(JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE) MEETING MINUTES (10.25.2023) JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th, 2023 The JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE convened in a REGULAR meeting on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27th, 2023, at the PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (PDC) - AUSTIN CITY HALL - BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM, 301 W. 2ND STREET in AUSTIN, TEXAS. Vice-Chair Commissioner RICHARD BONDI called the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE MEETING to order at 3:11pm CST. Commissioners in Attendance: Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi (Vice-Chair) Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: Hanna Huang Commission for Women: Rebecca Austen Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Melissa Ortega 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 Hispanic/Latino Quality-of Life-Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi (Chair) Commission for Women: Julie Glasser LGBTQ+ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: VACANT Staff in Attendance: Equity Office, Business Process Consultant – Jeremy Garza Equity Office, Community Services Program Coordinator – Alejandra Mireles 1 (JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE) MEETING MINUTES (10.25.2023) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on AUGUST 23rd, 2023. The minutes from the meeting of August 23rd, 2023, were approved on COMMISSIONER REBECCA AUSTEN’s motion, JENNIFER POWELL’s second on a 7 – 0 vote. (Absent: Serita Fontanesi, Amanda Afifi, and Julie Glasser) None APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. STAFF BRIEFINGS None. DISCUSSION ITEM 2. Discussion on the FY24 adopted Budget; report and soliciting feedback from the Joint Inclusion Budget Workshop hosted on September 9th, 2024; with discussion on the FY25 Budget timeline and upcoming FY25 Budget Town Halls. Staff liaison JEREMY GARZA shared with the Commission about September 9th's JIC Budget Workshop and the dates for upcoming town halls. Commissioner RICHARD BONDI asked for some follow up on reports as to how the recommendations in the past have been used. Staff liaison JEREMY GARZA stated that he and staff liaison ALEJANDRA MIRELES will pass this information onto the Departments. The JIC could also make a recommendation for a request of these reports from the City of Austin Departments and possibly add this step/requirement to the Budget Process in the future. Commissioner RICHARD BONDI will discuss requesting reports with the Commission on Aging and then share with other commissions. Commissioner JENNIFER POWELL expressed to the Commission that she greatly appreciated and learned a lot at the event. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discussion on …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Number: Recommendation Austin 20230927-003 City Council to take action and make available to the public a comprehensive budget presentation that outlines the allocation of funds aimed address homelessness in Austin WHEREAS, homelessness numerous is a pressing and in Austin; individuals and families and multifaceted issue that impacts the lives of WHEREAS, the City of Austin is committe community where the rights and dignity of d to fostering all residents an inclusi and are protected; ve and compassionate WHEREAS, our elected and compassion for our unhoused population; and council members have demonstrated a deep understanding, concern, budget WHEREAS, a public dedicated to addressing and stakeholders; presentation will provide and facilitate clarity informed decisio on the financial n-making resources among local homelessness WHEREAS, by conducting expenditure, the Austin and demonstrate its commitment City Council will strengthen public governance. to equitable a public budget presentation on homelessness alleviation trust, foster community involvement, NOW, THEREFORE, Austin City Council to take action presentation with the following elements: BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Incl and make available calls upon the usion Committee to the public a comprehensive budget in Austin homelessness that outlines the allocation of funds aimed at addressing efforts of the budget • Budget Metric Plans: alleviation homelessness trends • Actual in funding priorities, Expenditures: over the previous decade, to address were utilized shelters, permanent other essential A comprehensive during breakdown the past 10 years, and providing A transparent a current year account and detailed along with a comprehensive highlighting estimate. of the actual breakdown of homelessness, support, of how these funds encompassing employment dimensions mental solutions, for allocation any changes various housing health funds expended or emergency and assistance, services. Metrics: by performance • Performance accompanied successful housing housing. An analysis of the impact metrics placements, employment of homelessness alleviation served, such as the number of individuals of existing outcomes, and status programs, city-owned • Lessons Plans: Learned and Future of challenges encountered during the An evaluation programs, implementation to overcome alleviation centers along with the strategies employed summer heat. as we experience historic these challenges. Ex: cooling of homelessness BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Council Austin. compassionate on its exceptional leaderships and tireless efforts Committee the Austin commends in laying out the foundation for a more City Date of Approval: September 27, 2023 Record of the vote: 7 -0 FOR: Vice Chair R. …
