LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, May 11, 2020, via videoconference, in Austin, Texas. Chair Victor Martinez called the meeting to order at 3:04 p.m. Members in Attendance: Martinez, Baeza, Curry, Daniels, Doughty, Dowling, Gonzales, Gonzalez, Gorczynski, Kirby, Wollerson Staff in Attendance: Staff Liaison Neal Falgoust PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – No minutes presented for approval. 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Commissioners considered a recommendation related to the procurement of an LGBTQ Quality of Life Study. Joshua Robinson of the Equity Office, presented the recommendation of an evaluation committee to award the contract to Health Management Associates. Commissioners took no action on the recommendation. ADJOURNMENT – Chair Martinez adjourned the meeting at 3:59 p.m. without objection.
Special Meeting of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Wednesday, April 8, 2020 LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission to be held April 8, 2020, with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (Tuesday, April 7, 2020 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the April 8, 2020, LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512) 974-2154 or neal.falgoust@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Tuesday, April 7, 2020. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 30 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to neal.falgoust@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •Residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION APRIL 8, 2020, 3:00 p.m. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: 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 District 9 10 Mayor At-Large At-Large At-Large At-Large Commissioner Nan Dowling Brandon Wollerson Christina Gorczynski Tarik Daniels Charles Curry Kathryn Gonzales (Vice Chair) Melissa Taylor AGENDA CALL TO ORDER 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. NEW BUSINESS a. Consideration and adoption of recommendations related to the city’s 2020-2021 fiscal year budget. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: 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 …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200408-2A(1) Budget Recommendation to Develop LGBTQ-Focused Programs WHEREAS, the City of Austin has recognized in their Strategic Direction the need to inclusively honor and preserve Austin’s unique and diverse history, culture and traditions, and WHEREAS, the adopted Strategic Direction also calls for a regular inventory and evaluation of cultural programming and facilities to identify gaps and opportunities for impacting equity and equality while implementing standardized process for collecting and analyzing demographic participation, and WHEREAS, the LGBTQ community has long advocated for the need for facilities and programs dedicated to the unique aspect of our community’s culture similar to those provided to the African American, Hispanic and Asian American communities, and WHEREAS, the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission community forum on the City’s 2020 Budget heard requests for more LGBTQ focused recreation and cultural programming, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends to the City Council that city departments develop LGBTQ focused programming using existing available resources and facilities as well as utilizing community organizations for support and volunteers, and that BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City Council direct the City Manager to report back to Council on a plan for collecting and reporting on the demographic information on the implementation of such LGBTQ focused recreation and cultural programming prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year. Date of Approval: April 8, 2020 Record of the vote: Unanimous on an 11-0 vote. Present: Martinez, Gonzales, Baeza, Chavez, Curette, Curry, Dowling, Gonzalez, Hines, Taylor, Wollerson Attest: _____________________________________________ Kathryn Gonzales, Vice Chair Page 1 of 1
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200408-2A(2) Budget Recommendation to Utilize Community Organizations and Nonprofits to Achieve Strategic Direction Outcomes WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted a plan for focusing resources on the most important priorities known as Austin Strategic Direction 2023, and WHEREAS, the Strategic Direction recognizes the need for a city government that works effectively and collaboratively for all of us and that is equitable, ethical and innovative, and WHEREAS, city staff has asked that City Commissions be cognizant of the limitations that recent state legislation places on the City’s financial resources and include in their recommendations opportunities for departments to increase efficiencies, improve effectiveness and attain more equitable service delivery, and WHEREAS, Austin has a wide variety of community organizations and nonprofits with objectives similar to those in the City’s Strategic Direction, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council direct staff to explore additional opportunities for utilizing community organizations and nonprofits in achieving the outcomes set forth in the Strategic Direction for the benefit of the community as a whole such as, • Coordinating with community nonprofits who can expand existing efforts while offsetting costs through donations and volunteers such as the job fairs provided by AustinUp; • Utilizing city staff to organize volunteers to provide new or expanded services such as peer mentoring in practical skills suggested by participants at the Commission on Seniors community forum; • Working with community organizations to achieve the mental health outcomes identified by participants in the African American Quality of Life community forum; • Working with community organization grant recipients to identify process changes that can maximize resources on service delivery while minimizing overhead as identified by participants in the Asian American Quality of Life community forum; • Assisting community organizations to fill identified gaps in service delivery such as the number of taxpayers who may not be taking advantage of the property tax exemptions authorized by City Council as identified in previous studies such as “Uprooted” and the “Right to Remain” report on the Montopolis Neighborhood; and, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the outcomes achieved through the efforts of these organizations and volunteers as well as by organizations with whom the City contracts for services to the community be included in reporting on the City’s progress toward reaching our Strategic Direction. Page 1 of 2 Date of …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20200408-2A(3) Budget