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Oct. 2, 2020

20201002-002e Our Future 35 presentation original pdf

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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 …

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Oct. 2, 2020

20201002-002g Decriminalize Psilocybin DRAFT original pdf

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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: _____________________________________________

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Oct. 2, 2020

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Oct. 2, 2020

20201002-002f: Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights original pdf

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Recommendation

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Oct. 2, 2020

Approved Minutes original pdf

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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 …

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Aug. 26, 2020

Austin Housing Coalition Meeting of Members and Friends original pdf

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Human Rights Commission Community Interest Announcement Austin Housing Coalition Meeting of Members and Friends Wednesday, August 26, 2020 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Via Videoconference Registration required: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMtf-CgrT0uGNcCE9z-9whb21dNP_DPgiUm A quorum of commission members may be present. No action will be taken. For more information, please contact the commission’s staff liaison, Jonathan Babiak, at (512) 974-3203 or by email at Jonathan.Babiak@austintexas.gov.

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Aug. 24, 2020

Location: Via Videoconferencing original pdf

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Regular Meeting of the Human Rights Commission August 24, 2020 Human Rights Commission to be held August 24, 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 (Sunday, August 23, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 24, 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, Sunday, August 23, 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 1 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Monday, August 24, 2020 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Sareta Davis, Chair Jamarr Brown, Vice Chair Jared Breckenridge Garry Brown Kristian Caballero Isabel Casas Idona Griffith Maram Museitif Courtney Santana Alicia Weigel Nathan White AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regular Meeting. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Consider approval of the minutes from the Human Rights Commission’s July 29, 2020 a. Discussion and possible action on recommendation to Require the Mayor of Austin Appoint a Democratically Elected Chief of Police. (White/Caballero/Weigel) 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Commissioners will report on and discuss the status of the Commission’s key priority areas of concern for 2020-2021, including plans and strategies for meeting those key priority areas of concern: i. Institutional Equity ii. Environment & Land Use iii. Health Access & Nutrition iv. Autonomy & Human Rights ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the …

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Aug. 24, 2020

HRC 20200824-002a Democratic Reform Policing DRAFT original pdf

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DRAFT COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20200824‐002a: Recommendation to Require the Mayor of Austin Appoint a Democratically Elected Chief of Police WHEREAS, the current structure of policing has been well‐documented to be a problematic and racist institution which was initially organized as slave patrols; and, WHEREAS, One of the most common feedback comments this commission is offered by the community is the restructuring of policing and community safety; and, WHEREAS, The City Council of Austin has recently reallocated funds for the police in an effort to redress community needs; and, WHEREAS, The current Chief of Police is complicit in the violation of Austin Residents’ Human Rights according to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Articles 18, 19, 20); and, WHEREAS, The right to freely chosen leadership is enshrined in Article 21 of The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and, WHEREAS, There is no logical, sound argument made to justify that the federal executor of laws is democratically elected and the local executor is not; and, WHEREAS, Austin Police Department, like many others, has a known reputation for unfair and racially biased practices, which has been verified by a recent report demonstrating for a number of years the only people the police killed were Black or Brown; and, WHEREAS, The current appointment process lends a distorted amount of power to representatives. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Human Rights Commission recommends the Austin City Council pass an ordinance with the effect of committing the Mayor of Austin to appoint a Chief of Police that has won a local election for that position, either through a formal special‐called election, or an informal, city‐funded and administered process. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign)

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Aug. 24, 2020

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Aug. 24, 2020

20200824-002a : Democratic Policing Reform original pdf

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COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20200824-002a: Recommendation to Require the Mayor of Austin Appoint a Democratically Elected Chief of Police WHEREAS, the current structure of policing has been well-documented to be a problematic and racist institution which was initially organized as slave patrols; and, WHEREAS, One of the most common feedback comments this commission is offered by the community is the restructuring of policing and community safety; and, WHEREAS, The City Council of Austin has recently reallocated funds for the police in an effort to redress community needs; and, WHEREAS, The current Chief of Police is complicit in the violation of Austin Residents’ Human Rights according to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Articles 18, 19, 20); and, WHEREAS, The right to freely chosen leadership is enshrined in Article 21 of The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and, WHEREAS, There is no logical, sound argument made to justify that the federal executor of laws is democratically elected and the local executor is not; and, WHEREAS, Austin Police Department, like many others, has a known reputation for unfair and racially biased practices, which has been verified by a recent report demonstrating for a number of years the only people the police killed were Black or Brown; and, WHEREAS, The current appointment process lends a distorted amount of power to representatives.

