REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON IMMIGRANT AFFAIRS MONDAY, DECEMBER 1st, 2025, AT 6:30 PM AUSTIN CITY HALL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS 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 Nekaybaw Watson, 512-974-2562, nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS : Miriam Dorantes, Chair Adrian De La Rosa Aditi Joshi Diane Kanawati Melissa Ortega Caroline Solis AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Alondra Johnson, Vice-Chair Azeem Edwin Jeanna “Canan” Kaba Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Meghana Roy Yohanna Saucedo The first ten 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. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs regular meeting on November 3, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding tenant and homeowner stabilization programs. Presentation provided by Susan Watkins, Division Manager, Austin Housing. 3. Staff briefing regarding the Utility Assistance Program data and qualifications to apply. Presentation provided by Gerardo “Jerry” Galvan, Vice President of Customer Care Services, Austin Energy. 4. Staff briefing by Jennifer Peters, Division Manager Programs and Partnerships, Austin Public Library regarding an update on the enhanced library cards. DISCUSSION ITEMS 5. Presentation by Gary Aaron, Senior Business Process Consultant, Austin Equity and Inclusion regarding Mapping Opportunity and identifying disparities across different Austin communities. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. Update on the Budget Working Group regarding last meeting. 7. Update on the Quality-of-Life Study reading last meeting. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Nekaybaw Watson at Austin City Clerk’s Office Department, at 512-974-2562 or nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Commission on Immigrant …
Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting Minutes November 3, 2025 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Meeting Minutes Monday, November 3, 2025 The Commission on Immigrant Affairs convened in a regular meeting on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room 1101, 301 W Second Street, Austin TX. Chair Dorantes called the Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Miriam Dorantes, Chair Adrian De La Rosa Azeem Edwin Caroline Solis Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Alondra Johnson, Vice Chair Jeanne “Canan” Kaba Diane Kanawati Meghna Roy Commissioners Absent: Aditi Joshi Kate Lincoln-Goldfinch Melissa Ortega Yohana Saucedo PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Immigration Affairs regular meeting on October 6, 2025. The minutes from the meeting of October 6, 2025, were approved on Vice Chair Johnson’s motion, Commissioner Kanawati’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Joshi, Lincoln-Goldfinch, Ortega, and Saucedo were absent. 1 Commission on Immigrant Affairs Meeting Minutes November 3, 2025 WORKING GROUP UPDATES 2. Update from the Quality-of-Life Study Working Group regarding the current progress of the study and current parameters. Update provided by Chair Dorantes. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. Discussion regarding the Quality-of-Life Study parameters and feedback on the study priorities. Discussed. Discussion regarding rent relief initiatives for people impacted by displacement and deportation. Discussed. Discussion regarding presentations at the October Joint Inclusion Committee meeting from Austin Homeless Strategies and Operations and Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. 7. Approve an update to the membership of the Quality-of-Life Study Working Group. (Current members: Vice Chair Alondra Johnson, Commissioners: Melissa Ortega, Aditi Joshi, Jeanna C Kaba; Diane Kanawati, Meghna Roy, Community Stakeholders: Karen Crawford, Krystal Gomez, Oscar Ponce, Kirk Yoshida). The motion to remove Commissioner Roy and add Commissioner Edwin to the Quality- of-Life Study Working Group was approved on Commissioner Kanawati’s motion, Vice Chair Johnson’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Joshi, Lincoln-Goldfinch, Ortega, and Saucedo were absent. Approve an update to the membership of the Budget Working Group. (Current members: Chair Miriam Dorantes, Vice Chair Alondra Johnson, Commissioners Diane Kanawati, and Melissa Ortega.) The motion to add Commissioners Edwin and Solis to the Budget Working Group was approved on Commissioner Roy’s motion, Commissioner Kaba’s second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Joshi, Lincoln-Goldfinch, Ortega, and Saucedo were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Impact of SNAP …
