BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Commision Recommendation Number: (202601XX-XXX): Entrepreneurial Grants for LGBTQIA+ Businesses WHEREAS, local LGBTQIA+ owned businesses contribute significantly to the cultural identity, neighborhood character, and economic vitality of the City of Austin; and WHEREAS, small businesses owned by LGBTQIA+ individuals often face disproportionate barriers to accessing capital, particularly during periods of economic uncertainty and rising operating costs; and WHEREAS, similar City initiatives supporting minority and underserved business owners have demonstrated success in fostering entrepreneurship, business stability, and local job creation; and WHEREAS, no-interest loan and grant programs provide effective, responsible tools for supporting emerging and existing LGBTQIA+ businesses without creating unsustainable debt burdens; and WHEREAS, continued and expanded support for LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs aligns with the City of Austin’s commitments to inclusive economic development, small business resilience, and cultural preservation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Commission recommends that the Austin City Council expand and continue the City’s entrepreneurial support program for local LGBTQIA+ businesses. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commission recommends allocating $200,000 to support no-interest loans and entrepreneurial assistance for LGBTQIA+ owned businesses, building upon prior program models and leveraging existing City economic development infrastructure. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Commission encourages the City to prioritize outreach to small, locally owned, and community-serving LGBTQIA+ businesses that may face barriers to traditional financing. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Page 1 of 2 Attest: _____________________________________________ (Staff or board member can sign) Page 2 of 2 BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Commision Recommendation Number: (202601XX-XXX): Expansion of MPox, STI, and Vaccination Programs WHEREAS, the City of Austin has recognized the importance of integrated vaccination and prevention programs, including Hepatitis and Flu outreach, as essential components of LGBTQIA+ public health efforts; and WHEREAS, Austin health departments and community health centers serving LGBTQIA+ residents, including community-based clinics and nonprofit providers, have demonstrated strong capacity and effectiveness in delivering culturally competent vaccination and prevention services; and WHEREAS, MPox continues to present an ongoing public health concern, particularly for LGBTQIA+ communities, and requires sustained vaccination, education, and outreach efforts rather than one-time emergency responses; and WHEREAS, recent reductions in federal and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) public health funding have placed increased pressure on local governments to maintain continuity of vaccination, STI, and HIV prevention programs; and WHEREAS, expanded local funding would support not only MPox vaccination efforts, but …
LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION SPECIAL CALLED MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026 The LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission convened in a special called meeting on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 6:30 PM at the City of Austin Permitting & Development Center, 6310 Wilhelmina Delco Dr., Austin, Texas, Room 1401/1402. Commissioners in attendance in person: KC Coyne (Chair) Kitty McLeod (Vice Chair) Brigitta Bandit Garry Brown Morgan Davis Steve Rivas Commissioners in attendance remotely: Jerry Joe Benson Mariana Krueger J. Scott Neal Chair Coyne called the meeting to order at 6:33 P.M. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL None. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission special called meeting on December 8, 2025. The minutes were approved on Commissioner Davis’ motion, Commissioner Brown’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Fierro-Pérez and Knutson were absent. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. Discussion regarding the commission’s goals over the next year, activity and expectations for working groups, and attendance needs related to quorum. Discussion was held. Discussion regarding the City’s response to the commission’s recommendation to televise LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission meetings. Discussion was held. Update on the progress of a historical marker on 4th and Colorado street. Update by Commissioner Brown. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 5. Report from the Stakeholder Commissioner Nomination Working Group regarding its proposed nominations for vacant stakeholder commissioner seats. Update by Commissioner Brown. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. 7. Nominate stakeholder commissioners to fill the vacant stakeholder seats on the commission. The motion to nominate Marlon Johnson and Randal Pituk as stakeholder commissioners on the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission was approved on Commissioner Brown’s motion, Commissioner Krueger’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Fierro-Pérez and Knutson were absent. The meeting went into recess for 10 minutes without objection at 8:52 P.M. The meeting was called back to order at 9:02 P.M. Conduct o(cid:431)icer elections for Secretary. The motion to approve Commissioner Jerry Joe Benson as Secretary of the LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission was approved on Commissioner Brown’s motion, Commissioner Davis’ second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Fierro-Pérez and Knutson were absent. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 8. 9. Update from Budget Working Group regarding its FY 2026-27 budget proposals. Update by Commissioner Benson. Update from Community Safety Working Group regarding the planned schedule of presenters at commission meetings. Update by Commissioner Benson 10. Update from the Trans Resource …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE LGBTQ QUALITY OF LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2026, AT 6:30 P.M. PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER, ROOM 1407 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 Kitty McLeod, Vice Chair (she/they) District 1 Commissioner Mariana Krueger (she/her) KC Coyne, Chair (they/them) Steven Rivas (he/him) Brigitte Bandit (they/she) Jerry Joe Benson (he/him) Asher Knutson (he/him) J. Scott Neal (he/him) Garry Brown District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 District 7 District 8 Appointment District 9 District 10 VACANT Rocío Fierro-Pérez (she/her/ella) Mayor Morgan Davis (he/him) VACANT VACANT VACANT 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 special called meeting on December 8, 2025. DISCUSSION ITEMS 2. 3. 4. Discussion regarding the commission’s goals over the next year, activity and expectations for working groups, and attendance needs related to quorum. Discussion regarding the City’s response to the commission’s recommendation to televise LGBTQ Quality of Life Advisory Commission meetings. Update on the progress of a historical marker on 4th and Colorado street. WORKING GROUP RECOMMENDATIONS 5. Report from the Stakeholder Commissioner Nomination Working Group regarding its proposed nominations for vacant stakeholder commissioner seats. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. 7. Nominate stakeholder commissioners to fill the vacant stakeholder seats on the commission. Conduct officer elections for Secretary. WORKING GROUP UPDATES 8. 9. Update from Budget Working Group regarding its FY 2026-27 Budget proposals. Update from Community Safety Working Group regarding the planned schedule of presenters at commission meetings. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. For assistance, please contact the Liaison or TTY users’ route …
