Agenda — original pdf

Agenda

REGULAR MEETING of the COMMISSION ON VETERAN AFFAIRS Wednesday, February 21, 2024 7:00 PM – Adjournment City of Austin Permitting & Development Center 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Room 1406 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 Amber Schleuning Patrick Bissett Mark Balch Philip Reichert Michael Mcinerney AGENDA CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Christopher “Cam” Wilson, Chair Kevin Lenau, Vice Chair William Dahlstrom Maria Brown-Spence Armando Gonzales Curtis Wyman CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION APPROVAL OF MINUTES 18, 2024. STAFF BRIEFINGS 1. Approve the minutes of the Commission on Veteran Affairs Regular Meeting of January 2. Staff update regarding Sexual Harassment Training, FY25 Budget Recommendation process, and Attendance/Sign-In Sheet requirements. 3. Update on the City of Austin Internal Work Group initial meeting. Presentation by staff liaison, Jesus Simental. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Presentation and discussion by Amanda Afifi, Chair Hispanic/Latino Quality of Life Resource Advisory Commission and Chair of the Joint Inclusion Committee (JIC) about having the Commission of Veterans Affairs join the JIC. 5. Presentation and discussion by Christian Duran and Julie Smith from the City of Austin Housing Department which would present on the housing department’s federally-funded programming and solicit input/discussion from Commissioners on needs and priorities that our federal funding should address. 6. Presentation and discussion by Jim Darwin, Chair of the nonprofit Austin Veterans Parade Foundation about discussing future collaboration between the City of Austin and the Austin Veterans Parade Foundation. 7. Continued discussion and update on nonprofits that service veterans of Austin and Travis County. Chair Wilson agreed to research these nonprofits. 8. Discuss results and findings from Commissioner Marc Balch on his talk with the Veterans Administration on what they are doing for veteran outreach and solicit them to speak at the Veterans Affairs Commission meeting. 9. Discuss results and findings from Commissioner Maria Brown-Spence on a list of nonprofits in our area that service veterans. 10. Discussion on findings from all commissioners on status of Recommendation Number 20230719-006 Recommended Study to Understand Real-World Needs of Travis County- Based Veterans. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 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.