REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE HISPANIC LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2025, AT 6:00 P.M. CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM #1101 301 WEST 2ND STREET AUSTIN, TEXAS 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 remotely, contact Christi Vitela at christi.vitela@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2792. telephone. To to speak register CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Amanda Afifi, Chair Dulce Castañeda Andrea Flores Johanna Moya Fábregas Lyssette Galvan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Yesenia Ramos, Vice Chair Brian Peña Jesús Perales Melissa Ruiz 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 October 28, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Introduction of the Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment office (AACME). Briefing by Angela Means, Director, Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation by Michael Ward Jr., President and CEO, Universal Tech Movement, regarding an updated mission, digital inclusion efforts and ways in which the commission can support UTM's pathways into technology. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Approve an alternate representative to the Joint Inclusion Committee. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Christi Vitela at the Austin City Clerk’s Office, at 512-974-2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission, please contact Christi Vitela at 512-974-2792 or christi.vitela@austintexas.gov.
Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission October 28, 2025 HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, October 28, 2025 The Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Tuesday, October 28, 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 6:07 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Amanda Afifi, Chair Andrea Flores Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Yesenia Ramos, Vice Chair Brian Peña Dulce Castañeda Lyssette Galvan Johanna Moya Fábregas PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on August 26, 2025. The minutes from the meeting on August 26, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Galvan’s motion, Commissioner Castañeda’s second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Perales and Ruiz were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion regarding the changes to the Get to Know Your Commission sessions. Discussed. 3. Discussion regarding the Tax Rate Election and the changes to FY 26-27 budget engagement and recommendations. 1 Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission October 28, 2025 Discussed. 4. Update on the Vivir Con Ganas Community Health Expo held in September 2025. Discussed. 5. Discussion regarding the Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) October meeting’s Introduction of the Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment (AACME) Department. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve updates to the membership of the Immigration Working Group. The motion to approve adding community members, Raquel Rivera and Hector Ordaz, to Immigration Working Group was approved on Vice Chair Ramos’ motion, the Commissioner Moya Fábregas’ second, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Peña was off the dais. Commissioners Perales and Ruiz were absent. 7. Approve the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission’s 2026 Regular Meeting Schedule. The motion to approve the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission’s 2026 Regular Meeting Schedule was approved on Commissioner Castañeda’s motion, Commissioner Moya Fábregas’ second, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Peña was off the dais. Commissioners Perales and Ruiz were absent. 8. Approve an alternate representative to the Joint Inclusion Committee. Discussed. No action taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Austin Arts, Culture, Music, and Entertainment ADJOURNMENT Chair Afifi adjourned the meeting at 6:48 p.m. without objection. 2
Austin Arts, Culture, Music & Entertainment (AACME) Austin's Creative Heartbeat Angela Means, AACME Director November 2025 The Profound Impact of Arts & Culture According to the Texas Cultural Trust 2025 State of the Arts Report 2 • Established on February 24, 2025, Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment (AACME) emerged from decades of community advocacy to prioritize arts and music in Austin’s identity and governance. Created during a critical funding shortage, AACME strengthens the City’s commitment to building a vibrant, resilient creative ecosystem. • Art, Music, and culture remain the heart of Austin – shaping its unique vibe, supporting community connection, and attracting residents and visitors alike. 3 HOW WILL AACME BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY? • Provide centralized support for creatives and cultural organizations. • Enhance economic growth, tourism and civic engagement. • Foster collaboration between artists, cultural organizations, and local businesses. • Create open, accessible spaces for residents to experience arts and culture. • Strengthens Austin’s identity as a global destination for creativity. 4 HOW WAS AACME FORMED? Economic Development Department Cultural Arts Arts in Public Places Music & Entertainment Parks & Recreation Department Museum & Cultural Programs Historic Tourism Special Events (Partial) Development Services Department Austin Center for Events Entertainment Services Austin Public Library African American Heritage & Cultural Facility Aviation Music & Art 5 WHAT ARE AACME’S 2025 GOALS? • Streamline operations • Implement community engagement programs • Launch the development of a comprehensive Strategic Plan • Reevaluation of Cultural Funding grant program guidelines • Increase access to programming • Establish new collaborative partnerships with the community and partners across various sectors 6 6 WHAT FACILITIES MAKE UP AACME? • African American Cultural and Heritage Facility + Dedrick Hamilton House • Asian American Resource Center • Dougherty Arts Center • Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center • George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural, and Genealogy Center • Elisabet Ney Museum • O. Henry Museum 7 • Old Bakery & Emporium • Susanna Dickinson Museum • UMLAUF Sculpture Garden and Museum • Millennium Youth Entertainment Complex • Montopolis Negro School • Beverly S. Sheffield Hillside Theater • Renaissance Market (Right-of-Way) 7 AACME's First Year: Building Trust Through Action 1 Community-Centered Approach Established transparency, active listening, and consistent availability to all stakeholders as core operational principles. 2 Effective Advocacy Successfully mediated resolutions during the controversial Airport expansion and Convention Center demolition projects, protecting local artists and artwork. 3 Research & …
