REGULAR MEETING of the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26TH, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. CST CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS RM #1101 301 W. 2ND STREET, AUSTIN, TX 78701 MEETING AGENDA Some members of the Joint Inclusion Committee 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 Alejandra Mireles (Community Services Program Coordinator, Equity Office) at (512) 974-8045 or alejandra.mireles@austintexas.gov. CURRENT JIC MEMBER COMMISSIONS & REPRESENTATIVES: Member Commission: African American Resource Advisory Commission Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission Commission for Women Commission on Aging Commission on Immigrant Affairs Early Childhood Council Hispanic/Latino Quality-of-Life Resource Advisory Commission Human Rights Commission LGBTQ+ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Primary Representative: Serita Fontanesi Alternate Representative: Antonio Ross Sonny Sin Nayer Sikder Julie Glasser Richard Bondi (Vice-Chair) Teresa Ferguson Melissa Ortega Rebecca Austen Jose Caceres Leonor Vargas Amanda Afifi (Chair) Eliza Gordon Ivana Neri Morgan Davis Jerry Joe Benson Muneeb "Meebs" Aslam Melissa Taylor Jennifer Powell VACANT 1 AGENDA CALL TO ORDER: PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 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 COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on MAY 29th, 2024. Staff briefing on 2024 updates of City of Austin Demographics by Lila Valencia, City Demographer. STAFF BRIEFING 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Update on adding the Commission on Veterans Affairs to the Joint Inclusion Committee. Update on email communications about possible collaboration with the College Student Commission. Update from Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission, regarding Austin & Travis County Food Plan. Discuss Joint Inclusion Committee’s Annual Review and Report. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. Conduct officer elections for the Vice Chair. Approve Joint Inclusion Committee’s FY26 Budget Townhalls dates and meeting locations. Approve the creation of a Workgroup to investigate the involvement of Indigenous People and/or Native Americans to afford the group a voice in the City of Austin. Approve endorsing the Commission for Women’s Recommendation 20240605-005 supporting affordable …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) convened a REGULAR meeting on WEDNESDAY, MAY 29TH, 2024, at 3:07 P.M. CST in the CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS RM #1101 (301 W. 2ND STREET, AUSTIN, TX 78701) Chair AMANDA AFIFI called the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi (Vice Chair) Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi (Chair) Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission: Sonny Sin Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Melissa Ortega or Jose Caceres Commission for Women: Rebecca Austen Human Rights Commission: Morgan Davis Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell Commissioners Absent: African American Resource Advisory Commission: Serita Fontanesi or Antonio Ross Early Childhood Council: Leonor Vargas or Eliza Gordon PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 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. None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission: Charles Curry Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on APRIL 24th, 2024. The minutes were approved on COMMISSIONER MORGAN DAVIS’ motion, COMMISSIONER JENNIFER POWELL’s second, on a 7-3 vote. (Absent: African 1 3. 4. 6. American Resource Advisory Commission’s Serita Fontanesi or Antonio Ross; Early Childhood Council’s Leonor Vargas or Eliza Gordon; and LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Commission’s Jerome J. Benson or Lira Ramirez). DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Share updates regarding the JIC May 7th FY25 Budget Recommendation follow up meeting with City departments. COMMISSIONER RICHARD BONDI shares that the Commission on Aging is following up with Housing Department regarding conversations held during May 7th meeting for budget recommendations. COMMISSIONER AMANDA AFIFI shares that past budget cycles have had more time like the May 7th for the Commissioners to follow up with budget recommendations. COMMISSIONER JENNIFER POWELL shares that next year the conversation with City department leaders could also occur before budget recommendations are made. Update on Commission on Veteran’s Affairs joining the Joint Inclusion Committee. COMMISSIONERS RICHARD BONDI and AMANADA AFIFI recap email communication with the Office of the City Clerk and waiting to confirm that the amended bylaws will be presented to the City’s Audit and Finance Committee for approval at its next meeting on July 23, 2024. Discuss Poet Laureate signature document in support of …
