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Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Homepage
Approved Minutes — original pdf
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 AT 1PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING (RECORDED) CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Amanda Afifi, Chair Angelica Erazo, Vice-Chair Diana Salas Melissa Ayala Zaira R. Garcia Maria C. Solis DRAFT MINUTES Jovita J. Flay Felicia Peña Ricardo Garay Lourdes Zuniga Sharon Vigil CALL TO ORDER – Chair Afifi called to order at 1:05pm. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Amanda Afifi, Maria Solis, Ricardo Garay, Lourdes Zuniga, Ricardo Garay, Melissa Ayala 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON SUSPENSION OF ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER a. Commissioner Zuniga moved to suspend Robert’s Rules of Order. Commissioner Ayala seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. APPROVAL OF AUGUST MINUTES a. Commissioner Solis moved to approve August minutes. Commissioner Ayala seconded. Commissioner Vigil abstained. The motion did not pass. 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding elections for Chair and Vice-Chair (term to end April 2021) i. Commissioner Solis moved to nominate Chair Afifi and Vice Chair Erazo to remain as Chair and Vice Chair. Commissioner Garay seconded. The motion passed unanimously. b. Discussion and possible action regarding communications strategy i. Commissioner Vigil moved to approve a communication strategy developed by Commissioner Zuniga and Vice Chair Erazo, with the addition of amendment from Commissioner Garay regarding Spanish translation of materials. Commissioner Ayala seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular c. Discussion and possible action regarding regarding Covid-19 relief i. No updates 4. OLD BUSINESS a. Economic Development and Access to Affordable Housing work group (Vice Chair Erazo and Commissioners Garcia and Zuniga) – Commissioner Zuniga met with Veronica Briseño, Director of Economic Development, about Covid-19 relief efforts. b. Health work group (Commissioner Garay and Vigil) – Commissioner Garay requested representation from APH at meetings to discuss COVID-19 relief efforts for Latinx community c. Representatives to Joint Inclusion Committee (Commissioners Solis and Afifi) – Chair Afifi gave updates on equity mini-grants d. Representatives to Commission on Seniors (Commissioner Solis) e. Budget and Policy Priorities work group (Chair Afifi, Vice-Chair Erazo, Commissioners Peña, Zuniga, and Solis) – Commission Vigil requested that the Commission begin to work on a strategic plan f. Representatives to MACC board and business (Vice-Chair Erazo) – The new Chair and Vice Chair of the MACC Board reached out to Chair Afifi and Vice Chair Erazo. g. Education Work Group (Chair Afifi, Commissioners Zuniga and Garcia) …
Agenda — original pdf
Special Meeting of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Monday, August 24, 2020 3pm- 5pm Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission to be held August 24 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (August 23 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 24th Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9107 no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 AT 3PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING (RECORDED) CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Amanda Afifi, Chair Angelica Erazo, Vice-Chair Diana Salas Melissa Ayala Zaira R. Garcia Maria C. Solis CALL TO ORDER Jovita J. Flay Felicia Peña Ricardo Garay Lourdes Zuniga Sharon Vigil AGENDA 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON SUSPENSION OF ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF JUNE AND JULY MINUTES 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding elections for Chair and Vice-Chair (term to end April 2021) b. Discussion and possible action regarding recommendation about Austin Police Department c. Discussion and possible action regarding recommendation on Pflugerville ISD and school reopening plan d. Discussion and possible action regarding recognition for community leaders and advocates recently departed 4. STAFF BRIEFING a. Update from Office of Police Oversight, Cristina Tangredi, …
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Approved Minutes — original pdf
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020 AT 3PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING (RECORDED) CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Amanda Afifi, Chair Angelica Erazo, Vice-Chair Diana Salas Melissa Ayala Zaira R. Garcia Maria C. Solis DRAFT MINUTES Jovita J. Flay Felicia Peña Ricardo Garay Lourdes Zuniga Sharon Vigil CALL TO ORDER – Chair Afifi called to order at 3:03pm. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Amanda Afifi, Vice-Chair Angelica Erazo, Maria Solis, Felicia Peña, Ricardo Garay, Zaira Garcia, and Lourdes Zuniga 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON SUSPENSION OF ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER a. Commissioner Solis moved to suspend Robert’s Rules of Order. Vice Chair Erazo seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 2. APPROVAL OF MAY AND JUNE MINUTES a. Vice Chair Erazo moved to approve May and June minutes. Commissioner Peña seconded. Motion passed unanimously. 