Commented [GR1]: @Parra, Alyssa, changed the date here. Will you also update the filename? Commented [GR2R1]: PS - THIS IS SO COOL WHY HAVEN'T WE BEEN BUILDING AGENDAS THIS WAY BEFORE? REGULAR MEETING of the LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, December 12, 2022 7:00 P.M. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1401 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Commission 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, contact Alyssa Parra, the Commission’s staff liaison, at 512-974-2934 or Alyssa.Parra@AustinTexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Ryn Gonzales, Chair Kannou Curette, Vice Chair Christian Vieira Dr. Victor Martinez Darcy Rendon Emily Bush VACANT VACANT District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Marti Bier District 5 District 6 District 7 Appointment Stakeholder District 8 District 9 District 10 Mayor Stakeholder Stakeholder Appointment Commissioner Stakeholder Melissa Taylor Katie Jones Nan Dowling Brandon Wollerson Charles Curry VACANT AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up before the meeting is called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission’s Regular Meeting on November 14, 2022. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Discussion and possible action of yearly retreat organizing. Discussion and possible action of reappointing and recruiting new at-large members. Discussion and possible action of working group for new commission members. Discussion and possible action of the JIC budget work session. Discussion and possible action of meeting with Jason Alexander regarding the LGBTQ Community Liaison position in the City Manager's Office. Discussion and possible action of the Joint Inclusion Committee's Q&A document regarding working groups from the City Clerk's Office. Discussion and possible action from the Housing Working Groups. Discussion and possible action of community events and announcements. Discussion and possible action on the first Quality of Life Town Hall on Thursday, December 15, from 12-1:30 PM at the Montopolis Recreation Center. 8. 9. 10. 7. FUTURE …
REGULAR MEETING of the LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, November 14, 2022 7:00 P.M. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1406 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Commission 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, contact Alyssa Parra, the Commission’s staff liaison, at 512-974-2934 or Alyssa.Parra@AustinTexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Ryn Gonzales, Chair Kannou Curette, Vice Chair Christian Vieira Dr. Victor Martinez Darcy Rendon Emily Bush VACANT VACANT District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Marti Bier District 5 District 6 District 7 Appointment Stakeholder District 8 District 9 District 10 Mayor Stakeholder Stakeholder Appointment Commissioner Stakeholder Melissa Taylor Katie Jones Nan Dowling Brandon Wollerson Charles Curry VACANT AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up before the meeting is called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission’s Regular Meeting on October 10, 2022. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. 5. Discussion and possible action of vacant and future Commission positions. Discussion and possible action of the FY23 regular meeting schedule Discussion and possible action on yearly retreat date and agenda items. Discussion and possible action on creating and appointing members to a new workgroup on Housing; including authorization for those workgroup members to speak on behalf of the Commission to other commission workgroups and the JIC. Discussion and possible action on increasing the participation of the LGBTQ community in the JIC January town hall. Discussion and possible action related to problems in the Police Oversight, Civil Rights, and Equity Offices. Discussion and possible action of the JIC budget work session. Discussion of meeting with Jason Alexander regarding the LGBTQ Community Liaison position in the City Manger’s Office. Discussion of the Joint Inclusion Committee's Q&A document regarding working groups from the City Clerk's Office. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed …
REGULAR MEETING of the LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, October 10, 2022 7:00 P.M. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1401 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Commission 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, contact Alyssa Parra, the Commission’s staff liaison, at 512-974-2934 or Alyssa.Parra@AustinTexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Ryn Gonzales, Chair Kannou Curette Christian Vieira Dr. Victor Martinez Darcy Rendon Emily Bush VACANT VACANT Appointment Commissioner Stakeholder Melissa Taylor, Vice Chair Katie Jones Nan Dowling Brandon Wollerson District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Marti Bier District 5 District 6 District 7 Appointment Stakeholder District 8 District 9 District 10 Mayor Stakeholder Stakeholder Charles Curry VACANT AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up before the meeting is called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission’s Regular Meeting on September 12, 2022. