Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Monthly Meeting March 2, 2020 6:30 PM City Hall, Staff Bullpen #1029 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Agenda CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 2020 2. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: presentation about services rendered and program needs 3. OLD BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: on budget proposals B. Update on Equity Office projects C. Discussion of N-648/Community Care issue 4. STANDING ITEMS: Discussion and Possible Action A. American Gateways, Rebecca Lightsey and Catholic Charities of Central Texas, Justin Estep A. Budget items - update on budget forums on February 13 and February 22 and discussion and vote A. Cities United for Action B. Joint Inclusion Committee 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS 6. TASKS FOR NEXT MEETING 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 8. 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 before the meeting date. Please contact Stephanie Hayden at the Austin Public Health at (512) 972-5017 or email: stephanie.hayden@austintexas.gov, for additional information. TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Monthly Meeting March 2, 2020 6:30 PM City Hall, Staff Bullpen #1029 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701 Approved Meeting Minutes Rennison Lalgee Glenn Rosales Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Juan Vences-Benitez Board Members in Attendance: Karen Crawford, Chair Krystal Gomez, Vice-Chair Samuel Adair Adrian De La Rosa Board Members not in Attendance: Montserrat Garibay Nicole Merritt Staff in Attendance: Connie H. Gonzales, Staff Liaison/APH CITIZEN COMMUNICATION Krystal moved to suspend Robert’s Rule of Order Rennison seconded the motion 9-0 vote with Montserrat and Nicole not present 1. Rebecca Sanchez of Grassroots Leadership said their concern with the municipal ID is how much information will be released to Austin Police Department and what happens to the information. Who would have access to it? 2. Deborah Trejo shared concerns about lack of faithful implementation of and racism in bilingual education in Austin Independent School District (AISD), lack of bilingual programming in MACC or other camps; request that we form an education committee or have an appointee from AISD. 3. Lauren Hargraves of Central Texas Office for Refugees extended an invitation to commissioners to Refugee Roundtable, Austin Quarterly Consultation, Welcoming Week. Advised that the underserved population flyer has been distributed regarding asylee benefits. 4. Ivanna Neri of Austin Family Independence Initiative (FII) noted recommendation at budget forum, invitation to event on Thursday from 12p-4pm CALL TO ORDER at 6:34pm 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – February 2020 Glenn moved to approve the minutes with amendments Krystal seconded the motion Approved on 9-0 vote with Montserrat and Nicole not present. 2. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. American Gateways, Rebecca Lightsey and Catholic Charities of Central Texas, Justin Estep presentation about services rendered and program needs. Need to maintain the cases they started under prior year grants due to government delays, so if there’s no increase in funding, they would only be able to accept 1-2 new cases per week. With an increase in funding of $100,000 they can double the amount of new cases. Catholic Charities used the $70,000 in legal services funding from the city for an FTE immigration attorney and hope to get an additional $130,000 for a full-time attorney to handle removal proceedings for free. They also receive funding for mental health counseling. 3. OLD BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. Budget items …