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding elections for Chair and Vice-Chair (term to end April 2021) i. This item to be moved to September’s agenda. b. Discussion and possible action regarding recommendation about Austin Police Department i. Chair Afifi and Commissioner Peña to form Public Safety workgroup. ii. Vice Chair Erazo moved to approve the recommendation and allow the Public Safety workgroup to make final edits, including amendment from Commissioner Garay. Commissioner Garay seconded. Motion passed unanimously. Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular c. Discussion and possible action regarding recommendation on Pflugerville ISD and school reopening plan i. Vice Chair Erazo moved to approve the recommendation with an amendment from Commissioner Zuniga. Commissioner Zuniga seconded. The motion passed unanimously. d. Discussion and possible action regarding recognition for community leaders and advocates recently departed i. Commissioner Solis read a prepared statement honoring Johnny Limon. ii. Commissioner Zuniga recognized Rosalio “Rabbit” Duran, Lois Villaseñor, and Ramón Galindo for their contributions made during their lifetimes as community leaders in Austin. ii. Speaker Susana Almanza paid tribute to Johnny Limon with a speech and photos. 4. STAFF BRIEFING a. Update from Office of Police Oversight, Cristina Tangredi, Program Specialist – regarding Officer Involved Shootings Report and relevant updates b. Update from Director Veronica Briseño, Economic Development Department - regarding Covid-19 economic recovery efforts c. Update from Austin Public Health, Ana Urueta, Flor Hernandez-Ayala, and Stephanie Treviño- regarding COVID-19, disparate impacts for Latinx community, ongoing testing efforts, contract tracing, and community resources ADJOURNMENT – Chair Afifi adjourned the meeting at …
Recommendation Number (20200824-3b): Leadership of the Austin Police Department must uphold and demonstrate anti-racist, anti-bias values that the com — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic Quality of Life Commission Recommendation Number (20200824‐3b): Leadership of the Austin Police Department must uphold and demonstrate anti‐racist, anti‐bias values that the community, City Council, and our City of Austin Leadership expect WHEREAS, it is the value of the City of Austin to be an inclusive city for all of its citizens including those of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and national origin backgrounds; WHEREAS, the City of Austin had called for an adequate response from the Austin Police Department following the shootings of Mauris DeSilva (July 2019) and Mike Ramos (April 2020), both incidents involving Officer Christopher Taylor; WHEREAS, in the Joint Report: Analysis of APD Racial Profiling Data dated January 2020, the City’s Office of Police Oversight, Office of Innovation, and Equity Office jointly evaluated APD’s Annual Racial Profiling Report from 2018 in the context of the City Council’s Strategic Direction 2023 (SD 2023) priority indicator of Fair Administration of Justice and concluded that “Black/African Americans and Hispanic/Latinos are increasingly overrepresented in motor vehicle stops from 2015‐2018. White/Caucasians are increasingly underrepresented during the same time period;” “Data from 2018 shows that Black/African Americans are disproportionately overrepresented in cases when their race is known by officers before the stop compared to cases when their race is not known before the stop.;” and “While African Americans have the largest disproportionality, Hispanic/Latinos have similarly concerning trends, and APD should work to bring these disparities to zero in the same timeframe.”; WHEREAS, the Office of the City Auditor Impact of Community Policing Efforts audit, dated May 2020, found mixed results when they reviewed how APD’s efforts have affected APD’s relationship with the community, and state “One possible reason why the results of APD’s community policing efforts have been mixed is that community policing efforts address issues of culture, trust, and confidence both within APD and between APD and the public. Recent issues suggest there are deeply rooted challenges APD must face to create a department‐wide culture that is fair, impartial, and procedurally just, which APD states it is aiming for in its community policing policy.”; and “While APD’s community policing efforts since 2016 appear to have helped establish a foundation to support community policing goals, APD must address these issues and then continue to build on the foundation they have built to produce the change that they and the community want.”; WHEREAS, the audit report’s APD Employee Survey shows more …
