DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT ADVISORY BOARD Regular Meeting MARCH 11, 2022 AT 8:00 AM ONE TEXAS CENTER, STE 125, TRAINING CONFERENCE ROOM 505 BARTON SPRINGS RD AUSTIN, TEXAS 78704 Some members of the COMMISSION/BOARD may be participating by videoconference Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. To register, contact Edna Staniszewski at edna.staniszewski@austintexas.gov or at (512) 974-1260. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Darilynn Cardona-Beiler, Chair Lea Downey Gallatin, Vice Chair Kergin Bedell Jason English Kate Garza Nicole Golden Jocelyn Schwartz Seneca Savoie Andrew Williams AGENDA THERE MAY BE DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first five (5) 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. 1. APPROVAL OF REGULAR MEETING MINUTES FOR FEBRUARY 11, 2022 2. AUSTIN HOMELESSNESS SYSTEM CLIENT FEEDBACK Individuals sharing first-hand account regarding their experiences being served through Austin’s homelessness system. Speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will be allowed a three-minute allotment to provide their feedback to the Board. 3. NEW BUSINESS A. FY23 Budget Recommendations (Cardona-Beiler/Downey Gallatin) – Pete Valdez, Court Administrator, Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC) B. Election of new officers with term for newly elected officers (Cardona-Beiler/Downey Gallatin) – Robert Kingham, Court Operations Manager, Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC) 4. OLD BUSINESS A. Status of DACC operations during COVID-19, changes in operations, any new trends noticed. Cardona-Beiler/Downey Gallatin) – Pete Valdez, Court Administrator, Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC) i Rapid Rehousing efforts, staffing and housing placement ii Court dockets iii DACC facility update iv Violet Keep Safe Program FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS A. Update on Intensive Case Management program evaluation project B. Update on homelessness mapping initiative 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 Edna …
DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATION 20220311-002A Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Budget Recommendations March 11, 2022 Date: Subject: Motioned By: Commissioner Jason English Seconded By: Commissioner Lea Downey Gallatin Recommendation 1. The DACC needs to locate a new facility and temporarily equip case management staff with the ability to work out of a fleet of vehicles and from their homes; 2. Funding for case management fleet vehicles; 3. Sustained funding for six grant funded COVID-19 case managers; 4. Funds to continue the Violet KeepSafe Program; 5. Funds to continue the Homeless Health and Wellness collaborative with Integral Care and the Downtown Austin Alliance; 6. Funding to augment DACC’s case management capacity by adding 12 positions; and 7. Additional social service dollars to include funding for client rental assistance. Description of Recommendation to Council 1. For more than 7 years, DACC functioned without adequate space for its operation. Its current location at One Texas Center is more spacious, but only temporary and less proximate to other downtown services. It is vital that DACC be provided a permanent home and continued support for the fleet of vehicles its Case Management team uses to provide community-based services. 2. By the end of this fiscal year, DACC will own nine case manager fleet vehicles in addition to renting eight vehicles. To maintain the status quo in a more cost-effective manner, the Court needs funding to purchase eight vehicles. 3. Funds for up to twelve additional permanent Case Manager positions, along with an additional vehicle and corresponding social service dollars per case manager, to serve the 260 individuals experiencing homelessness on DACC’s waiting list. 1 of 2 4. Additional social service support dollars to include funding for rental assistance and intensive wrap-around services for clients served by dollars associated with a DACC Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). 5. Funds to enhance the Violet KeepSafe Program 6. Ongoing funding for the Homeless Health and Wellness collaborative with Integral Care and the Downtown Austin Alliance to continue positively impacting DACC clientele and waiting individuals by treating individuals with complex medical needs. 7. Funding to retain two community service crew leaders whose funding from Austin Resource Recovery is being discontinued Rationale: DACC is serving Austin’s most vulnerable citizens and stabilizing their lives to the benefit of the entire Austin community. The Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Board wholeheartedly and enthusiastically supports the DACC services and the Courts request for …
DACC Permanent Location Study Old Municipal Building 124 W. 8th st. $27M Not Suitable Site Resides on Steep Hill Waller Creek Center 625 E 10th St Move-In Ready (~$100K) Suitable Flat Surrounding Area – Highly Accessible None Business Hours Only – Following DACC Relocation 24/7 Security Already Operating in the Building 20 feet 1 Mile Building Infrastructure Renovations Costs ADA Compliance Safety / Security Congress Ave (National Register Historic District) Proximity to Services The Sobering Center 0.6 Miles Violet KeepSafe Program 0.55 Miles Breckenridge Hospital ARCH Austin’s Resource Center for the Homeless 0.6 Miles 0.4 Miles Economic Impact 1200ft 1150ft 0.3m 1150ft Brown Building Homeowners $10M Losses – $125K Loss Per Owner Austin Business Owner TBD $0 TBD Study Outcome Considerably Disadvantaged DACC Permanent Location Better Suitable DACC Permanent Location Study – Proximity Disruptive Effective Old Municipal Building 124 W. 8th st. Waller Creek Center 625 E 10th St Sobering Center 0.6 Miles Avg. Distance to Facilities 0.54 Miles (2851 ft) Sobering Center 1200ft Avg. Distance to Facilities 1271 ft KeepSafe 0.55 Miles Public Transit Density 4 (Good), 12 Stations / 3 Blocs Radius Hospital 0.6 Miles Downtown Station 0.5 Miles KeepSafe Hospital ARCH 0.4 Miles All Facilities Within 68 Acres, 0.6 Miles / 10 Blocs Radius ARCH 1150ft 0.3m 1150ft Public Transit Density 5 (Excellent), 15 Stations / 3 Blocs Radius Downtown Station 1500 ft All Facilities Within 17 Acres, 0.3m / 5 Blocs Radius Integral Care 1.2 Miles Max Travel Distance 2.65 Miles Integral Care 0.8m Max Travel Distance 1.23 m Proximity to National Registered Historical Districts Old Municipal Building 124 W. 8th st. Renovation Costs at Waller Creek Center • $~100K is an estimated cost to renovation Waller Creek Center to support a Court function. • 24/7 Security is already setup at the Waller Creek Center building - No additional costs / budget allocation required. Safety & Security destroyed. • 24/7 Security Proved Necessary and is already present at One Texas Center. • Even with this, there’s considerable damage to the center. There have been a busted windows, decorative vases have been • Drugs have been found and homeless try to stay overnight in the One Texas Center garage even with this 24/7 security. • Extended Stay America (50 ft away from DACC) updated all security measures around the building due to DACC homeless presence. DACC users show up looking for food, shelter, and scaring guests. • …
Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Board Budget and Resources Workgroup Memorandum: FY22 - 23 Budget Recommendations March 11, 2022 The Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC) collaboratively addresses the quality-of-life issues of all residents in the downtown Austin, West Campus, and a portion of East Austin communities through creative and rehabilitative approaches to public order citations. The Court seeks to hold people responsible while also offering help to change behavior; and the DACC Case Management team aims to end homelessness by providing comprehensive, long term case management services and housing assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness regardless of criminal justice involvement. Homelessness has been identified, by City Council, as the top priority for the city strategic plan, and as a strategic outcome indicator in Austin’s strategic direction. To address the growing needs of our neighbors experiencing homelessness, DACC must be supported and adequately funded. The Downtown Austin Community Court Advisory Board supports the mission of the Court and its case management services as an integral part of the continuum of care provided by an array of stakeholders and partners providing much needed services to high needs individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. DACC leadership has been flexible and intentional in its approach to serve the most in need during these difficult times and has accomplished extraordinary work. However, data shows that community programs for individuals experiencing homelessness are running at capacity and demand for services greatly exceeds the supply. In the 2021–22 fiscal year, DACC received none of the twelve permanent Case Manager positions it requested. For that reason, and due to the intensive long-term needs of existing clients, the waiting list for DACC services has barely changed since last year. Roughly 260 individuals experiencing homelessness await assignment to a DACC Case Manager. For more than 7 years, DACC functioned without adequate space for its operation. Its current location at One Texas Center is more spacious, but only temporary and less proximate to other downtown services. It is vital that DACC be provided a permanent home and continued support for the fleet of vehicles its Case Management team uses to provide community-based services. By the end of this fiscal year, DACC will own nine case manager fleet vehicles in addition to renting eight vehicles. To maintain the status quo in a more cost-effective manner, the Court needs funding to purchase eight vehicles. Funds for up to twelve additional permanent …
DACC Advisory Board MEETING MINUTES Friday, March 11, 2022 REGULAR MEETING FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2022 DACC ADVISORY BOARD MINUTES The Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC) Advisory Board convened in a special called meeting on Friday, March 11, 2022 in Austin, Texas. Chair Darilynn Cardona-Beiler called the Board Meeting to order at 8:09am. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Darilynn Cardona-Beiler, Vice Chair Lea Downey Gallatin, Kergin Bedell, Jason English, Kate Garza, Jocelyn Schwartz, and Andrew Williams. Staff in Attendance: Pete Valdez, Judge Coffey, Robert Kingham, Lauren Stott, Laura Williamson, Edna Staniszewski PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Jeff Steinley – item #4Aiii (comparison between Old Municipal bldg. vs. Waller bldg.) Chris Harshbarger – item #4Aiii (comparison between Old Municipal bldg. vs. Waller bldg.) Hanan Levy – item #4Aiii (comparison between Old Municipal bldg. vs. Waller bldg.) Joell McNew – item #4Aiii (supports Waller bldg) 1. APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 11, 2022 MEETING MINUTES Commissioner Jason English moved to approve the meeting minutes. Commissioner Kate Garza seconded the motion. Motion passed by 7-0 vote. 2. AUSTIN HOMELESSNESS SYSTEM CLIENT FEEDBACK Individuals sharing first-hand account regarding their experiences being served through Austin’s homelessness system. Speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will be allowed a three-minute allotment to provide their feedback to the Board. Thomas Woodward – Participant at the VioletKeepSafe program and explained how his belongings were stolen from his bin. The gentleman who stole his belongings is no longer in town, he estimates his belongings worth $3,500. 3. NEW BUSINESS A. FY23 Budget Recommendations (Cardona-Beiler/Downey Gallatin) – Pete Valdez, Court Administrator, Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC) Commissioner Jason English motioned to accept the recommendation. Vice Chair Lea Downey Gallatin seconded the motion. Motioned passed 7-0. 1 DACC Advisory Board MEETING MINUTES Friday, March 11, 2022 B. Election of new officers with term for newly elected officers (Cardona-Beiler/Downey Gallatin) – Robert Kingham, Court Operations Manager, Downtown Austin Community Court (DACC) Nomination to elect Vice Chair Lea Downey Gallatin as Chair. Commissioner Kate Garza made the motion to approve. Commissioner Jason English seconded the motion. Motion passed 6-0 vote. Nomination to elect Chair Darilynn Cardona-Beiler as Vice Chair. Darilynn stated she would be comfortable with a term end as Vice Chair that would end in six months. Commissioner Andrew Williams stated he can fill in until the end of the year. Commissioner Kate Garza …
