REGULAR MEETING OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Monday, July 28, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. Austin City Hall, Room 1101 301 West 2nd Street Austin, Texas Some members of the Human Rights 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, call or email Christi Vitela at christi.vitela@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2792. CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS/COMMISSIONERS: Kolby Duhon, Chair (He/They) Muneeb “Meebs” Aslam (He/Him) Jeffrey Clemmons Harriett Kirsh Pozen Maryam Khawar Gabriella Zeidan, Vice Chair Danielle Bryant Morgan Davis (He/Him) Mariana Krueger (She/Her) Tannya Oliva Martínez AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL 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 Human Rights Commission regular meeting on June 23, 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Introduction of the City Manager to the commission. 3. Staff briefing regarding an introduction and an overview of Austin Equity and Inclusion by the Commission’s new Executive Liaison Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director, Austin Equity and Inclusion, Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion, and Enrique Serrano, Civil Rights Officer, Austin Equity and Inclusion. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation regarding the Austin Community College Board of Trustee’s recent vote in protection of immigrant communities. Presentation by Julie Ann Nitsch, Austin Community College Trustee. 5. Update regarding actions by the Texas State Legislature in 2025 relating to human rights. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve the 2024-2025 Annual Internal Review Report. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 7. Update from the intergroup relations working group about its most recent working group meeting and progress on the working group goals. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. 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 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please contact Christi Vitela, Office of the City Clerk at …
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISISON MEETING MINUTES Monday, June 23, 2025 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, June 23, 2025 The Human Rights Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 4815 Mueller Blvd, Mueller Assembly Room in Austin, Texas. Chair Duhon called the Human Rights Commission meeting to order at 6:07 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Kolby Duhon (Chair) Gabrielle Zeidan (Vice Chair) Tannya Oliva Martinez Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Muneeb “Meebs” Aslam Danielle Bryant Morgan Davis Harriet Kirsh Pozen Maryam Khawar Mariana Krueger PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Human Rights Commission regular meeting on May 19, 2025. The minutes of the May 19, 2025 meeting were approved without objection on Chair Duhon’s motion on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Bryant and Krueger were off the dais. Commissioner Clemmons was absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Discussion regarding actions that the commission can take besides recommendations, including potential presenters and community engagement at future commission meetings. Discussed. 1 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISISON MEETING MINUTES Monday, June 23, 2025 3. Discussion regarding topics for potential future briefings by Austin Police Department, including responses to recent protests. Discussed. 4. Update regarding actions by the Texas State Legislature in 2025 relating to human rights. This item was postponed until the July commission meeting on Chair Duhon’s motion, Commissioner Bryant’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Clemmons was absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Approve the formation of a working group to follow-up and track progress on the commission’s FY2025-26 budget recommendations. The motion to form a working group to follow-up and track progress on the commission’s FY2025-26 budget recommendations was approved on Commissioner Bryant’s motion, Vice Chair Zeidan’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioner Clemmons was absent. Members: Commissioners Zeidan (Chair), Aslam, Clemmons, Oliva Martinez 6. Approve a recommendation to allocate an additional $1.5 million in City of Austin grant funding for nonprofit organizations addressing youth development, basic needs, and educational equity to combat federal funding reductions. The recommendation was approved on Commissioner Davis’s motion, Commissioner Kirsh Pozen’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Clemmons was absent. Commissioners Aslam and Krueger recused themselves due to their conflicts in associated organizations. 7. Approve a recommendation for enhancements to the City of Austin’s rapid-response and disaster-preparedness systems for unhoused residents during extreme weather. The recommendation was approved on Vice Chair Zeidan’s motion, Commissioner Oliva Martinez’s second on a …
Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2024 to 7/1/2025 ____________________________________ City of Austin Human Rights Commission The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: (A)The Human Rights Commission should be composed of members who as nearly as possible are representative of the several social, economic, religious, cultural, ethnic, and racial groups which comprise the population of the City. (B)The commission shall: (1)advise and consult with the city council on all matters involving racial, religious, or ethnic discrimination, and devise practices to promote equal opportunity; (2)serve in an advisory and consultive capacity to all city departments, advisory boards, and regulatory agencies to assure effective compliance with non-discrimination policies and orders, and recommend to the city manager measures to improve the ability of various departments and agencies to ensure equal protection of any and all persons and groups against discrimination; (3)recommend to the city council legislation to aid in programs designed to eliminate prejudice and discrimination and encourage community support for the legislation; (4)aid in the formulation of local community groups in neighborhoods as needed to carry out specific programs; (5)initiate and facilitate discussions and negotiations between individuals and groups to lessen tensions and improve understanding in the community; (6)institute and conduct educational programs to promote equal treatment, opportunity and understanding, and sponsor meetings, institutes, forums, and courses of instruction to lead to a clearer understanding and solution of human relations problems; (7)assist in training city employees to use methods of dealing with intergroup relations that result in respect for equal rights and equal treatment, and cooperate with law enforcement agencies whose primary jurisdiction is within the City to develop and include human rights courses in the curriculum of police training; (8)conduct research, obtain factual data, and hold public hearings to ascertain the status and treatment of racial, religious, and ethnic groups in the city and the best means of progressively improving human relations; (9)provide services and information to the city manager and heads of all city departments and agencies to achieve the purposes of this chapter; and (10)cooperate with all city, state, county, federal, and other governmental agencies, as well as racial, religious, ethnic, nationality, educational, community, civic, fraternal, benevolent and other groups, associations, societies, and individuals with constructive talents and resources helpful in achieving mutual appreciation of the privileges and the responsibilities of citizenship in a land of freedom enriched by free commerce and full …
Introduction & Overview: Austin Equity and Inclusion Human Rights Commission Briefing Monday, July 28, 2025, 6:00 PM Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director Enrique Serrano, Civil Rights Officer Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer Agenda Introductions • Who We Are Office Overview • Vision & Mission • Current Structure • Core Services Current Projects Connecting with Our Office 7/28/2025 2 OUR VISION Austin Equity and Inclusion helps shape a community and city government where every individual feels welcomed and has the resources and services they need to thrive. We’re dedicated to transforming systems to increase access, remove barriers to opportunity, address discrimination, and foster a community where all identities are respected. 7/28/2025 3 Austin Equity and Inclusion (AEI) AEI Dr. Lindsey Wilson, Director Civil Rights Division Equity Division Human Rights Division Enrique Serrano, Civil Rights Officer Vacant, Equity Officer Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer 7/28/2025 4 Introductions Shafina Khaki Human Rights Officer Dr. Lindsey Wilson Director Enrique Serrano Civil Rights Officer 5 CORE SERVICES Promote Human Rights: Provide advocacy and direct services that help residents access benefits, understand their rights, and connect to resources that uphold safety, dignity, and well-being. Carry Out the City’s Strategic Goals: Increase access, remove barriers to opportunities, and create inclusive spaces where all identities feel respected, seen, and valued. Provide Anti-Discrimination Protections: Investigate discrimination complaints related to Housing, Employment, Public Accommodations, and Fair Chance Hiring. City Ordinance Enforcement: Uphold the CROWN Act, Tenant’s Rights to Organize and other Key City Ordinances. Equity: Work to reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities by collaborating with all City departments to help identify and remove barriers in services. Community Engagement and Outreach: Build collaborative community relationships to advance Equity and improve the quality of life for Austinites. 7/28/2025 The items listed above represent key examples, though the list is not exhaustive. 6 Current Projects EQUITY CIVIL RIGHTS HUMAN RIGHTS • Quality of Life Studies • Mini-Grants • Equity Action Team & Equity Network Meetings • Normalize, Organize and Operationalize... 7/28/20 25 • Enforcing Civil Rights Laws Across • Know Your Rights/Benefits Multiple Sectors, leveraging technology to advance rights. • Collaborates with Community Members, Businesses, and Stakeholders: • Partnering with other agencies to promote civil rights initiatives (Immigrants, Veterans, ADA) • Advances the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Austinites • Anti-Hate/We All Belong • Community Meetings/Foster Belonging The items listed above represent key examples, though the list …
