Item 3c - Transition of Commissions Memo — original pdf

Backup

MEMORANDUM March 15, 2021 Transition of Commissions Jannette Goodall, City Clerk Joya Hayes, Human Resources and Civil Service Director TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: The purpose of this memo is to notify you of the Boards and Commissions transitioning from the Human Resources Department to the Civil Rights Office (CRO). Beginning with the May 2021 meetings, four (4) of the six (6) City of Austin Boards and Commissions with liaisons in the Human Rights Department will transition to the newly-formed Civil Rights Office. The CRO focuses on protecting individual's civil rights. This Office ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws through enforcement. CRO will advance the City’s non-discrimination efforts and promote outreach, education, and awareness events for both businesses and community stakeholders. The Equal Employment and Fair Housing Office is now part of CRO and conducts outreach and investigations on employment and housing discrimination. As the duties of the CRO are more community-focused, the following Commissions align more appropriately with the work of this office: Commission for Women - Prioritizes womens’ quality of life so that Austin becomes the most equitable city in the nation for women and girls. Commission on Veterans Affairs - Serves as an advisory body concerning the wellbeing of military veterans in the Austin area. Human Rights Commission - Advises and consults on all matters involving race, color, disability, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or age and devises practices to promote equal opportunity. Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities - Encourages, assists and enables persons with disabilities to participate in the social and economic life of the City and achieve maximum personal independence. The Commission complies with and follows the rules and laws of the Americans with Disabilities Act. HRD will maintain the Firefighters’, Police Officers’ and Emergency Medical Services Personnel Civil Service Commission and the Municipal Civil Service Commission. The City of Austin’s first Civil Rights Officer, Carol Johnson, will be introduced to each Commission as the Executive Liaison at an upcoming meeting. Jonathan Babiak currently serves as Staff Liaison to the Human Rights Commission. Officer Johnson has assigned Mr. Babiak to assume this assignment for the remaining three Commissions. As we transition from providing support to these commissions, HRD would like to thank the Office of the City Clerk, the Commissions and Commissioners, and our HRD staff for their service to these Commissions. Cc: Commission for Women – Rebecca Austen, Chair; April Shaw, Liaison Commission on Veterans Affairs – Doris Williams, Chair; Tina Lee, Liaison Human Rights Commission – Sareta Davis, Chair; Jonathan Babiak, Liaison Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities – Diane Kearns-Osterweil; David Ondich & Lee Nguyen, Liaisons