October 2, 2020 Regular Meeting of the Human Rights Commission Human Rights Commission to be held October 2, 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 (Thursday, October 1, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the October 2, 2020 Human Rights Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-3276 or jonathan.babiak@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Thursday, October 1, 2020 (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 jonathan.babiak@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 Reunión del Human Rights Commission FECHA de la reunion (October 2, 2020) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (October 1, 2020 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de (512) 974-3276 or jonathan.babiak@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al enlace de la junta, los residentes recibirán …
87TH STATE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA Intergovernmental Relations Office – Brie L. Franco, Officer TEXAS LEGISLATURE INCREASINGLY FOCUSED ON CITIES Total Bills Introduced Total Bills Passed City-Related bills introduced City-Related bills passed Year 76th-1999 77th-2001 78th-2003 79th-2005 80th-2007 81st-2009 82nd-2011 83rd-2013 84th-2015 85th – 2017 5,813 5,612 5,633 5,512 6,241 7,464 5,938 5,950 6,476 6,800 1,622 1,601 1,384 1,389 1,481 1,459 1,379 1,437 1,329 1,208 1,230+ 1,200+ 1,200+ 1,200+ 1,200+ 1,500+ 1,500+ 1,900+ 1,900+ 2,500+ 86th – 2019 7,324 1,429 2,300+ 130+ 150+ 110+ 105+ 120+ 120+ 160+ 220+ 220+ 294 338 • 54 % more City- related bills were passed between 2015 and 2019 • 182 % more City – related bills were passed between 2009 and 2019 10/1/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 2 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: IGRO ROLE In the 86th session • 3,970 Bills/JR’s were filed in last 10 business days before filing deadline, March 8th. (54%). • 7,324 bills read and analyzed by IGRO. • Over 2,500 bills were determined by IGRO to affect cities. • 1,296 Bills/JR’s required analysis/action by departments and IGRO. 10/1/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 3 TREND: ANTI-CITY TONE: GOVERNOR ABBOTT "As opposed to the state having to take multiple rifle- shot approaches at overriding local regulations, I think a broad-based law by the state of Texas that says across the board, the state is going to pre-empt local regulations, is a superior approach“ * – Governor Greg Abbott, March 21, 2017 *Source: “Abbott wants "broad-based law" that pre-empts local regulations” Texas Tribune, March 21, 2017 Governor Greg Abbott in 2017 10/1/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 4 TREND: ANTI-CITY LEGISLATION: POST 85TH SPECIAL SESSION "Our cities are still controlled by Democrats…And where do we have all our problems in America? Not at the state level run by Republicans, but in our cities that are mostly controlled by Democrat mayors and Democrat city council men and women. That's where you see liberal policies. That's where you see high taxes. That's where you see street crime." * -Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, 2017 *Source: “Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blames city governments for "all our problems in America" Texas Tribune, AUG. 4, 2017 10/1/2020 87th Legislative Agenda 5 Lt Governor Dan Patrick in 2016. Photo by Gage Skidmore. TREND: ANTI-CITY TONE: POST 86TH SESSION “Any mayor, county judge that was dumb ass enough to come meet with me, I told them with great clarity, my goal is for this to be the …
2020 Austin Climate Equity Plan September 2020 Thank you for having us ● We’ve been revising the Community Climate Plan ● Draft for Public Comment out now ● Council in October/November ● We’re looking for your: ○ Comments ○ Areas of Interest ○ Pledge of Support 2 2015 Community Climate Plan Adopted by Council in June 2015 Electricity & Natural Gas Transportation & Land Use Materials & Waste Management 135 qualitative actions directed at departments 2017 Travis County Carbon Footprint 12.5 million metric tons carbon dioxide-equivalent Industrial Processes 3 How was this plan created? • 24 City Staff • 120 Community Members (NGO, Govt, Business) • 12 Ambassadors • 4 Equity Trainings • 5 Community Workshops (over 250 attendees) • 14 Steering Committee Meetings • 60+ Advisory Group Meetings • 50+ Interviews by Ambassadors 4 Steering Committee Members Co-Chairs Mayuri Raja, AZAAD, Google Shane Johnson, Sierra Club Katie Coyne, Asakura Robinson Susana