RECOMMENDATION Commission for Women Recommendation Number 20240605-005: Affordable Child Care WHEREAS, the Commission for Women (“Commission”) of the City of Austin (“City”) serves as an advisory body that advocates for and inspires the City Council (“Council”) and City Manager to prioritize women’s quality of life, so that Austin becomes the most equitable city in the nation for women and girls; and WHEREAS, for decades, families in Austin and Travis County have struggled to find affordable, quality child care and afterschool and summer programming for children birth to high school graduation (henceforth referred to as “child care”); and WHEREAS, child care is the highest expense for families after housing in Travis County, and one year of child care costs more than one year of tuition at the University of Texas at Austin; and WHEREAS, the current waiting list for families with low income who need child care subsidies has more than 4,600 children on it, enrollment is closed, and there is now a 2-year waiting list period; and WHEREAS, child care costs are out of reach for many families in Austin and Travis County. While families cannot afford the current prices, child care tuition rarely covers the true cost of providing a high-quality program. Costs for quality child care programs (including paying staff a living wage) have increased but families cannot afford to pay more; and WHEREAS, the child care and out-of-school time workforce, predominantly women of color, earns less than a living wage resulting in high turnover (over 30% annually) and under-staffed programs serving fewer children and cutting hours. Turnover hurts children and creates stress for families; and WHEREAS, families rely on affordable quality child care to participate in and complete education, training programs, or the workforce; and WHEREAS, child care and out of school time challenges particularly impact individuals and communities of color that have been historically excluded from economic prosperity: • 81% of children under age 6 receiving child care subsidies in Travis County are Black, Hispanic, or non-white/multi-racial • The share of Travis County children under age 6 in working families who have parents working nontraditional hours is 47.1% Black and 42.1% Hispanic • The child care workforce in Texas is overwhelmingly female and 62% are either Black or Hispanic; and WHEREAS, a local investment in affordable quality child care and out of school time programs will result in better outcomes for children, greater workforce participation, family …
FOR APPROVAL: JIC FY26 Budget Engagement & Recommendation Process Meeting Date Method & Location FY25 Approved in August & FY26 Kickoff FY26 Kickoff Saturday 9/7 @10 am – 2 pm PDC (6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr; 78752) Tentative District(s) All Notes Town Hall #1 Wednesday 10/2, @6 Town Hall #2 Town Hall #3 Town Hall #4 Town Hall #5 Wednesday 10/16 @6 Wednesday 10/23 @6 (regular JIC meeting date – special called meeting?) Wednesday 11/6 @6 Wednesday 11/20 @11 am – 1 pm George Morales Dove Springs Recreation Center (5801 Ainez Drive, 78744) Virtual Northwest Recreation Center (2913 Northland Drive; 78757) Gus Garcia Recreation Center (1201 East Runberg Lane; 78753) Virtual Staff Briefings: September - January Tuesday, 12/10 @11 am – 1 pm Virtual Saturday 12/4 @10 am – 2 pm Saturday 2/1 @10 am – 2 pm PDC (6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr; 78752) PDC (6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr; 78752) Tuesday, 5/13 @11 am – 1 pm Virtual Pre-Write Commissioner- Department Meeting Writing JIC Collaboration optional Writing JIC Collaboration optional Post-Write Commissioner- Department Meeting D2 D3 D5 D8 All D7 D10 D6 D4 D1 D9 All All All All All In Person sessions: Supervised Children’s Activities & Cake
Austin Population Change and Demographic Trends Joint Inclusion Committee June 26, 2024 Austin’s population has been doubling every 20 to 25 years. Recent growth has been at a slower rate. 1,137,983 961,855 974,447 Period of greatest growth 656,562 Period of fastest growth since 1900 251,808 National Ranking: 73rd 67th 56th 42nd 27th 16th 14th 11th 10th Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Censuses 1870 – 2020; 2022 Vintage Census Bureau Population Estimates; 2025, 2030 CoA Projections. 2 1,250,000 1,000,000 750,000 500,000 250,000 .974 million 4,428 0 Diversity has always been a part of Austin’s growth history. 