Item 1: May 18, 2026 Draft Minutes — original pdf

Backup

LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, MAY 18, 2026 MINUTES The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a special called meeting on Monday, May 18, 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) Jerry Joe Benson (Secretary) Garry Brown Marlon Johnson Randy Pituk J. Scott Neal Anna Nguyen Steve Rivas Commissioners in attendance remotely: Brigitte Bandit Devan Daniel Morgan Davis Rocio Fierro-Perez Mariana Krueger Chair Coyne called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL Ry Vazquez – SAFE + Eloise House Courtney Szigetvari – SAFE + Eloise House Shelby Evans – SAFE + Eloise House Valerie Dabil - SAFE APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission regular meeting on April 20, 2026. The minutes of the April 20, 2026 meeting were approved on Commissioner Daniel’s motion, Commissioner Brown’s second on a 12-0 vote. Commissioner Bandit abstained. Vice Chair McLeod and Commissioner Knutson were absent. 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 Sta(cid:431), Austin Fire Department. The briefing was provided by Chief of Sta(cid:431) Tom Vocke and Lt. Xochitl Chafino, 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. The presentation was made by Mark Gilbert, Director, Hayat Brown. Update regarding the progress of the Mayor’s Public Spaces Task Force. Update by Commissioner Rivas. 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. Update by Commissioner Brown. The meeting went into recess without objection at 8:15 p.m. The meeting was called back to order at 8:24 p.m. Discussion regarding the development of the 2026 General Obligation Bond Program. Discussion was held. 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 was held. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 8. 9. Approve the formation of a Working Group to communicate with Austin Public Health and other health-focused organizations and provide a proposed plan of action and recommendation on long covid, intergenerational dialogue, targeted support for direct service providers, and other health issues pertaining to the LGBTQIA+ Community. There was a motion by Commission Brown, seconded by Commissioner Nguyen, to form a working group that will be health focused and given a timeline of six months. There was a substitute motion by Chair Coyne, seconded by Commissioner Pituk, to approve the formation of a working group to address urgent health needs within the LGBTQIA+ community to potentially include working with Austin Public Health and other health-focused organizations to provide an action plan within the next six months and address urgent priorities in the next six months with monthly updates at meetings. The motion was approved on a 13-0 vote. Vice Chair McLeod and Commissioner Knutson were absent. Working group members: Chair Coyne, Commissioners Daniel, Davis, Johnson, Pituk, Rivas, and community member Katie Drackert. Discussion on how to follow up on this year’s budget recommendations, and potential formation of a working group to track the budget recommendations and follow-up on their potential implementation. The motion to form a working group to follow up on budget recommendations from the LGBTQ commission, create talking points for budget advocacy, provide a budget action plan, potentially meet with Council or identify opportunities to speak at Council meetings, and potentially provide bond and budget education to the commission during regularly scheduled meetings was approved on Chair Coyne’s motion, Secretary Benson’s second on an 11-0 vote. Commissioner Pituk abstained. Commissioner Krueger was o(cid:431) the dais. Vice Chair McLeod and Commissioner Knutson were absent. Working group members: Secretary Benson, Commissioners Daniel, Neal, Rivas. 10. Discussion on Pride Month activities and other LGBTQIA+ events and observances throughout the year and possible action to approve a recommended list of dates for City Council to consider for proclamations. Discussion was held. No action was taken. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 11. Update from the Community Safety Working Group revisiting the goal of the working group and upcoming presentations by City leaders. Update by Commissioner Benson. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Discussion regarding SAFE – Coyne Events on intergenerational dialogue with the community – Neal ADJOURNMENT Chair Coyne adjourned the meeting without objection at 9:45 PM.