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LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220307-3E COLLECTION OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY DATA RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL Accurate data collection of marginalized communities provides the City of Austin with the information needed to adequately support and serve each community. Because there is no national collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data, it is important that the City of Austin begin collecting that data. The LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council approve the following resolution and direct the City Manager to begin collecting this data from City employees and community members accessing City services. DRAFT RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the City of Austin conducted an LGBTQ+ Quality of Life survey, with a report given on October 11, 2021 providing a number of recommendations on how to improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ+ community in Austin, TX; and, WHEREAS, a key recommendation from the Quality of Life survey is to “enhance sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data collection efforts”; and, WHEREAS, even prior to the QOL survey, on February 11, 2019, the LGBTQ QOL Commission passed a recommendation that supported the full inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data collection within the City of Austin; and, WHEREAS, on October 21, 2021, Austin City Council formally condemned non-consensual and medically unnecessary surgeries on intersex children and directed the City Manager to explore methods to implement a public education campaign to provide accurate, affirming information to the doctors and parents of intersex children about these children’s health, to counter misinformation that can be presented as medical advice, therefore providing an important reason to collect data regarding the intersex population in the city as well (SOGI+); and, WHEREAS, in March 2016, Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) added SO/GI data as required elements to be reported yearly in the Uniform Data System (UDS), beginning in Calendar Year 2016. The Program Assistance Letter (PAL 2016-2) states that “sexual orientation and gender identity (SO/GI) can play a significant role in determining health outcomes,” and that “gaining a better understanding of populations served by health centers, including sexual orientation and gender identity, promotes culturally competent care delivery, and contributes to reducing health disparities overall.”; and, WHEREAS, in February 2020, the Central Health Equity Policy Council adopted a policy initiative to move to expand SOGI data gathering as part of a push to adopt HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index, …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220328-3A-4 EXECUTIVE-LEVEL LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY LIAISON WHEREAS, among the key themes and requests resulting from the LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life study are to support the LGBTQIA+ community’s essential needs including access to housing, education and culturally appropriate healthcare as well as the desire to achieve economic stability; and WHEREAS, another key topic requiring immediate consideration concerns our transgender and gender-expansive community members. Threats and attacks to basic human rights of transgender youth and their families by State representatives require City officials and staff to make critical decisions and take immediate action to ensure their safety. It is encouraging that gains in social understanding and approval for LGBTQIA+ people over the past several decades have improved, yet as a result of the State’s recent hostile political climate, LGBTQIA+ community members continue to face extreme levels of intolerance. Adding an executive level LGBTQIA+ liaison to provide public support might reassure vulnerable members experiencing discrimination that their city will serve and protect them. An LGBTQIA+ liaison located in the City Manager’s office will review city policies and services through an LGBTQIA+ lens to determine if a policy or service might exclude or harm LGBTQIA+ people. This position would also be known as a receptive ear to constituents who want to bring LGBTQIA+ related issues directly to city government but may be fearful they might be dismissed or misunderstood; and WHEREAS, limitations have been placed on the City’s financial resources and LGBTQIA+ services are provided by an array of City departments and contracted providers, services are not monitored collectively for the community as a whole. Therefore the effectiveness, necessity or possible redundancies of services currently being funded cannot be determined. The liaison will actively coordinate and perform an analysis of current City and contracted services assuring all needs of the community are successfully addressed and may result in reassignment of resources to better use; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has the nation’s third largest LGBTQIA+ population per capita. The internationally recognized organization, Human Right Campaign (HRC), sets industry standards for ranking cities for LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life. In its annual report, Municipal Equality Index 2021, one measure for municipalities to achieve status as a “highest scoring city” states there must be present an individual residing in the City Manager’s or Mayor’s office working as a liaison on LGBTQIA+ issues as well as a separate liaison stationed under …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220328-3A-1 BUDGET PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS WHEREAS, the member Commissions of the Joint Inclusion Committee includes annual budget recommendations to City Council; and WHEREAS, informed recommendations require a knowledge of the current Adopted Budget, as well as departmental plans and performance and input from the communities we serve; and WHEREAS, this process is best served by an established and consistent process from year to year. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends to City Council that their adopted budget schedule each fiscal year include provisions for Commissions including: • Budget Office briefing on the Adopted Budget for member Commissions of the Joint Inclusion Committee not later than October 31 of each fiscal year, • Budget Office briefing on the Proposed Budget process and outlook not later than • Commission recommendations to City departments and City Council not later than November 30 of each fiscal year, March 31 of each fiscal year • Budget Office briefing on the City Manager’s Proposed Budget within two weeks of the presentation to City Council outlining the status of Commission budget recommendations. Page 1 of 2 1. Arteaga 2. Curette 3. Curry 4. Dowling 5. Dreke 6. Gonzales 7. Jones 8. Taylor 9. Wollerson VOTE Date of Approval: March 28, 2022 Record of the Vote: Adopted without objection on a 9-0 vote. Present: Attest: _____________________________________________ Ryn Gonzales, Chair Page 2 of 2
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220328-3A-2 SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHEREAS, the City of Austin has used tax supported bond proceeds to incentivize the development of affordable housing and has entered into contracts with selected developers to achieve this purpose; and WHEREAS, the developer contracts create additional obligations on developers regarding tenant selection and rental rates; and WHEREAS, there is a public interest in ensuring that the resulting affordable housing be equally available to all those qualified on an income basis regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, familial status, disability, marital status, student status, creed, national origin, or source of income; and WHEREAS, access to affordable housing also means that residents must be able to live there free from discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, familial status, disability, marital status, student status, creed, national origin, or source of income; and WHEREAS, public comments at town hall meetings have indicated a perception that the City’s affordable housing efforts have not adequately addressed diversity, inclusion and respect for all. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends to City Council that, Tax supported affordable housing development contracts include language that requires tenant application and selection processes to convey that affordable housing is supportive to all regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, familial status, disability, marital status, student status, creed, national origin, or source of income; and That annual reporting of complete demographic information regarding the tenant application and selection process be required of developers and made available by the City to the community to support the perception of diversity, inclusion and respect with regard to the City’s affordable housing efforts. Page 1 of 2 1. Arteaga 2. Curette 3. Curry 4. Dowling 5. Dreke 6. Gonzales 7. Jones 8. Taylor 9. Wollerson VOTE Date of Approval: March 28, 2022 Record of the Vote: Adopted without objection on a 9-0 vote. Present: Attest: _____________________________________________ Ryn Gonzales, Chair Page 2 of 2
