Nefertiti Jackman, Community Displacement Prevention Officer with Austin Housing, told the Community Development Commission that its primary role "is to advise the council in the development and implementation of programs designed to serve the poor and the community at large with an emphasis on federally funded programs," and reviewed bylaws, membership rules and staff support.

Jackman recited the tripartite composition required by the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG): the commission is composed of 15 members, eight selected through democratic community processes and seven nominated by a council committee (five elected public officials or their representatives and two members from major community groups). She emphasized that board members do not act in an official capacity except through board action and cautioned against using the title to advocate for individual services outside commission recommendations.

Jackman said the CDC must maintain a housing committee (the only required standing committee under current bylaws) and noted that volunteer committee work and appointments have included Housing Investment Review Committee representation and a seat on the South Central Waterfront Advisory Board. She said Austin Public Health and Austin Housing regularly present on federally funded programs and that the commission's practical sphere of influence is advising council: "recommendations are another way that you are influencing council" — while resolutions and final actions originate with City Council.

On training, Jackman noted a statutory or federal reference in the bylaws to an "information memorandum number 82 by the Community Development Block Grant Division of the Federal Department of Health and Human Services," and said she would research the memorandum further because staff had difficulty locating it. Jackman also described the CAPER, consolidated plan and action plan cycles and the commission's role in reviewing HUD-entitlement grant materials (CDBG, HOME, HOPWA, ESG).

Commissioners asked about monthly presentations from Austin Housing and requested onboarding and recorded briefings on program history and grant mechanics; commissioners expressed support for a recurring training/onboarding module so new members could get a baseline on CSBG and HUD grant context.