Consider a resolution recommending to City Council an open and transparent selection process for the Equity Officer replacement that includes community and commission involvement. Whereas, the City of Austin has announced the resignation of Chief Equity Officer Brion Oaks and will soon being the process of selecting a replacement, and Whereas, the Equity Office provides a unique and strategic role in both promoting the cooperation and coordination of the ten City commissions designated to serve specifically identified challenged communities as well as facilitating input from the community at large, Now therefore be it resolved that the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends to the City Council that the process of selecting a replacement Equity Officer be open and transparent and include participation of the community as well as commissions.
Potential Fare Programs LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission | July 11, 2022 Agenda • Agency Core Values • Fare Strategy Review • Potential Fare Programs powered by Amp • Fare Capping • Equifare • Title VI Analysis • Community Engagement • Next Steps 3 Agency Core Values INNOVATION EQUITY SUSTAINABILITY TRANSPARENCY SAFETY 3 Fare Strategy Review Addresses transit affordability and other population needs (i.e., low income and per Title VI, race, color, etc.) Incorporates alternative fare structures (e.g., capped fares for all riders) Supports equity in future fare adjustments in alignment with Project Connect Integrated Financial Model Equity CapMetro Fare Strategy Technology Encourages increased ridership while maintaining sustainable revenue stream Maintains and creates programs for various demographics (e.g., senior citizens, military, employer- sponsored, ILAs) Encourages contactless payments, other innovations and integrations 4 CapMetro wants to make our fares more equitable. We know that our customers pay for their transit passes one trip at a time instead of taking advantage of the savings that come with day or monthly passes. Proposed Fare Programs powered by Amp Fare Capping Equifare Fare capping limits how much you pay for all your trips in a day, week or month. An additional discounted fare category for income-eligible customers 5 What is Fare Capping? Fare capping limits how much you pay for all your trips in a day, week or month. Fare capping makes sure that customers: • Never pay more than the total cost of a Day Pass in a calendar day • Never pay more than the total cost of a monthly pass in a calendar month 6 Fare Capping – Daily Cap When you pay for 2 single rides in one day, you earn a Daily Cap and ride free the rest of the day. Your daily spending is capped at $2.50 total! 7 Fare Capping - Monthly Cap When you pay for 33 single rides in a calendar month, you earn a Monthly Cap, and ride free the rest of the month. • Your monthly spending is capped at $41.25 total! • Monthly Cap • 33 Paid Rides • 17 Days of Riding • Benefit: ride free up to 14 days per calendar month 8 How to Get Fare Capping: Amp • Get Amp, by physical card or CapMetro App • Load money to your account - this is called stored value! • Tap your card or scan your app to …
A Food Plan for Austin Developing the City’s first Food Plan LGBTQ+ QoL Advisory Commission – July 11th 2022 What is a Food System? Food for thought ● 14.7% food insecurity in Travis County ● 38% zip codes in Travis County don’t have a full service grocery store ● 16.8 acres of farmland are lost every day in Travis County ● Less than 1% of food consumed in Travis County is locally produced ● 1.24 million pounds of food is wasted every day in Austin ● Covid-19 pandemic & Winter Storm Uri exposed & exacerbated inequities in our food system What is a Food Plan and why do we need one? ● A Food Plan will set clear Goals and Strategies to move toward a more equitable, sustainable & resilient food system and provide a coordinating structure for all food related initiatives ○ The Food Plan build on several other initiatives made by the City to tackle food system issues. ● On June 2021 Austin City Council directed the City Manager to initiate a planning process Link to full resolution What about disasters? Recent and ongoing crises have caused a spike in food insecurity and revealed inadequate preparation for expansive and culturally appropriate food distribution We are working with HSEM & other departments to develop a Disaster Food & Drinking Water Appendix Will include learnings from Winter Storm Uri, COVID-19, boil water notices, and other recent emergencies Developing the Austin Food Plan: Where are we now? A Baseline Assessment We are in the process of releasing The State of The Food System 2022. A comprehensive analysis of our food system and an updated version of previous reports from 2015 and 2018. This will be the foundation for Austin’s first-ever Food Plan Project Organization Austin Food Plan Emergency Food & Water Appendix Food Supply Chain Vulnerability Analysis City and County Staff Austin-Travis Food Policy Board Community Advisory Committee Issue Area Groups *Production AG Consultant Team *Community Food Ambassadors *To be determined General Public and Community *Access AG *Markets AG *Labor AG *Recovery AG Finding the Right Project Team and Structure Stewards and Advisors of the Process City and County Staff Consultant Team Community Advisory Committee Austin-Travis Food Policy Board Advisors on the Content Issue Area Groups General Public and Community Community Food Ambassadors Centering Equity The Austin Food Plan will center equity and the lived expertise of those most impacted by …