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220328-3A-3 CONTINUED FUNDING FOR YOUTH LGBTQIA+ MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES WHEREAS, the recently completed LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life study reported that survey responses indicated a high risk of serious mental health issues, including depression (42%) and suicidal ideation (12%); and WHEREAS, 52% of survey respondents also rated their overall mental health since the COVID pandemic as fair, poor, or very poor, a sizeable increase in mental health concerns; and WHEREAS, an additional community survey reported that more than half (53.5%) of respondents rated their mental health as poor or fair with youth and transgender/gender- expansive individuals indicating a higher percentage of very poor and poor mental health since the pandemic; and WHEREAS, a 2018 report by the Journal of the American Medical Association indicated that LGBTQ youth were 3.5 times as likely to attempt suicide as their heterosexual peers, transgender teens were 5.87 times more likely, gay and lesbian youth were 3.71 times more likely, and bisexual youth were 3.69 times more likely to attempt suicide than teens who identified as heterosexual. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends to City Council that the FY22-23 Budget continue funding of existing youth LGBTQIA+ focused mental health services at the current level of $100,000 through Austin Public Health’s Health Equity contracting portfolio. Page 1 of 2 1. Arteaga 2. Curette 3. Curry 4. Dowling 5. Dreke 6. Gonzales 7. Jones 8. Taylor 9. Wollerson VOTE Date of Approval: March 28, 2022 Record of the Vote: Adopted without objection on a 9-0 vote. Present: Attest: _____________________________________________ Ryn Gonzales, Chair Page 2 of 2
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PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20220328-B2-1 Board Member Sarah Faust Seconded By: Vice-Chair Richard DePalma Date: March 28, 2022 Subject: Parks and Recreation Department Lifeguard Shortage Motioned By: Recommendation Pursue all available measures to increase staffing to sustainable levels for all aquatics facilities, with particular emphasis on Barton Springs. RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Board Financial Committee “Financial Committee” reviewed a presentation regarding Aquatics Budget and Staffing at its February 28, 2022 which demonstrated that hiring of lifeguards has been difficult due to previous pandemic induced hiring freezes and other economic factors; and WHEREAS; the Parks and Recreation Department notified the Finance Committee that it will be offering an incentive bonus to temporary life guards that join the staff and stay through the summer season; WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Department subsequently announced that Barton Springs Pool will be closed indefinitely for two days a week due to a staffing shortage of approximately 20 open water certified life guards needed in order to safely guard Barton Springs Pool and to provide training to newly recruited life guards; and WHEREAS, the Finance Committee is concerned with the closure of any swimming pools during the spring and summer swim seasons due to staffing issues because swimming is a critical form of exercise and outdoor recreation for our community; and WHEREAS, the Finance Committee is especially concerned with the closure of Barton Springs Pool during the entry fee season, as the closure of Barton Springs in the spring season is estimated to cost $9,000.00 per day in lost revenue and would cost much more during the summer season; and WHEREAS, the Finance Committee finds that staffing at the swimming pools that are open-year round and in particular Barton Springs, which requires specially trained open water certified lifeguards, has become especially difficult due to rising costs of living in Austin and wages for part-time and temporary employees that have not risen proportionally; THEREFORE, the Parks and Recreation Board Finance Committee recommends to the Parks and Recreation Board that it recommend that the Parks and Recreation Department and Austin 1 of 2 City Council pursue all available measures to increase staffing to sustainable levels for all aquatics facilities, with particular emphasis on Barton Springs, including but not limited to the following measures: 1) increasing pay rates to a starting livable wage of $22 an hour for staff and an additional bonus for lifeguards that …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20220328-B2-2 March 28, 2022 Summer Camp Staffing Board Member Nina Rinaldi Date: Subject: Motioned By: Recommendation Pursue all available measures to increase staffing to sustainable levels for all summer camp programming. RATIONALE: The Parks and Recreation Board recommends to the Parks and Recreation Department and Austin City Council to pursue all available measures to increase staffing to sustainable levels for all summer camp programming, including but not limited to the following measures: Seconded By: Vice-Chair Richard DePalma 1) increasing pay rates for all summer camp staff; 2) allocating additional funding as needed to the Parks and Recreation Department to fulfill fully staffed summer camps during summer 2022; 3) any other measures found by the Austin City Council or the Parks and Recreation Department to be effective in training and retaining summer camp and afterschool program staff. Vote: Board Member Nina Rinaldi made a motion to recommend Council pursue all available measures to increase staffing to sustainable levels for all summer camp programming; Vice- Chair Richard DePalma seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 10-0 with one vacancy For: Chair Dawn Lewis, Vice-Chair Richard DePalma, Board Members Nina Rinaldi, Anna Di Carlo, Patrick Moore, Sarah Faust, Lisa Hugman, Nancy Barnard, Kim Taylor and Laura Cottam Sajbel Against: None Abstain: None Absent: None Attest: [Staff or board member can sign] 1 of 1