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Staff briefing regarding ATX Bike, Walk, Roll, centered on equity. Presented by Craig McColloch, Project Manager, Capital Delivery Program, Public Works Department. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) Staff briefing regarding the city's role in facilitating and managing affordable housing in the Austin area. Presented by Mandy DeMayo, Deputy Director of the Housing and Planning Department. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Discussion and possible action regarding reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Application Letters of Support Discussion and possible action of the FY23 regular meeting schedule Discussion and possible action on yearly retreat date and agenda items. Discussion and possible action on the 2nd annual LGBTQIA+ Health and Resource Fair. Discussion of the Joint Inclusion Committee's Q&A document regarding working groups from the City Clerk's Office. Discussion and possible action on creating and appointing members to a new workgroup on Housing; including authorization for those workgroup …
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Quality of Life Advisory Commission ATX Walk Bike Roll Project Update Agenda • ATX Walk Bike Roll Overview • What We Learned • Urban Trails & Bikeways • Sidewalks & Shared Streets • What’s Next Goals of ATX Walk Bike Roll • Update three modal plans that identify where to build sidewalks and crossings, urban trails, and bikeways • Embed social and racial equity within the programs • Add maintenance into plans and update project prioritization • Work with partners to create a safer, more connected network • Identify ways to build high quality bicycle and pedestrian pathways in less time Timeline • Phase 1: Winter 2021 – Summer 2021 • Equity Framework; Conditions Analysis; Outreach Planning • Outreach goal: introduce project, discuss community needs and priorities to shape guiding values of ATXWBR. • Phase 2: Fall 2021 – Fall 2022 • Programs & Policies; Scenario Evaluation; Project Prioritization; Buildout • Outreach goal: determine where we build, how we prioritize projects, and what we base decisions on. • Phase 3: Fall 2022 – Spring 2023 • Plan Document Development and Revisions • Outreach goal: review and discuss the plans and priorities – did we get Plans it right? • Anticipated Adoption: Spring / Summer 2023 Equity Focus Equity is achieved when race no longer predicts a person’s quality of life outcomes in our community. The City of Austin recognizes that past plans and investments have not met the needs of all Austinites or have actively harmed communities - especially low-income communities and communities of color. This furthered inequalities in transportation, health, safety, housing, and income. What We Learned What We Learned – Concerns Around Housing “The City needs to invest more resources in listening to residents of color and implementing policies that vulnerable populations want. I want to see sidewalk and bike lane improvements that are coupled with “right of return” and other housing policies that keep people in their homes and prevent gentrification.” How We Are Moving Forward Policy Ideas As Austin is experiencing an affordability crisis, ATXWBR is considering policy ideas to reduce transportation cost, such as: • Making transit and bikeshare completely free for all residents • A "Guaranteed Basic Mobility Program" (transportation debit card for low-income residents that can be used for transit, bikeshare, rideshare, scooters, taxis, etc.) • Explore ways to provide a fair allocation of transportation services for …
Housing Affordability Overview & Briefing LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission October 10, 2022 Content Overview of HPD Strategic Housing Blueprint Housing Investments City of Austin Housing and Planning Housing and Planning Department Mission: The Housing & Planning Department partners with the community to shape a more equitable Austin and to prevent the displacement of people and services, using planning disciplines and affordable housing resources. Goals •Create people centered plans and policies to support pedestrian oriented places that promote transit, jobs, and affordable housing opportunities •Facilitate long-range planning opportunities to promote the creation of walkable, mixed-use, and mixed-income communities •Collaborate with community members to honor and learn from Austin’s distinctive physical and cultural qualities to help sustain a multi-ethnic city •Prevent displacement of renters by providing tenant stabilization resources •Address housing challenges in Austin by creating and preserving affordable housing units especially in high opportunity and gentrifying areas •Transform community engagement processes to yield more inclusive, equitable, and effective