RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: 20260325-043: Entrepreneurial Grants for LGBTQIA+ Businesses WHEREAS, local LGBTQIA+-owned businesses contribute significantly to Austin’s cultural identity, neighborhood character, tourism appeal, and economic vitality; and WHEREAS, small businesses owned by LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs may face barriers to accessing capital and business development resources, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty and rising operating costs; and WHEREAS, City initiatives supporting historically underserved entrepreneurs have demonstrated success in fostering business stability, local job creation, and neighborhood economic resilience; and WHEREAS, responsible tools such as no-interest loans, technical assistance, and targeted entrepreneurial support can strengthen small business sustainability while maintaining fiscal prudence; and WHEREAS, continued and expanded support for LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs aligns with the City’s commitments to inclusive economic development, small business resilience, and cultural district preservation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the Austin City Council expand and continue entrepreneurial support initiatives within existing City economic development programs to strengthen access to capital and technical assistance for LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends allocating $200,000 to enhance no-interest loan capacity and related entrepreneurial assistance within the City’s existing small business support infrastructure. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that program implementation include targeted outreach and culturally competent engagement to ensure equitable access for LGBTQIA+-owned businesses, particularly small, locally owned, and community-serving enterprises that may face barriers to traditional financing. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee requests reporting on participation rates, loan performance, and business stabilization outcomes to evaluate program impact and inform future economic development strategies.
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: 20260325-044: LGBTQ Entertainment District WHEREAS, the State of Texas, through directives to enforce roadway safety and pavement marking compliance, has required removal of decorative and message-based roadway art, including rainbow and culturally themed crosswalks, with potential risk to transportation funding for noncompliance; and WHEREAS, the rainbow crosswalk at West 4th Street and Colorado Street has served as a widely recognized marker of Austin’s LGBTQ cultural and entertainment district, signaling safety, belonging, and civic recognition for LGBTQIA+ residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, the removal of highly visible cultural markers in public spaces may negatively affect community cohesion, cultural tourism, and small business activity within established neighborhood corridors; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin operates a Street Banner Program that provides a lawful and compliant framework for district identity markers, including over-street and street-pole banners, consistent with roadway regulations; and WHEREAS, the development of an LGBTQ Entertainment District, supported by culturally identifiable infrastructure, may strengthen economic activity, tourism, and small business vitality within the district; and WHEREAS, exploration of a Micro Public Improvement District (Micro-PID) or similar localized funding and maintenance structure may provide a sustainable mechanism for district identity infrastructure, programming, and long-term stewardship; and WHEREAS, community-centered public art and engagement processes improve representation, legitimacy, and long-term community ownership of civic cultural markers; and WHEREAS, timely execution of a compliant transition strategy is necessary to meet state- mandated deadlines and minimize disruption to community identity, tourism, and district economic activity; and WHEREAS, this effort aligns with the work of the Mayor’s Task Force on transitioning from decorative crosswalks to compliant public-space district markers and identity infrastructure; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager to prioritize and establish a one-time LGBTQ Entertainment District Cultural Infrastructure Pilot to replace removed decorative crosswalk markers with compliant district identifiers, including banners, flags, wayfinding elements, and related identity infrastructure, with an initial focus on the West 4th Street corridor. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends allocating $120,000 in one-time funding for design, fabrication, and installation of district identity infrastructure, utilizing the City’s existing Street Banner Program and related standards where feasible. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the pilot include a structured community engagement and local artist process to develop culturally authentic district marker designs reflective of Austin’s LGBTQIA+ community and broader …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: 20260325-003: Priorities, Focus Areas, Safeguards, Controls & Community Engagement for Social Services Funding WHEREAS, the Austin City Manager announced on December 17, 2025 a 10% retroactive cut to social service contracts1; and WHEREAS, these cuts impact social services, social service contracts and social service grants2; and WHEREAS, Kerri Lang, Director, Austin Budget & Organizational Excellence and Daniel Culotta, Assistant Director, Austin Budget & Organizational Excellence presented at the Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) meeting on February 26, 2026 asking for JIC’s input on prioritizing cuts and funding3; and WHEREAS, the following JIC member commissions had representatives in attendance at the February 26, 2026 meeting: • African American Resource Advisory Commission • Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission • Commission on Aging • Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission • Human Rights Commission • LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission • Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities; and WHEREAS, six of those seven member commissions met since (consisting of quorum); and WHEREAS, Austin Budget & Organizational Excellence presented to the Joint Inclusion Committee on February 26, 2026 requesting input/feedback as to 1) Which service categories are most critical to communities; 2) how to avoid system risk, safeguard equity and protect historically underserved populations; and what engagement strategy(ies) the City should use; and 1 Social Services Funding Update, December 17, 2025 2 Social Services Framework, Austin Budget & Organizational Excellence, page 5 3 Agenda Joint Inclusion Committee, Special Called Meeting, February 26, 2026 Page 1 of 3 WHEREAS, the deadline for all commissions to submit budget recommendations is March 31, 2026 and member commissions have been focused on this effort which had already strained the resources of the JIC member commissions; and WHEREAS, reducing the amount of City funding already published and awarded: • Erodes the public confidence in the City’s ability to budget, • Puts the jobs of non-profit employees at risk, • Jeopardizes the future of Austin’s non-profit organizations, • Increases competition for non-City grants and philanthropic funding, • Leaves Austin’s most vulnerable populations even more vulnerable; and WHEREAS, with the decrease in federal funding and increase in government persecution of marginalized communities, the numbers in the at-risk communities across all demographics are growing; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager, to direct the Austin Budget & Organizational …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-007]: Social Services Funding Recommendation: Maintain current funding levels for social service contracts in the upcoming fiscal year (FY26) and avoid further reductions. General ask to maintain funding for organizations like: • Alliance for African American Health in Central Texas • African-American Men's Health Clinic • Austin Urban Technology Movement (AutmHQ) Description of Recommendation to Council: We recommend the City Council maintain funding for city social service contracts at current levels and avoid any additional cuts. Many of these organizations that currently hold city contracts deliver crucial services to some of our most vulnerable populations. As the commission charged with advising the city council on matters related to the quality of life of Austin’s African American residents, it is imperative that we continue to fund the resources these organizations need to sustain the impact they are making in our community. Additional cuts will most certainly result in a significant reduction of capacity to meet the community’s growing needs. Preserving these investments is essential to sustaining core community services, preventing cost escalation in other public systems, and protecting vulnerable populations during continued economic uncertainty. Furthermore, preserving these resources is vital for intersectional populations such as black veterans who rely on these culturally competent organizations for preventative healthcare and workforce transition support. Rationale: • Social service contracts are cost-avoidance tools, not discretionary spending These contracts reduce demand on higher-cost public systems such as emergency medical care, law enforcement, child welfare, and homelessness response. Cuts to preventive and stabilization services often result in greater downstream expenditures that exceed any short-term budget savings. • Contract stability protects service continuity and workforce retention Maintaining funding ensures continuity of care for clients and reduces turnover among trained service professionals. Workforce instability leads to service disruptions, increased onboarding costs, and reduced program effectiveness. • Demand for services remains elevated Economic pressures, housing instability, public health impacts, and demographic shifts continue to drive demand for social services. Reducing funding at this time would widen service gaps and increase unmet needs in the community. Alignment with JIC Mission/Vision/Values: This 10% reduction is impacting numerous organizations that provide services for Austin’s most vulnerable communities to Austin’s most vulnerable communities, thereby directly affecting the quality of life. Ensuring funding for them directly supports JIC’s mission to advance, increase, and sustain racial equity in Austin by preserving essential services. Whether it's workforce training programs …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-009] : Recommendation on the FY 2027 Budget related to Austin Multicultural STEM Symposium WHEREAS, the City of Austin has experienced sustained economic growth driven in part by the expansion of the technology sector, supported through public incentives, tax benefits, and partnerships intended to strengthen the local economy and workforce; and WHEREAS, this growth has coincided with significant gentrification