BOARD/COMMISSI ON RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Number: Recommendation : Inhumane 20230927-004 Abbott by Governor activities at the Texas boarder initiated of Operation Lone Star as Whereas people here and abroad; and the city of Austin is committed to equity and protection of basic human rights for all Whereas and hostile immigrants push-back, seeking in direct violation of their civil rights; and refuge at the Texas border have historically faced discriminatio n Whereas DPS troopers migrants and and even death; the discrimination and hostility who have seen first hand the "absolute officers, monstrou in multiple have recently by law enforcement and reported as witnessed of treatment injuries, bodily escalated, s, inhumane" resulting incidents of serious by Whereas violate federal the Texas Legislat ure has allocated nearly for border security efforts that laws, and are currently under investigation; $10 billion and Whereas human rights of persons Pass, TX; and Governor Abbott has, time and time again, enacted policies that directly violate the seeking refuge in the United States, most recently in Eagle documented Whereas Immigrant would not work and in some cases would make things advocates rights worse; have been warning Abbott that his deterrence policies be it resolved Therefore to condemn, Governor Abbott at the Texas border. in the strongest terms, that the Joint Inclusion Committee encourages the inhumane activities of Operation the Austin Lone Star as initiated City Council by Date of Approval: 27, 2023 September Record of the vote: 7-0 FOR: Vice Chair R. Bo ndi, H. Huang, R. Austen, M. Ortega, M. Davis, L. Vargas, J. Powell Absent: Chair A. Afifi, S. Fontanesi, J. Glasser Attest: _____________________________________________ R. Bondi, Vice Chair Attest: _____________________________________________ A. Mireles, Staff Liaison [Equity Office Community Services Program Coordinator]
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Joint Inclusion Committee Number: Recommendation 20230927-005: Inhumane Prison Conditions WHEREAS, the historically and have created extreme life-threatening conditions; and summer temperatures in Texas are widely acknowledged WHEREAS, the absence of adequate incarcerated violation and constitution; people and correct of basic human rights air conditioning ional staff to intolerable a States under cruel and unusual punishment clause of the United in two-thirds of Texas prisons subjects and unsafe heat levels, which constitute WHEREAS, the lack of climate among incarcerated and health effects; people control health exacerbates risks, and staff, including heat exhaustion, causing heat-related heatstroke, and other adverse illnesses WHEREAS, such conditions contributed to severe rights staff shortages, and cost millions and within the past 10 years; have taken the lives of multiple lawsuits Texans, incarcerated in wrongful death and civil likely of dollars WHEREAS, the absence environment, correctional of climate ensions heightening t and facilities; control and compromising contributes to a hostile and volatile overall prison safety and security within the WHEREAS, it is our moral and ethical including compassion; those who and are incarcerated, and to ensure that they are treated with respect and duty to uphold the rights and dignity of all Texans, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Joint Inclu 1.Austin City Council is urgently inhumane need to address from the absence city limits, resulting is further advocacy City Council 2.Austin urged to collaborate for the "AC in Prisons" called conditions upon to recognize in correctional of air conditioning. that: sion Committee and acknowledge both within the pressing and outside facilities, the in Texas prisons, prioritizing facilities bill for the installation of air risk ofheat with the highest with the State of Texas on viable including solutions, conditioning systems deaths. related City Council 3.Austin along with human rights awareness around this pressing matter. is encouraged organizations, to collaborate legal experts, state and federal groups, with relevant and advocacy to help raise agencies, 4.Austin City Council reporting model that ensures is recommended on climate-related to establish conditions within to humane conditions. adherences its own facilities a model for effective monitoring and to serve as a state-wide 5.The Austin consultation parties to develop City Council with the Human Rights is called upon to engage Commission, and affected stakeholders, in constructive community for addressing extreme dialogue and heat conditions. comprehensive guidelines BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Council Austin. compassionate on its exceptional leaderships and …
JOINT INCLUSSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20230927-007: MEDICAL RESPITE, STREET MEDICINE, & APD Date: August 27, 2023 Subject: Medical Respite, Street Medicine, and the Austin Police Department (APD) Motioned by: Commissioner Jennifer Powell Seconded by: Commissioner Hannah Huang WHEREAS, homelessness causes health problems and limits healing and recuperation, especially after an acute illness; WHEREAS, Central Health is providing health care to individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness through their Medical Respite program; WHEREAS, Medical Respite program gives individuals experiencing homelessness a place to rest and recover from an acute illness; WHEREAS, currently there are 7 male beds and 4 female beds at A New Entry, as well as 10-15 male beds at the ARCH; WHEREAS, medical respite beds for individuals from acute care facilities prompt healing and recuperation, and is an opportunity to break the cycle of homelessness and readmissions; WHEREAS, individuals experiencing homelessness encounter barriers to healthcare which reduces life expectancy; WHEREAS, the CommUnity Care Street Medicine Team helps individuals experiencing homelessness access necessary healthcare services; WHEREAS, the CommUnity Care Street Medicine Team is the only street medical team in Travis County in the field providing primary medical care to unsheltered houseless people; WHEREAS, the CommUnity Care