HEALTH Central Health Integral Care Seton Healthcare Family St. David’s Foundation COLLABORATIVE / PHILANTHROPIC Community Justice Council Interfaith Action (iACT) One Voice Central Texas United Way Greater Austin COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT NETWORK MISSION CAN is a partnership of governmental, non-profit, private and faith-based organizations which leverage mutual resources to collectively improve social, health, educational and economic opportunities in our community. GOVERNMENT City of Austin City of Pflugerville Travis County K-12 EDUCATION Austin ISD Del Valle ISD Manor ISD TRANSPORTATION Capital Metro WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT Goodwill Central Texas HIGHER EDUCATION Austin Community College Workforce Solutions— Capital Area Huston-Tillotson University St. Edward’s University University of Texas ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Asian Chamber Black Chamber Greater Austin Chamber Hispanic Chamber CAN: Promoting & Supporting the Power of Collaboration for More than 25 Years Identifying opportunities to coordinate and align services among CAN partners and other community service providers. • Supporting efforts to address community challenges through collective action. • Creating civic infrastructure for civic dialogue and civic action. • Ensuring the right stakeholders are part of assessing and addressing the challenges our community faces. Increasing understanding of emerging issues and trends and identifying proactive strategies that may be pursued. • • WWW.CANATX.ORG CAN SUPPORTS COLLABORATIVE ACTION AIMED AT EXPANDING EQUITY & OPPORTUNITY BY: DEVELOPING TOOLS TO INFORM CREATING OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE MAKING STRATEGIC CONNECTIONS CAN DASHBOARD In 2021, CAN Published the 12th annual CAN community dashboard tracking 18 indicators that assess our community’s overall health/ well-being. RACE EQUITY ACTION FRAMEWORK In 2021, CAN published the Race Equity Action Framework to assess local needs and identify where more attention is needed. Click Here to View Tool Click Here to View Tool CAN COVID-19 RESPONSE CAN PODCAST CAN launched the “We CAN! ATX” web portal as a flexible tool to get critical information to the public during times of crisis in multiple languages as well as to help people engage in the crisis response. Click Here to View Tool In 2020, CAN launched “Get Engaged,” a weekly community calendar highlighting opportunities to get engaged on efforts aimed at advancing equity, opportunity and community well-being. Click Here to Listen or Sign-Up LANGUAGE ACCESS REGIONAL SUMMIT CAN has been working with its Language Access Action Team to develop resources that: organizations can use to improve services; and community members can use to access services. This includes establishment of the Central Texas Language Access Fund. In 2021, CAN hosted its 5th biennial …
FY23 Cultural Funding Programs Update CITY OF AUSTIN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT JULY 11, 2022 Concerns of Inequitable Distribution* Problem: we are trying to address 50 years of inequitable distribution of funding through the Cultural Funding programs due to the historical policies, practices, and (in)accessibility of our programs. *Data shows leadership/staff demographics FY15-FY 21 only. We recognize this is only one indicator. Equitable Funding Review Goal The desired goal is to sustain and grow Austin’s cultural infrastructure so that all may share in the economic and employment benefits of the heritage preservation and creative sectors, as well as upholding the City’s commitment to racial equity per the City of Austin’s Equity Office standards and goals. Cultural Funding Review Process Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 4.5 Launch + Listen Record + Analyze Equity Audit 9 1 0 2 • 1 town hall • 2 workshops • 39 listening sessions • 540 participants • 1,160 engagement hours • Feedback compiled and synthesized • Organized into specific themes and directions for further discussion • Staff assessment of programs • Equity trainings for staff and commissions • Heritage Tourism and Music and Entertainment added • Process audit with ODD • MJR Recommendations Program Development • 1500+ hours of staff planning • 2 public presentations • Feedback: comment box, 1:1 meetings, Q+A, direct communications, Commission meetings 2 0 2 2 Program Refinement • 1 presentation • Regular VOOH and 3 guided discussions • Arts Commission chats • Feedback collection including survey • Feedback will be used to refine the program before official launch • Evaluation is ongoing! Feedback informed every aspect of program development including program priorities, application scoring, rubrics, and process improvements. Holistic Funding Ecosystem Nexus Nurture new and emerging applicants by funding creative public projects developed through community activation and/or collaboration. Elevate Creative and administrative expenses of cultural producers that amplify equity and prioritize inclusive programming. Thrive Focused investment to sustain and grow arts organizations that are deeply rooted in, and reflective of Austin’s diverse cultures. Pilot Program Nexus in Detail Goal Contract Term Type of Funding Who can apply? Selection Process Draft Total Available Funds Draft Award Amounts Draft Number of Awardees Individuals/ Groups* (*cooperatives, non-profit organizations, businesses, partnerships, etc.) Encourage new talent Nexus 6 Months Project Funding Only 3 COA Staff + Rubric ~$500,000 $5,000 100 (50 per cycle; 2 cycles/year) Pilot Program Elevate in Detail Elevate Elevate …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES JULY 11th, 2022 REGULAR MEETING of the LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, JULY 11, 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 Jeremy Garza, the Commission’s staff liaison, at 512-978-1797 or jeremy.garza@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 7:03pm. ROLL CALL: Absent: ● Victor Martinez ● Melissa Taylor ● Kannou Curette ● Nan Dowling ● Darcy Rendon ● Ryn Gonzalez ● Kanoa Arteaga ● Emily Bush Present: LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES JULY 11th, 2022 ● Charles Curry ● Rebecca Dreke ● Christian Vieira ● Marti Bier ● Katelyn Jones ● 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. • Community Advance Network (CAN) Carlos Soto o CAN Flyer – Posted online as backup & emailed to Commissioners o CAN aims to leverage mutual resources to increase social and economic opportunities in Austin. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Approve the minutes of the COMMISSION’S REGULAR MEETING on June 13, 2022. a. Motion to approve June 2022 regular meeting minutes by Charles Curry. Seconded by Christian Vieira. All in favor; None opposed; Motion passes unanimously. Staff briefing regarding Austin’s first comprehensive food plan pursuant to Austin City Council Resolution No. 20210610-039. The food plan will cover issues from food production, distribution, retail, consumption, food access, and food recovery and waste. Presented by Edwin Marty, Food Policy Manager, Office of Sustainability; Emmie DiCicco, Food Policy Intern, Office …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, June 13, 2022 7:00 p.m. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1401 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 Some commissioners may be participating by videoconference Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. To register email or call staff liaison Alyssa Parra at 512-974-2934 or Alyssa.Parra@AustinTexas.gov District Commissioner 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Kannou (Kimberly) Curette Christian Vieira Dr. Victor Martinez VACANT Emily Bush Rebecca Dreke Kanoa Arteaga Katelyn Jones District 9 10 Mayor At-Large At-Large At-Large At-Large Commissioner Nan Dowling Brandon Wollerson Marti Bier Darcy Rendon Charles Curry Ryn Gonzales (Chair) Melissa Taylor (Vice Chair) CALL TO ORDER AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION – Each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. 1. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES- April 11, 2022 3. REGULAR BUSINESS – The commission may act or make recommendations on the following topics: a. The Office of Sustainability presentation of Austin’s first comprehensive food plan pursuant to Austin City Council Resolution No. 20210610-039. The food plan will cover issues from food production, distribution, retail, consumption, food access, and food recovery and waste. (Sponsors: Gonzales & Taylor Strategic Outcome: ) b. Election of officers for 2022-2023 terms. c. Discussion and possible action on Family Planning Item from Council. (Sponsor: Bier, Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) d. Discussion and possible action on Joint Inclusion Committee Budget Recommendation Summary. (Sponsor: Curry, Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) e. Discussion and possible action on vacant position. (Sponsors: Gonzales & Taylor Strategic Outcome: ) 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 Alyssa Parra at 512-974-2834 or email Alyssa.parra@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 Alyssa Parra at (512) 974-2834.
