many of whom are from Asian and Middle Eastern countries. For example, due to the budget shortfall, American Gateways has been forced to reduce the number of people it can provide with direct legal representation by approximately 10%, totalling nearly 30 clients (our fellow Austinites!). Cuts to its Pro Se Assistance funding have similarly required American Gateways to reduce the number of individuals it can serve in Austin/Travis County through its pro se clinics by approximately 10%That means 10% fewer families and individuals receiving RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL assistance with Know Your Rights information, filing pro se motions with the court, applications with the immigration court, and family safety planning materials and assistance. These individuals all earn below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines and, …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Recommendation Number: [YYYYMMDD-XXX]: Recommendation on the FY 2026-2027 Budget related to APH Social Services Budget Date of Approval: _________________ Recommendation: Restoration of the 10% funding cuts for social services Description of Recommendation to Council: The Commission recommends that the City of Austin exercise expediency in the contracting process to ensure organizations providing the contracted Community Health Navigator (CHN) services have contracts for ongoing funding. Currently, a delay in new contracts has put funding for these services in a precarious situation with unknown timelines for extensions and when requests for proposals will occur. The Commission recommends that the City of Austin dedicate a 10% percentage of each contract to language accessibility. The commission also recommends that overall funding be increased to expand Community Health Navigator (CHN) services for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) communities within the Asian American population. This funding will support navigation services for highly needed language-specific groups, such as Pashto, Farsi, Tagalog, Urdu, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), and Nepali, who currently do not receive consistent language access due to funding cuts. Rationale: The Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City restore the 10% funding for Austin Public Health with an emphasis on Community Health Navigator (CHN) services to address the growing needs of Austin's diverse Asian community. The Commission recommends that the City restore the 10% cut to social services to ensure that the rapidly increasing Asian population continues to receive necessary services. According to the City Demographers office, Asians are the fastest growing subgroup in the Austin area. It is perilous to decrease health services at a time when they are needed more than ever. Without funding, the City of Austin endangers the access to competent and knowledgeable healthcare to many individuals. Since the pandemic, demand for CHNs has surged, and one-time grant funding several years ago had allowed for services in several Asian languages, including Arabic, Burmese, Chin Tedim, RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Nepali, Hindi, and Vietnamese. But now, organizations such as Austin Asian Community Health Initiative (AACHI) can now only service Korean, Vietnamese, and Burmese communities leaving numerous communities without equitable language access to their healthcare. If this funding expires as planned for September 2026, essential services for more vulnerable populations will go unfunded, creating an even larger gap in care. For example, in 2025, AACHI supported 325 clients and …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION Recommendation Number: 20260326- 007: Recommendation on the FY 2026-27 Budget Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Unmet Needs Date of Approval: March 26, 2026 Recommendation: The Asian American Quality of Life Commission (AAQoL) recommends that the City of Austin allocate additional funding in the FY 2026–27 budget to address critical unmet needs at the Asian American Resource Center (AARC), including staffing, temporary workforce support, and senior nutrition services. The Asian American Resource Center has experienced significant growth in programming, facility use, and community demand since its opening in 2013. To sustain and expand its impact, targeted investments are needed in the following areas: • Pavilion Staffing: Funding for additional full-time staff to support the activation and ongoing operations of the AARC Pavilion, enabling expanded cultural, educational, and community programming. • Temporary Staffing Budget Increase: Increased funding for temporary staff to support programming and operations. Current temporary staffing allocations are not aligned with the level of programming and service delivery provided at AARC compared to cultural centers across the division and department. • Meals on Wheels Support: Increased funding to support senior nutrition services, including Meals on Wheels, to meet the needs of a rapidly growing senior population served by AARC. Senior transport administered by the Parks department is dependent on seniors being registered for the meal program as well. Rationale: The Asian American Resource Center is already operating at a scale comparable to larger City facilities—without equivalent staffing and operational resources. Since its establishment, the Asian American Resource Center has grown into a vital cultural and community hub serving one of Austin’s fastest-growing populations. Data from the FY 2024 Annual Report demonstrates both the scale and continued growth of its programming and services. In FY24 alone, AARC: • Served over 38,800 visitors to the center RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL • Hosted 154 rental events and facilitated 258 community room reservations • Supported 178 artists and presented 9 new