AUSTIN AREA HIV PLANNING COUNCIL The mission of the HIV Planning Council is to develop and coordinate an effective and comprehensive community-wide response to HIV. Planning Council: Office of Support Staff Report May 7, 2024 – May 8, 2024 Executive/GMCS/FASPNA Committee Meeting OFFICE OF SUPPORT STAFF Kodjo Dodo, Manager Kodjo.Dodo@austintexas.gov Rashana Raggs, Supervisor Rashana.Raggs@austintexas.gov Nathalia Delgadillo, Planner II Nathalia.Delgadillo@austintexas.gov Zaria Thomas, Planner I Zaria.Thomas@austintexas.gov. Deena Rawleigh, Admin Sr. Deena.Rawleigh@austintexas.gov AUSTIN AREA HIV PLANNING COUNCIL MEMBERS TOTAL 10 (1 Non-voting member), 2 New Members Pending 1. Kelle’ Martin, Chair 2. Alicia Alston 3. Joe Anderson Jr. 4. Liza Bailey 5. Aran Belani 6. Zachery Garay 7. Ashley Garling 8. Marquis Goodwin 9. Judith Hassan 10. Rocky Lane, Non-Voting 11. Kristina McRae-Thompson 12. Gin Pham Summary complete it) The Austin Area HIV Planning Council (HIVPC) is at 10 members. BCIC Sexual Harassment training is due on May 10 (except for new members who have 90 days to The Executive Committee completed their edits and updates to the Bylaws at their April meeting. The Committee is expected to review Policies and Procedures starting next month. Kelle’ Martin temporarily joined the GMCS committee as new members were pending in early April. o Two community members interviewed at the GMCS Meeting o GMCS discussed caucus logistics and policy/procedures. A more approachable/less of a commitment option was posed by members. The PO agrees with the committee members sentiment, and that a townhall may be more feasible. Therefore, a townhall will be planned, if this recommendation is approved. o The Recruitment and Retention updates were reviewed and approved. The Finance/Allocations and Strategic Planning/Needs Assessment committee voted to focus on the impact of changing urban neighborhoods and rising housing costs related to healthcare access for PLWH for Year 2 of Assessment for Needs and Barriers to PLWH in and out of care. o This committee received their annual training on PSRA o Edited and voted on the FY25 PSRA process o Reviewed, edited, and voted on updates to the Integrated Plan The Business committee approved the recommendations of the Bylaw edits, two April applicants, Integrated Plan edits, Recruitment and Retention edits, and the FY25 PSRA process. o This committee also discussed and voted to move the May Business meeting to May 20, 6-8PM o Business received their annual training on PSRA The Office of Support has created an event requests form …
African American Resource Advisory Commission (AARAC) MEETING MINUTES April 2, 2024 African American Resource Advisory Commission REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The African American Resource Advisory Commission convened a REGULAR meeting on TUESDAY, June 7, 2024, at 5:30 P.M. CST in the CITY OF AUSTIN PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr. Austin, Texas 78752 #1401/1402. Commissioners in Attendance: Cherelle Vanbrakle, Vice Chair (District 4) Dewi Smith (District 1) Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Elaina Fowler, Chair (District 10) Dr. Chiquita Eugene (District 5) Greg Smith (ARA Appointee) Serita Fontanesi (District 7) Staff in Attendance: Alejandra Mireles, Community Services Program Coordinator, Equity Office Justin Parsons, Equity Officer, Economic Development Nelson Linder (NAACP Appointee) Daryl Horton, (Appointee) Joi Harden (District 9) Mueni Rudd (District 2) AGENDA CALL TO ORDER Cherelle Vanbrakle, Vice Chair called the African American Resource Advisory Commission meeting to order at 5:53 p.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION The first ten speakers signed up before 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. Zenobia Joseph – Cap Metro Concerns 1 African American Resource Advisory Commission (AARAC) MEETING MINUTES April 2, 2024 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of the minutes of the African American Resource Advisory Commission Special Call Meeting on March 19h, 2024, and February 6, 2024, was table to the June 4th meeting. The minutes were not approved and need to be approved on the June 4th agenda. 2. 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS Discussion on Cierra AKA DJ Wyldflower (CCed), Sunday Session ATX on the park permit concerns of letting them have the entertainment in the parks throughout the city. Call for nominations for Commission leadership Chair Nominations: Dewi Smith – Nominated by Co-Chair Vanbrakle; Seconded by SMITH DECLINED NOMINATION Serita Fontanesi – Nominated by Commissioner Smith; Seconded by Daryl Horton FONTANESI NAMED CHAIR – Unanimous on a 9/0 Co-Chair Nominations: Dewi Smith - Nominated by Co-Chair Vanbrakle; Seconded by Daryl Horton DEWI SMITH named Co-Chair – Unanimous on a 9/0 WORKING GROUPS/COMMITTEE UPDATES 4. Budget Workgroup - updates from the workgroup, including committee members and budgeting related to the FY25 budget. (Budget Workgroup Members: Commissioners Elaina Fowler, Greg Smith, and Dewi Smith). This working group is dissolved until the next budget season 2 African American Resource Advisory Commission (AARAC) MEETING MINUTES April 2, 2024 5. Strategic Planning Workgroup - updates from the …