Recommendation to Implement a COVID-19 Cash Transfers Assistance Program WHEREAS, on March 6, 2020, Mayor Steve Adler declared a local state of disaster for the City due to concerns related to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19); and WHEREAS, on March 17, 2020, Mayor Steve Adler ordered the closure of restaurants and bars in the city, and limiting gatherings to 10 people; and WHEREAS, on March 24, 2020, Austin-Travis County announced a “shelter-in place” order to help slow the spread of COVID-19; and WHEREAS, the pandemic and subsequent enforceable safety measures have disproportionately affected hourly wage workers in the service, retail, hospitality, construction, and food and beverage industries, leading to lost jobs and lack of access to benefits; and WHEREAS, according to the US Census 2018 ACS 5-year Survey, over 153,000 Austinites live in poverty, and the number is expected to grow exponentially due to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn; and WHEREAS, economists note that a large percentage of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, which means that not only do residents have to protect their families from a pandemic, they also have to worry about how they are going to pay rent/mortgage, feed their children and keep the lights on for the foreseeable future; and WHEREAS, a stimulus package given by the federal government will only benefit individuals with social security, which means that these proposals would exclude undocumented families, which are some of our most vulnerable residents; and WHEREAS, unemployment benefits do not cover undocumented families, contractors or informal/formal small businesses that may not have unemployment insurance, which further marginalizes low income families that work in the construction industry, service industry, restaurants, hospitality, ride-sharing, housekeeping, and contract their services formally and informally; and WHEREAS, direct cash transfers can help fill in the gap, in addition to Austin Energy not disconnecting utility services, the no evictions order, food distribution, business resources, workforce services and healthcare services offered as a response to COVID-19; and WHEREAS, academics across the country and world have conducted countless studies that draw the same conclusion: cash transfers are cost-effective and have the strongest track record to reduce vulnerability, as well as demonstrating that people judiciously use the cash they receive to meet their needs, rather than spending it on non-essential items; and Page 1 of 3 WHEREAS, research demonstrates that cash transfers protect people’s standards of living during …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a special called meeting on Wednesday April 8, 2020, via videoconference, in Austin, Texas. Chair Victor Martinez called the meeting to order at 3:03 p.m. Members in Attendance: Martinez, Baeza, Chavez, Curry, Currette, Dowling, Gonzales, Gonzalez, Hines, Taylor, Wollerson Staff in Attendance: Staff Liaison Neal Falgoust PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – There were no minutes presented for approval 2. NEW BUSINESS a. The commission considered a budget recommendation concerning the development of LGBTQ-focused programs. Commissioner Curry motioned for approval, and Commissioner Dowling offered a second. The commission approved the recommendation with all 11 present voting Yes. b. The commission considered a budget recommendation concerning the utilization of community organizations and non-profits to achieve strategic direction outcomes. Commissioner Curry motioned for approval, and Commissioner Chavez offered a second. The commission approved the recommendation with all 11 present voting Yes. c. The commission considered a budget recommendation concerning the implementation of a COVID-19 cash transfer assistance program. Commissioner Gonzales motioned for approval, and Commissioner Baeza offered a second. The commission approved the recommendation with all 11 present voting Yes. ADJOURNMENT – Chair Martinez adjourned the meeting at 3:36 p.m. without objection.
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, April 6, 2020 7:00 p.m. City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street Council Chamber 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 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 CALL TO ORDER following topics: PUBLIC COMMUNICATION – Each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. 1. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER 2. REGULAR BUSINESS – The commission may take action or make recommendations on the a. Consideration and adoption of recommendations related to the city’s 2020-2021 fiscal year budget. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: 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.
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, March 9, 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 FEBRUARY 10 AND JANUARY 11, 2020 3. REGULAR BUSINESS – The commission may take action or make recommendations on the following topics: a. Presentation by Austin Parks and Recreation Department concerning its FY2020-2021 budget. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: Health & Environment) 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.
Whereas, the City of Austin has recognized in their Strategic Direction the need to inclusively honor and preserve Austin’s unique and diverse history, culture and traditions, and Whereas, the adopted Strategic Direction also calls for a regular inventory and evaluation of cultural programming and facilities to identify gaps and opportunities for impacting equity and equality while implementing standardized process for collecting and analyzing demographic participation, and Whereas, the LGBTQ community has long advocated for the need for facilities and programs dedicated to the unique aspect of our community’s culture similar to those provided to the African-American, Hispanic and Asian-America communities, and Whereas, the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission community forum on the City’s 2020 Budget heard requests for more LGBTQ focused recreation and cultural programming, Now therefore, be it resolved that, the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends to the City Council that city departments develop LGBTQ focused programming using existing available resources and facilities as well as utilizing community organizations for support and volunteers, and that Be it further resolved that the City Council direct the City Manager to report back to Council on a plan for collecting and reporting on the demographic information on the implementation of such LGBTQ focused recreation and cultural programming prior to the beginning of the next fiscal year.