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a Special Called meeting on Monday June 13, 2022, at the City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Melissa Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Members in Attendance: Vice Chair Taylor, Bier, Curry, Curette, Dowling, Dreke, Jones, Martinez, Rendon, Vieira, and Wollerson Staff in Attendance: Staff Liaison Alyssa Parra PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None 1. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER– Commissioners unanimously approved a motion to suspend Robert’s Rules of Order. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The minutes of the April 11, 2022nd meeting were approved without objection. 3. NEW BUSINESS a. The Office of Sustainability presentation of Austin’s first comprehensive food plan pushed to next month. b. Discussion on Family Planning Item from Council. c. Discussion and unanimous approval of endorsement of the Joint Inclusion Committee Budget Recommendation Summary. d. Discussion on vacant position. e. Election of officers for 2022-2023 terms pushed to next meeting. ADJOURNMENT – Vice chair Taylor adjourned the meeting at 8:18 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the July 11, 2022, meeting on Commissioner Curry’s motion, Commissioner Vieira second on a unanimous vote.
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, May 23, 2022 7:00 p.m. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1401 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 Some commissioners may be participating by videoconference Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. To register email or call staff liaison Alyssa Parra at 512-974-2934 or Alyssa.Parra@AustinTexas.gov District Commissioner 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Kannou (Kimberly) Curette VACANT Victor Martinez Holly Kirby Katie Jones Rebecca Dreke Kanoa Arteaga VACANT District 9 10 Mayor At-Large At-Large At-Large At-Large Commissioner Nan Dowling Brandon Wollerson Marti Bier Darcy Rendon Charles Curry Ryn Gonzales (Chair) Melissa Taylor (Vice Chair) CALL TO ORDER AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION – Each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. 1. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES- April 11, 2022 3. REGULAR BUSINESS – The commission may act or make recommendations on the following topics: a. Election of officers for 2022-2023 terms. b. Discussion and possible action on Family Planning Item from Council. (Sponsor: Bier, Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) c. Discussion and possible action on Joint Inclusion Committee Budget Recommendation Summary. (Sponsor: Curry, Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) d. Discussion and possible action on vacant At-Large position. (Sponsors: Gonzales & Taylor Strategic Outcome: ) 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 Alyssa Parra at 512-974-2834 or email Alyssa.parra@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 Alyssa Parra at (512) 974-2834.
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, April 11, 2022 7:00 p.m. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1401 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 Some commissioners may be participating by videoconference Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. To register email or call staff liaison Alyssa Parra at 512-974-2934 or Alyssa.Parra@AustinTexas.gov District Commissioner 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Kannou (Kimberly) Curette VACANT Victor Martinez Holly Kirby Katie Jones Rebecca Dreke Kanoa Arteaga VACANT District 9 10 Mayor At-Large At-Large At-Large At-Large Commissioner Nan Dowling Brandon Wollerson Marti Bier VACANT Charles Curry Ryn Gonzales (Chair) Melissa Taylor (Vice Chair) CALL TO ORDER AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION – Each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. 1. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES- March 28, 2022 3. REGULAR BUSINESS – The commission may act or make recommendations on the following topics: a. Discussion and possible action regarding an omnibus endorsement recommendation of JIC budget items. (Sponsor: Curry, Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) b. Discussion and possible action regarding the Commission's working group structure. (Sponsor: Gonzales, Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) c. Presentation from the Housing & Planning Department regarding the Equity-Based Historic Preservation Plan. (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 Alyssa Parra at 512-974-2834 or email Alyssa.parra@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 Alyssa Parra at (512) 974-2834.