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Aug. 24, 2020

Approved Minutes original pdf

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REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, August 24, 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 1:00 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Davis, Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Griffith, 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 July 29, 2020 were approved on a vote of 8-0: Chair Davis motion, Commissioner Garry Brown second. Voting in favor were Chair Davis, Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Santana, and Commissioner White. Commissioner Casas, Commissioner Museitif, and Commissioner Weigel were absent. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action on recommendation to Require the Mayor of Austin Appoint a Democratically Elected Chief of Police. (White/Caballero/Weigel). The Commission discussed this item. The Commission worked informally to finalize the recommendation. The recommendation was adopted on a vote of 6-1-1; Commissioner White motion, Commissioner Griffith second. Voting in favor were Chair Davis, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Santana, and Commissioner White. Voting against was Commissioner Garry Brown. Vice Chair Jamarr Brown abstained. 3. OLD BUSINESS a. The Commission discussed the following key priority areas of concern for 2020-2021: Institutional Equity i. Environment & Land Use ii. iii. Health Access & Nutrition iv. Autonomy & Human Right ADJOURNMENT Chair Davis adjourned the meeting at 1:51 p.m. on unanimous consent. 1

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July 29, 2020

Location: Via Videoconferencing original pdf

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Regular Meeting of the Human Rights Commission July 29, 2020 Human Rights Commission to be held July 29, 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 (Tuesday, July 28, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the July 29, 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, (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 1 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Wednesday, July 29, 2020 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Sareta Davis, Chair Jamarr Brown, Vice Chair Jared Breckenridge Garry Brown Kristian Caballero Isabel Casas Idona Griffith Maram Museitif Courtney Santana Alicia Weigel Nathan White AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regular Meeting. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Consider approval of the minutes from the Human Rights Commission’s June 22, 2020 a. Discussion and possible action on Formal Condemnation and Call for Investigation of Violation of Austin Police Department Policy, and Recommendation to Amend and Ensure Enforcement of Austin Police Department's Policy re Requesting an Officer of a Given Sex or Gender. (Weigel/White) b. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation to City Council to establish the Juneteenth holiday as a City holiday each year beginning in 2021. (Davis/Brown, J.) 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action on a Recommendation to Address Under-banking by Allowing City Libraries to …

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July 29, 2020

HRC 20200729-002b Juneteenth Official Holiday DRAFT original pdf

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DRAFT HRC 20200729-002b DECLARATION NO. WHEREAS, On June 19th, 1865 Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War was over and that enslaved Africans and African descendants were now free; and, WHEREAS, the following year, June 19 became “Juneteenth,” and was marked with celebrations and political rallies across the State of Texas; and, WHEREAS, news of the end of slavery did not reach the State of Texas and other Southwestern States until months after the conclusion of the Civil War, more than two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863; and, WHEREAS, in East Austin, freed persons pooled resources together to purchase Emancipation Park to celebrate, which is located at present-day Rosewood Courts; and, WHEREAS, as a result of anti-Black bigotry and racism, the Juneteenth holiday has been historically held in obscurity; and, WHEREAS, Texas House Bill 1016, which passed in the 66th Legislature Regular Session declared June 19th, “Emancipation Day in Texas,” a legal state holiday effective starting in 1980; and, WHEREAS, recently, multiple municipalities have begun to acknowledge Juneteenth and commemorate it as a formal holiday; and, WHEREAS, bipartisan bills in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives propose to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday; and, WHEREAS, The City of Austin is committed to challenging and undoing anti-Black racism and systemic racialized inequality; and, WHEREAS, The City of Austin is committed to condemning Austin's history as a participant in American chattel slavery; and, WHEREAS, Black Lives Matter, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: The 19th day of June of each year beginning in the year 2021, shall be known in the City of Austin as ‘Juneteenth’ to memorialize the end of chattel slavery in the United States and to celebrate the Africans and African descendants who survived an inhumane economic system and thrived as American citizens. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: The Human Rights Commission supports City Council in directing the City Manager to analyze and present several options for amending the City of Austin's Personnel Policies to establish Juneteenth as a paid holiday or other benefit for City employees, to begin in June 2021. Analysis should include detailed and comprehensive evaluations of costs and budget impacts, including personnel costs. Consideration should be given to the value to City employees of …

