Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

Commission on Immigrant Affairs Regular Monthly Meeting January 6, 2020 6:30 PM City Hall, Staff Bullpen #2079 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701   Approved Meeting Minutes Kate Lincoln- Goldfinch Rennison Lalgee Nicole Merritt Glenn Rosales Joseph Ramirez-Hernandez Juan Vences-Benitez Board Members in Attendance: Karen Crawford, Chair Krystal Gomez, Vice-Chair Adrian De La Rosa Montserrat Garibay Board Members not in Attendance: Sam Adair Staff in Attendance: Connie H. Gonzales, Staff Liaison/APH CALL TO ORDER CITIZEN COMMUNICATION 1. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December 2019  Glen motioned to approve the minutes  Kate seconded the motion  Approved on 10-0 vote with Samuel not present. 2. NEW BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS:  Montserrat motioned to merge agenda items 2A. & 4B.  Adrian seconded the motion  Approved on 10-0 vote with Samuel not present A. Austin Police Department’s SAFE PLACE program: Assistant Chief Troy Gay, Sgt. Michael Grumrine, LGBT Liaison Christian Mendoza, Refugee & Immigrant Liaison Sadot Azzua update on program and processing procedures • APD staff: Lt. Christine Chomout, Victims Services Mgr. Kachina Clark, and Sadot Azzua presented update on UVisa applications • Drop in number of UVisa applications submitted • Why? APD assumes that applications are more detailed and time consuming • Reasons for denial for refusal to cooperate can include: no call back, no answer at home • Outreach efforts include PSA’s, pamphlets, monthly visit to Mexican consulate by Immigrant Liaison -Sadot Azzua and other bi-lingual staff • We requested disaggregated and date. This is our second request.   • SAFE PLACE program presentation. Christian shared the goal to increase public trust in law enforcement and felling of safety in the LGBTQ community. Created in 2015 by the Seattle PD to address low reporting of anti-LGBTQ+ crimes. 2019: Austin PD became the first police agency in Texas to implement the program. Approximately 100 local businesses will be participating. 3. OLD BUSINESS: DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTIONS: A. Budget items - update on participation with Quality of Life Commissions in budget forums, discussion and possible vote on holding a separate budget forum 1. We are partnering with the Asian American Quality of Life commission on their budget forum on February 13, 2020 from 6-8:30pm at the AARC 2. Working group: Karen, Krystal, Nicole, and Sam Discussion of having our own forum, targeting agencies that serve immigrants and refugees  Nicole motioned to have a separate budget forum on February 22  Krystal seconded the motion  Approved on 10-0 vote with Samuel not present B. Update on Equity Office projects (immigrant affairs officer, municipal ID feasibility study) 1. Position to be posted this week 2. Meeting scheduled with Equity office in reference to Municipal I.D. C. Discussion of N-648/Community Care issue 1. Tabled until next meeting D. Discussion of Welcoming City Certification, possible formation of working group Lauren Hargraves of Central Texas Office for Refugees announced the award of a $1000 scholarship for membership of Welcoming America. She is working with the City of San Antonio on Welcoming Initiatives. Anticipates working with new Immigrants Affairs officer on a “Welcoming City” event in September. 4. STANDING ITEMS: Discussion and Possible Action A. Cities United for Action – No updates B. Review of any updated APD statistics on U visas or ICE cooperation – merged with item #2A 5. ANNOUNCEMENTS encouraged to participate. A. City of Austin Equity Office to offer Undoing Racism workshop March 26-28, commissioners B. City of Austin Equity Office Forum “Critical Love and Practice” on January 18th, 10am-4pm C. February meeting may be re-located due to Land Development Code meetings – look out for email 6. TASKS FOR NEXT MEETING A. Karen to follow-up with budget forum staff 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS  September 2020 meeting location  Update on U Visa and Ice cooperation 8. ADJOURNMENT  Nicole motioned to adjourn meeting   Approved on 10-0 vote with Samuel not present Joseph seconded the motion   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.