900000 800000 700000 600000 500000 400000 300000 200000 100000 0 First time Hispanics were broken out from White. Black population split into “free” and “slave”. Initially measured simply as “Chinese”. “Mexican” included in Other Race. White Hispanic Black 1850 628 1860 2505 1870 2813 1880 7407 1900 1890 10956 16414 22366 27928 38209 73025 114652 161806 184859 232324 287166 353706 385271 452994 1940 1930 1950 1960 1990 2020 1970 1980 2010 2000 1910 1920 American Indian & Alaska Native Asian & Pacific Islander Population 9 10 1 8 2 14 22 27 29 4 40 10 107 39 184 170 622 1,003 1,756 1,967 2,002 3,642 14,141 31,421 49,560 86,381 1 989 1615 3587 3610 5822 7478 6921 14861 17667 24413 29845 42118 55824 66738 60760 66002 5014 9868 36623 64766 106868 200579 277707 312448 Asian & Pacific Islander Population American Indian & Alaska Native Black Hispanic White Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Historical Census 1790-1990; Texas Demographic Center 1980-2000; data.census.gov 2010-2020 3 Race & Ethnicity Questions on the Census through History White Black Asian American Indian or Alaska Native Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander Another Hispanic Source: https://www.pewresearch.org/interactives/what-census-calls-us/ 4 Where do Austinites come from? Place of Birth, 2022 Total Population Hispanics Asians Born in Texas Born in other US State Native born, outside US Born in Another Country 48% 32% 2% 18% 58% 13% 2% 27% 19% 18% 2% 61% Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2022 1-Year Estimates Note: Figures in red represent a decrease since 2012, in blue an increase since 2012. 5 Components of Population Change, Austin Metro Area, 2022-2023 Drivers of Growth Migration continues to be a major component of growth to the Austin metro area. Migration from other parts of Texas and other states made up 45% of the growth in the Austin metro area between July …
RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Recommendation Number 20240626-010: Affordable Child Care WHEREAS, the Joint Inclusion Committee (“Commission”) of the City of Austin (“City”) serves as an advisory body that advocates for the close cooperation between the council, City management, City boards, commissions, committees and task forces to increase and sustain equity, diversity and inclusion in the city. WHEREAS, for decades, families in Austin and Travis County have struggled to find affordable, quality child care and after school and summer programming for children birth to high school graduation (henceforth referred to as “child care”); and WHEREAS, child care is the highest expense for families after housing in Travis County, and one year of child care costs more than one year of tuition at the University of Texas at Austin; and WHEREAS, the current waiting list for families with low income who need child care subsidies has more than 4,600 children on it, enrollment is closed, and there is now a 2-year waiting list period; and WHEREAS, child care costs are out of reach for many families in Austin and Travis County. While families cannot afford the current prices, child care tuition rarely covers the true cost of providing a high-quality program. Costs for quality child care programs (including paying staff a living wage) have increased but families cannot afford to pay more; and WHEREAS, the child care and out-of-school time workforce, predominantly women of color, earns less than a living wage resulting in high turnover (over 30% annually) and under-staffed programs serving fewer children and cutting hours. Turnover hurts children and creates stress for families; and WHEREAS, families rely on affordable quality child care to participate in and complete education, training programs, or the workforce; and WHEREAS, child care and out of school time challenges particularly impact individuals and communities of color that have been historically excluded from economic prosperity: • 81% of children under age 6 receiving child care subsidies in Travis County are Black, Hispanic, or non-white/multi-racial • The share of Travis County children under age 6 in working families who have parents working nontraditional hours is 47.1% Black and 42.1% Hispanic • The child care workforce in Texas is overwhelmingly female and 62% are either Black or Hispanic; and WHEREAS, a local investment in affordable quality child care and out of school time programs will result in better outcomes for children, greater workforce participation, family economic stability and a …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) convened a REGULAR meeting on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26TH, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. CST in the CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS RM #1101 (301 W. 2ND STREET, AUSTIN, TX 78701) Chair AMANDA AFIFI called the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi (Chair) Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi (Vice Chair) Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission: Sonny Sin Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Melissa Ortega Commission for Women: Julie Glasser Early Childhood Council: Leonor Vargas Human Rights Commission: Morgan Davis Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell Commissioners Absent: African American Resource Advisory Commission: Serita Fontanesi or Antonio Ross PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 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. Kathy Mitchell, shares about the Community Investment Budget which 44 organizations have signed and requests that the JIC endorse. 