REGULAR MEETING of the COMMISSION ON VETERAN AFFAIRS Wednesday, Nov 20, 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 Gustavo Ramirez CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION APPROVAL OF MINUTES 16, 2024. AGENDA 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Veteran Affairs Regular Meeting of October DISCUSSION ITEMS DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT 2. Discussion and possible action on establishing a working group to set goals for next year including budget proposals, special topics, and guest speakers. 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, Nov 20, 2024 The COMMISSION ON VETERANS AFFAIRS convened in a REGULAR Meeting on WEDNESDAY, November 20, 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 7:00pm CST. Commissioners in Attendance: Michael Mcinerney (Chair) Curtis Wyman Armando Gonzales Gustavo Ramirez Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Patrick Bissett Christopher Wilson Amber Schleuning William Dahlstrom Commissioners Absent: Maria Brown-Spence Philip Reichert Mark Balch Staff in Attendance: Jesus Simental – Veterans Administrator, Office of Civil Rights PUBLIC COMMUNICATION – GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. The minutes from the meeting of 10/16/2024 were approved on Commissioner Curt Wyman’s motion, second by Armando Gonzales on a 8-0 vote. Commissioner Maria Brown-Spence, Mark Balch, and Philip Reichert were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussed and established working group comprised of Commissioner William Dahlstrom, Commissioner Christopher Wilson, Commissioner Amber Schleuning, Commissioner Armando Gonzales, and Chair Michael Mcinerney to discuss goals for next year including budget proposals, special topics, and guest speakers. Commissioner Curt Wyman discussed the possibility of having the Veterans Commission participate in next years Veterans Day parade. The work group was established on a 10-0 vote, Commissioner Maria Brown-Spence, Mark Balch, and Philip Reichert were absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 3. Discussion on establishing a Veterans Commission social media page. Discussion on securing city council support. Discussion on establishing a veterans employee resource group. Discussion on status of program manager position and proposal to stand up a veteran resource center and office. ADJOURNMENT END: 7:29 PM 4. Chair M. Mcinerney made the motion to adjourn, A. Gonzales second the motion. Pass unanimously 8-0. Commissioner Maria Brown-Spence, Mark Balch, and Philip Reichert were absent. The minutes were approved at the 18 Dec 2024 meeting on Commissioner’s Patrick Bissett’s motion, Christopher Wilson second on a 6-0 vote, Maria Brown-Spence, Mark Balch, and Philip Reichert Michael Mcinerney, and William Dahlstrom were absent.