outcomes for people of color, low-income persons, and renters •Identify and address systemic municipal racial bias and discrimination in housing and planning by focusing programs, plans, and projects to benefit historically excluded communities 4 Housing and Planning Department 5 Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint Austin Strategic Housing Blueprint (2017) • Goals: • Disperse Affordable Housing to all 10 Districts • Create 60K Units of Affordable Housing across 0% - 80% Median Family Income • Count & track all new and existing housing • Develop along Imagine Austin Centers/Corridors & near High Opportunity Areas • Preserve 10K Affordable Housing Units • Create Permanent Supportive Housing and Continuum of Care Units for people experiencing homelessness 7 8 Housing Market Conditions (2022) 9 Blueprint Scorecard 2021 Housing Blueprint Scorecard 10 4-Year Blueprint Progress 11 Housing Investments Proposition A 2018 Bond Ballot Language 13 2018 Affordable Housing Bond Spend Plan Project Name FY18-19 FY19-20 FY20-21 FY21-22 FY22-23 Total Prop A- Affordable Housing Land Acquisition $ 20 million $30 million $30 million $20 million - $100 million RHDA OHDA $16 million $18 million $20 million $20 million $20 million $94 million $4 million $6 million $6 million $6 million $6 million $28 million Home Repair $2 million $5 million $6 million $7 million $8 million $28 million $42 million $59 million $62 million $53 million $34 million $ 250 million 14 Investment by Funding Type FY11-12 – FY20-21 AHFC Investment >$181 million 75% from GO Bonds 5,000+ …
REGULAR MEETING of the LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2022 7:00 P.M. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1401 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Commission 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, contact Alyssa Parra, the Commission’s staff liaison, at 512-974-2934 or Alyssa.Parra@AustinTexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Commissioner Ryn Gonzales, Chair Kannou Curette Christian Vieira Dr. Victor Martinez Darcy Rendon Emily Bush Rebecca Dreke VACANT Appointment Commissioner Stakeholder Melissa Taylor, Vice Chair Katie Jones Nan Dowling Brandon Wollerson District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Marti Bier District 5 District 6 District 7 Appointment Stakeholder District 8 District 9 District 10 Mayor Stakeholder Stakeholder Charles Curry VACANT AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up before the meeting is called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission’s Regular Meeting on August 8, 2022, and the Commission’s Special Called Meeting on August 22, 2022. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. STAFF BRIEFINGS 3. Commissioner introductions including name, pronouns, council district, and appointing council member. Staff briefing regarding the new position in the Equity Office. Presented by Jeremy Garza, Commissions & Neighborhood Liaison, Equity Office. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. 5. Conduct officer election for the Vice Chair position. Approve the re-appointment of Charles Curry as the primary representative of our Commission on the Joint Inclusion Committee. Discussion and possible action to schedule a strategic planning retreat for the Commission before the end of 2022. Discussion and possible action on the regular meeting schedule and structure including time and date of regular meetings, returning to in-person regular meetings, and accommodations to make our meetings as enjoyable and productive as possible. 6. 7. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal …
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING of the LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 22, 2022 7:00 P.M. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1401 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Commission 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, contact Alyssa Parra, the Commission’s staff liaison, at 512-974-2934 or Alyssa.Parra@AustinTexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ryn Gonzales, Chair Kanoa Arteaga Emily Bush Charles Curry Rebecca Dreke Dr. Victor Martinez Christian Vieira Melissa Taylor, Vice Chair Marti Bier Kannou Curette Nan Dowling Katelyn Jones Darcy Rendon Brandon Wollerson AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up before the meeting is called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1. Discussion and possible action to approve a recommendation concerning the City’s current and future response to the Monkeypox virus. (Sponsor: Curry; Strategic Outcome: Health & Environment) 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 two days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please get in touch with Alyssa Parra, the Commission’s staff liaison, at 512-974-2934 or Alyssa.Parra@AustinTexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission, please get in touch with Alyssa Parra, the Commission’s staff liaison, at 512-974-2934 or Alyssa.Parra@AustinTexas.gov.