100% community based budget that was developed months in advance and does not represent a coalition of vendors. Kathy shares that the budget process may be conservative and that she is available to return to the JIC to present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission: Jerry Joe Benson 1 1. Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on MAY 29th, 2024. The minutes were approved on COMMISSIONER MORGAN DAVIS’ motion, COMMISSIONER JENNIFER POWELL’s second, on a 9-0 vote. (Absent: African American Resource Advisory Commission’s Serita Fontanesi or Antonio Ross). STAFF BRIEFING 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Staff briefing on 2024 updates of City of Austin Demographics by Lila Valencia, City Demographer. Lila Valencia presents and shares updates to the Commission. COMMISSIONERS AMANDA AFIFI, RICHARD BONDI, and JENNIFER POWELL discuss follow up questions regarding SOGI, housing, and disability data in 1hr:12mins:20secs of the recording. Update on adding the Commission on Veterans Affairs to the Joint Inclusion Committee. No new updates at this time; waiting to hear an update from the City’s Audit and Finance Committee’s meeting on the July 23rd. Update on email communications about possible collaboration with the College Student Commission. COMMISSIONER RICHARD BONDI shares that students are breaking for the summer, and that the JIC could readdress the discussion in the fall. Update …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) convened a REGULAR meeting on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24TH, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. CST in the CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS RM #1101 (301 W. 2ND STREET, AUSTIN, TX 78701) Chair AMANDA AFIFI called the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi (Vice Chair) Commission for Women: Rebecca Austen Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi (Chair) Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission: Nayer Sikder Human Rights Commission: Morgan Davis LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission: Charles Curry Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell Commissioners Absent: African American Resource Advisory Commission: Serita Fontanesi or Antonio Ross Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Melissa Ortega or Jose Caceres Early Childhood Council: Leonor Vargas or Eliza Gordon PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 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 COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on March 27th, 2024. The minutes were approved at the APRIL 24th, 2024 meeting on COMMISSIONER None. 1 4. 5. JENNIFER POWELL’s motion, COMMISSIONER MORGAN DAVIS’s second on a 6- 0 vote (Off the dais: Commission for Women, Commissioner Rebecca Austen; Absent: African American Resource Advisory Commission’s Commissioners Serita Fontanesi and Antonio Ross, Commission on Immigrant Affairs’ Commissioners Melissa Ortega and Jose Caceres, Early Childhood Council’s Commissioners Leonor Vargas and Eliza Gordon). STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Fausto Rodriguez, Lieutenant – APD; Sadot Azzua – Public Information Specialist, SR. – APD. Presenting to Commission on City of Austin Procedures and Policies for Senate Bill 4. Lieutenant Rodriguez shares with the Commission that it does not look like SB4 will take effect anytime soon in Texas. SB4 includes three penal code offenses. Officers must let the detainee know that they do not have to say their residency status. Sadot Azzua shares what the community liaisons are sharing – if you are victim/witness of a crime, please contact APD; CPIO created “I need language interpretation” cards. Sadot Azzua shares that CPIO is available to present to the JIC and if there is a message that is missing in a specific language, please let her know. APD has an entirely Spanish Facebook page (including resources …