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a Special Called meeting on Monday April 11, 2022, at the City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, in Austin, Texas. Vice Chair Melissa Taylor called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m. Members in Attendance: Vice Chair Taylor, Arteaga, Curry, Curette, Dowling, Dreke, Jones, Martinez, and Wollerson Staff in Attendance: Staff Liaison Alyssa Parra PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None 1. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER– Commissioners unanimously approved a motion to suspend Robert’s Rules of Order. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The minutes of the March 28, 2022, meeting were approved without objection. 3. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion regarding an omnibus endorsement recommendation of JIC budget items, b. Presentation from the Housing & Planning Department regarding the Equity-Based action tabled until next meeting. Historic Preservation Plan. c. Discussion regarding the Commission's working group structure. ADJOURNMENT – Vice chair Taylor adjourned the meeting at 8:36 p.m. without objection. The minutes were approved at the June 13, 2022 meeting without objection.
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION Monday, March 28, 2022 7:00 p.m. City of Austin Permitting and Development Center, Room 1401 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas 78752 Some commissioners may be participating by videoconference Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by 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. To register email or call staff liaison Alyssa Parra at 512-974-2934 or Alyssa.Parra@AustinTexas.gov District Commissioner 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Kannou (Kimberly) Curette VACANT Victor Martinez Holly Kirby Katie Jones Rebecca Dreke VACANT VACANT District 9 10 Mayor At-Large At-Large At-Large At-Large Commissioner Nan Dowling Brandon Wollerson Marti Bier VACANT Charles Curry Ryn Gonzales (Chair) Melissa Taylor (Vice Chair) CALL TO ORDER AGENDA PUBLIC COMMUNICATION – Each speaker will have 3 minutes to speak. 1. MOTION TO SUSPEND ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES- March 7, 2022 3. REGULAR BUSINESS – The commission may act or make recommendations on the following topics: a. Discussion and possible action on FY 2022-23 budget recommendations. (Sponsor: Gonzales, Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) b. Discussion and possible action to appoint an alternate representative to the Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC). (Sponsor: Curry, Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All) c. Discussion of vacant commission seats. (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 Alyssa Parra at 512-974-2834 or email Alyssa.parra@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 Alyssa Parra at (512) 974-2834.
Recommendation for Continued Funding for Youth LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Services Whereas, the recently completed LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life study reported that survey responses indicated a high risk of serious mental health issues, including depression (42%) and suicidal ideation (12%), and Whereas, 52% of survey respondents also rated their overall mental health since the COVID pandemic as fair, poor, or very poor, a sizeable increase in mental health concerns, and Whereas, an additional community survey reported that more than half (53.5%) of respondents rated their mental health as poor or fair with youth and transgender/gender-expansive individuals indicating a higher percentage of very poor and poor mental health since the pandemic, and Whereas, a 2018 report by the Journal of the American Medical Association indicated that LGBTQ youth were 3.5 times as likely to attempt suicide as their heterosexual peers, transgender teens were 5.87 times more likely, gay and lesbian youth were 3.71 times more likely, and bisexual youth were 3.69 times more likely to attempt suicide than teens who identified as heterosexual, Now therefore be it resolved: that 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.
Whereas, the City of Austin has used tax supported bond proceeds to incentivize the development of affordable housing and has entered into contracts with selected developers to achieve this purpose, and Whereas, the developer contracts create additional obligations on developers regarding tenant selection and rental rates, and Whereas, there is a public interest in ensuring that the resulting affordable housing be equally available to all those qualified on an income basis regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, familial status, disability, marital status, student status, creed, national origin, or source of income, and Whereas, access to affordable housing also means that residents must be able to live there free from discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, familial status, disability, marital status, student status, creed, national origin, or source of income, and Whereas, public comments at town hall meetings have indicated a perception that the City’s affordable housing efforts have not adequately addressed diversity, inclusion and respect for all, Now therefore be it resolved that 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 regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, familial status, disability, marital status, student status, creed, national origin, or source of income, 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.
Whereas, the responsibilities of Quality of Life Commissions includes annual budget recommendations to City Council, and Whereas, informed recommendations require a knowledge of the current Adopted Budget, as well as departmental plans and performance and input from the communities we serve, and Whereas, this process is best served by an established and consistent process from year to year, Now therefore be is resolved that the LGBTQ Quality of Life Commission recommends to City Council that their adopted budget schedule each fiscal year include provisions for Commissions including: • Budget Office briefing on the Adopted Budget for Quality of Life Commissions not later than October 31 of each fiscal year, • Budget Office briefing on the Proposed Budget process and outlook not later than November 31 of each fiscal year, • Commission recommendations to City departments and City Council not later than March 31 of each fiscal year • Budget Office briefing on the City Manager’s Proposed Budget within two weeks of the presentation to City Council outlining the status of Commission budget recommendations.