Almanza, PODER Joep Meijer, Citizen Jim Walker, Univ. of Texas Rocio Villalobos, Equity Office Drew Nelson, Mitchell Foundation Rodrigo Leal, Navigant Consulting Rene Renteria, Citizen Kaiba White, Public Citizen Lauren Peressini, Sunrise Movement Shawanda Stewart, Huston-Tillotson Univ. Kenneth Thompson, Solar Austin Ben Leibowicz, Univ. of Texas Suzanne Russo, Pecan Street Inc. Pooja Sethi, Sethi Law Darien Clary, AISD Alberta Phillips, Joint Sustainability Committee, ECHO Also: Nakia Winfield, Brandi Clark Burton, Kurt Stogdill 5 Equity & Climate Health Hazards ● ● ● ● ● The Austin 1928 Master Plan divided the city along racial lines,forcibly displacing Blackresidents into specific, undesirable areas. The Tank Farm fuel storage facility, Eastside Landfill, and the Holly Power Plant exposed people of color to toxic pollution in East Austin neighborhoods. Gentrification is taking place in parts of the city where low-income people and people of color have been forced to live, the African-American share of the Austin population declined from 12% in 1990 to 7.7% in 2010. As of 2015, 52% of white Austin residents were homeowners, only 27% of African-American and 32% of Hispanic/Latinx residents owned homes. Cases of COVID-19, hospitalization and mortality rates are disproportionately affecting Latinx and Black communities 6 We are Changing the Earth’s Climate Warming over 2℃ could be catastrophic to life on earth 7 Climate Projections for Austin Low-income communities and communities of color are disproportionately affected by climate hazards ● Experience climate shocks on top of existing economic stressors ● Have less resources to bounce back from …
Our Future 35 (Nuestro Futuro 35) es una serie de participación destinada a impulsar el proceso de creación con una visión comunitaria para el recorrido de la I-35. TxDOT está enfocado en la reconstrucción de la I-35, la carretera actual. Ese proyecto se llama I-35 Capital Express Central (La Capital Express Central de la I-35). Our Future 35 (Nuestro Futuro 35) está enfocado en cómo orientar y aprovechar esta inversión importante para lograr resultados positivos para la comunidad Austin. GUÍA DE INFORMACIÓN ourfuture35.org VISIÓN SOBRE EL PROYECTO + HISTORIA VE + ESCUCHA 8/8 Community Conversation APRENDER ULI Urban Land Institute Report para llevar ¿Que es Our Future 35 (Nuestro Futuro 35)? En 1928, East Avenue se convirtió en la línea dividida entre la gente de color y los blancos mediante la adopción del Plan de 1928 y estableciendo las políticas racistas gobernando en NUESTRA ciudad. En los años 50, esta línea dividida, que una vez fue un lugar de reuniones comunitarias de todo tipo y color, se convirtió en la I-35, una barrera física que solidifica las prácticas y sistemas raciales y económicos que han plagado la evolución de Austin. Ahora que somos una de las ciudades grande más segregadas entre racial y económica del país, con una de las carreteras más congestionadas a través del centro de todo, toca desmantelar los sistemas y la infraestructura que nos trajeron aquí. Como primer paso en el proceso para crear una comunidad compartida visión para el futuro de la carretera, Downtown Austin Alliance contrató los servicios de asesoría nacional de Urban Land Institute (ULI). ULI trajo un panel de diversos expertos a Austin en febrero del año 2020, donde platicaron y trabajaron con la comunidad, reuniendo opiniones e ideas, y presentaron recomendaciones preliminares para el futuro de la I-35 en la Universidad Huston-Tillotson. ¿Cuáles han sido las conclusiones del reporte de Urban Land Institute? Basado en las entrevistas que el panel ha realizado y los numerosos reportes que han leído, el panel recomienda lo siguiente para nuestra nuevo proceso comunitario: Co-crear una visión para el futuro. Esto debe incluir una articulación de valores compartidos, como la equidad, así como también el compromiso de incorporar estos valores en todas las agencias, proyectos, y enfoques. Generar confianza entre todas las partes interesadas. Las injusticias históricas y la exclusión, intentos repetidos de actualizar la I-35 con estudios que no resultaron en cambios, y se han …
