20260318-004: Service Disabled Veterans Affirmative Access — original pdf

Recommendation

RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL Commission on Veterans Affairs Recommendation Number: 20260318-04 Service Disabled Veterans Affirmative Access WHEREAS, the City of Austin seeks to be a national leader in supporting its veteran and military community; WHEREAS, the Commission on Veterans Affairs has accumulated information concerning the needs of veterans in the Austin community through testimony from community members, veteran service organizations, non-profit groups, and city employees as well as the Texas Veterans Needs Assessment indicating that economic opportunity for Veterans in Austin is insufficient; WHEREAS, the City Council has previously recognized the great need for Veteran services in Austin; WHEREAS, Austin Small and Minority Business Resources helps small, minority-owned women-owned, and disadvantaged businesses compete for City of Austin contracts, administers the City’s minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprise procurement programs, and works to expand access, equity, and economic opportunity for local businesses. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission on Veterans Affairs recommends the Austin Economic Development Department and Austin Small and Minority Resources include Service Disabled Veteran owned businesses in all goals and programs to ensure Service Disabled Veterans in Austin have affirmative access to city procurement opportunities and show productive growth. The Commission recommends the following: 1. The City should certify businesses that meet eligibility criteria, monitor utilization of certified firms on City contracts, provide resources (workshops, training, and webinars), meet with local Veteran service and trade organizations, and educate stakeholders on program requirements. 2. The City should include Service Disabled Veteran owned businesses in all goals, certification and compliance programs, initiatives, outreach efforts, education programs, communication, awards ceremonies, performance measures, and monitoring efforts. 3. The City should ensure adequate resourcing to manage Service Disabled Veteran programs as part of existing programs serving minority owned business enterprises, women owned enterprises, disadvantaged business enterprises, airport concession disadvantaged business enterprises, and small business enterprises. Date of Approval: March 18, 2026 Motioned By: Michael Mcinerney Second By: Armando Gonzales Vote: 7-0 For: Jose Reyes, Lucas Castillo, Amber Schleuning, Christopher Wilson, Fansu Ku, Michael Mcinerney, Armando Gonzales Against: 0 Abstain: None Off the dais: None Absent: Kimberly Frantz, Bryce Laake-Stanfield, Anita Roberts, William Dahlstrom Attest: _______________________________________________________ Michael McInerney - Chair, City of Austin Commission on Veterans Affairs