Whereas, the City Council has adopted a plan for focusing resources on the most important priorities known as Austin Strategic Direction 2023, and Whereas, the Strategic Direction recognizes the need for a city government that works effectively and collaboratively for all of us and that is equitable, ethical and innovative, and Whereas, city staff has asked that City Commissions be cognizant of the limitations that recent state legislation places on the City’s financial resources and include in their recommendations opportunities for departments to increase efficiencies, improve effectiveness and attain more equitable service delivery, and Whereas, Austin has a wide variety of community organizations and nonprofits with objectives similar to those in the City’s Strategic Direction, Now therefore be it resolved that the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends that the City Council direct staff to explore additional opportunities for utilizing community organizations and nonprofits in achieving the outcomes set forth in the Strategic Direction for the benefit of the community as a whole such as, • • • • • Coordinating with community nonprofits who can expand existing efforts while offsetting costs through donations and volunteers such as the job fairs provided by AustinUp; Utilizing city staff to organize volunteers to provide new or expanded services such as peer mentoring in practical skills suggested by participants at the Commission on Seniors community forum; Working with community organizations to achieve the mental health outcomes identified by participants in the African-American Quality of Life community forum; Working with community organization grant recipients to identify process changes that can maximize resources on service delivery while minimizing overhead as identified by participants in the Asian-American Quality of Life community forum, Assisting community organizations to fill identified gaps in service delivery such as the number of taxpayers who may not be taking advantage of the property tax exemptions authorized by City Council as identified in previous studies such as “Uprooted” and the “Right to Remain” report on the Montopolis Neighborhood, and, Be it further resolved that the outcomes achieved through the efforts of these organizations and volunteers as well as by organizations with whom the City contracts for services to the community be included in reporting on the City’s progress toward reaching our Strategic Direction.
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, March 9, 2020, at City Hall, 301 W Second Street, Room 1027, in Austin, Texas. Chair Victor Martinez called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. Members in Attendance: Martinez, Curry, Curette, Doughty, Dowling, Gonzales, Gonzalez, Gorczynski, Kirby, Taylor, Wollerson Staff in Attendance: Staff Liaison Neal Falgoust PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: Ivanna Neri of the Family Independence Initiative addressed the commission concerning budget recommendations. 1. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER – The Commission voted 10-0 to suspend Robert’s Rules of Order. The chair conducted the meeting based on consensus. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The meeting minutes of January 11 and February 10 were approved without objection 3. REGULAR BUSINESS a. Vanorda Richardson of the Park and Recreation Department addressed the commission concerning its budget projections for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Services related to assisting individuals experiencing homelessness are driving an increase in PARD’s budget. The department does not currently track spending related to LGBTQ-specific programming. b. Commission members discussed possible recommendations related to the city’s 2020- 2021 fiscal year budget. The commission agreed to call a special meeting on April 6 at 7 p.m. to consider final recommendations. c. Commissioner Taylor provided an update on the LQBTQ quality of life study. The evaluation team is in the process of evaluating the proposals. d. Commissioner Gonzales provided an update on previous commission recommendations. City staff published a memo concerning education efforts related to property tax exemptions. Commissioner Doughty will follow up regarding a recommendation on comprehensive sex education. ADJOURNMENT – Chair Martinez adjourned the meeting at 8:46 p.m. without objection.
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, February 10, 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 JANUARY 13, 2020 3. REGULAR BUSINESS – The commission may take action or make recommendations on the following topics: a. Presentation concerning the Analysis of Racial Profiling Data report by the Office of Police Oversight, Innovation Office, and Equity Office. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: Safety) b. Presentation concerning the 2020 Census and efforts to ensure the LGBTQ community is counted. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) c. Budget priorities and recommendations related to the fiscal year 2020-2021 City budget. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: All) d. Update concerning an LGBTQ quality of life study (Sponsor: Taylor; Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) e. 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.
