REGULAR MEETING OF THE LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026 AT 6:30 P.M. AUSTIN CITY HALL, BOARDS & COMMISSIONS ROOM 1101 301 W 2ND ST. AUSTIN, TEXAS Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via 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 their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, contact Ryan Sperling at 512-974-3568 or ryan.sperling@austintexas.gov. CURRENT COMMISSIONERS : Commissioner Appointment Commissioner Kitty McLeod, Vice Chair (she/they) District 1 Mariana Krueger (she/her) Appointment District 9 KC Shepherd Coyne, Chair (they/he) District 2 Devan Daniel (he/him) District 10 Steven Rivas (he/him) District 3 Rocío Fierro-Pérez (she/her/ella) Mayor Brigitte Bandit (they/she) District 4 Morgan Davis (he/him) Jerry Joe Benson, Secretary (he/him) District 5 Randy Pituk (he/him) Asher Knutson (he/him) District 6 Marlon Johnson (he/him) J. Scott Neal (he/him) District 7 Anna Nguyen (she/her) Garry Brown District 8 Stakeholder Stakeholder Stakeholder Stakeholder AGENDA CALL TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first ten speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission regular meeting on April 20, 2026. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. Briefing regarding Austin Fire Department’s training and resources for LGBTQIA+ residents, internal support for equity, and challenges and priorities currently being faced. Presentation by Tom Vocke, Chief of Staff, Austin Fire Department. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Update regarding the progress on the LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center Feasibility Study. Update by Mark Gilbert, Director, Hayat Brown. Update regarding the progress of the Mayor’s Public Spaces Task Force. Update by Commissioner Rivas. Discussion to provide an update finalizing and installing a historical marker on the intersection of 4th St. and Colorado St. Update by Commissioner Brown. Discussion regarding the development of the 2026 General Obligation Bond Program. Discussion to review a new view-only folder for commission resources, community engagement, and what the commission has accomplished over the last year and goals for the next year for inclusion in the annual internal review. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 8. 9. 10. Approve the formation of a Working Group to communicate …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2026 The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 6:30 PM at Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd St., Austin, Texas 78701, Boards & Commissions Room 1101. Commissioners in attendance in person: KC Coyne (Chair) Kitty McLeod (Vice Chair) Jerry Joe Benson (Secretary) Devan Daniel Asher Knutson J. Scott Neal Anna Nguyen Randy Pituk Steven Rivas Commissioners in attendance remotely: Garry Brown Morgan Davis Mariana Krueger Rocio Fierro-Pérez Chair Coyne called the meeting to order at 6:32 P.M. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission regular meeting on March 9, 2026. The minutes of the March 9, 2026 meeting were approved on Secretary Benson’s motion, Vice Chair McLeod’s second on an 11-0 vote. Commissioner Nguyen abstained. Commissioner Brown was o(cid:431) the dais. Commissioners Bandit and Johnson were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 2. 3. Sta(cid:431) briefing regarding Austin Emergency Medical Services’ (EMS) trainings for first responders and community members around LGBTQ+ issues, as well as a general update on EMS activities and developments. Briefing by Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Sta(cid:431), Austin- Travis County EMS. Briefing provided by Wesley Hopkins, Chief of Sta(cid:431), Austin-Travis County EMS. Sta(cid:431) briefing regarding an update on the Levers of Economic Mobility Index. Presentation by Gary Aaron, Business Process Consultant Sr., and Shivani Datar, Business Process Specialist, Austin Equity & Inclusion. The presentation was made by Gary Aaron, Business Process Consultant Sr., and Shivani Datar, Business Process Specialist, Austin Equity & Inclusion. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. 5. 6. Presentation regarding Long Covid awareness and its impact on the LGBTQIA+ community. Presentation by Katie Drackert, Clear the Air ATX. The presentation was made by Katie Drackert, Clear the Air ATX. Discussion regarding ways to prioritize intergenerational dialogue and connections among the LGBTQIA+ community. The meeting went into recess at 8:36 p.m. The meeting was called back into order at 8:45 p.m. Discussion was held. Presentation by Queerbomb 2026 organizers and discussion regarding planning, logistics, permitting, and funding for Queerbomb 2026. Presentation by Roadkill, Queerbomb 2026. Item 6 was taken up before Item 5 without objection. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 7. 8. Update from the Community Safety Working Group regarding engagement with EMS, Austin Fire Department, and law enforcement, along with key priorities and next steps. Update …
LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center Feasibility Study May 2026 Commission Update: Preliminary Findings Executive Summary Background DRAFT- Pending Task Force Review and Edits 1 For nearly a decade, community advocates and the LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Commission have worked to make an LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center a reality in Austin—one of the largest cities in the United States without a dedicated space of this kind. In August 2024, Austin City Council passed Resolution 20240814-022 directing the City Manager to launch a feasibility study to identify potential sites, funding strategies, and a development timeline for the center. To help shape this work, the LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Commission recommended the creation of a 12-member Task Force to provide guidance, community input, and strategic direction throughout the study process. As part of the FY2025 budget process, the City of Austin appropriated $180,000 to support the feasibility study and subsequently selected the Hayat Brown Team to lead this effort in partnership with the LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center Task Force. Executive Summary Process DRAFT- Pending Task Force Review and Edits 2 The Hayat Brown Team embarked on a 12-month, Task Force-driven effort to refine facility needs and identify a path to project feasibility. Together, they reviewed benchmark facilities and case studies to understand commonalities, trends, and key features of similar cultural centers. They used these insights to inform a recommended space program, site evaluation criteria, and to define ownership, acquisition, and funding options. Background Data Gathering and Benchmarking Needs Assessment and Space Programming Site Evaluation Criteria Site Evaluations Ownership and Management Structures Development and Acquisition Structures Funding Options Recommendations Executive Summary Space Program DRAFT- Pending Task Force Review and Edits 3 The Task Force recommended a space program for the future Center consisting of a core program and subordinate program components separated into priority B, C, and D spaces. The Core Program highlights the essential features and functions of the future Cultural Center. It focuses on large, flexible spaces including a multi-purpose room and lobby, with administrative and building support services, requiring a minimum of approximately 4,000-7,500 net usable square feet. Executive Summary Space Program DRAFT- Pending Task Force Review and Edits 4 The B, C, and D priority spaces include other desirable spaces to be included as space and budgets permit. Priority B Spaces Highly desirable Priority C&D Spaces Nice to have, lower priority • Drop-in/lounge space • Additional meeting rooms • Administrative offices • Kitchen/café • …
