Sep 26, 2024 City Council Proclamations

[00:00:05]

GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

[Proclamation – Downtown Austin Community Court’s 25th Anniversary – To be presented by Council Member Natasha Harper-Madison ]

IT IS THEIR 25TH ANNIVERSARY, A REALLY IMPORTANT MILESTONE AND A VERY EXCITING DAY.

UH, THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN, UH, COMMUNITY COURT WAS, UH, A, AN IDEA THAT CAME TO BE, UH, IN 1999 WHEREBY KIND OF QUALITY OF LIFE OFFENSES, ESPECIALLY IN THE, THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

A LOT OF YOUR PUBLIC INTOXICATION, YOUR DISORDERLY CONDUCTS, WOULD BE ROUTED TO A SPECIAL COURT THAT WOULD DEAL WITH THOSE TYPES OF OFFENSES IN A MORE, UM, IN A MORE, UH, DELICATE AND UNDERSTANDING WAY, UH, TRYING TO HELP FOLKS OUT.

UH, IT WAS REALLY THE START OF A TURN IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN AUSTIN FROM A REALLY, KIND OF A PUNITIVE AND, UH, UH, AND, AND A VERY KIND OF HARSH APPROACH TO A MUCH MORE, UH, SUPPORTIVE AND TRYING TO GET PEOPLE RESOURCES, TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE OUT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT WERE CAUSING, UH, CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

UH, AND IT'S JUST SUCH A PLEASURE, UH, TO BE HERE TODAY TO, UH, CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT.

I WAS JUST TALKING TO, UH, UH, SOME OF THE, THE, THE STAFF AND, UM, WELL, I, I SAY I REMEMBER WHEN THERE WERE A LOT OF STUDENTS, UH, AS PART OF THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT THAT, YOU KNOW, THE UT STUDENTS THAT, UH, HAVING A LITTLE TOO MUCH FUN DOWNTOWN AND END UP WITH SOME KIND OF ARREST OR CITATION FOR A PUBLIC INTOXICATION OR DISORDERLY CONDUCT.

UH, AND NOWADAYS THE COURT HAS REALLY MOVED IN THE DIRECTION OF, UH, HELPING OUR, OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS AND, UH, PROVIDING, UH, UH, SERVICES.

UH, BUT WRAPAROUND REALLY SERVICES A LOT OF, UH, CASE MANAGEMENT AND SUPPORT, UH, TO, UH, UH, HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE REFERRED TO THE COURT, UH, AND, UH, AND, AND ARE, INSTEAD OF BEING JUST FINED OR, YOU KNOW, JUST, UH, UH, PUNISHED, THE IDEA IS TO GET THEM THE SERVICES THEY NEED, GET THEM A CASE MANAGER, GET THEM INTO THE PROGRAMS THAT WILL HELP THEM AVOID, UH, AND, AND KIND OF COME OUT OF THE, THE REASONS THAT THEY GOT TO THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT, WHETHER IT BE SUBSTANCE ABUSE, WHETHER IT BE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE.

UM, IT'S, UH, JUST SUCH A, AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR THE SAFETY, NOT JUST OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA, BUT NOWADAYS REALLY FOR THE, UH, ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

REALLY JUST A KEY PARTNER IN OUR PUBLIC SAFETY ECOSYSTEM.

UH, AND, AND WHEN, WHEN UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS GO TO THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT, THEY KNOW THEY'LL BE WELCOMED AND RESPECTED.

UH, THEY'LL HAVE ACCESS TO THE CRITICAL SERVICES TO HELP AND END THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH HOMELESSNESS, SUCH AS MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND PEER SUPPORT, UH, SERVICES, IN ADDITION TO HELPING PEOPLE OBTAIN LONG-TERM HOUSING.

SO I'VE VISITED THE, THE COURT BOTH, UH, ACTUALLY, I, I GOT TO PRACTICE AT THE COURT AS A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY, UH, WHEN IT WAS STILL ON, UH, SIXTH STREET.

AND THEN I'VE VISITED THE NEW LOCATION AT ONE TEXAS CENTER, AND THEY, THEY REALLY HAVE A GREAT SETUP THERE.

UH, THEY HAVE A, A, A GREAT, UH, JUDGE AND, AND, UH, JUDGE COFFEY, WHO, UH, AGAIN, JUST A, A, A A VERY WISE AND UNDERSTANDING AND REALLY TRIES TO, UH, HELP FOLKS OUT AND, AND JUST HAS BEEN A, AN, AN EXCELLENT RESOURCE, UH, FOR THE, THE COMMUNITY.

UH, WE'VE EXPANDED THEIR, THEIR CASE MANAGEMENT STAFF AND SOCIAL SERVICE RESOURCES.

AND THEN WE'VE LAUNCHED THANKS TO A COUNCIL MEMBER, NATASHA HARPER MEDICINE, UH, THE MOBILE COURT PILOT PROGRAM, WHICH WILL BE FULLY IMPLEMENTED IN 2025, WHERE FOLKS DON'T HAVE TO COME TO THE COURT ANYMORE.

NOW, THE COURT IS GOING OUT TO OFFER ITS SERVICES TO HELP ENGAGE PEOPLE, UH, IN THE COMMUNITY, REALLY ALL AROUND THE CITY.

UH, SO IT'S JUST BEEN, UH, UH, AN EX A, A GREAT SUCCESS, AND WE'RE HERE TO, TO CELEBRATE, UH, AND, AND SUPPORT THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT AND THEIR HARDWORKING STAFF, UH, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, CADRE.

ANY, UH, UH, UH, ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS, YOU'VE COVERED THEM ALL.

ALL RIGHT.

WELL, I KNOW IT, IT'S IN, UH, HIS DISTRICT AND, AND I KNOW HE'S A BIG SUPPORTER OF, UH, OF THE, OF THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT AS WELL.

SO LET ME GO AHEAD AND GET RIGHT INTO IT AND, AND READ THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT DATE PROCLAMATION, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT IS A PROBLEM SOLVING COURT ESTABLISHED IN 1999 WITH A MISSION TO EMPOWER PEOPLE TO THRIVE BY PROVIDING IMPARTIAL JUSTICE AND COMPASSIONATE COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES.

AND WHEREAS, UH, THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT'S ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF ADJUDICATION FOCUS ON PERSON-CENTERED SOLUTIONS TO CONNECT INDIVIDUALS TO SERVICES IN WAYS TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, THUS PREVENTING CITATIONS FROM BECOMING PART OF RESIDENCE RECORDS, WHICH REMOVES POTENTIAL FUTURE BARRIERS TO HOUSING

[00:05:01]

AND WHEREAS THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT IS A PILLAR OF AUSTIN'S HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE SYSTEM, PROVIDING TRAUMA INFORMED AND HOUSING FOCUSED WRAPAROUND SERVICES TO HELP IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE AND END PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCE WITH HOMELESSNESS.

AND WHEREAS THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT CELEBRATES PROVIDING 25 YEARS OF SERVICES ON OCTOBER 1ST, 2024.

NOW, THEREFORE, I CHITO VELA ALONG, UH, WITH COUNCIL MEMBER ZOE CADRY ON BEHALF OF MAYOR KIRK WATSON.

DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 1ST, 2024 AS DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT DAY.

AND LET ME, UH, TURN IT OVER TO, LET ME START WITH, UH, JUDGE COFFEY, DO YOU HAVE ANY, UH, THOUGHTS OR COMMENTS? I'LL ADD A COUPLE.

PLEASE, PLEASE, IF I CAN.

UM, THANK YOU, UH, FOR THE KIND WORDS, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VELA, WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT THAT YOU AND ALL THE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND ACTUALLY THE CITIZENS OF THE AUSTIN HAVE GIVEN TO US OVER THE YEARS.

UH, WE, WE OBVIOUSLY CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT THAT.

UM, OUR MISSION HAS REALLY EVOLVED AND EXPANDED OVER THE YEARS, AND WE COULD NOT DO THAT WITHOUT THE DEDICATED STAFF THAT HAS ACTUALLY DONE THAT.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO TODAY IS BOTH, UH, RECOGNIZE AND PERSONALLY THANK THAT STAFF FOR ALL THE HARD WORK THEY DO IN MAKING THIS COURT AS SUCCESSFUL AS IT HAS BEEN.

I WANNA THANK MY CLERKS WHO KEEP ME IN LINE AND, AND KEEP THE COURT ACTUALLY, UH, OPERATING SMOOTHLY, UH, DESPITE BEING OVERWORKED ALL THE TIME.

THANK OUR CREW LEADERS WHO TAKE COMMUNITY SERVICE, UH, PERSONS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND HELP OUR COMMUNITY.

AND THEY DO THIS WITH EVERY JOB WE'VE GIVEN THEM.

THEY'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

SOME OF THESE ARE INSIDE, SOME OF THESE ARE OUTSIDE.

THEY DO IT IN HEAT AND IN COLD, AND THEY DO IT IN RAINING AND SHINE.

BUT THANK OUR ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF LED BY, UH, ROBERT KING, WHO YOU'LL HEAR FROM SHORTLY HERE.

UM, THEY HEARD THE CATS.

THEY KEEP US ALL PULLING IN ONE DIRECTION.

UH, THEY HAVE TURNED THIS COURT INTO A NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED MENTOR COURT, WHERE OTHERS COME HERE TO LOOK AT US TO SEE HOW A SUCCESSFUL COURT CAN OPERATE.

UM, THEY ALSO DO THEIR BEST TO TRY TO MAKE THE JUDGE LOOK GOOD, WHICH IS GOOD FOR ME.

SO, UM, FINALLY, AND CERTAINLY I WANT TO THANK THE CLINICAL STAFF, THE SOCIAL WORKERS WHO ACTUALLY PERFORM THE MAGIC AT OUR COURT.

UH, THEY'RE THE ONES WHO MEET WITH THE UNHOUSED PERSONS THAT WE SEE ON A REGULAR BASIS.

THEY HELP REDUCE THEIR PAIN AND, AND THEY HELP THEIR LIVES BECOME BETTER O OVER PERIODS OF TIME.

UH, THEY'RE THE ONES THAT THAT, THAT WE LOOK TO WHEN WE HAVE, UH, PERSONS IN COURT THAT NEED HELP.

WE, UH, DO ENFORCE THE LAWS, BUT WE TRY TO DO THAT IN A COMPASSIONATE MANNER THAT RESULTS IN A WIN-WIN FOR BOTH THE PERSON THAT COMES INTO COURT AND THE COMMUNITY.

OUR STAFF TREATS EVERY PERSON THAT COMES THROUGH OUR DOOR WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT.

AND MANY TIMES THAT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE AND THE RESPONSE WE GET FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T GET THAT VERY OFTEN.

SO, THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR STAFF AND THANK YOU TO THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN FOR MAKING A 25TH ANNIVERSARY POSSIBLE.

UM, WELL, I NEED TO , I I GET TO INTRODUCE, UH, LEAH DOWNEY GALLATIN, AND, AND LEAH IS SPECIAL.

SHE WAS A PROSECUTOR IN THE COURT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS WHEN WE WERE AT OUR VERY BUSIEST.

SO SHE'S BEEN IN THE TRENCHES.

UH, AFTER SHE LEFT, SHE CAME BACK AS A MEMBER OF THE, UH, ADVISORY BOARD THAT WE HAVE.

SHE'S GONE FROM MEMBER TO VICE CHAIR TO NOW THE CURRENT SITTING CHAIR OF THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT ADVISORY BOARD.

SHE IS AN ACCOMPLISHED PERSON.

SHE IS A LOVELY PERSON, AND SHE IS MY FRIEND.

AND I WANT TO INTRODUCE LEAH DOWNEY.

G THANK YOU.

I LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT THE COURT'S MENTORSHIP, UM, TO OTHER COMMUNITIES, BUT SOMETIMES I FEEL BAD FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE JUDGE COFFEE.

MM-HMM, .

UM, GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

I AM SO HAPPY TO BE HERE TODAY CELEBRATING D'S 25TH, UH, YEAR OF SERVICE TO THE CITY.

I DID HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING THE PROSECUTOR,

[00:10:01]

UM, SINCE BECOMING THE CHAIR, I'VE BEEN SO GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SUPPORT BACK TO THIS INSTITUTION THAT WAS SO FORMATIVE FOR ME, AND THAT I'VE ALWAYS BEEN SO PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH, AND SEE HOW IT CONTINUES TO EVOLVE AND RESPOND, UM, TO CHANGES IN THE COMMUNITY, CHANGES IN PRIORITIES, CHANGES IN RESOURCES, EMERGENCIES LIKE COVID, AND CONTINUE TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE THEY SERVE.

AND I THINK THE TRUST THAT DAK HAS BUILT WITHIN THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY IS A TESTAMENT TO THEIR EFFORTS TO MAKE A RESPECTFUL AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT SO PEOPLE CAN COME IN AND START THEIR JOURNEY OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.

UM, WE ALL KNOW THAT THE NEED FOR SERVICES, UM, TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS EXCEEDS THE DEMAND IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND I JUST WANNA TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE OUR CITY COUNCIL, UM, FOR THE CONTINUED INCREASE IN RESOURCES THAT THEY HAVE DIVERTED TO, TO THEY'VE DIRECTED TOWARD DAC TO LET IT BUILD ITS EFFORTS AND GROW.

UM, THE BUDGET IS A MORAL DOCUMENT.

UH, I HEARD THAT RECENTLY AND I WAS SO MOVED BY THAT IDEA.

I THINK IT'S BEAUTIFUL, AND I THINK DAK HAS ALWAYS STRUCK ME AS A PROFOUND EXPRESSION OF DECENCY AND MORAL MORALITY.

UM, THEIR LEADERSHIP IN RECENT YEARS HAS SHOWN WHAT AN IMPACT THEY'RE MAKING.

THE WAY THAT THEY'VE INVESTED RESOURCES TO ENSURE THAT THEY CAN SERVE EVEN MORE PEOPLE, EXPANDING THEIR JURISDICTION AND, UH, SEEKING RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO DO MOBILE SERVICES, EXPANDING, UM, THEIR CAPACITY WITH ADDITIONAL CASE MANAGERS.

ALL THOSE THINGS ARE TRANSFORMING LIVES.

