Item 1: March 9, 2026 Draft Minutes — original pdf

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LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES REGULAR MEETING Wednesday, March 9, 2026 The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 6:30 PM at the Permitting and Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, TX, Room #1406 Commissioners in attendance in person: KC Coyne (Chair) Jerry Joe Benson (Secretary) Garry Brown Asher Knutson Randy Pituk Steven Rivas Commissioners in attendance remotely: Kitty McLeod (Vice Chair) Morgan Davis Rocio Fierro-Perez Chair Coyne called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Tamara Hoover – Cheer up Charlies APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission regular meeting of February 9, 2026. The February 9, 2026 minutes were approved on Secretary Benson’s motion, Commissioner Brown’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Bandit, Johnson, Krueger, and Neal were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Presentation regarding the PHLIV Stigma Index and an HIV Resource Guide. Presentation by Michelle Osorio, Public Health Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health and Rick Astray-Caneda III, President, Friends of the David Powell Clinic. The presentation was made by Michelle Osorio, Public Health Program Coordinator, Austin Public Health and Rick Astray-Caneda III, President, Friends of the David Powell Clinic. Presentation by Austin Pride to provide a high-level update and coordination conversation focused on early planning and alignment for 2026 Austin PRIDE. Presentation by Micah Andress, President, Austin PRIDE. The presentation was made by Micah Andress, President, Austin PRIDE. The meeting went into recess without objection at 7:48 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 8:01 p.m. Discussion regarding a priority list for which organizations to invite to present at commission meetings. Discussion was held. Discussion regarding a view-only folder for commissioner resources. Discussion was held. Discussion regarding potential collaboration with the LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce. Discussion was held. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 7. Report from the FY2026-27 Budget Working Group regarding its proposed budget recommendations. The report was provided by Secretary Benson. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 8. Approve a budget recommendation for LGBTQ legal navigation and community safety coordination. This item was postponed to later in the meeting without objection on Chair Coyne’s motion. Item 8 was taken up after Item 15. The recommendation for LGBTQ legal navigation and community safety coordination was approved with the below amendments on Secretary Benson’s motion, Commissioner Rivas’ second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Bandit, Johnson, Krueger, and Neal were absent. The amendments were as follows: • In the first BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, strike “equivalent” and insert “employee”. • Strike the second BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED and insert: “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this FTE would be the direct point of contact at City of Austin for the LGBTQ+ community to include responsibilities coordinating City services, supporting community education, facilitating navigation & referral pathways, and working with nonprofit and community-based organizations that provide related services. “ 9. Approve a budget recommendation for expansion of Mpox, STI, and Vaccination Programs. Discussion was held. Postponed to later in the meeting without objection on Chair Coyne’s motion. The recommendation for expansion of Mpox, STI, and Vaccination Programs was approved with the below amendments on Commissioner Coyne’s motion, Commissioner Brown’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Bandit, Johnson, Krueger, and Neal were absent. Insert “WHEREAS, the City of Austin has sustained the loss of $800,000 in funding for HIV, STI, and Mpox through 2025-2026 fiscal planning, and a failed city Tax Rate Election has further resulted in a loss of funding; and WHEREAS, community partners have reached out to the LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission expressing grave concern regarding the loss of federal, state, and city funding, which impacts vital health partners such as the KIND Clinic and other community providers that have relied on this city funding in previous years; and” after the first WHEREAS. Strike 1st NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED and insert “NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the LGBTQ+ Quality of Life Advisory Commission recommends that the Austin City Council approve an increase of up to $100,000 in funding to Austin Public Health to expand Mpox vaccination, STI prevention, and HIV prevention programs targeting at-risk and underserved populations.” Insert “BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Austin should restore the loss of $800,000 in general Health and Mental services funding from last year's fiscal budget as referenced in the LGBTQ Commission’s March 2025 recommendation outlining subsidies for Prep Access, Mental and Physical Health programming including HIV, MPox and STI prevention and care.” Approve a recommendation for safety preparedness & first response expansion. The recommendation for safety preparedness & first response expansion was approved on Commissioner Brown’s motion, Secretary Benson’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Bandit, Johnson, Krueger, and Neal were absent. Approve a budget recommendation for housing stabilization support for the LGBTQIA+ community. The recommendation for housing stabilization support for the LGBTQIA+ community was approved on Commissioner Brown’s motion, Commissioner Pituk’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Bandit, Johnson, Krueger, and Neal were absent. Approve a budget recommendation for a community liaison o(cid:431)icer program pilot. There was a motion by Chair Coyne to amend the recommendation to strike “sta(cid:431)ing” from the 4th BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED section. The amendment was accepted without objection. The recommendation for a community liaison o(cid:431)icer program pilot was approved as amended on Commissioner Brown’s motion, Secretary Benson’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Bandit, Johnson, Krueger, and Neal were absent. Approve a budget recommendation for a gender-neutral restroom accessibility initiative. Discussion was held. No action was taken. Approve a budget recommendation for Entrepreneurial Grants for LGBTQIA+ Businesses. The recommendation for Entrepreneurial Grants for LGBTQIA+ Businesses was approved on Commission Brown’s motion, Commissioner Knutson’s second on a 9- 0 vote. Commissioners Bandit, Johnson, Krueger, and Neal were absent. Approve a budget recommendation for an LGBTQ cultural district. Without objection, the meeting went into recess at 9:26 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 9:31 p.m. The recommendation title was amended to strike “Cultural” and “Entertainment”. insert 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. The recommendation was approved as amended on Chair Coyne’s motion, Secretary Benson’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Bandit, Johnson, Krueger, and Neal were absent. 16. Discussion of the commission’s overall budget priorities and potential approval of a cover letter and narrative to supplement FY2026-27 recommendations. Discussion was held. No action was taken. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS - Resolution on safety and new Bettie Naylor St. – Steve ADJOURNMENT Chair Coyne adjourned the meeting at 9:53 p.m. without objection