City of Austin Public Health Committee met Dec. 4.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Public Health Committee Members Present:
1. Chair Vanessa Fuentes
2. Vice-Chair José Velásquez Call to Order
3. Ryan Alter
4. Zohaib "Zo" Qadri (absent)
Chair Vanessa Fuents called the Public Health Committee meeting to order at 10:02 AM.
Public Communication:
No speakers
Approval of Minutes
1. Approve the Public Health Committee minutes for the November 6, 2024 meeting.
On the motion by Vice Chair Velásquez, and the second by Council Member Ryant Alter the minutes for the November 6, 2024 meeting of the Public Health Committee were approved on a vote of 3-0. Council Member Qadri off the dais.
Discussion and Possible Action
2. Discusion and consideration of appointments to the Central Health Board of Managers.
On the recommendation from Vice Chair Velazquez to move forward with the reappointment of Amit Motwani, and Dr. Cynthia Brinson, to the Central Health Board of Managers, seconded by Councilmember Ryan Alter. This item will move to the full City Council for action.
3. Discusion and possible action regarding ECHO’s State of the Homelessness Response System report and recommendations, and additional investments to fill comprehensive gaps and needs to improve the Homelessness Response System.
On the recommendation by Chair Fuentes with the second from Vice Chair Velazquez to adopt ECHO’S report as a model to inform investments in the homelessness response system and, make adjustments in response to the updated data; and directs the City Manager to explore additional funding opportunities, to prioritize ongoing investments in the homelessness response system, starting with fiscal year 2025/2026 and to identify policy and administrative changes necessary to complete permanent supportive housing units. CM Alter amended the recommendation to include identifying the ARPA cliff and understand what programs we have been operating via ARPA dollars, do we think we should continue to operate, how to fund programs in the upcoming budget, identify the cost drivers in the ECHO report for 4,000 units of permanent supportive housing and if provided as a community, city and partners with the Homeless Strategy Office and Housing Department to develop a plan identifying capital dollars, timeline, operational dollars and explore expansion capacity. The recommendation with amendment were adopted to go to Council for consideration on a 3 -0 vote with Council Member Qadri off the dais.
Briefings
4. Update from Central Health on the Housing for Health Partnership providing respite care, and services programs for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Received an update from Dr. Pat Lee, Perla Cavazos, Monica Crowley, Dr. Cynthia Brinson and Amit Motwani. No action on this item.
5. Update on the City’s Marshalling Yard, which provides temporary shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness, by Homeless Strategy Office.
Received update from Homeless Strategy Officer, David Gray. No action.
Executive Session
6. Discuss the selection of member(s) to the Central Health Board of Managers (Personnel matters - Section 551.074 of the Texas Government Code).
Discussed matters personal matters related to item 6. Committee action taken in item 2.
Future Items
1. Receive an update on student and youth homelessness from Life Works.
2. Review the goals within the strategic plan that fall within public health.
3. Receive an update on the bridge to permanent supportive housing (PHS) policy
4. Receive an update from Integral Care on what they have been working on.
Chair Fuentes adjourned the Public Health Committee meeting at 12:00 PM.
https://services.austintexas.gov/edims/document.cfm?id=444945