pressures that have disproportionately impacted marginalized communities, particularly Underserved residents, resulting in displacement and migration to the outer edges of the city; and WHEREAS, Underserved residents in Austin remain underrepresented in the technology workforce relative to the City’s overall population and continue to face historic barriers to STEM education access, workforce pipelines, and capital investment; and WHEREAS, while economic development efforts have focused on attracting and retaining technology companies, many communities lack early exposure, culturally relevant engagement, and structured pathways into STEM and technology related careers; and WHEREAS, early, age appropriate exposure to STEM learning and diverse career role models is a critical factor in building long term educational, economic, and workforce equity; and WHEREAS, Mayor Kirk Watson’s Gen ATX initiative prioritizes making Austin the best place to be a kid, with pillars centered on healthy kids, safe kids, and happy and successful kids, including fostering a sense of belonging and access to opportunity; and WHEREAS, inclusive, community rooted STEM programming directly supports these goals by connecting youth and families to educational resources, career pathways, and local employers in trusted and accessible environments; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Austin allocate $250,000 in the FY 2027 budget directly to Austin Economic Development Youth Initiatives Office for the sole purpose of planning, convening, and executing the inaugural Austin Multicultural STEM Symposium as a city sponsored, publicly accessible initiative advancing equitable access to STEM pathways; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Austin Economic Development Youth Initiatives Office establish and lead a cross departmental working group responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of the Austin Multicultural STEM Symposium, including program design, nonprofit coordination, corporate engagement, logistics, outreach, community engagement, and evaluation, to ensure clear accountability and measurable impact; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Austin Economic Development formally partner with Universal Tech Movement, under the leadership of Founder and CEO Michael Ward Jr., to support ecosystem coordination, nonprofit alignment, and community activation in preparation for and during the Symposium; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-010] : Recommendation on the FY 2027 Budget related to Voting Accessibility WHEREAS, civic participation through voting is a foundational element of United States democracy and a critical component of community trust, representation, and collective decision-making; and WHEREAS, voter turnout data in Travis County indicates that even in high-participation elections, a significant portion of eligible voters do not cast ballots, with participation rates commonly ranging between approximately 50 and 60 percent, signaling persistent barriers to access rather than lack of civic interest; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin and Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) have previously partnered to offer free public transit on Election Day to reduce transportation barriers for voters; and WHEREAS, many residents—particularly those working hourly, shift-based, frontline, or service- sector roles—rely on early voting periods to participate in elections due to limited schedule flexibility, caregiving responsibilities, disability considerations, and financial constraints; and WHEREAS, limiting free transit access to a single Election Day does not equitably serve voters who depend on early voting opportunities but may lack reliable or affordable transportation during those periods; and WHEREAS, extending free public transit to include all city-observed early voting days would meaningfully expand access, reduce cost and time barriers, and provide voters with the flexibility needed to participate in the democratic process; and WHEREAS, a defining characteristic of Austin is its commitment to community-centered solutions and partnerships with trusted local institutions that strengthen civic life and democratic participation; and WHEREAS, trusted community institutions such as churches, nonprofit organizations, and neighborhood-based groups often maintain existing transportation resources, including buses and vans, and have established relationships that allow them to support community members in safe, coordinated, and familiar ways; and WHEREAS, structured, organization-led transportation support on official Election Day can address last-mile and same-day accessibility challenges while providing meaningful opportunities for community partners to engage directly in supporting democratic participation; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Austin support and explore a partnership with CapMetro to extend free public transit access beyond Election Day to include all city-observed early voting periods and official voting hours, ensuring equitable transportation access for residents who rely on early voting opportunities; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this expanded public transit access be designed to reduce financial and time-based barriers for voters with constrained schedules or limited resources, enabling greater flexibility in when and how individuals participate in …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE Recommendation Number: [20260325-013]: Quality of Life Studies for Commissions WHEREAS, the Joint Inclusion Committee is currently made up of eleven commissions each representing a specific demographic; and WHEREAS, each of the member commissions of the Joint Inclusion Committee is tasked with representing their specific demographic and information, such as is contained in a thorough Quality of Life Study is vital to such representation; and WHEREAS, results from the Quality of Life studies can have significant impact on the work of Joint Inclusion Committee member commissions, as it may take months or years to implement the issues that surface from these studies; and WHEREAS the Commission on Veterans Affairs has never had a City of Austin Quality of Life Study; and WHEREAS, the African American Resource Advisory Commission had a quality of life study that was completed 2006; and WHEREAS, the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission had a quality of life study that was completed 2013; and WHEREAS, the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission had a quality of life study that was completed 2015; and WHEREAS, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender, and Queer Quality of Life Advisory Commission and the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities each had a quality of life study that was completed 2021; and WHEREAS the Commission for Women, the Commission on Aging, and the Early Childhood Council have Quality of Life studies that were completed in 2025/2026 and are awaiting publication. WHEREAS, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs has a Quality of Life study that is in progress WHEREAS, the Human Rights Commission had funds appropriated but did not want to have a study. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee encourages the Austin City Council to fund Quality of Life studies for the Commission on Veterans Affairs, the African American Resource Advisory Commission, the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission, and the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission, at an approximate cost of $400,000 each in the upcoming budget cycle. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee encourages the Austin City Council to fund a quality of life study for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender, and Queer Quality of Life Advisory Commission, the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities, in the following budget cycle (two budget cycles out). NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: 20260325-018: Increasing In-Language Communications WHEREAS, federal civil rights guidance under Title VI requires recipients of federal financial assistance to take reasonable steps to ensure meaningful access for individuals with limited English proficiency, underscoring that language access is a foundational equity practice for publicly funded services1; and WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights provides guidance and resources regarding limited English proficiency (LEP) obligations and language assistance as a means of ensuring equal access to services2; and WHEREAS, Texas Health and Human Services policy guidance addresses nondiscrimination and limited English proficiency, reflecting statewide expectations that programs ensure access for LEP individuals3; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Language Access Policy establishes that City departments must provide meaningful access to City programs, services, and information through translation and interpretation so residents can communicate with the City in the language in which they are most comfortable4; and WHEREAS, the City’s Language Access Plan (2025) describes a coordinated, citywide approach to language access services and expectations for departments’ implementation and ongoing improvement5; and WHEREAS, the City Auditor’s Language Access Follow-Up highlights the importance of consistent, effective execution of language access services across City operations to ensure equitable access for residents with limited English proficiency6; and 1 Federal Register :: Guidance to Federal Financial Assistance Recipients Regarding Title VI Prohibition Against National Origin Discrimination Affecting Limited English Proficient Persons, April 18, 2002 2 Limited English Proficiency (LEP) | HHS.gov Civil Rights 3 3400, Nondiscrimination and Limited English Proficiency | Texas Health and Human Services, October 29, 2025 4 Language Access Policy | AustinTexas.gov 5 Austin Language Access Plan 2025 6 City of Austin, Office of the City Auditor Language Access Follow-Up May 2023 Page 1 of 3 WHEREAS, the City’s iSpeak Austin resources provide residents information about language access services and how to request them, reinforcing the City’s commitment to in-language access7; and WHEREAS, the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan (adopted 2012) emphasizes inclusive civic participation and engagement, which depends on communications that are accessible to Austin’s diverse communities8; and WHEREAS, Austin City Council has recently reaffirmed its commitment to improving outcomes for older adults through Age-Friendly Austin efforts, which necessarily require effective outreach and communications to older adults across communities9; and WHEREAS, a recent City of Austin Older Adults Quality of Life study found that Asian American older adults represented approximately 20% …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: 20260325-020: Food Insecurity and Meals for Older Adults WHEREAS, nationwide, approximately one in four older adults ( malnourished or at risk of malnutrition1; and ≧ 65 years of age) is considered WHEREAS, according to the 2025 report from Feeding