exhibits • Engaged 753 volunteers across programs and events AARC’s senior programming has experienced particularly significant growth. This year, the Congregate Meals program serves 80 meals daily and is estimated to reach 16,000 meals by the end of the fiscal year, a 60% increase from FY24. Within 2 months of the current fiscal year, the Senior meal program hit its Meals on Wheels contract cap of $38,000. This amount and overages were covered post-pandemic with …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) Recommendation Number: [20260326-009] Recommendation on the FY 2026-2027 Budget related to APH Social Services Budget Date of Approval: March 26, 2026 Recommendation: Restoration of the 10% funding cuts for social services Description of Recommendation to Council: The Commission recommends that the City of Austin exercise expediency in the contracting process to ensure organizations providing the contracted Community Health Navigator (CHN) services have contracts for ongoing funding. Currently, a delay in new contracts has put funding for these services in a precarious situation with unknown timelines for extensions and when requests for proposals will occur. The Commission recommends that the City of Austin dedicate a 10% percentage of each contract to language accessibility. The commission also recommends that overall funding be increased to expand Community Health Navigator (CHN) services for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) communities within the Asian American population. This funding will support navigation services for highly needed language-specific groups, such as Pashto, Farsi, Tagalog, Urdu, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), and Nepali, who currently do not receive consistent language access due to funding cuts. Rationale: The Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City restore the 10% funding for Austin Public Health with an emphasis on Community Health Navigator (CHN) services to address the growing needs of Austin's diverse Asian community. The Commission recommends that the City restore the 10% cut to social services to ensure that the rapidly increasing Asian population continues to receive necessary services. According to the City Demographers office, Asians are the fastest growing subgroup in the Austin area. It is perilous to decrease health services at a time when they are needed more than ever. Without funding, the City of Austin endangers the access to competent and knowledgeable healthcare to many individuals. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Since the pandemic, demand for CHNs has surged, and one-time grant funding several years ago had allowed for services in several Asian languages, including Arabic, Burmese, Chin Tedim, Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Nepali, Hindi, and Vietnamese. But now, organizations such as Austin Asian Community Health Initiative (AACHI) can now only service Korean, Vietnamese, and Burmese communities leaving numerous communities without equitable language access to their healthcare. If this funding expires as planned for September 2026, essential services for more vulnerable populations will go unfunded, creating an even larger gap in care. For example, in 2025, AACHI supported 325 clients …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) Recommendation Number: [20260326-005]: Funding to Conduct an Updated Asian American Quality of Life Study Date of Approval: March 26, 2026 Recommendation: The Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City of Austin allocate $200,000 in the FY 2027 budget to conduct an updated Asian American Quality of Life Study. Description of Recommendation to Council: Austin’s demographics have changed. The data guiding City decisions has not. This funding would support: ● Survey design, administration, and data analysis ● Participant incentives to ensure representative participation ● Community outreach and engagement ● Reporting and presentations to City departments and advisory bodies This investment accounts for population growth, inflation, and improved data collection methods compared to the 2014 study. Rationale: The City’s most recent Asian American Quality of Life Study was completed in 2016, using data collected in 2014. That data is now outdated and no longer reflects Austin’s current demographics. The UT Austin School of social work is currently working on an updated pilot based on our 2016 Asian American Quality of Life Study. Asian Americans are among the fastest-growing populations in Austin, with significant changes in population size, geographic distribution, languages spoken, housing conditions, economic stability, and health needs—particularly following COVID-19. Despite this growth, City departments continue to report limited and incomplete data on Asian American residents, making equitable planning and service delivery difficult. This study would help the City to optimize engagement with the Asian American community. The Asian American Quality of Life Commission has experienced that during City staff presentations; RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL we often hear staff do not have enough data or reference points that are updated in order to improve service delivery to Asian American communities in Austin. Without updated, disaggregated data, Asian American communities remain underrepresented in City decision-making and program design. The updated study would: ● Reflect current demographic and population changes ● Provide disaggregated data across Asian ethnic groups, age, language, and neighborhood ● ● Support data-driven planning and equitable service delivery across City departments Identify gaps in access to health, housing, economic, and City services The study will result in a public report and actionable findings for City use. Motioned By: Commissioner Huang Seconded By: Commissioner Chen Vote: 11-0 For: Chair