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July 29, 2020

HRC 20200729-003a Allow Libraries to Perform Limited Financial Services DRAFT original pdf

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COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20200729-003a: Recommendation to Address Under-banking by Allowing City Libraries to Perform Limited Financial Services WHEREAS, Under-banking is a serious detriment to working people’s ability to build and grow wealth; and, WHEREAS, Online banking services and digital commerce are becoming increasingly ubiquitous; and, WHEREAS, The inability to participate in digital commerce can directly impact one’s quality of life, financial and employment prospects; thus negatively impacting one’s access to human rights; and, WHEREAS, Public institutions, such as the United States Postal Service, have previously provided limited banking services to the public; and, WHEREAS, The entrance of a public enterprise with more affordable rates stimulates competition in the private sector; and, WHEREAS, The definition of what public libraries are able to lend to the public has previously been expanded (i.e. DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, etc.); and, WHEREAS, Libraries are currently, in effect, depositories of a kind; and, WHEREAS, Exclusion from banking services has been a studied and documented symptom of institutional racism and sexism; and, WHEREAS, The right to Social Security is guaranteed by the 22nd Article of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights; and, WHEREAS, We are now facing unprecedented financial consequences due to COVID-19; and, WHEREAS, It is in the public interest to create a department within a publicly trusted institution dedicated to the financial success and prosperity of all Austin residents. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Human Rights Commission recommends the Austin City Council to investigate ways to charter the Austin Library System as a state bank to provide basic, free-to-access, financial services to include but not limited to: fee-free ATM services, checking and savings accounts with online access, debit card services, fee-free overdraft protection, etc.

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July 29, 2020

20200729-002b: Juneteenth Holiday original pdf

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COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20200729-002b: Juneteenth Holiday WHEREAS, On June 19th, 1865 Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War was over and that enslaved Africans and African descendants were now free; and, WHEREAS, the following year, June 19 became “Juneteenth,” and was marked with celebrations and political rallies across the State of Texas; and, WHEREAS, news of the end of slavery did not reach the State of Texas and other Southwestern States until months after the conclusion of the Civil War, more than two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863; and, WHEREAS, in East Austin, freed persons pooled resources together to purchase Emancipation Park to celebrate, which is located at present-day Rosewood Courts; and, WHEREAS, as a result of anti-Black bigotry and racism, the Juneteenth holiday has been historically held in obscurity; and, WHEREAS, Texas House Bill 1016, which passed in the 66th Legislature Regular Session declared June 19th, “Emancipation Day in Texas,” a legal state holiday effective starting in 1980; and, WHEREAS, recently, multiple municipalities have begun to acknowledge Juneteenth and commemorate it as a formal holiday; and, WHEREAS, bipartisan bills in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives propose to establish Juneteenth as a federal holiday; and, WHEREAS, The City of Austin is committed to challenging and undoing anti-Black racism and systemic racialized inequality; and,

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July 29, 2020

20200729-003a: Allow Libraries to Perform Limited Financial Services original pdf

