Versión en español a continuación. Commission for Women Meeting Wednesday, March 3, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Commission for Women be held Wednesday, March 3, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Tuesday, March 2, 2021 by noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the March 3, 2021 Commission for Women Meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-2597 or april.shaw@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The following information is required: speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time 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 the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live Reunión del Commission for Women Miércoles, Marzo 3, 2021 a 9:00 a.m. La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (Martes, Marzo 2, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de la junta en (512) 974-2597 or april.shaw@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará …
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 3, 2021 REGULER MEETING Wednesday, February 3, 2021 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MINUTES The Commission for Women convened for a regular meeting on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 via videoconference. Chair Austen called the Commission Meeting to order at 9:19 a.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Rebecca Austen, Chair Flannery Bope, Vice Chair Amanda Lewis Neva Fernandez Diana Melendez Sarah Tober Commissioners Absent: Tanya Athar-Jogee Julia Cuba Lewis Juliana Gonzales Vacant: District 2 Staff in Attendance: April Shaw, Human Resources Department 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Consider approval of the minutes from the Commission for Women special called meeting on January 8, 2021. The minutes from the special called meeting on January 8, 2021 were approved on Chair Austen’s motion, Commissioner Fernandez’ second on a vote of 6-0, with Commissioners Athar-Jogee, Cuba Lewis, and Gonzales absent. 2. OLD BUSINESS COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 3, 2021 a. Discussion and possible action regarding updated from the following working groups: i. Homelessness Discussion was held. No action was taken. Discussion was held. No action was taken. ii. Safety iii. Health Discussion was held. No action was taken. iv. Recognition of Equity for Women and Girls Discussion was held. No action was taken. Committee. Discussion was held. No action was taken. FY2021 budget. Discussion was held. No action was taken. Discussion was held. No action was taken. 3. BRIEFINGS b. Discussion and possible action regarding updates from the Joint Inclusion c. Discussion and possible action regarding the recommendation for the City of Austin d. Discussion and possible action regarding Commission for Women Working Groups. a. Presentation from Austin Police Department Victim Services by Kachina Clark regarding victim services and budget priorities and needs. Kachina Clark provided a presentation to the Commission regarding victim services and budget priorities and needs. b. Presentation from Survive2Thrive by Courtney Santana regarding displacement of domestic violence victims, homelessness prevention, and budget priorities and needs. COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, February 3, 2021 Courtney Santana provided a presentation to the Commission regarding displacement of domestic violence victims, homelessness prevention, and budget priorities and needs. 4. NEW BUSINESS needs. a. Discussion and possible action regarding victim services and budget and priority Discussion was held. No action was taken. b. Discussion and possible action regarding displacement of domestic violence victims, homelessness prevention, and budget and priority needs. Discussion was held. The motion to endorse the …
RESOLUTION NO. WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s greatest asset is its people who are passionate about their city, committed to its improvement, and determined to see its vision become a reality; and WHEREAS, the percent of registered voters who voted in the past 4 years of city elections exceeded 60 percent; and WHEREAS, an overwhelming majority of registered voters who live in Austin voted for the current Austin City Council representation; and WHEREAS, over 700 Austinites participate and serve on over 60 Boards and Commissions to help shape, and continually improve upon the policies of the City and the lives of its Residents; and WHEREAS, the input provided to the Austin City Council through the City’s Boards and Commissions reflects the will of the community; and WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City of Austin that the legislative agenda guide City staff, in coordination with the City’s strategic partners, in their efforts to advocate on behalf of the City of Austin and its residents; and WHEREAS, each year, the Texas Legislature increasingly attempts to pass legislation that negatively impacts the City through preemption or limiting the ability to advocate; and WHEREAS, the 2019 Legislature strongly considered and almost passed S.B. 29 which would have limited the ability of the City to utilize community advocates to effectively advocate on behalf of the policies created and supported by its residents; and WHEREAS, taxpayers and City residents benefit from and need community advocates as a tool that amplifies their voices before the Legislature, Congress, and regulatory bodies; and WHEREAS, a prohibition on community advocacy equates to censorship of Residents’ voices and is detrimental to a representative democracy where all Austinites and Texans have equal opportunities to voice their opinions. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE _________________ OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN HEREBY ADOPTS THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION THAT: • The _________________________ endorses the City of Austin’s 2020 Legislative Agenda adopted by the Austin City Council on September 17th, 2020. • The __________________________ believes the general principals of the policy RESOLUTION NO. and position statements contained in the City of Austin’s state legislative agenda capture the positions of its membership and the community it represents. • The ___________________________ urges all Austin delegation members of the Texas Legislature to protect the City’s right to effectively represent the taxpayers and continue to amplify their collective voices through advocacy at the Texas Legislature. • The _____________________ …