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, February 10, 2020, at City Hall, 301 W Second Street, Room 1027, in Austin, Texas. Chair Victor Martinez called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Members in Attendance: Martinez, Baeza, Curry, Currette, Daniels, Doughty, Dowling, Gonzales, Gonzalez, Gorczynski, Hines, Kirby, Taylor, Wollerson Staff in Attendance: Staff Liaison Neal Falgoust PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: Carlos Leon spoke on a personal matter. Liam Garcia spoke on issues related to immigration, DACA, and resources available to the undocumented immigrant community. 1. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER –The Commission voted 13-0 to suspend Robert’s Rules of Order. The chair conducted the meeting based on consensus. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The meeting minutes of January 13, 2020, were amended and approved without objection. 3. REGULAR BUSINESS a. Maya Guevara, Community Engagement Specialist for the Office of Police Oversight, presented a report concerning racial profiling in APD traffic stops and arrests and presented recommendations for the commission to consider for future action. The presentation also included information related to the Community Police Review Commission and its role in police oversight. b. Julia Byron of the Office of Design and Delivery, and D. Susan Walch and Michael Henderson of the U.S. Census Bureau, made a presentation concerning the 2020 Census and efforts to ensure the LGBTQ community is counted. Special focus is being placed on the community to ensure it is not undercounted as in previous censuses. c. Commission members discussed the process for making recommendations related to the City’s fiscal year 2020-2021 budget. d. Joshua Robinson of the Equity Office provided an update concerning a quality of life study. The City has received three proposals to evaluate. e. Commissioners reviewed previous recommendations and discussed necessary steps to follow up. ADJOURNMENT – Chair Martinez adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. without objection.
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
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Saturday, January 11, 2020 1:00 p.m. City Hall, 301 West 2nd Street Council Chambers Austin, Texas 78701 District Commissioner District Commissioner 1 Kannou (Kimberly) Curette 9 Nan Dowling 2 Sandra Chavez 10 Brandon Wollerson 3 Victor Martinez (Chair) Mayor Christina Gorczynski 4 Holly Kirby At-Large Tarik Daniels 5 Ruben Baeza At-Large Charles Curry 6 Terrance Hines At-Large Kathryn Gonzales (Vice Chair) 7 Deirdre Doughty At-Large Melissa Taylor 8 Saul Gonzalez AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION – Each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. 1. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER 2. BUDGET HEARING – The commission will receive a briefing on the 2020-2021 fiscal year budget and conduct a public hearing to set priorities for future budget recommendations. 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.
FY 2020-21 Budget Overview City of Austin Budget TimelineKEYDATES:March 13 –5-year Financial Forecast UpdateMay 8 –Department budget submittals due to Budget OfficeJuly 13 –Presentation of Proposed Budget to City CouncilJuly 23, 30 –Public Hearings August 12 –Budget and tax rate adoption1/13/20202Policy Input & ForecastingBudget DevelopmentCouncil Deliberation & AdoptionCommunity EngagementBoards and CommissionsCouncil Town Hall MeetingsPublic HearingsJANUARY -APRILMAY -JUNEJULY -AUGUST 1/13/20203Austin Energy31%Austin Water14%Other31%General Fund24%FY 2019-20 ALLFUNDSBUDGET$4.2 BILLIONFY 2019-20 CAPITALIMPROVEMENTPROGRAM$1.2 BILLIONSPENDPLAN$289.4M$201.0M$81.8M$175.4M$198.0M$254.7M$0$100$200$300OtherVoter-Approved BondsPlanning &Development CenterAustin WaterAviationAustin Energy 1/13/20204Police38.9%Fire17.9%Emergency Medical Services8.3%Parks and Recreation8.8%Austin Public Health7.7%Austin Public Library4.9%Transfers & Other13.5%FY 2019-20 GENERALFUNDBUDGET$1,088 MILLIONFY 2019-20 GENERALFUNDREVENUE$1,088MILLION48.8%23.1%14.6%13.5%Property TaxSales TaxUtility TransfersOther Revenue0.0%20.0%40.0%60.0% General Fund Budget Forecast 1/13/20205 FY 2020-21 Budget Initiatives •Review of the equity and efficiency of Fire and EMS services•Develop homelessness services performance framework and review service contracts•Strategic Direction 2023 program alignment and operational efficiency improvements •Explore opportunities to broaden and increase General Fund revenues•Develop fiscal sustainability plans for City retirement systems1/13/20206 FY 2020-21 Equity Focus•Examine equity of existingprograms and resource allocation1/13/20207$1.2 M Chamber of Commerce Funding•Reviewed the distribution of City funding to all chambers of commerce•Recommended an equitable distribution formula and new methodology $12.8 M Cultural Arts Funding •Community input and program review occurred in 2019•Goal to have recommendations for future program structure and operations to broaden and deepen access to resources and opportunities For more information:austintexas.gov/budgetbudget.austintexas.govaustintexas.gov/finance Questions/Comments?