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COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20200729-003a: Recommendation to Address Under-banking by Allowing City Libraries to Perform Limited Financial Services WHEREAS, Under-banking is a serious detriment to working people’s ability to build and grow wealth; and, WHEREAS, Online banking services and digital commerce are becoming increasingly ubiquitous; and, WHEREAS, The inability to participate in digital commerce can directly impact one’s quality of life, financial and employment prospects; thus negatively impacting one’s access to human rights; and, WHEREAS, Public institutions, such as the United States Postal Service, have previously provided limited banking services to the public; and, WHEREAS, The entrance of a public enterprise with more affordable rates stimulates competition in the private sector; and, WHEREAS, The definition of what public libraries are able to lend to the public has previously been expanded (i.e. DVDs, CDs, audiobooks, etc.); and, WHEREAS, Libraries are currently, in effect, depositories of a kind; and, WHEREAS, Exclusion from banking services has been a studied and documented symptom of institutional racism and sexism; and, WHEREAS, The right to Social Security is guaranteed by the 22nd Article of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights; and, WHEREAS, We are now facing unprecedented financial consequences due to COVID-19; and, WHEREAS, It is in the public interest to create a department within a publicly trusted institution dedicated to the financial success and prosperity of all Austin residents.

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July 29, 2020

Approved Minutes original pdf

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REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, July 29, 2020 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MINUTES The Human Rights Commission convened in a regular meeting on Wednesday, July 29, 2020 via teleconference in Austin, Texas. Chair Sareta Davis called the Board Meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. Board Members in Attendance: Chair Davis, Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Casas, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Museitif, Commissioner Santana, and Commissioner Weigel. Staff in Attendance: Jonathan Babiak, Human Resources Coordinator, Human Resources Department 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. The minutes from the regular meeting of June 22, 2020 were approved on a vote of 10-0: Chair Davis motion, Commissioner Garry Brown second. Voting in favor were Chair Davis, Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Casas, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Museitif, Commissioner Santana, and Commissioner Weigel. Commissioner White was absent. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action on Formal Condemnation and Call for Investigation of Violation of Austin Police Department Policy, and Recommendation to Amend and Ensure Enforcement of Austin Police Department's Policy re Requesting an Officer of a Given Sex or Gender. (Weigel/White) Commissioner Weigel moved to table this item, Commissioner Garry Brown second. Motion passed on a vote of 9-0; voting in favor were Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Casas, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Museitif, Commissioner Santana, and Commissioner Weigel. Chair Davis and Commissioner White were absent. b. Discussion and possible action on a recommendation to City Council to establish the Juneteenth holiday as a City holiday each year beginning in 2021. (Davis/Brown, J) The Commission discussed this item. Chair Davis moved for adoption, Vice Chair Jamarr Brown second. The recommendation was approved on a vote of 10-0. Voting in favor were Chair Davis, Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Casas, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Museitif, Commissioner Santana, and Commissioner Weigel. Commissioner White was absent. 1 3. OLD BUSINESS a. Discussion and possible action on a Recommendation to Address Under-banking by Allowing City Libraries to Perform Limited Financial Services. (White/Caballero) The Commission discussed this item. Vice Chair Jamarr Brown moved for adoption, Commissioner Caballero second. The recommendation was approved on a vote of 8-0. Voting in favor were Vice Chair Jamarr Brown, Commissioner Breckenridge, Commissioner Garry Brown, Commissioner Caballero, Commissioner Griffith, Commissioner Museitif, Commissioner Santana, and Commissioner Weigel. Chair Davis, Commissioner Casas, and Commissioner White …

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June 22, 2020

Location: Via Videoconferencing original pdf

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Regular Meeting of the Human Rights Commission June 22, 2020 Human Rights Commission to be held June 22, 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 (Sunday, June 21, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 22, 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, (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 1 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Monday, June 22, 2020 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT COMMISSION MEMBERS: Sareta Davis, Chair Jamarr Brown, Vice Chair Jared Breckenridge Garry Brown Kristian Caballero Isabel Casas Idona Griffith Maram Museitif Courtney Santana Alicia Weigel Nathan White AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Regular Meeting. Special Called Meeting. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Consider approval of the minutes from the Human Rights Commission’s May 18, 2020 b. Consider approval of the minutes from the Human Rights Commission’s June 5, 2020 a. Discussion and possible action regarding Complaints Sent to the Austin Police Department from the Office Of Police Oversight. (Davis/Brown, J./Breckenridge/Santana) Farah Muscadin, Director, Office of Police Oversight, City of Austin b. Discussion and possible action on Recommendation Number (20200622-002a) Human Rights Commission Recommendation to Defund the Police. (White/Davis/Brown, J./Breckenridge/Casas) c. Discussion and possible action in regards to the city's plan and next steps for Oakwood Cemetery. (Caballero/Breckenridge/Davis) Kim McKnight, MSHP, …