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN RECOMMENDATION 20210303-02b Date: March 3, 2021 Subject: Appointment of APD Chief Motioned By: Rebecca Austen Seconded By: Tanya Athar-Jogee Recommendation to Council WHEREAS, the Commission for Women (“Commission”) of the City of Austin (“City”) serves as an advisory body that advocates for and inspires the City Council (“Council”) and City Manager to prioritize women’s quality of life, so that Austin becomes the most equitable city in the nation for women and girls; and WHEREAS, on February 14, 2018, the Commission passed Recommendation 20200417-03C: Recommendation for Chief of Police Candidate Requirement, which recommended that community engagement be a critical function of the vetting of City of Austin police chief candidates relative to addressing women-specific issues, with supporting rationale; and WHEREAS, policing in Austin has come under increased scrutiny with regard to the handling of sexual assault cases, racial bias, militarized training methods and policing tactics; and WHEREAS, women and people of color are significantly under-represented in the Austin Police Department, particular in sworn officer and leadership positions; and WHEREAS, a redesign of public safety is in progress, and its success is dependent on transformational leadership at all levels of the Austin Police Department; and WHEREAS, a nationwide search to appoint a new Chief of Police is under way, with the retirement of the current Chief in March 2021 and appointment of an interim Chief; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Commission recommends that for the interim Chief, new Chief, Assistant Chiefs and other leadership roles, • Community engagement be a critical function of the vetting of candidates. • Community engagement occur early and throughout the vetting and selection process, not just with finalist candidates. 1 • Candidates be assessed and selected based on their experience and outcomes with gender and race equity, including: o Equity, diversity and inclusion in recruitment, training, advancement, and appointment of leadership roles within the department, o Handling of issues related to sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking, o Prioritization of authority and resources associated with Victim Services. Date of Approval: March 3, 2021 Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 7-0 vote, with two commissioners absent, and one district vacant. Attest: April E. Shaw April Shaw, Staff Liaison 2
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN RECOMMENDATION 20210303-03a Date: March 3, 2021 Subject: Support for City of Austin Legislative Agenda Motioned By: Rebecca Austen Seconded By: Flannery Bope Recommendation to Council WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s greatest asset is its people who are passionate about their city, committed to its improvement, and determined to see its vision become a reality; and WHEREAS, the percent of registered voters who voted in the past 4 years of city elections exceeded 60 percent; and WHEREAS, an overwhelming majority of registered voters who live in Austin voted for the current Austin City Council representation; and WHEREAS, over 700 Austinites participate and serve on over 60 Boards and Commissions to help shape, and continually improve upon the policies of the City and the lives of its Residents; and WHEREAS, the input provided to the Austin City Council through the City’s Boards and Commissions reflects the will of the community; and WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City of Austin that the legislative agenda guide City staff, in coordination with the City’s strategic partners, in their efforts to advocate on behalf of the City of Austin and its residents; and WHEREAS, each year, the Texas Legislature increasingly attempts to pass legislation that negatively impacts the City through preemption or limiting the ability to advocate; and WHEREAS, the 2019 Legislature strongly considered and almost passed S.B. 29 which would have limited the ability of the City to utilize community advocates to effectively advocate on behalf of the policies created and supported by its residents; and WHEREAS, taxpayers and City residents benefit from and need community advocates as a tool that amplifies their voices before the Legislature, Congress, and regulatory bodies; and WHEREAS, a prohibition on community advocacy equates to censorship of Residents’ voices 1 and is detrimental to a representative democracy where all Austinites and Texans have equal opportunities to voice their opinions. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN HEREBY ADOPTS THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION THAT: • The Commission for Women endorses the City of Austin’s 2020 Legislative Agenda adopted by the Austin City Council on September 17th, 2020. • The Commission for Women believes the general principals of the policy and position statements contained in the City of Austin’s state legislative agenda capture the positions of its membership and the community it represents. • The Commission for Women urges all …
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 3, 2021 REGULER MEETING Wednesday, March 3, 2021 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MINUTES The Commission for Women convened for a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 via videoconference. Chair Austen called the Commission Meeting to order at 9:06 a.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Rebecca Austen, Chair Flannery Bope, Vice Chair Tanya Athar-Jogee Amanda Lewis Neva Fernandez Diana Melendez Sarah Tober Commissioners Absent: Julia Cuba Lewis Juliana Gonzales Vacant: District 2 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 3, 2021. The minutes from the regular meeting on February 3, 2021 were approved on Chair Austen’s motion, Commissioner Fernandez’ second on a vote of 6-0, with Commissioner Lewis off the dais, and Commissioners Cuba Lewis and Gonzales absent. COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES 2. OLD BUSINESS Wednesday, March 3, 2021 a. Discussion and possible action regarding updated from the following working groups: i. Homelessness Discussion was held. No action was taken. Discussion was held. No action was taken. ii. Safety iii. Health Discussion was held. No action was taken. iv. Recognition of Equity for Women and Girls Discussion was held. No action was taken. b. Discussion and possible action regarding updates from the Joint Inclusion Committee. The motion to make a recommendation to the City Council regarding appointment of the APD Chief was made on Chair Austen’s motion, Commissioner Athar-Jogee’s second on a vote of 7-0, with Commissioners Cuba Lewis and Gonzales absent. c. Discussion and possible action regarding the recommendation for the City of Austin d. Discussion and possible action regarding Commission for Women Working Groups. FY2021 budget. Discussion was held. No action was taken. Discussion was held. No action was taken. 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding a recommendation to the City Council endorsing the City of Austin’s 2020 legislative agenda. The motion to make a recommendation to the City Council in support of the City of Austin’s 2020 legislative agenda was made on Chair Austen’s motion, Vice-Chair Bope’s Wednesday, March 3, 2021 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES 4. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS second on a vote of 6-0, with Commissioner Lewis off the dais, and Commissioners Cuba Lewis and Gonzales absent. The Commission requested a future agenda item from EMS regarding the community health program for people experiencing homelessness. The Commission …