AND, UH, I JUST REALLY WANT THE COUNCIL TO KNOW THAT THIS INVESTMENT OF TIME AND RESOURCES AND INTEREST IS SO APPRECIATED BY THE BOARD AND BY ME, AND BY THE PEOPLE WHO USE THOSE RESOURCES TO CHANGE LIVES EVERY DAY.

UM, THE LEADERSHIP AT DAC HAS PRIORITIZED TRANSPARENCY, BUILDING PUBLIC TRUST, OPTIMISM, AND, UM, CONTINUAL REEVALUATION OF THEIR PRACTICES TO SERVE PEOPLE THE VERY BEST THAT THEY CAN.

AND I JUST CONTINUE TO BE SO EXCITED AND PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS INSTITUTION.

UM, AND I KNOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO MOVE INTO THE NEXT 25 YEARS, UM, WITH THE SKILLS AND THE CAPACITY AND THE DEDICATION TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THIS IMPACT MORE AND MORE UNTIL HOPEFULLY THEY PUT THEMSELVES RIGHT OUT OF A JOB .

UM, SO I'M OVERJOYED AS BOARD CHAIR TO HAVE WATCHED THE PROCESS OF ROBERT KING TAKING HIS ROLE AND BLOSSOMING AND THRIVING IN HIS ROLE, UM, AT THE HEAD OF THE COURT'S OPERATIONS.

AND I'M GOING TO INTRODUCE HIM TO SPEAK TO YOU NEXT.

THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

I'M GOING TO KEEP MY COMMENTS, UH, REALLY BRIEF 'CAUSE YOU'VE HEARD SOME FROM, UH, REALLY ELOQUENT SPEAKERS, UH, THIS MORNING ABOUT THE COURT.

BUT I HAVE THE ABSOLUTE PLEASURE TO SERVE AS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT AND INCREDIBLY, UH, GRATEFUL, UM, FOR THE COMMENTS THAT WE'VE HEARD ALREADY.

AND I WANNA START SPECIFICALLY TO REINFORCE, UM, THE COMMENTS THAT JUDGE COFFEY THAT YOU'VE HEARD FROM HIM REGARDING OUR TREMENDOUS TEAM.

UM, I HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT AND, AND DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR THE COMPASSION AND THE COLLABORATIVE ENERGY THAT EVERY STAFF MEMBER AT THE COURT BRINGS EVERY DAY TO SERVE THE INDIVIDUALS OF AUSTIN, OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK JUDGE COFFEY FOR HIS SERVICE.

HE HAS BEEN AT THE COURT ALMOST FROM THE INCEPTION, AND YOU'VE HEARD A LOT TODAY ABOUT HOW MUCH WE VALUE BUILDING TRUST WITH INDIVIDUALS THAT WE SERVE.

AND THAT IS A TRUE TESTAMENT TO THE EXAMPLE THAT JUDGE COFFEY SETS IN THE COURTROOM EACH AND EVERY DAY.

HE TREATS EVERYONE WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECTS AND HELPS STAFF BUILD THAT TRUST AND THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH INDIVIDUALS.

I'VE HEARD IN THE COMMUNITY MORE OFTEN THAN NOT THAT, UM, THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY COURT IS REFERRED TO AS JUDGE COFFEY'S COURT BECAUSE HE HAS BUILT THAT REPUTATION IN OUR COMMUNITY SPECIFICALLY AND PRIMARILY WITH OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS.

AND SO WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE HIS LEADERSHIP THAT ALLOWS, UH, UH, THAT THAT SETS THE EXAMPLE THAT OUR TEAM EMBRACES TO SERVE THE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

UM, I DO WANT TO, YOU KNOW, THANK, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER HARPER MADISON, IN PARTICULAR FOR HER LEADERSHIP AND, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER VALEN AND CADRE AS WELL FOR YOUR SUPPORT, UM, AND THE REST OF THE COUNCIL FOR YOUR, UM, CONTINUED INTEREST AND SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY COURT.

AND AS WE PAUSE RIGHT NOW TO CELEBRATE 25 YEARS AT THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY

[00:15:01]

SO THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

THANK, THANK YOU'ALL VERY MUCH.

I ALSO JUST WANTED TO RECOGNIZE JUDGE, UH, SHERRY STATMAN, THE CHIEF, UH, UH, UH, MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE, AND, UH, THANK Y'ALL VERY MUCH.

LET'S TAKE SOME PHOTOS.

[Proclamation – Domestic Violence Awareness Month– To be presented by Council Member José Velásquez and Council Member Vanessa Fuentes ]

MY NAME IS VANESSA FUENTES.

I PROUDLY REPRESENT DISTRICT TWO ON AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, AND I'M JOINED HERE TODAY WITH MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELASQUEZ, AS WELL AS COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON AL ALTER.

TODAY WE ARE HONORED TO STAND ALONGSIDE PUBLIC SERVANTS AND ADVOCATES WHO ARE ALL HERE TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

DURING THIS MONTH, WE HIGHLIGHT THE CRITICAL NEED FOR CARE AND RESOURCES FOR THOSE WHO'VE EXPERIENCED INJUSTICES, VIOLENCE, AND ABUSE IN THEIR OWN HOMES.

VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DON'T JUST NEED, BUT DESERVE SERVICES AND SPACES TO HEAL IN A DIGNIFIED MANNER, BECAUSE HEALING EN CLOSURE IS ALSO JUSTICE.

IT'S UP TO US, OUR ADVOCATES, THE CITY, THE COUNTY, AND OUR COMMUNITY TO WORK TOGETHER TO BUILD A COMMUNITY THAT CARES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ADDRESSES THE SYSTEMIC ISSUES THAT LEAD TO IT.

THROUGHOUT THIS MONTH, COMMUNITY ACROSS AUSTIN AND THE COUNTRY WILL MOURN THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, RECOGNIZE THE PROGRESS THAT ADVOCATES HAVE MADE OVER THE YEARS, AND WE'VE MADE MANY HERE IN AUSTIN AND CONNECT WITH ONE ANOTHER TO COMBAT THE SYSTEMIC INJUSTICES THAT LEAD TO ABUSE.

I WANT TO THANK AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY FAMILY VIOLENCE TASK FORCE, THE ASIAN FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES OF AUSTIN, OUR NEW AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, CHIEF DAVIS, A PD VICTIM SERVICES AND SAFE ALLIANCE FOR BEING HERE AND THE VALUABLE ROLE THAT YOU ALL PLAY IN PROTECTING OUR FAMILIES.

I'LL NOW PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION TO VANYA NANDA, MANAGER OF SYSTEMS ADVOCACY AND TRAINING AT ASIAN FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES OF AUSTIN.

THANK YOU.

COME ON IN.

BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AFFECTS PERSONS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, YET VIOLENCE AND ABUSE HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF ON PEOPLE FROM TRADITIONALLY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES WHERE SURVIVOR VOICES ARE OFTEN SILENCED, BUT NEED TO BE HEARD.

WHEREAS IN AMERICA, 60% OF MASS SHOOTINGS EVENTS BETWEEN 2014 AND 2019 WERE EITHER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ATTACKS OR PERPETRATED BY THOSE WITH A HISTORY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

AND WHERE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOMICIDE IS FIVE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN HOMES WHERE FIREARMS ARE PRESENT.

AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF OFFICE, THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION WAS AWARDED A DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE GRANT TO STANDARDIZE PROCEDURES ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY TO KEEP FIREARMS OUT OF THE HANDS OF DANGEROUS INDIVIDUALS AND WORK ALONGSIDE TRAVIS COUNTY, AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, VICTIM SERVICES AND SAFE ALLIANCE, AND THE ASIAN FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES OF AUSTIN TO HELP ELIMINATE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, PROMOTE JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS, AND ENHANCE COMMUNITY SAFETY AND IMPROVE THE OVERALL HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND WHEREAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH PROVIDES AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY FOR ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS TO UPLI, UPLIFT NEEDS, VOICES AND EXPERIENCES OF SURVIVORS, WE URGE OUR COMMUNITY TO WORK TOGETHER TO EMBRACE THE MANY CULTURAL WAYS WE CAN HEAL FROM VIOLENCE AND OPPRESSION, HOLD SPACE FOR SURVIVORS AND CENTER, THOSE MOST MARGINALIZED IN OUR EFFORTS TO END DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

NOW, THEREFORE, I COUNCILMAN VANESSA FUENTES ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUES, COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELAZQUEZ.

AND COUNCIL MEMBER ALLISON ALTER ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER, 2024 AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH.

WE WILL NOW HAVE COUNCILMAN VELASQUEZ'S OFFER A FEW REMARKS.

HEY EVERYBODY, I AM COUNCIL MEMBER JOSE VELASQUEZ OF DISTRICT THREE.

UM, I, FIRST I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR POLICE, THANK YOU TO OUR ADVOCATES.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYBODY THAT IS STANDING HERE ALONGSIDE US.

UH, THIS IS A VERY PERSONAL ISSUE FOR ME.

I GREW UP AROUND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND TODAY I STAND IN THE GAP FOR A LADY NAMED YOLANDA VELAZQUEZ THAT MADE SURE THAT I WAS SAFE WHEN THESE THINGS WERE GOING ON AT MY HOUSE, UH,

[00:20:35]

JUST KNOW THAT THE DISTRICT THREE OFFICE AND JOSE VELASQUEZ HAS YOUR BACK.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

WE WILL NOW HAVE OUR AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT, NEW CHIEF LISA DAVIS, JOIN US FOR A FEW REMARKS.

THANK YOU.

MM-HMM.

IT'S MY FONT.

22 HERE FOR MY EYES.

I SHOULD'VE DONE MIND THAT FONT.

IT'S ALL GOOD.

OH, CRAZY.

OKAY.

SO FIRST I WANNA SAY HOW GRATEFUL AND PROUD WE ARE TO PARTNER WITH EVERYONE HERE.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THE GREAT WORK THAT GETS DONE HERE, AND, UH, WE TRULY APPRECIATE IT, THANK YOU TO COUNCIL MEMBERS, VANESSA FUENTES AND JOSE VELASQUEZ FOR BRINGING THIS PROCLAMATION FORWARD IN RECOGNITION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH.

AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBERS JOSE VELASQUEZ AND ALLISON ALTER, UH, FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

YOU HAVE SHOWN TOWARDS APDS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEX CRIMES UNIT.

I UNDERSTAND, AND I KNOW HOW PASSIONATE YOU ARE ABOUT THAT.

AND CHAMPION CHAMPIONING THE FUNDING TO ASSIST WITH ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO SERVE SURVIVORS.

OCTOBER IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO ALL HELP CREATE AWARENESS, PROVIDE RESOURCES, AND ENCOURAGE ALL COMMUNITIES TO COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUFFER IN SILENCE.

AND NOW, I'M A BIT OF A NUMBERS NERD AND DATA, SO I HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF DATA FOR YOU.

BUT, UM, IN AUSTIN, YEAR TO DATE, IN 2024, THERE HAVE BEEN 5,898 CASES REPORTED TO THE FAMILY VIOLENCE UNIT FOR INVESTIGATION.

IN 23, THERE WERE OVER 7,830 CASES.

AND I DON'T TELL YOU THIS BECAUSE IT'S LESS, BECAUSE WE KNOW SEXUAL ASSAULTS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE SERIOUSLY UNDER REPORTED.

SO WHEN I SEE NUMBERS GO UP, I LOOK AT THAT AS A POSITIVE THING THAT PEOPLE ARE REPORTING BECAUSE IT IS SUCH AN UNDER-REPORTED CRIME.

YEAR TO DATE IN 20 24, 11 OF OUR 46 HOMICIDES HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OFFENDER RELATIONSHIP.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOMICIDES WITHIN THE CITY, AND NOT JUST AUSTIN, BUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, FAMILY VIOLENCE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS USUALLY THE NUMBER TWO, UM, WHEN IT COMES TO THAT CRIME, UNFORTUNATELY.

SO AT A PD, WE HAVE DEDICATED A TEAM MADE UP OF, WE HAVE A DEDICATED TEAM MADE UP OF DETECTIVES, OFFICERS, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, AND VICTIM SERVICES COUNSELOR.

I'VE NEVER SEEN A DEPARTMENT THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, SHOWS SUCH AND PUTS SUCH RESOURCES.

I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE, YOU SHOW WHAT YOU VALUE AS A COMMUNITY AND AS A DEPARTMENT BY WHAT YOU PUT YOUR MONEY AND YOUR RESOURCES TO.

AND THE VICTIM SERVICES UNIT HERE IS JUST UNPARALLELED.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC.

UM, AND THEY WORK TIRELESSLY TO SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, UM, AS WE NAVIGATE THE BEST WAY TO PROMOTE HEALING AND COLLABORATION WITH OUR PARTNER AGENCIES WHO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SURVIVORS TO FIND CENTERING IN THEMSELVES FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND THIS COMMUNITY.

UM, AGAIN, I JUST WANNA THANK EVERYONE THAT'S HERE AND I TRULY APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK THAT GETS DONE.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MONTH, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO CARRY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND LOOK HOW IN WAYS THAT WE CAN SUPPORT OUR SURVIVORS.

THANK YOU.

UM, UH, GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS ETHAN BRACK AND I AM THE FIREARMS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT SITE COORDINATOR FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN IN AUSTIN, PUBLIC HEALTH'S OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

UH, WE AT THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION SEEK TO ACTUALIZE CITYWIDE PEACE THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED PROJECT PLANNING, AND, UH, FUNDING COMMUNITY PROGRAMS THAT PREVENT VIOLENCE, THAT INTERVENE IN COMMUNITIES MOST EFFECTIVE BY VIOLENCE, AND THAT HELP IMPROVE PEOPLE'S

[00:25:01]

UH, THANKS TO FUNDING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE VIA THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN, THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION HAS TAKEN PART IN THE FIREARMS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT GRANT PROGRAM, AND HAS CONVENED A MULTIDISCIPLINARY WORKING GROUP TO CREATE A PROTOCOL THAT ENSURES THAT PEOPLE ORDERED BY THE COURT TO SURRENDER FIREARMS AND FAMILY VIOLENCE CASES AND CIVIL PROTECTIVE ORDER CASES COMPLY WITH THESE ORDERS.