DRAFT Resolution on monkeypox response Whereas the City of Austin and Travis County have declared a public health emergency regarding the outbreak of monkeypox in our community, and Whereas, the vaccine supply available to Austin Public Health is extremely limited which creates concerns in the community about prioritization and equity access, and Whereas, Austin Public Health has provided information to the community suggesting up to a twenty‐one day isolation period for persons diagnosed with monkeypox which creates a hardship for those who are economically disadvantage and lack access to paid sick leave, and Whereas, isolation is a critical factor in controlling the spread of this communicable disease to the community and requires advance planning for overcoming the barriers to isolation in order to provide a public information campaign that will encourage people to seek treatment, Now therefore be it resolved that the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends to City Council that: The City Manager be directed to identify funds for emergency short‐term financial assistance to those who cannot afford to isolate for 28 days due to a monkeypox exposure or diagnosis, and The City Manager be directed to present a plan for an emergency public information campaign to inform the community on monkeypox prevention, access to vaccinations, medical care, and isolation assistance, and The City Manager be directed to provide a regular report to City Council on the status of vaccination utilization for Priority 1 clients as well as for Priority 2 clients and that the report also includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex status (SOGI+) and other demographic data on those who have received the vaccine.
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220822-1 CURRENT AND FUTURE RESPONSE TO MONKEYPOX VIRUS WHEREAS, the City of Austin and Travis County have declared a public health emergency regarding the outbreak of monkeypox in our community, and WHEREAS, the vaccine supply available to Austin Public Health is extremely limited which creates concerns in the community about prioritization and equity access, and WHEREAS, Austin Public Health has provided information to the community suggesting up to a twenty-one day isolation period for persons diagnosed with monkeypox which creates a hardship for those who are economically disadvantage and lack access to paid sick leave, and WHEREAS, isolation is a critical factor in controlling the spread of this communicable disease to the community and requires advance planning for overcoming the barriers to isolation in order to provide a public information campaign that will encourage people to seek treatment, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends to City Council that: The City Manager be directed to identify funds for emergency short-term financial assistance to those who cannot afford to isolate for 28 days due to a monkeypox exposure or diagnosis, and The City Manager be directed to present a plan for an emergency public information campaign to inform the community on monkeypox prevention, access to vaccinations, medical care, and isolation assistance, and The City Manager be directed to provide a monthly report to City Council, the first of which should be due 30 days after passage of a resolution to this effect, on the status of vaccination utilization for Priority 1 clients as well as for Priority 2 clients and that the report also includes sexual orientation, gender identity, and intersex status (SOGI+) and other demographic data on those who have received the vaccine. Page 1 of 2 1. Arteaga 2. Curry 3. Dreke 4. Gonzales 5. Jones 6. Rendon 7. Taylor 8. Vieira 9. Wollerson VOTE Date of Approval: August 22, 2022 Record of the Vote: Adopted without objection on a 9-0 vote. Present: Attest: _____________________________________________ Ryn Gonzales, Chair Page 2 of 2
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 22, 2022 REGULAR MEETING of the LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, August 22, 2022 7:00 P.M. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1401 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 MEETING MINUTES Some members of the Commission 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, contact Alyssa Parra the Commission’s staff liaison, at 512-974-2934, or Alyssa.parra@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ryn Gonzales, Chair + + Kanoa Arteaga - Emily Bush + Charles Curry + Rebecca Dreke - Dr. Victor Martinez Christian Vieira + Melissa Taylor, Vice Chair + Marti Bier - Kannou Curette - Nan Dowling - Katelyn Jones + Darcy Rendon + Brandon Wollerson + AGENDA CALL TO ORDER By chair Ryn Gonzalez at 7:02pm. ROLL CALL: Absent: ● Emily Bush ● Victor Martinez ● Marti Bier ● Kannou Curette ● Nan Dowling ● Ryn Gonzalez ● Melissa Taylor ● Kanoa Arteaga Present: LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES August 22, 2022 ● Charles Curry ● Rebecca Dreke ● Christian Vieira ● Katelyn Jones ● Darcy Rendon ● Brandon Wollerson 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. • No speakers MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER • Motion made by Commissioner Wollerson, seconded by Vice Chair Commissioner Taylor, motion passes with no objection. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1. Discussion and possible action to approve a recommendation concerning the City’s current and future response to the Monkeypox virus. (Sponsor: Curry; Strategic Outcome: Health & Environment) a. Resolution passed as amended without objection. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT: At 7:27pm 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 contact Alyssa …
LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Community Interest Announcement Health Equality Index Launch Press Conference August 16, 2022 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM A quorum of Commission members may be present. No action will be taken, and no Commission business will occur.