America, 15.9% of Travis County residents are food insecure2 and of Austin residents aged 50 and older, 38% live alone, 26% are functionally disabled, and 58% fall below 60% of Austin MFI3 4 5; and WHEREAS, 25% of Austin's population (251,519 people) are 50 years or older6 with residents 65+ being the fastest-growing age group and by 2035, adults 65+ will outnumber children under 18 nationally7; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin adopted the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, which states that Austin should strive to be a community where all residents have access to healthy food and where public policies support health, equity, and well-being across the lifespan8; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin and Travis County adopted the Austin/Travis County Food Plan, which identifies food access and food insecurity as critical public health and equity issues and calls for coordinated strategies to ensure residents—particularly vulnerable populations—have reliable access to nutritious food9; and WHEREAS, the Austin/Travis County Food Plan recognizes that older adults and residents with disabilities face structural barriers to accessing healthy food and recommends expanding partnerships 1 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Prevention and Treatment of Malnutrition in Older Adults Living in Long- Term Care or the Community July 15, 2024 2 Hunger & Poverty in Travis County, Texas | Map the Meal Gap 3 2025 Quality of Life Study, Austin Disabled Older Adults At-A-Glance, page 20 4 2025 Quality of Life Study, Austin Disabled Older Adults At-A-Glance, page 34 5 Ibid. 6 Austin Demographics 7 The Graying of America: More Older Adults Than Kids by 2035 8 Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan June 15, 2012 9 Austin/Travis County Food Plan Page 1 of 4 and programs that deliver food directly to residents who cannot easily access grocery stores or food distribution sites10; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Strategic Direction 2023 identifies access to healthy food and reduction of disparities in health outcomes as key components of the City’s goals related to health, equity, and community well-being11; and WHEREAS, approximately 113,850 Austin residents are age 65 and over12 and approximately 486,450 Austin residents earn low-moderate income13; and WHEREAS, food insecure older adults …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number 20260325-022: Budget Proposal for Increased Funding for Austin Economic Development’s Family Child Care Educator Network WHEREAS, Access to affordable, high-quality child care is a foundational economic and social need for Austin families, particularly for low-income households and communities of color; and WHEREAS, Families in Austin choose home-based child care because providers share their culture and speak their home language, offer the most affordable care option, provide care during non- traditional hours including evenings, overnight, and weekends, and are trusted members of the community—making home-based providers an irreplaceable part of the child care landscape for many Austin families; and WHEREAS, the average cost of childcare in Austin is the highest in Texas at $26,000 annually for two children. WHEREAS, 85% of early childhood educators in Texas earn less than a living wage, with a median wage of $12.00 per hour; and WHEREAS, Early childhood educators employed by child care programs that accept subsidies earn less than their counterparts at programs that do not accept subsidies, creating a systemic penalty for providers who serve the City's most economically vulnerable children; and WHEREAS, Hispanic early childhood educators in Texas earn significantly less than White early childhood educators regardless of education, experience, or location, reflecting persistent racial wage inequities within the field; and WHEREAS, 7 in 10 full-time early childhood educators do not receive employer-provided health insurance, and half lack access to paid sick leave, leaving a workforce that cares for the City's youngest residents without basic economic protections; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin, through Austin Economic Development, currently administers a Family Child Care Educator Network (FCCE Network) that supports home-based childcare providers. Which focuses on child care provider well-being, economic sustainability, child care quality, and the well-being of children and families; and WHEREAS, the current operating budget of $150,000, includes $75K in funding from a Home Grown grant which will expire in FY2026-27 and $75,000 in City of Austin match funding which expires at the end of FY2025-2026 and funds critical network activities including a Network Coordinator position, financial relief grants to providers, peer mentorship, professional development, a home- based provider conference, and essential interpretation and translation services; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED The Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the Austin City Council consider the following actions: ● Increase funding for the Family Child Care Educator Network from $75,000 to its current operating budget …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: 20260325-023 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 Joint Inclusion Committee 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 and restore the 10% cut to Catholic Charities. Date of Approval: March 25, 2026 Motioned By: Commissioner Laake-Stanfield Seconded By: Commissioner Thakkar Vote: 10-0 For: Vice Chair Bondi, Commissioners Alvizo, Benson, Castaneda, Chang, Laake-Stanfield, Kanawati, Oliva-Martínez, Parsons, Thakkar Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Off the dais: None Absent: Chair Afifi, Commissioners Bullard, McNary, Melendez Attest: _____________________________________________ (Ryan Sperling, Staff Liaison)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: 20260325-024 Budget Proposal for Small Business Support: Advancing Human Rights Through Economic Opportunity 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 Joint Inclusion Committee urges the Austin City Council to allocate $25,000 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. Date of Approval: March 25, 2026 Motioned By: Commissioner Benson Seconded By: Commissioner Laake-Stanfield Vote: 9-0 For: Vice Chair Bondi, Commissioners Benson, Castaneda, Chang, Laake-Stanfield, Kanawati, Oliva-Martínez, Parsons, Thakkar Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Off the dais: Commissioner Alvizo Absent: Chair Afifi, Commissioners Bullard, McNary, Melendez Attest: _____________________________________________ (Ryan Sperling, Staff Liaison)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: 20260325-025: 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. WHEREAS, Veterans in Austin face unique and compounded risks of housing insecurity and homelessness, and eviction prevention efforts must ensure targeted outreach to households who may be navigating the transition or relying on fixed disability incomes. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee encourages the Austin City Council to allocate at least another $8 million dollars in rental relief funds, including organizations that provide targeted support, and …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-027]: Far Southeast Library Branch Site Selection WHEREAS, the current Southeast Branch Library is undersized for community demand. The need for a full-service Far Southeast Branch Library is grounded first and foremost in (1) long-standing neighborhood need, (2) obligations to historically underserved residents, and (3) the necessity of accessible, community-serving infrastructure where families already live; WHEREAS, for people with disabilities, libraries are essential access infrastructure— providing assistive technology, inclusive programming, safe indoor space, and digital connectivity. A Far Southeast Branch must be planned with accessibility from the beginning, which requires immediate investment in site selection and predevelopment; and WHEREAS, funding site selection and predevelopment is needed so the community can begin shared investment and fundraising; WHEREAS, the new library should have digital accessibility and assistive technology including computers with screen readers; accessible printers and adaptive equipment; and free internet access for households without reliable service; WHEREAS, the new library should be a safe, climate-controlled public space that can serve as a cooling center; provide a safe daytime space; and serve as a refuge for medically vulnerable residents; WHEREAS, the new library should have inclusive learning and programming including sensory-friendly story times; accessible teen spaces; adult literacy and lifelong learning; and community classes without cost barriers; WHEREAS, the new library should encourage employment and independence through job applications and workforce training; benefits navigation; and quiet, inclusive workspaces; WHEREAS, the new library should encourage social connection and community belonging. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the Austin City Council allocate $500,000 for site selection and predevelopment of the Far Southeast Branch Library. The $500,000 should include digital access and assistive technology; safe, climate-controlled public space; inclusive learning and programming; and social connection and community belonging. Date of Approval: March 25, 2026 Motioned By: Commissioner Chang Seconded By: Commissioner Thakkar Vote: 9-0 For: Vice Chair Bondi, Commissioners Alvizo, Benson, Castaneda, Chang, Laake-Stanfield, Oliva-Martínez, Parsons, Thakkar Against: None Abstain: Commissioner Kanawati Recuse: None Off the dais: None Absent: Chair Afifi, Commissioners Bullard, McNary, Melendez Attest: _____________________________________________ (Ryan Sperling, Staff Liaison)
