COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2021 6:30 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL ROOM 1101 301 W 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Krystal Gomez, Chair Nicole Merritt, Vice Chair Sara Becker Karen Crawford Adrian De La Rosa AGENDA Rennison Lalgee Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Glenn Rosales Juan Vences-Benitez CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 10 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. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 6, 2021; August 2, 2021 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Dr. Ruth Wasem, LBJ School of Public Affairs, final report on immigrant incorporation in Austin, Texas b. Lauren Hargraves, Refugee Services of Texas, refugee resettlement in Austin and information on the Afghan situation 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Budget updates b. Report back from ISNA and the RST quarterly consultations c. Joint Inclusion Committee meeting updates – Karen d. Update of Texas Legislative session - Krystal 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 Sinying Chan at Austin Public Health Department, at 512-972-5117, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, please contact Sinying Chan at 512-972-5117.
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS Monday, October 4, 2021 6:30 PM Meeting Minutes Karen Crawford Rennison Lalgee Glenn Rosales Juan Vences-Benitez Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Board Members in Attendance: Krystal Gomez, Chair Nicole Merritt, Vice-Chair Sara Becker Board Members not in Attendance: Adrian De La Rosa Staff in Attendance: Sinying Chan, Staff Liaison & Health Equity Unit Program Coordinator/Austin Public Health Sarah F. Williams, Staff Liaison & Administrative Senior/Austin Public Health CALL TO ORDER 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – July 6, 2021; August 2, 2021 Nicole moved to approve July minutes; Juan seconded; all in favor Nicole moved to approve August minutes; Rennison seconded; all in favor 2. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. Dr. Ruth Wasem, LBJ School of Public Affairs, final report on immigrant incorporation in Austin, Texas B. Lauren Hargraves, Refugee Services of Texas, refugee resettlement in Austin and information on the Afghan situation Presenter could not make it to the meeting 3. OLD BUSINESS A. Budget updates Budget recommendations from the Commission on Immigrant Affairs (CoIA) were submitted in time, but changes in budget office and Joint Inclusion Committee caused failure in follow through Final budget was not specified on report; unsure if items recommended by CoIA were funded; Karen already reached out to ask for an investigation to see the results of the budget recommendations B. Report back from ISNA and the RST quarterly consultations No updates from ISNA From RST, a lot of discussions were centered around Afghan refugees; one big issue was on language differences; wish lists are set up but also needed help in managing donations C. Joint Inclusion Committee meeting update – Karen Will try to push up the budget process and not wait for the notification of the budget office Will ask all commissions of their big, overarching concerns and see if there’re common concerns in order to make bigger budget recommendations D. Update of Texas Legislative session – Krystal Focusing on redistricting and American Rescue Plan funding FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Vote on working groups Overarching budget ideas for Joint Inclusion Committee Have APD come present quarterly Have City of Austin Economic Development Department present on resources for the immigrant community ANNOUNCEMENT ADJOURNMENT Nicole moved to adjourn; Karen seconded; all in favor The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American …