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20220328-B3 Seconded By: Chair Dawn Lewis Date: March 28, 2022 Subject: City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department FY 2023 Operating Budget Motioned By: Board Member Sarah Faust RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Board (“PARB”) Financial Committee reviewed the Parks and Recreation Department (“PARD”) Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Forecast and Department Overview at its meeting on March 21, 2022 and the Financial Services Division Under Resourced Service Expectations at its February 28, 2022 meeting and provided PARB with its unanimous recommendations; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Board finds that the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget items are all necessary in order to strive to achieve the PARD Strategic Direction 23 goals of: activating and enhancing urban park spaces to provide flexible and diverse programming; aligning accessible and diverse programs and services with community needs and interests; ensuring the parks system preserves recreational and natural spaces to serve as a respite from urban life; and expanding and improve access to parks and facilities for all; and WHEREAS; the Parks and Recreation Board finds that the FY 2023 Under Resourced Service Expectations, including: addressing homelessness, safety and security; increasing human resources support; advancing equity; and meeting customer service expectations for condition and quality of parks and facilities as described in Attachment A [Austin Parks and Recreation Department Financial Services Division PARB Finance Committee Presentation Under Resourced Service Expectations February 28, 2022] are all critical needs that are essential to meeting the service expectations of our community and achieving the Strategic Direction 23 goals listed above, but lack resources, and; WHEREAS; the Finance Committee finds that some staff members have not received adequate cost of living increases to wages and are not making a livable wage that is necessary to attract and retain qualified staff necessary provide the services of a functioning parks and recreation system, in particular the temporary and part-time employees; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Board recognizes the demand for Parks and Recreation facilities, maintenance, programming, and safety measures continues to grow significantly over the past several years and continuing into the 2023 fiscal year; THEREFORE, the Parks and Recreation Board recommends to the Austin City Council: 1) approval of the Parks and Recreation Department FY 2023 Operating Budget as presented in the FY 2023 Budget Forecast. 2) that it provide allocations in addition to the Parks and Recreation Department …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20220328-B5 Date: March 28, 2022 Subject: Code Amendments to the Parkland Dedication Ordinance Motioned By: Chair Dawn Lewis Seconded By: Board Member Laura Cottam-Sajbel Recommendation Support Mayor Pro Tem Alter’s resolution asking that city staff initiate code amendments to the Parkland Dedication Ordinance in City Code Chapter 25-1. RATIONALE: WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Board recognizes the unequivocal value that the City of Austin’s parkland and its amenities bring to our community in the areas of health, equity, environmental and economic benefits. The Board also are recognizes how much these spaces are a vital piece of Austin’s vibrancy as our parks, trails, amenities and greenspaces contribute significantly to Austin’s special beauty, lifestyle and appeal; and WHEREAS, the Board also understands that the parkland dedication ordinance fees have provided crucial funding for the acquisition of parkland and improvement of parks; Since 2007, the ordinance has provided the acquisition of over 1700 square acres of parkland, created and improved park infrastructure and amenities, reduced Austin’s park deficiency and improved park access with a focus on equity; and WHEREAS, the Board recognizes the positive impact of parkland dedication fees on residential and hotel developments, but is also aware that there are commercial, office and industrial developments in our community that are located in park-deficient areas and that these developments could potentially contribute; and WHEREAS, in February 2020, the Parks and Recreation Board passed a resolution on the land development code which included a recommendation that commercial properties be included in the parkland dedication ordinance; THEREFORE, the Parks and Recreation Board supports Mayor Pro Tem Alter’s resolution asking that city staff initiate code amendments to the Parkland Dedication Ordinance in City Code Chapter 25-1 to require parkland dedication for office, industrial, and commercial developments. This would include engaging with stakeholders and creating the amendment in a timely manner so a potential fee would be set in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. 