REGULAR MEETING of the COMMISSION ON VETERAN AFFAIRS Wednesday, Oct 15, 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 Armando Gonzales Bryce Laake-Stanfield Anita Carmichael Roberts Jose Reyes VACANT – D4 VACANT – D1 VACANT – D6 CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION APPROVAL OF MINUTES AGENDA 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Veteran Affairs Regular Meeting of Sep 17, 2025 DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation and discussion by Dustin Noll from St Edwards University on the function of contemporary points in terms of veterans pursuing higher education outcomes, challenges, and community partners. 3. Presentation and discussion by BethAnn Warwick from Austin Community College (ACC) on the challenges of ACC veteran students pursuing higher education. 4. Discussion on 2025 Veterans Day Parade. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discuss and approve Commission on Veterans Affairs 2026 annual meeting schedule. 6. Discussion and approval of a recommendation to council on an initiative for homeless veterans. 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, October 15, 2025 The COMMISSION ON VETERANS AFFAIRS convened in a REGULAR Meeting on WEDNESDAY, October 15, 2025, 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 Armando Gonzales Jose Reyes Bryce Laake-Stanfield Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Amber Schleuning Christopher Wilson Commissioners Absent: William Dahlstrom Anita Carmichael Roberts 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 9/17/2025 were approved on Commissioner Bryce Laake-Stanfield motion, second by Armando Gonzales on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner William Dahlstrom and Anita Carmichael Roberts were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. St. Edwards University: Dustin Noll presented on the challenges presented by the changing needs of younger veterans. Raised the point that it was well understood what veterans returning from the wars in Iraq & Afghanistan needed, and many were lined up to help — for example, mental healthcare for PTSD. Today, young Veterans are already becoming disconnected from this experience. needs are less clear and resources are more scarce. 3. Austin Community College: Dr. BethAnn Warwick presented on the challenges student veterans face pursuing higher education. Population of 1,600 Veterans at ACC, plus another 1,500 family members and spouses. ACC Military Network & Veteran Resource Center address main challenges of housing affordability, employment, and loss of community. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. The Commission on Veterans Affairs 2026 annual meeting schedule was approved on Chair Michael Mcinerney motion and second by Christopher Wilson on a 6-0 vote. 5. A working group was established on motion by Chair Michael Mcinerney and second by Bryce-Laake Stanfied on a 6-0 vote to address veteran homelessness. The working group will be lead by Bryce Laake-Stanfield and consist of Chair Michael Mcinerney, Commissioner Christopher Wilson, Commissioner Armando Gonzales, and Vice Chair Amber Schleuning. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 6. Commissioner Bryce Laake-Stanfield to add to discussion and action items a creation of a veterans operations working group to focus on connecting the City of Austin with nonprofits that support veterans and also update the commission on the status of the veteran homeless working group. ADJOURNMENT END: 8:16 PM 7. Chair Michael Mcinerney made the motion to …
