One Voice Central Texas Public Policy Committee
July 23, 2015
Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Michael Goldstein, Meals on Wheels and More; Isabelle Headrick, Accessible
Housing Austin!; Angela Atwood, College Houses; Jo Kathryn Quinn, Caritas of Austin; Walter
Moreau, Foundation Communities; Ann Howard, ECHO; Support: Sam Woollard; WNA; Lily
Wein; WNA
1. Review final draft of op-ed
Attendees reviewed the draft op-ed and proposed minor changes. Action Items: Jo Kathryn
will ask her communications staff to do a final review/edit of the op-ed by Monday. Tod will
email the op-ed to City council members and staff.
2. Put People First Campaign Plan
a. Put People First vs. Tale of Two Austins
Tabled. The Communications Committee will discuss this at their next meeting.
b. Review calendar of City Council meetings and identify meeting captains
Attendees volunteered to speak at the upcoming City Council meetings.
c. Determine strategy for getting members to attend City Council meetings
Attendees determined the following strategy for the Put People First campaign:
 Find out if HHSD included an increase for social services contracts in the budget
they submitted to the City Manager’s Office
 Schedule a meeting with Council Member Tovo to see if she is willing to come
out in front if this issue
 Identify and meet with the six council members most likely to support an
increase in social services funding. Potential allies identified: Kitchen, Casar,
Renteria, Pool, Garza, Tovo, Gallo, and Mayor Adler.
 Explore options for hiring a lobbyist to assist with the campaign. Potential
lobbyists include Mark Nathan or Stephanie McDonald.
Action Items: Walter will call Bert Lumbreras to clarify if HHSD included an increase
for social service contracts in their 2016 budget. Jo Kathryn will call Shannon Jones
to ask what was included in the budget he submitted to the City Manager’s Office,
and ask for his advice on how One Voice should advocate for additional funding for
social services. Walter will call Mark Nathan and other lobbyists to explore options
for hiring a consultant to provide lobbying services for the duration of the budget
process. Lily will call to City Clerk’s Office to clarify the process for getting on the
City Council agenda for citizen’s communication.
Parking Lot Items: Next year, the Public Policy Committee may want to look at ways
the City can bring in more federal funding, and opportunities with Central Health.
d. Review draft talking points
Attendees simplified the Put People First messaging, focusing on how Austin is
behind in spending compared to peer cities and needs to catch up.
3. Update on meetings scheduled with City Council members and County Commissioners
A meeting has been scheduled with Judge Eckhardt on July 30th at 1pm. Angela Atwood,
Ellen Richards, and Paul Scott will attend on behalf of One Voice.
4. NDD United Sign-On Request to End Sequestration (5 mins)
The Public Policy Committee recommended that the Executive Committee approve signing
on to the NDD request letter to end sequestration.
Next Meeting: August 27 3:00-4:30pm