REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the COMMISSION FOR WOMEN November 6, 2024, 12:00 PM Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room #1101 301 West 2nd Street Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Commission for Women 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, call or email Christi Vitela, 512- 974-2792, christi.vitela@austintexas.gov. Diana Melendez Pam Rattan Katrina Scheihing Josephine Serrata Maria Veloz Salas CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Jocelyn Tau, Chair Becky Bullard, Vice Chair Rebecca Austen Vanessa Bissereth Julie Glasser Angela Harris CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL AGENDA 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 for Women regular meeting on October 2, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS and antisemitism. 2. Presentation by the Anti-Defamation League Austin on their work locally to combat hate 3. Update from the Recognition Working Group on their last meeting and progress toward the 2025 event. 4. Update from the Quality of Life Working Group on their last meeting with the University of Texas and the Equity Office and the progress toward the final Quality of Life Study. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM 5. Presentation by Cierra Madison, Sunday Sessions ATX, and approval of a Recommendation to Council to waive the ACE permitting fees for Sunday Sessions ATX. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT 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 (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Christi Vitela at the Office of the City Clerk Department at 512-974-2792, or email christi.vitela@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Commission for Women, please contact Christi Vitela at the Office of the City Clerk Department at 512-974-2792, or email christi.vitela@austintexas.gov.
Commission for Women Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 2, 2024 Commission for Women REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, October 2, 2024 The Commission for Women convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at City Hall, 301 W 2nd St, Austin, Texas, Boards and Commissions Room. Vice Chair Bullard called the Commission for Women Meeting to order at 12:12 p.m. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Becky Bullard, Vice Chair Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Rebecca Austen Angela Harris Diana Melendez Pam Rattan Josephine Serrata PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Tatiana LaMadrid Cierra Madison APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women regular meeting on September 4, 2024. The minutes from the meeting on September 4, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Austen’s motion and Commissioner Melendez’s second, on a 6-0 vote. Chair Tau and Commissioners Bissereth, Glasser, Scheihing and Veloz Salas were absent. 1 Commission for Women Meeting Minutes Wednesday, October 2, 2024 DISCUSSION ITEM 2. Presentation by Hanna Senko, Project Manager and Consultant, with an update on the Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) Task Force actions and division of work. Presentation by Hanna Senko, Project Manager and Consultant, Collective Sex Crimes Response Model Task Force; Marcy Alonzo, Austin Travis County Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team (SAART) coordinator; Silvana Giono, Victim Services Supervisor, Austin Police Department; Allison Roper, Business Process Consultant, Austin Police Department; Chris Leleux, Lieutenant, Austin Police Department. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve additional members to the Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) Working Group. The motion to approve Commissioner Serrata to the CSCRM Working Group was approved on Commissioner Austen’s motion, Commissioner Rattan’s second on a 6-0 vote. Chair Tau and Commissioners Bissereth, Glasser, Scheihing and Veloz Salas were absent. 4. Approve the Commission for Women 2025 Regular Meeting Schedule. The motion to change the July 2025 date from July 2nd to July 9th was approved on Commissioner Rattan’s motion, Commissioner Harris’s second on a 6-0 vote. Chair Tau and Commissioners Bissereth, Glasser, Scheihing and Veloz Salas were absent. The motion to approve the 2025 Regular Meeting Schedule as amended was approved on Commissioner Rattan’s motion, Commissioner Harris’s second on a 6-0 vote. Chair Tau and Commissioners Bissereth, Glasser, Scheihing and Veloz Salas were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Melendez) Sunday Session ATX and possible recommendation– Cierra Madison (Bullard, Serrata, Update from the Recognition Working Group (Melendez, Bullard) Update from the Quality of Life Working …
