EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL NOVEMBER 10, 2021, 8:30 A.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM #1101 301 WEST SECOND STREET, AUSTIN, TEXAS AGENDA CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five speakers who register to speak no later than noon the day before the meeting will be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from October 13, 2021, meeting 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. Policy Work Group proposed actions i. Vote on memo to Workforce Solutions Capital Area regarding child care ii. Vote on recommendation to City Council regarding child care scholarship scholarship system system iii. Vote on recommendation to City Council regarding federal child care funding b. Joint Inclusion Committee updates- Raul Alvarez i. Review and provide comments on the draft list of priority issues for the Joint Inclusion Committee. (Action) ii. Decide if the ECC wants to hold a budget hearing on early childhood issues in early 2022. (Action) c. Approve 2022 Early Childhood Council meeting calendar 3. STAFF UPDATES a. COVID-19 updates b. KinderCare at Bergstrom Tech updates FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS a. Census data trends b. Update about Head Start from Child Inc c. Child care staffing shortage in Austin ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or email: Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Early Childhood Council, please contact Caitlin Oliver, Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health, at 512-972-6205 or email: Caitlin.Oliver@austintexas.gov.
REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, October 13, 2021 EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCIL MINUTES The Early Childhood Council (ECC) convened on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. Board Members in Attendance: Chair McHorse; Vice Chair Worthington; Members Hosking Pulido, Gordon, Alvarez, Wren, Huston, Schennum, Paver, Bliss Lima, Hedrick, and Conlin Staff in attendance: Caitlin Oliver, Rachel Farley, and Donna Sundstrom CALL TO ORDER – Chair McHorse called the meeting to order at 8:39 a.m. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL – No citizen communication 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES from September 8, 2021, meeting – Member Hedrick moved to approve the minutes. The minutes were approved by a vote of 9-0 2. NEW BUSINESS AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS a. 2022 Early Childhood Council meeting calendar Staff liaisons Farley and Oliver shared considerations for keeping the ECC regular meetings on the second Wednesday of the month at 8:30 a.m. for 2022. If the ECC were to schedule evening meetings for 2022, it may be more difficult to hold meetings at City Hall because many other Boards and Commissions have evening meetings. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ECC considered a calendar with 2 evening meetings at locations that would be more convenient for community participation following requests for evening meetings from community organizations. Right now, all attendees must be in-person to participate. However, there is a City Council meeting agenda item to ask the City Manager to offer virtual options for Boards and Commissions meetings. Member Wren asked about having an ECC committee or workgroup meet in the evenings to get more community engagement. Member Gordon shared that the community engagement work group meets virtually from 3:30-4:40 p.m. If the ECC were to create a committee that would meet regularly, then the committee would need to post meeting agendas. Chair McHorse suggested that the staff liaison confirm the rules for committees and workgroups and whether there are virtual options for committee meetings. She also suggested meeting in the evening for April, which is also the Month of the Young Child, and in August, because that is the month that the ECC meeting typically not able to meet at City Hall on Wednesday morning due to City budget meetings. All other months, the ECC would keep meetings at 8:30 a.m., the second Wednesday of the month. Members supported having two evening meetings and for having one meeting in North Austin and one south. Staff liaison agreed to type up a proposed ECC 2022 …
Early Childhood Council DRAFT 2022 Proposed Calendar of Regular Meetings The ECC will meet on the second Wednesday of the month in 2022, except for in April and August when the ECC will meet on a different day of the week. There will not be meetings in July or December. Date Time Location * January 12 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) February 9 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) March 9 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) April 12 ???? p.m. TBD May 11 June 8 July – No meeting 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) August 13 ???? a.m. TBD September 14 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) October 12 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) November 9 8:30 a.m. City Hall, Room 1101 (pending confirmation) December – No meeting * Locations subject to change, and will be listed on posted agendas and available on the Early Childhood Council page: http://austintexas.gov/ecc.
