REGULAR MEETING of the COMMISSION ON VETERAN AFFAIRS Wednesday, Jun 18, 2025 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 Bryce Laake-Stanfield Anita Carmichael Roberts Jose Reyes VACANT – D6 VACANT – D4 CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION APPROVAL OF MINUTES AGENDA 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Veteran Affairs Regular Meeting of May 21, 2025 STAFF BRIEFINGS DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation and discussion by Sheila Joseph from Front Steps on Phase One of A Step Up Community for homeless veterans. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. Discuss and vote on the Commission on Veterans Affairs annual report. 4. Discuss and possible vote on HR 1282 Major Richard Star Act. 5. Discuss and possible vote to address how to disseminate veteran’s information through social media now that the veterans commission is part of the Joint Inclusion Committee. 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, June 18, 2025 The COMMISSION ON VETERANS AFFAIRS convened in a REGULAR Meeting on WEDNESDAY, June 18, 2025, at the City of Austin Permitting & Development Center at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752. Commissioner Bryce Laake-Stanfield called the COMMISSION ON VETERANS AFFAIRS MEETING to order at 7:30pm CST. Commissioners in Attendance: Armando Gonzales Bryce Laake-Stanfield Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Anita Carmichael Roberts Jose Reyes Michael Mcinerney Christopher Wilson William Dahlstrom Commissioners Absent: Maria Brown-Spence Amber Schleuning Staff in Attendance: Jesus Simental – Veterans Administrator, Office of Equity and Inclusion PUBLIC COMMUNICATION – GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. The minutes from the meeting of 5/21/2025 were approved on Commissioner Bryce Laake-Stanfield motion, second by Armando Gonzales on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Maria Brown-Spence and Amber Schleuning were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Sheila Joseph of Front Steps and her team delivered a detailed presentation on Phase One of “A Step Up Community,” an innovative housing development aimed at supporting unhoused veterans, about 80-85% of homes will be designated for veterans, approximately 18.9 acres were purchased. The initiative envisions a self-sustaining, service-oriented micro-community outside Austin city limits, in Mustang Ridge, Travis County. A total of 120 homes plan to be built. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 3. The commission discussed and voted on the Veterans Affairs annual report with amendments to include a section on mental health on motion by Chair Michael Mcinerney second by Commissioner Byce Laake-Stanfield on a 7-0 vote. 4. Continued discussion on drafting a letter of support for HR 1282 Major Richard Star Act. This bill would allow medically retired veterans with combat-related injuries to receive full retirement pay in addition to VA disability compensation, ending longstanding financial offsets. The commission also seeks support from the JIC and City Council. Motion by Chair Michael Mcinerney to draft a letter of support second by Christopher Wilson on a 7-0 vote. 5. Commissioner Bryce Laake-Stanfield discussed how the JIC proposes to establish social media capability. Commissioner Reyes also discussed the possibility of disseminating information through their individual council member’s social media. The commission agreed to continue discussion at the July meeting in the interest of time. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 6. Continue discussion to address how to disseminate veteran’s information through social media. Also recap and discussion on feedback between commissioners and their council members to include budget recommendations and proposals. …