OUR HOPE IS THAT THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY WORKING GROUP CONTINUES TO BE AN EXAMPLE OF UNITY AND COLLABORATION WHERE SYSTEM CHANGE IS ACHIEVED.

YET MOST IMPORTANTLY, THIS WORK REQUIRES AN UNDERSTANDING OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND LISTENING TO THE VOICES OF SURVIVORS VOICES THAT HAVE OFTEN GONE UNHEARD IN ALIGNMENT WITH THIS MORNING'S PROCLAMATION AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH.

IN OCTOBER, WE HAVE RECENTLY CREATED A SURVEY WHERE WE'RE LOOKING TO HEAR FROM SURVIVORS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE WHO HAVE INTERACTED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE CRIMINAL AND LEGAL SYSTEMS IN ORDER TO DETERMINE WHETHER THESE SYSTEMS MET THE NEEDS OF SURVIVORS IN ADDRESSING THEIR SITUATIONS.

WE'RE ALSO SEEKING TO UNDERSTAND THE EFFECT THAT FIREARMS HAVE IN INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE SITUATIONS.

WHETHER YOU WERE HARMED OR THREATENED BY YOUR PARTNER WITH A FIREARM OR AWARE THAT YOUR PARTNER HAD ACCESS TO A FIREARM DURING THE TIME OF ABUSE, YOUR INPUT CAN HELP KEEP YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

BY SHAPING HOW OUR CITY RESPONDS TO AND PREVENTS VIOLENCE, A LINK TO THE SURVEY CAN BE FOUND ON THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTIONS RESOURCE PAGE.

AND IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING VIOLENCE OR EXPERIENCING VIOLENCE, EXCUSE ME, OR ARE IN A CRISIS, PLEASE CALL 5 1 2 2 6 7 7 2 3 3 OR 8 7 7 2 8 180 3 71.

AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE OFFICE OF VIOLENCE PREVENTION ARE THANKFUL TO BE PART OF THIS PROCLAMATION AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR WORK, UH, TO END, UH, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ENSURING THAT ALL RESIDENTS HAVE A SAFE, MEANINGFUL, AND HAPPY LIFE.

THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS VANIA.

I'M FROM ASIAN FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES OF AUSTIN.

I'M THE MANAGER OF SYSTEMS ADVOCACY AND TRAINING ASIAN FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES OF AUSTIN'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE ABUSE FREE ASIAN COMMUNITIES TO ADVOCACY, SUPPORT, AWARENESS, AND ACCESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES.

AAFSA WAS STARTED BY A GROUP OF ASIAN WOMEN FROM AUSTIN WHO REALIZED SURVIVORS FROM OUR COMMUNITIES WERE NOT COMING FORWARD.

TO SEEK HELP, WE PROVIDE CRISIS AND SAFETY PLANNING, ALONG WITH COMPREHENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT TO SURVIVORS.

ALL OUR SERVICES ARE FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL.

YOU MAY REACH AB ACCESS TOLL FREE 24 7 HOUR HOTLINE AT 1 8 7 7 2 8 1 8 3 7 1, OR THE LOCAL HOTLINE AT (512) 651-3743.

PLEASE CALL OUR HOTLINE IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING OR HAVE EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, TRAFFICKING, DATING, VIOLENCE, STALKING, AND OTHER FORMS OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE.

OUR HOTLINE IS AVAILABLE IN ANY LANGUAGE.

AFSA IS ALSO COMMITTED TO PREVENTING VIOLENCE AND IMPROVING SYSTEM RESPONSES TO GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE THROUGH COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY.

AFSA IS A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN TRAVIS COUNTY FAMILY VIOLENCE TASK FORCE AND THE FIREARM TRANSFER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO ENSURE REPRESENTATION OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES WHO EXPERIENCE BARRIERS TO ACCESSING HEALTH AND ARE PROUD OF OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH MAINSTREAM ORGANIZATIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MAKE ALL SERVICES IN OUR CITY ACCESSIBLE TO ALL SURVIVORS.

THANK YOU.

OKAY.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY AS WE RECOGNIZE OCTOBER AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE Y'ALL JOINING US FOR THE SPECIAL RECOGNITION.

AND I THINK NOW WE'LL JUST TAKE A, A GROUP PHOTO.

IF WE CAN'T TAKE THE PHOTO OUTSIDE, THAT'S OKAY.

SO LARGE.

YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

OKAY.

THANK YOU.

GOOD

[Proclamation – Digital Inclusion Week – To be presented by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes ]

MY NAME IS VANESSA FUENTES, AUSTIN CITY COUNCILMAN AND I PROUDLY REPRESENT DISTRICT TWO.

IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY AS WE KICK OFF DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK.

THIS WEEK IS ALL ABOUT RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND MAKING SURE ALL AUSTINITES HAVE ACCESS, HAVE THE ACCESS THEY NEED TO THRIVE IN OUR DIGITAL WORLD.

IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, ACCESS TO HIGH SPEED INTERNET DEVICES AND DIGITAL LITERACY ISN'T A LUXURY, IT'S A NECESSITY.

THESE TOOLS UNLOCK OPPORTUNITIES IN EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, HEALTHCARE, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

FOR MANY IN OUR UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES, DIGITAL ACCESS IS THE KEY TO BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

AND HERE IN AUSTIN, WE ARE COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT WE'RE CLOSING THE GAP THROUGH INITIATIVES LIKE, LIKE DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK, WE'RE BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS SO THAT ALL RESIDENTS CAN FULLY PARTICIPATE IN OUR INCREASINGLY DIGITAL SOCIETY.

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

NOW I'M EXCITED TO INTRODUCE SUN NOVIA HOLT ROBB, OUR DIRECTOR OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, TO SHARE MORE ABOUT

[00:30:01]

WELCOME.

THANK YOU.

I AM THRILLED TO BE HERE AS WE CELEBRATE DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK, AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR MISSION TO BUILD AN EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY IN AUSTIN.

DIGITAL INCLUSION IS MORE THAN JUST PROVIDING INTERNET ACCESS.

IT'S ABOUT CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL RESIDENTS TO THRIVE, ENSURING THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO THE TOOLS, SKILLS, AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO BUILD A STRONGER, MORE INCLUSIVE CITY.

OUR DEPARTMENT IS DEFINITELY COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING INITIATIVES THAT BREAK DOWN PHYSICAL, FINANCIAL, AND EDUCATIONAL BARRIERS TO DIGITAL ACCESS.

OUR ROLE AT EDD GOES HAND IN HAND WITH DIGITAL INCLUSION BY FOSTERING SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND COMMUNITY VITALITY.

WE AIM TO ENSURE THAT DIGITAL EQUITY BECOMES A REALITY FOR ALL.

DIGITAL INCLUSION IS CRITICAL TO DRIVING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND INNOVATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

NOW I'LL HAND IT BACK TO COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES TO CONTINUE OUR CEREMONY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

I'LL NOW READ OUR PROCLAMATION FOR DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE CITY IS SUPPORTING DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE NEED FOR ALL AUSTIN RESIDENTS TO HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE, HIGH SPEED INTERNET AT HOME, AND THE TOOLS THEY NEED, SINCE IT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE ROLE IN PROVIDING ACCESS TO KNOWLEDGE AND OPPORTUNITIES.

AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A COMMUNITY WHERE ALL RESIDENTS HAVE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO HOME INTERNET SERVICES, DEVICES, AND SKILLS, SO THAT EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO FULLY PARTICIPATE IN TODAY'S DIGITAL SOCIETY.

AND WHEREAS DIGITAL EQUITY IS NECESSARY FOR CIVIC EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION, ACCESS TO TELEHEALTH SERVICES AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

AND WHEREAS THE CITY CREATED ART CONNECT A YOUTH ART CONTEST DURING COVID AND CELEBRATION OF DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK TO DRAW ATTENTION TO AUSTIN HOUSEHOLDS THAT STILL DO NOT HAVE RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE INTERNET AT HOME.

AND WHEREAS THE CITY REMAINS COMMITTED TO KEEPING THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE GREAT NEED THAT STILL EXIST FOR LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO HELP OVERCOME THE PHYSICAL, FINANCIAL, AND EDUCATIONAL BARRIERS THAT OUR COMMUNITIES FACE IN REACHING A FULL DIGITAL EQUITY ON A REGIONAL LEVEL.

NOW, THEREFORE, I COUNCILMAN VANESSA FUENTES ON BEHALF OF KIRK WATSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER 7TH THROUGH 11TH 2024 AS DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK.

I'M ALSO THRILLED TO RECOGNIZE THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATION FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK.

WE HAVE AUSTIN FIL SOCIETY, AUSTIN FREENET, AUSTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY, AUTUMN HQ, DID I PRONOUNCE THAT CORRECTLY? OKAY.

BUILDING PROMISE, USA COMMUNITY TECH NETWORK, ECONOMIC ECONOMIC GROWTH, BUSINESS INCUBATOR, GOODWILL, CENTRAL TEXAS HAKA, AND LA I WILL NOW HAND IT OFF TO KAAN HARMON, ACTING OFFICER OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND REGULATORY AFFAIRS DIVISION OF OUR ECONOMIC DEPARTMENT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

COUNCILWOMAN FUENTES.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

AS PART OF THE COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY WORK GROUP IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, IT'S MY PRIVILEGE TO JOIN YOU TODAY IN RECOGNIZING DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK AND THE INCREDIBLE EFFORTS UNDERWAY TO CLOSE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN AUSTIN.

THANK YOU ALL PARTNERS, WE'VE, UH, WHILE WE'VE MADE GREAT STRIDES, MUCH WORK REMAINS THOUSANDS OF AUSTIN HOUSEHOLDS STILL FACE CHALLENGES IN ACCE ACCESSING AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE INTERNET.

THIS WEEK IS A REMINDER FOR OUR ONGOING EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THESE GAPS THROUGH PROGRAMS AIMED AT HIGHLIGHTING THE NEED FOR DIGITAL EQUITY.

LET'S CONTINUE WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT EVERY AUSTIN RESIDENT CAN FULLY PARTICIPATE IN OUR DIGITAL SOCIETY.

THANK YOU TO OUR CITY LEADERS.

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND CON COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR THEIR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO DIGITAL INCLUSION.

LET'S TAKE THIS MOMENT TO CELEBRATE OUR SHARED PROGRESS AND CONTINUE PUSHING FORWARD TOWARDS DIGITAL EQUITY FOR ALL.

UM, AND I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE EVERYONE FOR A GROUP PHOTO.

WE'RE GONNA HEAD OUTSIDE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND THIS LOVELY PROCLAMATION IS GOING WITH US TO DIGITAL EQUITY AND E ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THANK YOU.

SO NOVIA.

THANK YOU, TEAM.

[00:35:01]

[Proclamation – Con Mi MADRE Day – To be presented by Council Member Vanessa Fuentes ]

MY NAME IS VANESSA FUENTES.

I PROUDLY REPRESENT DISTRICT TWO ON AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL, AND I'M SO EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE GOME MADRE AND THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT THEY DO IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THIS ORGANIZATION HOLDS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART, NOT ONLY BECAUSE I WAS ONCE A PROUD VOLUNTEER WITH GO MADRE, BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THE INVALUABLE WORK THEY CONTINUE TO DO FOR LATINAS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

AND LATINAS.

, SHOUT OUT TO LATINAS HERE.

UH, GO.

MADRE DOESN'T JUST PREPARE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE.

THEY EMPOWER BOTH MOTHERS AND DAUGHTERS TO BREAK BARRIERS AND REWRITE THEIR FUTURES.

THIS DUAL LANGUAGE APPROACH, THIS DUAL GENERATIONAL APPROACH, CREATES A RIPPLE EFFECT EQUIPPING FAMILIES KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AND THE CONFIDENCE THEY NEED FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION WITH IMPRESSIVE OUTCOMES, INCLUDING 97% HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE.

INCREDIBLE.

AND 93% AND 93% COLLEGE RETENTION RATE.

KOMI MADRE IS TRULY CHANGING LIVES.

I'M PROUD OF THE IMPACT THIS PROGRAM HAS MADE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND BEYOND BY HELPING THOUSANDS OF MOTHER-DAUGHTER TEAMS REACH THEIR DREAMS. THANK YOU TO KOMI MADRE FOR EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS AND FOR REMINDING US THAT WHEN WE INVEST IN OUR FAMILIAS, WE INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS VERY WELL DESERVED RECOGNITION.

I WILL NOW PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION TO COM MADRE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DR.

JOANNA MOYA.

FABREGAS, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS GOME MADRE A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES DUAL GENERATIONAL SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING AND COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAMS, ENGAGING STUDENTS IN THEIR PARENTS FROM SIXTH GRADE THROUGH COLLEGE WITH EVENTS AND SUPPORT NEEDED TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUCCESS.

AND WHEREAS TO DATE, GOME MADRE HAS SERVED OVER 3000 MOTHER-DAUGHTER TEAMS ON THEIR JOURNEY THROUGH POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, CONTRIBUTING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR NATION'S EDUCATED WORKFORCE IN THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONFIDENT AND DIVERSE FEMALE LEADERS.

AND WHEREAS THROUGH HOLISTIC PROGRAMMING AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT, GOME, MAADE PARTICIPANTS HAVE ACHIEVED REMARKABLE OUTCOMES, INCLUDING A 97% HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATE, A 75% COLLEGE ENROLLMENT RATE, AND A 93% COLLEGE RETENTION RATE, SETTING A HIGH STANDARD FOR EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

NOW, THEREFORE, I COUNCILWOMAN VANESSA PUENTES ALONGSIDE MY COLLEAGUE COUNCIL JOSE VELASQUEZ DO HEREBY PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 26TH, 2024 AS GO.

ME MADRE DAY IN AUSTIN, TEXAS.

THANK YOU.

OH MY GOODNESS.

THANK YOU, ENO.

OOPS.

ENO DIAZ.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

THANK YOU.

I AM, I'M SO TOUCHED TODAY, SO I'M GONNA TRY NOT TO CRY , BUT, UM, THIS, THIS IS A, A VERY IMPORTANT DAY.