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June 22, 2020

HRC 20200622-002a OPO Complaints DRAFT original pdf

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1 BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20200622-002a: Office of Police Oversight Complaints WHEREAS, the City of Austin Police Department (hereinafter APD) exists to serve the community of Austin, Texas; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin’s Office of Police Oversight’s mission 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; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin Office of Police Oversight exists to promote an atmosphere of earned trust between the community and the Austin Police Department; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin Office of Police Oversight makes recommendations to the City Manager and to APD about individual incidents and investigations, as well as broader policy recommendations, and investigated, and resolved; and Internal Affairs Division; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Office of Police Oversight was created in order to ensure community concerns and/or complaints about potential police misconduct are heard, WHEREAS, It has been has reported in the media that community complaints are vetted by OPO and when sent to the APD they do not lead to an automatic investigation by the APD WHEREAS, complaints are vetted by the Office of Police Oversight, sent to APD are not immediately investigated by APD Internal Affairs, but instead are re-reviewed by APD Internal Affairs staff, resulting in less than 1/3 of complaints sent by OPO since January 2020 being investigated by APD Internal Affairs; and WHEREAS, when community members who have demonstrated courage in bringing forth their complaint of misconduct they should at the very least receive procedural justice for their complaint. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor and City Council compel City Manager Spencer Cronk to direct APD Chief Brian Manley to initiate automatic investigations of vetted complaints received from the Office of Police Oversight. Chief Manley shall be directed to treat external formal complaints from the Office of Police Oversight in the same manner as APD handles internal complaints. Furthermore, Chief Manley shall be directed that it be compulsory that complaints received by APD from the Office of Police Oversight be sent to APD Internal Affairs for investigation and action. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign) 2

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June 22, 2020

HRC 20200622-002b Defund the Police DRAFT original pdf

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BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20200622-002b: De-fund the Police WHEREAS, Officers in The Austin Police Department have repeatedly used excessive force on camera without repercussions; and, WHEREAS, The murder of Mike Ramos by Officer Christopher Taylor is apparent via video evidence when viewed by an unbiased observer; and, WHEREAS, Austin Police Department has a widespread reputation of being more likely to use excessive force than Texas' other large jurisdictions; and, WHEREAS, in the City of Austin Human Rights Community Budget forum, citizens of Austin provided the most consistent feedback this commission has received regarding budgetary concerns and implored us to express to City Council that the Austin Police Department budget should be reduced; and APD funding should be re-directed to Black and Brown communities that have faced brutal trauma from centuries of systemic racism from the police and other institutions; and, WHEREAS, on April 29th, 2019, the Human Rights Commission unanimously voted to send recommendation number 20190429-003b: Fiscal Year 2020 Budget to City Council, and this recommendation in part recommended the City of Austin law enforcement strategy be refocused from traditional policing and criminalization, which has led in the past to over policing in minority communities, toward a greater reliance on diversionary, preventative, and rehabilitation programs. We also indicated this focus should include but not be limited to the diversion of funds into such programs that curb crime before it happens; and, WHEREAS, on April 29th, 2019, the Human Rights Commission unanimously voted to send recommendation number 20190429-003b: Fiscal Year 2020 Budget to City Council, and this recommendation in part recommended the City of Austin deeply analyze the number of victims services counselors, mental health officers and other staff associated with the diversion of activity that is criminal on the surface, to evaluate whether more funds should be allocated to fund these positions. A deeper analysis than requiring a certain number of police officers per year citizen is required; and, WHEREAS, On May 30th and 31st, 2020, Austin Police Department committed a war crime by utilizing tear gas, a substance banned by The Geneva Convention; and, WHEREAS, On those same evenings, APD fired on clearly marked medical professionals, violating the near-century old standard of Medical Neutrality according to the Geneva Convention; and, WHEREAS, The causation of police presence leading to lower crime rates has never been academically proven; and, WHEREAS, The Chief of Police, Brian Manley, has repeatedly …

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