April 21, 2025 Draft Minutes — original pdf

Backup

LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, April 21, 2025 The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, April 21, 2025, at 6:30 PM at Austin City Hall, 312 W 2nd St., Austin, TX 78701, Boards & Commissions Room. Commissioners in attendance in person: J. Scott Neal (Chair) Jerry Joe Benson (Vice Chair) Alexander Andersen Brigitte Bandit KB Brookins Garry Brown Katie Coyne Morgan Davis Rocio Fierro-Perez Mariana Krueger Kitty McLeod Brandon Wollerson Taylor Trevino Chair Neal called the meeting to order at 6:37 PM. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Julian Reyes, APD Misconduct Briana Arredondo, APD Misconduct APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission's special called meeting on March 17, 2025. The minutes were approved on Commissioner Fierro-Pérez’ motion, Vice Chair Benson’s second on an 11-0 vote. Commissioner Wollerson abstained. Commissioner Andersen was absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. Presentation regarding LGBTQIA+ related bills and actions in the 2025 Texas Legislature session. Presentation by Miriam Laeky, Government Affairs Director, Equality Texas. The presentation was made by Miriam Laeky, Government Affairs Director, Equality Texas. Page 1 of 4 3. Discussion with Austin Police Department on the state of its and its officers’ relations with the LGBTQIA+ community, including existing, pending and potential efforts to improve understanding, relations, and accountability. The presentation was made by Robin Henderson, Presentation by Robin Henderson, Chief of Staff; Michael Chancellor, Assistant Chief; and Michael Wilmore-Crumrine, Sergeant, Austin Police Department. The commission went into recess on Chair Scott’s motion, Commissioner Brookins’ second, on a 12-0 vote. Commissioner Andersen was absent. The commission went into recess at 9:20. The meeting was called back to order at 9:39 P.M. 4. Discussion regarding feedback from members of the public about amenities, services, programs, missions, and visions prioritized at a potential LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center, including those garnered from Mentimeter survey results. This item was withdrawn on Chair Neal’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 12-0 vote. Commissioner Andersen was absent. 5. Discussion regarding the location, date, procedures, and topics to be discussed at a potential LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission retreat. Discussion was held. The motion to waive the rules and allow the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission to meet after 10 p.m. was approved on Commissioner Coyne’s motion, Commissioner Brown’s second on a 12-0 vote. Commissioner Andersen was absent. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 6. Recommendation to the commission from the Task Force Candidate Selection Working Group on suggested candidates to serve on the LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center Task Force as described in Resolution 20240814-022. This item was withdrawn on Chair Neal’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 12-0 vote. Commissioner Andersen was absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 7. Discussion and possible action to approve a recommended list of candidates to serve on the LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center Task Force as described in Resolution 20240814-022. This item was withdrawn on Chair Neal’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 12-0 vote. Commissioner Andersen was absent. 8. Discussion and possible action to form a working group to provide a recommendation regarding Austin Police Department’s relations with the LGBTQIA+ community. This item was withdrawn on Chair Neal’s motion, Commissioner Wollerson’s second on a 12-0 vote. Commissioner Andersen was absent. Page 2 of 4 9. Discussion and possible action to form a working group to monitor progress and engage with the community on the LGBTQIA+ Cultural Center Feasibility Study project. This item was withdrawn on Chair Neal’s motion, Commissioner Fierro-Pérez’ second on a 12-0 vote. Commissioner Andersen was absent. 10. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair. This motion to postpone this item to the May meeting was approved on Chair Neal’s motion, Commissioner Coyne’s second on a 12-0 vote. Commissioner Andersen was absent. 11. Amend the annual schedule to add a regular meeting in May. The motion to amend the annual schedule to add a regular meeting on May 5th was approved on Chair Neal’s motion, Vice Chair Benson’s second on a 12-0 vote. Commissioner Andersen was absent. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 12. Update from the Historical Marker Working Group regarding its progress in considering the content, placement, and queer figures to highlight on a historical marker on 4th street. Update provided by Commissioner Brown. 13. Update from the Texas Legislative Session Working Group regarding LGBTQIA+ related bills and actions in the 2025 Texas Legislative Session. This item was withdrawn on Chair Neal’s motion, Commissioner Brown’s second on a 12-0 vote. Commissioner Andersen was absent. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Commissioner Brookins – select new chair for Trans Resource Guide Working Group. Second Commissioner Davis. ADJOURNMENT Chair Neal adjourned the meeting without objection at 10:12 P.M. The minutes were approved at the (DATE) meeting on (MOTION) Page 3 of 4