1 of 2 Vote: Chair Dawn Lewis made a motion to recommend that Council support Mayor Pro Tem Alter’s resolution asking that city staff initiate code amendments to the Parkland Dedication Ordinance in City Code Chapter 25-1 to require parkland dedication for office, industrial, and commercial developments. This would include engaging with stakeholders and creating the amendment in a timely manner so a potential fee would be set in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget; Board Member Laura Cottam-Sajbel …
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20220328-B6 Date: March 28, 2022 Subject: Austin Rowing Center Agreement Motioned By: Vice-Chair Richard DePalma Seconded By: Board Member Laura Cottam-Sajbel RATIONALE: WHEREAS, Austin Rowing Club (ARC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of rowing in Austin; and WHEREAS, ARC offers a variety of low-cost and no-cost rowing programs for eligible youth and adult rowers; and WHEREAS, ARC has a contract, No. NR120000004, with the City for the management and operation of the Waller Creek Boathouse; and WHEREAS, the contract along with all available contract extensions expire on March 1, 2023; and WHEREAS, the Waller Creek Boathouse may be demolished in the near future to implement the Blue Line light rail identified in Austin Transit Partnership’s Project Connect program; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Board values, when possible, the continuity of services and programs to the public; and WHEREAS, the uncertainty of the timing of a future demolition and the current contract may impact rowing concessions available to the public. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Parks and Recreation Board recommends to the Parks and Recreation Department Director to either 1) Extend Contract No. NR120000004 until a Demolition Permit application is submitted on the Waller Creek Boathouse located at 74 Trinity Street or a decision is made that the Waller Creek Boathouse located at 74 Trinity Street will not be demolished; and/or 2) enter into a Park Operations, Maintenance and Programming Agreement for the current and future boathouse and related facilities with ARC once an approved Operations & Maintenance Plan is approved by the Parks and Recreation Board and the Austin City Council. 1 of 2 Vote: Vice-Chair Richard DePalma motioned to recommend to the Parks and Recreation Department Director to either 1) Extend Contract No. NR120000004 until a Demolition Permit application is submitted on the Waller Creek Boathouse located at 74 Trinity Street or a decision is made that the Waller Creek Boathouse located at 74 Trinity Street will not be demolished; and/or 2) enter into a Park Operations, Maintenance and Programming Agreement for the current and future boathouse and related facilities with ARC once an approved Operations & Maintenance Plan is approved by the Parks and Recreation Board and the Austin City Council; Board Member Laura Cottam-Sajbel seconded the motion. The motion passed on a vote of 10-0 with one vacancy. For: Chair Dawn Lewis, Vice-Chair Richard DePalma, …
BOARD RECOMMENDATION PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD Recommendation Number: 20220328-B6: Austin Rowing Center Agreement WHEREAS, Austin Rowing Club (ARC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of rowing in Austin; and WHEREAS, ARC offers a variety of low-cost and no-cost rowing programs for eligible youth and adult rowers; and WHEREAS, ARC has a contract, No. NR120000004, with the City for the management and operation of the Waller Creek Boathouse; and WHEREAS, the contract along with all available contract extensions expire on March 1, 2023; and WHEREAS, the Waller Creek Boathouse may be demolished in the near future to implement the Blue Line light rail identified in Austin Transit Partnership’s Project Connect program; and WHEREAS, the Parks and Recreation Board values, when possible, the continuity of services and programs to the public; and WHEREAS, the uncertainty of the timing of a future demolition and the current contract may impact rowing concessions available to the public. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Parks and Recreation Board recommends to the Parks and Recreation Department Director to either 1) Extend Contract No. NR120000004 until a Demolition Permit application is submitted on the Waller Creek Boathouse located at 74 Trinity Street or a decision is made that the Waller Creek Boathouse located at 74 Trinity Street will not be demolished; and/or 2) enter into a Park Operations, Maintenance and Programming Agreement for the current and future boathouse and related facilities with ARC once an approved Operations & Maintenance Plan is approved by the Parks and Recreation Board and the Austin City Council. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)
