Joint Inclusion Committee Regular Meeting of the Joint Inclusion Committee - Hybrid Meeting Format, in-person at City Hall with Virtual/Online participation via WebEx
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING AGENDA JUNE 28th, 2023 REGULAR MEETING of the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28th, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. CST AUSTIN CITY HALL BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM 301 W. 2ND STREET, AUSTIN, TX 78701 MEETING AGENDA This meeting is being held in a hybrid format, and some members of the Commission may be participating by video conference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or via telephone. Remote speakers must register in advance (June 27th by 12pm-Noon CST). All public comments will occur at the beginning of the meeting and public speakers will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. To speak or attend remotely, residents must contact the Equity Office’s Community Services Program Coordinator, Jeremy Garza, no later than 12pm-noon (CST) on Tuesday, June 27th, 2023. Please telephone call at (512) 978-1797 and/or email jeremy.garza@austintexas.gov. The information required is the speaker’s name, the item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, email address, and telephone number (must be the same number that will be used to call into the meeting). CURRENT JIC MEMBER COMMISSIONS & REPRESENTATIVES: Member Commission: African American Resource Advisory Commission Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Primary Representative: Alternate Representative: Serita Fontanesi Antonio Ross Hanna Huang Nayer Sikder Juliana Gonzalez Richard Bondi Commission for Women Commission on Aging Commission on Immigrant Affairs Miriam Dorantes Early Childhood Council Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission Human Rights Commission Leonor Vargas Amanda Afifi Rebecca Austen Teresa Ferguson Melissa Ortega Eliza Gordon Ivana Neri LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Kimberly Brienzi (Vice-Chair of JIC) VACANT Morgan Davis VACANT Jennifer Powell Elizabeth Meyer JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING AGENDA JUNE 28th, 2023 MEETING AGENDA 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. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on April 26th, 2023. Whitney Holt, Austin Public Health Social Services Funding Specialist – on the equity impacts of the city’s repeal of telework. Budget Office staff briefing on changes to the budget process this year. 3. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Discussion on the FY23-24 Financial Forecast and Equity Action’s Community Investment Budget a with possible action …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING MINUTES JUNE 28th, 2023 JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28th, 2023 The JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE convened in a REGULAR meeting on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28th, 2023, at AUSTIN CITY HALL - BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM, 301 W. 2ND STREET in AUSTIN, TEXAS. Chair AMANDA AFIFI called the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE MEETING to order at 3:05pm CST. Commissioners in Attendance: Hispanic/Latino Quality-of Life-Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi (Chair) Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: African American Resource Advisory Commission: Serita Fontanesi Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: Hanna Huang Commission for Women: Rebecca Austen Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Miriam Dorantes & Melissa Ortega Human Rights Commission: Kimberly Brienzi & Morgan Davis Commissioners Absent: Early Childhood Council: Leonor Vargas & Eliza Gordon LGBTQ+ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: VACANT Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell & Elizabeth Meyer Staff in Attendance: Jeremy Garza, Business Process Consultant – Equity Office JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING MINUTES MEETING MINUTES JUNE 28th, 2023 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. Whitney Holt: City of Austin APH employe speaking independently as community member on the equity impacts of the city’s repeal of telework. Ben Suddaby: Presendet of AFSCME LOCAL 1624 and Travis County employee on how withdrawing the telework policy would negatively impacts the communites represented by the commission members of the Joint Inclusion Committee. Jose Perez: City of Austin worker speaking indepdenty as a life-long Austinite with 14 years tenure working in th City on the personal effects of removing telework and the business benefits of maintaining telework employee benefits. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on April 26th, 2023. The minutes from the meeting of APRIL 26th, 2023, were approved on COMMISSIONER REBECCA AUSTEN’s motion, COMMISSIONER HANNA HUANG’s second on a 6 – 0 vote. (Off the Dais: LGBTQ Quality-of-Life Resource Advisory Commission. Absent: Early Childhood Council, Leonor Vargas/Eliza Gordan AND the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities, Jennifer Powell & Elizabeth Meyer. STAFF BRIEFING 2. Whitney Holt, Austin Public Health Social Services Funding Specialist – on the equity impacts of the city’s repeal of telework. The motion to indefinitely table agenda item #2 because it was incorrectly placed on …
JOINT INCLUSSION COMMITTEE (JIC) RECOMMENDATION 20230628-007 STATEMENT OF TRANSGENDER RIGHTS Date: June 28, 2023 Subject: Joint Endorsement of the Human Rights Commission’s Recommendation 20230424-07: Statement of Transgender Rights Motioned by: Commissioner Rebecca Austen Seconded By: Commissioner Richard Bondi HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20230424-07 JOINTLY ENDORSED RECOMMENDATION TO AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL WHEREAS, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights, and WHEREAS, decisions regarding the healthcare of children should be made by the parents, in consult with their children and their doctors, and WHEREAS, in the 88th session of the Texas Legislature, legislation is currently being considered that, should it become law, would deny the right of parents and their children to seek gender- affirming healthcare of any kind, and WHEREAS, denial of gender-affirming healthcare is hateful and harmful, and can cause extreme emotional and physical distress for transgender children and their families, and WHEREAS; the Texas Legislature is also considering a constitutional amendment that would assert and guarantee Parental Rights; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Joint Inclusion Committee of the City of Austin urges the Mayor and the City Council to condemn this attempt to interfere with the rights of parents to make decisions with and on behalf of their children regarding their physical and mental health, and that we stand united in our support of transgender children and adults, as well as with all LGTBQIA+ communities everywhere. ROLL CALL VOTE: 5 – 1 – 0 For: African American Resource Advisory Commission: Serita Fontanesi Commission for Women: Rebecca Austen Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: Hanna Huang Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Miriam Dorantes Hispanic/Latino Quality-of Life-Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi Against: None. Abstain: Human Rights Commission: Kimberly Brienzi & Morgan Davis Absent: Early Childhood Council: Leonor Vargas & Eliza Gordon Attest: Jeremy Garza, Staff Liaison, Equity Office: LGBTQ+ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: VACANT at time of vote. Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell & Elizabeth Meyer x_______________________________
City of Austin’s Te le work Equity Impact Joint Inclusion Committee June 28, 20 23 Whitne y Holt Pushing for a return to office rather than expanding telework demonstrates leadership that is out of touch with the needs of taxpayers and the workforce. Repealing telework is an effective pay cut that will have disproportionately negative impact across race and gender. Telework facilitates a more diverse and inclusive workplace. A fully maximized telework policy is the only option that both saves taxpayers money and brings the City of Austin closer to our Climate Equity goals. Even when commutes are reduced in frequency, the function and existence of office buildings being utilized even just one day a week by each worker negatively impacts the environment and diverts land resources from projects that better meet community needs.