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation 20260325-028: Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Recommendations for Current Early Childhood Investments WHEREAS, in the City of Austin, 30% of children under age 6 live in households with low income; and WHEREAS, 94% of the children in households with low income under age 6 are children of color; and WHEREAS, decades of research proves 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 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 City’s Quality of Life Study for Austin's Families with Young Children, which found that 78% of caregivers surveyed experienced some difficulty paying for child care in the last 12 months; the GenATX initiative from the Office of the Mayor; the recently launched Infrastructure Academy; Raising Travis County, the voter-approved fund to increase access to early care and education and to afterschool programming; and the Austin/Travis County Success By 6 Strategic Plan, a data- driven community strategic plan designed to build more efficient and coordinated systems for quality childcare and childhood experiences; and WHEREAS, these existing commitments rely on sustained partnerships through social service agreements with Austin area providers, experts, and educators who provide preventative support, foster joint partnerships to enhance coordination, improve wraparound support, save public dollars and interventions over the long term, and increase access to funding and resources that may not be available to individuals; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin issued budget cuts of 10% across-the-board to social service agreements for FY 2026; and there is another $16.8 million in projected cuts to social service programs in FY 2027; additionally, federal, state, and local economic recovery funds invested in early childhood programs have concluded; and . WHEREAS, there are over 6,500 children on the Child Care Scholarship Waitlist administered through Workforce Solutions Capital Area; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the City of Austin maintain all current investments, contracts, and maintenance agreements in early childhood programs and infrastructure, including but not limited to: • Maintain funding for contracts related to services for families and children within Austin Public Health and Austin Economic Development, as detailed below. These …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-029]: FY 2026-2027 Expanding Digital Literacy and Technology Career Pathways Recommendation The City of Austin has a long-standing commitment to economic mobility, workforce development, and equitable access to opportunity for all residents. As technology continues to play a significant role in the regional economy, expanding access to digital skills training and workforce readiness opportunities is increasingly important to ensure that more residents can participate in the technology sector and access career opportunities. However, many low-income residents and communities of color continue to face barriers to entering and advancing within the technology workforce. Community-based organizations in Austin work to address these barriers by providing digital literacy training, workforce readiness programming, and exposure to technology career pathways. Expanding access to these types of programs can help ensure that more residents can participate in Austin’s technology economy and access higher-wage career opportunities. Description of Recommendation to Council ● Provide $2 million annually to support community-based digital literacy and technology workforce development programming. Rationale Austin’s technology sector plays a significant role in the regional economy and continues to create economic opportunities. However, many residents, particularly those from low-income households, communities of color, and historically underrepresented groups, lack access to the resources, training, and professional networks necessary to enter the technology workforce. Universal Tech Movement (UTM) is one example of a community-based organization providing programming that introduces participants to digital skills and technology career pathways. Through community-centered programming, the organization helps address barriers to entering the technology workforce. To date, UTM has served more than 1,000 participants across Texas, representing 111 unique zip codes, and has built partnerships with employers, community organizations, and local institutions to expand access to careers in the technology sector. Many participants in UTM programs come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Approximately 60% of participants live below the poverty line, and a majority report annual incomes of less than $13K, highlighting the need for accessible workforce development opportunities that can lead to stable, higher-wage employment. Programs such as UTM’s Community Catalyst Program and similar initiatives help participants develop foundational digital literacy and workforce readiness skills while introducing them to career opportunities within the technology sector. Funding would support the expansion of programming that: ● Provides digital literacy and technology training to residents who face barriers to entering the technology workforce ● Supports workforce readiness programs that prepare participants for employment in technology-related fields ● …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-035]: FY 2026-2027 Budget for Early Childhood Education and Development Funding Recommendation: At a moment when federal and state support for early childhood education is eroding, local governments must step up to invest in and protect this essential workforce. Childcare is not a private expense; it is public infrastructure, and it is foundational to Austin's economic health and the wellbeing of its families. Description of Recommendation to Council ● Maintain all current investments, contracts, and maintenance agreements in early childhood programs and infrastructure, including but not limited to: ○ Maintain funding for contracts related to services for families and children within Austin Public Health and Austin Economic Development, especially funding for multi-generational bilingual programs; ○ Maintain funding for public service child care service contracts funded through Federal HUD-CDBG funds that support parenting teens and Early Head Start; and ○ Maintain funding for current city programs related to childcare and children’s services. Rationale In the City of Austin, 30% of children under age 6 live in households with low income, and 94% of those children are children of color. In the broader Austin area, there are 63,000 children living in households below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level. The Ready Families Collaborative (RFC) directly addresses this need through a network of nonprofit partners providing home-visiting, parent education, case management, and wraparound support. Current collaborative partners include AVANCE-Austin, which creates pathways to economic mobility for predominantly Latino families through high-quality, culturally responsive, two-generation programming that ensures school readiness for young children and opportunities for parents to build social and economic capital; the Communities in Schools ASPIRE Family Literacy Program, which provides free ESL and Adult Basic Education classes, as well as early childhood and parenting education for families with children ages 0–6 in South and Southeast Austin; the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas, which breaks the cycle of intergenerational poverty through contextualized literacy services; and Austin PBS Play to Learn, a research-based school readiness program in which adults and children participate together in learning activities spanning school readiness themes. The RFC does not stand alone. There are additional investments including Todos Juntos early childhood education program and Austin Child Guidance Center Infant & Early Childhood Services. Every $1 invested in early childhood programs results in a $7 return on investment, and a child who begins kindergarten ready to succeed is set on a trajectory …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-039] Expansion of Mpox, STI, and Vaccination Programs WHEREAS, the City of Austin has recognized the importance of integrated vaccination and prevention programs, including Hepatitis and Flu outreach, as essential components of LGBTQIA+ public health efforts; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has sustained the loss of $800,000 in funding for HIV, STI, and Mpox through 2025–2026 fiscal planning, and a failed city Tax Rate Election has further resulted in a loss of funding; and WHEREAS, community partners have reached out to the Joint Inclusion Committee expressing grave concern regarding the loss of federal, state, and city funding, which impacts vital health partners such as the KIND Clinic and other community providers that have relied on this city funding in previous years; and WHEREAS, Austin health departments and community health centers serving LGBTQIA+ residents, including community-based clinics and nonprofit providers, have demonstrated strong capacity and effectiveness in delivering culturally competent vaccination and prevention services; and WHEREAS, MPox continues to present an ongoing public health concern, particularly for LGBTQIA+ communities, and requires sustained vaccination, education, and outreach efforts rather than one-time emergency responses; and WHEREAS, recent reductions in federal and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public health funding have placed increased pressure on local governments to maintain continuity of vaccination, STI, and HIV prevention programs; and WHEREAS, expanded local funding would support not only MPox vaccination efforts, but also broader STI and HIV prevention services that are critical to reducing long-term public health costs and preventing outbreaks; and WHEREAS, ensuring access to timely, accurate, and culturally competent preventive healthcare improves community health outcomes and reduces strain on emergency and acute care systems; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the Austin City Council approve an increase of up to $100,000 in funding to Austin Public Health to expand Mpox vaccination, STI prevention, and HIV prevention programs targeting at-risk and underserved populations. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the expanded funding should support outreach, education, vaccination access, and prevention services delivered through trusted community-based providers and public health partners serving the LGBTQIA+ community. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the City of Austin restore the loss of $800,000 in general health and mental services funding from last year's fiscal budget, as referenced in the Commission’s March 2025 recommendation outlining subsidies for PrEP access …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: 20260325-040: Safe and Proud Austin Entertainment Corridor Life Safety Pilot Package WHEREAS, LGBTQIA+ establishments and entertainment venues have been repeatedly targeted in acts of mass violence across the United States, including the 2016 attack at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida, which resulted in 49 fatalities, and the 2022 attack at Club Q in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which resulted in five fatalities and numerous injuries; and WHEREAS, federal and national law enforcement assessments have identified LGBTQIA+ gathering spaces as recurring targets of ideologically motivated violence; and WHEREAS, following the New Orleans Mardi Gras vehicle attack, the City of Austin moved rapidly to implement protective safety measures within the Sixth Street Entertainment District to mitigate risk in a high density corridor; and WHEREAS, it has now been more than one year since that incident, and recent violence on March 1 within proximity to Bettie Naylor Street demonstrates that high density LGBTQIA+ cultural corridors in Austin face comparable risk exposure; and WHEREAS, Bettie Naylor Street, historically recognized as Fourth Street between Congress Avenue and Rio Grande Street, serves as Austin's primary LGBTQIA+ cultural corridor and functions as a concentration of bars, coffee shops, entertainment venues, and affirming small businesses that draw high pedestrian volumes; and WHEREAS, adjacent affirming businesses