Street Medicine Team often find themselves sharing a common geographical area with law enforcement; 1 WHEREAS, the CommUnity Care Street Medicine Team have witnessed the negative impacts of involuntary displacements caused by the sweeps and the negative effects on the health of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness; WHEREAS, individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness are not allowed to retrieve items during law enforcement sweeps and are involuntary displaced; WHEREAS, the sweeps cause disruption of healthcare and social network, loss of contact with outreach, increased incarceration, negative impacts on trust, and loss of medication, documents, phones, and belongings; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends the Austin City Council to allocate funds and explore all available resources in order to accommodate more beds with an emphasis on increasing beds for women and beds that accommodate pets; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Joint Inclusion Committee recommends Austin City Council to direct Austin Police Department work and coordinate directly with the Street Medicine Team to establish a protocol so that they can complete their health checks, case work and visits if their arrival intersects with APD sweep activities. Vote Roll Call Vote: 7 – 0. Against:None. Abstain:None. Commissioner Julie Glasser For: Commissioner Richard Bondi (Vice …
HISPANIC/LATINO QUALITY-OF-LIFE RESOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20230822-006: MAINTAIN THE INDEPENDENT AUTONOMY OF THE EQUITY OFFICE, CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE, SMALL & MINORITY BUSINESS RESOURCES, OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY, AND RESILIENCE OFFICE Date: August 27, 2023 Subject: Maintain the independent autonomy of the Equity Office, Civil Rights Office, Small & Minority Business Resources, Office of Sustainability, and Resilience Office Motioned by: Commissioner Hanna Huang Seconded by: Commissioner Leonor Vargas WHEREAS, in 2015, an analysis from the University of Toronto’s Martin Prosperity Institute ranked the City of Austin as the most economically segregated metro area in North America and a place where wealthy, college-educated professionals and less-educated, blue-collar workers are least likely to share the same neighborhoods; and WHEREAS, in response to this study, the City Council passed Resolution No. 20150507-027 in 2017, directing the City Manager to evaluate the impact of existing city policies and practices on racial equity and develop an Equity Assessment Tool to be used across city departments during different processes such as budgets, studies, programs, policies and such; and WHEREAS, the Equity Office was created as an autonomous City entity in 2016 to focus on advancing equity in all aspects of city operations after over 150 community members dedicated more than 900 hours to designing the equity assessment tool and a definition of equity that could be operationalized across different city departments; and WHEREAS, since 2016, the Equity Office has served as a model for other Equity Offices in different municipalities across the country and has created partnerships with many national organizations, including the Government Alliance on Race & Equity, Race Forward, Living Cities, National League of Cities; and WHEREAS, as an autonomous government body, the Equity Office has implemented the Undoing Racism training, where they have trained staff from all city departments, including former Mayor Adler and former City Manager Spencer Cronk, and more than 200 organizations; and 1 WHEREAS, the Equity Office serves as an advisor to all quality of life commissions, ensuring there is equity in public processes, organizing the inclusion of boards & commissions in the budget process, and facilitating open conversations and community engagement; and WHEREAS, more than $1 million has been distributed through the Equity Office community mini-grant program that has been a catalyst for grassroots organizations working directly with residents who are directly impacted by immigration policies, homelessness, public safety, and housing, among others; and WHEREAS, the Equity Office is currently leading …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING AGENDA AUGUST 23rd, 2023 REGULAR MEETING of the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 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 (August 22nd 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 Business Process Consultant, Jeremy Garza, no later than 12pm-noon (CST) on Tuesday, August 22nd, 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 Commission for Women Primary Representative: Alternate Representative: Serita Fontanesi Antonio Ross Hanna Huang Nayer Sikder Juliana Gonzalez Richard Bondi 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 (Chair) VACANT Rebecca Austen Teresa Ferguson Melissa Ortega Eliza Gordon Ivana Neri Morgan Davis LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities VACANT VACANT Jennifer Powell Elizabeth Meyer JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING AGENDA AUGUST 23rd, 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. Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on JULY 26th, 2023. DISCUSSION ITEM 2. Discussion on gathering questions for the City Manager’s Office regarding the changes to the telework policy for city personnel; the hiring process for a new Director for the Office of Police Oversight, a new Chief Equity Officer, and the search for a new permanent city manager; and about the organizational changes the City Manager would like to make …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 23rd, 2023 JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 2023 The JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE convened in a REGULAR meeting on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 23rd, 2023, at CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM #1101, 301 W 2ND STREET in AUSTIN, TEXAS. Chair AMANDA AFIFI called the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE MEETING to order at 3:04pm 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: Nayer Sikder Commission for Women: Julie Glasser Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Miriam Dorantes Early Childhood Council: Leonor Vargas Human Rights Commission: Morgan Davis Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell Commissioners Absent: LGBTQ+ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: VACANT Staff in Attendance: Equity Office, Business Process Consultant – Jeremy Garza JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 23rd, 2023 MEETING MINUTES 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. None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on JULY 26th, 2023. The minutes from the REGULAR meeting of JULY 26th, 2023 were approved on COMMISSIONER RICHARD BONDI’s motion, COMMISIONER JULIE GLASSER’s second on a 9 – 0 vote. Discussion on gathering questions for the City Manager’s Office regarding the changes to the telework policy for city personnel; the hiring process for a new Director for the Office of Police Oversight, a new Chief Equity Officer, and the search for a new permanent city manager; and about the organizational changes the City Manager would like to make to the Equity Office, Civil Rights Office, Small & Minority Business Resources Department, Office of Sustainability, and the Resilience Office. Hiring Question: What is the timeline to fill the vacant positions and those being held interim positions? Hiring Question: Will there be community input or community participation in the hiring process or feedback? Hiring Question: Do they envision a need to change or modify the posting for the vacant positions before starting the hiring process? Concern that reclassification slows down the process more. Hiring Question: What will public communication look like throughout the process since these are such high-profile roles? DISCUSSION ITEM 2. JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING AGENDA JULY 26th, 2023 REGULAR MEETING of the JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) WEDNESDAY, JULY 26th, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. CST PERMITTING & DEVELOPMENT CENTER (PDC) ROOM #1215 CAFE 6310 WILHELMINA DELCO DR, AUSTIN, TX 78752 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 (July 25th 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 Business Process Consultant, Jeremy Garza, no later than 12pm-noon (CST) on Tuesday, July 25th, 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: Primary Representative: Alternate Representative: Serita Fontanesi Antonio Ross Hanna Huang Nayer Sikder Member Commission: African American Resource Advisory Commission Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission Commission for Women Juliana Gonzalez Richard Bondi 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 JULY 26th, 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. Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on JUNE 28th, 2023. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussion on the Interim City Manager’s changes to the telework policy for city employees, with possible action to pass a recommendation to City Council in support of continuing telework to maintain a competitive workforce. Discussion on the Interim City Manager’s Proposed Budget for FY24, with possible action to approve a recommendation to …
JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING MINUTES JULY 26th, 2023 JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JULY 26th, 2023 The JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE convened in a REGULAR meeting on WEDNESDAY, JULY 26th, 2023, at the PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER (PDC) - 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 3:17pm CST. Commissioners in Attendance: Hispanic/Latino Quality-of Life-Resource Advisory Commission: Amanda Afifi (Chair) Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: Hanna Huang Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: African American Resource Advisory Commission: Serita Fontanesi Commission for Women: Julie Glasser Commission on Aging: Richard Bondi Commission on Immigrant Affairs: Miriam Dorantes & Melissa Ortega Early Childhood Council: Leonor Vargas & Eliza Gordon Human Rights Commission: Morgan Davis Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities: Jennifer Powell Commissioners Absent: LGBTQ+ Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission: VACANT Staff in Attendance: Equity Office, Immigrant Affairs Program Manager – Rocio Villalobos Equity Office, Business Process Consultant – Jeremy Garza 1 JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE (JIC) MEETING MINUTES MEETING MINUTES JULY 26th, 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. None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the COMMITTEE’s REGULAR MEETING on JUNE 28th, 2023. The minutes from the meeting of JUNE 28th, 2023, were approved on COMMISSIONER SERITA FONTANESI’s motion, COMMISSIONER JENNIFER POWELL’s second on a 9 – 0 vote. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussion on the Interim City Manager’s changes to the telework policy for city employees, with possible action to pass a recommendation to City Council in support of continuing telework to maintain a competitive workforce. Whereas, the ability to telework has the largest impact on women, childcare givers, and those with childcare needs. Whereas, the City of Austin has the highest childcare costs in the State of Texas, with impacts felt across the city and telework provides flexibility and helps alleviate pressure on the affordability crisis facing families and childcare givers in Austin. Whereas, telework has direct impacts in opening access to people with disabilities to the City workforce and is crucial to retaining those employees in a healthy and accommodating work environment. Whereas, it is a more inclusive policy to have telework for BIPOC staff and people of …
