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 …
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020 AT 6:30 P.M. ASIAN AMERICAN RESOURCE CENTER AUSTIN, TEXAS 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: 6:30 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. COMMUNITY FORUM The commission will conduct a forum on community priorities for the 2020-2021 City of Austin budget. The commission may take action concerning recommendations related to the budget. 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 TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2020 AT 6:00 P.M. CITY HALL, BOARD AND COMMISSION ROOM AUSTIN, TEXAS 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 December 17, 2019. 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Workgroup Reports 1. AARC Workgroup 2. Health and Community Engagement Workgroup Mental Health Project 3. Arts & Culture Workgroup 4. Business Planning Workgroup Budget timeline/process b. Joint Inclusion Committee (Commissioner Stanton) c. Follow-up Items: 1. Strategic Planning Review (Marion Sanchez) 2. Update on AARC Masterplan a. Next Steps b. Bridge update 3. Council resolution for AARC/Rutherford Campus 3. STAFF BRIEFING a. Equity Framework for Economic Development Department (Jeremy Brandt – Sabre) b. Update on the revision of the Land Development Code c. Update on upcoming Equity Mini-Grant application and timeline 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action on the upcoming Community Budget Engagement meeting. b. Discussion and possible action supporting the Human Rights Commission recommendation to City Council on Race and Equity within the Austin Independent School District's School Closures and Consolidations Plan. c. Information Sharing 5. FUTURE AGENDA a. Early Childhood Council Strategic Plan (Cathy McHorse) b. Strategic Planning Session 2 notes 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 …
ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQOLAC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF TUESDAY, December 17, 2019 The AAQOLAC convened in a regular meeting on Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at City Hall in Austin, Texas. Chair Vince Cobalis called the Commission Meeting to order at 6:09 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, Kuo Yang, and Kavita Radhakrishnan Staff in Attendance: Rey Arellano, Assistant City Manager Chris Shorter, Assistant City Manager Adrienne Sturrup, Assistant Director (Austin Public Health) Laura LaFuente, Contract Manager (Austin Public Health) Reynaldo Hernandez, Project Management Supervisor (Parks & Recreation) David Crabb, Recreation Program Manager (Parks & Recreation) Christina Bies, Project Coordinator Sona Shah, Culture and Arts Education Manager (Parks & Recreation) Joshua Robinson, Commissions Liaison (Equity Office) CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: Schiller Liao – Asian American Resource Center Master Plan 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The Commission moved to approve minutes from AAQOLAC meeting on November 19, 2019 with a minor edit. Commissioner Yoshida made the motion. Commissioner Radhakrishnan seconded. Vote was 12-0. Commissioner Saxena was not present to vote. 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Workgroup Reports: 1. Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Workgroup: Commissioners discussed AARC Performance Measures and discussed the presentations from Parks & Recreation on the Phase 2 of the AARC Master Plan and AARC Senior Programs. 2. Health and Community Engagement Workgroup: Commissioner Conte discussed the format and dates of the upcoming Community Budget Dialogue. Commissioner Wang elaborated on being a panelist at a University of Texas at Austin Student Health group program. 3. Arts and Culture Workgroup: No update. 4. Business Planning Workgroup: Commissioner Yoshida provided an update. The workgroup has added “Human Resources” as a project. Commissioner Patel will now be attending the Quarterly Quality of Life Budget Workshops and Commissioner Saxena will be a backup. b. Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC): Commissioner Stanton provided an update. The JIC finalized the Mini-Grant scoring. Commissioners want to have a future presentation over the Mini-Grant application timeline. c. Follow-up Items: 1. Strategic Planning Session – Communication and Public Information Office (CPIO) will provide a presentation over the Strategic Planning Session notes during January commission meeting. 2. Land Development Code Resolution – Approved Resolution from November added to backup 3. Council Resolution for AARC/Rutherford Campus – No Action Taken. 4. First Responder Mental Health – Commissioners will send follow …