RECOMMENDATION FOR SUPPORT OF SUNDAY SESSIONS ATX WHEREAS, Sunday Sessions ATX is a community-focused organization dedicated to fostering inclusivity, well-being, and engagement through free, open-to-the-public music events hosted in outdoor greenspaces that reflect the City of Austin’s cultural identity and enhance its reputation as the "Live Music Capital of the World"; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin recognizes the significant social and economic benefits of supporting free community events, which attract visitors, support local businesses, and provide meaningful opportunities for community engagement; and WHEREAS, the City Council, in Resolution No. 20240215-023, acknowledged the challenges faced by event organizers due to rising costs, emphasizing the need for support to sustain free, accessible community events like "Blues on the Green," which contribute to Austin’s cultural vibrancy; and directed the City Manager to solicit input from the Arts, Music, and Quality of Life commissions in developing recommendations to support and sustain these events by utilizing partnerships across all areas of expertise involved in the live music and arts event space, with the goal of expanding opportunities for the City to co-sponsor community events that are centered around locality, diversity, and inclusivity; and further established an ordinance for associated fee waivers, co-sponsorships, or related budget authorizations needed to effectuate these goals; and WHEREAS, Sunday Sessions ATX is an ongoing, monthly event that aligns with the goals outlined in Resolution No. 20240215-023 by providing free access to local music, arts, and wellness activities, while creating inclusive and diverse spaces for Austinites; and WHEREAS, the ACE permitting fee presents a financial barrier for small, grassroots organizations like Sunday Sessions ATX, and waiving this fee on an ongoing basis would directly support the City’s goal of fostering open, accessible, and culturally enriching events; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committed to preserving and promoting accessible community events that reflect Austin’s diversity and vibrancy, including supporting organizations like Sunday Sessions ATX through fee waivers and other resources to ensure their long-term sustainability; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RECOMMENDED, that the Commission for Women requests that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager’s Office to waive the ACE permitting fees for Sunday Sessions ATX on a recurring, monthly basis in recognition of its valuable contributions to Austin’s cultural and community life, as part of the City's broader efforts to support free, public, and inclusive events; and BE IT FURTHER RECOMMENDED, that the Commission for Women supports exploring additional …
BRAND DECK ATX SUNDAY SESSIONS Sunday Sessions ATX Who We Are Who are we? Sunday Sessions is our wellness ritual. An opportunity to relax, freely express, regularly connect to nature & community, and listen to music that feeds the soul. 03 Sunday Sessions ATX Pillars 06 Sunday Sessions ATX Mission/Vision Our Core Values We believe what we need most in the world at this time is community & dependable, safe spaces that facilitate genuine connection to one another & our environment 05 MISSION To serve our diverse community by embracing collaboration- sharing ideas, information, practices, & services, that uplift our wellness and creativity. Our foundation is rooted in creating welcoming spaces to relax, release, connect, & recharge in nature with our fellow folx. All are welcome, black & brown people are centered. VISION Space where we can leave the worries of the world behind to be present with ourselves & one another, secure in our environment, safe in our bodies, & well in spirit. Sunday Sessions ATX Essence PART 2 Essence 07 H I G H L I G H T S Essence ( c l i c k t o p l a y / s t o p ) L I N K T O R E E L F O O T A G E L I N K T O R E E L ( o r c l i c k t o p l a y / s t o p ) 09 Sunday Sessions ATX Impact PART 3 Impact 10 Community Feedback 11 Sunday Sessions ATX About Us Growth & Engagement Sunday Sessions began Apr 16, 2023 with only 6 attendees & initially occurred once/month. It grew over 700% in just 2 months. We now host events 2 or more times/month 0 INITIAL GROWTH DATE ATTENDEES April: May: June: July 2: July 9: July 16: July 23: July 30: 6 25 51 162+ 350+ 400+/- 325+ 368+ 400 300 200 100 CURRENT AVG ATTENDEES: 250 06 0 A P RIL M A Y J U N E J U LY 2 J U LY 9 J U LY 16 A U G J U LY 3 0 J U LY 23 S E P T ATTENDEE GROWTH O C T O V N D E C F E B M A R A P R M A Y J U N E J …
