REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION August 26, 2025, 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. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Amanda Afifi, Chair Yesenia Ramos, Vice Chair Dulce Castañeda Lyssette Galvan Johanna Moya Fábregas Brian Peña Jesús Perales Melissa Ruiz Daniela Silva AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on July 22, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Staff briefing regarding an introduction and an overview of Austin Equity and Inclusion by the Commission’s new Executive Liaison Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director, Austin Equity and Inclusion, Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion, and Enrique Serrano, Civil Rights Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion of the Austin Equity and Inclusion Office’s Know Your Commission Events. 4. Discussion of the Austin Police’s Automated License Plate Reader Program. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a Recommendation to Council to not authorize an Automated License Plate Reader Program. 6. Approve the formation of Working Group focused on collaborating with relevant stakeholders (agencies, non-profits, service providers, the City of Austin, the faith community and others) to address disparities and enhance preventive measures for the Hispanic/Latino Immigrant community. 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 …
Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission July 22, 2025 HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Thursday, July 22, 2025 The Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission convened in a special called meeting on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at City Hall, 301 W 2nd St in Austin, Texas. Chair Afifi called the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Meeting to order at 6:11 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Amanda Afifi Brian Peña Johanna Moya Fábregas Melissa Ruiz Daniela Silva Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Dulce Castañeda Lyssette Galvan Jesús Perales PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission special called meeting on June 26, 2025. The minutes from the meeting on June 26, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Perales’ motion, Commissioner Silva’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Peña was off the dais. Commissioners Jackson and Ramos were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion of accessibility frameworks and Latine community needs and usage of the City of Austin digital products with Luisa Apolaya Torres, Sr. Service Designer, Communications & Technology Management. 1 Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission July 22, 2025 The presentation was made by Luisa Apolaya Torres, Sr. Service Designer, Communications & Technology Management. 3. Presentation regarding Know Your Rights, Annie Fierro, Workers Defense Action Fund. The presentation was made by Annie Fierro, Immigration Campaign Organizer, Workers Defense Action Fund. 4. Discussion of the City of Austin Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Proposed Budget. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding funding for Academia Cuauhtli. The motion to approve a Recommendation to Council regarding funding for Academia Cuauhtli was approved on Commissioner Perales’ motion, Commissioner Silva’s second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Jackson and Ramos were absent. 6. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the Office of Community Liaison. Discussed. 7. Approve the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission 2024-2025 Annual Internal Review. The motion to approve the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission 2024-2025 Annual Internal Review with the following amendments was approved on Commissioner Silva’s motion, Commissioner Moya Fábregas’ second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Jackson and Ramos were absent. The amendments were to revise page 2 to strike “Afifi, Silva, Galvan, and Perales” and to replace “one virtual and two in person” with “two virtual and one in person.” The amendments were to …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: (20250826-005): Opposition to Automated License Plate Reader Programs Recommendation The Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission urges City Council to reject any future proposals to implement automated (A.I.) license plate reader (ALPR) surveillance programs. Description of Recommendation to Council Although the trial period for the Austin Police Department’s use of automated (A.I.) license plate readers ended earlier this summer, Council must listen to the people of Austin and protect their privacy and safety by rejecting any future proposals to implement any A.I. surveillance technology. It is the recommendation of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Committee that Council reject any future proposals to fund or implement ALPRs. Rationale: From March through December of 2024, automated license plate readers (ALPR) scanned more than 75 million license plates across Austin as part of an APD trial program. While Council’s approved policy stated that license plate data must be deleted within one week, that was not the reality of the program. According to a recent audit, contractor Flock Safety retained "non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free right and license" to indefinitely use license plate information scanned across Austin.1 What this means is that the data connected to the millions of license plates scanned under this program were not protected. This program puts the data of Austinites at risk. Consider what Texas State Senator Sarah Eckhardt, who represents much of Austin, said on the floor of the Texas Senate just last week during the hearing for HB521: “We’re in the process of creating a number of lists, and this is of great concern. We have a number of bills this session… that create lists of people as if we are preparing to shoot fish in a barrel… We have lists of individuals who are public servants who are trying to assist people to vote. We have lists of judges who are using 1https://communityimpact.com/austin/south-central-austin/government/2025/05/20/75m-license-plate sscanned-under-rebooted-austin-police-program-audit-reveals-successes-concerns/ Draft their discretion to release people on bail. We have lists of prosecutors who are – within their discretion – choosing not to pursue cases. We have lists of vendors who sell books that are disfavored. We are entering into a time period of surveillance and lists and disfavored groups by statute… We had a priority in this legislative session to look at the scourges of communism. That was one of the scourges of communism. Lists of public servants …
