ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2020 AT 6:00 P.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM 301 W. 2nd St., AUSTIN, TEXAS 78701 AGENDA The commission shall advise the City Council on issues related to the Asian American Resource Center and will provide on-going guidance and support for the City's Asian American quality of life initiatives. (AAQOLAC Bylaws, Article 2. Purpose and Duties) CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 P.M. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The citizens wishing to speak on the agenda and non-agenda related items will need to sign up ten minutes before the meeting is called to order. Non-agenda related citizen communications will be discussed during this period and will be limited to the first five speakers. Citizen communications on agenda related items will be allowed after an item’s presentation has been made. Each citizen wishing to speak will be given three minutes to speak. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Consider approval of minutes from the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission (AAQOLAC) meeting on January 21, 2020. 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Workgroup Reports 1. AARC Workgroup 2. Health and Community Engagement Workgroup Budget Community Engagement event 3. Arts & Culture Workgroup 4. Business Planning Workgroup b. Joint Inclusion Committee (Commissioner Stanton) Budget timeline/process c. Follow-up Items: 1. Update on AARC Masterplan a. PARD response to Commission action on 1-21-2020 b. Projected timeline c. Workgroup recommendation 3. STAFF BRIEFING a. Strategic Planning follow-up and tracking (Marion Sanchez) b. Update on upcoming Equity Mini-Grant application and timeline 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Early Childhood Council Strategic Plan (Cathy McHorse) c. Information Sharing 5. FUTURE AGENDA a. Analysis of APD’s Racial Profiling Data joint report and update on the new Community Police Review Commission (Maya Guevara – Office of Police Oversight) b. Discussion and possible action on City budget recommendations 6. 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 two days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Joshua Robinson, Equity Office, at (512) 974-9006, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission, please contact Joshua Robinson at (512) 974-9006.
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQOLAC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2020 The AAQOLAC convened in a regular meeting on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at City Hall in Austin, Texas. Chair Vince Cobalis called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. Commission Members in Attendance: Vince Cobalis, Shubhada Saxena, Pooja Sethi, Ketan Patel, Kirk Yoshida, Nguyen Stanton, Catherina Conte, Sarah Chen, Pramod Patil, Debasree DasGupta, Molly Wang, and Kuo Yang Staff in Attendance: Rey Arellano, Assistant City Manager Sylnovia Holt-Rabb, Deputy Director (Economic Development) Dusty McCormick, Economic and Business Development Liaison (Economic Development) Annick Beaudet, Assistant Director (Transportation) Laura Esparza, Division Manager (Parks & Recreation) Joshua Robinson, Commissions Liaison (Equity Office) CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: N/A 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Commission moved to approve minutes from AAQOLAC meeting on January 21, 2020. Commissioner Yoshida made the motion. Commissioner DasGupta seconded. Vote was 11-0. Commissioner Sethi was not present to vote. 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Workgroup Reports: 1. Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Workgroup: Commissioner DasGupta provided an update on the AARC Masterplan, AARC Senior programs, and “Foundation Communities” providing tax services at the AARC. 2. Health and Community Engagement Workgroup: Commissioner Conte provided an update. The Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission will be partnering with the Commission on Immigrant Affairs for the upcoming Community Budget Forum. The workgroup is currently planning the structure of the “Community Budget Forum. Mental Health Project: Commissioner Cobalis provided an update. Austin Public Health has issued a Request for Grant Applications for Asian American Mental Health services and LGBTQ Mental Health services. 3. Arts and Culture Workgroup: Commissioner Patil provided an update. The workgroup is partnering with Austin Councilmember Jimmy Flannigan and Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty for a “Diversity Band” performance on Saturday, February 1, at the AARC. 4. Business Planning Workgroup: Commissioner Cobalis provided an update. The workgroup is starting the HR project. Budget timeline/process b. Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC): Commissioner Stanton provided an update. The JIC December Commission meeting was canceled. The Commission will meet on Wednesday, January 22. c. Follow-up Items: 1. Strategic Planning Review (Marion Sanchez): Marion Sanchez and Cara Welch were not available to present at the Tuesday, January 21, commission meeting. Sanchez and Welch will present during the Tuesday, February 18, commission meeting. 2. Update on AARC Masterplan: a. Next Steps: Division Manager, Laura Esparza provided an update on the …
