Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

COMMISSION ON VETERAN AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, Mar 19, 2025 The COMMISSION ON VETERANS AFFAIRS convened in a REGULAR Meeting on WEDNESDAY, Mar 19, 2025, at the City of Austin Permitting & Development Center at 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr, Austin, TX 78752. Commissioner Christopher Wilson called the COMMISSION ON VETERANS AFFAIRS MEETING to order at 7:02pm CST. Commissioners in Attendance: Christopher Wilson Armando Gonzales Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Patrick Bissett Amber Schleuning William Dahlstrom Curtis Wyman Michael Mcinerney Commissioners Absent: Maria Brown-Spence Philip Reichert Mark Balch Gustavo Ramirez 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 2/19/2025 were approved on Commissioner Patrick Bissett’s motion, second by Amber Schleuning on a 6-0 vote. Commissioner Maria Brown-Spence, Mark Balch, Philip Reichert and Gustavo Ramirez were absent. Commissioner Curt Wyman joined the meeting late. STAFF BRIEFINGS DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation and discussion by Justin Holcomb from Tunnel to Towers Foundation on programs and services offered to veterans. Justin discussed how the organization is building/refurbishing hotels to house homeless veterans all over the country and they would like to build/refurbish one here in Austin and would be all privately funded. Justin also discussed that their organization also provides financial assistance to veterans. 3. Presentation and discussion by David Gray from Homeless Strategy Office on addressing homelessness in the City of Austin. David discussed the creation and work that is currently in the works in his department. Numerous facilities being constructed/refurbished throughout the city to house our homeless. 4. There was a discussion on the purpose of the City of Austin veteran surveys that have been sent out. Staff liaison, Jesus Simental, advised the commission that the purpose in sending out the survey is to gather data to support future veteran projects/proposals. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. The discussion and possible vote on reappointments of Veterans Affairs Commission members and Joint Inclusion Committee representatives was postponed until the next meeting once all new commissioners are established. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS 6. Chair Michael Mcinerney requested that the commission discuss the way ahead on the Recommendation that was submitted on how to best sheperd the effort. ADJOURNMENT END: 8:24 PM 7. Commissioner Christopher Wilson made the motion to adjourn, Armando Gonzales second on a 7-0 vote. Commissioner Maria Brown-Spence, Mark Balch, Philip Reichert, Gustavo Ramirez were absent. The minutes were approved at the 16 Apr 2025 meeting on Chair Michael Mcinerney’s motion, Armando Gonzales second on a 6-0 vote, Maria Brown-Spence, and Philip Reichert, and Gustavo Ramirez were absent.