on Lavaca Street and Colorado Street, including establishments such as The Iron Bear and Highland, are integral components of this corridor ecosystem and lie within close proximity to recent public safety incidents; and WHEREAS, consistency in public safety infrastructure deployment across entertainment districts is essential to equitable risk mitigation, municipal resilience, and liability management; and WHEREAS, targeted deployment based on documented risk exposure, concentration of historically targeted establishments, and proximity to recent violent incidents represents a tiered and defensible public safety approach; and WHEREAS, rapid intervention during the first minutes of a life threatening emergency, including severe bleeding events and sudden cardiac arrest, significantly increases survival outcomes; and WHEREAS, public safety best practices emphasize layered mitigation strategies including early notification, immediate hemorrhage control, defibrillation access, community CPR activation, and coordinated emergency response; and WHEREAS, the Austin Travis County EMS Chief Medical Officer requested funding for Community CPR Alerting and AED Deployment to Enhance Equity, including investment in the GoodSAM platform to improve cardiac arrest outcomes through real time scene awareness and verified responders, and alignment with this corridor safety pilot would strengthen equity focused cardiac survival …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-031] FY 2026-27 Budget for Supporting Mental Health Services in Schools Subject: Recommendation to allocate an additional $2 million to the Integrated Student Supports and Youth Services and Mental Health and Wellness grants for comprehensive integrated student support services and trauma-informed mental health services, early campus-based interventions for organizations such as Communities in Schools WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to ensuring that race no longer predicts a person's quality of life outcomes; and the 2025 Austin Travis County Community Health Assessment identifies increasing access to mental healthcare as a critical goal WHEREAS, there is a continued need for increased investment to support the growing mental health challenges faced by students in Austin area schools; WHEREAS, the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Initiative identifies food, housing and mental health services as primary pillars for community success; and WHEREAS, students in the Austin area continue to face significant barriers to, including high rates of poverty and lack of access to culturally competent intensive mental health services; and WHEREAS, House Bill 6 (89th) seeks to increase access to mental health services in public schools while also placing new implications for student discipline in the classroom, focused on proactive approaches to addressing student needs; and WHEREAS, other recent legislative changes have placed new considerations on services offered to students through school systems when providing mental health services and supports; and WHEREAS, Communities In Schools of Central Texas provides critical "safety net" services through multiple programs, including our campus-based Integrated Student Supports, Care Coordination and wraparound services, and intensive mental health & wellness services for students; and WHEREAS, evidence-based services such as intensive mental health counseling provided by clinicians and social workers ensure students' unmet mental health needs are addressed through direct service to students and their families, with a family-centered, trauma-informed approach to connect students and their families to community resources; and . WHEREAS, these mental health services have shown decreases in clinical scales of depression and/or anxiety for student symptoms and improved scores in post-test evaluation assessments; and WHEREAS, Results from a recently released Harvard-Cornell Study from Opportunity Insights and EdRedesign Lab showed that three years of involvement in Communities In Schools of Central Texas leads to significantly higher income earnings over a student’s lifetime, increased yearly tax contributions, less reliance on public assistance and significantly reduced involvement or prevention of involvement in …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-033]: FY 2026-2027 Budget for the Family Stabilization Program Date of Approval: Recommendation: Affordability remains one of the most pressing concerns expressed by Austin residents. The Family Stabilization Grant Program offers flexible access to housing support, accords greater choice and dignity, reduces discrimination, and provides more efficient and cost-effective housing assistance. The program has consistently served people of color, including Hispanic or Latino/a/x families, with over half of participants identifying as African American or Latina women. The Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission has expressed strong support to expand program funding. Despite this, the FY 2025–2026 budget allocated only $1.3 million for the Family Stabilization Grant. The funding was subsequently eliminated after Austin voters rejected the Proposition Q tax rate increase in November 2025. The revised budget that followed cut the $1.3 million for Family Stabilization Program grants entirely. At the Joint Inclusion Committee FY27 Budget Input Session, residents made clear that the elimination of the Family Stabilization Grant Program from the FY26 base budget was a significant setback for Austin families. Community support for the program has only grown stronger in its absence. Description of Recommendation to Council ● Provide $3 million ongoing funding for the Family Stabilization Grants Rationale Housing affordability is one of the defining challenges facing Austin families. Federal housing programs have limited reach, and even residents who receive federal housing assistance continue to struggle. Approximately 40% of households nationally that receive a voucher never successfully lease a unit. In Austin, most voucher holders have only been able to move to less desirable housing on the outskirts of the city, compounding burdens related to transportation, food access, healthcare, and employment. Other forms of affordable housing assistance similarly fall short: units are only required to maintain affordability for a set period, rents are calibrated to Area Median Income levels that do not reflect the deep affordability residents actually need, and participants remain responsible for full rent even during periods of job insecurity. Research from the Urban Institute confirms that strategically applied cash relief can offer renters facing housing shocks more flexible support, accord more dignity and choice to renters in need, reduce exposure to voucher discrimination, provide housing access to excluded workers, and deliver more efficient and cost-effective help to those in urgent need. Austin's own experience bears this out. Roughly 60% of the money went toward housing, …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-034]: FY 2026-2027 Budget for AISD Parent Support Specialists Date of Approval: Recommendation: Affordability and access remain among the most highly rated concerns expressed by Austin residents, and the families served by AISD Parent Support Specialists (PSSs) are among those most vulnerable to rising costs and economic instability. PSSs are a proven, community-rooted workforce that connects Title I families to the City and County resources they need. Description of Recommendation to Council ● Maintain funding for AISD Parent Support Specialists. Background and Rationale: The City of Austin has an interlocal agreement with Austin Independent School District for the provision of resources connecting parents and families to family-centered and other social services. AISD Parent Support Specialists (PSSs), funded 50% by the City of Austin, are placed in Title I schools. PSSs identify, develop, and engage parents in their children's education by providing parent and family support, conducting communications and outreach, and creating parent leadership opportunities. AISD relies on PSSs to educate and refer students and their families to City and County resources, and to collaborate with social services community partners to alleviate stressors. Their work helps improve maternal, child, and adolescent health outcomes. Parent Support Specialists are rooted in the community and maintain meaningful relationships with the families they serve. Many are bilingual, communicating with families in their preferred language. These skills and relationships are especially vital during times of crisis. PSSs have provided critical community support during the pandemic, Winter Storm Uri, and other emergencies. Despite the essential nature of this work, PSS positions continue to go unfilled due to inadequate compensation. The PSS salary remains among the lowest for the demanding scope of the role. The City of Austin's own living wage is currently $22.05 per hour, and yet PSS positions have historically been posted near or below that threshold, leaving workers unable to keep pace with Austin's cost of living. The median home price in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metropolitan area was approximately $439,000 as of late 2025. A PSS earning near the minimum wage cannot reasonably afford to live in the community they serve. Additionally, the Skills Requirements on the PSS job description indicate that some schools require the employee to be bilingual. If an employee must be bilingual to perform the job, they should receive a bilingual stipend. AISD already provides a $7,000 annual stipend for certified bilingual …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-36]: FY 2026-2027 Budget for Mini Grants Recommendation: The City of Austin's Austin Equity & Inclusion, Equity Division Mini Grant program is one of the most direct, community-rooted investments the City makes in the residents most harmed by systemic inequity. At a moment when federal funding is being cut, displacement is accelerating, immigration enforcement is intensifying, and homelessness continues to grow, the need for flexible, low-barrier funding for grassroots organizations has never been greater. The City must maintain and increase funding for this program. Description of Recommendation to Council ● Provide ongoing funding of $400,000 for the Austin Equity & Inclusion, Equity Division Mini Grant Fund, maintaining the current funding level and preserving the program's three-tier grant structure of $10,000, $20,000, and $30,000 awards, with priority focus areas of immigrant inclusion, solidarity with unhoused people, and anti-displacement and displacement prevention. Rationale The Equity Mini Grant Fund has been offered annually since 2018, created in response to a City Council ordinance directing Austin Equity & Inclusion, Equity Division to develop a funding framework for equity initiatives, beginning with an initial allocation of $75,000. Since then the program has grown substantially in both funding and scope, and has become a vital lifeline for the grassroots organizations doing the most essential work in Austin's most vulnerable communities. What makes