REGULAR MEETING of the LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2022 7:00 P.M. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1401 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 Some members of the Commission 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, contact Alyssa Parra, the Commission’s staff liaison, at 512-974-2934 or Alyssa.Parra@AustinTexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Ryn Gonzales, Chair Kanoa Arteaga Emily Bush Charles Curry Rebecca Dreke Dr. Victor Martinez Christian Vieira Melissa Taylor, Vice Chair Marti Bier Kannou Curette Nan Dowling Katelyn Jones Darcy Rendon Brandon Wollerson AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up before the meeting is called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Approve the minutes of the Commission’s Regular Meeting on July 11, 2022. Staff briefing regarding Monkeypox. Presented by Janet Pichette, Chief Epidemiologist and Assistant Director of Epidemiology and Public Health Preparedness, and Ana Urueta, 3. 4. 5. Program Manager for Public Health Emergency, Austin Public Health. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: Health & Environment) Staff briefing regarding Equity Considerations in Contracts and Program Funding. Presented by Neal Falgoust, Assistant City Attorney, Law Department. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) Staff briefing regarding the City of Austin's 2022 Disparity Study conducted by the Small & Minority Business Resources Department. Presented by Edward Campos, Director, Small & Minority Business Resources Department. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: Economic Opportunity & Affordability) Staff briefing regarding the new position in the Equity Office. Presented by Jeremy Garza, Commissions & Neighborhood Liaison, Equity Office. (Sponsor: Staff; Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) Discussion of the FY2022-23 budget process, recommendations, and endorsements. (Sponsor: Curry; Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) Discussion of the vacant at-large commission position. DISCUSSION ITEMS 6. 7. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 8. 9. 10. Discussion and possible action to approve the Commission's Annual Internal Review for July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2022. …
Policy Questions Why is your resolution called the GRACE Act? The GRACE Act stands for Guarding the Right to Abortion Care for Everyone. Austin wants to be a source of safety and grace for the people suffering under the Texas trigger ban and other laws criminalizing reproductive health choices. What is the GRACE Act? The GRACE Act is a policy recommendation in 2 parts: 1. City funds shouldn’t be used to solicit, catalog, report, or investigate reports of abortion. 2. Police should make investigating abortion their lowest priority. Why just a policy recommendation? Under Texas law and the Austin City Charter, the City Council cannot dictate to city employees how to handle a criminal case. We can declare the policy preferences of the Council and recommend that staff not use city funding, and we can recommend that they place it very low on their list of priorities. City executives, under the direct authority of the City Manager, decide whether and how to implement Council policy. How does it help if it’s just a policy recommendation? City executives, under the direction of City Manager Spencer Cronk, will implement the GRACE Act’s recommendations once it passes. Who supports the GRACE Act? Mayor Steve Adler and Council Members Vanessa Fuentes, Paige Ellis, and Kathie Tovo are our co-sponsors. Texas open meeting laws prevent us from talking to more than 4 fellow voting members about any resolution, but I can confirm everyone we have spoken with is in support. The population of Austin has demonstrated repeatedly that we are a city that supports reproductive health choices. Will the GRACE Act pass? I am confident that the City Council wants to protect abortion in Austin. CM Vanessa Fuentes’s resolution banning reproductive discrimination passed 10-1 with no discussion. There is significant support for actions like the GRACE Act on the Council and among our constituents. Legal Questions How does the GRACE Act supersede state law? The GRACE Act does not supersede state law. It is a statement of policy that provides guidelines for the city on how to prioritize enforcement of the abortion ban among hundreds of more important crimes, and it determines the amount of funds which can be dedicated to the project. It does not conflict with the state’s designation of abortion as a crime, and it does not prohibit or limit the investigation of any crime. Does the GRACE Act stop the State …
