May 07, 2025 Public Health Committee

[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:04]

OF THIS PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE, COUNCIL MEMBER MARK UCHIN.

I'M SITTING IN FOR THE MAYOR PRO TEM WHO'S JOINING US REMOTELY.

UH, TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I AM CHAIRING A COMMITTEE.

SO DEPENDING HOW THINGS GO, MAYBE THE LAST TIME I'M CHAIRING A COMMITTEE, , UH, BUT I'M GRATEFUL AGAIN FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND, UH, LUCKILY I'VE GOT THE MAYOR PROM JOINING US REMOTELY FROM HER WORK, UH, TO MAKE SURE SHE CAN CONTINUE TO GUIDE US.

SO, I'M CALLING TO ORDER THIS MEETING AND OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE.

UH, HERE WITH ME RIGHT NOW IS COUNCIL MEMBER, UH, VELAZQUEZ AND MAYOR PRO TEM FUENTES, COLLEAGUES.

FOR OUR AGENDA THIS MORNING, WE'RE GONNA START WITH PUBLIC COMMUNICATION.

UH, THEN WE'LL GO AHEAD AND APPROVE OUR MINUTES FROM THE LAST TWO MEETINGS, THE APRIL 2ND MEETING, AS WELL AS THE SPECIAL CALL MEETING THAT WAS ON APRIL THE 28TH.

UH, WE'RE THEN GONNA BE RECEIVING A BRIEFING FROM AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH REGARDING A MULTI-YEAR PLAN FOR AUSTIN'S LIVING WAGE, FOR FU FUTURE SOLICITATIONS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.

AND THEN FINALLY, WE'LL HAVE ANOTHER PRESENTATION.

WE'LL BE DISCUSSING THE MEASLES HEALTH ALERT MEMO FROM FEBRUARY 10TH, 2025, AND ANY UPDATES SURROUNDING THAT.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING THE AGENDA? UH, UH, THANK YOU CHAIR.

I, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS FROM AFME FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

WE APPRECIATE Y'ALL BEING IN THE BUILDING.

I KNOW, I KNOW IT.

IT'S, IT'S A LITTLE TOUGH TO TAKE TIME OUTTA YOUR DAY TO SHOW UP AT CITY HALL, BUT THANK Y'ALL SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE, AND THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH ALSO FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND, UH, AND JOINING US THIS MORNING.

UH, WITH THAT, LET'S GET STARTED AND, UH, WE'RE

[Public Communication: General]

WE'RE GONNA WELCOME ANY FOLKS FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK RIGHT NOW.

UH, IN LIGHT OF THE ADDITIONAL, UH, FOLKS THAT HAVE JOINED US THIS MORNING, GONNA EXPAND OUR SPEAKER CAP FROM THE USUAL FIVE TO 10 SPEAKERS JUST IN CASE THERE ARE ADDITIONAL FOLKS THAT HAVE SIGNED UP SO WE'LL, UH, THE CLERK'S OFFICE.

PLEASE HELP US START OFF WITH OUR FIRST SPEAKER THIS MORNING.

GOOD MORNING, MAYOR.

UM, MAYOR PRO TAM COUNCIL MEMBERS, UM, YOU HAVE FIVE SPEAKERS THAT ARE CURRENTLY SIGNED UP.

WE HAVE BRANDON SUMMERS, BETH S COLE, NICOLE DOGGETT, AB, SEAN CAM, CAM RUDIN, AND ZACH NEWTON.

IF YOUR NAME IS CALLED, PLEASE COME TO THE MIC OR YOU CAN COME DOWN FRONT TO BE PREPARED TO SPEAK.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

ALL RIGHT.

GOOD MORNING, MAYOR PROTO AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME IS BRIAN SUMMERS AND I SERVE AS PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE COUNTY MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES LOCAL 1624, REPRESENTING MORE THAN 4,800 PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS ACROSS THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY, INCLUDING MANY EMPLOYEES AT AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH.

WE'RE HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF THE DEVASTATING LOSS OF $22 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING THAT HAS PLACED OUR PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE FRONTLINE WORKERS WHO MAKE IT RUN IN SERIOUS JEOPARDY.

PROGRAMS LIKE IMMUNIZATIONS, REFUGEE CLINICS, AND COMMUNITY HEALTH OUTREACH ARE NOW AT RISK, AND SO ARE THE JOBS OF THE PUBLIC SERVANTS WHO DELIVER THESE SERVICES WITH CARE AND COMMITMENT EVERY SINGLE DAY.

AND WE KNOW THAT THIS CRISIS DIDN'T START HERE, BUT IT'S OUR COMMUNITY AND IT'S OUR WORKFORCE THAT ARE BEING LEFT TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES.

AND WE AT AF, AFSCME 1624 ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THOSE WORKERS AS YOU DELIBERATE BUDGET PRIORITIES AND DIFFICULT DECISIONS.

WE URGE THIS COMMITTEE AND THE FULL COUNCIL TO KEEP THE CITY'S OWN WORKFORCE FRONT AND CENTER.

WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE ONGOING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW THE CITY ENSURES FAIR COMPENSATION FOR ALL WHO PROVIDE SERVICES, BUT EVERY WORKER ABSOLUTELY DESERVES DIGNITY, STABILITY, AND FAIR PAY.

BUT IN THIS MOMENT OF SCARCITY, WE BELIEVE THE CITY MUST FIRST PRIORITIZE THE STABILITY OF ITS OWN WORKFORCE.

THE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ALREADY HERE ALREADY TRAINED, ALREADY DOING THE WORK, AND NOW FEELING TREMENDOUS UNCERTAINTY.

THIS MORNING, JUST BEFORE THIS MEETING, WE HEARD STORIES FROM IMPACTED AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH EMPLOYEES, WORKERS WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN LAID OFF OR ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF JOB REASSIGNMENTS THROUGH THE MUNICIPAL CIVIL SERVICE PROCESS.

THESE INDIVIDUALS MUST REMAIN AT THE HEART OF ANY CONVERSATIONS ABOUT RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND LONG-TERM WORKFORCE PLANNING.

WITH THAT IN MIND, ASK ME LOCAL 1624 RESPECTFULLY CALLS IN THE CITY TO TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS.

I'M GONNA LEAVE THESE HERE WITH THE CLERK FOR YOUR REFERENCE LATER.

ONE, PRIORITIZE THE PRESERVATION OF COMMUNITY CRITICAL HEALTH PROGRAMS AND FRONTLINE JOBS.

THESE SERVICES ARE FOUNDATIONAL TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND THEY DESERVE PROTECTION.

TWO, ENSURE DIRECT CONSULTATION AND CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION WITH AFSCME 1624 AND IMPACTED EMPLOYEES THROUGHOUT ANY REDUCTION IN FORCE PROCESS.

WORKERS DESERVE RESPECT AND THEY DESERVE CLARITY.

SO PLEASE WORK WITH OUR UNION

[00:05:01]

THREE, COMMIT TO A TRANSPARENT FAIR AND JUST REDUCTION IN FORCE PROCESS THAT CENTERS BOTH EMPLOYEE DIGNITY AND COMMUNITY NEEDS.

WE ASK FOR CONSISTENT PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES, EQUITABLE TREATMENT AND TIMELY SUPPORT FOR ALL AFFECTED WORKERS.

AND FOUR, PROTECT FUNDING FOR TRAINING AND TRANSITION SERVICES FOR DISPLACED EMPLOYEES.

IF WORKERS ARE BEING REASSIGNED, THEY MUST BE SET UP TO SUCCEED.

AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH'S WORKFORCE HAS SHOWN UP FOR THE CITY THROUGH CRISIS AFTER CRISIS.

WE ARE NOW ASKING FOR YOU TO SHOW UP TO FOR THEM, NOT WITH WORDS, BUT WITH ACTION, PARTNERSHIP, AND COMMIT AND COMMITMENT.

THAT'S YOUR TIME.

THAT'S YOUR TIME, SIR.

THANK YOU.

THE NEXT SPEAKER IS BET SAVE.

PAUL.

HI, MY NAME IS BETH SAV.

I'M A REGISTERED NURSE FOR THE AUSTIN REFUGEE CLINIC, A 100% FEDERALLY FUNDED GRANT PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

OUR PATIENTS ARE REFUGEES AND OTHER LEGAL STATUS IMMIGRANTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, MANY WHO CAME TO THE UNITED STATES TO ESCAPE TRAUMATIC SITUATIONS FROM THEIR BIRTH COUNTRIES.

AT OUR CLINIC, WE PROVIDED NEARLY 17,000 VACCINES LAST YEAR, INCLUDING OVER 1200 MEASLES VACCINES FOR NON-IMMUNE ADULTS.

WE PROVIDE HEALTH SCREENS AND BLOOD TESTS.

WE TEST FOR SERIOUS COMMUNICABLE DISEASES SUCH AS HIV, TUBERCULOSIS AND SYPHILIS.

WE PROVIDE IMMUNIZATIONS FOR CHILDREN SO THEY CAN START SCHOOL.

WE DETECT AND REFER FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR A RANGE OF MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND COMPLETE PAPERWORK THAT LEADS TO CITIZENSHIP.

IN JANUARY, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TOOK AWAY FUNDING IN APRIL, FUNDING WAS REINSTATED WITH FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR FUNDING LAPSES.

MY EXPECTATION IS THAT WE WILL BE FULLY FUNDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH WITH A HIGH LIKELIHOOD THAT FUNDING WILL CONTINUE PAST THAT.

HERE'S THE ISSUE.

THE CITY HAS DECIDED TO TERMINATE ALL CURRENT FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES AT OUR CLINIC AS OF MAY 30TH, AND WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED TRAINING TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES TO FILL OUR POSITIONS.

THIS IS SETTING THE CLINIC UP FOR FAILURE BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF WHAT IS REQUIRED TO SERVE THIS POPULATION.

TEMPORARY STAFF HAVE ALREADY EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERN.

THEY'RE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO PERFORM COMPETENTLY BY THE TIMELINE.

GIVEN FEDERAL FUNDING EQUALS FEDERAL RULES AND REGULATION.

AND IF WE'RE NOT COMPLIANT, WE RUN THE RISK OF LOSING THE GRANT ALTOGETHER.

IF THE CITY REMAINS ON THIS PATH, THE CONSEQUENCES WILL BE DIRE FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH STANDPOINT, WE'LL BE MISSING OUT ON A HUGE AMOUNT OF VACCINATIONS, EARLY IDENTIFICATION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES THAT COULD POSSIBLY SPREAD IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND PROVIDING THE MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS NEEDED ON A HUMAN LEVEL.

WHEN YOU TAKE A FAMILY OF 10 FROM THE CONGO AND TELL THEM, WE CAN'T HELP YOU, WHAT ARE THEIR OPTIONS? THEY DON'T HAVE A CAR TO DRIVE TO HOUSTON FOR THESE SERVICES.

THEY DON'T HAVE $600 PER PERSON TO PAY FOR A LAWYER FOR THESE SERVICES.

THEY WERE TOLD THEY'D RECEIVE REFUGEE CARE IN AUSTIN WHEN THEY WERE PLACED HERE.

THEY WERE TOLD THESE SERVICES ARE FREE.

THEY'VE BUILT TRUST WITH OUR CLINIC AND ARE HIGHLY CULTURALLY COMPETENT STAFF.

THESE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TRAUMATIZED ALREADY, AND I KNOW THIS IS A TOUGH TIME FOR EVERYONE RIGHT NOW, BUT IF THERE'S EVER THE TIME TO DO THE RIGHT THING, IT'S RIGHT NOW.

I CARE ABOUT PEOPLE'S LIVES AND I KNOW YOU DO TOO.

AND WE NEED TO CHANGE THE DECISION THAT'S BEEN MADE AND KEEP ALL CURRENT FTES, ALL CURRENT FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30TH.

AGAIN, THIS MIGHT NOT COST THE CITY ANYTHING, AND IT'S ESSENTIAL FOR CONTINUITY OF CARE.

WE'RE ONLY SIX PEOPLE REMAINING AT OUR CLINIC.

DEDICATED.

THAT'S THE, THAT'S YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU, NICOLE.

NICOLE DOGGETT, AND ZACH NEWTON.

HELLO, MY NAME IS NICOLE DOGGETT AND I'M A RESIDENT OF AUSTIN DISTRICT SEVEN.

I'VE BEEN PRACTICING AS A REGISTERED NURSE IN AUSTIN FOR 20 YEARS AS AN RN SUPERVISOR FOR THE IMMUNIZATIONS PROGRAM WITH AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH.

I'M HERE TODAY TO DISCUSS THE DEVASTATINGLY NEGATIVE EFFECTS FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS HAVE HAD ON PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE SERVE AS A FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKER.

IT IS MY JOB TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND PREVENT DISEASE IN IMMUNIZATIONS.

WE DO THIS SPECIFICALLY BY VACCINATING PEOPLE TO PROTECT, PROTECT AGAINST COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, BUT OUR VA RATES OF VACCINATION AND THE POSITIVE IMPACT WE CAN HAVE ON THE COMMUNITY ARE BEING GREATLY REDUCED BY SIGNIFICANT CUTS TO PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING.

SIMPLY PUT, PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WILL NOT GET THE VACCINATION, EXCUSE ME, IMMUNIZATION SERVICES THEY NEED IF WE DON'T HAVE THE PUBLIC FUNDING NEEDED TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES.

IF YOU OR I ARE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE ADEQUATE HEALTH INSURANCE AND NEED A VACCINE, WE SIMPLY CALL OUR DOCTOR, MAKE AN APPOINTMENT,

[00:10:01]

THIS IS NOT THE CASE FOR THOUSANDS OF AUSTINITES WHO ARE UNINSURED OR UNDERINSURED.

THEY RELY ON AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH TO RECEIVE LIFE-SAVING VACCINATION SERVICES.

THE VACCINE SAFETY NET PROVIDES PROTECTION NOT ONLY FOR PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE INJECTIONS, BUT FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

SOME HEALTH CONDITIONS PREVENT CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS FROM BEING VACCINATED, SO WE ALL RELY ON HERD IMMUNITY WHERE ENOUGH PEOPLE IN AN AREA HAVE ACHIEVED IMMUNITY OR PROTECTION AGAINST A VIRUS OR INFECTION, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SPREAD.

IF WE LOSE THE ABILITY TO VACCINATE EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY, REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY, WE'D LOSE THE ABILITY TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN HERD IMMUNITY.

THIS LEAVES US VULNERABLE TO OUTBREAKS.

IN THE WORDS OF MY COLLEAGUE NEDA GARCIA.

A LESS IMMUNIZED COMMUNITY IS A MORE COMPROMISED COMMUNITY.

TODAY, WE NO LONGER HAVE THE MANPOWER TO HOLD AS MANY COMMUNITY OUTREACH CLINICS AS WE HAVE IN THE PAST.

OUR 15 PERSON MOBILE VACCINE PROGRAM NOW HAS SIX EMPLOYEES, AND OUR 12 PERSON EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAM NOW HAS TWO EMPLOYEES.