ZONING AND PLATTING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2024 The ZONING AND PLATTING COMMISSION convened in a REGULAR meeting Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers, Room 1001 301 W. Second Street, Austin, TX. Chair Smith called the Zoning and Platting Commission Meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Betsy Greenberg, Ryan Puzycki, and Hank Smith Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Scott Boone, William D. Floyd, Dave Flouts, Lonny Stern, and Carrie Thompson Commissioners Absent: Alejandra Flores 2 vacancies on the dais. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION The first four (4) speakers signed up prior to the speaker registration deadline will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approval of minutes of the Zoning and Platting Commission regular meeting on April 16, 2024. Item postponed to the May 21, 2021 meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Site Plan (Compatibility Waiver): Location: Owner/Applicant: Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: SP-2023-0004C - The Shire; District 3 2408 South 3rd Street, East Bouldin Creek Third Street Austin, LLC (Mark Whaling) Wuest Group (Caroline Eckert) The applicant requests a compatibility waiver to encroach into the east, south, and west compatibility setback and exceed the compatibility height requirements. Recommended Clarissa Davis, 512-974-1423, clarissa.davis@austintexas.gov Development Services Department The applicant revised their request and is now seeking to modify only the compatibility setbacks on the west and south property lines. Staff is agreeable and recommends this item as revised. Motion to grant Staff’s recommendation of the Compatibility Waiver for SP-2023- 0004C - The Shire; located at 2408 South 3rd Street was approved on the consent agenda on the motion by Secretary Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Puzycki on a vote of 7-1. Commissioner Greenberg voted against. Commissioner Flores was absent. Two vacancies on the dais. 3. Site Plan (Conditional Use): Location: Owner/Applicant: Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: SPC-2022-0378C - Champion Commercial Development; District 10 5701 FM 2222 Rd, Bull Creek East VH 2222 LLC Kimley Horn (Justin Landry) The applicant requests approval of the site plan within the Hill Country Roadway. Recommended Clarissa Davis, 512-974-1423, clarissa.davis@austintexas.gov Development Services Department Motion to grant Staff’s recommendation of the site plan within the Hill Country Roadway for SPC-2022-0378C - Champion Commercial Development located at 5701 FM 2222 Rd was approved on the consent agenda on the motion by Secretary Thompson, seconded by Commissioner Puzycki on a …
URBAN TRANSPORTATION MEETING MINUTES (Tuesday, May 7, 2024) URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, May 7, 2024 The Urban Transportation Commission convened in a REGULAR meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at City Hall in Austin, Texas. Chair Somers called the Urban Transportation Commission Meeting to order at 5:02 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Susan Somers, Chair Ruven Brooks, Vice Chair Daniel Kavelman Spencer Schumacher Heather Buffo Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Melissa Ortiz Athena Leyton Deshon Brown Edward Smith APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the URBAN TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING on 4/2/2024. The minutes from the meeting of 4/2/2024 were approved on Commissioner Somers’s motion, Commissioner Brooks’s second on a 7-0 vote; Commissioner’s Alvarez, Wheeler, and Smith absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on I35 Cap and Stitch The commission received a presentation from Michelle Marx, Transportation and Public Works 1 URBAN TRANSPORTATION MEETING MINUTES (Tuesday, May 7, 2024) 3. Update from Capital Delivery Services with attention to Corridor Program community engagement and communication in relation to corridor construction plans The commission received a presentation from Eric Bailey, Deputy Director, Capital Delivery Services DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Discussion and approval of a Right of Way vacation of 2015 Whitis Ave and 2010 University Avenue The Commission received a presentation from Joseph Fotinos, Transportation and Public Works Approved on Commissioner Somers’s motion, Commissioner Schumacher’s second on a 9-0 vote; Commissioners Alvarez and Wheeler absent. 