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN RECOMMENDATION 20220713-6: Support the GRACE Act July 13, 2022 Date: Subject: Support the GRACE Act Recommendation to Council 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, all people have a basic human right to bodily autonomy, safe and effective medical treatment, and control over private medical decisions; and WHEREAS, access to safe and legal abortion is a deciding factor in long-term health, safety, and quality of life; and WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned the 1973 landmark ruling, Roe v. Wade, which previously prevented individual states from directly banning abortion care; and WHEREAS, cisgender women and girls, transgender men and boys, non-binary people, and others who can become pregnant are restricted from access to abortion in Texas and many other states; and WHEREAS, Texas Senate Bill 8 bans abortions after six weeks gestation and allows private citizens to sue abortion providers, Texas House Bill 1280 criminalizes abortion at the felony level with a sentence of up to 99 years in prison and no exception for rape or incest, and Article 4512 from the 1925 penal code has been put forth as still in force and states that whoever furnishes the means for procuring an abortion knowing the purpose intended is guilty as an accomplice; and WHEREAS, Black and Latina individuals, and those of all races living in poverty, will likely be disproportionately impacted by bans and criminalization of abortion; and WHEREAS, children and adults who get pregnant through sexual assault, rape, incest, sex trafficking and other forms of sexual violence will experience forced pregnancies; and 1 WHEREAS, individuals who are denied abortion access are at risk of experiencing increased anxiety and other mental health issues; and WHEREAS, individuals who identify as female in Austin are experiencing higher levels of poor mental health overall than males (per data presented to the Commission by the Community Advancement Network on July 15, 2022), and transgender and nonbinary individuals in Austin are disproportionately impacted by mental health issues and access to care and resources (per the LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life study), compounding the mental health impacts for these individuals who are capable of becoming …
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 RESOLUTION NO. WHEREAS, the City of Austin honors the rights of pregnant people to bodily autonomy and control over their private medical decisions; and WHEREAS, access to a safe and legal abortion is a deciding factor in long- term health, safety, and quality of life; and WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of the United States has overturned the 1973 landmark ruling, Roe v. Wade, which previously prevented individual states from directly banning such care; and WHEREAS, on June 16, 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law HB 1280, which criminalizes abortion at the felony level with a sentence of up to 99 years in prison and no exception for rape or incest, and which will take effect statewide 30 days after the Supreme Court judgment overturning Roe v. Wade; and WHEREAS, anti-choice legislators have weaponized the language of criminal law to stigmatize reproductive choice, and the Council considers the phrase “abortion, miscarriage, or other reproductive healthcare acts” to accurately encompass all criminalized acts under Texas laws that seek to criminalize pregnancy outcomes; and and including abortion; and WHEREAS, people have a basic human right to medical treatment, up to WHEREAS, eliminating legal access to abortion has been empirically proven to dramatically increase the risk of death, bodily injury, and infertility, especially within low-income communities and communities of color; and Page 1 of 4 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 WHEREAS, the resources of the City must always be dedicated to the health and wellbeing of its residents; and WHEREAS, the Council has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to abortion access in Resolution Nos. 20130321-045, 20140925-082, 20141120-038, 20151015-039, 20170126-045, 20181004-035, and 20210930-111; and WHEREAS, in the 1973 Roe v. Wade majority opinion, Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun stated, “[The] right of privacy, whether it be founded in the Fourteenth Amendment’s concept of personal liberty and restrictions upon state action, as we feel it is, or, as the District Court determined, in the Ninth Amendment’s reservation of rights to the people, is broad enough to encompass a woman’s decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy”; and WHEREAS, the right to privacy should protect doctors, patients, and all others providing abortion-related medical care from …
