COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number: (20260323-005): Recommendation to Support Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care Through Housing Stability, Targeted Services, and Legislative Advocacy WHEREAS, youth who age out of foster care face disproportionate risks of homelessness, housing instability, unemployment, poor health outcomes, and the absence of consistent familial or adult support during the transition to adulthood; and WHEREAS, research published in Children and Youth Services Review using the National Youth in Transition Database and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System found that 29% of foster youth nationally had experienced homelessness by age 21; and WHEREAS, according to the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing at The University of Texas at Austin, 33% of youth who age out of foster care in Texas experience homelessness by age 21, exceeding the national rate; and WHEREAS, according to the Texas Institute for Child & Family Wellbeing’s 2025 executive summary on youth homelessness and foster care, the number of young adults ages 18 to 25 seeking housing assistance in Austin and Travis County increased from 376 in Fiscal Year 2022 to 1,018 in Fiscal Year 2024, and 53% of those young people reported a history in foster care; and WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services permits eligible young adults to remain in or return to Extended Foster Care through age 21, yet many young people still encounter barriers to stable housing, transportation, education, employment, healthcare, and long-term support as they transition out of care; and WHEREAS, housing support, caring adult connections, coordinated transition planning, and flexible financial assistance are recognized as important protective factors for youth leaving foster care; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has a substantial interest in preventing homelessness, advancing equity, supporting youth well-being, and strengthening community-based systems of care for transition-age young people; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Human Rights Commission encourages the Austin City Council to prioritize youth transitioning out of foster care in the City’s budget, policy, and intergovernmental planning and to direct the City Manager to explore and report back on opportunities to support this population through the following actions: 1. Develop targeted housing interventions for transition-age youth with foster care history, including rapid rehousing, transitional housing, move-in assistance, emergency rental assistance, landlord incentives, and other homelessness-prevention tools. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Expand support for nonprofit and community-based providers serving youth exiting foster care, including …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20260323-006: Budget Proposal for Increased Emergency Housing Assistance WHEREAS, the City of Austin is still facing a housing affordability crisis as data reports show that the overall median rent is now $1,624.00, with the median rent for a one bedroom at $1,405.00. Both of these figures, though a decrease from previous years and a trend in the right direction, are the second highest for any city in the state of Texas. WHEREAS, even though median rent has fallen in the past year, rental prices are still unsustainable; especially given that the cost of living for Austinites has continued to vastly increase due to national trends such as soaring healthcare costs, grocery bills, increases at the gas pump, and child and dependent care. WHEREAS, Eviction filings in Austin JP Courts reached a record high of 15,253 filings in a single year in 2025, an increase of 13% from 2024, and the State Legislature codified a bill in the last legislative session that has already weakened what little rights tenants already possess in the state of Texas. WHEREAS, per the Eviction Lab at Princeton University, eviction filings in Austin have soared to over 32% higher than the pre-pandemic average rate, with communities of color drastically more at risk of eviction in a state with some of the country’s weakest protections for renters. WHEREAS, a record 2.1 million renters, more than half of the state’s renter households, are “cost burdened,” meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities per a recent Harvard University study. WHEREAS, the State of Texas shuttered its statewide rent relief program in the summer of 2023 leaving it up to municipalities to act on the growing rental crisis. Austin has stepped up to the plate, most recently in last year’s budget cycle with a renewal of the $8 million rental assistance and eviction support program through the City of Austin Housing Department’s “I Belong in Austin” program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Human Rights Commission encourages the Austin City Council to allocate at least another $8 million dollars in rental relief funds and explore all available means in order to create short, medium, and long term solutions for individuals at risk of eviction in Austin.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number: 20260323-008: Budget Proposal for Small Business Support: Advancing Human Rights Through Economic Opportunity Motioned by: Seconded by: WHEREAS, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes every person's right to free choice of employment, protection against unemployment, and remuneration sufficient to ensure an existence worthy of human dignity — rights that extend to the sustainability of small business ownership as a livelihood; and, (UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 23) WHEREAS, the Austin City Code charges the Human Rights Commission to promote equal treatment and opportunity for all residents, which includes equitable access to economic resources and protection from conditions that threaten the financial stability and dignity of Austin business owners and their employees; and, (Austin City Code § 2-1-148) WHEREAS, small businesses in the Austin metro area account for 48.1 percent of local employment, represent 99.8 percent of all businesses in Texas, and accounted for 84 percent of the state's annual job growth in 2024, making their economic resilience a matter of direct public and human rights concern; and, WHEREAS, job growth in the Austin-Round Rock area slowed to just 0.7 percent in 2025, the slowest pace of all major Texas cities, while rising commercial rents have forced the City to modify its Business Expansion Program to address accelerating small business displacement across Austin neighborhoods. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Human Rights Commission urges the Austin City Council to allocate $5,000 to the City's Small Business Division to establish an economic impact fund providing grants and forgivable loans to Austin small businesses facing economic hardship.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20260223-009: Budget Recommendation for Immigration and Legal Assistance Funding WHEREAS, under Section 2-1-148 of the Austin City Code, the Human Rights Commission is charged to secure for all individuals in the City freedom from discrimination based on national origin. Without access to legal counsel, immigrants face detention and deportation stripped of the constitutional protections of due process and the right to representation guaranteed under the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments; WHEREAS, 55 percent of people facing deportation in immigration court lack legal counsel; arrests of immigrants with no criminal record surged 2,450 percent in 2025; and interior deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) increased more than four and a half times compared to 2024, without a court hearing or right to appeal under the expanded expedited removal policy; and, WHEREAS, deaths in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody reached a two-decade high in 2025, with more people dying in ICE detention than in the prior four years combined, due to medical neglect, denial of care, and conditions that constitute both a public safety and human rights crisis; and, WHEREAS, when immigrants cannot access legal counsel, they are less likely to report crimes and cooperate with local law enforcement, undermining public safety for all Austin residents; and, WHEREAS, American Gateways, Austin's largest nonprofit immigration legal services provider, receives approximately 100 calls per week from immigrants seeking legal assistance and serves low-income clients across 23 Central Texas counties at no or low cost, yet relies on insufficient and inconsistent public funding to meet this demand. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Human Rights Commission urges the Austin City Council to allocate $750,000 per fiscal year from the General Fund to American Gateways as a designated recurring annual appropriation.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE HIV PLANNING COUNCIL MONDAY MARCH 23RD 2026, 6:00 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, RM. 1203 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the HIV PLANNING COUNCIL may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: Join the meeting now Public comment will be allowed in person or remotely via telephone or Teams. 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. To register to speak, call or email the Office of Support, (737)- 825-1684 or hivplanningcouncil@austintexas.gov. CURRENT HIV PLANNING COUNCIL MEMBERS: Kelle’ Martin, Chair Marquis Goodwin, Vice Chair Kristina McRae-Thompson, Secretary Drew Kyler, Treasurer Joe Anderson Jr. Alicia Alston Liza Bailey Aran Belani Henry Chan Jeremy Caballero AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up no later than noon on 3/20/2026 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 HIV Planning Council regular meeting on February 23rd, 2026. CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS 2. Members will declare conflicts of interest with relevant agenda items, service categories, and/or service standards. STAFF BRIEFINGS 3. Introductions/Announcements 4. Office of Support Staff Briefing 5. Administrative Agent Staff Briefing 6. Part B Staff Briefing DISCUSSION ITEMS 7. Discussion of 2026 Resource Guide updates 8. Discussion of Data Binder contents DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 9. Discussion and approval of new applicants a. Kathleen Irwin b. Deondre Moore 10. Discussion and approval of Conflict of Interest (COI) policy 11. Discussion and approval of focus group questions 12. Discussion and approval of Service Standards edits and updates COMMITTEE UPDATES 13. Care Strategies and Engagement Committee 14. Finance and Assessment Committee FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 15. Discussion of workplan calendar and social calendar ADJOURNMENT Indicative of action items 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. TTY users’ route through Relay Texas at 711. For More Information on …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH, 23rd, 2026, 6:00 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Design 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, call or email Chad Sharrard at 512- 974-8333 or chad.sharrard@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Jon Salinas, Chair Josue Meiners, Vice Chair Ramachandra “Rao” Aradhyula David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Kevin Howard CALL TO ORDER AGENDA Saira Khan Conners Ladner Marissa McKinney Evgenia “Jenny” Murkes Brendan Wittstruck PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five 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 Design Commission regular or special called meeting on February 23rd, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing on Downtown Density Bonus Program gatekeeper requirements. Presented by Alan Pani, Austin Planning. Sponsors: Vice Chair Meiners and Commissioner Howard. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. Discussion of the implications of expanding the boundaries of Downtown to match the Central City District Plan and how that affects Design Commission scope and rewrite of and Howard. urban Sponsors: Commissioners Gelles guidelines. design Discussion on the future of the Downtown Density Bonus Program and integrating urban design guidelines, principles, and standards into that process. Sponsors: Commissioners Howard and Carroll. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. 6. 7. Discussion and action to recommend to City Council whether the project Nash Hernandez Building Renovation, located at 1621 Nash Hernandez Senior Road in Holly Shores/ Edward Rendon Sr. Metropolitan Park at Festival Beach, complies with the City Design and Sustainability Standards. Presented by Philip Reed, Levy Dykema Architects. Discussion and action to appoint a member of the Design Commission to serve as the Commission’s representative on the Downtown Commission. Sponsors: Chair Salinas and Vice Chair Meiners. Discussion and action to recommend to City Council whether the project Fiesta Gardens, located at 2101 Jesse E. Segovia St., complies with the City Design and Sustainability Standards. …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE DESIGN COMMISSION MONDAY, MARCH, 23rd, 2026, 6:00 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Design 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, call or email Chad Sharrard at 512- 974-8333 or chad.sharrard@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Jon Salinas, Chair Josue Meiners, Vice Chair Ramachandra “Rao” Aradhyula David Carroll Nkiru Gelles Kevin Howard STAFF BRIEFINGS Saira Khan Conners Ladner Marissa McKinney Evgenia “Jenny” Murkes Brendan Wittstruck AGENDA ADDENDUM 8. Staff briefing on Concourse M improvements at Austin Bergstrom Airport. Presented by Pradeep Ramadoss, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Sponsors: Vice Chair Meiners and Commissioner Howard. 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 Chad Sharrard at Austin Planning at 512-974-8033 or chad.sharrard@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Design Commission, please contact Chad Sharrard at 512-974-8033 or chad.sharrard@austintexas.gov.