Site: PM #8313 Visits to educaitonal and cultural facilities PM#8314 Total number of Free cultural special events sponsored by Museums and Cultural Centers PM#8315 Attendance at Free cultural special events sponsored by Museums and Cultural Centers PM #8316 Hours of arts and cultural programming provided Number of Creatives (Artists) Employeed (Free or Paid) ASIAN AMERICAN RESOURCE CENTER Total # 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 PM #8465 Number of patron (participant) Injuries at museums and cultural centers Tourism Public Programs: Total Programs Tourism Public Programs: Attendance Total Tourism: Out of Town Visitors 432 423 378 1 526 7765 232 44762 151 6486 1440.5 2246 1685 98% 88% Attendance # of Attendance # of Attendance 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 0 700 289 211 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 99% 94% 20 0% PM #8313 Visits to educational and cultural facilities 10389 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 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) TOTAL NUMBER OF PROGRAMS & EVENTS Total number of programs and events held at Museums and Cultural Centers PM #8314 Total number of Free cultural special events sponsored …
AARC Workgroup meeting for the AAQoL Tuesday , January 14th, 12:00pm -1:00 pm In attendance: Vince Cobalis, Sona Shah, Leanna Kallivoka, Assistant director, PARD), Laura Esparza, Riley Triggs (Public Works Project Manager), Debasree DasGupta. 1. Discussion on the AARC Phase 11 Master plan: The PARD team is preparing a response to Schiller Liao’s proposal regarding the timeline, which should be available to us for the Commission meeting on the 21st. They are still in the early stages of the development of the project. It is not always feasible to have the entire process happening in parallel. but they will consider alternative delivery methods provided it is approved by the city council. Bridge : Proceeding with current design. Watershed had shown interest but cannot fund it if it is built by someone else. The bridge could be constructed faster using the bond funds so this is a discussion that needs to happen as this would eat into the bond funds. 2/3. Senior Programs/ Transportation: The Center is moving forward with Meals on Wheels for this program. The contract needs to be re-written and some other aspects taken care of before the transition, hopefully by April. The CAPCOG contract requires finalization before transition. The existing vendors have been made aware of the change that is about to happen. 4. Performance reports: (please see attached) Foundations Communities will again be providing tax-clinics for those in need. The clients do have language support but will have to make appointments in order to run the clinics smoothly. 5. AARC special projects: The Exercise equipment for the Seniors have been installed along with several picnic benches. The garden still seems to be thriving. 7. HR Report: (please see attached) Meeting was adjourned at 1: 25pm.
AARC Project Updates AAQoL Advisory Commission, January 2020 Asian American Resource Center – Implementation of 2019 Master Plan Phase I The Public Works Department (PWD) Project Manager, Riley Triggs, attended the January 14, 2020, Asian American Resource Center (AARC) Oversight Working Group meeting to discuss the funding sources for the next phase of the master plan implementation. Currently, a total of $7 million was approved for AARC in the 2018 G.O. Bonds. Given the limited funding, PWD and the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) are working to establish the associated project scope. Communication protocols between PARD and PWD (the project management team) and the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission and AARC Oversight Working Group were discussed in order to balance transparency and effectiveness with efficiency and budgetary limitations. PARD also issued a response to the AARC Oversight Working Group members and the Network of Asian American Organizations (NAAO) representatives to clarify the process and schedule for the development of the next phase of improvements at AARC. PWD and PARD are working on the project initiation phase, which entails the development of the architectural program, review of site opportunities and constraints, and permitting requirements, and possibly seek approval for alternative delivery methods. The initiation phase is anticipated to run through the summer of 2020 and will terminate upon the issuance of the solicitation for Design Professional Services. Asian American Resource Center – Pedestrian Bridge The Notice to Proceed (NTP) was issued to HVJ Associates on January 3, 2020, for the design and engineering work associated with the pedestrian bridge structure and landings at AARC. PARD continues to coordinate with the Watershed Protection Department’s (WPD) project management team assigned to the Little Walnut Creek AARC/Rutherford stormwater improvement project and is coordinating collaboration with the HVJ Associates design team. Preliminary site information was received from WPD that HVJ Associates is evaluating with their consultants in order to begin conceptual design. While the design phase is in progress, the surveyor will coordinate with PARD and the Rutherford Campus to define the required easement area for the pedestrian bridge between the Rutherford Campus property and the AARC property. HVJ Associates has started researching pre‐fabricated bridge manufacturers to make recommendations to PARD. Utilizing a pre‐fabricated bridge will speed up the process of installation once design and bidding is complete. The pedestrian bridge project is funded through the 2018 G.O. Bonds approved for AARC. 1
