REGULAR MEETING of the COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS DECEMBER 2, 2024 AT 6:30PM CITY HALL, ROOM 1101 301 W. 2nd ST. AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs may be participating by videoconference. 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, contact Eric Anderson at eric.anderson@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Melissa Ortega, Chair Miriam Dorantes, Vice Chair Adrian De La Rosa Luis Osta Lugo Victor Martinez Aditi Joshi Shweta Padmanabha Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Kevin T. Countie CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA The first 10 speakers signed up 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 Commission on Immigrant Affairs regular meeting on November 4, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion of adding community stakeholder seats to the Commission on Immigrant Affairs. 3. Discussion of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs review at the December 11, 2024, Audit and Finance Committee meeting due to the failure of the Commission to convene for a period of over six months. 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 contact Eric Anderson, Office or eric.anderson@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, please contact Eric Anderson at (512) 974-2562 or eric.anderson@austintexas.gov. the City Clerk 974-2562 (512) of at
COMMISSION ON IMMIMGRANT AFFAIRS MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 2024 COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2024 The Commission on Immigrant Affairs convened in a regular meeting on Monday, November 4, 2024, at 301 W. 2nd St. in Austin, Texas. Chair Ortega called the Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting to order at 6:41 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Melissa Ortega Adrian De La Rosa Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Vice Chair Miriam Dorantes Aditi Joshi Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Luis Osta Lugo Victor Martinez Shweta Padmanabha Commissioners Absent: Kevin Countie PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs regular meeting on October 7, 2024. The minutes from the regular meeting of October 7, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Martinez’s motion, Commissioner De La Rosa’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioner Countie was absent. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing regarding the November 1, 2024, Naturalization Ceremony and November 2, 2024, Citizenship Clinic from Rocio Villalobos, Program Manager, Equity Office. COMMISSION ON IMMIMGRANT AFFAIRS MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 2024 The presentation was made by Rocio Villalobos, Program Manager, Equity Office. Commissioner Joshi requested that staff provide information on the number of volunteers needed at citizenship clinics. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 6. 5. 4. 7. Presentation by Anne Drane, CEO and Co-founder of SAWA SAWA, regarding the work of SAWA SAWA and the organization’s benefits to the community. The presentation was made by Anne Drane, CEO and co-founder of SAWA SAWA. Discussion of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs’ goals and objectives for the next year as they relate to the Commission’s purpose and duties in City Code. Discussed. Discussion of planning a Commission on Immigrant Affairs retreat for early 2025. Discussed. January 11, 2025, at 10 a.m. was tentatively identified as a meeting date. Discussion of recent and upcoming Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) Community Input Sessions. Discussed. Discussion of the scope and membership of the Budget working group. (Current members: Chair Ortega, Vice Chair Dorantes, Commissioner Joshi) Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 8. Approve the creation of a working group to promote recognition of the contributions of immigrants to the economic and cultural vitality of Austin. The motion to approve the creation of a working group to promote recognition of the contributions of immigrants to the economic and cultural vitality of Austin was approved on Commissioner De La Rosa’s motion, Chair Ortega’s second on …
