SPECIAL CALLED MEETING of the MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES March 22, 2024 at 5:30pm AUSTIN CITY HALL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM #1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities may be participating by videoconference. The meeting may be viewed online at: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Christi Vitela, 512-974-2792, christi.vitela@austintexas.gov. Jennifer Powell Lira Amari Ramírez Pete Salazar Elizabeth K Vassallo CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Jonathan Franks, Chair Elisabeth Meyer, Vice Chair Lisa Chang Mickey Fetonte Adrianne Hogan CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities regular meeting on March 8, 2024. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve a Recommendation for the City of Austin to conduct a point in time count to determine the number of people living with disabilities in Austin. 3. Approve a Recommendation to create an online community participation and information sharing site. 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 at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Christi Vitela at the City Clerk Department at 512-974-2792 or email christi.vitela@austintexas.gov for additional information. TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, please contact the Office of Civil Rights at (512) 974-3251.
1. 2. MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Friday, March 8, 2024 The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities convened in a regular called meeting on Friday, March 8, 2024, at City Hall, 301 W 2nd St Austin, Texas. Vice-Chair Meyer called the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Elisabeth Meyer, Vice Chair Lisa Chang Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Mickey Fetonte Adrianne Hogan Jennifer Powell Pete Salazar PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No speakers. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities regular meeting on January 12, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 01/12/2024 were approved on Vice Chair Meyer’s motion, Commissioner Salazar’s second on a 6-0 vote. Chair Franks, Commissioners Ramírez and Vassallo were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS Staff briefing regarding Town Hall on Public Safety: People with Disabilities and Policing given by Lindsay Southard, Community Engagement Specialist, Office of Police Oversight. The presentation was made by Lindsay Southard, Community Engagement Specialist, Office of Police Oversight. 1 DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation by Chris Duran, Senior Research Analyst; Jamey May, Housing and Community Development Officer; Julie Smith, Community Engagement Specialist; and Leslie Boyd, Acting Public Health Program Manager II; of the Housing Department, on the Community Needs Assessment and the Fiscal Year 24-29 Consolidated Plan. The presentation was made by Chris Duran, Senior Research Analyst; Jamey May, Housing and Community Development Officer; and Julie Smith, Community Engagement Specialist, of the Housing Department. Commissioner Salazar requested point in time statistics for Austinites who experience a disability and data on the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) loan contracts via City of Austin Housing that carried fees or paybacks for decedents’ estates. Presentation by Vice Chair Meyer on updates from the January 11, 2024, Project Connect Community Advisory Committee (CAC). Vice Chair Meyer provided an update. Review of goals for the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities. Discussion was held. Budget recommendations were identified as a priority as well as a need to schedule a special called meeting to meet the Budget Office deadline. Discussion to determine working groups based on the goals of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities. Postponed. Discussion of the feedback and results from the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Town Hall meetings. Postponed. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS None discussed. Vice Chair Meyer adjourned the meeting at 7:07 p.m. without objection. …
Board and Commission Recommendation Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities Recommendation Number 20240322-002 Approve a point-in-time count for people with disabilities in Austin WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities is authorized by Austin City Code 2-1-108 to serve as an advisory body to the city council and city manager regarding problems affecting the persons with disabilities in the Austin area; WHEREAS, the Committee serves in an advisory and consultative capacity to the Human Resources Department and the city council to ensure effective compliance and enforcement of Chapters 5-6 (Discrimination against a person with a disability); WHEREAS, the Committee has tried to get a proper count of Austinites with disabilities and has found that no city has tracked Austinites with disabilities. WHEREAS, a point-in-time count is necessary to provide information to the mayor, city council, city manager, and heads of all city departments and agencies to achieve the purposes of Chapters 5-6 (Discrimination Against A Person With A Disability); We recommend a point- in-time count be done at the earliest time possible, and that the proper funds to achieve this be researched and set aside to achieve this goal in a most expedient manner possible. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities support of a point-in-time count the City Council review, support, and take action to approve a point-in-time count. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: (Unanimous on a 7-0 vote, 4-3 vote with names of those voting no listed) Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)
Board and Commission Recommendation Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities Recommendation Number 20240322-003 Electronic Community Participation and Information Sharing Whereas: To be effective AMCPD requires a coordinated way to get information to people with disabilities in the Austin community. Whereas: Austin has a large but fragmented web of services for various populations within the disability community making it impossible for the AMCPD to collaborate effectively with the population we serve. Whereas: The AMCPD tried to use personal channels to disseminate an important survey about experiences of transportation and safety, but this resulted in only three responses. Whereas: Due to lack of opportunities in education, transportation, and a centralized information point, people with disabilities are not currently able to participate or self-advocate in city processes affecting them in any meaningful way. Now Therefore Be It Resolved the city will update the AMCPD web page to include the following. First a section to highlight ways people with disabilities can participate at the city level. This could include up to date important information, links to surveys, and items of interest relating to city community activities, policy changes, and opportunities to participate in various open comment periods that have an impact on the experience of citizens with disabilities in the Austin community. Second, an opportunity for Austinites with disabilities to enter their email information and the subsequent creation of an email list that can be used by the AMCPD Chair or Vice Chair to communicate important information and opportunities for participation within the Austin community. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: (Unanimous on a 7-0 vote, 4-3 vote with names of those voting no listed) Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)
