Item 9: Draft Recommendation — original pdf

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COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Aging Recommendation Number: 20260211-009: Improve Transit Safety and Equity for Historically Underserved Older Adults – Budget Neutral WHEREAS, the Austin Older Adult Quality of Life Study intentionally centered historically marginalized and priority populations, including Asian American and Asian immigrant older adults; Black or African American older adults; Latino or Hispanic older adults; Native American/Indigenous and Native Alaskan older adults; Middle Eastern and North African older adults; LGBTQIA+ older adults (including gay, lesbian, bisexual, and Two-Spirit individuals); men, women, non-binary individuals, and trans men; older adults with disabilities; older adults living at or below 60% of Austin’s Median Family Income (MFI); older adults residing in all ten City Council districts; caregivers; linguistically diverse older adults; and socially isolated older adults, in order to ensure inclusive and equitable policy development1; and WHEREAS, the study found elevated social isolation risk among LGBTQIA+ older adults, Native American/Indigenous older adults, Asian American older adults, men, trans men, older adults with disabilities, and lower-income older adults earning between $10,000 and $49,999 annually, demonstrating that accessibility and cultural inclusion are essential determinants of participation in recreation and social programming2; and WHEREAS, focus group findings further indicate that Asian American, Black or African American, Latino or Hispanic, Native American/Indigenous, LGBTQIA+, low-income, linguistically diverse, disabled, caregiving, and socially isolated older adults frequently experience barriers to participation due to accessibility limitations, transportation barriers, cultural mismatch, language barriers, and lack of perceived belonging, reinforcing the need for inclusive and accessible public recreation programs3; and WHEREAS, the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, adopted by Austin City Council on June 14, 2012, establishes a vision of Austin as a city committed to “sustainability, social equity and economic opportunity4; where diversity and creativity are celebrated; where community needs and values are recognized; and where the necessities of life are affordable and accessible to all,”5 and affirms that all residents should have access to public facilities, parks, and recreation opportunities essential to health, quality of life, and community participation; and 1 Austin Older Adult Quality of Life Study, November 2025, p.5 2 Austin Older Adult Quality of Life Study, November 2025, p.118 3 Ibid. 4 Imagining Austin: Our Vision of a Complete Community, p.4 5 Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, June 15, 2012, pp. 15, 95, 198 Page 1 of 3 WHEREAS, the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan further establishes that Austin will become a city of “complete communities,”6 where residents of all ages, abilities, and income levels have access to parks, recreation, and public spaces, and affirms the importance of accessible public spaces and recreation opportunities to community participation and quality of life; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) Long Range Plan, formally incorporated into the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, identifies equitable access, accessibility, and inclusive programming as foundational goals for parks, recreation facilities, and services across Austin’s diverse population7; and WHEREAS, the City’s Age-Friendly Austin work is documented in official City records and City-hosted publications, including an Age-Friendly Austin Action Plan amendment in the City’s EDIMS system8; and WHEREAS, anticipated City budget constraints for Fiscal Year 2027 and beyond require that improvements to accessibility and cultural relevance be achieved through budget-neutral operational alignment, partnership practices, outreach practices, and program design improvements within existing resources, rather than new facilities, new staffing, or new ongoing appropriations. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMISSION ON AGING RECOMMENDS: 1. Budget Neutral Accessibility Improvements. ‑ a. PARD incorporate accessibility improvements into existing programs through income older adults, operational adjustments that reduce barriers for lower LGBTQIA+ older adults, older adults with disabilities, and culturally diverse older adult communities, without requiring new appropriations, staffing, or facilities. Neutral Cultural Inclusion Improvements. ‑ 2. Budget a. PARD strengthen cultural inclusion through partnerships with community ‑ organizations and incorporation of inclusive practices into existing programming, outreach, and staff development. 3. Alignment With Adopted City Plans. a. These actions shall align with the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, the PARD 4. Budget a. ‑ Long Range Plan, and the City’s Age Neutral Implementation. Implementation shall occur through realignment of existing programs, partnerships, outreach practices, and operational processes, and shall not require additional appropriations. Friendly Austin planning framework. ‑ NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: The Parks and Recreation Department shall provide an annual report to City Council summarizing budget neutral actions taken to improve accessibility and cultural inclusion across demographic groups, including participation trends, partnership activities, and operational improvements achieved within existing resources, without requiring additional appropriations or new staffing. ‑ 6 Imagining Austin: Our Vision of a Complete Community, p.10 7 Our Parks, Our Future Long Range Plan | AustinTexas.gov 8 Age-Friendly Austin Action Plan Amendment, September 2025 Page 2 of 3 Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ Page 3 of 3