DESIGN COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2026 The Design Commission convened in a regular meeting on February 23, 2026, at the Permitting and Development Center, Room 1405, located at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Drive in Austin, Texas. Commented [NC1]: Please correct to February 23, 2026, Chair Salinas called the Design Commission meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Jon Salinas, Chair Ramachandra Aradhyula David Carroll Kevin Howard Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Josue Meiners, Vice Chair Nkiru Gelles Conners Lander Marissa McKinney Jenny Murkes PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commented [NC2]: Should be bold 1. Approve the minutes of the Design Commission special-called meeting on February 2, 2026. The minutes from the Design Commission special called meeting on February 2, 2026, were approved on Commissioner Aradhyula’s motion, Chair Salinas’s second on a 7-0-1. Commissioner Howard abstained. Commissioners Khan and Wittstruck were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Discussion of the Design Commission’s strategy prioritizing urban design in Density Bonus Program projects in the City of Austin. Sponsors: Commissioners Howard and Wittstruck. Discussed. Commented [NC3]: Comma instead of period Commented [NC4]: All motions need to list absent commissioner and commissioners who abstained or recused from the vote. The commissioners first name are not used here. It should read, Commissioner Aradhyula’s motion, Chair Salinas’ second, on a 7-0- 1 vote. Commissioner Howard abstained. Commissioners x, y, and z were absent. Commented [NC5]: No space between item and action Commented [NC6]: No space between item and action 1 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussion and action to recommend to City Council whether the project ABIA Retail Center, located at 2703 Spirit of Texas Drive, complies with the City Design and Sustainability Standards. Presented by Mirza Tahir Baig, Professional StruCIVIL Engineers, Inc. This item was withdrawn without objection. COMMITTEE UPDATES Commented [NC7]: No space between item and action Commented [NC8]: Perfect! 3. Update from representative of the Downtown Commission regarding the meeting on February 18, 2026. Update was given by Commissioner Gelles. Commented [NC9]: No space between item and action FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Staff briefing on Downtown Density Bonus Program Gatekeeper Requirements. Presented by Alan Pani, Austin Planning. Sponsors: Commissioners Howard and Vice Chair Meiners.. Discussion on the future of the Downtown Density Bonus Program and integrating urban design guidelines, principles, and standards into that process. Sponsors: Commissioners Howard and Carroll. Discussion on the implications of expanding the boundaries of Downtown …
Prereq Construction Activity Pollution Prevention Required V4 LEED v4.1 BD+C: Core and Shell Project Checklist ? N Y 1 Credit Integrative Process 11 0 26 Location and Transportation 20 Credit LEED for Neighborhood Development Location Credit Sensitive Land Protection Credit High Priority Site and Equitable Development Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses 6 Credit Access to Quality Transit Credit Bicycle Facilities Credit Reduced Parking Footprint Credit Electric Vehicles 2 2 Sustainable Sites Credit Site Assessment 2 Credit Protect or Restore Habitat Credit Open Space 2 Credit Rainwater Management Credit Heat Island Reduction Credit Light Pollution Reduction Credit Tenant Design and Construction Guidelines 2 3 Water Efficiency Prereq Outdoor Water Use Reduction Prereq Indoor Water Use Reduction Prereq Building-Level Water Metering 1 1 Credit Outdoor Water Use Reduction Credit Indoor Water Use Reduction 3 Credit Optimize Process Water Use Credit Water Metering 3 21 Energy and Atmosphere Prereq Fundamental Commissioning and Verification Prereq Minimum Energy Performance Prereq Building-Level Energy Metering Prereq Fundamental Refrigerant Management 6 Credit Enhanced Commissioning 14 Credit Optimize Energy Performance Credit Advanced Energy Metering Credit Grid Harmonization 3 Credit Renewable Energy 1 Credit Enhanced Refrigerant Management 11 2 Y 1 1 0 Materials and Resources Prereq Storage and Collection of Recyclables Credit Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction Credit Environmental Product Declarations Credit Sourcing of Raw Materials Credit Credit Material Ingredients Construction and Demolition Waste Management 6 0 Indoor Environmental Quality Prereq Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance Prereq Environmental Tobacco Smoke Control Credit Enhanced Indoor Air Quality Strategies Credit Low-Emitting Materials Credit Construction Indoor Air Quality Management Plan Credit Daylight 2 1 3 1 1 6 1 1 1 6 Y 1 1 2 1 1 5 Y Y Y 1 3 1 9 Y Y Y Y 4 1 2 2 6 1 1 1 2 5 Y Y 1 2 1 Regional Priority V4 RP - 1PT RP - 2PT RP - 2PT RP - 4PT RP - 10PT RP - 2PT 1 20 20 2 3 6 6 1 1 1 11 V4 V4 V4 V4 V4 V4 V4 V4 V4 V4 V4 1 2 1 3 2 1 1 11 Required Required Required 3 4 3 1 33 Required Required Required Required 6 18 1 2 5 1 14 Required 6 2 2 2 2 10 Required Required 2 3 1 3 3 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 2 1 1 Credit Quality …
NASH HERNANDEZ GREEN BUILDING FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS FOR SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM NATURAL GAS AVOIDANCE AUXILIARY WATER SUPPLY ELECTRICAL VEHICLE CHARGING STATION OCTOBER 29, 2025 PREPARED BY: ACR Engineering, Inc. 3001 South Lamar, Ste. 210 Austin, Texas 78704 (512) 440-8333 OVERVIEW In accordance with the project scope and the city of Austin policy, ACR has conducted an evaluation of “Green Building” features for consideration in the renovation of the Nash Hernandez Facility. The renovation of municipal facilities, such as Nash Hernandez, require a Green Building Feasibility Analyses as outlined in a City of Austin Memorandum dated June 12, 2020, and further detailed in the accompanying FINAL City of Austin Green Building Policy Update. See appendix A. The proposed final policy includes requirements for mandatory feasibility analyses for: 1. Rooftop solar installation. 2. Avoidance of natural gas. 3. Use of auxiliary water supply. 4. Provision of EV charging stations. This report presents the results of a high-level evaluation of these potential Green Building features for Nash Hernandez facility. These analyses are intended as a guide for the Owner to consider and determine which features to include, if any, in the plans for the current project and/or future development. 1 SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM A preliminary study was conducted to evaluate the Solar-Ready Zone Area within the mandatory “Reserved for Future Solar Installation” at the Nash Hernandez facility. The analysis utilized 3D roof views in conjunction with the 2D roof plan (see figure below). The Solar-Ready Zone is defined as 50% of the Potential Solar Area, identified as the red-shaded region. The Potential Solar Area is defined as free from obstructions such as, but not limited to, vents, pipes, ducts, and other equipment and must comply with access, pathway, smoke ventilation, spacing, and other requirements of the city of Austin Land Development Code. The red outline of the roof shall be reserved for future solar installation. Code Compliance Data (per C402.8 & C402.8.1): • Total Potential Solar Area: 5,796 sq ft • Total Solar-Ready Zone Area: 2,955 sq ft 2 Code Compliance Data (per C405.15.1): • Total Conditioned Space: 9,160 sq ft • Required Onsite Generation: 0.75 W/sq ft • Total Generation Required: 6,870 W • Generation per Panel: 340 W • Estimated Number of Panels: ~20 panels Electrical Provisions The electrical design for the Nash Hernandez project includes provisions for both future and solar photovoltaic (PV) installation to meet code requirements. A minimum generation …
C i t y o f A u s t i n Design Commission Project Review Application Photo courtesy of Jorge E. Rousselin C i t y o f A u s t i n Design Commission Project Review Application The Design Commission provides advisory recommendations to the City Council to assist in developing public policy and to promote excellence in the design and development of the urban environment. The Design Commission reviews three types of projects: 1. City projects (see page 3 for process) The Commission reviews all municipal buildings and associated site plans to ensure they demonstrate compliance with city design and sustainability standards (Council Resolution No. 20071129-046), including those seeking Subchapter E Design Standards Alternative Equivalent Compliance (AEC) (Council Resolution No. 20100923-086). 2. Density Bonus projects (see page 4 for process) The Commission reviews density bonus projects for substantial compliance with the Urban Design Guidelines for Austin in accordance with the Gatekeeper requirements of LDC 25-2-586 for the Downtown Density Bonus Program. 3. Advisory Recommendations for Private projects (see page 3 for process) The Commission will consider Project Review Applications from private projects during its regularly scheduled monthly public meetings and may issue an advisory recommendation in the form of a Project Review Letter to the Applicant. Page 2 Design Commission - Project Review ApplicationPhoto courtesy of Jorge E. Rousselin This Project Review Application must be submitted before your project can be presented to the Design Commission for their review. Design Commission requests project be presented in their Conceptual/ Schematic Design phase. This application primarily addresses inhabited buildings and structures and their effect on the public realm; please refer to Appendix A for infrastructure type projects. The Commission’s review of projects is based on the planning/design principles in the Urban Design Guidelines for Austin. Ensure that all applicable principles are addressed in the application questions and in your presentation. The Design Commission supports the vision and principles of Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, especially those that affect the urban environment and fabric. All projects should consider this vision and principles, many of which are similar to the Urban Design Guidelines. Refer to Appendix C for the most pertinent sections of Imagine Austin. The Design Commission expects the applicant’s design team to present their project with those most knowledgeable and encourages the inclusion of sub-consultants at the presentation, when deemed necessary. EXHIBITS TO PRESENT 1. Completed Project Review Application …
- SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026, AT 5:00 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1406 6310 WILHELMINO DELCO DRIVE, AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy 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 participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Amanda Rohlich, (512) 974-1364, Amanda.Rohlich@austintexas.gov. CURRENT AUSTIN-TRAVIS COUNTY FOOD POLICY BOARD MEMBERS: Joi Chevalier, Chair Lisa Barden, Vice-Chair Andrea Abel Marissa Bell Beth Corbett Nitza Cuevas Kacey Hanson Seanna Marceaux Erin McDonald Natalie Poulos Andrew Smith AGENDA CALL TO ORDER Board Member roll call and introduction of new and existing board members. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three- minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Austin-Travis County Food Policy Board Regular Meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding Women, Infant, and Children Program. Presentation by Clare Shellooe, Austin Public Health. Staff briefing regarding Austin-Travis County Food Plan Implementation. Presentation by Edwin Marty, Food Policy Manager, Austin Climate Action & Resilience and Yaira Robinson, Assistant Director of Environmental Programs, Travis County. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Presentation and discussion regarding the Food Plan Implementation Collaborative, Kelly Nichols, Woollard Nichols & Torres. Report out from Joint Sustainability Committee on February 25, 2026. Presentation and discussion regarding the working group to expand access to nutritious foods through improvement to existing materials and resources and explore alternate or expanded hours for existing resources. Presentation and discussion regarding the working group to participate in the USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) application for funding for conservation easements as a regional partnership. Presentation and discussion regarding the working group to explore revenue generators such as sugar sweetened beverage tax, a surplus food donation requirement for events, and/or a percent conservation fund from all land purchases or new developments. Review Board Member Assignments. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 10. Discuss and take possible action …
Austin-Travis County Food Plan ATCFPB March 2026 – Staff Update City of Austin Food Plan Updates Milan Urban Food Policy Pact North American Regional Gathering City of Austin ACAR co-hosted the first ever North and Central American gathering in March 2026. City also hosted the inaugural convening of the Urban Agriculture Directors Alliance (UADA) Milan Urban Food Policy Pact North American Regional Gathering 40 cities from Canada, US, Mexico, Hondurus Reception dinner in partnership with Urban Roots and Good Work Austin, featuring City and County officials at Vuka Forum with panels, presentations, and workshops on best practices and challenges at Barr Mansion Keynote from Dr Patel and Dr Reese Output: Development of a Regional Roadmap Urban Agriculture Directors Alliance 25 US cities Convening took place st Zilker Botanical Gardens, with support from the Vermont Law School Output: Landscape Analysis of municipal work on urban ag City Staff Updates ● City staff provided another Memo to Council in November 2025 ● City staff will provide a next Memo in April 2026 ● City staff working to update the Food Plan Dashboard, to be completed in April 2026 Food Plan Implementation Convening ● First Food Plan Implementation Convening occurred on May 9th, 2025 ● Food Plan webinar occurred on August 7th, 2025 ● WNT will be presenting to the Food Policy Board in March 2026 ● Future Implementation work will be led by WNT ● ●Public launch for the Collaborative is being scheduled for Summer 2026 ● Funding from the MUFPP Award will be released via a RFA in fall 2026 City of Austin 2026 Bond Travis County Food Plan Updates General Updates 1. Update on County appointments and terms 2. Forecast for FY27 budget Thank You! www.austintexas.gov/food /austinsustainability
Q1 Update: Austin/Travis County Food Plan Implementation Collaborative Food Policy Board Meeting March 23rd, 2026 Overview 1. Background and Year 1 Goals 2. First Quarter Update • Actions taken so far • Proposed Liaison roles for the City, Travis County, and Food Policy Board • Requests for support from the City 3. Questions for the Food Policy Board Our Role The WNT team will serve as backbone support We will: • Design and facilitate inclusive processes • Support governance and structure development • Coordinate outreach, meetings, and reporting • Steward alignment with Food Plan goals and values We do not make decisions for the Collaborative - we support the Collaborative in making them. Our Team • WNT (Kelly Nichols, Kelley Abell, & Andrea Torres) • Blue Sky Partners (Matt Glazer & Audrey Sherman) • Dwyer Consulting (JC Dwyer) • Network Weavers • Black Lives Veggies the Nonprofit (Larry Franklin) • Cygnus Advisory Group (Joi Chevalier) • Joshua Collier • Good Work Austin (Nitza Cuevas and Kara Hanaoka) • Fruitful Commons (Angie Holliday) Year 1 Goals (At a Glance) Three core goals for Year 1: (1) Launch inclusive governance and leadership (2) Engage a broad, representative food system network (3) Establish clear ways of working and accountability Year 1 Goal #1: Governance Build a Collaborative people trust: • Establish an interim structure to operate quickly • Co-create a Collaborative Charter • Define leadership roles, participation tiers, and decision-making • Ensure power-sharing and equity guardrails Year 1 Goal #2: Engagement Bring the full food system to the table • Targeted outreach across all food system sectors • Network Weavers as trusted connectors • Meeting people where they are • Multiple ways to participate (deep + light touch) Year 1 Goal #3: Credibility & Alignment Build confidence with partners and the public • Regular check-ins with City, County, and Food Policy Board • Clear documentation and transparent communication • Early wins that demonstrate momentum and value Actions Taken So Far 1. Governance • Obtained federal EIN # for the Collaborative 2. Engagement • Informal Stakeholder conversations • Hosted Community Orientation Session 2/24 • Initiated signup form for Network updates • Convened Network Weavers to develop a food system stakeholder map and designate target networks 3. Credibility & Alignment • Convened Subcontractor Team and Established Year 1 Work Plan; monthly check-in meetings with City/County • Confirmed performance measures + reporting Next Up: Targeted Outreach …
REGULAR MEETING of the ARTS COMMISSION March 23, 2026, at 6:00 PM Austin Energy, Mueller Assembly Rm 1111a (115). 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723 Some members of the ARTS 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, call or email Jesús Varela at jesus.varela@austintexas.gov or at 512-974-2444. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Gina Houston - Chair, VACANT - Vice Chair, Keyheira Keys, Monica Maldonado, Felipe Garza, Heidi Schmalbach, Kirtana Banskota, Muna Hussaini, Bailey Pownall, Faiza Kracheni, Sharron B Anderson, Nagavalli Medicharla AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Arts Commission Regular Meeting on February 23, 2026. 1 of 3 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update on actions taken at the March 2, 2026 Art in Public Places Panel by Commissioner Schmalbach. 3. Update on actions taken at the March 11, 2026 Downtown Commission meeting by Commissioner Houston. 4. Discussion of the TEMPO on the Trail 2025-2026 Artist Final Designs Presentation by Mandi Thomas, Chief Operating Officer, The Trail Conservancy. 5. Report from Mayor’s Public Places Task Force by Commissioner Garza. 6. Update on meeting with Acting Director of Austin Convention Center, Katy Zamesnik, by Commissioner Anderson. 7. Discussion on creating technical workshops at Cultural Centers. 8. Discussion on The Long Center contract review. 9. Discussion of the Arts in Public Places ordinance update. STAFF BRIEFINGS 10. Staff briefing regarding an update on the Hotel Occupancy Tax by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor. 11. Staff briefing regarding update on the Cultural Arts Funding Programs by Jesús Pantel, Cultural Funding Supervisor. 12. Staff briefing regarding an update on the ACME Funding Programs by Laura Odegaard, Acting Division Manager, ACME. 13. Staff briefing regarding an update on Art in Public Places by Jaime Castillo, Art in Public Places Manager. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 14. Discussion and approval on the 2027 Budget …