Recommendation Number (20200824-3c): Pflugerville ISD Must Ensure Safety of All Staff, Students, and Families Equitably — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic Quality of Life Commission Recommendation Number (20200824‐3c): Pflugerville ISD Must Ensure Safety of All Staff, Students, and Families Equitably WHEREAS, it is the value of the City of Austin to be an inclusive city for all of its citizens including those of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and national origin backgrounds; WHEREAS, Pflugerville ISD currently has 26,053 enrolled students for the 2020‐2021 school year; WHEREAS, during the 2018‐2019 school year, 25, 361 students were enrolled in PfISD: 15.3% African American; 0.2% American Indian; 8% Asian; 48.6% Hispanic; 0.2% Pacific Islander; 23.1% White; and 4.5% Two or more races; WHEREAS, roughly 35% of PfISD is within Austin city limits; WHEREAS, Delco Elementary, Dessau Elementary, Parmer Lane Elementary, River Oaks Elementary, Dessau Middle, Westview Middle, and Connally High reside within Austin City Council District 7; and Copperfield Elementary resides within Austin City Council District 1; WHEREAS, the Austin Public Health Interim Guidance on Reopening for Austin‐Travis County Schools, dated August 12, 2020, recommends centering equity in plans and implementation, and states “Schools should actively apply an equity lens to the creation and implementation of health/safety and operational plans.”; WHEREAS the Austin Public Health Interim Guidance on Reopening for Austin‐Travis County Schools, dated August 12, 2020, states “Hispanic and black children had the highest rates of COVID‐19– associated hospitalization,” and, “the rates among Hispanic and Black children were nearly eight times and five times, respectively, the rate in white children.” And “About one‐third of hospitalized children had to be admitted to the ICU, which is similar to findings among adults.”; WHEREAS, PfISD does not have an Equity Office and has not mentioned how the school reopening plan ensures equitable decisions and policies are being implemented to protect Hispanic/Latinx and Black employees, students, and families; WHEREAS, the Austin Public Health Interim Guidance on Reopening for Austin‐Travis County Schools, dated August 12, 2020, recommends using cleaning and disinfecting products that meet EPA disinfection criteria; however, the campuses are being treated with BIOPROTECT, which is not listed on the EPA’s website as a disinfectant for use against COVID‐19; WHEREAS, some campuses have requested additional Plexiglas to ensure safety of all students and staff, yet have been told that they have reached their Plexiglas allowance; WHEREAS, employees are already voicing concerns that not all schools are consistently implementing all measures; WHEREAS, the Austin Public Health Interim Guidance on Reopening for Austin‐Travis County Schools, dated August …
Agenda — original pdf
Special Meeting of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Wednesday, June 24, 2020 10am-11:30am Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission to be held June 24 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (June 23 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 24th Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9107 no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 2020 AT 10AM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING (RECORDED) CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Amanda Afifi, Chair Angelica Erazo, Vice-Chair Diana Salas Melissa Ayala Zaira R. Garcia Maria C. Solis CALL TO ORDER Jovita J. Flay Felicia Peña Ricardo Garay Lourdes Zuniga Sharon Vigil AGENDA 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON SUSPENSION OF ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Updates, discussion and possible action regarding COVID-19 and resources needed for the Latinx community other people of color 4. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action regarding John Treviño Metro Park Master Plan and draft recommendation 5. STAFF BRIEFING a. Update from Austin Public Health regarding COVID-19, disparate impacts for Latinx community, and ongoing testing efforts and community resources b. Update from Office of Police Oversight - Maya Guevara, Community …
Backup — original pdf
City of Austin 2018 Officer-Involved Shooting Report June 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING DATA INCIDENT SUMMARIES Incident A- Christopher Giles Incident B- Thomas Vincent Alvarez Incident C- Victor Ancira Incident D- Kyle Garcia Incident E- Mark Anthony Conditt Incident F- Hugo Renee Alvarez (1st Incident) Incident G- Hugo Renee Alvarez (2nd Incident) Incident H- Leslie Yolanda Salazar Incident I- Craig Anthony Carter Incident J- Aquantis Jaymond Griffin Incident K- Glenn Austin Miles Incident L- Mark Anthony Herrera CONCLUSION RECOMMENDATIONS Civilian Oversight Access Reporting by Austin Police Department Post-Academy Training Requirements Mental Health Response Personnel Safety and Wellness APPENDIX 1 2 3-9 10-18 19 20 -23 24-27 INTRODUCTION In November 2018, the Office of Police Oversight was established as the civilian department responsible for oversight of the Austin Police Department, replacing the Office of the Police Monitor. The Office of Police Oversight’s inaugural Officer-Involved Shooting Report is the first by either civilian office that is dedicated to the subject of officer-involved shootings. The Austin Police