this program distinct is its design philosophy. Austin Equity and Inclusion, Equity Division explicitly recognizes the problematic operations of traditional community funding and seeks to foster alternative ways to support and respect the vision of individuals and organizations working alongside communities most affected by historical inequities. Austin Equity and Inclusion, Equity Division facilitates access for those who have not historically been able to participate in City programs like this, and highlights community-led solutions. Recipients are expected to understand the root causes of disparities and share the goal of community liberation rather than creating dependencies. Applications are accepted in English and Spanish, and priority is given to grassroots organizations and community-driven initiatives with annual operating budgets of $500,000 or less, the organizations that traditional grantmaking most often leaves behind. The three priority areas the program has focused on reflect Austin's most urgent and intersecting challenges. Each of these areas has grown more critical in the current climate. Austin faces escalating federal immigration enforcement, a homelessness crisis that affects thousands of residents on any given night, and displacement …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-038] LGBTQ Legal Navigation and Community Safety Coordination WHEREAS, LGBTQIA+ residents in Texas increasingly face confusion and risk due to evolving state policies and administrative requirements related to identity documents, civil rights protections, and access to services; and WHEREAS, timely access to accurate education, navigation support, and trusted referrals can prevent avoidable crises that may lead to housing instability, employment disruption, and disconnection from essential services; and WHEREAS, community stakeholders have identified a need for practical assistance including support with name and gender marker changes, tenant and workplace rights navigation, and connections to trusted nonprofit service providers; and WHEREAS, LGBTQIA+ residents and visitors continue to report concerns about safety, harassment, and accessibility in public spaces, particularly during major community events and peak nightlife hours; and WHEREAS, community-based, non-enforcement safety strategies such as de-escalation training, bystander intervention, and coordinated safe-walk partnerships can reduce harm and strengthen community confidence; and WHEREAS, Austin Equity & Inclusion and Human Rights Division are positioned to coordinate civil rights education, community navigation, and harm-prevention programming across City departments and community partners; and WHEREAS, the Joint Inclusion Committee has identified coordinated legal navigation and community safety infrastructure as one of its highest priorities for the year; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager to establish a pilot LGBTQ Legal Navigation and Community Safety Coordination Program. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends the creation of one full-time employee (FTE) LGBTQ Program Administrator or Manager position to lead, coordinate, and implement this program, and that this role be housed within Austin Equity & Inclusion for cross-departmental coordination and community alignment. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this FTE would be the direct point of contact at the City of Austin for the LGBTQIA+ community, including responsibilities coordinating City services, supporting community education, facilitating navigation and referral pathways, and working with nonprofit and community-based organizations that provide related services. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that program activities may include: • Know-your-rights education and informational materials • Legal navigation and referral support, including assistance related to name and gender marker changes • Tenant, employment, and civil rights navigation resources • De-escalation and bystander intervention training • Coordination of community-based safety efforts such as safe-walk partnerships during major events and peak activity periods BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-041] Housing Assistance Grants for LGBTQIA+ and Queer Artists WHEREAS, Austin’s artists and creative workers are central to the City’s cultural identity, economic vitality, and national reputation as a center for live performance and creative expression; and WHEREAS, LGBTQIA+ and queer artists, including drag performers and nightlife creatives, contribute significantly to Austin’s arts and entertainment ecosystem while often facing heightened economic precarity, housing instability, and displacement pressures; and WHEREAS, rising housing costs continue to disproportionately impact artists and cultural workers, threatening the sustainability of Austin’s creative communities and cultural districts; and WHEREAS, housing instability among artists may result in the loss of culturally significant venues, performances, and creative spaces that contribute to neighborhood vitality, tourism, and small business activity; and WHEREAS, Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (AACME), in coordination with housing and community development departments, provides existing infrastructure for arts support and community stabilization efforts; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager to increase funding for existing housing stabilization and assistance programs by $200,000, with coordination through AACME and relevant housing departments to ensure effective outreach to artists and creative workers. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that, within the administration of expanded housing stabilization resources, outreach and prioritization strategies be developed to address the documented housing instability faced by LGBTQIA+ artists and creative workers, consistent with equity-focused implementation practices and existing City guidelines. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City coordinate with AACME and community partners to ensure accessible communication, culturally competent outreach, and clear application pathways for artists and creative workers who may not traditionally access housing assistance programs. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee requests reporting on utilization rates, artist participation, and displacement prevention outcomes associated with the expanded funding allocation to inform future cultural and housing policy decisions. Date of Approval: March 25, 2026 Motioned By: Commissioner Parsons Seconded By: Commissioner Benson Vote: 10-0 For: Vice Chair Bondi, Commissioners Alvizo, Benson, Castaneda, Chang, Laake-Stanfield, Kanawati, Oliva-Martínez, Parsons, Thakkar Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Off the dais: None Absent: Chair Afifi, Commissioners Bullard, McNary, Melendez Attest: _____________________________________________ (Ryan Sperling, Staff Liaison)
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-042] Community Liaison Officer Program Pilot WHEREAS, the City of Austin has committed to community-centered public safety strategies that prioritize trust-building, accessibility, and culturally competent engagement with historically marginalized communities, including LGBTQIA+ residents; and WHEREAS, the Joint Inclusion Committee and other City commissions have received consistent feedback from community members regarding the need for improved communication, responsiveness, and accountability in interactions with law enforcement; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin and Austin Police Department have previously endorsed the Community Liaison Officer Expansion and Empowerment framework, which calls for strengthening and formalizing the Community Liaison function as a core community engagement strategy; and WHEREAS, Austin Police Department currently maintains liaison functions, and a pilot model incorporating both civilian coordination and sworn, uniformed officers may strengthen visibility, accessibility, and community trust; and WHEREAS, leadership within APD has indicated that initial implementation can be achieved primarily through internal realignment of existing personnel and currently vacant positions, without requiring a significant increase in overall staffing levels; and WHEREAS, successful implementation depends on assigning experienced and community- connected personnel, prioritizing liaison responsibilities within departmental operations, and establishing clear procedures, training, and data practices to support long-term program effectiveness; and WHEREAS, a phased pilot approach allows the City to evaluate effectiveness, community impact, and operational needs before considering broader expansion or long-term funding commitments; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager to allocate Phase One pilot funding to support initial implementation of the Community Liaison Officer Program Pilot. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the pilot model include both civilian coordination support and sworn, uniformed APD Community Liaison Officers, utilizing experienced personnel where feasible, with an emphasis on individuals who maintain established relationships with LGBTQIA+ and historically marginalized communities. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Austin Police Department establish internal procedures to prioritize liaison responsibilities within assigned duties, ensuring sworn officers participating in the pilot are able to consistently fulfill community engagement, outreach, and responsiveness commitments associated with the role. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Phase One pilot funding support the following limited and targeted activities: • Designation and operational support of sworn LGBTQIA+ Community Liaison Officers utilizing existing APD personnel where feasible • Initial training and professional development related to cultural competency, de-escalation, and community engagement best practices • Development of basic public communication infrastructure, …