HISTORIC LANDMARK COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220328-4B Seconded By: Koch Date: March 28, 2022 Subject: FY 2023 Budget Recommendation Motioned By: Heimsath Recommendation Allocation of funds to the Historic Preservation Office. See attached document. Description of Recommendation to Council Recommendation by the Historic Landmark Commission to Council regarding the FY 2023 budget. Rationale See attached document. Vote For: Castillo, Featherston, Heimsath, Koch, Larosche, McWhorter, Myers, Tollett, Valenzuela, Wright Against: None Abstain: None Absent: Little Attest: Terri Myers Chair, Historic Landmark Commission 1 FY 2022-23 BUDGET RECOMMENDATION Historic Landmark Commission Recommendation 20220328-4B WHEREAS the City of Austin Historic Landmark Commission was established in 1974 to promote historic preservation activities in Austin and advise the Austin City Council on matters related to historic preservation; and WHEREAS the purpose of the Historic Landmark Commission is to prepare and periodically revise an inventory of the structures and areas that may be eligible for designation as historic landmarks, most recently completed in 1984; prepare, review, and propose amendments to a citywide Historic Preservation Plan, last adopted in 1981; and review requests to establish or remove a historic designation and make recommendations on the requests to the Land Use Commission; and WHEREAS the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan outlines historic preservation policies for the City of Austin to preserve and interpret historic resources in Austin for residents and visitors, with goals including 1) the inventory and protection of historic buildings, structures, sites, places, and districts in neighborhoods throughout the city; and 2) the retention of the character of locally designated historic districts and National Register districts by ensuring development is compatible with the historic character of the districts; and WHEREAS Strategic Direction 2023 includes the honoring and preservation of historical and ethnic heritage as an indicator category, with strategies that include protecting places that reflect Austin’s diverse history and broadening support for and participation in preserving underrepresented histories and resources; and WHEREAS Austin has transformed since the existing Historic Preservation Plan was adopted in 1981, including a tripling of the city’s population, passage of a historic district ordinance, urgent challenges around affordability and sustainability, a booming real estate market driving high development and demolition pressures, and displacement threats to longstanding residents, especially in East Austin neighborhoods historically home to communities of color; and WHEREAS the historic preservation field has also transformed in the last 40 years, with equity, sustainability, and cultural heritage as leading factors guiding preservation efforts, and …
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DESIGN COMMISSION Monday, February 28, 2022 6:00 PM Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions, Room 1101 301 W. 2nd St., Austin, TX 78701 Meeting Minutes Call to order by: Chair D. Carroll at 6:16 p.m. Member List David Carroll – Chair (District 1) Jessica Rollason – Vice-Chair (District 7) Jon Salinas (District 2) Samuel Franco (District 3) Josue Meiners (District 4) Evan Taniguchi (Mayor) P A P P P P P Melissa Hanao-Robledo (District 5) P A A A Jen Weaver (District 6) Aan Coleman (District 8) Bart Whatley (District 9) Ben Luckens (District 10) “P” Denote Commission Members who were in present “A” Denote Commission Members who were absent CITY OF AUSTIN HOUSING AND PLANNING STAFF X Jorge E. Rousselin, Executive Liaison X Art Zamorano, Staff Liaison X Gunner Garnos, Staff Liaison CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: . 1. NEW BUSINESS (Discussion and Possible Action): a. Discussion and possible action to evaluate and make recommendations regarding whether the Rainey Street Trail project, located at 36 East Ave., complies with the City Design and Sustainability Standards, for the City of Austin. Applicant(s): Heidi Anderson Charlotte Tonsor and Nick Blok The Trail Foundation. • Heidie Anderson, Charlotte Tonsor and Nick Blok; The Trail Foundation presented and answered questions. Page 1 of 4 • Commissioner J. Meiners made a motion that the project complies with the City Design and Sustainability Standards, for the City of Austin Commissioner S. Franco seconded. • Commissioner M. Haneo-Robledo made a friendly amendment request that in the future to build a formal path if public access is observed cutting through the native landscape Commissinor J. Meiners and Commissioner S. Franco accepted the friendly amendment. The motion was approved [ 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 Recusal, A. Coleman, B. Lukens, J. Rollason, B. Whatley, absent] • b. Discussion and possible action to evaluate and make recommendations regarding whether the project at 307 and 319 E. 2nd St., complies with the Urban Design Guidelines for the city of Austin. Applicant(s): Dave Anderson, Drenner Group; Larry Speck, Page/; Trent Rush, Hitchcock Design Group; and Jake George, Intracorp. • Dave Anderson, Drenner Group; Larry Speck, Page/; Trent Rush, Hitchcock Design Group; and Jake George, Intracorp presented and answered questions. • Commissioner M. Haneo-Robledo made a motion that the project complies with the Urban Design Guidelines for the City of Austin Commissioner J. Weaver seconded. • The motion failed [ 4 ayes, 2 nays, 1 …