Board and Commission Recommendation Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities Recommendation Number 20240322-002 Approve a point-in-time count for people with disabilities in Austin WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities is authorized by Austin City Code 2-1-108 to serve as an advisory body to the city council and city manager regarding problems affecting the persons with disabilities in the Austin area; WHEREAS, the Committee serves in an advisory and consultative capacity to the Human Resources Department and the city council to ensure effective compliance and enforcement of Chapters 5-6 (Discrimination against a person with a disability); WHEREAS, the Committee has tried to get a proper count of Austinites with disabilities and has found that no city has tracked Austinites with disabilities. WHEREAS, a point-in-time count is necessary to provide information to the mayor, city council, city manager, and heads of all city departments and agencies to achieve the purposes of Chapters 5-6 (Discrimination Against A Person With A Disability); We recommend a point- in-time count be done at the earliest time possible, and that the proper funds to achieve this be researched and set aside to achieve this goal in a most expedient manner possible. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities support of a point-in-time count the City Council review, support, and take action to approve a point-in-time count. Date of Approval: March 22, 2024 Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 6-0 vote For: Vice Chair Meyer, Commissioners Chang, Fetonte, Powell, Ramírez and Salazar Absent: Chair Franks, Commissioners Hogan and Vassallo Attest: Elisabeth Meyer, Vice Chair
Board and Commission Recommendation Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities Recommendation Number 20240322-003 Electronic Community Participation and Information Sharing Whereas: To be effective AMCPD requires a coordinated way to get information to people with disabilities in the Austin community. Whereas: Austin has a large but fragmented web of services for various populations within the disability community making it impossible for the AMCPD to collaborate effectively with the population we serve. Whereas: The AMCPD tried to use personal channels to disseminate an important survey about experiences of transportation and safety, but this resulted in only three responses. Whereas: Due to lack of opportunities in education, transportation, and a centralized information point, people with disabilities are not currently able to participate or self-advocate in city processes affecting them in any meaningful way. Now Therefore Be It Resolved the city will update the AMCPD web page to include the following. First a section to highlight ways people with disabilities can participate at the city level. This could include up to date important information, links to surveys, and items of interest relating to city community activities, policy changes, and opportunities to participate in various open comment periods that have an impact on the experience of citizens with disabilities in the Austin community. Second, an opportunity for Austinites with disabilities to enter their email information and the subsequent creation of an email list that can be used by the AMCPD Chair or Vice Chair to communicate important information and opportunities for participation within the Austin community. Date of Approval: March 22, 2024 Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 6-0 vote For: Vice Chair Meyer, Commissioners Chang, Fetonte, Powell, Ramírez and Salazar Absent: Chair Franks, Commissioners Hogan and Vassallo Attest: Elisabeth Meyer, Vice Chair
Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Meeting Minutes Friday, March 22, 2024 MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES Friday, March 22, 2024 The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities convened in a special called meeting on Friday, March 22, 2024, at City Hall, 301 W 2nd St Austin, Texas. Vice-Chair Meyer called the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Elisabeth Meyer, Vice Chair Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Lisa Chang Mickey Fetonte Jennifer Powell Lira Amari Ramírez Pete Salazar PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL No speakers. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities regular meeting on March 8, 2024. The minutes from the meeting of 03/08/2024 were approved on Commissioner Salazar’s motion, Commissioner Chang’s second on a 6-0 vote. Chair Franks, Commissioners Hogan and Vassallo were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve a Recommendation for the City of Austin to conduct a point in time count to determine the number of people living with disabilities in Austin. 1 Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Meeting Minutes Friday, March 22, 2024 to approve Recommendation 20240322-002 was approved on The motion Commissioner Powell’s motion and Commissioner Ramírez’s second on a 6-0 vote. Chair Franks, Commissioners Hogan and Vassallo were absent. 3. Approve a Recommendation to create an online community participation and information sharing site. The motion to approve Recommendation 20240322-003 was approved on Commissioner Salazar’s motion and Commissioner Powell’s second on a 6-0 vote. Chair Franks, Commissioners hogan and Vassallo were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Presentation on the Equity Based Preservation Plan. Presentation by Betsy Greenburg about zoning changes to group homes. Vice Chair Meyer adjourned the meeting at 5:49 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the April 12, 2024 meeting on Commissioner Salazar’s motion, Commissioner Ramírez’s second on a 7-0 vote. Chair Franks and Commissioner Vassallo were off the dais. 2 3