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-043] Entrepreneurial Grants for LGBTQIA+ Businesses WHEREAS, local LGBTQIA+-owned businesses contribute significantly to Austin’s cultural identity, neighborhood character, tourism appeal, and economic vitality; and WHEREAS, small businesses owned by LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs may face barriers to accessing capital and business development resources, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty and rising operating costs; and WHEREAS, City initiatives supporting historically underserved entrepreneurs have demonstrated success in fostering business stability, local job creation, and neighborhood economic resilience; and WHEREAS, responsible tools such as no-interest loans, technical assistance, and targeted entrepreneurial support can strengthen small business sustainability while maintaining fiscal prudence; and WHEREAS, continued and expanded support for LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs aligns with the City’s commitments to inclusive economic development, small business resilience, and cultural district preservation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the Austin City Council expand and continue entrepreneurial support initiatives within existing City economic development programs to strengthen access to capital and technical assistance for LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends allocating $200,000 to enhance no-interest loan capacity and related entrepreneurial assistance within the City’s existing small business support infrastructure. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that program implementation include targeted outreach and culturally competent engagement to ensure equitable access for LGBTQIA+-owned businesses, particularly small, locally owned, and community-serving enterprises that may face barriers to traditional financing. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee requests reporting on participation rates, loan performance, and business stabilization outcomes to evaluate program impact and inform future economic development strategies. Date of Approval: March 25, 2026 Motioned By: Seconded By: Vote: 10-0 For: Vice Chair Bondi, Commissioners Alvizo, Benson, Castaneda, Chang, Laake-Stanfield, Kanawati, Oliva-Martínez, Parsons, Thakkar Against: None Abstain: None Recuse: None Off the dais: None Absent: Chair Afifi, Commissioners Bullard, McNary, Melendez Attest: _____________________________________________ (Ryan Sperling, Staff Liaison)
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number: [20260325-044]: LGBTQ Entertainment District WHEREAS, the State of Texas, through directives to enforce roadway safety and pavement marking compliance, has required removal of decorative and message-based roadway art, including rainbow and culturally themed crosswalks, with potential risk to transportation funding for noncompliance; and WHEREAS, the rainbow crosswalk at West 4th Street and Colorado Street has served as a widely recognized marker of Austin’s LGBTQ cultural and entertainment district, signaling safety, belonging, and civic recognition for LGBTQIA+ residents and visitors; and WHEREAS, the removal of highly visible cultural markers in public spaces may negatively affect community cohesion, cultural tourism, and small business activity within established neighborhood corridors; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin operates a Street Banner Program that provides a lawful and compliant framework for district identity markers, including over-street and street-pole banners, consistent with roadway regulations; and WHEREAS, the development of an LGBTQ Entertainment District, supported by culturally identifiable infrastructure, may strengthen economic activity, tourism, and small business vitality within the district; and WHEREAS, exploration of a Micro Public Improvement District (Micro-PID) or similar localized funding and maintenance structure may provide a sustainable mechanism for district identity infrastructure, programming, and long-term stewardship; and WHEREAS, community-centered public art and engagement processes improve representation, legitimacy, and long-term community ownership of civic cultural markers; and WHEREAS, timely execution of a compliant transition strategy is necessary to meet state- mandated deadlines and minimize disruption to community identity, tourism, and district economic activity; and WHEREAS, this effort aligns with the work of the Mayor’s Task Force on transitioning from decorative crosswalks to compliant public-space district markers and identity infrastructure; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager to prioritize and establish a one-time LGBTQ Entertainment District Cultural Infrastructure Pilot to replace removed decorative crosswalk markers with compliant district identifiers, including banners, flags, wayfinding elements, and related identity infrastructure, with an initial focus on the West 4th Street corridor. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends allocating $120,000 in one-time funding for design, fabrication, and installation of district identity infrastructure, utilizing the City’s existing Street Banner Program and related standards where feasible. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the pilot include a structured community engagement and local artist process to develop culturally authentic district marker designs reflective of Austin’s LGBTQIA+ community and broader …
REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE ETHICS REVIEW COMMISSION MARCH 25, 2026, AT 6:00 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM, #1101 301 W 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 Some members of the Ethics Review Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Lizette Benitez at (512) 974-2915 or Lizette.benitez@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: William Ross Pumfrey, Chair Luis Figueroa Haksoon Andrea Low Cynthia Soliz Brittany Sharkey, Vice Chair Patrick Keel Wallace Lundgren District 5 – Vacancy District 1 – Vacancy William King Brian McGiverin 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. EXECUTIVE SESSION The Ethics Review Commission may announce it will go into Executive Session pursuant to Chapter 551.071 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel on any matter listed in this agenda. 1. The Ethics Review Commission may announce it will go into Executive Session pursuant to Chapter 551.071 of the Texas Government Code to receive advice from legal counsel to discuss: A complaint filed by Andrew Rivera against T.C. Broadnax raising claimed violations of City Code Section 2-7-62 (I) (Standards of Conduct). PRELIMINARY HEARING 2. A complaint filed by Andrew Rivera against T.C. Broadnax raising claimed violations of City Code Section 2-7-62 (I) (Standards of Conduct). Page 1 of 3 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3. Approve the minutes of the Ethics Review Commission Regular Called meeting on February 25, 2025. WORKING GROUP UPDATE 4. Update from Working Group to Review ERC Complaints Process (Commissioners Low, Figueroa, and McGiverin). DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Change in membership to the Working Group to Review ERC Complaints Process (Commissioners Low, Figueroa, and McGiverin). 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 …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BUILDING AND STANDARDS COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026, AT 6:30 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1405 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DRIVE AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Building and Standards Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Melanie Alley, 512-974-2679, dsdcredbsc@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Michael Francis, Vice Chair Harrison Brown Grant Gilker Jeffrey Musgrove Carrie Stewart, Fire Marshal (Ex Officio) Mia Ibarra Raisch Tomlanovich Lisa Garza Myra Martinez AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 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 Building and Standards Commission Regular meeting on February 25, 2026. PUBLIC HEARINGS New Case(s) The Commission will hear the following cases concerning alleged violations of the City’s Property Maintenance Code and may issue an order to vacate, relocate occupants, repair, demolish, or secure the premises; and may assess civil penalties: 2. Case Number: CL 2026-013540 Property address: 1704 Westover Road / Owner: Mary Elizabeth Nance Staff presenter: Erica Thompson Staff recommendation: Repair residential structure. 3. 4. 5. Case Number: CL 2026-013716 Property address: 2607 S IH 35 Service Road NB, aka Park West Inn / Owner: Park West Properties Inc. Staff presenter: Khary Dumas Staff recommendation: Obtain engineer’s report and repair commercial structures. Case Number: CL 2025-137508 Property address: 1505 Mearns Meadow Boulevard / Owner: Trieu Ngo Staff presenter: Courtney Britt Staff recommendation: Repair residential structure. Case Number: CL 2026-022122 Property address: 2112 E Cesar Chavez Street / Owner: Paulygamy Hotel LLC Staff presenter: Sheila Doyle Staff recommendation: Repair commercial structure. Returning Case(s) The Commission will hear the following cases concerning alleged violations of the City’s Property Maintenance Code and may issue an order to vacate, relocate occupants, repair, demolish, or secure the premises; and may assess or modify a civil penalty: 6. Case Number: CL 2025-082106 Property address: 4313 S 1st Street, aka …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION March 24, 2026 6:00 p.m. Austin Energy Headquarters; 1st Floor; Shudde Fath Conference Room 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, Texas 78723 Some members of the Resource Management Commission maybe participating by video conference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. To register contact Natasha Goodwin, at Natasha.Goodwin@austinenergy.com or 512-322-6505. Members: Charlotte Davis, Chair Paul Robbins, Vice Chair Kamil Cook Trey Farmer CALL MEETING TO ORDER AGENDA GeNell Gary Joseph Gerland Harry Kennard Martin Luecke Raphael Schwartz Alison Silverstein Danielle Zigon PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 5 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 Resource Management Commission Meeting on February 17, 2026. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussion and recommend the Resource Management Commission’s priorities for the Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 Budget. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion on the value of solar and the social cost of carbon components. 4. Discussion on proposed improvements to Austin Energy's EV charging and small battery incentive programs. 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 Natasha Goodwin at Austin Energy, at (512) 322-6505 or Natasha.Goodwin@austinenergy.com to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Resource Management Commission, please contact Natasha Goodwin at Austin Energy, at 512-322-6505 or Natasha.Goodwin@austinenergy.com .