Sin, Vice Chair Jambulapati, Commissioners Baig, Chen, Xiyi Chen, Huang, Li, Moledina, Shrestha, Sikder, and Yang Abstain: Commissioner Thakkar Absent: Commissioner Dolling Attest: …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) Recommendation Number: [20260326-006]: Recommendation on the FY 2026-27 Budget for an Additional FTE (Division Manager) within Austin ACME (Arts, Culture, Music, & Education) to oversee cultural programs. Date of Approval: March 26, 2026 Recommendation: The Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City of Austin fund and establish one full-time equivalent (FTE) Division Manager position within the Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME) for cultural programs. Description of Recommendation to Council: This position would provide dedicated leadership and oversight for ACME’s cultural facilities and programs, align authority and compensation with the scope of responsibility currently being carried through acting roles, and address inequities in program management and staffing structure when compared to similarly titled Division Manager roles across the City. Rationale: In 2025, the City of Austin established the Office of Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (ACME) to consolidate cultural facilities, programming, and creative-sector initiatives that were previously distributed across multiple City departments. The creation of ACME was intended to improve coordination, visibility, and strategic leadership for Austin’s cultural infrastructure while ensuring equitable access to arts, culture, and heritage programming across communities. ACME now oversees the City’s major cultural institutions and community-centered programming sites, including the Asian American Resource Center (AARC), Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC), George Washington Carver Museum, the African American Cultural Heritage Facility, and the newly acquired Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex. Many of these facilities operate as active community hubs, offering daily public programming, intergenerational services, extended hours, rentals, festivals, and citywide initiatives. Despite the scope and complexity of this portfolio, ACME currently does not have a permanently appointed, full-time Division Manager dedicated to overseeing its cultural facilities and programs. Instead, leadership responsibilities have been assumed by existing cultural center managers — most notably the managers of the AARC and MACC — who have been serving in acting leadership capacities over multiple large cultural institutions in addition to their primary site responsibilities. Their acting roles have included the hiring and onboarding of several new leadership staff within ACME. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL These acting roles significantly expand the scope of responsibility and require oversight of facilities with distinct missions, staffing needs, and operational demands, including newly onboarded assets. To date, acting cultural center division managers have not been approved for even acting pay. Moreover, acting pay does not compensate at the …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) Recommendation Number: [20260326-008]: Recommendation on the FY 2026-2027 Budget related to Austin Public Health Immigrant Legal Services Date of Approval: March 26, 2026 Recommendation: Restoration of the 10% funding cuts to Austin Public Health Immigrant Legal Services Description of Recommendation: Restoration of the 10% cut to the contract to American Gateways and Catholic Charities contracts. Continued ongoing funding of all current contracts along with an expansion for Pro Se services is recommended. Pro Se services provide immigrants with legal advice, help with paperwork, and coaching through the legal system. Although stopping short of full legal representation, these services are a highly efficient use of taxpayer dollars and are vital to helping immigrants navigate the immigration process, since hearings and court dates may take years to schedule in the judicial system. Rationale: The Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission (AAQoL) strongly recommends continued funding for the Austin Public Health (APH) Immigrant Legal Services, Pro Se services, and Citizenship Clinics programs in the FY 2026-27 budget. This program plays a critical role in supporting the well-being of Austin's immigrant population. This need is particularly important at a time when regional and national policies continue to further reduce services for immigrants. Additionally, immigrant rights are being stripped due to frequent recent changes in immigration policies, significant shifts in immigration enforcement and detention, and inaccessible services. APH Immigrant Legal Services currently has several contracts in place for American Gateways and Catholic Charities. Many of these contracts are coming to an end. The 2023 closure of Refugee Services of Texas has further reduced options for legal immigration assistance available in the community for refugees, many of whom are from Asian and Middle Eastern countries. For example, due to the budget shortfall, American Gateways has been forced to reduce the number of people it can provide with direct legal representation by approximately 10%, totaling nearly 30 clients (our fellow Austinites!). Cuts to its Pro Se Assistance funding have similarly required American Gateways to reduce the number of individuals it can serve in Austin/Travis County through its pro se clinics by approximately 10%. That means 10% fewer families and individuals receiving RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL assistance with Know Your Rights information, filing pro se motions with the court, applications with the immigration court, and family safety planning materials and assistance. These individuals all earn below 200% of the federal poverty …
