Item 1- CFW Draft Meeting Minutes 20260304 — original pdf

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COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 4, 2026 Commission for Women Regular Meeting Minutes Wednesday, March 4, 2026 The Commission for Women convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at Austin City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W 2nd Street in Austin, Texas. Chair Bullard called the Commission for Women Meeting to order at 12:05 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Becky Bullard, Chair Alexandria Anderson Alicia Ramirez Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Jocelyn Tau, Vice Chair Angela Harris Diana Melendez Rabia Shaik Shaimaa Zayan PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Shan Schaffer- TX Access to Abortion + Healthcare APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission for Women Regular Meeting on February 4, 2026. The minutes from the Commission for Women regular meeting on February 4, 2026 were approved on Commissioner Anderson’s motion, Commissioner Ramirez’s second on a 7-0 vote. Vice Chair Tau was off the dais. Commissioners Bissereth and Scheihing were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation regarding women’s wellness by Noor Collective. Withdrawn without objection. 1 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 4, 2026 3. 4. Presentation by Mama Sana Vibrant Woman regarding FY 2026-2027 budget recommendations. The presentation was made by Cherelle VanBrakle, Co-Executive Director of Development, Mama Sana Vibrant Woman. Presentation by American Gateways regarding successes with the City of Austin and a request for the prioritization of immigration funding in the FY 2026-2027 budget. The presentation was made by Edna Yang, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. Items 5, 9, and 10 were taken up together. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. Update from the Budget Working Group and discussion of possible recommendations. Update was given by Commissioner Anderson. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 9. Recommendation by the Budget Working Group regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget. Commissioner Anderson provided a final update and read the recommendation into the record. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 10. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget. The motion to approve the recommendation to Council regarding the Fiscal Year 2026- 2027 Budget as follows was approved on Chair Bullard’s motion, Commissioner Anderson’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Ramirez was off the dais. Commissioners Bissereth and Scheihing were absent. “Organization: Mama Sana Vibrant Woman Subject: Maternal Health & Housing Stabilization Description of Recommendation to Council (1 of 2): Being a City of Austin partner since 2016, Mama Sana Vibrant Woman delivers culturally responsive maternal health care to Black and Latinx communities. As needs continue to rise and the cost of living in Central Texas increases, funding for Mama Sana Vibrant Woman’s maternal health services was cut by 10% in FY26, and its rental assistance support was eliminated entirely. We strongly urge the City Council to restore and sustain the previous funding level of $900,000—$500,000 dedicated to housing stabilization and $400,000 to maternal health services. This is a critical stabilization strategy to prevent future family displacement, protect maternal health outcomes, and avoid far greater downstream public costs. Rationale: • Housing Stability: In 2025, Mama Sana Vibrant Woman served 288 households. They distributed $666,759 in rental assistance, directly preventing eviction. Research confirms that housing instability during pregnancy increases rates of low birth weight, preterm delivery, maternal mental health issues, and NICU admissions. 2 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 4, 2026 • Proven Partnership with the City of Austin: Mama Sana Vibrant Woman has a strong track record of reasonably administering City funds, effectively collaborating with sister organizations, and responding quickly to emerging community needs. • Equity-Focused Intervention: Black and Latinx mothers in Austin experience disproportionately maternal morbidity and housing insecurity. In 2025, they supported 477 children. Mama Sana Vibrant Woman’s services directly counteract those disparities. Alignment with Commission for Women Mission/Vision/Values: Mama Sana Vibrant Women work aligns with the Commission for Women’s vision and values of recommending programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront women in social, economic, and vocational pursuits. These programs ensure Black and Latinx mothers remain safely housed, supported in their health, and connected to competent care—advancing a more just and inclusive Austin for families and mothers. To continue to cut funding from this organization will contradict the City’s commitments to prioritize women’s quality of health, so that Austin becomes the most equitable city in the nation for women and girls. Organization: American Gateways Subject: Immigration Legal Services, Deportation Defense and Citizenship Support Description of Recommendation to Council (2 of 2): As a longstanding City of Austin partner, American Gateways provides high quality, low cost and free legal services to low income immigrants and refugees in Central Texas. Their work includes deportation defense, legal representation for survivors of violence, assistance for families navigating complex immigration systems, and citizenship clinics that help lawful permanent residents become U.S. citizens. Given rising demand for immigration legal services and the increased vulnerability of mixed status and low income families, we strongly urge the City of Austin to restore and sustain robust funding levels for American Gateways’ immigration legal services contracts. These contracts have historically been renewed and amended to meet growing community needs, and sustained investment is essential to maintain that progress and prevent harmful service gaps. Rationale: Access to Due Process: Access to legal counsel dramatically increases the likelihood that immigrants can successfully navigate complex immigration proceedings. Deportation defense prevents unnecessary family separation and encourages that eligible individuals can assert their lawful claims to relief under federal law. Stabilizing Austin Families: When a primary wage earner is detained or deported, families face immediate economic crisis, housing instability, and long term trauma for children. Legal representation helps keep families together, stabilizes the income, and reduces reliance on emergency city services. Proven Partnership with the City of Austin: American Gateways has a strong history of responsibly administering City contracts, collaborating with community partners, and scaling services in response to emerging federal policy changes. Contract renewals and 3 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 4, 2026 amendments have consistently reflected demonstrated needs and effective service delivery. Pathways to Citizenship and Civic Engagement: Citizenship clinics and naturalization assistance strengthen civic participation, economic mobility, and community integration. New citizens contribute more fully to Austin’s workforce, tax base, and civic life. Alignment with Commission for Women Mission/Vision/Values: American Gateways works directly advances the Commission for Women’s commitment to addressing inequities that affect women and families in social and economic life. Immigrant women, particularly survivors of violence and low wage workers, are disproportionately impacted by the lack of legal representation. By ensuring access to deportation defense, legal protections, and pathways to citizenship, the City supports women’s safety, economic stability, and full participation in the community life. Sustained funding aligns with Austin’s commitment to equity and to buildi a city where all women and families can thrive.” WORKING GROUP UPDATES 6. 7. Update from the Recognition Working Group on the progress towards the event. Update was given by Commissioner Melendez. Update from the Quality of Life Working Group on the progress of the Quality of Life Study on Austin’s Women and Girls. Update was given by Commissioner Melendez. Items 8 and 11 were taken up together. 8. Update from the Maternal Health Working Group and discussion of their scope of work. Update was given by Commissioner Anderson. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 11. Approve an update to the membership of the Maternal Health Working Group. The motion to approve an update to the membership of the Maternal Health Working Group to include Commissioner Ramirez as a member of the group was approved on Chair Bullard’s motion, Commissioner Anderson’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Ramirez was off the dais. Commissioners Bissereth and Scheihing were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Texas Freedom Network’s Just Texas Program Presentation Officer Elections (April) Staff Briefing on Austin Equity and Inclusion’s Levers of Economic Mobility Index 4 COMMISSION FOR WOMEN MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, March 4, 2026 Chair Bullard adjourned the meeting at 12:57 p.m. without objection. 5