BACKGROUND & RESEARCH BRIEF Austin Energy EV Managed Charging and Home Battery Storage Programs: The Case for Top-Decile National Competitiveness Prepared for Austin Resource Management Commission | February 2026 Executive Summary The bottom line: Austin Energy current incentives for electric vehicle managed charging and home battery storage are dramatically weaker than leading national programs or even the open deregulated Texas market that is available just a few miles from Austin — and dramatically weaker than what Austin own adopted climate plans require. This brief documents the gap, provides national comparisons, and supports a City Council resolution directing Austin Energy to benchmark these programs and bring them into the top ten percent nationally. EV Managed Charging: Austin Energy's Power Partner EV program pays enrolled customers approximately $35 per year after the first year. Comparable leading programs pay over $1,000 per year in equivalent consumer value. Austin Energy program, as currently structured, is not competitive and fails to adequately incentivize off-peak or renewable-aligned charging. Home Battery Storage: Austin Energy's forthcoming battery pilot program, based on preliminary parameters, would deliver an implied payback period of approximately 45 years — compared to 5–8 years available in the deregulated Texas competitive retail market, and 5–7 years available under the ConnectedSolutions program in Massachusetts. This gap makes Austin Energy's program nearly irrelevant as a driver of battery adoption. Why it matters: Transportation is rapidly becoming Austin's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Distributed battery storage and smart EV charging are among the most powerful tools available to integrate renewable energy, avoid costly peaker plant dispatch, and reduce air pollution. Austin has both the policy mandate and the utility infrastructure to lead — but only if the incentives are commensurate with the ask. 1. Austin's Adopted Climate & Utility Commitments The Austin Climate Equity Plan (2021) Adopted unanimously by City Council in September 2021, the Austin Climate Equity Plan establishes the following binding community-wide goals directly relevant to this resolution: • Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, with a strong interim emphasis on cutting emissions by 2030. • 40% of vehicle miles traveled electrified by 2030, with EV ownership that is "culturally, geographically, and economically diverse." • An equitably distributed mix of charging infrastructure to support rapid EV adoption. • Explicit recognition that transportation is the primary source of local air pollution and the fastest- growing source of GHG emissions. Note: Austin first adopted a Community Climate …
Energy Efficiency Services - Commercial and Multifamily Enrollment Pipeline Program Location Name Installation Address Council District Measures Est. kWh Savings Est. $ Incentive Multifamily Income Qualified Bridge at Henly 6107 E RIVERSIDE DR UNIT CLUB Multifamily Income Qualified Bridge at Asher 10505 S IH 35 SVRD NB CH Multifamily Income Qualified Ashford Costa Brava 6407 SPRINGDALE RD UNIT 1 Multifamily Income Qualified LUPINE TERRACE 1137 GUNTER ST Multifamily STONEY RIDGE APARTMENTS 3200 S 1ST ST UNIT 1 Multifamily Income Qualified ELM RIDGE 1190 AIRPORT BLVD Multifamily Mackenzie Point Apartments 1044 CAMINO LA COSTA UNIT 10 Multifamily Lantana Hills Apartments 7601 RIALTO BLVD UNIT TC 3 5 1 1 3 1 4 8 Duct Sealing and Remediation, Lighting, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, Supplemental Measure, HVAC Tune-Up, Water Saving Devices ECAD Incentive, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, HVAC Tune-Up, Water Saving Devices Attic Insulation, Duct Sealing and Remediation, Lighting, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, HVAC Tune-Up Attic Insulation, ECAD Incentive, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, HVAC Tune-Up, Water Saving Devices Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, HVAC Tune-Up Attic Insulation, ECAD Incentive, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, HVAC Tune-Up, Water Saving Devices Attic Insulation, Duct Sealing and Remediation, Lighting, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, HVAC Tune-Up Attic Insulation, Duct Sealing and Remediation, Lighting, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, HVAC Tune-Up 364,850 $ 257,648 428,247 $ 208,074 159,331 $ 120,818 140,753 $ 109,086 197,212 $ 104,928 111,909 $ 96,101 37,591 $ 86,116 307,352 $ 75,902 Rebate Fact Sheet - Energy Efficiency Services February 2026 Rebate Program Enrollment Property Information Commercial Rebates 1350310 Customer or Property TRAVIS PARK PRESERVATION LLC Property Address Year Built * 1100 E OLTORF ST UNIT 2 AUSTIN, TX 78704 Total Number of Rentable Units N/A Building Total Square Feet 168363 Rebates and Estimated Annual Savings Est. Kilowatt (kW) Reduction Est. Kilowatt- hours (kWh) Reduction Est. $/kW Rebate per Tenant Unit Measure ** Chillers Commercial Supplemental Measure Payment Reflective Roof Coating Solar Screen/Solar Film 2.4 39.5 86.2 46.5 13,106 0 132,630 54,524 $625 $370 $413 $627 Total Rebate $1,500 $14,610 $35,615 $29,133 Total *** 174.5 * Year built may not include major renovations ** Fact sheets include final inspection information, and some values may have changed since original proposal. *** Assumes 100% Occupancy $80,858 200,260 $2,035 Date (Year) Measure Rebate Amount Energy Efficiency Rebates in Past 10-Years N/A
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION TUESDAY, MARCH 24, 2026, AT 6 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, ROOM 1001 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Planning Commission may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than 2 p.m. on the day of the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, please use the QR code or link at the end of this document. If you have questions regarding speaker registration, please contact Ella Garcia, Staff Liaison, at LandUseLiaison@austintexas.gov or by phone at 512-978-0821. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Alice Woods, Chair (District 2) Casey Haney, Vice Chair (Mayor’s Representative) Felicity Maxwell, Secretary (District 5) Imad Ahmed, Parliamentarian (District 6) Anna Lan (Mayor’s Representative) Vacant (Mayor’s Representative) Chris Gannon (District 1) EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS: Nadia Barrera-Ramirez (District 3) Brian Bedrosian (District 4) Adam Powell (District 7) Peter Breton (District 8) Danielle Skidmore (District 9) Joshua Hiller (District 10) Jessica Cohen, Chair of Board of Adjustment TC Broadnax, City Manager EXECUTIVE SESSION (No public discussion) Candace Hunter, A.I.S.D. Board of Trustees Richard Mendoza, Director of Transportation and Public Works The Planning Commission will announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, according to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel on matters specifically listed on the agenda. The Commission may not conduct a closed meeting without the approval of the city attorney. Private Consultation with Attorney – Section 551.071. Staff Liaison: Ella Garcia, 512-978-0821 Attorney: AJ Urteaga, 512-974-2386 Page 1 of 9 AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first four speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Planning Commission regular meeting on Tuesday, March 10, 2026. PUBLIC HEARINGS 2. Plan Amendment: NPA-2023-0014.04 - 4302 Nuckols Crossing; District 2 Location: 4302, 4304 ½, & 4316 Nuckols Crossing Road, Williamson Creek Watershed; Southeast Combined (Franklin Park) Neighborhood Planning Area Owner/Applicant: Katherine Barnidge Agent: Request: Staff Rec.: Staff: LOC Consultants Civil Division (Sergio Lozano-Sanchez, …
From: Sergio Lozano < > Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 4:53 PM To: Meredith, Maureen <Maureen.Meredith@austintexas.gov> Cc: Joshua Jose < >; Harden, Joi <Joi.Harden@austintexas.gov>; Thomas, Eric <Eric.Thomas@austintexas.gov>; LandUseLiaison <LandUseLiaison@austintexas.gov>; Estrada, Nancy <Nancy.Estrada@austintexas.gov>; Kate Walker < > Subject: Re: SECNPT Postpone Request - NPA-2023-0014.04 and C14-2025-0065 Afternoon Maureen I have spoken to the client regarding the postponement, and we are okay with the hearing being moved to May 12th. Should there be any changes or required information, we are at your leisure. Regards, Sergio Lozano-Sanchez, P.E. Principal LOC Consultants Civil Division, Inc 2211 S. IH 35 Frontage Rd. Ste. 107 Austin, TX 78741 Phone: (512) 524-0677 Good evening, Maureen. Thank you for your response. 02 NPA-2023-0014.04 - 4302 Nuckols Crossing; District 21 of 4 I guess the best option we have available to us in light of the circumstances is May 12th. Thank you. Ana Maureen and Nancy, Please see the attached letter from the Contact Team regarding NPA-2023-0014.04 and C14-2025-0065, which includes a postponement request. Thanks, John Sirman 02 NPA-2023-0014.04 - 4302 Nuckols Crossing; District 22 of 4 02 NPA-2023-0014.04 - 4302 Nuckols Crossing; District 23 of 4 02 NPA-2023-0014.04 - 4302 Nuckols Crossing; District 24 of 4
Planning Commission: March 24, 2026 NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN AMENDMENT REVIEW SHEET NEIGHORHOOD PLAN: South Austin Combined (Westgate) CASE#: NPA-2025-0030.01 DATE FILED: August 21, 2025 PROJECT NAME: Ben White PC DATE: February 24, 2026 March 24, 2026 ADDRESS/ES: 2217 W Ben White Blvd SVRD EB DISTRICT AREA: 5 SITE AREA: 16,443 sq. ft. OWNER/APPLICANT: RPS Family Enterprises LP AGENT: Keepers Land Use Planning (Ricca Keepers) CASE MANAGER: Maureen Meredith PHONE: (512) 974-2695 STAFF EMAIL: Maureen.Meredith@austintexas.gov TYPE OF AMENDMENT: Change in Future Land Use Designation From: Neighborhood Node To: Mixed Use Activity HUB/Corridor Base District Zoning Change Related Zoning Case: C14-2025-0104 From: CS-NP To: CS-1-NP (building footprint) NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN ADOPTION DATE: November 6, 2014 CITY COUNCIL DATE: TBD ACTION: PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: March 24, 2026 – (action pending) 04 NPA-2025-0030.01 - Ben White; District 51 of 28 Planning Commission: March 24, 2026 February 24, 2026 – Postponed to March 24, 2026 at the request of Staff on the consent agenda. [D. Skidmore – 1st; B. Bedrosian – 2nd] Vote: 12-0 [One vacancy on the dais]. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Staff supports the Applicant’s request for Mixed Use Activity HUB/Corridor. BASIS FOR STAFF’S RECOMMENDATION: Staff supports the Applicant’s request for the Mixed Use Activity HUB/Corridor character district because the property is located along E. Ben White Blvd highway where this land use is appropriate. The property is also located near the major highway interchange of W. Ben White Blvd and South Lamar Blvd. The applicant proposes to rezone the footprint of an existing building to CS-1 for the sale of alcoholic beverages that are primarily to-go and not for on-site consumption. Below are sections of the plan that staff believe supports the applicant’s request. 2 04 NPA-2025-0030.01 - Ben White; District 52 of 28 Planning Commission: March 24, 2026 3 04 NPA-2025-0030.01 - Ben White; District 53 of 28 Planning Commission: March 24, 2026 LAND USE DESCRIPTIONS: EXISTING LAND USE: Neighborhood Node - Neighborhood Node districts contain restaurants, shops, offices, and multi-family housing. The form of these areas is similar to Neighborhood Transition districts but with more commercial activity. Neighborhood Nodes have a 4 04 NPA-2025-0030.01 - Ben White; District 54 of 28 Planning Commission: March 24, 2026 similar mix of uses as Mixed Use Hubs, but primarily serve residents in the neighborhood. Building heights range from one to two stories (although many locations are zoned for greater height). PROPOSED LAND USE: Mixed Use Activity HUB/Corridor …
To: From: Date: Subject: MEMORANDUM Alice Woods, Chair Planning Commission Members Nancy Estrada, Planner Principal, Austin Planning March 18, 2026 C14-2024-0147 – 1405 East Riverside Drive Staff Postponement Request Staff requests a postponement of the above referenced rezoning case from the March 24, 2026, Planning Commission hearing to April 28, 2026. Traffic analysis information is being provided for staff to review. 06 C14-2024-0147 - 1405 East Riverside Drive; District 91 of 1