Welcome to the Community Investment Budget Information Session! Hosted by Equity Action AT X Introductions Who is Equity Action? ● Equity Action is a P olitical Action Committee (P AC) focused on centering equity and justice in Austin’s political system. W hat is the Community Investment Budget? ● In collaboration with dozens of community organizations, Equity Action has been facilitating a 2024 Community Investment Budget that will ask Austin City Council to commit to invest directly to community needs, such as: increased wages for P arent Support Specialists, emergency rental assistance and tenant support services, social services for those experiencing homelessness, increased funding for park support, and much more. History of CIB and other Community-Led Budget Initiatives Austin has a long history of community-based budgeting. ● Over many years Communities of Color United presented their P eople’s Budget. T hey started something amazing, where people discuss and decide priorities for local spending. ● T hen in 2021, the Austin P olice Association and Save Austin Now put a measure on the ballot that would have required Austin to spend all the available new money coming in on police, regardless of other needs. Austin said No W ay! ● Out of that big coalition to protect the budget came the first Community Investment Budget for F Y22-23. W e pressed the city to think about public safety in a new way -- well maintained parks, shelter, youth activities, EMS’s staffing, an independent forensic lab. ● T his year we’re back, because housing stability, workforce development, child development, and increasing wages for City Employees and EMS should be of utmost priority in the upcoming budget cycle. Who are the organizations involved? ACLU of Texas Alliance for Safety and Justice Austin Area Urban League Austin Community Law Center Austin Environmental Democrats Austin Justice Coalition Austin Mutual Aid Austin Urban Technology Movement Avow Blackland CDC Black Lives Veggies The Nonprofit Black Mamas ATX Community Resilience Trust Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice District 5 for Black Lives East Austin Conservancy Education Austin Equity Action Fruitful Commons Fund Texas Choice Go Austin/ Vamos Austin Ground Game Texas Hungry Hill Foundation Just Liberty Lilith Fund MISMA (Mujeres Inspiradas en Sueños, Metas y Acciones) Planning Our Communities Pro Choice with Heart Public Citizen Save Our Springs Alliance Sierra Club, Austin Regional Group Statewide Leadership Council Sunrise Movement Austin Survive2Thrive Foundation Sustainable Food Center Texas Center for Justice …
Table of Contents General Fund ................................................................................. 3 Enterprise Departments Typical Ratepayer Impact ..................................................... 9 Austin Code ........................................................................... 10 Austin Convention Center .................................................... 12 Austin Energy ........................................................................ 14 Austin Resource Recovery ................................................... 19 Austin Water ......................................................................... 23 Aviation .................................................................................. 27 Development Services ......................................................... 29 Transportation and Public Works ...................................... 31 Watershed Protection ......................................................... 35 Capital Improvement Program ................................................ 39 Unfunded Items from Council ................................................... 41 Appendix: 2023 Economic & Sales Tax Forecast ................ 45 General Fund Forecast Expenditures The General Fund is the general operating fund for the City of Austin. It includes ten departments that provide programs, activities, and services directly to the citizens of Austin, as well as to surrounding communities. Total FY 2024 base expenditures for the General Fund are projected at $1.33 billion, which is $50.0 million, or 3.9%, higher than the FY 2023 Approved Budget. The largest portion of the General Fund budget, approximately 64.4%, is allocated to the four existing public safety departments: Police, Fire, Emergency Medical Services and Forensic Science. The community service departments, namely Parks and Recreation, Austin Public Health, Library, Animal Services, Municipal Court and the Housing and Planning Department collectively comprise 29.7% of the General Fund budget. Transfers & Other represent the remaining 5.9% of General Fund resources. Uses of Funds ‐ General Fund ($1,327.4 million) Parks and Recreation 9.2% Housing and Planning 1.5% Municipal Court 2.9% Libraries 5.1% Austin Public Health 9.6% Forensic Science 1.1% For the FY 2024 Forecast, General Fund expenditures are projecting to increase by $50.0 million over the FY 2023 Amended Budget. Major cost drivers and year-over-year adjustments include: Sworn public safety personnel costs in the amount of $38.4 million, including for pay enhancements approved in 2023, increased health insurance and pension contribution costs, and the projected impact of prospective new meet-and-confer agreements; o EMS, Fire, and Police labor negotiations are on-going and this forecast includes placeholder values—projected based on market factors and historical trends—for the ultimate cost of these contracts; $14.3 million for personnel and benefit cost drivers for our civilian workforce related to wages, market-driven salary adjustments, health insurance, and pension contribution increases; Police 36.3% Transfers & Other 5.9% Animal Services 1.4% Emergency Medical Services 9.1% Fire 17.9% FY 2024-2028 FINANCIAL FORECAST REPORT3 I Page $10.0 million to return to a cash-funding model for Police vehicle replacements and associated wireless equipment expenses, as the frequency and regularity of their replacement make …