REGULAR MEETING of the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) WEDNESDAY, MAY 29TH, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. CST CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS RM #1101 301 W. 2ND STREET, AUSTIN, TX 78701 MEETING AGENDA Some members of the Joint Inclusion Committee 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 Alejandra Mireles (Community Services Program Coordinator, Equity Office) at (512) 974-8045 or alejandra.mireles@austintexas.gov. CURRENT JIC MEMBER COMMISSIONS & REPRESENTATIVES: Member Commission: African American Resource Advisory Commission Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission Commission for Women Commission on Aging Commission on Immigrant Affairs Early Childhood Council Hispanic/Latino Quality-of-Life Resource Advisory Commission Human Rights Commission LGBTQ+ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities CALL TO ORDER: Primary Representative: Serita Fontanesi Alternate Representative: Antonio Ross Sonny Sin Nayer Sikder Julie Glasser Richard Bondi (Vice-Chair) Teresa Ferguson Melissa Ortega Rebecca Austen Jose Caceres Leonor Vargas Amanda Afifi (Chair) Eliza Gordon Ivana Neri Morgan Davis Charles Curry Muneeb "Meebs" Aslam Melissa Taylor Jennifer Powell Lira Ramirez AGENDA 1 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 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 COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on APRIL 24th, 2024. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Share updates regarding the JIC May 7th FY25 Budget Recommendation follow up meeting with City departments. Update on Commission on Veteran’s Affairs joining the Joint Inclusion Committee. Discuss Poet Laureate signature document in support of an Austin Poet Laureate Program. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Conduct officer elections for the Vice Chair. Approve a Budget Workgroup to follow up on FY25 Budget Recommendations and prepare for FY26 Budget Town Halls. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT: -- The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans 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 …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) convened a REGULAR meeting on WEDNESDAY, MAY 29TH, 2024, at 3:07 P.M. CST in the CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS RM #1101 (301 W. 2ND STREET, AUSTIN, TX 78701) Chair AMANDA AFIFI called the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi (Vice Chair) Hispanic Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi (Chair) Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission: Sonny Sin Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Melissa Ortega or Jose Caceres Commission for Women: Rebecca Austen Human Rights Commission: Morgan Davis Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell Commissioners Absent: African American Resource Advisory Commission: Serita Fontanesi or Antonio Ross Early Childhood Council: Leonor Vargas or Eliza Gordon PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 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. None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission: Charles Curry Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on APRIL 24th, 2024. The minutes were approved on COMMISSIONER MORGAN DAVIS’ motion, COMMISSIONER JENNIFER POWELL’s second, on a 7-3 vote. (Absent: African 1 American Resource Advisory Commission’s Serita Fontanesi or Antonio Ross; Early Childhood Council’s Leonor Vargas or Eliza Gordon; and LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Commission’s Jerome J. Benson or Lira Ramirez). DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Share updates regarding the JIC May 7th FY25 Budget Recommendation follow up meeting with City departments. COMMISSIONER RICHARD BONDI shares that the Commission on Aging is following up with Housing Department regarding conversations held during May 7th meeting for budget recommendations. COMMISSIONER AMANDA AFIFI shares that past budget cycles have had more time like the May 7th for the Commissioners to follow up with budget recommendations. COMMISSIONER JENNIFER POWELL shares that next year the conversation with City department leaders could also occur before budget recommendations are made. Update on Commission on Veteran’s Affairs joining the Joint Inclusion Committee. COMMISSIONERS RICHARD BONDI and AMANADA AFIFI recap email communication with the Office of the City Clerk and waiting to confirm that the amended bylaws will be presented to the City’s Audit and Finance Committee for approval at its next meeting on July 23, 2024. Discuss Poet Laureate signature document in support of an Austin Poet …
REGULAR MEETING of the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24TH, 2024, at 3:00 P.M. CST CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS RM #1101 301 W. 2ND STREET, AUSTIN, TX 78701 MEETING AGENDA Some members of the Joint Inclusion Committee 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 Alejandra Mireles (Community Services Program Coordinator, Equity Office) at (512) 974-8045 or alejandra.mireles@austintexas.gov. CURRENT JIC MEMBER COMMISSIONS & REPRESENTATIVES: Member Commission: African American Resource Advisory Commission Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission Commission for Women Commission on Aging Commission on Immigrant Affairs Early Childhood Council Hispanic/Latino Quality-of-Life Resource Advisory Commission Human Rights Commission LGBTQ+ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities CALL TO ORDER: Primary Representative: Serita Fontanesi Alternate Representative: Antonio Ross Sonny Sin Nayer Sikder Julie Glasser Richard Bondi (Vice-Chair) Teresa Ferguson Melissa Ortega Rebecca Austen Jose Caceres Leonor Vargas Amanda Afifi (Chair) Eliza Gordon Ivana Neri Morgan Davis Charles Curry Muneeb "Meebs" Aslam Melissa Taylor Jennifer Powell Lira Ramirez AGENDA 1 PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 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 COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on March 27th, 2024. Fausto Rodriguez, Lieutenant – APD, Presenting to Commission on City of Austin Procedures and Policies for Senate Bill 4. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. KB Brookins, Author and Poet. Proposal for a City of Austin Poet Laureate Program. Discussion to avoid quorum during May 7th Virtual City Department Follow Up FY25 Budget Recommendations event. Discussion on future recommendation regarding Senate Bill 4. 5. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Conduct officer elections for the Chair. Conduct officer elections for the Vice Chair. Approve amending the bylaws to include the Commission on Veteran Affairs as a member of the Joint Inclusion Committee. Approve presenting amended bylaws with Commission on Veteran Affairs as a member of the Joint Inclusion Committee to the Office of the City Clerk and the Audit and Finance …
Board and Commission Recommendation Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities Recommendation Number 20240322-002 Approve a point-in-time count for people with disabilities in Austin WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities is authorized by Austin City Code 2-1-108 to serve as an advisory body to the city council and city manager regarding problems affecting the persons with disabilities in the Austin area; WHEREAS, the Committee serves in an advisory and consultative capacity to the Human Resources Department and the city council to ensure effective compliance and enforcement of Chapters 5-6 (Discrimination against a person with a disability); WHEREAS, the Committee has tried to get a proper count of Austinites with disabilities and has found that no city has tracked Austinites with disabilities. WHEREAS, a point-in-time count is necessary to provide information to the mayor, city council, city manager, and heads of all city departments and agencies to achieve the purposes of Chapters 5-6 (Discrimination Against A Person With A Disability); We recommend a point- in-time count be done at the earliest time possible, and that the proper funds to achieve this be researched and set aside to achieve this goal in a most expedient manner possible. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities support of a point-in-time count the City Council review, support, and take action to approve a point-in-time count. Date of Approval: March 22, 2024 Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 6-0 vote For: Vice Chair Meyer, Commissioners Chang, Fetonte, Powell, Ramírez and Salazar Absent: Chair Franks, Commissioners Hogan and Vassallo Attest: Elisabeth Meyer, Vice Chair
Board and Commission Recommendation Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities Recommendation Number 20240322-003 Electronic Community Participation and Information Sharing Whereas: To be effective AMCPD requires a coordinated way to get information to people with disabilities in the Austin community. Whereas: Austin has a large but fragmented web of services for various populations within the disability community making it impossible for the AMCPD to collaborate effectively with the population we serve. Whereas: The AMCPD tried to use personal channels to disseminate an important survey about experiences of transportation and safety, but this resulted in only three responses. Whereas: Due to lack of opportunities in education, transportation, and a centralized information point, people with disabilities are not currently able to participate or self-advocate in city processes affecting them in any meaningful way. Now Therefore Be It Resolved the city will update the AMCPD web page to include the following. First a section to highlight ways people with disabilities can participate at the city level. This could include up to date important information, links to surveys, and items of interest relating to city community activities, policy changes, and opportunities to participate in various open comment periods that have an impact on the experience of citizens with disabilities in the Austin community. Second, an opportunity for Austinites with disabilities to enter their email information and the subsequent creation of an email list that can be used by the AMCPD Chair or Vice Chair to communicate important information and opportunities for participation within the Austin community. Date of Approval: March 22, 2024 Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 6-0 vote For: Vice Chair Meyer, Commissioners Chang, Fetonte, Powell, Ramírez and Salazar Absent: Chair Franks, Commissioners Hogan and Vassallo Attest: Elisabeth Meyer, Vice Chair