Introduction & Overview: Austin Equity and Inclusion Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Briefing Tuesday, August 26, 2025, 6:00 PM Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer Agenda Introductions • Who We Are Office Overview • Vision & Mission • Current Structure • Core Services Current Projects Connecting with Our Office 8/25/2025 2 OUR VISION Austin Equity and Inclusion helps shape a community and city government where every individual feels welcomed and has the resources and services they need to thrive. We’re dedicated to transforming systems to increase access, remove barriers to opportunity, address discrimination, and foster a community where all identities are respected. 8/25/2025 3 Austin Equity and Inclusion (AEI) AEI Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director Civil Rights Division Equity Division Human Rights Division Enrique Serrano, Civil Rights Officer Vacant, Equity Officer Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer 8/25/2025 4 Introductions Shafina Khaki Human Rights Officer Dr. Lindsey Wilson Director Enrique Serrano Civil Rights Officer 5 CORE SERVICES Promote Human Rights: Provide advocacy and direct services that help residents access benefits, understand their rights, and connect to resources that uphold safety, dignity, and well-being. Carry Out the City’s Strategic Goals: Increase access, remove barriers to opportunities, and create inclusive spaces where all identities feel respected, seen, and valued. Provide Anti-Discrimination Protections: Investigate discrimination complaints related to Housing, Employment, Public Accommodations, and Fair Chance Hiring. City Ordinance Enforcement: Uphold the CROWN Act, Tenant’s Rights to Organize and other Key City Ordinances. Equity: Work to reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities by collaborating with all City departments to help identify and remove barriers in services. Community Engagement and Outreach: Build collaborative community relationships to advance Equity and improve the quality of life for Austinites. 8/25/2025 The items listed above represent key examples, though the list is not exhaustive. 6 Current Projects EQUITY CIVIL RIGHTS HUMAN RIGHTS • Quality of Life Studies • Mini-Grants • Equity Action Team & Equity Network Meetings • Normalize, Organize and Operationalize... 8/25/20 25 • Enforcing Civil Rights Laws Across • Know Your Rights/Benefits Multiple Sectors, leveraging technology to advance rights. • Collaborates with Community Members, Businesses, and Stakeholders: • Partnering with other agencies to promote civil rights initiatives (Immigrants, Veterans, ADA) • Advances the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Austinites • Anti-Hate/We All Belong • Community Meetings/Foster Belonging The items listed above represent key examples, though the list …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: (20250826-005): Opposition to Automated License Plate Reader Programs Recommendation The Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission urges City Council to reject any future proposals to implement automated (A.I.) license plate reader (ALPR) surveillance programs. Description of Recommendation to Council Although the trial period for the Austin Police Department’s use of automated (A.I.) license plate readers ended earlier this summer, Council must listen to the people of Austin and protect their privacy and safety by rejecting any future proposals to implement any A.I. surveillance technology. It is the recommendation of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Committee that Council reject any future proposals to fund or implement ALPRs. Rationale: From March through December of 2024, automated license plate readers (ALPR) scanned more than 75 million license plates across Austin as part of an APD trial program. While Council’s approved policy stated that license plate data must be deleted within one week, that was not the reality of the program. According to a recent audit, contractor Flock Safety retained "non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, royalty-free right and license" to indefinitely use license plate information scanned across Austin.1 What this means is that the data connected to the millions of license plates scanned under this program were not protected. This program puts the data of Austinites at risk. Consider what Texas State Senator Sarah Eckhardt, who represents much of Austin, said on the floor of the Texas Senate just last week during the hearing for HB521: “We’re in the process of creating a number of lists, and this is of great concern. We have a number of bills this session… that create lists of people as if we are preparing to shoot fish in a barrel… We have lists of individuals who are public servants who are trying to assist people to vote. We have lists of judges who are using 1https://communityimpact.com/austin/south-central-austin/government/2025/05/20/75m-license-plate sscanned-under-rebooted-austin-police-program-audit-reveals-successes-concerns/ their discretion to release people on bail. We have lists of prosecutors who are – within their discretion – choosing not to pursue cases. We have lists of vendors who sell books that are disfavored. We are entering into a time period of surveillance and lists and disfavored groups by statute… We had a priority in this legislative session to look at the scourges of communism. That was one of the scourges of communism. Lists of public servants that …