ARTS + CULTURE COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 11, 2026 “Conversation Stones” by Diego Miro-Rivera THE TIMELINE TEMPO ON THE TRAIL TIMELINE: • Oct. 20, 2025: Committee Selection • Oct. 29: Artists Notified • Nov. 14: Final Designs Due • Dec. 11: TAG Meeting • January: Fabrication • Feb. 27, 2026: Installations Began 113 32 AIPP UPDATES: • Nov. 3, 2025: AIPP Panel Briefing – Artist Selection • Nov. 17, 2025: Art Commission Briefing • March 2, 2026: AIPP Panel Briefing – Final Designs “Meet Me In The Park” Johnny Walker “Sun Poem” Ani Bradberry TEMPO ON THE TRAIL 2025-2026 Jasna Boudard - Sculpture at Seaholm Park enFOLD Collective - Sculpture at Pfluger Circle Jamal Hussain - New Media at Odom Pavilion Victoria Marquez - Mural under Lamar Bridge Vy Ngo - Sculpture at Auditorium Shores Priscilla Lustig & Steef Crombach - Sculpture at Lakeshore Seth Prestwood - Mural under Drake Bridge J.C. King - Sculpture at Holly Shores Overlook Thomas Lemanski - Sculpture at Holly Fishing Pier Priscilla Lustig & Steef Crombach - Sculpture at Lakeshore Seth Prestwood - Passages enFOLD Collective - Sunclipse Jasna Boudard - Wing Trace TJ Lemanski - Cenotaphs Victoria Marquez – Reverie UnderArch J.C. King – Ghost Harps Vy Ngo – All Boats Bloom Jamal Hussain - New Light Priscilla Lustig & Steef Crombach - Cazimi UPCOMING A+C ON THE TRAIL 113 32 • Saturday, April 11 – 9:00am – 11:00am • Seaholm Waterfront (Intake) Building • Meet the Artist • Visual Trail tour • Media Interviews • Bike Tours • Walking Tours “Meet Me In The Park” Johnny Walker UPCOMING A+C ON THE TRAIL 113 32 “Meet Me In The Park” Johnny Walker
Hotel Occupancy Tax Update Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment | March 23, 2026 Hotel Occupancy Tax – February 2026 H/MOT Penalties & Interest Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax Total Revenue Approved Budget $511,252 $166,777,013 $167,288,265 Transfer to Cultural Arts Fund $15,968,425 January $126,055 $14,502,127 $14,628,182 $1,396,991 Year-to-date $437,545 $78,660,383 $79,097,928 $7,553,852 • Total HOT Collections February 2026 = $14,628,182 • 47% of FY26 Approved Budget of $167,288,265 • Cultural Arts Fund February 2026 = $1,396,991 2 Hotel Occupancy Collections – Significant Contributing Events • Austin Free Week • STOMP • FronteraFest • Spurs Austin International Half Marathon • Time Travel Half Marathon • Mark Morris Dance Group • The Best of Steve Martin & Martin Short • Jo's Annual Chili Cookoff AUS Passenger Totals: 1,888,492 (December 2025) 3 HOT Cultural Arts Fund – FY26 Progress Approved Budget $15,968,425 CAF Actuals $7,553,852 4 HOT Cultural Arts Fund – Quarterly Comparison $15.65 M $15.57 M $15.34 M $12.9 M 5 Questions? 6
Cultural Arts Funding Update Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment | March 23, 2026 Agenda 1. Contracts & Payments 2. Grant Funded Activities 2 Contracts & Payments Contracts & Payments (as of 3/22/26) FY24 Elevate FY25 Nexus FY25-26 Thrive (Year 1) FY25-26 Thrive (Year 2) Total Contracts Signed & Processed Contracts Test payments issued & verified Payment 1 Issued Payment 2 Issued Payment 3 Issued 230 230 (100%) 230 (100%) 230 (100%) 225 (98%) 177 (77%) 104 101 (97%) 101 (97%) 99 (95%) 34 (33%) n/a 35 35 (100%) 35 (100%) 35 (100%) 32 (91%) 23 (66%) See year 1 35 (100%) 35 (100%) 9 (26%) N/A N/A Total Dist. to date Total Allocation $9,004,500 (97%) $9,265,000 $462,500 (89 %) $520,000 $3,610,000 (94%) $886,500 (23%) $3,850,000 $3,850,000 4 Grant Funded Activities Cultural Funding Grantee Activities Pamela Hart Sings the Devine Sarah Vaughn March 25 Women in Jazz (District 1) – Parker Jazz Club Trans Day of Visibility March 28 Gender Unbound (District 7) – Grassroots Leadership The ROAM Presents: Ruben Esquivel Through March 28 Really Small Museum (District 1) – Red Bluff Nature Preserve 6 FY 24-25 Cultural Funding Grantee Activities "Estamos Unidos" (We Are United) Mural Through April 1 Forty4 Design (MSA) – Café Hornitos Enduring Presence: Migration, Memory, and Becoming Through April 18 Sandra C. Fernandez (District 2) – Flatbed Center for Contemporary Printmaking Fusebox Festival April 13 – 19 Fuse Box Austin (District 3) – Various Locations 7 Questions? 8
Funding Programs Update Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment | March 23, 2026 Award Announcements! ▪ 731 Awards announced on March 16th (1,606 applications submitted) ▪ $24+ million in grant awards ($67+ million in requests) Austin Live Music Fund Creative Space Assistance Program • 399 awards • $7.14 million • 22 awards • $1.32 million Elevate • 288 awards • $12.8 million Heritage Preservation Grant • 22 awards • $3 million 2 Award Notification ▪ Notification Letter (scores, minimum score required per program) ▪ Austin Live Music Fund (Musician/Promoter at $20k)– 47 ▪ Austin Live Music Fund (Musician/Promoter at $5k)– 17 ▪ Austin Live Music Fund Live Music Venue – 64 ▪ Creative Space Assistance Program – 75 ▪ Elevate Nonprofits – 88.00 ▪ Elevate Arts Groups – 92.00 ▪ Elevate Individual Artists – 93.33 ▪ Heritage Preservation Grant: Capital Projects – 36.67 ▪ Heritage Preservation Grant: Heritage Events – 54.67 ▪ Custom Report of Scores/ Panel Comments ▪ Link to Panel Meeting Recordings (Elevate) ▪ Awardee List posted to website (+new website) 3 Applicant Demographics Race ▪ 952 White (41%) ▪ 433 Hispanic (19%) ▪ 361 Black (16%) ▪ 120 Asian (5%) Gender ▪ 892 Women (39%) ▪ 1126 Men (49%) ▪ 138 Nonbinary (6%) ▪ 158 Prefer not to say (7%) ▪ 19 Middle Eastern, North African, Arab (1%) ▪ 19 Native American (1%) LGBTQ: 604 (26%) ▪ Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander (0.2%) Disability Community: 289 (12%) ▪ 172 Multiracial (7%) Veteran: 45 (2%) ▪ 234 Prefer not to say/ not listed (10%) 4 Awardee Demographics Race ▪ 322 White (46.3%) ▪ 129 Hispanic (18.5%) ▪ 86 Black (12.4%) ▪ 43 Asian (6.2%) Gender ▪ 296 Women (42.5%) ▪ 302 Men (43.4%) ▪ 44 Nonbinary (6.3%) ▪ 54 Prefer not to say (7.8%) ▪ 9 Middle Eastern, North African, Arab (1.3%) ▪ 5 Native American (0.7%) ▪ 46 Multiracial (6.6%) LGBTQ: 185 (26.6%) Disability Community: 77 (11.1%) ▪ 56 Prefer not to say/ not listed (8%) Veteran: 7 (1%) 5 District Applicants & Awardees District # Applicants # Awardees Amount Requested Award Amount District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8 District 9 District 10 ETJ Metropolitan Statistical Area 222 136 220 104 191 66 119 84 220 107 60 140 106 $ 9,220,256 $3,814,158.00 54 $ 5,220,000 $1,236,308.00 112 $ 8,419,292 $4,083,931.00 49 $ 79 $ 19 $ 49 $ …
Art in Public Places Resolution No. 20250306-29 Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Art in Public Places | March 2026 Art in Public Places Background Established in 1985 by Ordinance 861009-A to direct the inclusion of works of art in capital projects. Initiated by arts community members, including Annette Carlozzi, modeled after Seattle • • Establishes the Art In Public Places Panel to review projects for recommendations to Arts Commission • 1% of construction project, AIPP allocation not to exceed $200,000 • Excludes architectural, engineering, administrative costs, costs for fees and permits, and indirect cost, such as interest during construction, advertising and legal fees Updated in 2002 by Ordinance 201031-25 to direct the: Response to inflation, increase in CIP projects in the 1998 bond, increase in staff costs due to market salary adjustments, and growing AIPP collection • Initiated by arts community members, including the AIPP Panel and Arts Commission and support from Margo Sawyer, John Yancey, Ann Graham, Dana Friis-Hansen, Anne Elizabeth Wynn, among many others • REPLACED: Increase to 2% of cost of a project to the city and REMOVED cap • CLARIFIED: Excludes debt issuance cost, demolition cost, equipment cost, permit and fee cost, and real property acquisition excluding parkland. 2 Art in Public Places Additional Background 2023 Arts Commission Recommendation 20230123-10: • Application of City Ordinance Chapter 7-2 (AIPP 2% for Art) to Public Private Partnerships (P3) projects. March 6, 2025 Resolution 20250306-029: • Council initiated • Review Chapter 7-2 and present recommended changes The Gathering Place, Samara Barks 3 Austin is a leader in the field of public art Art in Public Places By the numbers • 40-year-old program • Oldest % for Art program in Texas • 400+ artworks in the AIPP Collection • $20,000,000+ investment • Municipal-owned assets • Arts Commission & AIPP Panel advisory boards Tau Ceti by Josef Kristofoletti; Austin Convention Center 4 How’d we get here? Fall 2024 Interest from AIPP Panel to review Guidelines January 13, 2025 AIPP Panel approves Airport Phase I Artist Selections January 14, 2025 Panel Retreat Establish Guidelines Working Group January 30, 2025 City Council approved Convention Center Deaccessions February 2025 Austin Airport Artist Selections RCA pulled from Council agenda February 4, 2025 Past Matters starts Collection Survey February 24, 2025 Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment created March 6, 2025 City Council Resolution to assess the AIPP Ordinance & Guidelines March 2025 ACME leadership, City Manager, …
Asian American Resource Center Art Call – Item #7 Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Art in Public Places Panel | March 2, 2026 Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Project Phase Scoping: Art Call (delayed from May 2025, formatting and eligibility edits) Artist(s) Name TBD Budget $90,000 Commission Funding Type Capital Improvement Project Sponsor Dept Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (AACME) Managing Dept AIPP, AACME Council District 1 2 AARC – Project Overview Call Summary / Site History: • One artist or artist-led team • Outdoors, 2D or 3D • Centers around development of a multipurpose pavilion integrated with existing great lawn • Envisioned as a flexible, year-round venue designed to host a variety of small to medium-sized programs and events Artwork Goals: • AIPP standard programmatic goals + • Speaks to and represents the Asian American experience in Austin, Texas, including • Diaspora, migration • Belonging, setting roots • Identity making, Asian American History, and/or local community building Timeline: • Call Open Spring 2026 • Artist Contracted Fall 2026 3 AARC – Art Call Requirements: • CV/Resume • 10-images of completed relevant artworks with descriptions • 4 short response questions • 3 professional references Eligibility: • Austin-based • Mid-career (newly defined) • Public artists are recognized in their fields and have a track record of exhibits, engaging communities, and completed projects in the public art realm. Minimum of five relevant completed projects with budgets up to $100,000. • Artists who have three or more permanent commissions represented in the AIPP public art collection; artists who are currently under an active contract for a permanent AIPP project; and artists who have completed a permanent AIPP project within the past year are not eligible to apply. 4 AARC – Artist Selection Process Selection Criteria: • Artistic merit, creative capacity, technical expertise of past work (30%) • Enthusiasm and ability in creating site-specific public artwork and working with local communities (40%) • Demonstrated experience in the field of public art (30%) Selection Process: • 3 visual arts professionals voting panelists • Additional community and City staff advise by providing their respective knowledge and expertise about the site, the community, the neighborhood, and the sponsor project • 1 round; score offline for short list, live discussion and vote 5 Next Steps Timeline: • AIPP Panel (Art Call) • Arts Commission (Art Call) March 2, 2026 March 23, 2026 Action needed: A motion to …