Department (APD) released a report in May 2018 with collective data related to officer-involved shootings that occurred between 2008 and 2017.1 This report by the Office of Police Oversight goes a step further by providing data from all 2018 officer-involved shooting incidents, summaries of each incident, and relevant policy recommendations. Both law enforcement and civilian oversight agencies must critically analyze each officer-involved shooting incident that occurs and must also look at the aggregate data to determine what substantive policy changes can be made to address areas of concern. The mission of the Office of Police Oversight is to provide impartial oversight of the Austin Police Department’s conduct, practices, and policies to enhance accountability, inform the public to increase transparency, and create sustainable partnerships throughout the community. This report serves as a new avenue for the public to access critical incident data necessary to ensure transparency and accountability. Special thanks to the Office of Police Oversight staff, as well as students from the University of Texas at Austin School of Law, for their editing contributions and research discussed in this report. 1 APD’s officer-involved shooting report is available at https://www.austintexas.gov/page/officer-involved-shooting-reports EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Office of Police Oversight reviewed every officer-involved shooting (OIS) incident involving the Austin Police Department (APD) in 2018 to identify any recurring factors and highlight areas for improvement.2 This report provides summaries of each incident, presents incident-specific and officer-specific data, …
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20200624-004a: John Trevino Park Master Plan — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic Quality of Life Commission Recommendation Number: 20200624-004a John Treviño Park Master Plan WHEREAS, the Final Draft Master Plan for John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park, dated February 2020, from the Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) states, “The success of John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park will come from connecting the site’s rich layers of ecology and heritage to the legacy of John Treviño Jr. This place seeks to grow the relationship between surrounding communities and this land by supporting opportunities that could only happen here and that resonate with residents;” and WHEREAS, the PARD states community event and small group presentations in June 2019 “helped shape the park’s development of values,” and the “What We’ve Heard” community meeting in July 2019 “focused on whether the preliminary approach, vision, and values for the park were accurately representative of community members’ own goals and hopes for Treviño Park;” and WHEREAS, skate park received 3 recommendations in the summarized list of meeting and survey responses to the question, “What would you like to see or do at John Treviño Jr. Metropolitan Park?” and was one out of over 1,000 elements and ideas mentioned; and WHEREAS, at Community Meeting #3 and small group presentations in August 2019, the “design team presented four preliminary concepts that explored different strategies for character, distribution, and movement through the park,” and the PARD states “The majority of general comments voiced advocacy for a BMX/mountain bike track and skate park for all skills and ages,” which was not strongly advocated for in the past meetings; and WHEREAS, the PARD goes on, “Other comments included support for ADA access throughout the site, nature preservation/wildlife, bird watching, open space, disc golf, running trails, a cultural center, agriculture, public boat access, sand volleyball, and roller skating,” which were recommended in previous meetings; and WHEREAS, results of Community Meeting #4 survey reflected “the input of 428 community stakeholders and event participants who completed the survey to guide the master planning team in developing priorities for future park development,” and “the Field and the River were identified as the highest park zone priorities in the community survey, and the top five priorities for specific programming within the park were hiking/walking trails, fishing pier, boardwalk, agriculture + food garden, and nature play;” and WHEREAS, these same results indicate skate park in the ravine and BMX pump track in the field as the lowest …
Agenda — original pdf
