Versión en español a continuación. Special Meeting of the Commission on Veteran Affairs February 10, 2021 Commission on Veteran Affairs to be held February 10, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance (February 9, 2021 by Noon). All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the Commission on Veteran Affairs Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at 512-974-3306 AND tina.lee@austintexas.gov no later than noon, (the day before the meeting). The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to tina.lee@austintexas.gov by Noon the day before the scheduled meeting. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live la Reunión del Commission on Veteran Affairs FECHA de la reunion (February 10, 2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (February 9, 2021 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los residentes deben: junta en 512-974-3306 AND • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de tina.lee@austintexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). La información requerida es el nombre del orador, los números de artículo sobre los que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutrales, y un número de teléfono o dirección de correo electrónico. • Una vez que se haya llamado o enviado por correo electrónico una solicitud para hablar al enlace de la junta, los …
COMMISSION ON VETERAN AFFAIRS MEETING MINUTES SPECIAL CALLED MEETING February 10, 2021 COMMISSION ON VETERANS AFFAIRS MINUTES The Commission on Veteran Affairs convened in a Special Called Meeting on February 10, 2021 via WebEx Remote meeting. Chair Doris Williams called the Board Meeting to order at 10:31AM. Board Members in Attendance: Doris Williams - Chair Manuel Jimenez - Vice Chair Alfred Bingham Jose Carrasco Staff in Attendance: Tina Lee 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Jason Denny Josephine Hinds Pete Salazar Chair Williams asked the Commission members to review the minutes from the special called meeting on November 19, 2020. Commissioner Salazar made a motion to approve the meeting minutes and Commissioner Bingham seconded the motion. Motion passed with no objection. 2. NEW BUSINESS a) Texas Folklife presented to the commission about their mission and how one of their programs “Creative Forces” for veterans and family members has assisted with connecting with other veterans to express their stories and folklore through audio production training. Texas Folklife offers their workshops and programs to veterans in Texas primarily in the central Texas region. For more information about the program: https://texasfolklife.org/ b) The City of Austin Intergovernmental Relations Office briefed the Commission on the City of Austin State legislative Resolution that S.B 29 would have limited the ability of the City to utilize community advocates to effectively advocate on behalf of the policies created and supported by its residents. Commissioner Salazar made a motion to have the Commission on Veteran Affairs sign and support the resolution made by Intergovernmental Relations Office. Commissioner Bingham seconded the motion and the resolution was approved on a 6-0-1 vote. Vice Chair Jimenez abstained himself. c) Vice Chair Jimenez discussed the faulty comparison to the military made by the equity assessment SWOT analysis and report on racial inequity within the Austin Police Department. Commissioner Salazar made a motion to provide a recommendation to COMMISSION ON VETERAN AFFAIRS MEETING MINUTES address the comparison explained on officers within APD being affiliated with he Military. Vice Chair Jimenez seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. ADJOURN: Chair Williams adjourned the meeting at 11:15AM without objection
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Veterans Affairs Recommendation Number: (20210210-C002) Faulty Comparison to the Military from the SWOT Analysis WHEREAS, many veterans face several challenges when making the transition from military to civilian life. There has been a growing military to civilian division over the years as military veterans and civilians compete in the job market. There is also the trend of fewer and fewer of the population serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. This division and competition have led to typecasting and stereotypes of our modern-day military veterans. WHEREAS, there are some in the civilian sector who have no idea of or have ever served in the military. These individuals have stereotypes of military service that inhibit servicemembers from transitioning smoothly back into civilian life. WHEREAS, some stereotypes indicating military training is inferior and "warrior-like" is toxic. This type of stereotype is not based on a factual basis but rather unfounded typecasting. Language such as military "warrior" is misleading as present-day servicemembers' training is based on physical fitness and stamina than on a so-called "warrior" mindset. There is a belief that the military culture is a ‘us versus them mindset.” The military veteran is one who took an oath to serve this country negating this kind of thinking. WHEREAS, the Equity Office assessment, and SWOT analyses and report on racial inequities, within the Austin Police Department make faulty claims of comparisons to military service and further promotes dangerous stereotypes. These stereotypes interfere with returning military veterans gaining employment. They contribute to a number of issues military veterans face while transitioning from a sometimes-unappreciated military career to civilian life. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commission on Veteran Affairs rejects the stereotypes used by the Equity Office assessment and SWOT analyses and report on racial inequities within the Austin Police Department because they are not congruent with the military and encourages the Austin City Council to do the same. Date of Approval: February 10, 2021 Record of the vote: (Unanimous on a 7-0 vote, with the names of those voting yes listed) Doris Williams Manuel Jimenez Alfred Bingham Jose Carrasco Jason Denny Josephine Hinds Pete Salazar Attest: _____________________________________________ Manuel Jimenez Jr., Vice Chair Commission on Veteran Affairs