Shared Streets Art Call Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Art in Public Places | March 2, 2026 Item #10 Art Call March 2, 2026 The Gathering Place, Samara Barks Project Name Project Phase Scoping: Art Call Artist(s) Name TBD – 3 artists Art Commission $170,000 / each Funding Type Sponsor Dept Bond ATPW Managing Dept n/a Council District City-wide 3 Shared Streets Project Overview Project Overview: • Pilot projects within ATPW • Shared streets are environments where people walk, bike and drive sharing the same space. • Accommodate all travel modes, ages, abilities, while prioritizing comfort and safety for pedestrians Project Goals: • Goal is to prioritize safety and comfort of pedestrians while allowing for bicycles and motor vehicles • Connect urban trails to our sidewalks/shared street, and bicycle networks • Build safe and comfortable way to walk and bike Timeline: • Vary by project 4 Shared Streets – Art Call Scope of Work: • Commission three artists or artist teams to create permanent artworks • Four locations identified by ATPW • Collaborate with stakeholders and surrounding communities • Design, fabricate, and install artworks within the right-of-way Considerations: (if applicable) • Pilot project for ATPW • Longterm maintenance • Right-of-way requirements Eligibility: • Local mid-career public artist Mid-career: public artists are recognized in their field and have a track record of exhibits, engaging communities, and completed projects in the public realm. Minimum of five relevant completed projects with budgets up to $100,000. 5 Shared Streets – Art Call Location 1: Avenue G and H and 55th St Artwork Opportunity: • Retrofit artwork into design plans: traffic circles, pedestrian crossing islands, bulb outs, chicanes Project Goal: • Converting pilot shared street to permanent project, including two Healthy Streets Project Timeline: • Project Design complete: spring 2026 • Construction starts: • Construction complete: fall/winter 2026 early 2027 Location 1: Avenues G and H and 55th St Project Area 6 Shared Streets – Art Call Location 2: Neils Thompson and Longhorn Blvd Artwork Opportunity: • Retrofit artwork into design plans: shared use path for both pedestrian and bicyclists Project Goal: • Converting pilot shared street to permanent project, including two Healthy Streets Location 2: Neils Thompson Drive and Longhorn Blvd Project Area & Schematic Design Project Timeline: • Construction starts: • Construction complete: under construction spring 2026 7 Shared Streets – Art Call Location 3: Davis Lane and Latta Drive Artwork Opportunity: • …
Northeast Service Center Suspended Artwork Art Call Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Art in Public Places | March 2, 2026 Item #11 Art Call March 2, 2026 Two Live by Star, Angel Alcala NESC Suspended Artwork (Admin Building) Project Phase Selecting: Artist Selection Artist(s) Name TBD Art Commission $300,000 Funding Type CIP/Bond Sponsor Dept Austin Resource Recovery Austin Fleet Mobility Services Managing Dept Austin Financial Services Council District 1 NESC location: 8301 Johnny Morris Rd 3 Project Overview Project Overview: • First AIPP project within P3 delivery model • $3 million in Art Commissions • AIPP developed opportunities & budgets Project Goals: • New campus will consolidate services to one location • ARR: trash collection, recycling, composting, large brush collection and bulk items • AFMS: vehicle maintenance needs for City of Austin Timeline: • Phased approach: suspended artwork is the second project, additional opportunities in fall 2026 • Construction began fall 2025 • Campus opening fall 2027 North Campus: Austin Resource Recovery 4 Project Overview North Campus: Austin Resource Recovery South Campus: Austin Fleet Mobility Services Garage Façade Interior Suspended Artwork $1,800,000 $ 300,000 Cistern Murals x 2 Sculptures x 5 Total AIPP Opportunities $ 300,000 $ 600,000 $3,000,000 5 NESC Suspended Artwork – Art Call Scope of Work: • Site-specific permanent artwork • Suspended 3D artwork on the grand staircase • Encouraged use of recycled materials • Engage stakeholders and community • Artwork integrated into building design, including coordination with project team • Artist(s) that can meet installation timeline Considerations: • Users and visitors of the site (administrative building is open to the public) • Longterm maintenance, building is open 24/7 Eligibility: • Texas-based mid-career public artist Administrative Building Lobby, Grand Staircase Mid-career: public artists are recognized in their fields and have a track record of exhibits, engaging communities, and completed projects in the public art realm. Minimum of five relevant completed projects with budgets up to $100,000. 6 NESC Suspended Artwork – Art Call Artwork location on grand staircase in administrative building lobby 7 NESC Suspended Artwork (Admin Building) Artist Selection Process Selection Criteria: • Artistic merit, creative capacity, and technical expertise of past work (30%) • Enthusiasm and ability in creating site-specific public artwork and working with local communities (40%) • Demonstrated experience in the field of public art (30%) Artist Selection Panel: • Identify artist selection panelists (3 visual professionals) • Project advisors • Review applications …
Corridor William Cannon Final Design Item #5 Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment Art in Public Places | 2/19/26 Corridor William Cannon Project Phase Designing (Final) Artist(s) Name Brent Baggett Art Commission $104,000 Funding Type CIP Sponsor Dept TPW Managing Dept CDS Council District 2 5600 E William Cannon Dr, Austin, TX 78744 2 Corridor William Cannon Artist Introduction Brent Baggett “Winging it” Snohomish County Park, Everett, WA 2010 “Pioneer” El Centro Community College, Dallas, TX 2015 3 Community Engagement 4 "Relay" Final Design: Inspiration 5 Final Design: Visuals 6 Final Design: Site Plan 7 Final Design: Materials and Fabrication 8 Final Design: Installation 9 Artwork Budget Line Item Design (up to 20%) Artist Research | Community Engagement Concept Design Final Design Engineering & Construction Documents Design subtotal Fabrication / Install (minimum 80%) Materials Labor Shipping and installation Site Work Fabrication / Install subtotal Contingency 10% Total Amount $2,500 $6,000 $7,000 $2,500 $18,000 $30,000 $25,000 $5000 $10,000 $72,000 $10,000 % 2.5% 6% 7% 2.5% 18% 30% 25% 5% 10% 72% 10% $100,000 100% 10 Next Steps Timeline: • AIPP Panel • Arts Commission • Fabrication | Installation 3/2/26 3/23/26 Spring | Summer 2026 Action needed: A motion to approve the final design for the Corridor William Cannon Art in Public Places Project to the Arts Commission. 11
REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW COMMISSION (CPRC) FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026, 3:00 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS, ROOM 1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 The 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, please call or email Ryan Alvarez at 512-974-9090 or Ryan.Alvarez@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Carlos Alfonso Greaves, Chair Ruben DeLaPaz Terry Flood Christopher Harris Lee Peterman Celesta Williams AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Laura Cortes Franco, Vice Chair Darrick Eugene Marissa Johnson Lauren Pena Kathryn Russell Speakers who sign 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. Approval of the minutes of the Community Police Review Commission regular-called meeting of February 27, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Staff briefing regarding progress of work with the Police Technology Unit on an internal drive for the CPRC to access case files. Staff briefing regarding updates related to Austin Police Oversight, including an overview and key highlights; administrative and operational updates; commission support and follow-up; community engagement; policy highlights; and upcoming items and priorities from Director Gail McCant. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. interactions with federal Discussion of how the Community Police Review Commission could participate in public outreach events conducted by Austin Police Oversight (APO). Discussion of a recommendation to the Austin Police Department (APD) to create a public immigration authorities for public dashboard of all APD transparency. Discussion of Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) requirements for CPRC commissioners and use of a shared drive for case review. Discussion of CPRC Workflow and any potential changes to the process. Discussion of Commissioner Review Working Groups A, B, and C’s progress, experience, & recommendation templates. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 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 …