Annual Internal Review LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission This report covers the period of 7/1/2021 to 6/30/2022 The Commission’s mission statement (per the City Code) is to: (1) Serve as an advisory body to the city council regarding issues actually or potentially affecting persons within the LGBTQ community or the LGBTQ community as a whole; (2) serve in an advisory and consultative capacity to the city council and any identified City departments with the aim of improving the ability of the City and its vendors, contractors, and consultants to serve, support, and employ the LGBTQ community; (3) recommend to the city council measures designed to enhance the health, safety, economic opportunity and affordability, mobility, cultural and learning opportunities, and government access and accountability for the LGBTQ community; (4) coordinate and/or participate in educational programs to promote equal treatment, opportunity, and understanding of persons within the LGBTQ community, and facilitate gatherings such as meetings, institutes, forums, or courses of instruction designed to lead to greater understanding and crafting of solutions for issues of concern of the LGBTQ community; (5) work with other city commissions to address issues of intersectionality; (6) create, guide, support, and evaluate LGBTQ quality of life initiatives; and (7) perform additional functions as required by the city council. Page 1 of 4 Annual Internal Review LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. As it relates to our mission to serve as an advisory body to the city council regarding issues actually or potentially affecting persons within the LGBTQ community or the LGBTQ community as a whole: • The Commission released our landmark LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Study in October 2021. The Study proved that while Austin is home to a large and vibrant LGBTQIA+ community, there is much that the City can do to improve the safety, health, economic stability, access to education, and equal rights of LGBTQIA+ Austinites. Key recommendations include: o Enhancing sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI+) data collection. o Developing affordable housing opportunities. o Addressing health disparities and creating a pipeline of culturally competent providers. o Leading with anti-racist policies, investments, and strategies. o Bolstering support for queer Black, Indigenous, and people of color. o Prioritizing the needs of transgender and gender-expansive individuals. o …
FY 2023 Boards & Commissions Recommendations and Feedback Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer QoL Advisory Commission Recommendation Summary Department(s) Department Response Link The LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends to City Council that the FY22-23 Budget continue funding of existing youth LGBTQIA+ focused mental health services at the current level of $100,000 through Austin Public Health’s Health Equity contracting portfolio. Austin Public Health APH currently has an agreement with OutYouth for mental health services for LGBTQIA Youth - $100,000. APH recently conducted an LGBTQ2IA+ Community Health Needs Assessment which included funding and promoting accessible mental healthcare resources as a key recommendation. APH will be renewing a contract with OutYouth for $15,000 for tobacco prevention programming for LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. APH funds Northwest Austin Universal Health Care $ 100,000 and YWCA $50,000 annually to provide mental health services for the Asian Pacific Islander community Housing and Planning HPD is working to update its demographic reporting requirements in order to better communicate diversity and inclusion within the city's affordable housing portfolio. link The LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends to City Council that, tax-supported affordable housing development contracts include language that requires tenant application and selection processes to convey that affordable housing is supportive to all and that annual reporting of complete demographic information regarding the tenant application and selection process be required of developers and made available by the City to the community to support the perception of diversity, inclusion, and respect with regard to the City’s affordable housing efforts. *responses as of July 20, 2022 link 42 FY 2023 Boards & Commissions Recommendations and Feedback Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer QoL Advisory Commission Recommendation Summary Department(s) Department Response The LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends to City Council to include in the FY 2022-23 Budget funding for one FTE position with the title of LGBTQIA+ Community Liaison (or similar) through reallocation of a current vacant position Budget Office briefing on the Adopted Budget for member Commissions of the Joint Inclusion Committee not later than October 31 of each fiscal year, 2. Budget Office briefing on the Proposed Budget process and outlook not later than November 30 of each fiscal year, Management Services Department response in progress Financial Services The Budget and Performance team is committed to provided a briefing prior to October 1. link Link link 43 *responses as of July 20, 2022