Special Meeting of the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Wednesday, May 27, 2020 3pm-5pm Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission to be held May 27 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (May 26 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the May 27th Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov or 512-974-9107 no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Font Size: 12; Font: Times New Roman; Font Style: Regular HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2020 AT 3PM VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING (RECORDED) Jovita J. Flay Felicia Peña Ricardo Garay Lourdes Zuniga Sharon Vigil AGENDA CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Amanda Afifi, Chair Angelica Erazo, Vice-Chair Diana Salas Melissa Ayala Zaira R. Garcia Maria C. Solis CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3. NEW BUSINESS 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON SUSPENSION OF ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER a. Discussion and possible action regarding Austin Independent School District and community letter regarding superintendent search and the district’s commitment to equity b. Discussion and possible action regarding the Austin Police Department and community letter outlining demands of City leadership in response to the shooting and killing of Michael Ramos c. Discussion and possible action regarding COVID-19 and resources needed for the Latinx community and other people of color d. Discussion …
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20200527-003c: Covid-19 and Disparate Impacts for Latinx and other People of Color in Austin — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Recommendation Number: 20200527-003c – Covid-19 and Disparate impacts for Latinx and other People of Color in Austin WHEREAS, recent data as of May 28th, 2020 from Austin Public Health (APH) shows Latino/Hispanics represent 76 % of all COVID-19 hospitalizations in Austin; and WHEREAS, Latino/Hispanics now represent 55% of all COVID-19 cases, and 38% of COVID-19 deaths; and Latinos positivity rates for COVID-19 is 3.5 times higher (25%) compared to non-Latinos averaging 7%; and WHEREAS, according to recent information from Central Health & CommUnityCare Latino/Hispanics positive testing rate was 24.55% (3.5 times greater than the average test rate of 7% for non –Latinos); and WHEREAS, Latino/Hispanics are often essential workers, uninsured, susceptible to chronic diseases and live in multigenerational households which allows for more spread of the virus; and WHEREAS, Latino/Hispanics residents fear that getting tested for COVID-19 could expose their immigration status; and Whereas, Latino/Hispanics communities continue to express concerns on the devastating impact of COVID-19 disproportionately affecting our community and that they are not receiving enough bilingual, culturally sensitive educational materials regarding public health, safety and prevention about COVID-19; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Equity Office requests a racial equity lens in all of Austin/Travis County Emergency Operation Center’s practices, policies, and procedures; and WHEREAS, the Austin community values equity and ensuring that all our vulnerable communities are protected and sufficiently served; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission requests concrete actions to address disparate outcomes for our Communities of Color, including: Address Digital access and technology barriers. Make self-assessment and A. enrollment available through a multilingual call center or phone line. Provide confirmation for the appointment and results of testing via phone or in some way that does not require moderate access to technology. Create mobile site-based testing focusing on both identified clusters and potential B. areas of high risk. For example, go out to those living in Public Housing, temporary homeless shelters, and/or construction sites. C. Request that Austin Public Health and the Emergency Operations Center to prioritize, if not allocate all tests, from the IAmAware contract to perform mobile testing in priority zip codes of concentrated poverty and LatinX, Black, and Asian American communities. If the contract is successful, we urge that Council continue funding this contract and prioritizing zip codes of concentrated poverty and the LatinX/African/Asian American communities. Prioritize City Social …
20200527-3a: Support of Community Letter Regarding Austin Independent School District's Superintendent Search and the District's Commitment to Equity — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: 20200527‐3a: Support of Community Letter Regarding Austin Independent School District’s Superintendent Search and the District’s Commitment to Equity WHEREAS, the Austin Independent School board made a bold and courageous decision to create the district’s equity office, yet the equity office is often missing from the table during the most important public board discussions; and WHEREAS, there continues to be disparate access to academics, a lack of vertical alignment of the dual language programs, and lack of investment in the special education services; and WHEREAS, Austin ISD has previously closed historically Black and Hispanic/Latino schools and continue to close schools although AISD Chief Equity Officer, Dr. Stephanie Hawley, stated, “… the map that you have of the [school] closures, is a map of what 21st Century racism looks like…;” and WHEREAS, actions by the AISD Board of Trustees and the administration have left many feeling shut out and marginalized; and WHEREAS, previous AISD superintendent searches took nine months during a non‐pandemic situation and allowed for an interim superintendent; and WHEREAS, the pandemic underscores Austin’s digital divide and greatly limits the public’s