Community Police Review Commission – Meeting Minutes Friday, February 27, 2026 COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW COMMISSION (CPRC) REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026 The Community Police Review Commission convened for a regular-called meeting on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers (1001), located at 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Carlos Greaves, Chair, called the Community Police Review Commission meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Carlos Greaves, Chair Ruben De La Paz Darrick Eugene Terry Flood Lee Peterman Kathy Russell Commissioners Absent: Laura Cortes Franco, Vice Chair Christopher Harris Lauren Peña PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Peter Hunt spoke about a January 5 incident in South Austin in which APD officers responding to a disturbance reportedly identified an ICE administrative warrant for a woman at the scene and referred her to ICE, after which she was taken into custody and deported. He suggested the CPRC consider conducting a community review of the interaction to determine whether proper procedures were followed and noted that a formal complaint may not be possible since the individual involved is no longer in the country. He also raised broader concerns about APD policies related to administrative warrants. Judy Bradford presented testimony on behalf of a community member identified as “MTL,” describing a racially motivated attack near her home that was not reported to police due to fear and distrust of law enforcement. Ms. Bradford stated that this fear may discourage residents from reporting crimes and asked the Commission to review claims that officers may not always distinguish between judicial and administrative warrants. Ian McAdams spoke about concerns regarding cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. He stated that local police do not have independent authority to 1 Community Police Review Commission – Meeting Minutes Friday, February 27, 2026 detain individuals solely for civil immigration violations and raised concerns that such actions could present constitutional issues. Mr. McAdams encouraged greater transparency regarding any operational or financial impacts related to coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies. Jim Crosby read testimony from a community member named “Donna” regarding a September 2024 traffic accident after which she was reportedly arrested, taken to jail, and later placed on an immigration hold. The testimony stated she remained detained for several months and experienced significant personal and family hardship, raising concerns about the arrest and detention process. Chanda …
Community Police Review Commission – Meeting Minutes Friday, February 27, 2026 COMMUNITY POLICE REVIEW COMMISSION (CPRC) REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026 The Community Police Review Commission convened for a regular-called meeting on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers (1001), located at 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701. Carlos Greaves, Chair, called the Community Police Review Commission meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Carlos Greaves, Chair Ruben De La Paz Darrick Eugene Terry Flood Lee Peterman Kathy Russell Commissioners Absent: Laura Cortes Franco, Vice Chair Christopher Harris Lauren Peña PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Peter Hunt spoke about a January 5 incident in South Austin in which APD officers responding to a disturbance reportedly identified an ICE administrative warrant for a woman at the scene and referred her to ICE, after which she was taken into custody and deported. He suggested the CPRC consider conducting a community review of the interaction to determine whether proper procedures were followed and noted that a formal complaint may not be possible since the individual involved is no longer in the country. He also raised broader concerns about APD policies related to administrative warrants. Judy Bradford presented testimony on behalf of a community member identified as “MTL,” describing a racially motivated attack near her home that was not reported to police due to fear and distrust of law enforcement. Ms. Bradford stated that this fear may discourage residents from reporting crimes and asked the Commission to review claims that officers may not always distinguish between judicial and administrative warrants. Ian McAdams spoke about concerns regarding cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. He stated that local police do not have independent authority to 1 Community Police Review Commission – Meeting Minutes Friday, February 27, 2026 detain individuals solely for civil immigration violations and raised concerns that such actions could present constitutional issues. Mr. McAdams encouraged greater transparency regarding any operational or financial impacts related to coordination between local law enforcement and federal immigration agencies. Jim Crosby read testimony from a community member named “Donna” regarding a September 2024 traffic accident after which she was reportedly arrested, taken to jail, and later placed on an immigration hold. The testimony stated she remained detained for several months and experienced significant personal and family hardship, raising concerns about the arrest and detention process. Chanda …
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2026, AT 6:30 PM PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1406 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nekaybaw Watson, 512-974-2562, nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS : Miriam Dorantes, Chair Adrian De La Rosa Aditi Joshi Diane Kanawati Melissa Ortega Caroline Solis AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Alondra Johnson, Vice-Chair Azeem Edwin Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Meghna Roy Yohana Saucedo 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 on Immigrant Affairs regular meeting on March 2, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion and update regarding the Social Services Framework presented at last JIC meeting. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve a Recommendation to Council to expand and strengthen eviction prevention programs to protect housing stability. 4. Approve a Recommendation to Council to establish a dedicated funding framework for a universal immigration representation model. 5. Approve a Recommendation to Council to prioritize filling the Immigrant Affairs Manager position to strengthen city coordination and leadership. 6. Approve a Recommendation to Council to fund comprehensive equity and inclusion training across city departments. 7. Approve a Recommendation to Council to re-instate and fund the Family Stabilization Grant. 8. Approve a Recommendation to Council to maintain and increase funding support for American Gateways’ Immigrant Legal Services to ensure ongoing community access to representation. 9. Approve a statement of concern regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 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 Nekaybaw Watson at …
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2026 The Commission on Immigrant Affairs convened in a regular meeting on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 301 W 2nd St. in Austin, Texas. Chair Dorantes called the meeting to order at 6:36pm. Commissioners in Attendance: Miriam Dorantes, Chair Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Alondra Johnson, Vice-Chair Adrian De La Rosa Aditi Joshi Canan Kaba Diane Kanawati Melissa Ortega Caroline Solis Yohana Saucedo Commissioners Absent: Azeem Edwin Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Meghna Roy PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. 1 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Meeting on February 2, 2026. The minutes from the February 2, 2026 regular meeting of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs were approved during the regular meeting of March 2, 2026 on Commissioner Solis’ motion, Vice Chair Johnson’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Kanawati was off dais. Commissioners Edwin, Lincoln-Goldfinch, and Roy were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Update from the Quality-of-Life Study Working Group regarding progress with the Institutional Review Board, data collectors, and study practices. The update was given by Commissioner Kanawati. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve a Recommendation to Council to expand and strengthen eviction prevention programs to protect housing stability. Chair Dorantes and Commissioner Saucedo have elected to work on amendments for this recommendation. This item was postponed until the upcoming special-called meeting. