C-02 ( King and Ray - 07012020 zap budget reccommendations) — original pdf

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Zoning and Platting Commission FY 2021 Budget Recommendations (Draft) As the City of Austin considers its FY 2021 budget, the Zoning and Platting Commission (ZAP) urges City Council Members to consider how to embed equity in our city’s spending. We stand firmly against racism, historic and ongoing, that continues to define access and opportunity in our city. Along with countless community voices, ZAP calls upon Council to adopt a budget that takes a wholistic approach to public safety. ZAP emphasizes that our community’s health is not measured by the effectiveness of law enforcement, but in the quality of our services, planning, and housing. Our service as ZAP commissioners grants us insight into investments that promote equitable outcomes. Deeply troubled by the legacies and realities of racism in our city, ZAP strongly recommends the following: • Additional funding for Neighborhood Housing and Community Development, including: o Programs that prevent and mitigate displacement which disproportionately impacts o Preservation and creation of more affordable housing across Austin, including in o Additional support for paths to homeownership, critical to addressing our racial communities of color high-opportunity areas wealth gap • Additional funding for Planning and Zoning, including: o Dedicated outreach with communities of color to involve historically excluded groups in planning processes o Additional capacity for Boards and Commissions, to ensure staff and commissioners can thoroughly review cases and consult with community stakeholders o Additional support for small area planning that secures a community voice in shaping how our neighborhoods grow and change • Additional funding for Economic Development, including: o Support for commercial affordability programs that provide capital and technical assistance to minority and women-owned businesses o Support for arts and cultural heritage programming that preserves and celebrates the creative contributions of communities of color o Support for workforce development programs that amplify opportunities and build skills among low-income and minority job seekers • Across all City of Austin departments: o Dedicated resources for public engagement that seeks out and lifts up marginalized o voices Improved digital community engagement that promotes equitable and inclusive participation in public meetings o Equitable allocation of all budgets, services, bonds, and capital investments to communities of color in Austin.