Item 1: February 26, 2026 Draft Minutes — original pdf

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JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES [Day, Month Date, Year] JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2026 The Joint Inclusion Committee convened in a special called meeting on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at the Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Bondi called the Joint Inclusion Meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Richard Bondi Justin Parsons Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Amanda Afifi Jerry Joe Benson Lisa Chang Tannya Oliva-Martínez Nirali Thakkar PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Joint Inclusion Committee regular meeting on January 28, 2026. The January 28, 2026 minutes were approved on Commissioner Chang’s motion, Commissioner Thakkar’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Alvizo, Bullard, Kanawati, Laake-Stanfield, McNary, Melendez, and Wilson were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Staff briefing on Social Service Contract funding to inform the Commission’s prioritization efforts. Briefing by Kerri Lang, Director, and Daniel Culotta, Assistant Director, Office of Budget & Organizational Excellence. Briefing by Kerri Lang, Director, and Daniel Culotta, Assistant Director, Office of Budget & Organizational Excellence. 1 JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES [Day, Month Date, Year] DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. Discussion on City budget announcements and activities. Discussion was held. Director Lang answered questions. Discussion following up on January questions for the Office of Equity and Inclusion. Discussion was held. Discussion to compile questions from commissioners to ask Austin Police Department staff. This item was postponed to the March meeting without objection on Vice Chair Bondi’s motion. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 6. Report from the Texas Legislative Working Group regarding legislation affecting the Joint Inclusion Committee and its member commissions, and suggested follow-up advocacy. Report by Chair Afifi. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. Approve a recommendation regarding a moratorium on human services funding reductions pending an inclusive, equity-based program review. The recommendation regarding a moratorium on human services funding reductions pending an inclusive, equity-based program review was approved on Commissioner Parson’s motion, Commissioner Oliva-Martínez’ second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Alvizo, Bullard, Kanawati, Laake-Stanfield, McNary, Melendez, and Wilson were absent. 8. Approve a recommendation regarding PARD accessibility and cultural inclusion across demographics. The recommendation regarding PARD accessibility and cultural inclusion across demographics was approved on Commissioner Thakkar’s motion, Commissioner Parsons’ second on a 7-0 vote. There was a motion by Commissioner Thakkar, seconded by Commissioner Parson’s, to make the below amendments: • • Insert “in conjunction with ACME” after “Parks and Recreation Department” in the first and second numbered NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED sections. Insert “and ACME” after “PARD” in the third numbered NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED section, and final NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED section. The motion to amend was approved on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Alvizo, Bullard, Kanawati, Laake-Stanfield, McNary, Melendez, and Wilson were absent. 2 JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES [Day, Month Date, Year] 9. Approve a recommendation improving job and volunteer access for older adults across demographics. The recommendation regarding improving job and volunteer access for older adults across demographics was approved on Commissioner Chang’s motion, Commissioner Benson’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Alvizo, Bullard, Kanawati, Laake-Stanfield, McNary, Melendez, and Wilson were absent. 10. Approve the formation of a new working group to prepare for the 2027 Texas legislative session Item 10 was taken up after Item 6 without objection. 11. 12. 13. The working group to prepare for the 2027 Texas Legislative Session was approved on Commissioner Parsons’ motion, Commissioner Chang’s second on a 7-0 vote. Working group members include: Chair Afifi, Commissioner Oliva-Martínez Approve a budget recommendation to City Council regarding Elisabet Ney Museum Accessible Restroom Facility. The recommendation regarding Elisabet Ney Museum Accessible Restroom Facility was approved on Commissioner Thakkar’s motion, Commissioner Benson’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Alvizo, Bullard, Kanawati, Laake-Stanfield, McNary, Melendez, and Wilson were absent. Approve a budget recommendation to City Council regarding the Awebility Festival The recommendation regarding the Awebility Festival was approved on Commissioner Chang’s motion, Commissioner Thakkar’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Alvizo, Bullard, Kanawati, Laake-Stanfield, McNary, Melendez, and Wilson were absent. There was a motion by Commissioner Benson, seconded by Commissioner Chang, to amend the recommendation to insert “, provide services in kind, and waive any associated fees towards the Awebility Festival” after “funds” in the NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED section. The motion to amend was approved on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Alvizo, Bullard, Kanawati, Laake-Stanfield, McNary, Melendez, and Wilson were absent. Approve a budget recommendation to the City Council regarding therapeutic recreation program. The recommendation regarding therapeutic recreation program was approved on Commissioner Chang’s motion, Chair Afifi’s second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Alvizo, Bullard, Kanawati, Laake-Stanfield, McNary, Melendez, and Wilson were absent. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 14. Update from the FY2026-27 Budget Working Group regarding its progress on formulating recommendations for the upcoming budget. Update by Chair Bondi. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 3 JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES [Day, Month Date, Year] Budget Recommendations Recommendations on policy areas for next Texas Legislative Session ADJOURNMENT Vice Chair Bondi adjourned the meeting at 8:14 p.m. without objection. 4