44762 151 6486 1440.5 2246 1685 Site: PM #8313 Visits to educaitonal and cultural facilities ASIAN AMERICAN RESOURCE CENTER Total # Surveys Received PM#8314 Total number of Free cultural special events sponsored by Museums and Cultural Centers PM #8196 (Learned Something) Number of participants who increased their knowledge and understanding of culture, history and art PM#8315 Attendance at Free cultural special events sponsored by Museums and Cultural Centers PM #8469 (Enjoyed the Program) Number of art and cultural program participants reporting an improved quality of life PM #8316 Hours of arts and cultural programming PM #8465 Number of patron (participant) Injuries at museums provided and cultural centers 98% 88% Attendance # of Attendance # of Attendance Number of Creatives (Artists) Employeed (Free or Paid) Number of Volunteers Numbers by Category/Type: # of Rentals Total City Business Community Use Rental Event Rehearsal Collaborations Co‐Sponsorships Partnerships 641 75 305 114 4 0 143 0 Programs Total Edu Activity/Class Edu Resource Center/ Computer Lab Use Performance Special Event Edu Tour Senior Meals 17546 2619 2952 6507 45 0 5423 0 Tourism Public Programs: Total Programs Tourism Public Programs: Attendance Total Tourism: Out of Town Visitors 700 289 211 0 3 5 192 13908 4022 897 0 138 105 8746 Public Programs Total PubPrg Activity/Class PubPrg‐Exhibit PubPrg‐Reception PubPrg‐Performance PubPrg‐Special Event PubPrg‐Tour CoSpon‐Rental Event CoSpon‐Rental Special Event Event 526 61 5 0 3 6 1 0 133 317 7765 1175 247 0 295 937 8 0 4878 225 432 423 378 1 526 7765 232 SITE Asian American Resource Center SURVEYS Total Number of Surveys Received PM #8196 (Learned Something) Number of participants who increased their knowledge and understanding of culture, history and art PM #8469 (Enjoyed the Program) Number of art and cultural program participants reporting an improved quality of life 328 325 307 99% 94% PM #8313 Visits to educational and cultural facilities 12757 TOTAL ATTENDANCE Total Daily Drop‐In Visitors PM #8315 Attendance at Free cultural special events sponsored by Museums and Cultural Centers (Taken from total Visits to edu & Cultural facilities) Total Number of Out of Town Visitors (Taken from total Visits to edu & Cultural facilities) Total Number of Out of Town Visitors (Taken from total Daily Visits to edu & Cultural facilities) 26 0% TOTAL NUMBER OF PROGRAMS & EVENTS Total number of programs and events held at Museums and Cultural Centers PM #8314 Total number of Free cultural …
AARC Workgroup meeting for the AAQoL Tuesday, February 11, 12:00pm -1:00 pm In attendance: Vince Cobalis, Sona Shah, Sumit DasGupta, Liana Kallivoka, Assistant director, PARD), Laura Esparza, Riley Triggs (Public Works Project Manager), Christina Bies, Kirk Yoshida, Debasree DasGupta. 1. Discussion on the AARC Phase 11 Master plan with special emphasis on Bridge funding: The discussion stemmed from concerns the Commission had regarding using the Bond funds towards construction of the pedestrian bridge that would connect the Rutherford Campus to the AARC grounds. The PARD team provided a preliminary draft schedule that provided comparison in the difference in time and cost with the bridge included. Initially the Watershed Protection Department had agreed to fund and work on the bridge but it would be a longer process. The PARD could provide the product earlier but it could take as much as 500 K from the Bond funds which the Commission members and members of the NAAO board were reluctant to use. Also, it was agreed that unforeseen circumstances could slow down the process. . PARD has contacted WPD regarding funding for the bridge and provided the commission with the following information: WPD cannot reimburse PARD for the bridge due to rules regarding Drainage Utility Fee expenses. In order for WPD to fund the bridge, it would need to be a part of a larger water quality project. However, if requested, WPD will work on it, fund it, and try to expedite the process. WPD is working on the preliminary report on drainage as there have been issues with drainage. However, they are still in the feasibility stage of work and cannot guarantee the start dates. Funding will need to be approved for WPD to proceed with design and construction. The feasibility will be completed in November, 2020. Discussion on the prepared scope and budget estimates provided: Schiller Liao (NAAO) is in conversation with Councilman Jimmy Flannigan’s office regarding reimbursement for the bridge. Sumit DasGupta (NAAO) brought up the possibility of reducing the number of parking spaces since connecting the center with the Rutherford Campus would also enable shared parking. This would also reduce some of the building cost. Commissioner Kirk Yoshida spoke of making a request for separate funding for the bridge. HVJ has possibly already spent some money on a survey for the bridge. A recommendation could also be placed with WPD to pursue the CMAR strategy and look for …
