REGULAR CALLED MEETING OF THE HISPANIC LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026, 6:00 PM AUSTIN 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 telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Nekaybaw Watson at nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2562. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Amanda Afifi, Chair Dulce Castañeda Andrea Flores Lyssette Galvan AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Yesenia Ramos, Vice Chair Elizabeth Morales Johanna Moya Fábregas 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 April 28, 2026. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Staff briefing regarding an overview and update on the workforce training resources, youth initiatives, and Day Labor Program of the Workforce Development Program. Presentation by Ann Eaton, Assistant Director, Austin Economic Development and Khotan Harmon, Workforce Development & Childcare Acting Division Manager, Austin Economic Development. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding Montopolis Fairway Cases 4. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding the Senior Meal Program WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. Update from the Immigration Working Group regarding meeting with Councilmember Velásquez. 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 Nekaybaw Watson or Nekaybaw.watson@austinexas.gov, to request service or for additional information. Austin City Clerk’s Office, 512-974-2562 the at at For more information on the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission, please contact Nekaybaw Watson at nekaybaw.watson@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2562.
Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission April 28, 2026 HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, April 28, 2026 The Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 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 Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Yesenia Ramos, Vice Chair Dulce Castañeda Elizabeth Morales Jesús Perales Melissa Ruiz PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Susana Almanza – Land Acquisition Valerie Menard – Senior Luncheon Program Marian Sanchez – Senior Luncheon Program APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on March 24, 2026. The minutes from the meeting on March 24, 2026, were approved on Vice Chair Ramos’ motion, Commissioner Morales’ second on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Flores, Galvan, Moya Fábregas and Peña were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion regarding the recently approved budget recommendations and next steps for them. Discussed. 1 Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission April 28, 2026 DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Conduct officer elections for Vice Chair. The motion to elect Commissioner Castañeda as Vice Chair of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission was approved on Commissioner Castañeda’s motion, Vice Chair Ramos’ second, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Flores, Galvan, Moya Fábregas and Peña were absent. 4. Conduct officer elections for Chair. The motion to elect Commissioner Galvan as Chair of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission was approved on Commissioner Castañeda’s motion, Commissioner Perales’ second, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Flores, Galvan, Moya Fábregas and Peña were absent. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 5. Update from the Arts and Culture Working Group regarding follow-up on a meeting with the Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment about the approved budget recommendations. Update provided by members of the working group. 6. Update from the Immigration Working Group regarding meeting with Councilmember Velásquez. Item 6 was postponed until the next regular meeting of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission without objection. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Austin Arts Culture Music and Entertainment Department (ACME) Presentation Austin Communications and Engagement Department (ACE) Presentation Workforce Development Immigration Working Group Update Recommendation to Council regarding Montopolis Fairway Cases Recommendation to Council regarding Senior Meal …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Hispanic/ Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: 20260519-003 Recommendation to Council regarding Montopolis Fairway WHEREAS, The Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission advises the Austin City Council on issues relating to the quality of life for the City's Hispanic/Latino community; and WHEREAS, the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission addresses issues related to the health, safety, and welfare of the Hispanic/Latino community, with specific attention to areas like affordable housing and economic stability; and WHEREAS, one of those community organizations, People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources (PODER), has brought forward a recommendation to city council to purchase the property at Montopolis and Fairway to secure the property for future low-income single-family housing; and WHEREAS, In 2001 the Austin City Council adopted the Montopolis Neighborhood Plan, which called for sustaining its single-family zoning in the heart of Montopolis; and WHEREAS, the 2018 report, “Uprooted: Residential Displacement in Austin’s Gentrifying Neighborhood and What Can be Done About It,” commissioned by the Austin City Council and completed by University of Texas experts recommended that the city make strategic, anti-displacement investments in Montopolis to protect it from further gentrification; and WHEREAS, for years, the Montopolis Neighborhood Plan Contact Team, along with other supporters, have been fighting to sustain its single-family zoning; and WHEREAS, Montopolis already has the highest concentration of multifamily, commercial, and industrial zoning of any planning area in the city; and WHEREAS, The 1.9 acres, known