RESOLUTION NO. 20190919-146 WHEREAS, the City conducted public engagement from July 2018 to May 2019, to learn from the community what they hoped to see in an expansion of the Asian American Resource Center (AARC); an WHEREAS, the stakeholders in this process specifically cited public-private partnerships (P3s), senior housing, and other elements that are not directly reflected in the AARC Master Plan; and WHEREAS, P3s are noted in the Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint as a collaborative approach that can yield public benefits without spending public subsidies; and WHEREAS, the City owns not only the property on which the AARC is located, but also the adjacent property to the south known as the Rutherford Lane Campus, covering over 47 acres ofCity-owned property; and WHEREAS, the Rutherford Lane Campus and the AARC are located within an area designated as Job Center in the Imagine Austin Growth Concept Map; and WHEREAS, the Rutherford Lane Campus and the AARC sit at the intersection of Cameron Road and Rutherford Lane, roads identified as Transit Priority Network (TPN) corridors in the adopted Austin Strategic Mobility Plan (ASMP); and WHEREAS, the ASMP calls for transit-supportive densities along TPN corridors, encourages employers to locate near public transportation by siting employment-intensive interaction by encouraging commercial uses along TPN corridors, and facilitates social Page 1 0f 4 .. mixed-use developments that are served by multiple transportation modes with active ground floor uses and welcoming public spaces; and WHEREAS, the City's internal Strategic Facilities Governance Team is currently looking across all City facility needs and leases to analyze and recommend facility strategies to maximize the use of City resources; and WHEREAS, given the demands on atl City resources, the City Council values the approach of maximizing the use of City-owned property for the benefit of the City and the community; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: The City Manager is directed to initiate a process for redevelopment ofthe Rutherford Lane Campus, including consideration of current and future City facility needs and private development opportunities. BE IT F - 1-LER RESOLVED: The City Manager should consider integrating the AARC Master Plan with a redevelopment plan for the Rutherford Lane Campus, maintaining the AARC Plan priorities, and identifying improvements made possible by a larger redevelopment project, including: 1. 2. Continuing PARD's role as operator of the AARC; Sharing parking on the Rutherford Lane Campus to …
Board/Commission Recommendation Asian American Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission In Support of HRC’s Recommendation on Race and Equity within AISD School Closures and Consolidations Plan WHEREAS, on November 18, 2019, the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees approved (in 6-3 vote) a plan to close, consolidate and repurpose four elementary school campuses: Brooke Elementary School, Metz Elementary School, Pease Elementary School and Sims Elementary School; and WHEREAS, Brooke E.S., Metz E.S., and Sims E.S. (3 out of the 4 schools that were approved for closure) are disproportionately placed in the city's historically segregated East Austin neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, nearly 95% of the students at each of the three aforementioned campuses identify as being either Hispanic and/or African-American students, and nearly 90% or more of the students at each of these campuses identify as being economically disadvantaged; and WHEREAS, Austin ISD has previously closed historically Black and Hispanic schools (Old L.C. Anderson, Kealing Junior High School, Pearce Middle School, etc.) that have been identified as “bonding agents for the community”; and WHEREAS, particularly communities of color, and communities in East Austin, have been vocal about their mistrust of Austin ISD due to its history of segregation, discrimination, and a lack of robust and authentic community engagement; and WHEREAS, the Austin ISD Chief Equity Officer Dr. Stephanie Hawley stated moments before the Board of Trustees decision to approve the 'School Changes': Closures and Consolidations plan that, “…the map that you have of the [school] closures, is a map of what 21st Century racism looks like.", "Our process for selecting schools was flawed and it was inequitable.", "I can't find any documentation of how those selections were made and I talked to all of our staff."; and WHEREAS, Austin City Council Members Natasha Harper-Madison, Leslie Pool, and Kathie Tovo all publicly joined forces with other state representatives, county commissioners and local community leaders by asking Austin ISD to postpone its vote for more consideration; and WHEREAS, the Human Rights Commission passed a resolution on November 25, 2019 recommending that the Austin City Council submit a request for the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees and/or the Superintendent to take specific actions to communicate with certain communities and develop a strategic plan of action; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Asian American Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission supports the Human Rights Commission recommended course of action.
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 …