THESE ARE THE TEAMS THAT GO OUT ON THE STREETS OF AUSTIN TO TREAT PEOPLE EXACTLY WHERE THEY ARE.

THEY CARE FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, POVERTY, HUNGER, AND LACK OF ACCESS TO PROPER MEDICAL CARE.

THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS SEEN WILL REDUCE BY HALF AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR VACCINATIONS AMONGST OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION IN THIS COMMUNITY.

WHO HERE WOULD'VE THOUGHT THAT WE WOULD EXPERIENCE A GLOBAL PANDEMIC IN OUR LIFETIME? AND WHO WOULD SAY IN 2020 THAT WE WERE ADEQUATELY PREPARED TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE COVID-19? NO ONE, BUT THOSE IN PUBLIC HEALTH WORKED RELENTLESSLY TO EDUCATE AND VACCINATE THE MASSES TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE.

ON MARCH 24TH OF THIS YEAR, THE IMMUNIZATIONS DEPARTMENT SUDDENLY LOST GRANT FUNDING FOR 20 EMPLOYEES WHO HELPED.

THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN NOT ONLY SURVIVED, BUT DURING AND AFTER THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE OF FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS.

NOW WE DON'T HAVE THE ROBUST LOGISTICS TEAM THAT IT TAKES TO SET UP A VENUE CAPABLE OF VACCINATING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN A SINGLE DAY.

WE NO LONGER HAVE THE ENHANCED INFRASTRUCTURE TO QUICKLY REACT TO AN OUTBREAK OF AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE, SUCH AS THE MEASLES OUTBREAK OCCURRING JUST A FEW COUNTIES OVER IN WEST TEXAS.

THE RECENT FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS HAVE UNDERMINED OUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO BUILD THE FRAMEWORK FOR STRONGER HEALTH RESPONSES GOING FORWARD FOR MEASLES AND BIRD FLU OUTBREAKS, WHICH ARE ACTUALLY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

I'M ASKING TODAY FOR CITY COUNCIL TO PROPERLY SUPPORT AN , ZACH AND THEN BEN SOTHEBY.

GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS ZACHARY NEWTON.

I'M A NATIVE AUSTINITE, BORN AND RAISED HERE, AND ONE OF MY CORE MOTIVATIONS FOR PURSUING A CAREER IN PUBLIC HEALTH WAS A DESIRE TO GIVE BACK AND SERVE MY COMMUNITY.

I BEGAN WORKING FOR AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH IN 2020 DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE COVID PANDEMIC.

AS A MEMBER OF THE EQUITY CALL LINE, I ASSISTED AUSTIN RESIDENTS ACCESS COVID TESTING AND VACCINE SERVICES.

I WILL NEVER FORGET MY EXPERIENCES THERE.

HEARING CALLER AFTER CALLER EXPRESS A VAST RANGE OF EMOTIONS IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC, ANXIETY, FEAR, DEPRESSION, ANGER, FRUSTRATION, AND GRIEF.

I CAME TO UNDERSTAND THAT MY ROLE IS NOT ONLY TO ASSIST IN SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS, BUT TO PROVIDE SUPPORT AND EMPATHY TO OUR CLIENTS AS THEY NAVIGATE THE COMPLEX DECISIONS REQUIRED, PROTECT THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY IN SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME.

I NOW SERVE AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH AS A COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER, AND I PROVIDE FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS FOR THOSE WHO LACK ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

AND I'M EVEN PURSUING A MASTER'S DEGREE IN EPIDEMIOLOGY SO THAT I MAY LEARN FURTHER TECHNICAL SKILLS REQUIRED TO BETTER SERVE MY COMMUNITY.

CURRENTLY, MY OWN JOB DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE IN ANY IMMEDIATE DANGER OF BEING ELIMINATED.

HOWEVER, BECAUSE MY ROLE IS SPECIFICALLY PART OF THE HEALTH EQUITY UNIT, I FEAR THAT OUR DEPARTMENT WILL FACE BUDGET CUTS AS OTHER HEALTH EQUITY PROGRAMS ARE FACING RIGHT NOW ALL ACROSS AMERICA.

HOWEVER, I DO NOT WANT TO MAKE AN ARGUMENT ABOUT WHY MY JOB SHOULD BE SAVED.

I AM ONLY ONE SMALL THREAD WITHIN A BROADER SOCIAL SAFETY NET SYSTEM THAT IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT AUSTIN'S MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS.

I WANT TO MAKE AN ARGUMENT WHY THE SERVICES AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH PROVIDES ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE COMMUNITY.

EVERY OUTREACH EVENT I ATTEND, I MEET WITH AUSTINITE THROUGH OUR INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR OUR SERVICES AND LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS BECAUSE THEY CANNOT RECEIVE THEM ELSEWHERE.

I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER NOT WHAT IS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE OR WHAT WILL EARN YOU POLITICAL FAVORS.

I URGE YOU INSTEAD TO INVEST IN THIS PUBLIC HEALTH AND TO INVEST IN THE CITIZENS OF AUSTIN.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO MAKE FURTHER CUTS TO A PH, YOU ARE SENDING A VERY CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS CITY, YOUR CONSTITUENTS, THAT YOU DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR HEALTH, SAFETY, OR WELLBEING.

I BELIEVE THAT THIS COMMUNITY DESERVES REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE INVESTED IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND ARE WILLING TO FIGHT TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC.

I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE FUTURE OF THIS CITY AND THE FUTURE OF ITS CITIZENS.

MANY OF THE BENEFITS THAT PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDE CAN OFTEN SEEM INVISIBLE FROM THE OUTSIDE.

BECAUSE OUR WORK IS MOSTLY FOCUSED ON PREVENTION, I FEAR A FUTURE IN WHICH THESE SERVICES ARE NOT VIEWED AS ESSENTIAL, AND THEREFORE THE COMMUNITY WILL BE FORCED TO ENDURE FURTHER NEEDLESS HARDSHIP FROM PREVENTABLE DISEASES.

I HOPE FOR A FUTURE WHERE

[00:15:01]

I HOPE YOU'LL MAKE A COMMITMENT TODAY TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES AND THAT IN THE COMING WEEKS, THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE REGARDING THE CITY BUDGET WILL BE MADE WITH THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE OF AUSTIN IN MIND.

I HOPE THAT AS A FELLOW CITIZEN OF AUSTIN, I'LL BE ABLE TO COUNT ON YOU TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

DID YOU CALL ME? OKAY.

HI, MY NAME IS HAN.

I'M A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT ONE.

UM, I WANTED TO BRING YOUR, UH, ATTENTION TO SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING.

UH, SO PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING TO ME ISN'T JUST ABOUT PREVENTING ILLNESS, IT'S ABOUT THRIVING.

UH, WE INVEST.

IF WE INVEST IN DISEASE, SURVEILLANCE, PREVENTION CARE, AND COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMS, WE DON'T JUST IMPROVE INDIVIDUAL WELLBEING.

WE ACTUALLY STRENGTHEN OUR ECONOMY, OUR WORKFORCE, AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

I'D LIKE THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMISSION TO IMAGINE IN AUSTIN WHERE PUBLIC HEALTH IS PRIORITIZED, WHERE STRATEGIC DECISIONS ARE MADE BY CITY COUNCIL TO FUND DISEASE SURVEILLANCE PROGRAMS, MAKING, MAKING SURE THEY REMAIN FULLY OPERATIONAL, ALLOWING US TO TRACK AND CONTAIN OUTBREAKS BEFORE THEY SPREAD MEANS FEWER DISRUPTIONS IN BUSINESS, SCHOOLS, AND DAILY LIFE.