5. Discussion and approval of a Right of Way vacation of an Alley between 2001-2011 Whitis Avenue and 2000-2001 University Avenue The Commission received a presentation from Joseph Fotinos, Transportation and Public Works Approved on Commissioner Brooks’s motion, Commissioner Schumacher’s second on an 8-0 vote, Commissioner Somers recusing; Commissioners Alvarez and Wheeler absent. 6. Discussion and approval of a recommendation on dockless micromobility regulations and transportation-related rule making Amendment 1: Commissioner Schumacher’s motion, Commissioner Buffo’s second on a 9- 0 vote; Commissioners Alvarez and Wheeler absent. Failed on Commissioner Schumacher’s motion, Commissioner Buffo’s second on a 2-1 vote; Commissioner Kavelman opposing, Commissioners Ortiz, Somers, Smith, Leyton, Brooks and Brown abstaining; Commissioners Alvarez and Wheeler absent. Reconsidered the Vote on Commissioner Schumacher’s motion, Commissioner Buffo’s second on a 7-1 vote, Commissioner Smith opposing, Commissioner Brooks abstaining; Commissioners Alvarez and Wheeler absent. Amendment 2: Commissioner Schumacher’s motion, Commissioner Brooks’s second on a 7-0 vote, Commissioners Smith and Brown abstaining; Commissioners Alvarez and Wheeler absent. …
MBE/WBE and Small Business Enterprise Procurement Program Advisory Committee MEETING MINUTES The MBE/WBE and Small Business Enterprise Procurement Program Advisory Committee convened in a regular meeting on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. Members attended both virtually and in-person at the City of Austin Permit and Development Center at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive, Room 1215 in Austin, TX. CALL TO ORDER Committee Chair, Ahmed Moledina called the meeting to order at 5:38pm. COMMITTEE MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE: Ahmed Moledina (Chair) In-Person: Lena Banks (Vice Chair), Erica Douglass, Amin Dhukka, Shweta Padmanabha, Virtual: Julio Rojas-Aguilar, Talan Tyminski Terry Mitchell, Salman Rashid Absent: PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL • None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes from the MBE/WBE Advisory Committee Regular Meeting on March 12, 2024. • The minutes were considered for approval and approved on a motion by Committee Vice Chair, Lena Banks and seconded by Committee Member, Julio Rojas-Aguilar. Approved on a 6-0 vote. Committee Member, Erica Douglass was not present during vote. DISCUSSION 2. Conduct officer elections for the Committee Chair and Vice Chair. • The Committee held elections for Chair and Vice-Chair. Ahmed Moledina was nominated and re- elected as Chair. Lena Banks was nominated and re-elected as Vice-Chair. The officers were elected on a motion by Committee Member, Talan Tyminski, and seconded by Committee Member, Julio Rojas-Aguilar. Approved on a 6-0 vote. Committee Member, Erica Douglass was not present during vote. 3. Overview of the Annual Aspirational MBE/WBE Goals. SMBR Director, Edward Campos gave the presentation. • • The presentation outlined SMBR’s first attempt at the development of aspiration goals. STAFF BRIEFINGS 4. Briefing from the Director on initiatives related to SMBR. • SMBR Director, Edward Campos briefed the Committee on the following: o New City Manager began on May 6, 2024. o Provided information on the MBE/WBE Program administrative rules and personal net worth. Page 1 of 2 5. Briefing from the SMBR staff on the Council Awards and Certification Roll reports. • SMBR Acting Assistant Director, Felecia Shaw provided the updates on the Council Awards • SMBR Certification Division Manager, Elton Price provided the update on the Certification Roll reports. report. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Next Month’s Agenda: Future Items: • Approve meeting minutes • Update from Aviation on Airport Expansion • Staff briefings (Director’s updates and staff reports) • Key Performance Indicators that demonstrate the success of the committee Requested by Committee Vice-Chair, Lena Banks and Committee Member, …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS RECOMMENDATION NUMBER (20240408-009) Equity Office Funding and equity, WHEREAS, the City of Austin is dedicated to fostering a community that embraces diversity, equality, promotes WHEREAS, by prioritizing initiatives, programs, and services that promote inclusivity, combat discrimination, and address systemic inequities, the city endeavors to create a more just and equitable society for all its