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ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION #: 20220328-004c1 Date: March 28, 2022 Subject: Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Ballroom Divider Motioned By: Fang Fang Seconded By: Vincent Cobalis AARC BALLROOM DIVIDER DESCRIPTION This recommendation would fund the installation of room dividers in the Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Ballroom. This item is supported by the original Phase 1 Facility Master Plan to accommodate increased demand for mid-sized meeting space. During original construction of building, space was built with metal structure in place for future installation of partitions. The installation of the partitions will allow the ballroom to be separated into two to eight sections of multi-purpose dimensions for increase facility usage and flexibility. This was first proposed by the non-profit that founded the AARC to maximize the use of the ballroom for language classes, and the community continues to communicate the need to AARC staff. The divider would provide more flexibility in meeting the needs of the community. It would also allow for more efficient use of the space by allowing concurrent use by smaller groups. The cost to purchase and install the divider(s) is estimated to be one-time funding of $200,000. If funding is delayed, inflation and the rising cost of materials will likely make this item more expensive to purchase an install in the future. DEPARTMENT PARD/AARC VOTE ALIGNMENT WITH COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Culture & Lifelong Learning: Quality of cultural venues, events, programs, and resources; Quality of lifelong learning opportunities. Government That Works for All: Condition of City facilities and technology; Public engagement and participation; Equity of City programs and resource allocation. For: Kirk Yoshida, Fang Fang, Vince Cobalis, Hanna Huang, Sarah Chen, Azra Siddiqi, Meena Mutyala, Zahra Shakur Jamal-Hassan, and Kuo Yang. Against: None. Abstain: None. Absent: Pramod Patil, Pooja Sethi, and Salimah Shamsuddin. Attest: Jeremy Garza, Staff Liaison, Equity Office: x_______________________________
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION #: 20220328-004c2 Date: March 28, 2022 Subject: Community Engagement & Outreach FTE for Cultural Arts Division Program Motioned By: Fang Fang Seconded By: Vincent Cobalis COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & OUTREACH FTE FOR CULTURAL ARTS DIVISION PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Over the past year, members from several different City commissions, led by Arts Commission Chair Castillo, have been informally meeting to discuss issues related to cultural arts finding and facilities. The group members and Chair Castillo have identified a need and opportunity for the Economic Development Department's Cultural Arts Division to have a full-time employee specifically dedicated to Community Engagement & Outreach. Cultural Arts Division program administrators have a full plate of tasks related to executing programs. Having a dedicated staffer, separate from the program administrator role, would allow that person to develop and create deeper connections between the Division and cultural arts community groups. This dedicated position would also help the division better understand the needs of potential cultural contractors that either do not typically access City cultural arts funding resources or are underrepresented in the group of those that do receive funding. In debriefs with EDD staff, the AAQoL Advisory Commission has learned that Asian American groups are typically underrepresented in the pool of applicants for cultural arts funding rounds. The cost is TBD but in the $65,000 range, ongoing. DEPARTMENT EDD/Cultural Arts Division ALIGNMENT WITH COUNCIL STRATEGIC PRIORITIES Culture & Lifelong Learning: Quality of cultural venues, events, programs, and resources; Quality of lifelong learning opportunities. Government That Works for All: Condition of City facilities and technology; Public engagement and participation; Equity of City programs and resource allocation. VOTE For: Kirk Yoshida, Fang Fang, Vince Cobalis, Hanna Huang, Sarah Chen, Azra Siddiqi, Meena Mutyala, Zahra Shakur Jamal-Hassan, and Kuo Yang. Against: None. Abstain: None. Absent: Pramod Patil, Pooja Sethi, and Salimah Shamsuddin. Attest: Jeremy Garza, Staff Liaison, Equity Office: x____________________________