ability to participate in important decisions and the district has decided to undertake the superintendent search in a drastically shortened time frame during an unprecedented pandemic; and WHEREAS, regarding the superintendent search, two weeks for Zoom meetings with community groups is insufficient and limits input to those with access to technology; and WHEREAS, the website superintendent survey is misleading and employs a confusing scale 1‐5 scale, with 1 counterintuitively meaning the highest score; the questions were not approved by the full board; and the survey is only available in English and Spanish, rendering it inaccessible to those speaking the other nearly 90 languages represented in AISD; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission supports the AISD Community Request Letter, and recommends that the members of Austin City Council submit a request for the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees and/or the Superintendent to: 1. Increase transparency in all activities and decision‐making by opening all meetings to the public, including those of the executive board and board committees, and ensuring all meetings are broadcast; 2. Lead with an equity lens in decision‐making and resource distribution by: a. Commissioning a third‐party equity audit immediately and using these findings to drive the district’s …
Agenda — original pdf
Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Special Meeting of the “Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Advisory Commission” April 10, 2020 @ 3pm Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Advisory Commission to be held April 10, 2020 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in‐person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (April 9, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 10, 2020 at the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Advisory Commission Meeting, residents must: • Call or email the board liaison at Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov or 512‐974‐9107 no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. • Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. • Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. • Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. • Handouts or other information may be emailed to Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch‐atxn‐live 1 | P a g e Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE Friday, April 10, 2020 at 3pm VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page /watch-atxn-live Jovita J. Flay Felicia Peña Ricardo Garay Lourdes Zuniga Sharon Vigil AGENDA CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Amanda Afifi, Chair Angelica Erazo, Vice-Chair Diana Salas Melissa Ayala Zaira R. Garcia Maria C. Solis CALL TO ORDER RULES OF ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3. NEW BUSINESS 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON SUSPENSION OF ROBERT’S a. Consider Approval of March 10 meeting minutes a. Discussion and possible action regarding COVID-19 and resources needed for the Latinx and Hispanic community. b. Discussion and possible action regarding FY2020-2021 budget recommendations 4. STAFF BRIEFING a. Introduction of Rocío Villalobos, Immigrant Affairs Coordinator, Equity Office ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is …
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20200410-003a: Recommendation for Mobile Testing and Social Services — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission Recommendation Number: 20200410‐003a ‐ COVID‐19 Equity in Food and Testing WHEREAS, early COVID‐19 data around the nation indicates that the coronavirus is disproportionally impacting Latino/Hispanic and African Americans; and WHEREAS, Latino/Hispanic and African American populations are often on the front lines of exposure to the pandemic and less likely to have health insurance and access to transportation, which complicates the ability to seek treatment for illnesses; and WHEREAS, mass loss of employment and financial strain has worsened food and resource insecurity and increased the urgent need for food resources. WHEREAS, the Austin community values equity and ensuring that all our vulnerable communities are protected and sufficiently served NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission urges the Austin City Council to ensure equitable testing of COVID‐19 Austin prioritizing the Eastern Crescent by restricting and tailoring funds to specifically service these areas. Equitable testing includes geographic equity in location of testing sites, the use of community health workers to conduct mobile testing and contact tracing, distribution of personal protective equipment to community health workers and other frontline staff, and equitable services in care and recovery from COVID‐19. All testing and treatment should incorporate racial and ethnic data collection. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Commission urges the Austin City Council to ensure equitable access to mobile social service and food distribution sites prioritizing the Eastern Crescent by restricting and tailoring funds to specifically service these areas. In the interest of equity as well as public health, food distribution should be decentralized through the use of neighborhood centers and other methods of mobile distribution opposed to just the Central Texas Food Bank and current existing methods. In order to achieve this, the City of Austin should look to receive recommendations on processes and locations from the Social Services Branch of the Emergency Operations Center and local community groups. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that these funds should not come out of the $15M RISE fund. Date of Approval: April 10, 2020 Record of the vote: (I.e. Unanimous on a 7‐0 vote, 1 abstained – Commissioner Sharon Vigil). Attest: (Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Staff Liaison)