residents; principles upholds the of WHEREAS, the latest City of Austin Planning Department show Austin residents are 48% white, 32% Hispanic/Latina/o/x, 8% Asian/Asian American, 7% Black/African American, and 4% Multiracial; and WHEREAS, a recent survey by the City of Austin Office of Police Oversight indicated 22% of respondents identified as part of the LGBTQIA+ community; and WHEREAS, the Age-Friendly Austin Community Feedback Survey indicates 76% of respondents identified as heterosexual or straight, with 12% of respondents identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ population including Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary and Gender Nonconforming; and WHEREAS, the Age-Friendly Austin Community Feedback Survey indicates 23% of respondents were living with a disability; and WHEREAS, while not an all-inclusive list, all of the demographics specified above are at risk for discrimination and being targeted, generally the older adults in those populations are the most vulnerable; and WHEREAS, in the last twelve months, the City of Austin has seen an increase in discrimination, targeting and persecution of multiple ethnicities; and WHEREAS, the Equity Office mission is “To provide leadership, guidance, and insight on equity to improve the quality of life for Austinites and achieve the vision of making Austin the most livable city in the nation for ALL;” and WHEREAS, the City of Austin Equity Office is currently operating without a permanently appointed Equity Officer; and WHEREAS, there are initiatives within the City of Austin to consolidate the Equity Office with other group(s). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs encourages the Austin City Council to act to maintain the Equity Office and further, to ensure adequate funding to hire and maintain a Chief Equity Officer, and to designate adequate resources to Austin residents who may be experiencing discrimination, marginalization, hate crimes, and/or persecution. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs encourages the Austin City Council to support the Equity Office’s ongoing work to address the needs of Austinites and continue to convey that equity in Austin remains a high priority by …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS RECOMMENDATION NUMBER (20240408-012) Recommendation on Early Childhood Investments WHEREAS, the immigrant population in Austin constitutes a significant and varied segment of their respective local communities, with many residing in families of mixed legal statuses; WHEREAS, in the City of Austin, they are 164,000 children who have at least one parent who is an immigrant, meaning one in three children in Austin falls into this category; WHEREAS, the overwhelming majority of these children with at least one immigrant parent are U.S. citizens, 87% were born in the United States; WHEREAS, in the City of Austin, 31% of children under age 6 live in households with low income; and WHEREAS, 90% of the children in households with low income under age 6 are children of color; and WHEREAS, decades of research prove that disadvantages begin the moment children come into the world because children born into poverty and children of color are disproportionately born early, at low-birth-weight, or with chronic illnesses, and are less likely than their peers to be ready for, or successful at school; and WHEREAS, current City investments in early childhood programs align with the goals and strategies of the Austin/Travis County Success By 6 Strategic Plan – a robust, data-driven community strategic plan designed to coordinate efforts, improve child and family outcomes as well as build more efficient and coordinated systems for equitable access; and WHEREAS, the federal, state, and local economic recovery funds invested in early childhood systems and programs are expiring in 2024, including essential worker wage stipends for the early childhood workforce; and WHEREAS, Childcare Scholarship programs through Workforce Solutions Capital Area are at capacity, enrollment is closed, no new funding is available at this time, and as of March 2024, the estimated amount of time a family applying for a scholarship at that time will likely remain on a waitlist before they could expect to be outreached for enrollment is 24 months; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s recently announced Infrastructure Academy is intended to expand the region’s skilled trade sector and access to childcare is an obstacle for the existing workforce, including the skilled trades; and WHEREAS, the Early Childhood Council has had input from Success By 6, The Children’s Funding Project Workgroup, and GAVA, all calling for significantly increased local government investment in the Childcare