RESTORING FUNDING TO COMMUNITY HEALTH OUTREACH PROGRAMS WOULD ALLOW PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS TO CONTINUE IMPORTANT EDUCATION IN HIGH RISK NEIGHBORHOODS, ENSURING THAT RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO VACCINES AND PREVENTATIVE CARE.

SO THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT INDIVIDUAL HEALTH, IT'S ABOUT PROTECTING AN ENTIRE CITY FROM PREVENTABLE DISEASE.

A WELL-FUNDED PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM ALSO SUPPORTS ECONOMIC GROWTH.

STUDIES SHOW THAT WITH EVERY $1 INVESTED BY PUBLIC HEALTH, IT SAVES $5 IN HEALTHCARE COSTS BY MAINTAINING FUNDING FOR REFUGEE MEDICAL SERVICES.

FOR EXAMPLE, AUSTIN CAN ENSURE THAT NEW RESIDENTS RECEIVE ESSENTIAL VACCINES AND SCREENINGS PREVENTING THEM FROM SPREADING DIS OR PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF DISEASE, AND, UH, REDUCING THE STRAIN ON EMERGENCY ROOMS. AUSTIN ALSO ISN'T JUST A CITY, IT'S A GLOBAL DESTINATION FROM SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST TO ACL.

OUR FESTIVALS BRING MILLIONS OF VISITORS AND GENERATE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN REVENUE, BUT THESE EVENTS AND THE ECONOMIC ENGINE THAT THEY FUEL DEPEND ON A STRONG PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHEN WE INVEST IN DISEASE SURVEILLANCE AND OUTBREAK RESPONSE, WE SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE OF OUR FESTIVALS, OUR BUSINESSES, AND OUR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS.

YOU, AS AUSTIN'S LEADERSHIP, HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TURN THIS CHALLENGE INTO AN INVESTMENT IN THE CITY'S FUTURE.

BY REALLOCATING RESOURCES OR SECURING ALTERNATIVE FUNDING, WE CAN BUILD A HEALTHIER AND MORE RESILIENT AUSTIN ONE WHERE A BUSINESS THRIVES, WHERE A STUDENT STAYS IN SCHOOL, OR WHERE A FAMILY FEELS SECURE, KNOWING THAT THEIR CITY PRIORITIZES THEIR WELLBEING.

PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE DOESN'T JUST SAVE LIVES, IT SAVES ECONOMIES.

AND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT DOLLARS, IT'S ALSO ABOUT WHAT MAKES SENSE.

THANK YOU.

HELLO, MY NAME IS BEN SOTHEBY.

I'M A PROUD MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES LOCAL 1624.

UH, I WANNA LET YOU KNOW THAT OUR INTERNATIONAL IS CELEBRATING NATIONAL NURSES WEEK.

THIS, UH, FROM MAY 6TH TO THE 12TH.

UH, WE CELEBRATE THE WORK THAT THEY DO IN KEEPING US SAFE.

IT IS ESSENTIAL.

WE'VE HEARD FROM NURSES TODAY, UH, OUT BOTH OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING AT THE RALLY AND HERE IN CHAMBERS.

UM, I DON'T ENVY THE DIFFICULT DECISIONS THAT THAT CITY COUNCIL HAVE TO MAKE ABOUT PUBLIC BUDGETS.

UM, ONE THING THAT I, I BELIEVE TO BE TRUE, UH, AND I THINK EVERYONE CAN AGREE WITH ME, IS THAT WE ALL WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT, THAT Y'ALL HAVE DEMONSTRATED THROUGH RUNNING FOR OFFICE, COMMITTING TO DOING THIS WORK.

UH, AND, UH, I THINK WHAT WE FACE SOMETIMES THOUGH IS A, IS A QUESTION OF SEQUENCING.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A VAST OCEAN OF NEEDS, VERY REAL NEEDS, AND IT'S A QUESTION OF THE ORDER IN WHICH THEY COME IN.

I WANT TO TELL YOU MORE ABOUT THE, THE THINGS WE'VE HEARD SO FAR.

THESE FOLKS PROVIDE NOT JUST LIFE SAVING AND CRITICAL SERVICES, BUT SERVICES THAT ACTUALLY SAVE US MONEY.

THE OLD ADAGE IS TRUE.

AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION BEATS A POUND OF CURE.

IT IS MORE EXPENSIVE AND MORE DAMAGING TO OUR BUDGETS TO HELP PEOPLE RECOVER FROM ILLNESSES THAT THEY COULD HAVE BEEN, COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BOTH THROUGH VACCINATION, IMMUNIZATION, AND THROUGH HERD IMMUNITY.

FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T ACCESS THOSE SERVICES, IT IS CHEAPER TO KEEP THESE PEOPLE WORKING, DOING THE VITAL WORK THAT THEY DO INSTEAD OF TRYING TO CLEAN UP A MESS AFTERWARDS.

SO

[00:20:01]

THAT IS A NOBLE, UH, EFFORT.

THAT IS A NOBLE CAUSE.

BUT WE DID NOT KNOW THE SITUATION THAT WE WOULD BE IN FISCALLY AT THIS TIME WHEN THOSE CONVERSATIONS WERE GOING ON.

WE DIDN'T IMAGINE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD BE SLASHING THESE VITAL THINGS.

SO, UH, NOW THAT WE ARE IN THAT SITUATION, WE HAVE TO CARE FOR THE FOLKS THAT YOU DIRECTLY EMPLOY, THE FOLKS THAT ARE DIRECTLY SERVING OUR COMMUNITY IN THESE CAPACITIES THAT WE'VE HEARD ABOUT TODAY.

I'M GONNA REPEAT THE, THE FOUR ASKS THAT OUR UNION IS MAKING.

ONE, PRIORITIZE THE PRESERVATION OF COMMUNITY CRITICAL HEALTH PROGRAMS AND FRONTLINE JOBS.

TWO, ENSURE DIRECT CONSULTATION AND COMMUNICATION WITH AFSCME AND IMPACTED WORKERS DURING ANY RIF PROCESS.

THREE, COMMIT TO A TRANSPARENT FAIR AND JUST PROCESS THAT CENTERS WORKER DIGNITY AND PUBLIC NEED.

AND FOUR, PROTECT FUNDING FOR TRAINING SERVICES TO SUPPORT ANY DISPLACED EMPLOYEES.

AGAIN, I DON'T ENVY THE DECISIONS THAT ARE BEFORE YOU, BUT PLEASE PRIORITIZE THESE ESSENTIAL THINGS, FUN, PUBLIC.

THAT IS ALL THE SPEAKERS YOU HAVE SIGNED UP.

THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE COME HERE THIS MORNING AND ARE WILLING TO STAND UP AND SPEAK.

I KNOW IT ISN'T ALWAYS EASY AND IT'S OFTEN DIFFICULT TO GET TO CITY HALL, SO THANK YOU.

I'M GRATEFUL FOR Y'ALL DOING THAT.

AND IF I CAN ADD JUST A COUPLE OF VERY, VERY BRIEF COMMENTS, UM, THIS COMMITTEE IN PARTICULAR IS VERY AWARE.

WE'VE HAD SEVERAL BRIEFINGS, I BELIEVE ALREADY THAT, UH, I KNOW GREATLY CONCERNED ME AND THE MAYOR, PROAM AND OTHERS ABOUT THE FEDERAL CUTS THAT ARE AT RISK.