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20240415‐2 Transgender and Sexual Identity Protections WHEREAS, the City of Austin has been one of the fastest‐growing cities in the United States for over a decade, resulting in rapidly increasing demands on housing, infrastructure, public safety, and other city resources; and WHEREAS, in 2023, the Texas state legislature passed legislation restricting or criminalizing access to gender‐affirming healthcare across Texas, which was subsequently signed by the governor and became law effective September 1, 2023; and WHEREAS, as a home‐rule city, the City has the authority and responsibility to prioritize the use of its limited resources and taxpayer dollars to address the most urgent needs of all residents, including focusing the use of public safety resources on substantive and broad threats to residents’ safety and livelihood; and WHEREAS the City Council recognizes that families and healthcare providers in Austin are living in uncertainty and fear, and many are considering moving away or have already moved to other states to access medical care for their children or to be able to practice medicine freely in accordance with professional and ethical standards; and WHEREAS multiple healthcare providers in Texas have scaled back healthcare services in response to legal challenges, perception of legal risk, harassment, or threats of violence; and WHEREAS gender‐affirming healthcare has been proven to be evidence‐based, medically necessary, and lifesaving by the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the American Academy of Pediatricians, the Endocrine Society, the American Psychiatric Association, and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, amongst other institutions; and WHEREAS, studies have shown that gender transition, including access to gender‐affirming healthcare, improves the overall well‐being of transgender people and that access to gender‐affirming healthcare for youth is associated with better mental health outcomes and lower risks of suicide; and WHEREAS over 94 percent of LGBTQ+ youth surveyed by the Trevor Project in late 2021 said recent politics have negatively impacted their mental health, and 93 percent of transgender and nonbinary youth surveyed by the Trevor Project in 2022 said they have worried about transgender people being denied access to gender‐affirming medical care due to state or local laws; and WHEREAS, a majority of U.S. adults agree that transgender minors should have access to gender‐ affirming care; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has consistently declared its commitment to furthering transgender equity and supporting its transgender and nonbinary …
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 BYLAWS OF THE Joint Inclusion Committee ARTICLE 1. NAME. The name of the board is Joint Inclusion Committee. ARTICLE 2. PURPOSE AND DUTIES. The purpose of the board is to advise the council on issues pertaining to equity, diversity and inclusion and to promote close cooperation between the council, City management, City boards, commissions, committees and task forces to increase and sustain equity, diversity and inclusion in the city. ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP. (A) The board is composed of 10 members representing their respective board appointed by the city council from the African American Resource Advisory Commission, the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission, the Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities, the Commission on Seniors, the Commission for Women, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Quality of Life Advisory Commission, the Human Rights Commission and the Early Childhood Council. (B) A member serves at the pleasure of the city council. (C) Board members serve for a term of four years beginning March 1st on the year of appointment. (D) An individual board member may not act in an official capacity except through the action of the board. (E) A board member who is absent for three consecutive regular meetings or one-third of all regular meetings in a “rolling” twelve month timeframe automatically vacates the member’s position subject to the holdover provisions in Section 2-1-27 of the City Code. This does not apply to an absence due to illness or injury of the board member, an illness or injury of a board member’s immediate family member, active military service, or the birth or adoption of the board member’s child for 90 days after the event. The board member must notify the staff liaison of the reason for the absence not later than the date of the next regular meeting of the board. Failure to notify the liaison before the next