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Approve a Recommendation to Council to establish a dedicated funding framework for a universal immigration representation model. This item was postponed until the upcoming special-called meeting. Approve a Recommendation to Council to prioritize filling the Immigrant Affairs Manager position to strengthen city coordination and leadership. Commissioners Kanawati and Ortega elected to work on amendments for this recommendation. This item was postponed until the upcoming special-called meeting. Approve a Recommendation to Council to fund comprehensive equity and inclusion trainings across city departments. This item was postponed until the upcoming special-called meeting. Approve a Recommendation to Council to re-instate and fund the Family Stabilization Grant. Commissioner Joshi has elected to work on amendments for this recommendation. This item was postponed until the upcoming special-called meeting. Approve a Recommendation to Council to maintain and increase funding support for American Gateway’s Immigrant Legal Services to ensure ongoing community access to representation. Commissioners De La Rosa and Saucedo have elected to work on amendments to this recommendation. This item was postponed until the upcoming …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20260320- 003: Strategies to Slow Residential Evictions and Protect Immigrant Households WHEREAS, Recent local housing data shows eviction filings have climbed to levels not seen in several years, signaling ongoing instability in the rental market. While Austin’s economy has grown, rent burdens remain high, wages for many service and construction workers have not kept pace with housing costs, and affordable units remain limited. WHEREAS, Immigrant households face heightened vulnerability to eviction due to: • Concentration in low-wage and contract labor sectors • • Fear of interacting with legal systems due to immigration status concerns Language barriers limiting understanding of court processes • Mixed-status households avoiding public programs due to perceived immigration consequences • Higher likelihood of informal lease arrangements that limit legal protections WHEREAS, Evictions are not isolated housing events, they trigger cascading impacts on employment stability, school continuity, mental health, and long-term housing access. For immigrant workers, housing displacement often leads to job loss, wage theft exposure, and deeper economic precarity. WHEREAS, Slowing eviction proceedings, particularly through mediation, diversion, rental assistance linkage, and language access, allows families time to stabilize while reducing long-term public costs associated with homelessness, emergency shelter, and crisis response. WHEREAS, The Commission finds that proactive eviction prevention aligns with the City’s equity commitments and immigrant inclusion priorities and urges Council to act urgently to prevent avoidable displacement and family destabilization. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED The Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends that the Austin City Council take immediate action to slow the pace of residential evictions in the City of Austin and strengthen stabilization measures for immigrant and mixed-status households amid significantly rising eviction filings in Travis County. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED The Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends the City Council to: . • Direct the City Manager to evaluate lawful mechanisms to extend eviction timelines, including pre-filing mediation requirements, enhanced notice periods, and eviction diversion coordination. •Council should direct the HACA Board to develop a plan now to support potentially impacted households and consult with the City’s Immigration Officer and the Commission on Immigrant Affairs. • Expand funding for emergency rental assistance, right-to-counsel programs, and eviction defense services, with culturally responsive outreach to immigrant and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) households. • Require strengthened language access standards for eviction notices, rental assistance applications, and tenant education materials. • Partner with Travis County courts to formalize …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20260320-004 : Establish a Dedicated Funding Framework for a Universal Immigration Representation Model. WHEREAS, Austin, like the rest of the United States, has seen increased immigration enforcement in the community. Our neighbors are being detained at record levels, and the federal government has cut funding that previously supported pro se immigration legal assistance. Noncitizens are being detained at routine immigration court hearings and US Citizenship and Immigration Services interviews at never-before seen levels. WHEREAS, In South Central Texas, ICE arrested nearly 12,000 people during the first nine months of the Trump Administration—nearly double from the previous year. This includes all of ICE San Antonio field office’s jurisdiction (Austin and others) but is illustrative of the overall effect of the increased enforcement policies. WHEREAS, One in three children in Austin has at least one immigrant parent. Eighty-seven percent of those children are United States citizens. Therefore, the risk of permanent family separation is high. WHEREAS, Further, immigrant-led households in Austin earned $234.3 billion in 2023 and contributed $19.3 billion in combined state and local taxes. The financial impact of these policies are detrimental to the City of Austin. WHEREAS, The decrease in federal funding has resulted in immigration legal services budgets to be slashed or fully cut. This has resulted in layoffs at local immigration nonprofits and attorneys withdrawing their representation. Noncitizens are struggling to find legal assistance and are often turning to notarios who are engaging in unlicensed practice of law, damaging people’s chances of being granted immigration status. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED The Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends increasing funding for immigration legal assistance to expand deportation defense. Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Seconded By: . Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20260320-005 : Development of the Immigration Affairs Office WHEREAS, Ensuring immigrant inclusivity will build stronger educated communities that can contribute to economic growth, creative potential, and innovation throughout Austin and its society. WHEREAS, The City of Austin is committed to continuous improvement and inclusivity, and the development of an Immigrant Affairs Office would enhance the quality-of-life for all Austinites, ensuring that we remain equal to or superior to other cities that have already established similar offices. WHEREAS, The Commission on Immigrant Affairs has consistently recommended the development and/or expansion of an Immigrant Affairs Office over the years—Recommendation Number: 20190429- 5AI, Recommendation Number: 20200422-002A2, Recommendation Number: 20210301‐2b Recommendation Number: 20220307-2d—recognizing that one person is insufficiently supported in handling all the responsibilities and demands placed on them. WHEREAS, The following roles as essential to the Immigrant Affairs Office: • Immigrant Affairs Officer: leads strategy and sets direction for the Office, develops policies, and elevates immigrant affairs as a priority for the City. • Immigrant Affairs Program Manager: oversees programs and partnerships with City departments and community organizations focused on key areas like Civic Engagement, Naturalization / Citizenship, Economic Mobility, Employment Authorization Assistance, and Adult Education. • Community Engagement Coordinator (Immigrant Affairs): facilitates communication and collaboration between the City, immigrant leaders, and community organizations. Coordinates outreach efforts with immigrant communities and community partners and provides follow-up to connect people to social services. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED The Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends the development of an Immigrant Affairs Office with adequate staffing to serve as a centralized unit to coordinate services and support for our immigrant communities who are vulnerable to experiencing discrimination, marginalization, hate crimes, and/or persecution. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED The Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends Austin Equity and inclusion fill the vacant Immigrant Affairs Manager position; develop an Immigrant Affairs Office to ensure that the needs of Austin's immigrant community are recognized, supported, and effectively addressed, which would allow for stronger community engagement, more responsive services, as well as better coordination across city departments to close existing gaps; and develop a comprehensive budget plan focused on expanding staff, services, and infrastructures will promote the immigrant community’s economic mobility, human services (health care/food/legal services), education, and civic participation. Seconded By: Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20260320-006 : Fund Equity and Inclusion Training WHEREAS, The City of Austin continues to see an increase in reported hate crimes and hate incidents year to year since 2021. WHEREAS, Dismantling hate and bias in our community requires a collective effort and meaningful collaboration between the city, its staff, and residents. WHEREAS, An addition of Bystander Intervention training would empower staff and community members with the skills to safely intervene and respond to instances of hate-driven discrimination or violence. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED The Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends adequate funding be allocated to Anti-hate campaigns and programs, creating a centralized hub where both staff and citizens can easily access information on reporting hate-based incidents, current program offerings, and available public training. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED The Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends Austin Equity and Inclusion to expand outreach efforts to engage a broader and more diverse audience. We urge the city council to invest in the expansion of Undoing Racism training for the general public, and to ensure that both city staff and community members have access to Bystander Intervention training. These efforts are critical to fostering a safer, more inclusive, and better-informed community. Seconded By: Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________ .