Versión en español a continuación. Regular Meeting of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Wednesday, November 10th, 2021 Zero Waste Advisory Commission to be held Wednesday, November 10th, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 by noon). All public comments will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Zero Waste Advisory Commission Meeting, members of the public must: • Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-2435 Dwight.Scales@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address, and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). • Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. • Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to (512) 974-2435 Dwight.Scales@austintexas.gov by noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. • If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Zero Waste Advisory Commission FECHA de la reunion (Wednesday, November 10th, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 (antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en (512)974-2435 Dwight.Scales@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de …
Proposed 2022 Meeting Schedule Zero Waste Advisory Commission The Commission shall meet at 6:00 PM on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Proposed Meeting Dates January 12, 2022 February 9, 2022 March 9, 2022 April 13, 2022 May 11, 2022 June 8, 2022 July 13, 2022 August 10, 2022 September 14, 2022 October 12, 2022 November 9, 2022 Proposed Locations* Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers Council Chambers *City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 at 6:00 P.M. +Proposed locations are tentative and may change, please check the Boards and Commission Website
POST-DISASTER DEBRIS REMOVAL AND DISPOSAL SERVICES CONTRACTORS: CERES ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.; CROWDERGULF, LLC; and DRC EMERGENCY SERVICES, LLC SOLICITATION # (RFP 1500 SLW3011) Council: 12/02/2021 ZWAC: 11/10/2021 OVERVIEW 1. Requested Contract Term, Authorization, and Current Budget Length of contract and total authorization: Three multi-term contracts with a term for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $5,000,000, divided among the contractors. (Authorized Department: Austin Resource Recovery). ARR current fiscal year budget: Funding in the amount of $833,333 is available in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. 2. Solicitation Information # of bids received: 9 # of non-responsive bids received: 3 Solicitation No. RFP 1500 SLW3011 Length of time solicitation was out on the street: 6.5 weeks Was the time extended? Yes Issued date: 03/29/2021 Closed date: 05/13/2021 3. Previous/Current Contract Information Previous contract: N/A This is a new contract. Contract number: N/A Contract length and authorization: N/A Contract actual spend: N/A Current status: N/A Contract execution date: N/A Contract expiration date: N/A 4. Notes/Other The City is preparing for future disasters by entering contracts for post-disaster debris services. The recommended contractors will be eligible to provide post-disaster debris removal and debris disposal services on public property and public rights-of-way (ROW) within the city limits, including the management of the preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation phases of emergency situations or disasters. These contracts are to ensure coverage in the event of a disaster. The work consists of all labor, equipment, fuel, and miscellaneous costs necessary to clear, remove, load, and haul debris from public ROWs to debris management sites, temporary debris storage and reduction sites, and/or approved landfills. All work shall follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Environmental Protective Agency requirements to maintain a safe working environment. Also, the contractors shall be required to follow Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) practices and guidelines and all other applicable regulations, guidelines, and practices. Utilizing a debris removal and disposal contractor is a necessary step in the FEMA reimbursement process. The City has worked with DRC Emergency Services, LLC in the past during recovery efforts related to the February 2021 Winter Storm. Ceres Environmental Services, Inc., CrowderGulf, LLC, and DRC Emergency Services, LLC are all capable and experienced in providing disaster recovery requirements and meeting FEMA standards. An evaluation team …
POST-DISASTER DEBRIS MONITORING SERVICES TETRA TECH INC. SOLICITATION # (RFP 1500 SLW3010) Council: 12/02/2021 ZWAC: 11/10/2021 OVERVIEW 1. Requested Contract Term, Authorization, and Current Budget Length of contract and total authorization: Contract has a multi-term for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,500,000. (Authorized Department: Austin Resource Recovery). ARR current fiscal year budget: Funding in the amount of $416,666 is available in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. 