as the Montopolis-Fairway Zoning case, is currently zoned for single- family housing and includes properties at 6202, 6204 Caddie Street; 6205, 6211, 6215 Fairway Street; 1600, 1604, 1606, 1608, 1612, and 1614 Montopolis; and WHEREAS, While the zoning request from the developer to change the zoning from single-family to vertical mixed use was denied, the property remains vulnerable to future gentrifying developments; and . NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission recommends that the city of Austin purchase the property included in the Montopolis- Fairway zoning case to be used to build low-income single-family housing and protect the neighborhood from future gentrification. Date of Approval: May 19, 2026 Motioned By: Commissioner Ramos Seconded By: Commissioner Morales Vote: 6-0 For: Chair Lyssette Galvan, Vice Chair Dulce Castañeda, Commissioners Andrea Flores, Elizabeth Morales, Yesenia Ramos, and Melissa Ruiz Against: None Absent: Commissioners Amanda Afifi and Jesús Perales Attest: Nekaybaw …
. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: 20260519-004 Recommendation to Council regarding Senior Meal Program WHEREAS, PODER has been the leading organization for over 35 years on environmental and social justice issues, and has initiated a new project, Seniors Advocating for Generational Equity (SAGE), at the request of the founding members and neighborhood residents in East Austin. For its first identifiable need, SAGE will request a congregate meal program and activities for older adults in Montopolis that will improve well-being and quality of life; and WHEREAS, for many years, the Montopolis Recreation Center hosted a small congregate meal program with limited activities for older adults. However, the program was removed in 2018 when the center closed for the construction of a new facility that has since been completed and opened several years ago. WHEREAS, in addition, PODER-SAGE has established communication with key administrative staff from the Montopolis Recreation Center, Meals on Wheels, and Family Eldercare, and all have expressed positive support for the establishment of a nutrition congregate meal program at the Montopolis Recreation Center. Family Eldercare expressed a strong interest, given that they are presently building a housing complex with 160 units for older adults in the immediate area. WHEREAS, overall, the survey findings of Montopolis residents, along with the interviews of social service providers serving older adults, expressed the importance of re-establishing a neighborhood luncheon program in Montopolis in the immediate future. The survey responses indicate a high interest in participating in a luncheon program, and very positive comments were received NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, The Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Commission supports the establishing a senior luncheon program at the Montopolis Community Recreation Center. The Montopolis Community Recreation Center is located at 1200 Montopolis Drive. Date of Approval: May 19, 2026 Motioned By: Commissioner Ramos Seconded By: Commissioner Ruiz Vote: 6-0 . For: Chair Lyssette Galvan, Vice Chair Dulce Castañeda, Commissioners Andrea Flores, Elizabeth Morales, Yesenia Ramos, and Melissa Ruiz Against: None Absent: Commissioners Amanda Afifi and Jesús Perales Attest: Nekaybaw Watson, Staff Liaison
Workforce Development & Childcare Update Ann Eaton, Assistant Director Austin Economic Development | May 19, 2026 Austin’s Employment and Economic Growth Austin MSA: 2.5 million people Projection: 4.6 million people by 2060 Regional Labor Force: 1.2 million Key growth drivers: Migration, job creation, education, and innovation Growth concentrating along jobs, mobility, and infrastructure corridors City of Austin Employment Projections, 2020-2060 1,010,007 1,128,223 1,203,284 1,245,703 655,190 722,772 576,193 s b o J f o # 1,400,000 1,200,000 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 - 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050 2055 Actual LODES Employment Projected Employment 2060 Year 2 What’s Different About 2026 A strong economy facing new constraints: Tight labor market Rising affordability pressures Small business sustainability challenges Infrastructure and timing gaps Growth is no longer the challenge; managing its impacts is. 3 Austin’s Enduring Advantage Talent, innovation, and a diversified economy 52% of workers hold a post-secondary degree Median age: 35 20% foreign-born workforce $4.5B in venture capital investment (2024) Strength across advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, life sciences, clean tech, and creative industries. 4 The Risk Ahead When growth outpaces affordability, retention suffers Workforce participation tied to housing and childcare access Employers competing for talent in a tight labor market Economic momentum depends on keeping workers and small businesses rooted in Austin 5 Our 2026 Focus Economic Development Roadmap Workforce Development Investment o Infrastructure Academy o Workforce Development Solicitation High-Quality Childcare Access Small Business Resilience o New Access to Capital Programs Attracting New Business o Welcome new businesses to Austin that will benefit our local workforce. 6 Workforce Development & Child Care The Workforce Development & Child Care Division strengthens Austin’s workforce by providing readiness and training, employment pathways, and childcare support. Workgroups include: • Youth Initiatives Programs: Equips young residents with job skills, career pathways, and mentorship. • Day Labor: Connects workers with short-term employment and job readiness support. • Workforce & Childcare Contracts: Expands access to jobs and childcare services through City partnerships. • Community Technology: Enhances digital literacy and tech access for workforce readiness. Key programs include: • Home Grown Network for Home-Based Providers • City-Supported Childcare Facilities • Austin Youth Council, High School Internships • Grant for Tech Opportunities Program (GTOPs) • High-Quality Childcare Fee Waiver Program (In Development) 7 Reaching …