JOINT INCLUSSION COMMITTEE (JIC) RECOMMENDATION 20230726-002 CITY EMPLOYEE “WORK-FROM-HOME”/TELEWORK POLICY Date: July 26, 2023 City of Austin Employee “Work-From-Home” Telework Policy Subject: Motioned by: Commissioner Hanna Huang Seconded By: Commissioner Richard Bondi JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20230726-002 JOINTLY ENDORSED RECOMMENDATION TO AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL WHEREAS, the ability to telework has the largest impact on women, childcare givers, and those with childcare needs; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has the highest childcare costs in the State of Texas, with impacts felt across the city and telework provides flexibility and helps alleviate pressure on the affordability crisis facing families and childcare givers in Austin; and WHEREAS, telework has direct impacts in opening access to people with disabilities to the City workforce and is crucial to retaining those employees in a healthy and accommodating work environment; and WHEREAS, it is a more inclusive policy to have telework for BIPOC staff and people of color who overwhelmingly report better work productivity and overall health with a flexible telework policy; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin's vision for net zero emissions by 2040 prioritizes greenhouse gas emission reduction and calls for 50% of trips to be made by using public transit, biking, walking, carpooling, or avoided altogether by working from home and providing a robust telework policy; and WHEREAS, the Climate Equity Plan states that climate impacts are not felt equally across all communities and that the City of Austin's Interim City Manager's recent orders to revoke work- from-home and severely limit teleworking options will disproportionately impact employees who may not be able to afford transportation costs, child care, and other expenses related to commuting while inflation and affordability issues continue to be of concern when recruiting and retaining city staff; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin is struggling to fill many positions and allowing employees to work remotely is a benefit that costs the city nothing and removing this benefit will likely make recruitment and retention of employees even more challenging, and vacancies result in unfulfilled goals and reduced services, which is not in the community’s interest; and WHEREAS, the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan aims to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases by encouraging telework and work-from-home initiatives; and WHEREAS, driving contributes to the creation of ground-level ozone, which is a harmful air pollutant that causes and contributes to asthma and other respiratory illnesses; and WHEREAS, driving creates a large amount of plastic pollution …
JOINT INCLUSSION COMMITTEE (JIC) RECOMMENDATION 20230726-006 2024 CITY OF AUSTIN GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND PROGRAM for CULTURAL CENTERS in the PARD MUSEUMS & CULTURAL PROGRAMS DIVISION Date: July 26, 2023 Subject: 2024 City of Austin General Obligation Bond Program for Cultural Centers in the PARD Museums & Cultural Programs Division Motioned by: Commissioner Leonor Vargas Seconded By: Commissioner Amanda Afifi JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION 20230726-006 JOINTLY ENDORSED RECOMMENDATION TO AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION: The Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) recommends that City Council direct the Interim City Manager to proceed with completing the directive given in Resolution 20221208-068, namely to include funding needed to complete construction and fulfillment of master plans for the Asian American Resource Center, Doughtery Arts Center, Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, and the George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center in the 2024 City of Austin General Obligation Bond election. RATIONALE: The Joint Inclusion Committee recommends that rather than pausing all General Obligation Bonds in 2024, it is essential our City’s cultural centers are prioritized for a bond package to enable them to continue to move forward in the next steps of their master plans. Each facility was developed to serve diverse and underrepresented arts and cultural communities within Austin and have undergone extensive public input and engagement throughout the last 10 years. Doing so would prevent delay of further funding for their next phases, which is particularly needed to ensure safe facilities for cultural programs, meet the increased demand and use by the public, reduce rising costs of construction related to inflation, and continue to serve the City’s growing diverse populations. DESCRIPTION OF RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL: WHEREAS, the City of Austin has the highest childcare costs in the State of Texas, with impacts felt across the city and telework provides flexibility and helps alleviate pressure on the affordability crisis facing families and childcare givers in Austin; and WHEREAS, it is the value of the City of Austin to be an inclusive city for all of its citizens including those of diverse racial, ethnic, religious, and national origin backgrounds; and WHEREAS, according to section 2-1-204 of the City Code, the Joint Inclusion Committee is charged with advising the Council on issues pertaining to diversity and inclusion, and is representative body, consisting of the following ten commission members: African American Resource Advisory Commission, Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission, Commission for Women, Commission on Immigrant Affairs, …
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.