UM, I'M FIRST OF ALL THANKFUL TO VAN ZU, WOMAN VANESSA FUENTES FOR THIS GREAT HONOR, AND JOSE VELASQUEZ FOR SUPPORTING US AS WELL.

UM, IT'S, IT'S VERY TELLING THAT WE HAVE OUR LATINO CITY HOUSE CITY, UH, COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES HERE, UH, HONORING US TODAY.

UH, THIS IS, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DAY, UH, BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH WE'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A LONG TIME, IT'S A DAY THAT SHOWS THE VALUE THAT THIS CITY PLACES ON THE WORK THAT WE DO.

MM-HMM.

, AS YOU ALL KNOW, THIS HAS BEEN, THIS PAST COUPLE OF YEARS HAVE BEEN A TOUGH YEAR FOR THE LEGISLATION WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF DEFUNDING AND NONPROFITS LIKE OURS ARE THE ONES THAT CARRY FAMILIES, THAT CARRY STUDENTS THAT FILL IN TO, UH, SUPPORT IN THE AREAS THAT OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM SOMETIMES CAN NOT BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO, BUT BECAUSE OF LACK OF FUNDING.

SO WE'RE VERY, VERY GRATEFUL TO BE RECOGNIZED.

I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO BE HERE BEFORE ALL, ALL OF YOU, UM, ACCEPTING THIS PROCLAMATION BECAUSE THIS IS A CITY THAT I MOVED INTO 12 YEARS AGO.

THIS IS A CITY THAT HAS RECEIVED ME WITH OPEN ARMS AND HAS ALLOWED ME TO DO LIFE CHANGING WORK.

AND I COULD NOT DO ANY OF THIS WORK WITHOUT EVERYONE THAT'S PRESENT IN THIS ROOM.

SO I AM GRATEFUL.

LOOK, THIS IS THE BIGGEST PROCLAMATION TURNOUT, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I

[00:40:01]

WE HAVE RE STAFF, FAMILIES, BOARDS, DAUGHTERS HERE TODAY AND, AND ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS.

SO I'M GONNA, UH, TURN IT OVER TO OUR AMAZING AND INSPIRING BOARD CHAIR, JACKIE PAGET TO SAY A FEW WORDS.

THANK YOU EVERYONE.

I JUST WANNA ECHO EVERYTHING THAT JOANNA JUST SAID.

WE ARE SO EXCITED.

THERE'S SO MUCH ENERGY IN THE ROOM WHEN WE'RE OUT THERE IN THE FORUM, WE TOOK IT OVER, RIGHT? WE'VE GOT SO MANY SUPPORTERS LIKE YOU, AND WE'RE JUST SO GRATEFUL WE COULD NOT DO THE WORK WE DO WITHOUT YOU.

I'M SO PROUD TO BE.

MY NAME IS JACKIE PAGET.

I'M SO PROUD TO BE THE BOARD CHAIR OF KME MADRE.

AND I ACTUALLY AM A FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE GRADUATE.

I REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS LIKE BEING A STUDENT, TRYING TO NAVIGATE THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND JUST FIGURE OUT WHAT MY NEXT STEP WOULD BE.

AND ALWAYS WISH THAT THERE WAS A PROGRAM LIKE THIS ORGANIZATION THAT EXISTED.

AND BEING ON THE BOARD, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE FIRSTHAND IMPACT OF BOTH THE STUDENTS AND THEIR MOTHERS AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM.

I KNOW WE HAVE SOME STUDENTS HERE, YES, .

WE HAVE STUDENTS HERE THAT, AS YOU HEARD, ARE ACHIEVING GREAT THINGS.

THEY'RE BREAKING BARRIERS.

THEY ARE GETTING ALL THE WAY THROUGH COLLEGE, THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF ALL OF OUR PROGRAMMING.

AND IT'S A DUAL GENERATION IMPACT.

SO WE ACTUALLY HAVE MOTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN INSPIRED TO GO TO COLLEGE AFTER THEIR DAUGHTERS HAVE GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS.

SO WE ARE JUST SO PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE DO.

I'M SO PROUD OF OUR STAFF THAT DO THIS WORK EVERY DAY.

OUR BO OUR FULL BOARD IS HERE AND ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE.

WE TRULY IS A FAMILY ORGANIZATION, AND YOU ARE ALL, ARE ALL ARE FAMILY.

SO THANK YOU AND HAPPY COM MADRE DAY.

YAY.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU EVERYONE.

I THINK WE'RE GONNA GO OUTSIDE FOR A BIG GROUP PHOTO.

YAY.

THANK YOU.

[Proclamation – Emergency Preparedness Month – To be presented by Council Member Mackenzie Kelly ]

MY NAME IS MACKENZIE KELLY.

I'M A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER IN DISTRICT SIX, WHICH IS FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN.

AND THIS MORNING I AM PLEASED TO BE HERE TO CELEBRATE WITH YOU ALL NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH.

UM, FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH READY.GOV HAS OBSERVED EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MONTH FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

THIS YEAR'S THEME IS START A CONVERSATION, WHICH I THINK IS VITAL BEFORE ANY EMERGENCY SITUATION OCCURS.

TALKING WITH YOUR FAMILIES AND YOUR NEIGHBORS IS SOMETHING I OFTEN HIGHLIGHT WHEN I TEACH COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM CLASSES OR WHEN I'M OUT IN THE COMMUNITY CONDUCTING PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS.

IT IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT WE FACILITATE WITH THESE INCREDIBLE STAFF MEMBERS FROM THE CITY OF AUSTIN WHO ARE BEHIND ME REPRESENTING THE DIFFERENT PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS.

TODAY.

WE EACH HAVE A PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER AND MORE RESILIENT.

AND AS A RECENT GRADUATE OF FEMA'S, UH, EMERGENCY AND MANAGEMENT ADVANCED ACADEMY, I KNOW THAT THE WORK AND COORDINATION THAT GOES INTO PREPAREDNESS IS CERTAINLY WORTH IT AND PAYS DIVIDENDS.

I ALSO WANNA HIGHLIGHT THE FANTASTIC WORK THAT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENTS DO EACH AND EVERY DAY, PRACTICING SCENARIOS, DOING EXERCISES AND RUNNING DRILLS SO THAT THEY ARE BEST EQUIPPED TO HELP US ON OUR WORST DAYS.

AND I WANNA TAKE A QUICK MOMENT AND THANK THOSE THAT HAVE JOINED US TODAY FROM THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WE HAVE WITH US CHIEF DAVIS, CHIEF KRAUS, CHIEF GREENWALD, COMMANDER LICHTER AND COMMANDER GASLIN FROM AUSTIN FIRE DEPARTMENT.

WE HAVE CHIEF FIRES WITH US TODAY.

FROM EMS, WE HAVE CHIEF LUCR, CHIEF WHITE ASSISTANT CHIEFS HOPKINS, AND PARKER COMMANDER KANE AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS MANAGER, PAUL MALONE.

FROM HSEM, WE HAVE THE INTERIM DIRECTOR, BILL WILSON.

HERE WITH US FROM TRAVIS COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, WE HAVE CHIEF ERIC CARTER.

AND FROM AUSTIN ENERGY, WE HAVE THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, CHUCK CHAPMAN.

