1. 2. REGULAR CALLED MEETING of the HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION September 24, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. City Hall Boards and Commissions Room #1101 301 West 2nd St Austin, Texas 78701 Some members of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission 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. Lyssette Galvan Kevin Jackson Jr Jesús Perales Leonor Vargas CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ivanna Neri, Chair Daniela Silva, Vice Chair Amanda Afifi Dulce Castañeda 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 Approve the minutes of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on August 27, 2024. STAFF BRIEFING Staff briefing regarding the Homegrown Grant by Rachel Farley, Early Childhood Public Health Program Supervisor, Austin Public Health. DISCUSSION ITEMS Discussion on voting awareness and exchange of resources for the upcoming elections in November 2024. Presentation by Jill Skinner and Deborah Nieves regarding Drive a Senior ATX. Discussion on identifying goals and strategic planning for the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission. Update on the Equity Office and Joint Inclusion Committee’s September 7, 2024 Budget Engagement Meeting. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEM Approve a Recommendation to Council to approve the Austin/Travis County Food Plan. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 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 City Clerk’s Department, at 512-974-2792, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission please contact Christi Vitela at 512-974-2792 or …
1. HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, August 27, 2024 The Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at City Hall, 301 W 2nd St in Austin, Texas. Chair Neri called the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Ivanna Neri, Chair Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Daniela Silva, Vice Chair Amanda Afifi Dulce Castañeda Lyssette Galvan Kevin Jackson Jr. Jesús Perales Leonor Vargas PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approve the minutes of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on May 28, 2024. The minutes from the meeting on 05/28/2024 were approved on Commissioner Perales’s motion, Commissioner Castañeda’s second on a 6-0 vote. Vice Chair Silva and Commissioner Vargas were off the dais. Commissioner Maldonado was absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 1 Presentation by Lila Valencia, City Demographer, City of Austin Demographer Office, on demographic data. The presentation was made by Lila Valencia, City Demographer, City of Austin Demographer Office. Presentation by Amanda Rohlich, Business Process Consultant Sr., Food Policy Advisor, Office of Sustainability, on the Austin/Travis County Food Plan. The presentation was made by Amanda Rohlich, Business Process Consultant Sr., Food Policy Advisor, Office of Sustainability. DISCUSSION ITEMS Presentation by Cathy McHorse regarding Affordable Child Care in the greater Austin area. The presentation was made by Cathy McHorse, Early Childhood Consultant. Update from the Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) representative on the progress of the addition of the Commission on Veteran’s Affairs to the JIC. Commissioner Afifi provided an update. Update from the Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) representative on the approval of a Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) Budget Working Group to follow up on Fiscal Year 25 Budget Recommendations and prepare for Fiscal Year 26 Budget Town Halls. Commissioner Afifi provided an update. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS APH Homegrown Grant (Vargas, Neri) Discuss Townhalls (Neri, Afifi) Update from JIC representative on September Budget Recommendations meeting (Afifi, Neri) Food Plan Recommendation (Vargas, Neri, Afifi) Chair Neri adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m. without objection. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 2
HISPANIC LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240924-XXX [XXX is the agenda item number] Recommendation to the Austin City Council in Support of the Austin Travis County Food Plan The Hispanic Quality of Life Commission respectfully submits the following recommendation to the Austin City Council, based on the alarming facts that 14.4% of Travis County residents experience food insecurity and 16.8 acres of farmland are lost every day in the county: WHEREAS, a healthy, equitable, and ecologically resilient local food system is crucial for Austin’s sustainability and prosperity; and WHEREAS, a just and inclusive local food system supports job creation, strengthens the economy, enhances public health, and reduces environmental impact by promoting the local growing, selling, consuming, and recovering of food; and WHEREAS, many residents of Austin and Travis County face significant barriers in accessing healthy, affordable, and culturally relevant food, with underserved communities disproportionately affected; and WHEREAS, the Austin Travis County Food Plan provides a comprehensive and strategic framework to combat food insecurity, support local agriculture, and develop a resilient food economy that benefits all residents; and WHEREAS, investing in local agriculture and food systems can help prevent further loss of farmland, ensuring a sustainable supply of locally grown food for future generations; NOW, THEREFORE, the Hispanic Quality of Life Commission recommends that the Austin City Council: 1. Adopt the Austin Travis County Food Plan, with a focus on addressing the needs of all residents, particularly those who face challenges in food access and affordability. 2. Allocate resources and dedicated staff to ensure the continued development and implementation of this plan, with equity, sustainability, and community engagement at the forefront. 3. Foster partnerships with local organizations, businesses, farmers, and community groups to collaborate on building a just, healthy, and resilient local food system. By supporting this plan, Austin can make significant strides toward creating a more equitable, thriving, and resilient food system that serves all of its residents while preserving vital agricultural land. https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=435436 Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: ___________________________