Joint Inclusion Commi(cid:425)ee FY23‐24/FY24‐25 Budget Process Please save these dates! Budget Workshop: This is a special workshop, jointly organized by the Budget Office & Equity Office, that invites all budget workgroups from all ten commissions to a(cid:425)end and meet face to face with the department leadership and their staff from the City Departments whom y’all have submi(cid:425)ed budget recommenda(cid:415)ons to. This event offers commissioners an opportunity to strengthen rela(cid:415)onships with department leadership, and ques(cid:415)on priori(cid:415)es and ques(cid:415)on if, where, and how your budget recommenda(cid:415)ons have been approved and incorporated or rejected. City Departments normally in a(cid:425)endance include: Aus(cid:415)n Public Health, Parks & Recrea(cid:415)on Department, Aus(cid:415)n Transporta(cid:415)on Department, Aus(cid:415)n Housing & Planning Department, Communica(cid:415)ons & Public Informa(cid:415)on Office, Economic Development Department, Aus(cid:415)n Public Library, and more! Saturday, September 16th, 2023 from 11am to 1pm Budget Town Halls: Last year, we could these “Quality‐of‐Life Town Halls.” These events are the only formal community outreach that commissions organize every year. These town halls invite members of the public to come and share the most important issues impac(cid:415)ng their lives, which will help shape budget recommenda(cid:415)ons for FY24‐25 which are due at the end of March 2024. These events also provide an opportunity to let members of the public influence the advocacy priori(cid:415)es for all commissions. These town halls are only successful if commissioners help organize, spread the word, and help get people to a(cid:425)end. Wednesday, October 18th, 2023 ‐ Budget Town Hall #1 for the public (Evening/Night‐ time Dinner Event, 6:30pm ‐ 8:00pm) HOSTED IN PERSON Thursday, October 26th, 2023 ‐ Budget Town Hall #2 for the public (Day‐time/Lunch Saturday, November 4th, 2023 ‐ Budget Town Hall #3 for the public (Weekend/Saturday Event, 12:00 pm ‐ 1:30 pm) HOSTED VIRTUALY ONLY Event, 11:00 am ‐ 12:30 pm) HOSTED IN PERSON Pending approval from the Budget Office on a 4th Town Hall hosted VIRTUALY ONLY
Joint Inclusion Committee Telework Report (1) Pushing for a return to office rather than expanding telework demonstrates leadership that is out of touch with the needs of taxpayers and the workforce. Travis County recently won national recognition for their telework policy. Among the many benefits cited by Commissioner Shea, includes the $1.3 million saved in utilities costs for 2020-2021 for the 50% of their workforce (~2500) that is eligible for complete or mostly remote work. Outside consultants estimated that Travis County could reduce its administrative space by as much as 83%, or more than 1 million square feet. About 40% of the county's real estate is made up of administrative space. Even though the percentages wouldn’t be exact based on the difference between City and County services, roughly speaking if these were reflected of City resources, we could expect: ● 8000 workers working completely or mostly remote. The City stated that 5,817 workers currently telework; however, this seems low and it was unclear how the numbers account for workers who have been required to conduct all or part of their week in office despite lack of business need to do so. This means 8000 fewer cars on the road, and a reduction in the traffic, environmental, and safety concerns related to these commutes. ● Well over one billion dollars in cost savings in just a few years due to the $48,126,000 spent annually on building leases alone (pg. 71 of document, pg 98 of PDF), and $541,000 on land. This cost does not include the multi millions spent on utilities, maintenance, landscaping, security, insurance, and other administrative building related costs. Embracing a maximized telework policy allows for better utilization of real estate and taxpayer dollars, which is outlined in more detail on page 10. In addition to the cost savings cited by Travis County, Commissioner Shea outlines the positive impact that telework has had on their recruitment and retention: “The remote work policy has been a boon for recruitment, according to Zephyr Stone, the county’s talent planning and engagement manager. Compared to fewer than 23,000 applications in 2019, the county received more than 30,000 in 2020, before settling down to just below 30,000 in the past two years.” This stands in stark contrast to the City’s vacancy rate being up 60% from where it was in 2019. Part of the coordinated Citywide campaign to reduce vacancy rates included the benefit …