Displacement Prevention Strategic Investments: Tenant & Homeowner Stabilization Services Austin Housing | December 1, 2025 Our Work Citywide Stabilization Programs Community Initiated Solutions Content Contact Us Our Work Community Initiated Solutions Citywide Displacement Prevention Strategies Funded Through Project Connect Funded Through Housing Trust Fund Tenant Stabilization Rental and utility assistance, case management, tenants’ rights, and community organizing. Homeownership Preservation and Expansion Community land trust accelerator, homeowner resiliency education, tax abatement strategy. Economic Mobility Estate planning, workforce training, financial literacy education Tenants’ Rights Assistance Program Tenant counseling and fair housing assistance Austin Cares: Tenant Relocation Assistance Development induced displacement assistance I Belong in Austin Eviction Prevention Program Representation Matters: Eviction Representation and Education Mediation and legal services for residents experiencing eviction 4 Our Partners 5 Citywide Displacement Prevention Strategies Citywide Tenant Stabilization El Buen Samaritano I Belong in Austin Funding: $3 million Term: FY26 Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Representation Matters: Eviction Representation Funding: $230,000 Funding: FY26 Austin Tenants Council (project of TRLA) Tenants Rights Assistance Program Funding: $300,000/annually Term: FY25-26 Laveer Logix Austin Cares: Tenant Relocation Assistance Program Funding: $950,000 Funding: FY24-26 7 Project Connect Community Initiated Solutions Project Connect Anti-Displacement Funding Timeline 9 Project Connect Anti-Displacement Funding Project Connect Anti-Displacement Funding Investments Anti-Displacement dollars will be spent over the course of 13 years, guided by the Project Connect Community Advisory Committee (CAC). Council, Community Catalysts, the Project Connect Community Advisory Committee, and community members have all been key stakeholders responsible for informing budget priorities. The CAC will continue to work with community through expanded community engagement efforts and establish budget priorities every three (3) years. 10 10 Project Connect Funding FY23-FY25 Land Acquisition Affordable Housing Development Immediate Interventions Operational Expenses 11 El Buen Samaritano "We Belong Here: Nuestros Hogares" Funding: $3 million Term: through FY26 Austin Voice for Education and Youth North Austin/Rundberg Community Stabilization Project Funding: $1.77 million Funding: through FY28 Community Initiated Solutions - Tenant Stabilization 12 Communities in School of Central Texas Student & Family Housing Displacement Assistance Funding: $3.5 million Funding: through FY29 Community Initiated Solutions - Tenant Stabilization 13 Meals on Wheels Central Texas Child Assistance Program Funding: $2.38 million Term: through FY29 Austin Tenants' Council (TRLA) Preserving, Asserting, Growing the Rights of Austin Tenants Funding: $3 million Term: through FY29 Community Initiated Solutions - Tenant Stabilization 14 Workers Defense Project & Strengthening Tenant Action Combatting Displacement Funding: $2 million Funding: …
Enhanced Library Card Austin Public Library | December 1, 2025 About us About Austin Public Library Locations: • Central Library • 20 Community Branches • Austin History Center Service Area: Individuals who reside in the following qualify for a free Library Card: • Austin Full Purpose jurisdiction • Austin 2 Mile extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ), Austin 5 Mile ETJ, Austin LTD jurisdiction, are included in library service area. 3 Mission and Goals 4 Strategic Alignment APL’s Strategic Plan City of Austin Alignment Certified Welcoming Standards • SG1 Provide Community-Centric Programs & Services: We design services with and for our diverse communities. • SG3 Foster Stakeholder Relationships: We build partnerships • Culture & Lifelong Learning: Equitable access to educational, creative, and cultural opportunities. • Government That Works for All: Builds public trust and creates that strengthen community trust and space for belonging and voice. • GL 1.2 Government & Community Leadership: Intentional strategy for advancing immigrant inclusion across public services. • EA 2.0 Equitable Access: provides Provides translated materials, interpretation, and multilingual connection. • Economic Opportunity & outreach. • SG4 Expand Library Access: We make sure everyone can use the library, no matter where they live or what language they speak. Affordability: Promotes upward mobility through access to tools, jobs, and learning. • CE 2.0 Civic Engagement: Supports immigrants in participating fully in civic and public life. 5 APL’s Structure and Programming Director of Libraries Support Services (Facilities, IT, & HR) Public Services (Branch Services, Customer Access, Central Library, & History Center) Communications (Marketing, Outreach, & Programs and Strategic & Admin Services (Innovation, Passport Services, Sales & Events, Partnerships) Equity & Inclusion, Mentorship) Year-round programming: Partner-led Programming: • Core-programming (story times, toddler time, • Outdoor and active programming (biking, yoga, book clubs) scavenger hunts) • Signature & Heritage Month Programming • Sustainable Living (gardening, composting, zero- • Summer Programming waste) • Passive Programming (interactive displays & • Computer classes and language support take-home kits) • Outreach and pop-up services 6 What is an Enhanced Library Card? What is an Enhanced Library Card? • Library card for adults (18 or older) • Includes your library card number, photograph, address, date of birth, the expiration date, and legal & chosen or preferred name • Card can be used to checkout materials • Available at 9 branches & at outreach events: • Ruiz Branch • St. John Branch • Southeast Branch • Terrazas Branch • …