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220307-3E COLLECTION OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY DATA RECOMMENDATION TO CITY COUNCIL Accurate data collection of marginalized communities provides the City of Austin with the information needed to adequately support and serve each community. Because there is no national collection of sexual orientation and gender identity data, it is important that the City of Austin begin collecting that data. The LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the City Council approve the following resolution and direct the City Manager to begin collecting this data from City employees and community members accessing City services. DRAFT RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the City of Austin conducted an LGBTQ+ Quality of Life survey, with a report given on October 11, 2021 providing a number of recommendations on how to improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ+ community in Austin, TX; and, WHEREAS, a key recommendation from the Quality of Life survey is to “enhance sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data collection efforts”; and, WHEREAS, even prior to the QOL survey, on February 11, 2019, the LGBTQ QOL Commission passed a recommendation that supported the full inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data collection within the City of Austin; and, WHEREAS, on October 21, 2021, Austin City Council formally condemned non-consensual and medically unnecessary surgeries on intersex children and directed the City Manager to explore methods to implement a public education campaign to provide accurate, affirming information to the doctors and parents of intersex children about these children’s health, to counter misinformation that can be presented as medical advice, therefore providing an important reason to collect data regarding the intersex population in the city as well (SOGI+); and, WHEREAS, in March 2016, Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) added SO/GI data as required elements to be reported yearly in the Uniform Data System (UDS), beginning in Calendar Year 2016. The Program Assistance Letter (PAL 2016-2) states that “sexual orientation and gender identity (SO/GI) can play a significant role in determining health outcomes,” and that “gaining a better understanding of populations served by health centers, including sexual orientation and gender identity, promotes culturally competent care delivery, and contributes to reducing health disparities overall.”; and, WHEREAS, in February 2020, the Central Health Equity Policy Council adopted a policy initiative to move to expand SOGI data gathering as part of a push to adopt HRC’s Healthcare Equality Index, …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220328-3A-4 EXECUTIVE-LEVEL LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY LIAISON WHEREAS, among the key themes and requests resulting from the LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life study are to support the LGBTQIA+ community’s essential needs including access to housing, education and culturally appropriate healthcare as well as the desire to achieve economic stability; and WHEREAS, another key topic requiring immediate consideration concerns our transgender and gender-expansive community members. Threats and attacks to basic human rights of transgender youth and their families by State representatives require City officials and staff to make critical decisions and take immediate action to ensure their safety. It is encouraging that gains in social understanding and approval for LGBTQIA+ people over the past several decades have improved, yet as a result of the State’s recent hostile political climate, LGBTQIA+ community members continue to face extreme levels of intolerance. Adding an executive level LGBTQIA+ liaison to provide public support might reassure vulnerable members experiencing discrimination that their city will serve and protect them. An LGBTQIA+ liaison located in the City Manager’s office will review city policies and services through an LGBTQIA+ lens to determine if a policy or service might exclude or harm LGBTQIA+ people. This position would also be known as a receptive ear to constituents who want to bring LGBTQIA+ related issues directly to city government but may be fearful they might be dismissed or misunderstood; and WHEREAS, limitations have been placed on the City’s financial resources and LGBTQIA+ services are provided by an array of City departments and contracted providers, services are not monitored collectively for the community as a whole. Therefore the effectiveness, necessity or possible redundancies of services currently being funded cannot be determined. The liaison will actively coordinate and perform an analysis of current City and contracted services assuring all needs of the community are successfully addressed and may result in reassignment of resources to better use; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin has the nation’s third largest LGBTQIA+ population per capita. The internationally recognized organization, Human Right Campaign (HRC), sets industry standards for ranking cities for LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life. In its annual report, Municipal Equality Index 2021, one measure for municipalities to achieve status as a “highest scoring city” states there must be present an individual residing in the City Manager’s or Mayor’s office working as a liaison on LGBTQIA+ issues as well as a separate liaison stationed under …