20200410-3a: Small & Minority Business Aid — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Recommendation Number: (20200410‐3a): COVID‐19 Minority Small Business Aid WHEREAS, immigrant‐owned businesses in 2019 employed 8 million Americans; and WHEREAS, about 3.2 million immigrants ran their own businesses, making up one in every five entrepreneurs in the country; and WHEREAS, in Texas in 2018 there were: 389,455 immigrant entrepreneurs and 635,942 employees at immigrant‐owned firms; and WHEREAS, in the Austin Metro Area in 2017 we had 25,037 immigrant entrepreneurs; and WHEREAS, local small businesses continue to shape and influence the local economic landscape of our city. Unlike other businesses, many local small Latino minority/women‐owned businesses continue to face market and financial barriers and discrimination. People of color continue to earn less than their white counterparts and are routinely subjected to predatory lending and higher interest rates, which impairs their ability to raise traditional capital and financing. Much of these disparities are documented in previous City of Austin disparity study reports; and WHEREAS, to date, there are gaps in the proposed loan programs recommended by the City that do not serve/support many Latino own businesses and/or our immigrant owned businesses; and WHEREAS, the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission’s purpose is to advise the City of Austin on Latino/Hispanic American quality of life; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission requests that Austin City Council: 1. Expand scopes of work, tasks and deliverables with existing service provider contracts with Trade Associations and Chambers in an effort to expand the City’s efforts to support local small businesses, enhance communications, outreach and resources including, but not limited to the following: ● Expand and provide additional bilingual technical support and advocacy to local small firms to address and resolve potential procurement, contract and/or payment resolutions with Prime contractors and/or the City of Austin; and ● Expand and provide bilingual technical assistance, consultation and support to local small, minority owned construction/consulting firms interested in seeking and submitting SBA loan requests; and ● Expand and provide additional bilingual outreach and communications to local, small firms access City/Community information, resources during the COVID‐19 pandemic to support their businesses; and ● Apply an across the board flat contract increase to all services providers; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: ● Allow for the electronic submission of invoicing and fast track payments; and ● Fast track payment on invoicing for all consultants/contractors working on …
Agenda — original pdf
Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Amanda Afifi, Chair Angelica Erazo, Vice-Chair Diana Salas Melissa Ayala Zaira R. Garcia Maria C. Solis Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 6:00pm City Hall Room 1029 301 W 2nd St, Austin, Texas 78701 AGENDA Jovita J. Flay Felicia Peña Ricardo Garay Lourdes Zuniga Sharon Vigil Citizens wishing to speak on agenda and non-agenda related items must sign up at least ten minutes before the meeting is called to order. Citizens may speak on non-agenda items under the Citizens Communications section of the agenda. Citizens may speak on an agenda related item after a presentation on the item has been made. Citizens may not speak after City staff presentations. Speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns. Boards and Commissions follow the same rules as City Council meetings. CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 1. DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON SUSPENSION OF ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Consider Approval of February 25 meeting minutes a. Discussion and possible action regarding FY2020-2021 budget recommendations ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 1 | P a g e Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission 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 two days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Amanda Jasso at (512) 974-9107 or via email at Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov 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 Amanda Jasso at (512)974-9107 or Amanda.Jasso@austintexas.gov. 2 | P a g e