2. Solicitation Information # of bids received: 4 # of non-responsive bids received: 1 Solicitation No. RFP 1500 SLW3010 Length of time solicitation was out on the street: 5.5 weeks Was the time extended? Yes Issued date: 03/29/2021 Closed date: 05/06/2021 3. Previous/Current Contract Information Previous contract: N/A This is a new contract. Contract number: N/A Contract length and authorization: N/A Contract actual spend: N/A Current status: N/A Contract execution date: N/A Contract expiration date: N/A 4. Notes/Other The City is preparing for future disasters by entering contracts for post-disaster debris services. The contract will provide a contractor for post-disaster emergency field debris monitoring services, including related management, and accounting services. The recommended contractor will be responsible for monitoring the recovery efforts and actions of the City’s post-disaster debris removal contractor in accordance with Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) policies and guidelines. Utilizing a debris monitoring contractor is a necessary step in the FEMA reimbursement process. These services include the monitoring of debris collection and of temporary debris storage and reduction sites, the proper preparation and maintenance of documentation for requesting and obtaining reimbursement from FEMA for disaster-related costs, and the reporting of data on equipment use, load eligibility, regulations compliance, public and personnel safety, hazardous trees, hazardous wastes, and schedule issues, as well as other related services. The contractor will monitor the progress of recovery efforts and assist with making and implementing recommendations to improve efficiency and maintain compliance. All work will follow Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Environmental Protective Agency requirements to maintain a safe working environment. Also, the contractor will be required to follow FEMA practices and guidelines and all other applicable regulations, guidelines, and practices. The City has worked with Tetra Tech Inc. in the past when assisting with a disaster in Houston, Texas, as well as during recovery efforts related to the …
REFUSE, RECYCLING, AND ORGANICS CARTS TOTER LLC. SOLICITATION # (OMNIA PARTNERS COOPERATIVE) ZWAC: 11/10/2021 Council: 12/09/2021 OVERVIEW 1. Requested Contract Term, Authorization, and Current Budget Length of contract and total authorization: Contract has a term of 13 months and a contract not to exceed the amount of $3,900,000. (Authorized Department: Austin Resource Recovery). ARR current fiscal year budget: Funding in the amount of $3,900,000 is available in the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Operating Budget of Austin Resource Recovery. 2. Solicitation Information # of bids received: 3 # of non-responsive bids received: 0 Solicitation No. (OMNIA Partners Cooperative) Length of time solicitation was out on the street: Cooperative Purchase Was the time extended? N/A Issued date: N/A Closed date: N/A 3. Previous/Current Contract Information Previous contract: Yes Contract number: GC170000001 Contract length and authorization: 12 months initial with 4, 12-months options/$21,235,000.00 Contract actual spend: $15,514,845.79 Current status: Active, New contract needed due to current contract running out of time. Contract execution date: 01/01/2016 Contract expiration date: 12/31/2021 4. Notes/Other Reason for only 13 months: The Cooperative agreement ends in 13 months and will need to be re-solicited. At that time, ARR intends to utilize the renewed Cooperative contract to locate the best available price for this need. The contract is for residential refuse, recycling, and organics containers with lid graphics and radio- frequency identification tags. These containers are crucial for the continuation of the City’s residential waste and recycling program which adheres to and promotes the City’s Zero Waste initiatives. This program requires customers to use City-issued containers for the collection of residential refuse, recycling, and organic waste. The contract will support the City’s ability to issue containers of appropriate capacity to new customers, as well as provide enough inventory to replace damaged containers for existing customers. The contract will benefit the public by keeping the community clean and protect Austin’s environment by supporting the City’s goal to transform waste into resources, while reducing the amount of trash sent to landfills. The current contract expires on December 31, 2021. The requested authorization amount was determined using a departmental estimate based on historical spend and future usage. The recommended contractor is the current provider for these goods. The OMNIA Partners cooperative establishes competitively bid contracts that can be utilized by the State and other government agencies through a cooperative agreement. Cooperative agreements save taxpayer dollars. REVIEWED AND APPROVED FOR ZWAC Name Compiled By: …
To: From: Zero Waste Advisory Commission Ken Snipes Director Austin Resource Recovery Date: November 10th, 2021 Subject: Director’s Monthly Report to the Zero Waste Advisory Commission 9 2020 ARR Residential Customer Survey Results Summary The ARR annual Residential Customer Survey is conducted through ARR’s Quality Assurance Residential Quality Services and Austin Energy’s Data Analytics and Business Intelligence teams. This year we incorporated an email and phone component to capture responses from all demographics. By adding the phone component, there was a significant increase in the number of Spanish‐speaking customers that completed the survey. Following are some key findings of the results: Our customers value our service 922 responses were captured 55 customers completed the survey in Spanish (over the phone) Satisfaction with ARR employees is 89% Overall satisfaction with ARR is at 78% The value of ARR service is at 76% See the attached presentation for more detailed results. Give a Great Story Holiday Campaign The Circular Economy Program’s annual ‘Give a Great Story’ campaign encourages Austin residents to give zero waste gifts during the holiday season — ideas include giving experiences (concert tickets), shared or reused items (vintage jacket from the thrift store), and repaired items (fix a broken guitar). The campaign hopes to replace the need to buy new things during the busiest holiday shopping season of the year. This year, our campaign will promote the relaunch of the ReUse Directory. The ReUse directory is a tool that will help residents locate items and services that are at the heart of giving a great story. Part of our campaign will include a