Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

COMMISSION ON VETERAN AFFAIRS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, March 18, 2026 The COMMISSION ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS convened in a REGULAR Meeting on WEDNESDAY, March 18, 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 7:09 pm CST. Commissioners in Attendance: Michael Mcinerney (Chair) Jose Reyes Lucas Castillo Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Amber Schleuning (Vice Chair) Armando Gonzales Christopher Wilson Fansu Ku Commissioners Absent: Kimberly Frantz Bryce Laake-Stanfield Anita Roberts William Dahlstrom Sta(cid:431) in Attendance: Jesus Simental – Veterans Administrator, O(cid:431)ice of Equity and Inclusion Jackie Lord – City of Austin Department of Equity and Inclusion (Intern) PUBLIC COMMUNICATION 1. Member of the public, Jason Denny, resident of District Five, currently serves as the Chief Executive O(cid:431)icer and President of the Military Veterans Empowerment Network. He spoke on the Homeless Strategy O(cid:431)ice strategic plan for FY26/27 and the lack of veterans being addressed in the plan. He introduced a concept called “Operation Veterans Outreach” where city, federal, and nonprofit organizations collaborate and triage homeless veterans in areas of employment, benefits, and housing. Once he outlined the plan, Michael Mcinerney requested that Jason Denny provide an email with his written report for further review. GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 2. The minutes from the meeting of 1/21/2026 were approved on Commissioner Jose Reyes motion, seconded by Lucas Castillo, on a 6-0 vote. Commissioners Kimberly Frantz, Bryce Laake-Stanfield, Anita Roberts, and William Dahlstrom were not present. STAFF BRIEFINGS DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Presentation conducted by Christopher Anderson, Deputy Director of the Homeless Strategy O(cid:431)ice, who provided insight into the homeless strategy o(cid:431)ice, shelters, trends, and services provided. As well as answering questions from commissioners regarding the placement and priority of homeless veterans. 4. Commissioner Bryce Laake-Stanfield was absent so an update to homeless veteran working group was not provided. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 5. The commission discussed and voted on a proposed recommendation for the Austin Economic Development Department and Austin Small and Minority Resources, including service-disabled veteran-owned businesses in all goals and programs to ensure service-disabled veterans in the city of Austin have affirmative access to city procurement opportunities. Motioned by Michael Mcinerney, seconded by Armando Gonzales, and voted 7-0. Commissioners Kimberly Frantz, Bryce Laake-Stanfield, Anita Roberts, and William Dahlstrom were not present. 6. Discussion and vote on a recommendation and amendments by the commissions of Veterans Affairs that the City Council again direct the City Manager to develop a Veterans Affairs Action Plan, previous response did not provided the required items that were called for in Resolution No: 20240814-021 including 1) Recommendations for sta(cid:431)ing, budget, organizational structure, and resources necessary for the e(cid:431)ective provision of services, 2) Strategies for collaboration with county, state, and federal agencies, as well as non-profit organizations and community groups, to enhance support for military service members, Veterans, and their families, and 3) An evaluation framework to assess the e(cid:431)ectiveness of the City's services and programs in meeting the needs of the military and Veteran community. Motioned by Micheal Mcinerney, seconded by Armando Gonzales, and voted 7-0. Commissioners Kimberly Frantz, Bryce Laake-Stanfield, Anita Roberts, and William Dahlstrom were not present. ADJOURNMENT END: 8:44 PM 7. Chair Michael Mcinerney made the motion to adjourn, Lucas Castillo seconded on a 7-0 vote. Commissioners Kimberly Frantz, Bryce Laake-Stanfield, Anita Roberts, and William Dahlstrom were not present. The minutes were approved at the 15 Apr 2026 meeting by Commissioner Michael Mcinerney motion, Jose Reyes second on a 6-0 vote, Christopher Wilson, Armando Gonzales, and William Dahlstrom were absent.