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20260320-007 : Reinstate funding for the Family Stabilization Grant WHEREAS, It can be very difficult for cities like Austin to meet their residents’ needs through subsidized house programs, as federal housing programs have limited reach and limited funding; and WHEREAS, Affordability continues to be one of the most common issues expressed by residents. The Family Stabilization Program offers more flexible access to housing support, accords more choice and dignity, reduces discrimination, and offers more efficient and cost-effective housing; WHEREAS, According to findings from the Urban Institute’s report titled Evaluation of the Austin Guaranteed Income Pilot, participants reported spending, on average, more than 50% of their pilot cash to cover housing costs, and the average share participants spent on housing was more than twice as much spending in any other category. WHEREAS, Improved housing security allowed participants to also focus on other goals, including financial investing, skills building, expanding their professional networks, and pursuing additional education; and for recipients, overall, median household incomes increased over time. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED The Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends ongoing funding of the Family Stabilization Program $3 million for FY26-27 as part of the City’s base budget. Seconded By: Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: . Attest: _____________________________________________
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20260320-008 : Expansion of Immigration Legal Services WHEREAS, Austin, like the rest of the United States, has seen increased immigration enforcement in the community. Our neighbors are being detained at record levels, and the federal government has cut funding that previously supported pro se immigration legal assistance. Noncitizens are being detained at routine immigration court hearings and US Citizenship and Immigration Services interviews at never-before seen levels. WHEREAS, In South Central Texas, ICE arrested nearly 12,000 people during the first nine months of the Trump Administration—nearly double from the previous year. This includes all of ICE San Antonio field office’s jurisdiction (Austin and others) but is illustrative of the overall effect of the increased enforcement policies. WHEREAS, One in three children in Austin has at least one immigrant parent. Eighty-seven percent of those children are United States citizens. Therefore, the risk of permanent family separation is high. WHEREAS, Further, immigrant-led households in Austin earned $234.3 billion in 2023 and contributed $19.3 billion in combined state and local taxes. The financial impact of these policies are detrimental to the City of Austin. WHEREAS, The decrease in federal funding has resulted in immigration legal services budgets to be slashed or fully cut. This has resulted in layoffs at local immigration nonprofits and attorneys withdrawing their representation. Noncitizens are struggling to find legal assistance and are often turning to notarios who are engaging in unlicensed practice of law, damaging people’s chances of being granted immigration status. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED The Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends increasing funding for immigration legal assistance to expand deportation defense. Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Abstain: Seconded By: . Off the dais: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20260320-009: Maintain Funding to Support American Gateways’ Immigrant Legal Services WHEREAS, Austin, like the rest of the United States, has seen increased immigration enforcement in the community. Our neighbors are being detained at record levels, and the federal government has cut funding that previously supported pro se immigration legal assistance. Noncitizens are being detained at routine immigration court hearings and US Citizenship and Immigration Services interviews at never-before seen levels. WHEREAS, In South Central Texas, ICE arrested nearly 12,000 people during the first nine months of the Trump Administration—nearly double from the previous year. This includes all of ICE San Antonio field office’s jurisdiction (Austin and others) but is illustrative of the overall effect of the increased enforcement policies. WHEREAS, One in three children in Austin has at least one immigrant parent. Eighty-seven percent of those children are United States citizens. Therefore, the risk of permanent family separation is high. WHEREAS, Further, immigrant-led households in Austin earned $234.3 billion in 2023 and contributed $19.3 billion in combined state and local taxes. The financial impact of these policies are detrimental to the City of Austin. WHEREAS, The decrease in federal funding has resulted in immigration legal services budgets to be slashed or fully cut. This has resulted in layoffs at local immigration nonprofits and attorneys withdrawing their representation. Noncitizens are struggling to find legal assistance and are often turning to notarios who are engaging in unlicensed practice of law, damaging people’s chances of being granted immigration status. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED The Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends maintaining the current funding for American Gateways’ Immigration Legal Services. Date of Approval: Motioned By: Vote: For: Against: Seconded By: . Abstain: Off the dais: Absent: Attest: _____________________________________________
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Commission on Immigrant Affairs Recommendation Number: 20260320- 003: Strategies to Slow Residential Evictions and Protect Immigrant Households WHEREAS, Recent local housing data shows eviction filings have climbed to levels not seen in several years, signaling ongoing instability in the rental market. While Austin’s economy has grown, rent burdens remain high, wages for many service and construction workers have not kept pace with housing costs, and affordable units remain limited. WHEREAS, Immigrant households face heightened vulnerability to eviction due to: • Concentration in low-wage and contract labor sectors • Fear of interacting with legal systems due to immigration status concerns • Language barriers limiting understanding of court processes • Mixed-status households avoiding public programs due to perceived immigration consequences • Higher likelihood of informal lease arrangements that limit legal protections WHEREAS, Evictions are not isolated housing events, they trigger cascading impacts on employment stability, school continuity, mental health, and long-term housing access. For immigrant workers, housing displacement often leads to job loss, wage theft exposure, and deeper economic precarity. WHEREAS, Slowing eviction proceedings, particularly through mediation, diversion, rental assistance linkage, and language access, allows families time to stabilize while reducing long-term public costs associated with homelessness, emergency shelter, and crisis response. WHEREAS, The Commission finds that proactive eviction prevention aligns with the City’s equity commitments and immigrant inclusion priorities and urges Council to act urgently to prevent avoidable displacement and family destabilization. WHEREAS, Evictions increase homelessness and can cause economic distress for the city. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED The Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends that the Austin City Council take immediate action to slow the pace of residential evictions in the City of Austin and strengthen stabilization measures for immigrant and mixed-status households amid . significantly rising eviction filings in Travis County, Williamson County, and other surrounding counties. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED The Commission on Immigrant Affairs recommends the City Council to: • Direct the City Manager to evaluate lawful alternatives that may reduce and delay evictions where permitted, including extending applicable deadlines, prioritizing mediation, and providing enhanced notice requirements consistent with governing law and local policy. •Council should direct the HACA Board to develop a plan now to support potentially impacted households and consult with the City’s Immigration Officer and the Commission on Immigrant Affairs. • Expand funding for emergency rental assistance, right-to-counsel programs, and eviction defense services, with culturally responsive outreach to immigrant and …