regular meeting of the board will result in an unexcused absence. (F) At each meeting, each board member shall sign an attendance sheet which indicates that the member …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE convened a REGULAR meeting on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27th, 2024 at 3:00 P.M. CST in the CITY OF AUSTIN at the Boards and Commission Rooms #1101 in City Hall (301 W. 2nd Street, Austin, Texas 78701). Chair AMANDA AFIFI called the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Hispanic/Latino Quality-of-Life Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi (Chair) LGBTQ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: Charles Curry Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: African American Resource Advisory Commission: Serita Fontanesi Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: Sonny Sin Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi (Co-Chair) Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Melissa Ortega Commission for Women: Rebecca Austen Human Rights Commission: Morgan Davis Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell Commissioners Absent: Early Childhood Council: Eliza Gordon or Leonor Vargas Staff in Attendance: Alejandra Mireles, Community Services Program Coordinator, Equity Office MEETING AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on February 28th, 2024. 1 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. The minutes were approved on COMMISSIONER REBECCA AUSTEN’s motion, COMMISSIONER RICHARD BONDI’s second on a 9-0 vote (Absent: Early Childhood Council Commissioners Leonor Vargas or Eliza Gordon) DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve a recommendation for an Austin Board and Commission Budget Recommendations Tracker. Commissioners discuss and edit. Recommendation PASSESS on COMMISSIONER RICHARD BONDI’s motion, COMMISSIONER SERITA FONTANESI’s second on a 9-0 vote (Absent: Early Childhood Council Commissioners Eliza Gordon and Leonor Vargas). Approve a recommendation for joint endorsement of the Commission for Women’s recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for Funding Collective Sex Crimes Response Model (CSCRM) Action. Commissioners discuss and edit. Recommendation PASSESS on COMMISSIONER REBECCA AUSTEN’s motion, COMMISSIONER RICHARD BONDI’s second on a 9-0 vote (Absent: Early Childhood Council Commissioners Eliza Gordon and Leonor Vargas). Approve a recommendation for joint endorsement of the Early Childhood Council’s recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for Current Early Childhood Investments. Commissioners discuss and edit. Recommendation PASSESS on COMMISSIONER RICHARD CURRY’s motion, COMMISSIONER RICHARD BONDI’s second on a 9-0 vote (Absent: Early Childhood Council Commissioners Eliza Gordon and Leonor Vargas). Approve a recommendation for joint endorsement of the Commission on Aging’s recommendation on the FY 2024-25 Budget for Funding for the GO Repair Program. Commissioners discuss and edit. Recommendation PASSESS on COMMISSIONER RICHARD BONDI’s motion, COMMISSIONER MELISSA ORTEGA’s second on a 9-0 vote (Absent: Early Childhood Council Commissioners …
APD’s Response to SB4 April 23, 2024 SB 4 Summary Creates 3 new offenses: Illegal Entry from Foreign Nation Illegal Reentry Refusal to Comply with Order to Return to Foreign Nation Safe Harbors Public, private, primary or secondary school Church, synagogue or other established place of worship Healthcare facility SAFE-ready facility Summary continued… Not in effect at this time No current or anticipated changes to APD’s internal policies APD’s Existing Policy General Order 330 Overview Interactions with Foreign Nationals APD will not consider race, color, religion, language or national origin when deciding whether to inquire into status APD will not inquire into status of a person who is a victim or witness to a crime, except under special circumstances All inquiries are documented and include the officer’s reason for asking, including in follow up investigations Overview continued… APD must inform detainee or arrestee that they are not compelled to respond to the inquiry and will not be subjected to additional action if they do not respond APD must comply with orders and requests for assistance from ICE and federal officials. This includes notification to an APD supervisor and confirmation of validity of detainer APD’s Response to the Community on SB4 Statements to the public regarding updates on status of SB4 Explanation to public that APD is unlikely to have probable cause to make warrantless arrests under SB4 Encouragement to victims and witnesses of crime to continue reporting to APD APD’s Response to the Community on SB4 Commitment to monitor ongoing litigation and keep community informed Continued engagement with immigrant communities while maintaining awareness of and sensitivity to SB4’s impact Questions…