sector, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Immigrant …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS RECOMMENDATION NUMBER (20240408-008) Budget Reporting WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Boards and Commissions are tasked with making annual budget recommendations to City Council; and WHEREAS, there is currently not a central, easily accessible, publicly available repository for board and commission budget recommendations; and WHEREAS, there is currently not a central, easily accessible, publicly available way to track the status of board and commission recommendations within a fiscal year, or year over year; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Boards and Commissions serve as a liaison between city government and community members, using community guidance to inform council budget recommendations, and council budget decisions to educate community members on council priorities; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Boards and Commissions experience term limits, transitions in leadership as well as membership, and changing priorities, all of which lead to a loss in institutional knowledge; and WHEREAS, Austin is the state capital, home of the state’s legislature, many of the legislature’s staff, and local as well as state policy advocates; and WHEREAS, it is reasonable that our city has the talent, skills, and resources necessary to develop a board and commission recommendation budget tracker. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Commission on Immigrant affairs recommends funding and staffing to create a digital, user friendly, publicly available board and commission budget recommendation tracker. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this digital tracker can be as simple as a regularly updated excel spreadsheet on the board and commission’s website, or as robust as the Texas Legislature Online Bill Lookup website dependent on available funding and staff capacity. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this digital tracker will be a resource for budget recommendations for each fiscal year, starting with the FY2024 budget cycle. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this digital tracker will provide a brief summary of each recommendation with a link to the full recommendation, status update of where in the budget processes it is (submitted, under review by council, etc.), and a final outcome (accepted, rejected, modified, etc.), including any revised versions of the original recommendation. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this digital tracker will be a tool to increase transparency and engagement in the budget process amongst boards and commissions, city council, and the communities across Austin, furthering a shared goal of government that works for all. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Motioned by: Commissioner Seconded By: Commissioner For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: …
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS RECOMMENDATION NUMBER (20240408‐014) Recommenda(cid:415)on to fund a Quality of Life Study of the immigrant communi(cid:415)es in Aus(cid:415)n Whereas, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs was established through Ordinance No. 20171214-043 to advise the city council on matters of common concern to immigrants, and Whereas, a Quality of Life study of immigrant residents of Austin has never been done, and Whereas, out of the almost 1 million Austin residents, one out of five is foreign born, and Whereas, the Austin metro area has been the fastest growing area in the United States for the past 12 years in a row, and Whereas, the city of Austin is continuously planning on how to address the needs of residents regarding housing affordability, transit and transportation, access to schools and healthcare, and that these plans must consider demographic shifts in Austin, and Whereas, having data on the needs of the immigrant residents of Austin will allow this commission to make better recommendations to Council, and Whereas, this data will allow City of Austin staff to include the 20% of its residents who are foreign born in their comprehensive planning. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs requests that City Council fund a Quality of Life Study for Immigrant Residents of Austin in the amount of $250,000, comparably to other Quality of Life Studies funded in the past few years. Date of Approval: Record of the vote: Attest: ______________________________ Gunjen Mittal, Staff Liaison
