Special Meeting of the Commission for Women Friday, April 17, 2020 – 1:00 p.m. Commission for Women to be held April 17, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Thursday, April 16, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 17, 2020 Commission for Women Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-2597 or april.shaw@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Thursday, April 16, 2020. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to april.shaw@austintexas.gov by noon, Thursday, April 16, 2020. This information will be provided to Commission members in advance of the meeting. •Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CITY OF AUSTIN COMMISSION FOR WOMEN SPECIAL CALLED MEETING Friday, April 17, 2020, 1:00 p.m. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Consider approval of the minutes from the Commission for Women regular meeting b. Consider approval of the minutes from the Commission for Women special called on February 5, 2020. meeting on February 5, 2020. 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding the following working groups: 1. Economic equity 2. Sexual assault, violence prevention, and survivor experience 3. Access to quality and affordable healthcare 4. Women’s Hall of Fame b. Discussion and possible action regarding updates from the Joint Inclusion Committee. c. Discussion and possible action regarding the commission charter for 2020. d. Discussion and possible action regarding the recommendation for the City of Austin a. Discussion and possible action regarding the election of a new Chair of the b. Discussion and possible action regarding the election of a new Vice-Chair of the c. Discussion and possible action …
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN RECOMMENDATION 20200417-03C Date: April 17, 2020 Subject: COVID-19 Responses for Women and Girls Motioned By: Chair Rebecca Austen Seconded By: Sarah Tober • • Recommendation to Council WHEREAS, the Commission for Women (“Commission”) of the City of Austin (“City”) serves as an advisory body to the City Council (“Council”) and City Manager concerning the needs and problems of women in the Austin area and shall recommend programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront women in social, economic and vocational pursuits; and WHEREAS, the City has been responsive to the needs of the community regarding the COVID- 19 pandemic, and Council passed Resolution No. 20200326-091 on March 26, 2020 to provide programs and resources to address the impact of the pandemic; and WHEREAS, the effects of the pandemic have amplified adverse impacts on women and girls due to shelter-in-place, job losses, school closures and other circumstances, including: Increased health and safety risks for women and children experiencing abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence, sex trafficking and homelessness, with heightened risks for women and children of color, LGBTQ+, disabled, immigrant/refugee status, and foster care or runaway youth; abusers may become more predatory and violent as they experience economic pressures, isolation and stress; many organizations have reduced or eliminated services, resulting in fewer options for victims; in-person visits by advocates have been restricted or suspended, and virtual contact may not be safe or practical; victims are reluctant to contact law enforcement or medical providers for issues unrelated to COVID-19; Increased caregiving responsibilities due to closures of childcare facilities and schools, which disproportionately fall to women; the need for skills, equipment, internet access and time to teach children, often while working; caregiving for elderly, sick or disabled family members who are more vulnerable due to COVID-19; • Loss of income and benefits due to pay cuts, layoffs and business closures, with greater impact for single mothers who are the sole providers for families (concentrated in lower 1 income and communities of color), and for women-owned businesses whose reduction or closure impacts employees and those who use the businesses’ products or services; • Increased physical and mental health risks for women and children as medical providers place priority on the needs of COVID patients; higher anxiety and depression due to isolation, stress, loss of income and caregiving burdens; gaps in ongoing care including contraception, well-woman exams, OBGYN, breastfeeding support, pediatric visits …
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 SPECIAL CALLED MEETING FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MINUTES The Commission for Women convened for a regular meeting on Friday, April 17, 2020 via videoconference. Chair Austen called the Commission Meeting to order at 1:04 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Rebecca Austen, Chair Flannery Bope, Vice Chair Tanya Athar-Jogee Neva Fernandez Amanda Lewis Julia Cuba Lewis Dyana Limon-Mercado Sarah Tober Commissioners Absent: Juliana Gonzales Vacant: District 2 District 3 Staff in Attendance: April Shaw, Human Resources Department 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Consider approval of the minutes from the Commission for Women regular meeting on February 5, 2020. The minutes from the regular meeting on February 5, 2020 were approved on Chair Austen’s motion, Vice Chair Bope’s second on a vote of 5-0-1, with Commissioner Tober abstaining and Commissioners Athar-Jogee and Limon-Mercado off the dais. Commissioner Gonzales was absent. FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES meeting on February 5, 2020. b. Consider approval of the minutes from the Commission for Women special called The minutes from the special called meeting on February 5, 2020 were approved on Chair Austen’s motion, Vice Chair Bope’s second on a vote of 5-0-1, with Commissioner Tober abstaining and Commissioners Athar-Jogee and Limon-Mercado off the dais. Commissioner Gonzales was absent. 2. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding the following working groups: ii. Sexual assault, violence prevention, and survivor experience i. Economic equity Discussion was held. No action was taken. Discussion was held. No action was taken. iii. Access to quality and affordable healthcare Discussion was held. No action was taken. iv. Women’s Hall of Fame Discussion was held. No action was taken. Committee. Discussion was held. No action was taken. b. Discussion and possible action regarding updates from the Joint Inclusion c. Discussion and possible action regarding the commission charter for 2020. Discussion was held. The motion to amend the commission charter to include those who self-identify as women was made by Chair Austen, seconded by Vice Chair Bope, was approved on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Athar-Jogee off the dais. Commissioner Gonzales was absent. d. Discussion and possible action regarding the recommendation for the City of Austin FY2021 budget. Discussion was held. COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES FRIDAY, April 17, 2020 The motion to authorize Chair Austen’s online budget submittal, and to make a recommendation to the City Council …