YOU MAY ASK WHY ALL THESE AGENCIES ARE HERE TODAY, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND PREPAREDNESS, THEY ALL WORK TOGETHER AND COORDINATE WITH ONE ANOTHER TO ENSURE THAT EACH EMERGENCY OR DISASTER TYPE SITUATION IS THOUGHTFULLY EXECUTED IN THEIR PLANS, AND THAT EVERYONE IS ON THE SAME PAGE WHEN IT COMES TO THOSE, UM, THOSE INCIDENTS THEY RESPOND TO.

SO NOW I'LL READ THE PROCLAMATION.

IT SAYS, BE IT KNOWN THAT WHEREAS THE CITY OF AUSTIN RECOGNIZES THE VITAL IMPORTANCE OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, EXCUSE ME, TO SAFEGUARD THE LIVES, PROPERTY AND WELLBEING OF ITS RESIDENTS.

AND WHEREAS THE CITY IS COMMITTED TO PROMOTING RESOURCES FOR PREPAREDNESS THAT EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES TO BE READY FOR ALL TYPES OF EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS.

AND WHEREAS READY.GOV RECOGNIZES NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH AS AN OBSERVANCE EACH SEPTEMBER TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PREPARING FOR DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES THAT COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME.

AND WHEREAS DURING EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MONTH, COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE TIME TO PREPARE THEMSELVES AND THOSE IN THEIR CARE FOR EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS THAT CAN

[00:45:01]

AND WHEREAS THE CITY HAS A HISTORY OF RESILIENCE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY, WE ABSOLUTELY DO.

I BELIEVE THAT.

AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO FOSTERING A RESILIENT AND PREPARED COMMUNITY TO EFFECTIVELY RESPOND TO AND RECOVER FROM EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS.

AND WHEREAS THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, NONPROFITS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS CONTINUALLY STRIVE TO ENHANCE OUR COMMUNITY'S READINESS FOR EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS THROUGH EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES.

AND WHEREAS THE CITY RECOGNIZES THAT EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY, AND THAT EACH RESIDENT PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN ENSURING THE SAFETY AND RESILIENCE OF OUR COMMUNITY.

AND NOW, THEREFORE, I AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER MCKENZIE KELLY, ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES WHO COULD NOT BE HERE TODAY, DO HAIR BROAD PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER, 2024 AS EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS MONTH IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE.

THANK YOU.

SO WE DO HAVE TWO SPEAKERS.

UM, WE'LL NOW HEAR FROM THE INTERIM HSEM DIRECTOR BILL WILSON, AND THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED BY THE TRAVIS COUNTY CHIEF OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, ERIC CARTER.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

I'M BILL WILSON, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

I WANTED TO THANK COUNCIL MEMBER KELLY FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.

UH, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE PULL AWARENESS TO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

UH, THE MORE THAT WE HAVE THE COMMUNITY PREPARED, THE MORE IT'S GONNA HELP OUR CITY OF AUSTIN RESPONSE AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND EVERYONE ELSE WHENEVER IT COMES TO DISASTER RESPONSE.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE ROOM, I ALSO WANNA THANK ALL OF OUR PARTNERS HERE, UH, WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT.

THE CITY OF AUSTIN WOULD NOT BE THE PLACE THAT WE ARE OR HAVE THE ABILITY THAT WE DO TO RESPOND TO THINGS IN THE WAY THAT WE DO.

I ALSO WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT, UH, WE DO WORK ON BEING PREPARED FOR ALL HAZARDS.

AND WITH THAT, UH, THE WEATHER IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING.

UM, SORRY, THE WEATHER EVENTS ARE BECOMING LESS PREDICTABLE.

UH, WE'VE SEEN THAT IN THE CITY WITH ALL THE DISASTERS THAT WE'VE HAD, WHETHER IT'S, UH, OUR WEATHER EVENTS, OUR FLOODING, OR OTHER THINGS.

SO EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS IS BIG ON WHENEVER IT COMES TO HAVING US PREPARED FOR THOSE EVENTS.

UH, SEPTEMBER'S A GOOD TIME TO THINK ABOUT OUR EMERGENCY PLANS OR YOUR EMERGENCY PLANS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

UM, PLANNING WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, WE'LL HAVE YOU PREPARED FOR THE NEXT EMERGENCY AND BE MORE RESILIENT FOR THE NEXT DISASTER.

AND REMEMBER TO BE PROACTIVE AND PREPARED.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WEEKENDS WHERE YOU CAN GET YOUR EMERGENCY SUPPLIES TAX FREE.

AND ALSO COME TO OUR EVENTS THAT WE HOST WITHIN, WITHIN HESS O.

UH, YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE@READYCENTRALTEXAS.ORG.

WE DO HAVE PREPAREDNESS EVENTS POP UP EVERY MONTH.

BE SURE AND ATTEND THOSE.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NEXT, WE'LL GO TO ERIC CARTER.

THANK YOU.

THANKS.

THANKS, BILL.

THANKS BILL.

AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE, UH, COUNCILWOMAN KELLY FOR DOING THIS PROCLAMATION AND INVITING THE COUNTY TO ALSO ECHO THE SENTIMENT AROUND, UH, NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ALL ARE PREPARED.

UH, THE PROFESSIONALS UP HERE DO THEIR JOB, THEY TRAIN, BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO TELL THE PUBLIC YOU ARE THE FIRST, FIRST RESPONDER.

THE DISASTERS HAPPEN.

IT'S HITTING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

YOU NEED TO BE READY, PLEASED.

THIS IS THE MONTH.

HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS, WITH YOUR ELDERLY, THE MORE VULNERABLE AND YOUR NETWORK SO THAT THEY ARE THINKING AHEAD AND TAKING THE ACTION THEY NEED TO DO TO BE PREPARED.

UH, THINKING ABOUT YOUR DISASTER SUPPLY KIT, THINKING ABOUT EXTRA COPIES OF PAPERS IF YOU HAVE TO EVACUATE YOUR HOME IN A AT THE LAST MINUTE.

UM, THIS IS A GOOD MONTH, UH, TO GET OUT.

THERE ARE LOTS OF ACTIVITIES.

THE HE'S TEAM ARE DOING A LOT AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD, THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY TO DO OUTREACH.

WE HOPE YOU GET A CHANCE TO GO OUT AND JOIN THEM.

THE COUNTY WILL BE THERE JOINING THEM AS WELL.

SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU.

UH, AND AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR INVITING US TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROCLAMATION.

WELL, THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

WE'RE GONNA SQUEEZE SOMEWHERE TO TAKE A PICTURE RIGHT AFTER THIS.

UM, AND I'LL HAND OUT PROCLAMATIONS TO EVERYBODY FROM THE CITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ATTENDING.

SUCH A

[Additional Item ]

UH, WE WANTED TO TAKE TIME TO PERSONALLY RECOGNIZE DIRECTOR ROOSEVELT WEEKS FOR HIS HARD WORK AS THE DIRECTOR OF LIBRARIES AND PRESENT HIM WITH THIS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD.

DURING HIS SEVEN YEARS WITH THE LIBRARY DEPARTMENT, HE HAS EXPANDED OUTREACH, REDUCED BARRIERS TO ACCESS, AND FOSTERED A SAFE AND EQUITABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY.