July 21, 2025 Draft Minutes — original pdf

Backup

LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, July 21, 2025 The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a special called meeting on Monday, March 17, 2025, at 6:30 PM at Austin City Hall, 301 W 2nd St., Austin, Texas 78701, Boards & Commissions Room 1101. Commissioners in attendance in person: Kitty McLeod (Vice Chair) Jerry Joe Benson Garry Brown Rocio Fierro-Pérez Asher Knutson Mariana Krueger J. Scott Neal Steven Rivas Commissioners in attendance remotely: Alexander Andersen KB Brookins Morgan Davis Vice Chair McLeod called the meeting to order at 6:33 PM. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission's regular meeting on June 16, 2025. The minutes of the June 16, 2025 meeting were approved on Commissioner Krueger’s motion, Commissioner Benson’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Brookins and Fierro-Pérez were off the dais. Chair Coyne and Commissioners Bandit and Treviño were absent. STAFF BRIEFINGS 1. Briefing regarding the status of current public health grants. Briefing by Cassandra DeLeon, Deputy Director, Austin Public Health. The presentation was made by Cassandra DeLeon, Deputy Director, Austin Public Health. 2. Briefing regarding the work of the Human Rights Division on Immigrant Affairs. Briefing by Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer for the City of Austin, and Rocio Villalobos, Immigrant Affairs Manager, Austin Equity & Inclusion. Item 2 was taken up before Item 1 without objection. Page 1 of 4 The presentation was made by Shafina Khaki, Human Rights Officer for the City of Austin, and Rocio Villalobos, Immigrant Affairs Manager, Austin Equity & Inclusion. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion regarding the Immigrant Affairs Quality of Life Study and findings on the queer immigrant experience in Austin. Presentation by Melissa Ortega, Chair, and Miriam Dorantes, Vice Chair, Commission on Immigrant Affairs Withdrawn without objection. 4. Presentation providing information about House Bill 32 and avenues for public engagement, community education, and coordinated responses. Presentation by Miriam Laeky, Government Affairs Director, Equality Texas. The presentation was made by Miriam Laeky, Government Affairs Director, Equality Texas. 5. Discussion regarding the content of the commission’s 2024-2025 Annual Internal Review Report. Discussion was held. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Approve bylaw amendments to add a secretary officer role and update the staffing department. The motion to approve bylaw amendments to add a secretary officer role and update the staffing department was approved on Commissioner Brown’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on an 11-0 vote. Chair Coyne and Commissioners Bandit and Treviño were absent. 7. Approve a recommendation to recognize the service and accomplishments of former Commissioner Brandon Wollerson. The recommendation to recognize the service and accomplishments of former Commissioner Brandon Wollerson was approved on Commissioner Brown’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 10-0 vote. Chair Coyne and Commissioners Bandit and Treviño were absent. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 8. Update from the Community Safety Working Group regarding the working group goals and scope, a potential community town hall, and exploration of partnerships with Emergency Medical Services, Austin Fire Department, and the Office of the Community Liaison. Update by Commissioner Benson. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Update from Miriam about September implementation of legislature bills Update regarding progress on an lgbtq historical marker on 4th street. Officer elections for secretary Vice Chair McLeod adjourned the meeting without objection at 8:57 PM. Page 2 of 4