COMMUNITY BUDGET FORUM ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 6:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. ASIAN AMERICAN RESOURCE CENTER LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE (LDC) CONVERSATION: LDC is a very long and complex document LDC needs to be translated in multiple languages Advocating for affordable density Further outreach to the community Better quality/ quantity of LDC information There are parts of the community that are not receiving the LDC info. Immigrants communities are being pushed out of the City of Austin LDC info. needs to be presented in an objective format BUDGET RECCOMENDATION CONVERSATION: Language access Cultural understanding of Mental Health Educating health providers Helping Asian‐American/Immigrant communities build trust with the healthcare system Finding places for Asian‐Americans/Immigrant communities to get treated Affordable health services Constant/sustainable funding for initiatives (i.e. health, housing, etc.) Non‐profits having difficulty reporting performance measures back to the City of Austin
Business Planning Work Group Notes – February 2020 Summary The Business Planning Work Group did not meet this month. HR Project Lead: Sarah Chen Other participants: Kirk Yoshida, Vince Cobalis Status: Sarah is in the process of scheduling a meeting to discuss the recruitment of Asian Americans at the Austin Fire Department (AFD). The meeting will be with Chief Baker as well as Assistant Chief Pablo Ruiz, who oversees recruitment. This meeting will take place the week of March 2. Budget Community Forum The forum was held on Thursday, February 13 at the AARC. Notes about the forum are included in the Community Engagement Work Group notes. Other Budget Notes Quality of Life Budget Workshop scheduled for February 29 Possible FY 2021 Budget Items: o AARC Existing Facility Needs: Ballroom Divider / Outdated Equipment Replacement / Lighting Upgrade o Additional Programming for the Austin History Center o Fire Department Recruitment of Asian Americans o Additional funding for AARC Master Plan Phase 2 Construction Possible Project ‐ Equitable Chamber Funding Report Input to Consultant/Economic Development Department
Major Task Initiative ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH ADDITIONAL WAYS TO HOLD COA DEPTS ACCOUNTABLE TO ENGAGING SERVING APIS ASIAN AMERICAN EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE BUILD ALLIANCE WITH AA COMMUNITY GROUP IN PARTICULAR THE UNDERSERVED CENSUS 2020 WORK COMMUNITY SAFETY ISSUES CONNECTIONS AND INCREASED DIALOGUE WITH CITY STAFF DEEPER ENGAGEMENT NEEDED WITH API COMMUNITIES W LESS POWER/ACCESS EFFICIENT/FUNCTIONAL LANGUAGE ACCESS- HEALTHCARE ENSURING EQUITABLE SERVICES TO AA BY ALL ENTITIES FUNDING ON MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT LANGUAGE ACCESS FOR OPO LANGUAGE ISSUES MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT MENTAL HEALTH PROJECT GROUP MORE DIRECT IMPACT ON POLICIES REACHING OUT TO ASIAN COMMUNITY MORE EFFICIENTLY REAL LANGUAGE ACCESS FOR CITIZENS REGULAR UPDATES TO COUNCIL ROBUST INTERPRETATION SERVICES ROBUST INTERPRETATION SERVICES TRANSPORTATION FOR HEALTH CARE ACCESS TRYING TO FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH Health and Human Services Social and Civic Engagement Administrative Social and Civic Engagement Economic Development Housing and Community Development Social and Civic Engagement Social and Civic Engagement Health and Human Services Health and Human Services Health and Human Services Social and Civic Engagement Social and Civic Engagement Health and Human Services Health and Human Services Social and Civic Engagement Social and Civic Engagement Health and Human Services Social and Civic Engagement Social and Civic Engagement Health and Human Services Health and Human Services Health and Human Services LANGUAGE ACCESS SYNERGY W/ OTHER INITIATIVES Health and Human Services Priority Tags Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Urgent,Important Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Important,Urgent Major Task Initiative Priority Tags VISIBILITY AND INCLUSION FOR OUR COMMUNITIES Social and Civic Engagement Important,Urgent Social and Civic Engagement Urgent,Less Important FIRST RESPONDERS AT MEETING TO DISCUSS ISSUES Social and Civic Engagement Health and Human Services Urgent,Less Important AAQOLC COMMISSIONER RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL SEAT CITY OF AUSTIN TRANSPORTATION FOLLOW-UP (APRIL MEETING) EFFECTIVE VACANCY FILLING PROCESS FASTER IN FILLING COMMISSION VACANCIES FOLLOW THROUGH ON BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS MORE VOCAL SUPPORT OF AA CANDIDATES (EX: PHILLIP HUANG) TRACKING OF BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS “I-SPEAK” CARDS/PROGRAMS AA CULTURAL ASSETS IN VERY FEW CITY FACILITIES/DISTRICTS AA INTEGRATION IN MAINSTREAM (COUNTED AND NOT THE “OTHER”- UNDERSTOOD) AARC KITCHEN USE ADVISORY ROLE HAS NO CLOUT MEET WITH CITY STAFF ON THEIR NEED TO SERVE AA BETTER AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE ACCESS- SENIOR IMMIGRANTS ASIAN AMERICAN ACCESS TO CITY SERVICES SHOULD BE IN DISTRICTS WHERE THEY LIVE BREAKING THE MODEL MINORITY MYTH BRING ASIAN ARTS AND CULTURE TO MAINSTREAM BUILDING ENGAGEMENT INTEREST WITH …