WE'VE BEEN, UM, SOME OF THEM WERE ALLUDED TO THIS MORNING BY YOU ALL, BUT I KNOW THAT ON THE S EVEN JUST YESTERDAY, I REFERENCED THE 300 PLUS EMPLOYEES AND $40 MILLION THAT WE'VE BEEN ALERTED TO THAT ARE AT RISK, THAT COVER EVERYTHING FROM, AS Y'ALL HAVE MENTIONED, VACCINES, REFUGEE SERVICES, AND MEDICAL VISITS THAT ARE AT RISK OF BEING NON-RENEWED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT I KNOW KEEP ME UP AT NIGHT, I'M SURE THE REST OF THE COMMITTEE TOO.

AND THE SECOND THING, VERY BRIEFLY, UM, THAT COUNCIL HAD A VERY, I WILL CALL IT SPIRITED DISCUSSION YESTERDAY ABOUT SPENDING ON BOTH THE BUDGET AS WELL AS LARGE PROJECTS.

AND I WOULD JUST URGE YOU AND INVITE YOU ALL TO CONTINUE YOUR ADVOCACY FOR BOTH PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOR BOTH PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, UM, AND PERSONNEL SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE ARE PRIORITIZING THOSE NEEDS GOING FORWARD.

AND WITH THAT SAID, UNLESS THERE'S ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE REST OF OUR, UH, COMMITTEE, UH, THE NEXT ITEM ON OUR AGENDA IS A, OH, I'M SORRY.

OH, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER, PLEASE JUMP IN.

YEAH, JUST REAL QUICK, I WANTED TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR COMING OUT.

UH, IT'S ALWAYS IMPRESSIVE TO SEE SUCH, UH, A SHOW OF UNITY AND AND FORCE HERE.

AND YOU KNOW, AS, AS I WAS LISTENING TO Y'ALL AND, AND THINKING ABOUT TODAY, IT REALLY, UM, IS, IT IS BOTH SHOCKING AND NOT THAT JUST A COUPLE YEARS AGO, YOU KNOW, WE WERE IN THE MIDST OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE IDEA OF CUTTING PUBLIC HEALTH WOULD HAVE SEEMED UNIMAGINABLE.

UH, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS NOT THAT LONG AGO.

AND HERE WE ARE TODAY.

AND SO I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO REMEMBER THOSE IMPACTS OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS, OUR SOCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, UH, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT ALLOWED FOR US TO GET THROUGH THAT PANDEMIC.

AND SADLY, THERE'S GONNA BE ANOTHER ONE, BUT EVERY SINGLE DAY THERE ARE NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THERE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A GLOBAL PANDEMIC FOR THERE TO BE A NEED FOR EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN THIS ROOM.

SO, UM, YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT THAT, THAT THE WORK YOU DO IS GOING TO BE PRIORITIZED, THAT IT'S VERY VALUABLE.

UH, AND I JUST ONCE AGAIN WANT TO THANK Y'ALL FOR SHOWING UP.

THANK YOU.

COUNCIL MEMBER ALTER ANY OTHER COMMENTS BEFORE WE MOVE ON? YES.

OH, PLEASE GO AHEAD, MAYOR FOR TAB.

THANK YOU.

ALSO WANTED TO SHARE MY GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION TO ALL EVERYONE WHO TESTIFIED AND EVERYONE THAT IS AT CITY HALL TODAY AT I TOO JOIN YOU IN THAT COMMITMENT AND WANTING TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO MAINTAIN SERVICES AT THE CITY AND TO ENSURE THAT ANY DISRUPTIONS THAT ARE CAUSED BECAUSE OF OUR FEDERAL ADMINISTRATION, THAT WE MITIGATE THE HARM OF THOSE IMPACTS.

CERTAINLY THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY IS TOP OF MIND FOR ME, AND IT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY I'M HONORED TO CHAIR OUR PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE.

[00:25:01]

IT IS SOMETHING THAT I KNOW I'M JOINED BY MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES ON CITY COUNCIL THAT WE ARE, ARE PRIORITIZING AS PART OF OUR BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS.

UM, PLEASE KEEP UP THE EFFORT.

THERE ARE STILL MANY HEARINGS THAT WE'RE GONNA HAVE REGARDING THE UPCOMING BUDGET PROCESS.

AND SO WE WANT Y'ALL TO STAY ENGAGED AND, AND KNOW THAT YOUR VOICES ARE MAKING AN IMPACT.

AND CERTAINLY THEY'RE TOP OF MIND FOR ME AS WE LOOK TO THE UPCOMING BUDGET MAKE POLICY CONSIDERATION.

SO JUST WANNA SHARE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR TESTIMONY TODAY.

THANK YOU MAYOR PRO FUENTES.

ANY LAST COMMENTS BEFORE WE MOVE ON? THEN THE NEXT ITEM ON

[Approval of Minutes]

THIS IS ITEM NUMBER ONE ON THE AGENDA.

CAN I GET A MOTION OR A SECOND TO APPROVE MOTION BY COUNCILOR ALTER? SECOND BY COUNCIL MEMBER VELAZQUEZ TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM APRIL THE SECOND, AS WELL AS THE JOINT COMMITTEE MEETING FROM APRIL THE 28TH, 2025.

UH, I'M JUST GONNA SAY, UH, I SUPPOSE ALL IN FAVOR OF TAKING A VOTE, UH, OR RAISING YOUR HAND FOR AN AYE THAT'S PROBABLY THE EASIEST WAY TO DO THIS, UH, WITH NO OBJECTIONS THAT MOTION'S APPROVED.

THANK YOU ALL.

SO THAT MOVES US ONTO

[2. Briefing regarding a multi-year plan for the City’s Living Wage for future solicitations of social services. [Laura LaFuente, Assistant Director, Austin Public Health].]

I'M GONNA WELCOME LAURA, UH, LA FUENTE, THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH, FOR A BRIEFING ON THE MULTI-YEAR PLAN FOR THE CITY'S LIVING WAGE FOR FEW SOLICITATIONS OF SOCIAL SERVICES.

GOOD MORNING, MAYOR PRO KIM, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS.

THIS IS ADRIAN STIR, DIRECTOR OF AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH.

AND OF COURSE, WE'RE JOINED BY, UH, LAPUENTE, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR.

AND BEFORE WE GET STARTED ON THE LIVING WAGE, I JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION, UM, ALSO AT THE SHOWING OF THE STAFF AND THE MEMBERS OF THE, UH, UNION THAT ARE HERE TODAY.

UM, I THINK IT WAS A GREAT POINT THAT THIS DIDN'T START IN AUSTIN, BUT I'M ALWAYS ENCOURAGED ABOUT HOW AUSTIN CAN COME TOGETHER TO SOLVE PROBLEMS IN UNIQUE AND IN COURAGEOUS WAYS.

AND SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONTINUED CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'LL HAVE AT ALL AVENUES OF COMMUNITY TO, UM, PROTECT THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF AUSTIN AND TRAVIS COUNTY.

AND I APOLOGIZE FOR HAVING MY BACK TO Y'ALL BECAUSE THAT'S HOW THE MIC IS SET UP.

BUT THANK YOU .

GOOD MORNING ENTENTE WITH AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH.

AND I ALSO WANNA ECHO DIRECTOR DISTURBS COMMENT OF APPRECIATION FOR THE STAFF WHO ARE HERE COMMITTED TO THE WORK AND TO ALSO THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE.

UM, SO TODAY WE'RE HERE TO PROVIDE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE LIVING WAGE REQUIREMENT.

THIS IS INFORMATION FOR YOUR CONSIDERATIONS SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE YOU AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE IN, IN PROGRESS, UM, OF IMPLEMENTING.

