LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, January 13, 2020 7:00 p.m. City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street Room 1027 (Executive Session Conference Room) Austin, Texas 78701 District Commissioner 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Kannou (Kimberly) Curette Sandra Chavez Victor Martinez (Chair) Holly Kirby Ruben Baeza Terrance Hines Deirdre Doughty Saul Gonzalez CALL TO ORDER District 9 10 Mayor At-Large At-Large At-Large At-Large AGENDA Commissioner Nan Dowling Brandon Wollerson Christina Gorczynski Tarik Daniels Charles Curry Kathryn Gonzales (Vice Chair) Melissa Taylor PUBLIC COMMUNICATION – Each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. 1. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF DECEMBER 10, 2019 3. REGULAR BUSINESS – The commission may take action or make recommendations on the following topics: a. Presentation by Austin Police Department concerning the Safe Place Initiative and hate crime statistics. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: Safety) b. Consideration of budget recommendations for the 2020-2021 fiscal year budget. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: All) c. Update concerning an LGBTQ quality of life study (Sponsor: Taylor; Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) d. Review status of previous commission-approved recommendations and determine whether any future actions are required. (Sponsor: Gonzales; Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American 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 meeting date. Please call Staff Liaison Neal Falgoust at 512-974-2154 or email neal.falgoust@austintexas.gov, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission, please contact Neal Falgoust at (512) 974-2154.
SAFE PLACE INITIATIVE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AUSTIN, TX 200+ police agencies throughout the US and Canada are actively working to initiate the Safe Place Program in their communities. HISTORY 2015: Created by the Seattle PD to address low reporting of anti-LGBTQ+ crimes. The goal is to increase public trust in law enforcement and feelings of safety in the community. 2018: Language on all decals was updated to encourage the reporting of all bias crimes, in all communities, not just LGBTQ+. 2019: Austin PD became the first police agency in Texas to implement the Program. ABOUT THE DECAL Trademarked and depicts a police shield surrounding the colors that traditionally have symbolized the LGBTQ+ community since the 1970s. Meant to convey inclusion and intersectionality with any and all individuals regardless of their race, political beliefs, nationality, age, gender, sexual orientation and/or identification, or any other differences either actual or perceived. Austin PD: Only department in the world to include decals in Spanish. Other languages coming soon. Due to safety concerns, this initiative is NOT designed or authorized for individual and/or residential use. HOW IT WORKS Free and voluntary initiative open to businesses and non-profit organizations in APD’s jurisdiction. Businesses that participate place a nationally and easily recognizable decal at their entrances. Signal for victims of bias-motivated crimes and indicates that location has partnered with the police, will call 911 on their behalf and allow them to stay on the premises until the police arrive. HOW TO PARTICIPATE -Receive authorization from the supervisor or corporate office. -Visit APDSAFEPLACE.ORG and complete the online registration form. -Receive a 30-45 min. training by Austin PD officers or Safe Place Coordinator. -Commit to the Safe Place principles. A FEW PARTICIPANTS 10,000+ businesses across the nation have partnered with their local police department Safe Place Program. Major corporations like Starbucks, Wells Fargo, T-Mobile, and Chase have expanded their participation to stores across the nation. Austin has approximately 100 businesses participating as of Dec. 2019 with a projected total of 500 by the end of 2020. MORE INFORMATION Contact APD’s LGBTQ+ Liaison and Safe Place Coordinator Christian Mendoza #8688 (512) 974-4734 Christian.Mendoza@austintexas.gov APDSAFEPLACE.ORG