collaboration with Recycled Reads through a curated ‘Give a Great Story’ section in their store. Also, ARR will be hosting two making workshops to teach residents how to create new, wonderful gifts out of old or discarded materials. End of the Year Recap Austin Resource Recovery 2021 1. Completion of Curbside Compost Collection Program. The final expansion, in January 2021, provided service to all remaining ARR customers after a four‐year phased‐in approach that began in 2017. (HE.D.4) 2. Multifamily Compost Pilot. Recruited multifamily properties to participate in 6 months of composting service to measure opportunities, challenges, and cost impacts of composting with multifamily tenants. (HE.E.1) 3. Circular Economy Businesses Created & Expanded through Innovative Programming. Launched the establishment and expansion of local circular businesses through regular business retention visits, Circular …
Zero Waste Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes October 13th, 2021 The Monthly Meeting of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission convened through Video Conference on Wednesday, October 13th, 2021, due to COVID-19 Disaster Declaration for all Texas Counties. The following are the meeting highlights. For detailed information please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/141646 CALL TO ORDER Chair Acuna called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:28 pm Board Members in Attendance: Gerry Acuna, Cathy Gattuso, Amanda Masino, Jonathan Barona, Ian Steyaert, Melissa Rothrock and Kaiba White Board Members not in Attendance: none Staff in attendance via WebEx: Ken Snipes, Tammie Williamson, Richard McHale, Amy Slagle, Gena McKinley, Andy Dawson, Donald Hardee, Dwight Scales, Jason McCombs, Brent Paige, Mike Lewis, Natalie Betts, Young Park, Blanche Quarterman, Victoria Rieger, Amy Schillerstrom, Memi Cardenas, Myra Rios, Lori Scott, Selene Castillo, Claudia Nava, Liz Jambor, Brian Kennedy, Shana Riviello and William Purcell Chair Acuna opened with comments, 1. APPROVAL of the August 19th, 2021 Meeting Minutes Chair Acuna entertained a motion to approve the August 19th, 2021 Meeting minutes. Commissioner Cathy Gattuso made the first motion for approval of the minutes. A second motion was provided by Commissioner Ian Steyaert Item passed Unanimously 2a. Discussion and Action: Electrical Recycling RCA This is Andy Dawson from Austin Resource Recovery (ARR) resource recovery. This item was originally scheduled for the last month, but due to operational needs, it will be on the council agenda tomorrow. We would like to ask for a favorable recommendation for award on its contract with Universal Recycling Technologies to provide electronics recycling for up to fifty-five months for an amount not to exceed $720,000. This contract will provide for the pickup transportation and recycling of electronics recycling use drop-off center contractor must recycle the materials in an environmentally sound manner in accordance with the eastern standard or responsible cycling of electronic equipment of the Basil Action Network, you know, work as well as clients with all federal state and local laws. I'm available to answer any questions that anyone may have. Commissioner White replied, I know, I think we had maybe some discussion about this in the past but is this, can you, can you describe this? is, is this for vehicles, or is this for the services? Chair Acuna replied, it’s the Andy it's for the actual, technology recycling, right? Andy Replied this is so, both city departments and residents can drop off electronics at …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Early Childhood Council 20211110-002aii: Recommendation about Child Care Scholarship System WHEREAS the Early Childhood Council is charged with developing, for recommendation to City Council, programs and activities that contribute to the continued development of a system of high-quality early care and education and after school programs for Austin's children; and developing, for recommendation to city council, strategies encouraging individuals and agencies to continually improve the quality of their services for young children; and WHEREAS In April and May of 2021, the Early Childhood Council (ECC) of the City of Austin heard from parents, child care providers, and community members about challenges they have faced successfully navigating the child care subsidy system; and WHEREAS the Early Childhood Council shared these concerns with Workforce Solutions (WFS) Capital Area Child Care Program Staff, and WFS staff graciously led a presentation and discussion at the August 2021 and September 2021 ECC meetings; and WHEREAS the Early Childhood Council is interested in collaborating with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to support efforts to engage with community members and to create systemic improvements in the administrative processes that establish eligibility, initial enrollment, and recertification as well as addressing client/provider questions; an WHEREAS the Early Childhood Council has shared the attached memo with the Executive Leadership at Workforce Solutions Capital Area; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Early Childhood Council encourages the Austin City Council explore mechanisms for tracking these concerns and potential resolutions through City contracts with Workforce Solutions Capital Area. These could include as an example, establishing performance measures for customer service metrics and/or staff participation in training. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________