WE'RE PROVIDING YOU THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.

UM, AS A RECOLLECTION, UM, THE GUIDANCE, UH, DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS WAS FOR AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH TO DEVELOP AN IMPLEMENTABLE MULTI-YEAR PLAN FOR APPLYING THE CITY'S LIVING WAGE FOR ALL FUTURE SOLICITATIONS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.

THIS INCLUDED A PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTING FOR THIS BUDGET CYCLE 25 26, AND WORKING WITH OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE ENTITIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO TRAVIS COUNTY CENTRAL HEALTH TO CREATE CONSISTENT CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS FOR LIVING WAGE.

SINCE THEN, WE HAVE MET, UM, WITH TRAVIS COUNTY, AND WE ALSO MET WITH CENTRAL HEALTH.

UM, TRAVIS COUNTY INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT, THEY WOULD BE UNABLE TO UPDATE THEIR CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS REGARDING THE LIVING WAGE.

AND DURING OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH CENTRAL HEALTH, IT WAS CLEAR THAT WE ARE NOT FUNDING SIMILAR ENTITIES FOR THE SAME TYPE OF WORK.

SO THAT WOULD ALSO NOT BE SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THEM ON.

STEPH ALSO MET WITH ONE VOICE, CENTRAL TEXAS, WHICH IS A COALITION OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS TO PREVENT PRESENT INFORMATION ON THE RESOLUTION AND ALSO TO HEAR THEIR FEEDBACK.

WE DEVELOPED, UM, A AND RELEASED A LIVING WAGE RESOLUTION SURVEY FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS, CHALLENGES OF THE RESOLUTION FOR CURRENT AND POTENTIAL VENDORS.

THAT SURVEY WAS OPEN FOR 28 DAYS IN DECEMBER THROUGH JANUARY.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

HERE WE GO.

SO AS YOU CAN SEE, UH, THE GRAPH ON MY LEFT, PROBABLY YOUR RIGHT, UM, THE FIRST, ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS THAT WE ASK WAS, WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUR FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME EMPLOYEES WORKING ON CITY FUNDED PROGRAMS CURRENTLY MAKE LESS THAN 2163, WHICH IS THE CURRENT LIVING WAGE? WHAT WE IDENTIFIED IS THAT 56% OF THOSE WHO REPORTED THAT BETWEEN ZERO AND 10% OF THEIR EMPLOYEES WERE MAKING LESS THAN 2163.

AS YOU GO ALONG THAT CHART, YOU'LL SEE THAT WE HAD APPROXIMATELY, UM, 17% OF THE AGENCIES THAT RESPONDED HAD GREATER THAN 50% OF THEIR EMPLOYEES MAKING

[00:30:01]

SO AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION WITH OUR SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS IS WHEN WE FUND, WE FUND A PROGRAM, WE DON'T FUND AN ORGANIZATION.

SO WHAT WE KNOW IS MANY TIMES THE CITY IS NOT A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THAT CONTRACT.

THEY COBBLE TOGETHER VARIOUS FUNDING SOURCES IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE WEALTH OF THE PROGRAM THAT IS BEING OFFERED.

THE SECOND VISUAL IS WHAT WOULD THE IMPACT ON PROGRAM OPERATIONS BE, ASSUMING THAT THERE WAS LEVEL FUNDING ONE IN TWO, MINIMAL TO NO IMPACT ON THE SLIDE.

SO YOU SEE APPROXIMATELY 62% OF THE REP RESPONDENTS INDICATED THAT THERE WOULD BE A MINIMAL IMPACT.

HOWEVER, AS YOU LOOK TO THE RIGHT, UM, YOU'LL SEE THAT 29 RESPONDENTS INDICATED THAT THERE WOULD BE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WITH ONGOING PROGRAMS OR THAT THE PROGRAM COULD NOT SUSTAIN THOSE CHANGES.

AND THAT WOULD BE KIND OF NUMBERS FOUR AND FIVE ON THAT PARTICULAR GRAPH.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

SO IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE IMPACTS, AND ASSUMING THIS IS NO FUNDING IS INVOLVED, UM, KIND OF ACROSS THE BOARD, PEOPLE SAID THERE WOULD BE NO IMPACT, IT WOULD, THERE WOULD BE NO APPLICABLE, IT WOULD JUST NOT, IT WOULD NOT BE A POSITIVE.

UM, THIS WOULD HELP STAFF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

IT CURRENTLY WOULD PROVIDE IT, ORGANIZATIONS CURRENTLY PROVIDE WAGES OR SUPPORT THE CHANGES.

HOWEVER, ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE, ABOUT 48% OF THEIR RESPONDENTS INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO EITHER CUT BACK ON SERVICES AND OR STAFFING IF FUNDING WERE TO REMAIN LEVEL.

AND THEY SPECIFICALLY EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT MAINTAINING THE SAME LEVEL OF CLIENTS HAVING TO IDENTIFY FUNDING TO MOVE FROM PROGRAMMING AND MATERIALS FOR PAYING SALARIES, FUNDING TO COST.

THEY WOULD DECREASE THEIR ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT PER PROGRAMS DATA SECURITY AND THAT THEY WOULD, UM, HAVE TO LOOK FOR HOW THEY COULD FILL GAPS FOR EMPLOYEES THAT DO NOT QUALIFY.

THE NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

SO WHEN WE ASKED THE QUESTION ABOUT ASSUMING THAT FUNDING COULD BE INCREASED, HOW MUCH ADDITIONAL FUNDING WOULD YOUR AGENCY REQUIRE, INCLUDING FRINGE PAYROLL BENEFITS TO IMPLEMENT THIS 2163 PER HOUR FOR ALL EMPLOYEES WORKING ON CITY FUNDED PROGRAMS? WE ASKED INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS NOT TO CONSIDER ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING COST OR OTHER BUDGET WISHLISTS, JUST THOSE BASICS.

UH, WHAT WE FOUND IS KIND OF A RANGE BETWEEN, UM, $22,000 A YEAR TO UP TO $305,000 ADDITIONAL PER CONTRACT WOULD BE NEEDED IN ORDER TO MEET THAT.

UM, SO ON AVERAGE, WE WERE THINKING IT WAS ABOUT $182,000 PER CONTRACT THAT WOULD BE NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO PAY A LIVING WAGE TO ALL THE EMPLOYEES WORKING ON A CITY FUNDED CONTRACT.

JUST DOING SOME SIMPLE MATH WITH 54 RESPONDENTS, UM, ALL NEEDING $182,000, THAT WOULD BE ABOUT A $9.9 MILLION IMPACT JUST FOR FISCAL YEAR 26.

THE NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

SO ADDITIONAL FACTORS, UM, THAT ONE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS IS ENSURING THAT IF THERE WAS THIS ANNUAL COST OF LIVING INCREASE, HOW YOU CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THAT PROVIDED IN COMING YEARS.

UM, QUESTIONS ABOUT SALARY COMPRESSION AND INEQUITIES BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER CITY FUNDED POSITIONS OR NON-CITY FUNDED POSITIONS WITHIN THESE ORGANIZATIONS, THOSE WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE INCREASED.

WHAT WOULD THAT DO TO THE JOB AND THE MARKET RATE FOR VARIOUS POSITIONS? UM, THE FINANCIAL HEALTH OF AN ORGANIZATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF INCREASED WAGES OUTSIDE OF THE GRANT PERIOD, WE DO DO ROLLING SOLICITATIONS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.

