Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission December 16, 2025 HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, December 16, 2025 The Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 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 6:05 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Amanda Afifi, Chair Yesenia Ramos, Vice Chair Elizabeth Morales Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Andrea Flores Lyssette Galvan Jesús Perales PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Luis Ordaz Gutiérrez – Cultural Funding APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on November 18, 2025. The minutes from the meeting on November 18, 2025, were approved on Commissioner Galvan’s motion, Commissioner Morales’ second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Moya Fábregas, Peña, and Ruiz were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation regarding the development of a report by Austin Equity and Inclusion to in community conditions across neighborhoods. understand and address disparities Presentation by Shivani Datar, Business Process Specialist, Austin Equity and Inclusion. The presentation was made by Shivani Datar, Business Process Specialist, Austin Equity and Inclusion and Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director, Austin Equity and Inclusion. 1 Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission December 16, 2025 3. Presentation regarding Universal Tech Movement’s updated mission, digital inclusion efforts and ways in which the commission can support UTM's pathways into technology. Presentation by Michael Ward Jr., President and CEO, Universal Tech Movement. The presentation was made by Michael Ward Jr., President and CEO, Universal Tech Movement. 4. Discussion of the Public Spaces Task Force. Discussed. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve the creation of an Arts and Culture Working Group. The motion to create an Arts and Culture Working Group with Commissioners Galvan, Perales, and Ramos as members was approved on Commissioner Perales’ motion, Commissioner Morales’ second, on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Moya Fábregas, Peña, and Ruiz were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update to the membership of the Arts and Culture Working Group Update to the membership of the Immigration Working Group Budget Presentation Workforce Development at the City of Austin ADJOURNMENT Chair Afifi adjourned the meeting at 7:52 p.m. without objection. 2
RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number 20260127-007: Public Safety Practices, Constitutional Policing, and Community Trust Date of Approval: Recommendation The Hispanic or Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission recommends that the Austin City Council adopt policies that strengthen public safety, protect constitutional rights, and ensure that all residents can seek emergency assistance and interact with law enforcement without fear or hesitation. Description of Recommendation to Council Based on input from community advocates and residents, concerns have been raised about public safety practices that affect officer safety, constitutional rights, and community trust, particularly in Hispanic and Latino communities. Advocates emphasized the importance of evidence-based public safety strategies that reduce escalation, support lawful decision making, and maintain a clear distinction between local public safety functions and federal immigration enforcement. Advocates also highlighted the need for robust constitutional law training and practical tools to support officers in the field, as well as concerns regarding the use of surplus military equipment in civilian policing. Rationale Community members report that fear of immigration enforcement can discourage residents from calling 911, reporting crimes, or cooperating with law enforcement, which undermines public safety for everyone. Policing practices grounded in constitutional law, discretion, and proportionality reduce harm, protect civil liberties, and strengthen community trust. Advocates identified the value of crisis intervention teams, mental health response, human trafficking response, and force review processes in improving officer safety and preventing escalation. Advocates also emphasized that accessible legal guidance, including quick reference materials in patrol vehicles, can support lawful decision making and reduce civil rights violations. Concerns were raised that military grade equipment designed for combat environments can erode community trust and conflict with community centered public safety approaches. Recommendation NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic or Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission expresses support for the following positions. 1. Local public safety functions should remain clearly separate from federal immigration enforcement activities, including opposition to participation in 287(g) agreements and opposition to accepting funding from a 287(g) source. 2. Policing policies and practices should prioritize constitutional rights, lawful discretion, and alternatives to arrest in nonviolent situations. 3. The Austin Police Department should expand and institutionalize constitutional law training at the police academy and through continuing education, including training on Fourth and Fifth Amendment protections, qualified immunity, and the impacts of arrests and jail bookings on families and communities. 4. …
Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission January 27, 2026 HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, January 27, 2026 The Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 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 6:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Amanda Afifi, Chair Yesenia Ramos, Vice Chair Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Dulce Castañeda Andrea Flores Lyssette Galvan Elizabeth Morales Jesús Perales Melissa Ruiz PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Hector Ordaz – ACME/Spanish Language APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission regular meeting on December 16, 2025. The minutes from the meeting on December 16, 2025 were approved as amended below on Commissioner Galvan’s motion, Commissioner Morales’ second on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Peña and Moya Fábregas were absent. The amendment was to show Commissioner Castañeda as present remotely. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation by American Gateways regarding successes with the City of Austin and a request for the prioritization of immigration funding in the FY 26-27 budget. 1 Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission January 27, 2026 The presentation was made by Rebecca Lightsey, Co-Executive Director, American Gateways. 3. Conduct a public input session to collect feedback on the Commission’s Fiscal Year Budget Recommendations. Withdrawn. 4. Discussion on community input and feedback for Commission’s Fiscal Year Budget. Withdrawn. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve the formation of a Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Working Group. The motion to approve the formation of a Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget Working Group was approved on Commissioner Morales’ motion, Vice Chair Ramos’ second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Peña and Moya Fábregas were absent. Chair Afifi, Vice Chair Ramos, Commissioners Galvan and Morales, and Hector Ordaz, community member, were added to the working group without objection. 6. Approve an update to the membership of an Arts and Culture Working Group. The motion to approve adding Hector Ordaz and Raquel Rivera, community members, to the Arts and Culture Working Group was approved on Commissioner Castañeda’s motion, Commissioner Perales’ second, on an 8-0 vote. Commissioners Peña and Moya Fábregas were absent. 7. Approve a Recommendation to Council regarding Austin Police cooperation with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The motion to approve the recommendation was …
