REGULAR MEETING OF THE MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Friday, September 12, 2025, 5:30pm Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room #1101 301 West 2nd Street Austin, Texas 78701 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 Nekaybaw Watson, 512-974-2562, nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Conor Kelly, Chair Elisabeth Meyer, Vice Chair Gabriel Arellano Lisa Chang DeLawnia Comer-HaGans Audrea Diaz Mickey Fetonte Jonathan Franks Lynn Murphy Elizabeth Slade Kristen Vassallo AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 August 8, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding the therapeutic recreation programs being planned and implemented by Evan Kessler, Recreation Program Supervisor, Austin Parks and Recreation and Rachel Hyde, Recreation Program Supervisor, Austin Parks and Recreation regarding therapeutic recreation programs their budget needs for more accessible therapeutic recreation programs. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. Presentation by Ann Graham, Liaison, Friends of Elisabet Ney regarding renovation plans for the Elisabet Ney Museum and their plans to make the space more accessible to patrons. Update regarding the most recent meeting of the Austin Transit Partnership Community Advisory Committee. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. Update from the October 2025 AWEbility Festival Working Group on community outreach and marketing efforts. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Formation of a working group regarding the expansion of therapeutic recreation program access and the creation of budget recommendations for therapeutic recreation programs within the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Formation of a Budget Working Group to discuss and create recommendations about the committee’s budget priorities. Approve an update to the membership of the AWEbility Festival Working Group. Approve a Recommendation to Council to allocate funds to cover AWEbility Festival …
Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Minutes August 8, 2025 MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Friday, August 8, 2025 The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities convened in a regular meeting on Friday, August 8, 2025, at City Hall, 301 W 2nd St. Room 1101, Austin, Texas. Chair Kelly called the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Meeting to order at 5:40 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Conor Kelly, Chair Gabriel Arellano Kristen Vassallo Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Elisabeth Meyer, Vice Chair Lisa Chang Elizabeth Slade PROCLAMATION Proclamation – 35th American Disability Act Anniversary – Presented by Mayor Kirk Watson PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities regular meeting minutes on July 11, 2025. The motion to approve the minutes from the meeting of July 11, 2025, failed on Chair Kelly’s motion, Commissioner Chang’s second on an 5-0 vote. Vice Chair Meyer abstained. Commissioners Comer-HaGans, Diaz, Fetonte, Franks and Murphy were absent. 1 Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Minutes August 8, 2025 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. Presentation from Jetal Bhakta, Pedestrian Crossing Program Manager, Transportation and Public Works and Sheida Carugati, Transportation Planning Engineer, DKS Associates regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plans for Pedestrian Crossings Program and Urban Trails Program. Presentation regarding the ADA Transition Plans for Pedestrian Crossings Program and Urban Trails Program was given by Jetal Bhakta, Pedestrian Crossing Program Manager, Transportation and Public Works and Sheida Carugati, Transportation Planning Engineer, DKS Associates. Update from the Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) representative on the work of the committee from the July 2025 meeting. Update provided by Commissioner Chang. Update regarding the most recent meeting of the Austin Transit Partnership Community Advisory Committee. Postponed to the next regular meeting with no objection. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. Update from the October 2025 Disability Event Working Group on their most recent meetings and accomplishments. Update provided by Commissioner Arellano. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. 7. 8. Formation of a working group regarding the expansion of therapeutic recreation program access and the creation of budget recommendations for therapeutic recreation programs within the Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Discussed and the working group formation was postponed until the next meeting. Formation of a Budget Working Group to discuss and create recommendations about the committee’s budget priorities. The motion to approve the formation of a Budget …
MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES RECOMMENDATION 20250912-XX4 Date: September 12, 2025 Subject: Marketing Strategy and Distribution of Flyers Motioned By: Gabriel Arellano Seconded By: _____________ Recommendation The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends developing a marketing strategy, including flyer distribution and social media outreach, with necessary approvals from the City of Austin. Description of Recommendation to Council ● Create and distribute event flyers. ● Develop social media posts to promote the awards event. ● Obtain approval from the City of Austin prior to posting on official channels. Rationale: A coordinated marketing strategy increases visibility, boosts community participation, and ensures compliance with City communication policies. Vote For: ___ Against: ___ Abstain: ___ Absent: ___ Attest: ___________________________
MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES RECOMMENDATION 20250912-XX1 Date: September 12, 2025 Subject: Recognition of Three Awardees at Upcoming Event Motioned By: Gabriel Arellano Seconded By: _____________ Recommendation The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends recognizing three awardees at the upcoming event. Description of Recommendation to Council ● Community Award: ADAPT of Texas ● Government Award: Travis County Services for the Deaf ● Individual Award: Hayley Broadway Rationale: Recognition of outstanding contributions strengthens community engagement, highlights leadership in accessibility, and aligns with the City’s equity and inclusion priorities. Vote For: ___ Against: ___ Abstain: ___ Absent: ___ Attest: ___________________________
MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES RECOMMENDATION 20250912-XX3 Date: September 12, 2025 Subject: Request for Official EIN Verification Letter from Financial Services Motioned By: Gabriel Arellano Seconded By: _____________ Recommendation The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends requesting an official letter from the City’s Financial Services Team verifying the City of Austin’s EIN, to support sponsorship applications. Description of Recommendation to Council ● Direct Financial Services Team to issue an EIN verification letter for sponsorship purposes. Rationale: A verified EIN letter is required to complete sponsorship applications and secure financial support for Committee programming and events. Vote For: ___ Against: ___ Abstain: ___ Absent: ___ Attest: ___________________________
MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES RECOMMENDATION 20250912-XX2 Date: September 12, 2025 Subject: Approval of Budget for Awards Event Motioned By: Gabriel Arellano Seconded By: _____________ Recommendation The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends allocating funds to cover event costs. Description of Recommendation to Council ● 3 Trophies – $200 ● Catering Service – $1,014 ● TOTAL – $1,215 Rationale: Budget allocation ensures the success of the awards event by funding essential items, recognizing honorees, and providing accessibility to attendees. Vote For: ___ Against: ___ Abstain: ___ Absent: ___ Attest: ___________________________
Elisabet Ney Museum VISION : 2025-26 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR MUSEUM IMPROVEMENTS AND ACCESSIBILITY Creating a transformative experience for museum visitors and the Austin community. VISION The museum is more inclusive, accessible, and engaging for all visitors while preserving its historic value. The improvements enhance both the physical space and the visitor experience. PROJECT GOALS PRESERVE To preserve historic Formosa, the world’s largest collection of Ney’s artworks, and key wilderness elements of the property while updating access, safety, climate control, and gathering places. PROJECT GOALS REIMAGINE To use the interpretive and landscape plans in a holistic and forward-looking way, with an aim for sustainability and broadening the experience for visitors to engage with Ney’s life work, artistic process, lived experience, world view, and the symbolism of her story against the backdrop of tomorrow. PROJECT GOALS INSPIRE To make museum visitors feel welcome, inspired, and reinvigorated.