SO ONCE THAT FUNDING ENDED, HOW WOULD AN ORGANIZATION CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THAT LEVEL OF FUNDING IF THEY WERE NO LONGER RECEIVING CITY FUNDING? ORGANIZATIONS MAY NEED TO OFFER FEWER EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, WHICH COULD, WHICH POTENTIALLY COULD SHOW UP IN OTHER HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS. THERE WOULD NEED TO BE SYSTEMIC CHANGES NEEDED INCREASING THIS WAGE FOR ALL WHO LIVE IN AUSTIN, AND JUST BARRIERS FOR SMALLER NONPROFITS AND WAGES THAT MAY BE SET BY OTHER ENTITIES.

SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT UNION, WE THINK ABOUT MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT RATES, HOW THAT WOULD IMPACT IF THE CITY IS REQUIRING A WAGE THAT THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO COMPENSATE FOR.

AND AS I MENTIONED, AND THAT'S FINE.

AND, UM, SO OUR CONSIDERATIONS, WE'RE STILL FINALIZING THE INFORMATION, BUT WANTED TO PRESENT YOU INFORMATION AT THIS POINT AS WE'RE MOVING FORWARD.

ONE CONSIDERATION THAT WE HAVE FOR YOU IS POSSIBLY ONLY APPLYING THE CITY LIVING WAGE REQUIREMENT TO THOSE SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS.

UM, RECENTLY OUR FINANCIAL SERVICES DIVISION HAS IDENTIFIED SPECIFIC SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS, AND THESE WOULD BE FOR GOODS OR SERVICES TO A THIRD PARTY WHEN THE CITY IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THOSE GOODS OR SERVICES ARE PROVIDED.

SO THINK THIS IS FOR THE ARCH, THIS WOULD BE FOR THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER.

ANY PLACE WHERE THE CITY WOULD NORMALLY HAVE TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES, JUST THAT LIST OF CONTRACTS, UM, WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR LIVING RAGE.

AT THIS TIME, THE ESTIMATED PROJECTION IS ABOUT $530,000 THAT IS NEEDED.

HOWEVER, THAT ONLY INCLUDES AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE EMS

[00:35:01]

WE'RE STILL WORKING WITH OUR PARTNER DEPARTMENTS TO IDENTIFY THE FULL LIST OF WHO WOULD FALL WITHIN THAT CONSIDERATION.

UM, A SECOND CONSIDERATION FOR YOU IS IMPLEMENTING IT ACROSS THE BOARD, 3% ANNUAL COST OF LIVING INCREASE FOR ALL SOCIAL SERVICE AGREEMENTS ACROSS THE CITY.

WHEN LOOKING AT, UM, OUR DEPARTMENTS, WHETHER IT'S AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH, THE DOWNTOWN AUSTIN COMMUNITY SHELTER, THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT, EMS, AND OUR HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE, THERE'S CURRENTLY ABOUT $77 MILLION IN SOCIAL SERVICES.

SO A 3% ACROSS THE BOARD, COST OF LIVING INCREASED WOULD BE ABOUT $2.3 MILLION.

SO THAT IS WHERE WE ARE TODAY, PULLING TOGETHER THE INFORMATION, WE ARE STILL FINALIZING THE LIST OF THOSE SOCIAL SERVICE CONTRACTS THAT WE WANNA PROVIDE FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE FOR YOU TODAY.

THANK YOU LAURA AND ADRIAN, UH, COLLEAGUES, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR EITHER OF THEM? DID WE LOSE MAYOR ? OH, SHE HAD TO JUMP OFF AT, UH, SIX MINUTES AGO.

GOT IT.

UH, I'VE GOT A SINGLE QUESTION, WHICH IS I WAS JUST CURIOUS ABOUT, UH, ON THE LAST PAGE OF THE FINANCIAL ANALYST ANALYSIS, WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT CALCULATING THE TOTAL COST, YOU MENTIONED $9.9 MILLION OF TOTAL IMPACT ACROSS 54 RESPONDENTS.

DOES 54 RESPONDENTS CORRESPOND DIRECTLY TO THE AMOUNT OF CONTRACTS WE HAVE? THE EACH OF THOSE CONTRACTS? IT WILL EXPLAIN THAT RELATIONSHIP REAL QUICK IF YOU CAN.

AND IT WAS BASED ON THE RESPONDENT.

SO THIS WAS JUST AN ESTIMATE THAT'S, THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY IT'S NOT UP THERE ON A BIGGER SLIDE, BUT BASED ON THE INDIVIDUALS WHO RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY, THAT IS, THAT IS WHY WE BASE THAT NUMBER ON, UH, THE 54.

OKAY.

BUT THERE WOULD NEED TO BE MORE EXTENSIVE WORK DONE TO IDENTIFY SPECIFICALLY PER ORGANIZATION WHAT THAT COST OF LIVING WOULD DO.

BALLPARK, HOW MANY CONTRACTS OF THIS NATURE DO WE HAVE BEYOND THE 54 RESPONDENTS? I COULDN'T ANSWER THAT.

GIVEN KIND OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT WE HAVE.

I MEAN, WE KNOW THAT AT AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH THERE'S ABOUT 137, BUT WE WOULD ALSO NEED TO CONFIRM WITH OUR COLLEAGUES AT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOMELESS STRATEGY OFFICE, UM, AND EMS TO LOOK AT THAT LAUNDRY LIST OF ALL THE CONTRACTS.

SO IT'D BE SAFE TO SAY THAT THE 9.9 MILLION IS A FLOOR YES.

FOR WHAT THIS WOULD REPRESENT.

OKAY.

ALRIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I THINK THAT TAKES US TO

[3. Discussion of Measles Health Alert memo dated February 10, 2025 (Austin Public Health).]

I, GOOD MORNING COUNCIL MEMBERS.

MY NAME'S JANET PICHE.

I'M THE CHIEF EPIDEMIOLOGIST AND ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OVER EPIDEMIOLOGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH PREPAREDNESS WITH AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH.

UM, SO WE WANTED TO PROVIDE YOU AN UPDATE THIS MORNING, UH, RELATED ME RELATED TO MEASLES, UH, AND THE THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED SINCE THAT FEBRUARY 7TH MEMO TO MARION COUNCIL, WHICH HAS BEEN PRETTY, A LOT OF THINGS HAVE HAPPENED.

UM, JUST TO KIND OF GIVE YOU A BRIEF SITUATIONAL UPDATE, UH, IN THE UNITED STATES AS OF FRIDAY, THERE WERE 935 MEASLES CASES.

MOST OF THOSE ARE IN PEOPLE WHO ARE LESS THAN 20 YEARS OF AGE, AND THEY ARE PREDOMINANTLY UNVACCINATED.

13% OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WERE HOSPITALIZED IN TEXAS.

AS OF FIVE SIX, THERE WERE 702 CASES.

THIS REPRESENTS ROUGHLY 75% OF THE CASES IN THE UNITED STATES.

66% OF THOSE ARE IN PEOPLE THAT ARE LESS THAN 17 YEARS OF AGE.

91 OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN HOSPITALIZED.

THERE HAVE BEEN TWO REPORTED DEATHS IN CHILDREN.

96% OF THOSE ARE IN UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS IN TRAVIS COUNTY.

IN FEBRUARY, WE HAD OUR FIRST MEASLES CASE, UH, IN AN UNVACCINATED INFANT WHO HAD SOME INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL.

UM, WE HAVE SINCE PASSED MONITORING PERIOD FOR ANY EXPOSURES RELATED TO THAT CASE.

UH, AND ON APRIL 24TH, WE RECEIVED OUR SECOND CASE OF MEASLES, UH, IN A VACCINATED PERSON WHO HAD SOME DOMESTIC TRAVEL HISTORY.