Success By 6 Coalition Strategic Plan to Make Austin / Travis County a Happy, Healthy, and Enriching Place for Families and Young Children February 18, 2020 Cathy McHorse, Vice President Success By 6, United Way for Greater Austin Thomas Trinh, Hogg Mental Health Policy Fellow, United Way for Greater Austin Austin / Travis County Community Context In Austin/ Travis County…. 3% of these children are Asian American Child Care is Incredibly Expensive Why Does Poverty Matter? Percent of Children who are School Ready 51% 57% 59% 59% 29% 26% 35% 39% 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 Non-low Income Low Income Travis County Ready Set K! Data 2015-2019 Disproportionality in Low Rates Overall School Readiness All Students Non-low Income Low Income Asian Black Hispanic White Travis County Ready Set K! Data 2015-2019 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 38% 51% 29% 64% 36% 31% 50% 41% 57% 26% 67% 21% 32% 59% 46% 59% 35% 71% 35% 37% 61% 49% 59% 39% 40% 36% 44% 63% Success By 6 Coalition Strategic Plan: A 2,000 Day Journey Success By 6 Coalition SX6 Coalition Leadership Framework Healthy Beginnings SX6 Goa l: To ens ure a ll children receive ea rly a nd regula r developmenta l s creenings a nd immuniza tions , a nd a re linked to a cces s ible a nd coordina ted, integra ted a nd res pons ive ba s ic needs , medica l, denta l, a nd menta l hea lth s ervices including s ervices for children with developmenta l dela ys . Preterm birth rates are highest for African American and Hispanic/ Latino families. • Africa n America n 13.5% • His pa nic 7.11% • White 9% • As ia n 6.2% • More tha n one ra ce: 5.8% Ma ny His pa nic fa milies get no or la te prena ta l ca re: • Africa n America n 22.3% • His pa nic 21% • White 15.8% • As ia n 10.7% Source: Center For Dis ea s e Control 2018 Supported Families SX6 Goal: To ensure families have access to and use the resources that provide them with the knowledge, s kills , confidence a nd s ocia l s upports to pos itively nurture the hea lth, s a fety, a nd development of their children, a nd to develop grea ter fina ncia l s ta bility. Commission …
CITY OF AUSTIN CIVIL RIGHTS The City of Austin is currently seeking community input to better educate and enforce Civil Rights Ordinances/Laws within the Austin Community. You can provide input by attending an upcoming workshop or by completing a survey. JOIN US FOR A COMMUNITY WORKSHOP Arrive promptly at 6:30 pm Weds, Feb. 19 – Asian American Resource Center, 8401 Cameron Rd, Thurs. Feb. 27 – North Austin YMCA, 1000 W Rundberg Ln, Weds. March 4 – Ruiz Branch – Austin Public Library, 1600 Grove Blvd, Fri. March 6 – Turner Roberts Rec Center, 7201 Colony Loop Dr, Weds. March 11 – Carver Library, 1161 Angelina St, To request translation services contact Austin 3-1-1 PROVIDE YOUR INPUT ONLINE AT SPEAKUPAUSTIN.ORG/CIVILRIGHTS For More Information: CivilRights @austintexas.gov 512-974-3252 Ending the War on Drugs in Travis County How Low-Level Drug Possession Arrests are Harmful and Ineffective The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance, Grassroots Leadership, and the UT Law Civil Rights Clinic launched a research project to analyze data for 2,900 less-than-a-gram drug possession arrests in Travis County (Austin), Texas, from June 2017 to May 2018, a one-year period; this offense is considered a state jail felony under Texas law. We conducted this research in response to the increasing rate of drug possession arrests in Travis County, and to identify ways to reduce such arrests. Why This Research Project? ● Between 2013 and 2017, the number of Possession of a Controlled Substance (POCS) arrests in Travis County increased by 43 percent,1 and Travis County courts saw a 66 percent increase in the number of new felony drug possession cases, rising from 1,786 to 2,977 – a rate of increase that is 2.5 times higher than the increase in drug possession cases in all Texas courts.2 In 2017, POCS cases in Travis County had increased at such an alarming rate that county officials considered building more jail cells, especially to house the growing number of women arrested for drug possession. In 2017, the fourth leading charge for distinct days in jail for women in Travis County was less-than-a- gram POCS (a state jail felony), which accounted for 33,939 days. Of those days, almost 32 percent were for Black women,3 despite the fact that Black individuals comprise less than 9 percent of Travis County’s population,4 and Black women comprise roughly half that total, or 4.5 percent. ● ● ● The War on …
