Approved Minutes — original pdf

Approved Minutes

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 employment or education. ITEMS ADJOURNMENT END: 7:32 PM Commissioner Armando Gonzales made the motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Jose Reyes, motion passed on a 7-0 vote. The minutes were approved at the 16 Sep 2026 meeting by Commissioner Jose Reyes motion, Christopher Wilson second on a 8-0 vote, Bryce Laake-Stanfield, William Dahlstrom and Fansu Ku were absent.