UH, WE'RE CURRENTLY IN THE MONITORING PERIOD TRYING TO DETERMINE IF THERE ARE ANY EXPOSED CASES, UH, OR ANY EXPOSED INDIVIDUALS.

THAT MONITORING PERIOD FOR THOSE CASES ENDS ON MAY 15TH.

UM, AND THEN, AS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD ON THE NEWS YESTERDAY, UH, WE ARE FOLLOWING UP ON A RECENT

[00:40:01]

UH, AND THEY WERE HERE DURING THEIR INFECTIOUS PERIOD BACK IN, UH, APRIL, BETWEEN APRIL 25TH AND APRIL 27TH.

UM, THE, WE'RE TRYING TO GET A LIST OF ALL THE PLACES THAT THEY'VE BEEN.

THEY'VE NAMED KERRY BLACK'S BARBECUE AS ONE LOCATION, BUT WE DID RECEIVE A LIST THIS MORNING FROM EL PASO.

AND SO WE'LL BE FOLLOWING UP WITH THOSE ADDITIONAL EXPOSURE LOCATIONS AND MAKE SURE THAT WE UPDATE OUR WEBSITE RELATED TO THAT.

UM, BUT THE EXPOSURE PERIOD FOR THAT, UH, EXPO THAT, THAT PERSON THAT WAS FROM EL PASO ENDS ON MAY 17TH.

UM, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED, UH, IN PUBLIC HEALTH SINCE THEN.

UM, AND YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS LIKE TO SAY THAT PUBLIC HEALTH IS THE INVISIBLE GUARDIAN OF THIS COMMUNITY.

WE'RE BASICALLY PROTECTING AND DOING THINGS, AND THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS SEE.

AND JUST, YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS THE SHEER AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE BEEN LIKE RESPONDING TO, UH, WHO HAVE HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT POTENTIAL MEASLES EXPOSURES, TRYING TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR LABORATORY SUBMITTALS TO THE STATE LAB OR TO COMMERCIAL LABORATORIES, UM, ARE SOME OF THOSE ACTIONS.

AND THEN THE COMMUNICATION FROM A COMMUNICATION STANDPOINT, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO DAYCARES, TO SCHOOLS, TO MEDICAL PROVIDERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE REPORTING TO US IN A TIMELY FASHION.

UM, WE'VE TRIED TO INCREASE OUR FOOTPRINT AND AMPLIFY THE MESSAGE OF HOW VACCINATION PROTECTS OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S THE BEST METHOD OF PROTECTION FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

AND, UM, WE ARE INCREASING COMMUNICATION VIA OUR WEB, SOCIAL MEDIA, UH, AND PROVIDING, YOU KNOW, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANY KIND OF, ANY KIND OF WAY WE CAN GET OUR MESSAGE OUT THERE, UH, TO TRY TO MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITY'S SAFE.

UM, IN ADDITION, WE'VE WORKED WITH THE UT CENTER FOR PANDEMIC DECISION SUPPORT.

AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM, HAVE DEVELOPED A MEASLES CALCULATOR THAT, UH, IS A TOOL DEVELOPED FOR SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE A GLIMPSE OF WHAT RISK MIGHT BE IF, UH, BASED ON THEIR CURRENT SCHOOL VACCINE COVERAGE.

SO THEY ARE ABLE TO INPUT WHAT THEIR VACCINE COVERAGE IS AND DETERMINE IF THEY HAD A, A POTENTIAL CASE, WHAT THAT POTENTIAL EXPOSURE RISK IS IN THAT, THAT POPULATION.

UH, AGAIN, WE'VE PROVIDED EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH.

WE'RE CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING A LARGE NUMBER OF SUSPECT CASES.

UM, SOMETIMES THEY NEVER PAN OUT TO BE A MEASLES CASE, BUT IT DOES REQUIRE A LOT OF EFFORT TO COLLECT SAMPLES, GET THE SAMPLES TO THE LAB AND THAT SORT OF THING.

UM, WE'RE PROVIDING VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS, MONITORING EXPOSED PERSONS THAT ARE TRAVELING.

UH, AS WE FOUND OUT WITH COVID DISEASE IS JUST AN AIRPLANE AIRPLANE RIGHT AWAY.

AND PEOPLE NEED TO MAKE SURE IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOUR IMMUNIZATION STATUS OR IF YOU ARE UNVACCINATED, ESPECIALLY IN SUMMER TRAVEL MINDSET, UH, THEY ARE, UH, MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE PRO PROTECTED BY HAVING VACCINATION ON BOARD.

UH, WE'RE INCREASING OUR VACCINE COVERAGE DEFINITELY TO OUR UNDERINSURED AND UNINSURED POPULATION AND WORKING WITH AREA PROVIDERS SUCH AS COMMUNITY CARE AND CENTRAL HEALTH TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE VACCINE COVERAGE, UH, IN DIFFERENT SPACES.

I'LL STOP THERE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS FOR US, OR I HAVE OTHER COLLEAGUES HERE FROM, UH, OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM, UM, AS WELL AS OUR VACCINATION GROUP.

UM, WE'RE HERE TO PROVIDE ANY KIND OF QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

THANK YOU, JANET.

COLLEAGUES, ANY QUESTIONS FOR, UH, OUR SPEAKERS? COUNCILOR VELAZQUEZ.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND FOR PRESENTING.

I, I HAD A QUESTION, AND I APOLOGIZE IF I MISSED IT.

ARE WE, DO WE ACTIVELY WORK? UM, AND, AND I KNOW THIS, THIS IS, UH, PROBABLY A VERY TALL ORDER, BUT DO WE ACTIVELY WORK TO PUT OUT INFORMATION THAT THAT GOES AGAINST MISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNS AROUND MEASLES SHOTS? AND I, AGAIN, I APOLOGIZE IF I MISSED THAT.

UM, SO I DIDN'T REALLY GO INTO THAT TYPE OF DETAIL, BUT YES, WE DO.

WE'RE TRYING TO ALWAYS BATTLE THE MYTHS OUT THERE, THERE AND JUST INFORMATION THAT'S OUT THERE.

UM, YOU KNOW, EVEN RELATED TO THE USE OF VITAMIN A, UH, AND I KNOW IN WEST TEXAS, THEY'RE SEEING A LOT OF TOXICITY IN HOSPITALS AND CHILDREN WHO ARE PROVIDED THAT TYPE OF, UH, VITAMIN A SUPPLEMENTATION, UH, WHEN THEY DON'T REALLY NEED IT.

I MEAN, IT IS A RECOMMENDED THING FOR IN COUNTRIES WHERE THEY HAVE DEFICIENCIES IN VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTATION.

SO, UM, SO YEAH, WE'RE, WE'RE

[00:45:01]

AND, AND DO Y'ALL HAVE ANYTHING, MAYBE A TOOLKIT OR SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN SHARE WITH OUR OFFICES? I ALWAYS LOVE SPEAKING FOR THE REST OF THE DICE, BUT EACH OF US HAS A NEWSLETTER AND A SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING TO WHERE WE CAN SHARE OUT THAT INFORMATION WITH Y'ALL.

UM, BECAUSE I, IT'S ONE THING THAT, THAT I RUN INTO ALL THE TIME AND IT, UM, JUST, JUST THE MISINFORMATION, I MEAN, AND IT SPREADS A LOT QUICKER THAN, THAN ACCURATE INFORMATION.

SO ANY WAY THAT WE CAN HELP SPREAD THAT, ANY WAY THAT WE CAN WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH, WITH OUR ISDS OR OUR ISDS, UH, TO HELP, UM, UH, FURNISH THEM WITH THAT INFORMATION.