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS RECOMMENDATION NUMBER (20240408-011) Funding for Collective Sex Crimes Response Model Actions WHEREAS, The Commission on Immigrant Affairs was established through Ordinance No. 20171214-043 to advise the city council on matters of common concern to immigrants, WHEREAS, Immigrant survivors of abuse encounter significant obstacles when attempting to escape violence, particularly due to language barriers, social isolation, uncertain immigration status, and limited access to resources, WHEREAS, SAFE provides free and confidential services to all survivors of abuse, regardless of their immigration status, WHEREAS, in September 2019, the City Manager’s Office contracted the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), in conjunction with the Women’s Law Project and the Wellesley Centers for Women, to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the way sexual assaults reported to the Austin Police Department (APD) are investigated and processed; and WHEREAS, sexual assault lawsuits were filed and settlements were approved for Smith et. al. vs City of Austin and Senko et. al. vs City of Austin; and WHEREAS, on November 14, 2022, the final PERF report was released, Austin Police Department (APD) Review, Reported Sexual Assault Comprehensive Evaluation, and included comprehensive findings and over one hundred recommendations; and WHEREAS, the Austin Police Department worked with the Austin/Travis County Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team (SARRT) to address the PERF recommendations and take actions, including revisions to APD policies and procedures; and WHEREAS, the Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) was established in early 2023 to coordinate the full response to the PERF report, and includes representatives from APD, SARRT, nonprofit and community organizations, survivors and survivor advocates; and WHEREAS, the Commission for Women and Public Safety Commission formed a joint working group in 2023 to support and track the work of the CSCRM and report progress to their respective commissions; and WHEREAS, the work of the CSCRM is significant in scope, spanning multiple working groups, and has identified serious unmet funding requirements and additional needs for fiscal year 2024- 2025; and WHEREAS, funding has been allocated to support APD comprehensive sexual assault/trauma curriculum development and delivery, additional detective hours on misdemeanor and cold cases, the hiring of a CSCRM project manager, the implementation of a survivor survey and a stipend for volunteer project members, among others; and WHEREAS, law enforcement staffing shortages and hiring challenges are impacting support for survivors of sexual assault, and training and increased financial support and innovative approaches are needed to overcome …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS RECOMMENDATION NUMBER (20240408-010) Expansion of Emergency Housing and Rental Assistance Program WHEREAS, The Commission on Immigrant Affairs was established through Ordinance No. 20171214-043 to advise the city council on matters of common concern to immigrants, WHEREAS, Austin continues to face a housing affordability crisis, particularly the persistent rise in rental prices exacerbates the housing affordability crisis, contributing to housing instability, displacement, and homelessness among vulnerable populations, WHEREAS, city residents who are experiencing unstable housing often cite gentrification as a significant factor contributing to their housing instability and, WHEREAS, displacement often disproportionately affects marginalized communities, including people of color and immigrants, who may have limited resources and face systemic barriers to accessing affordable housing; WHEREAS, The City of Austin has allocated funding for the RENT program, now known as "I Belong in Austin," which has proven successful in providing emergency assistance for rent, moving, and storage/relocation to prevent eviction, displacement, and homelessness; and WHEREAS, The "I Belong in Austin" program has demonstrated its value in providing essential support to vulnerable individuals; WHEREAS, the Austin City Council can expand its reach and impact, ensuring that more residents receive the assistance they urgently need to remain housed. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Immigrant Affairs urges the Austin City Council to allocate $15 million to support the "I Belong in Austin" program in the upcoming fiscal year. This allocation is proposed based on a thorough evaluation of the program's effectiveness in mitigating the housing affordability crisis and achieving strategic objectives related to housing stabilization, economic opportunity, and affordability. . Date of Approval: _____________________________ Motioned by: Commissioner Seconded By: Commissioner Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign) For: Against: Abstain: Absent: .