Our Future 35 is an engagement series intended to kick-start the process of co-creating a community vision for the I-35 corridor. TxDOT is focused on reconstructing I-35 – the actual roadway. That project is called I-35 Capital Express Central. Our Future 35 is focused on how to guide and leverage this major investment to achieve positive outcomes for the Austin community. INFO GUIDE ourfuture35.org CLICK TO WATCH + LISTEN 8/8 What is the history of I-35? And how was the project of Our Future 35 made? In 1928, East Avenue became the dividing line between People of Color and Whites through the adoption of the 1928 Plan and establishing racist governing policies in OUR city. In the 50s, this dividing line, once a place of community gatherings of all kinds and colors, became I-35, a physical barrier solidifying the racial and economic practices and systems that have plagued Austin’s evolution. Now that we are one of the most racially and economically segregated large cities in the country, with one of the most congested highways through the center of it, it’s time to dismantle the systems, and infrastructure, that got us here. Community Conversation As a first step in the process to create a shared community vision for the future of the corridor, the Downtown Austin Alliance engaged the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) national advisory services. ULI brought a panel of diverse experts to Austin in February 2020, where they talked and worked with the community, gathering input and ideas, and presented preliminary recommendations for the future of I-35 at Huston-Tillotson University. LEARN ULI Urban Land Institute Report takeaways What have been the conclusions of the Urban Land Institute report? Based on the interviews the panel conducted and the many reports the panel read, the panel recommended the following for our new community process. Co-create a vision for the future. This should include an articulation of shared values, such as equity, as well as a commitment to incorporating these values across agencies, projects, and approaches. Build trust among all stakeholders. Historical injustices and exclusion, repeated attempts at updating I-35 with studies that did not result in change, and different growth priorities have led to distrust among stakeholder groups. It is critical that a community engagement process work to build trust as a precursor to building consensus (or agreement) on a path forward for the I-35 project. This can begin with naming …
an engagement series intended to kick-start the process of co-creating a community vision for the I-35 corridor For the past decade, there has been talk about reconstructing I-35 through the heart of our city. And this year, TxDOT is advancing the planning process to make it happen. . y r a r b i L c i l b u P n i t s u A , r e t n e C y r o t s i H n i t s u A , c 4 9 5 7 3 - A C P I : T I D E R C With an infrastructure project of this scale, can we co-create a new process that deconstructs the racist, unjust policies of our past and centers our community's needs and desires to determine our own future? We’re designing a community call to action with a creative response. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to shape a future that benefits all Austinites, especially Communities of Color most affected by I-35. Photo: Giulio Sciorio INTERACTIVE CREATIVE COLLECTIVE An engagement series that includes live and virtual broadcast, video, and participatory conversation. Poetry, music, art and animation as a way for the community to provide input. Compilation of mediums to express community’s collective values for our future I-35. The intent of the series aims to: EXPLORE CO-CREATING a new community-centered decision-making process IDENTIFY shared community values through the co-creation process ESTABLISH an equity framework for the vision based on our community's shared values BUILD THE FOUNDATION for the start of a new community coalition INFORM actions needed next; including community input to TxDOT's NEPA (environmental review) process Engagement Series*: Working Schedule SUMMER 2020 FALL 2020 WINTER 2020 SPRING 2021 Our Future 35 community organize values scoping Series Launch Community Q&A with KAZI 8/8 Episode 2 Co-Creation: Establishing Our Values 9/26 Episode 1 Healing and Futures Thinking: Facing the Past to Co-Create Our Future 8/22 Additional TBD Episode 3 Resilience: Values to Actions 10/24 *This series is a work in progress and will evolve through the community's participation. THE COMMUNITY MENTORS AND CREATIVE TEAM Shaping the content and experience of the series, the Community Mentors and Creative Team bring critical local knowledge and lived experience into the conversations. They will be joined each episode by national experts leading the way in equity-centered initiatives around the country. Dr. Colette Pierce …
