City of Austin Public Health Committee met March 8

City of Austin Public Health Committee met March 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

Committee Members Present:

1. Mayor Kirk Watson

2. Chair Vanessa Fuentes

3. Co-Chair José Velásquez

Committee Members

Absent: 1. José “Chito” Vela

2. Mackenzie Kelly

Additional Council Members on the dais

1. Zohaib “Zo” Qadri

2. Ryan Alter

3. Jesús Garza, Interim City Manager

Call to Order

Chair Fuentes called the committee meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

Public Communication: General

There were ten (10) speakers

Paulette Soltani         Kellie Alexander

Armando magana     Katie Reale

Tuyet Sang Vo          William Keefer

Carolyn Williams       Rael Ockletree

Maria Cepeda Nohemi Adams

Approval of Minutes

1. Re-approve the Public Health Committee meeting meetings for the November 28, 2022, to correct scrivener’s errors.

The minutes of the November 28, 2022, Public Health Committee meeting were approved on Mayor Watson’s motion, and Vice Chair Veláquez second, on a 3-0 vote, with Council Member Vela and Council Member Kelly off the dais.

2. Approve minutes of the Public Health Committee meeting on December 14, 2022. The minutes of the December 14, 2022, Public Health Committee meeting were approved on Vice Chair Veláquez’s motion, and Mayor Watson’s second, on a 3-0 vote, with Council Member Vela and Council Member Kelly off the dais

Briefing

3. Briefing and discussion on issues related to homeless.

The Committee received a briefing on homelessness strategies with presentation from Dianna Grey, Homeless Strategy Officer.

The Committee received comments from eight (8) of the ten (10) speakers that signed up for comments.

4. Receive staff briefing for Council to adopt the Austin Public Library Long-range Strategic Plan per accreditation requirements under Title 13 of the Texas Administrative Code, Section 1.83(6).

The Committee received a briefing on the Austin Public Library Long-range Strategic Plan with presentation from Director Roosevelt Weeks.

Future Items

5. Discuss future agenda items.

• Discuss the memo related to the intersex community based on the resolution passed in 2021 to condemn nonconsensual surgery

• Convening a conversation with stakeholders on gun violence as a Public Health crisis in June

• Update on our food system, childcare, mental health, language inclusion, housing, and employment.

Chair Fuentes adjourned the meeting at 11:33a.m.

https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=405351