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS RECOMMENDATION NUMBER (20240408-013) Recommendation on LGBTQIA+ Affirming Mental Healthcare WHEREAS, unlike many immigrants, LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers and refugees might not receive support from their diasporic or ethnic communities due to prevailing homophobia or transphobia that mirrors the persecutory conditions they faced in their country of origin; WHEREAS, Research suggests that the asylum application process can have detrimental effects on LGBTQIA+ individuals. A recent study highlighted that asylum seekers within this community endure adverse mental and physical health outcomes, alongside economic instability, while navigating a state of uncertainty during the waiting period; WHEREAS, the testimonies of LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers interviewed unveiled severe abuses in their countries of origin, including rape, assault, death threats, extortion, and the forced disappearance or murder of romantic partners and friends. These traumatic experiences exacerbate their mental health struggles; WHEREAS, numerous LGBTQIA+ refugees and asylum seekers are compelled to spend time in detention centers in both transit and host countries. Research indicates that conditions in these detention centers can be especially challenging for LGBTQIA+ immigrants, as they are frequently placed in jails or jail-like facilities, resulting in negative mental health consequences; WHEREAS, research suggests that LGBTQIA+ refugees and asylum seekers may continue to experience negative mental health outcomes given the multiple and compounded traumas they experience in their countries of origin and throughout the asylum and resettlement processes; WHEREAS, diagnoses commonly associated with this "lifetime of cumulative trauma" include depression, PTSD, dissociative disorders, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, traumatic brain injury, substance abuse; WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s 2021 LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Study identified that the Austin- Round Rock-Georgetown metropolitan area had the 3rd largest percentage of LGBTQIA+ people in the UnitedStates, with about 5.0% or 90,000 people identifying as LGBTQIA+; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin currently has an estimated 475-person waitlist for LGBTQIA+-focused mental health services; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s 2021 LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Study found that respondents are at high risk for serious mental health issues, including 42% for depression and 12% for suicidal ideation; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s 2021 LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Study respondents reported having to put off getting health-related services in the past 12 months because of the cost of dental care (29%), mental health care (21%), medical care (18%), and gender-affirming care (9%) among the top services avoided due to cost; and WHEREAS, the City …
(COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS) MEETING MINUTES (05 February 2024) COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FEBRURARY 5, 2024 AT 6:30PM AUSTIN, TEXAS The COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS convened in a REGULAR meeting on 05, FEBRUARY, 2024 at 301 W. 2ND ST. in Austin, Texas. Chair Melissa Ortega called the COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS Meeting to order at 6:53 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Melissa Ortega, Rennison Lalgee Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Vice Chair Victor Martinez, Aditi Joshi, Jose Caceres, Adrian De La Rosa, Virginia Badillo Board Members/Commissioners not in Attendance: Anjum Malik, Adnan Suleiman, Fang Fang PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING on 8/7/2023. The minutes from the meeting of (8/7/2023) were approved on ADITI JOSHI’S motion, VICTOR MARTINEZ’S second on a (7-0) vote. (COMMISSIONERS ANJUM MALIK, ADNAN SULEIMAN, FANG FANG absent) 2. Approve the minutes of the COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING on 11/6/2023 – amendment of 6-1 vote for Chair, 0-1 Vice Chair The minutes for the regular meeting of 11/6/2023 were approved with the following amendments on Victor Martinez’s motion, Melissa Ortega’s second on a 7-0 vote. The amendments were: (2nd page in “Discussion and Action Items”, 1st paragraph, 3rd line, starting with the 8th word regarding the vote count.) (COMMISSIONERS ANJUM MALIK, ADNAN SULEIMAN, FANG FANG absent) Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular (COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS) MEETING MINUTES (05 February 2024) STAFF BRIEFINGS Overview of Certified Welcoming America, the application process, and our current status with respect to that work: Presentation by Rocio Villalobos. 3. Welcoming America certification assesses cities and the criteria used to declare a city as a certified welcoming city or not. Having this certification helps to uplift voices in different communities and how we support immigrants in Austin. This is an opportunity to look at what is working and what needs improvement. The rating is from a 1 star status to a 5 star status for municipalities. Currently City of Austin is being considered for 2 star welcoming city. Rocio discusses the importance of elevating this work in terms of leadership to make a commitment to immigrant communities and ways to be inclusive on the way to becoming a welcoming city. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. 5. Introduction and welcome of new Commissioners. Presentation by Edna American Gateways regarding updates on their work …
