Austin Commission on Immigrant Affairs seeks three new community stakeholder seats

The Austin Audit and Finance Committee meeting on April 16, 2025, focused on proposed amendments to the bylaws of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, among other topics. The key discussion centered around adding three community stakeholder seats to the commission, a change aimed at enhancing representation and addressing quorum challenges.

Miriam Dorantes, vice chair of the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, advocated for the amendments, emphasizing that they would allow the commission to include voices from the community that have been historically underrepresented. She noted that the current structure has made it difficult to meet quorum due to inactive members, which has hindered the commission's ability to function effectively. The proposed changes would not only increase the number of members but also provide the commission with the authority to remove non-participating stakeholders, thereby improving accountability.

The committee also reviewed amendments from the Commission on Aging, which seeks to establish a new advisory committee focused on the Age-Friendly Austin action plan. This change aims to enhance the involvement of older adults in city planning and decision-making processes. However, concerns were raised about the additional staffing requirements this new committee would impose.

While the staff expressed reservations about the necessity of the amendments for the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, citing that the commission currently has only one vacancy, the committee acknowledged the importance of community engagement and the need for flexibility in meeting quorum.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further discuss the proposed amendments, highlighting the ongoing efforts to strengthen community representation and engagement in city governance. The committee's next steps will involve reviewing the implications of these changes and determining the best path forward for the commissions involved.