REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON VETERANS AFFAIRS On Wednesday Aug 19, 2026 at 7pm City of Austin Permitting & Development Center 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Room 1401/1402 Austin, TX 78752 Some members of the Commission on Veterans Affairs may be participating by video conference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via 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 their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Jesus Simental at 512-974-7742 or email at jesus.simental@austintexas.gov CURRENT COMMISSIONERS: Michael Mcinerney – Chair Jose Reyes – Vice Chair William Dahlstrom Armando Gonzales Bryce Laake-Stanfield Anita Roberts Christopher Wilson Lucas Castillo Fansu Ku Amber Cress Neal Wendt CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION STAFF BRIEFING APPROVAL OF MINUTES AGENDA 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Veteran Affairs Regular Meeting of Jul 15, 2026. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. Presentation and discussion by Bronchae Brown, Commander, VFW Post 4443 on the needs of veterans in the Austin community. Discussion on the Human Rights Impact Review Report. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 4. Discussion and vote on primary and alternate to represent the Commission on Veterans Affairs at the Joint Inclusion Committee Commission Meeting. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route through 711. A person may request language access accommodations no later than 48 hours before the scheduled meeting. Please call or email Please call Jesus Simental at (512) 974-7742 or jesus.simental@austintexas.gov at Equity and Inclusion Department to request service or for additional information. For more information on the Commission on Veterans Affairs, please contact Jesus Simental at 512-974-7742 or jesus.simental@austintexas.gov.
COMMISSION ON VETERAN AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, August 19, 2026 The COMMISSION ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS convened in a REGULAR Meeting on WEDNESDAY, August 19, 2026, 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 7:00 pm CST. Commissioners in Attendance: Michael McInerney (Chair) Jose Reyes (Vice Chair) Armando Gonzales Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Amber Cress Fansu Ku Lucas Castillo Anita Roberts Commissioners Absent: Bryce Laake-Stanfield William Dahlstrom Christopher Wilson Neal Wendt Staff in Attendance: Jesus Simental – Veterans Administrator, City of Austin Department Office of Equity and Inclusion PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 1. Jason Denney – Veterans section of the Human Rights Framework Impact Review. GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. The minutes from the meeting on 7/15/2026 were approved on Commissioner Armando Gonzales’ motion, seconded by Jose Reyes, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Bryce Laake- Stanfield, Christopher Wilson, William Dahlstrom and Neal Wendt were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation and discussion by Bronchae Brown, Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4443 in Oak Hill, regarding the post’s veteran and community programs. Brown discussed the post’s focus on connection, service and community, including peer support, veteran referrals, scouting and youth programs, a community garden and other family-friendly activities. He invited the Commission and City partners to visit the post and strengthen coordination with local veteran-serving organizations. 4. Discussed the Human Rights Framework Impact Review and its recommendations affecting Austin veterans. Commissioners were asked to review the report and submit factual corrections or comments. Discussion included veterans’ access to benefits and resources, community engagement, mental health, transportation, a proposed Office of Military and Veterans Affairs and an Austin Veterans Resource Center. The Commission discussed using the report to support future budget and organizational planning. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. Discussion and action regarding selection of a primary and alternate representative to the Joint Inclusion Commission was postponed to the September meeting because necessary participants were absent. FUTURE AGENDA 6. Team Red, White & Blue was confirmed to present to the Commission in September. 7. The Commission will discuss participation in the City of Austin Veterans Day Parade, scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2026, including participation logistics and required City notifications. 8. The Commission discussed inviting Workforce Solutions to present on veteran employment and support resources, including childcare assistance for veterans seeking …