DRAFT To: Workforce Solutions Capital Area From: City of Austin Early Childhood Council Introduction In April and May of 2021, the Early Childhood Council (ECC) of the City of Austin heard from parents, child care providers, and community members about challenges they have faced successfully navigating the child care subsidy system. The ECC shared these concerns with Workforce Solutions (WFS) Capital Area Child Care Program Staff, and WFS staff graciously led a presentation and discussion at the August 2021 and September 2021 ECC meetings. As a result of these discussions, the Early Childhood Council is interested in collaborating with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to support efforts to engage with community members and to create systemic improvements in the administrative processes that establish eligibility, initial enrollment, and recertification as well as addressing client/provider questions. The ECC Council members acknowledge that WFS, as part of a state system, has to accommodate state and federal administrative burdens. We appreciate how the agency is trying to provide high quality services with limited resources, and want to lend our voice and efforts to collaborate on problem solving. Background: According to the Early Childhood Council Bylaws, the Council is responsible for recommendations to Austin City Council including the following: ● develop, for recommendation to city council, programs and activities that contribute to the continued development of a system of high-quality early care and education and after school programs for Austin's children; ● develop, for recommendation to city council, strategies encouraging individuals and agencies to continually improve the quality of their services for young children; As part of these responsibilities, the ECC launched a Community Engagement & Partnerships Work Group to build authentic, two-way paths of communication between the greater Austin community and the ECC in order to strengthen the policy and advocacy work of the ECC and amplify community voice and perspectives. The Work Group launched efforts in 2020 to hear directly from the community about their specific needs. In April 2021, the ECC Community Engagement and Partnerships Work Group heard from parents, child care providers, and community members about challenges they faced trying to navigate the child care subsidy system. In May 2021, the full ECC heard a presentation from community members about their concerns and experiences with the subsidy system. In addition, some written testimonials were submitted. A copy of this presentation and additional testimony is included in Attachment A. Concerns raised by community …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Early Childhood Council 20211110-002aiii: Addressing the need for improvement in early childcare in Austin WHEREAS, the high cost of living and operating in Austin has been straining the childcare industry for years, even before COVID-19, making the operation of high-quality childcare in Austin nearly impossible; and WHEREAS, for many years, much of Austin has fallen into a category best described as a "High quality Child-Care Desert1," where demand for affordable high-quality childcare far exceeds available options; and WHEREAS, despite significant investments of local relief funding, the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the already under-resourced and fragile childcare industry in Austin; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin Strategic Direction identifies equitable access to quality Early Childhood Education as a priority under Economic Mobility and Affordability with the number and percentage of children enrolled in quality Early Childhood Education programs (as evidenced by meeting Texas Rising Star criteria) metric as one of the Council’s top 10 indicators; and WHEREAS, young children in the City of Austin who are unable attend high-quality programs and public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic may carry the consequences of that gap in support for years to come and may need intensive supports to close gaps in academic and cognitive development quickly when the COVID-19 pandemic is resolved; and WHEREAS, legislation passed through the U.S. House of Representatives, and currently under review in the Senate (colloquially known as the "Build Back Better" reconciliation bill) would dramatically increase funding for child care and Pre-K. WHEREAS, the state of Texas would receive funding through this initiative based on an allotment determined by the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act. Ultimately, over the life of 1 https://childrenatrisk.org/childcaredesertmap/ A TRS4 Star Child Care Desert refers to an area where there are less than 35 TRS4 Level child care seats for 100 children of working parents. this legislation, Texas would be required to provide matching funds, and as such, Texas may "opt out" of this program. WHEREAS, if the state of Texas does not "opt-in" to receive these funds, the proposal only provides for limited, competitive grants that cities and counties could apply for, in relatively small proportion compared to the full funding that states would receive if they "opt-in" to the program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Early Childhood Council encourages the Austin City Council to direct state lobbying efforts to petition the state for adoption …
Tamara Atkinson, CEO, Workforce Solutions Capital Area Melanie Flowers, Board Chair, Workforce Solutions Capital Area November 12, 2021 To: From: City of Austin Early Childhood Council Introduction In April and May of 2021, the Early Childhood Council (ECC) of the City of Austin heard from parents, child care providers, and community members about challenges they have faced successfully navigating the child care subsidy system. The ECC shared these concerns with Workforce Solutions (WFS) Capital Area Child Care Program Staff, and WFS staff graciously led a presentation and discussion at the August 2021 and September 2021 ECC meetings. As a result of these discussions, the Early Childhood Council is interested in collaborating with Workforce Solutions Capital Area to support efforts to engage with community members and to create systemic improvements in the administrative processes that establish eligibility, initial enrollment, and recertification as well as addressing client/provider questions. The ECC Council members acknowledge that WFS, as part of a state system, has to accommodate state and federal administrative burdens. We appreciate how the agency seeks to provide high quality services with limited resources, and want to lend our voice and efforts to collaborate on problem solving. Background: According to the Early Childhood Council Bylaws, the Council is responsible for recommendations to Austin City Council including the following: ● develop, for recommendation to city council, programs and activities that contribute to the continued development of a system of high-quality early care and education and after school programs for Austin's children; ● develop, for recommendation to city council, strategies encouraging individuals and agencies to continually improve the quality of their services for young children; As part of these responsibilities, the ECC launched a Community Engagement & Partnerships Work Group to build authentic, two-way paths of communication between the greater Austin community and the ECC in order to strengthen the policy and advocacy work of the ECC and amplify community voice and perspectives. The Work Group launched efforts in 2020 to hear directly from the community about their specific needs. In April 2021, the ECC Community Engagement and Partnerships Work Group heard from parents, child care providers, and community members about challenges they faced trying to navigate the child care subsidy system. In May 2021, the full ECC heard a presentation from community members about their concerns and experiences with the subsidy system. In addition, some written testimonials were submitted. A copy of this presentation …
Regular Meeting ROBERT MUELLER MUNICIPAL AIRPORT PLAN IMPLEMENTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION 6:00 p.m. — 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 9th, 2021 Austin Energy Headquarters 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723 CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed three minutes to address the Commission regarding items not posted on the agenda. AGENDA Estimate 6:00 6:05 6:25 7:10 7:25 7:25 7:30 7:30 a. Approve minutes from the 10/12/21 Commission meeting (Discussion and Action) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS (Staff/Commission) NEXT MEETING: January 11th, 2022 (Regular Meeting) ADJOURNMENT 1. BRIEFINGS 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Mueller Financial Update (Staff) b. Mueller Development Update (Catellus) 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Affordable Housing Update (Mueller Foundation/Community Wheelhouse) The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Matthew Schmidt with the Economic Development Department, at 512-974-6415, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport Plan Implementation Advisory Commission, please contact Matthew Schmidt with Economic Development at 512-974-6415.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (CDC) November 09, 2021 – 6:30pm Austin City Hall, Board and Commission- Room 1101 301 West 2nd Street, Austin, TX 78701 Some members of the Community Development Commission may be participating by video conference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Amit Motwani, Chair Public Sector Appointee Karen Paup, Vice Chair Private Sector Appointee Bertha Delgado East Austin Joe Deshotel Public Sector Appointee Fisayo Fadelu Public Sector Appointee Cheryl Thompson St. John’s Miriam Garcia North Austin Vacant Dove Springs Kendra Garrett Private Sector Appointee Julia Woods South Austin Eloise Sepeda Public Sector Appointee Heidi Sloan Public Sector Appointee Shakita Hawthorne Rosewood-Zaragosa/Blackland Jose Noe Elias Montopolis Michael Tolliver Colony Park Please visit https://austintexas.gov/cdc for more information about the Community Development Commission. Purpose: The purpose of the board is to advise the Council in the development and implementation of programs designed to serve the poor and the community at large with an emphasis on federally funded programs. CALL TO ORDER AGENDA CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each items not to address be allowed a posted on the agenda. three-minute allotment their concerns regarding 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Discussion and possible action on the October 12, 2021, Community Development Commission meeting minutes. 2. COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT (CSBG) a) Briefing and discussion on the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) (Angel Zambrano, Manager, Neighborhood Services Unit, Austin Public Health) 3. NEW BUSINESS a) Briefing, discussion, and possible action on the Downtown Density Bonus Program performance, pipeline, and fee calibration (Alex Radke and Sam Tedford, Housing and Planning Department) b) Introduction and Overview of Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan (Matt Dugan, Housing c) Discussion and Possible Action regarding affordability aspects of South Central Waterfront and Planning Department) Plan (Vice Chair Paup) 4. OLD BUSINESS a) Possible action to rescind recommendation regarding Prop A 5. WORKING GROUP AND COMMITTEE REPORTS a) Update from the Joint Sustainability Committee (Commissioner Fadelu) b) Update from the Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) Community Advisory Committee (Commissioner Elias) 6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice by calling 512-974-1606 at least 2 …