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Possession and Use of Psilocybin Recommendation Number 20201002‐002g: Recommendation for City Council to Decriminalize WHEREAS, our community, in various ways, has expressed a desire to reimagine law enforcement in our city; and, WHEREAS; A 2010 Dutch study comparing 19 different illicit and/or recreational substances placed psilocybin lower on the list for addictive possibility than cannabis, alcohol, and tobacco; and, WHEREAS, A 2017 Johns Hopkins University study identifies psilocybin as a possible therapeutic for addiction, anxiety, and depression; including a possibility to aid in smoking cessation despite tobacco being recognized as possibly the most addictive substance for human consumption; and, WHEREAS, The municipalities of Denver, Colorado, Oakland, California, and Santa Cruz, California have already decriminalized the possession of psilocybin with little ill effects to report; and, WHEREAS, Brazil, Jamaica, The Netherlands, Samoa, have fully legalized possession and use while The British Virgin Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain have all decriminalized use and/or possession in some way; and, WHEREAS, The Drug War has been objectively one of the most negative policies for Black and Brown communities in the United States. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Human Rights Commission of the City of Austin recommends the City Council of Austin pass an ordinance and/or legal framework which has the effect of decriminalizing possession and individual use of “magic mushrooms”/psilocybin. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________
REGULAR MEETING FRIDAY, October 2, 2020 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MINUTES The Human Rights Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, August 24, 2020 via teleconference in Austin, Texas. Chair Sareta Davis called the Board Meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Davis, Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Casas, Commissioner Museitif, Commissioner Santana, Commissioner Weigel, and Commissioner White. Staff in Attendance: Jonathan Babiak, Human Resources Coordinator, Human Resources Department 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. The minutes from the regular meeting of August 24, 2020 were approved on a vote of 7-0: Chair Davis motion, Commissioner Breckenridge second. Voting in favor were Chair Davis, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Casas, Commissioner Weigel, and Commissioner White. Commissioner Museitif abstained. Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Griffith, and Commissioner Santana were absent. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Update and report on Joint Inclusion Committee meetings by the Joint Inclusion Committee Appointed Representatives. (Davis/Brown, J.) The Commission discussed this item. The Commissioner took no action on this item. b. Discussion and possible action on elections for appointee nominations (alternate) to submit to City Council to serve on the Joint Inclusion Committee. (Davis/Brown, J.) The Commission discussed this item. Chair Davis moved to nominate Vice Chair Jamarr Brown as the primary representative and Idona Griffith as the alternate to the Joint Inclusion Committee, Commissioner Garry Brown second. The motion passed on a vote of 10-0 with Commissioner Griffith absent. c. Presentation from Brie Franco, City of Austin Intergovernmental Relations Officer, and discussion regarding 87th State Legislative Agenda. (Davis/Brown, G.) Brie Franco, City of Austin Intergovernmental Relations Officer, addressed the Commission and answered questions from the Commission. The Commission discussed this item. The Commission took no action on this item. 1 d. Presentation from Celine Rendon, City of Austin Office of Sustainability, and discussion regarding the Community Climate Action Plan 2020 Revision. (Davis/ Brown, J.) City of Austin Office of Sustainability staff addressed the Commission and answered questions from the Commission. The Commission discussed this item. The Commission took no action on this item. e. Presentation by Meredith Powell and Miriam Conner with Public City and discussion regarding Our Future I-35 Update. (Davis/Casas) Meredith Powell with Public City addressed the Commission and answered questions from the Commission. The Commission discussed this item. The Commission took no action on this item. f. Discussion and Possible …
