REGULAR MEETING of the COMMISSION ON VETERAN AFFAIRS Wednesday, Sep 18, 2024 7:00 PM – Adjournment City of Austin Permitting & Development Center 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Room 1401/1402 Austin, TX 78752 Some members of the Commission on Veteran Affairs may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once, either in-person or remotely, and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register, email the board liaison at Jesus.Simental@austintexas.gov CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Michael Mcinerney, Chair Amber Schleuning, Vice Chair Christopher Wilson William Dahlstrom Maria Brown-Spence Armando Gonzales Patrick Bissett Mark Balch Philip Reichert Curtis Wyman CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION APPROVAL OF MINUTES 21, 2024. AGENDA 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Veteran Affairs Regular Meeting of August 2. Staff briefing regarding announcement of vacancy of district 10 seat on the commission. STAFF BRIEFINGS DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation and discussion by Paul Bernal, Chief Operating Officer from American GI Forum on what services they provide, pending projects, and future plans. 4. Presentation and discussion by Gustavo Ramirez from the University of Texas at Austin and on student veteran needs and how the commission can support student veterans in Austin. 5. Presentation and discussion by Strider Johnson from St. Edward's University on student veteran needs and how the commission can support student veterans in Austin. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Jesus Simental at (512) 974-7742 or jesus.simental@austintexas.gov for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711.
COMMISSION ON VETERAN AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, Sep 18, 2024 The COMMISSION ON VETERANS AFFAIRS convened in a REGULAR Meeting on WEDNESDAY, September 18, 2024, at the City of Austin Permitting & Development Center at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752. Chair MICHAEL MCINERNEY called the COMMISSION ON VETERANS AFFAIRS MEETING to order at 7:05pm CST. Commissioners in Attendance: Michael Mcinerney (Chair) Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Patrick Bissett Christopher Wilson Curtis Wyman Amber Schleuning William Dahlstrom Commissioners Absent: Maria Brown-Spence Philip Reichert Armando Gonzales Mark Balch Staff in Attendance: Beverly Davis – Office of Civil Rights Jesus Simental – Veterans Administrator, Office of Civil Rights PUBLIC COMMUNICATION – GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. The minutes from the meeting of 9/18/2024 were approved on Chair Michael Mcinerney’s motion, second by Patrick Bissett on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Maria Brown-Spence, Philip Reichert, Armando Gonzales, and Mark Balch were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation by Paul Bernal and Adrian Luna from the American GI Forum National Veterans Outreach Program. The AGIF is a congressionally chartered Hispanic veterans and civil rights organization founded in 1948. a. The NVOP currently runs a 90-room facility in San Antonio to provide housing, counseling, and employment assistance to homeless veterans. This facility is almost entirely supported with private donations, and grants from the State and Federal government. b. Mr. Bernal discussed the AGIF NVOP's plans to open a similar facility in Austin. c. Ms. Luna discussed the AGIF NVOP's current activities in Austin providing representatives to support homeless and disabled veterans 3. Presentation by Gustavo Ramirez, a student Veteran at the University of Texas at Austin provided a statement and answered questions about support for student veterans in Austin. 4. Presenter Strider Johnson from St Edward’s University was a no show but agreed to forward areas of possible support of veteran students at St Edwards University. 5. Discussed nominating primary and secondary JIC representatives and discussing and voting for the 2025 annual board schedule. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT END: 7:53 PM 3. Chair M. Mcinerney made the motion to adjourn, P. Bissett second the motion. Pass unanimously 6-0. Commissioners Maria Brown-Spence, Philip Reichert, Armando Gonzales, Mark Balch were absent. The minutes were approved at the 16 Oct 2024 meeting on Chair Michael Mcinerney’s motion, Armando Gonzales second on a 10-0 vote, Maria Brown-Spence was absent.
