Minutes for Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting: FEB 10, 2015

Call to Order

Having achieved a Quorum (see Roll Call, below), the February 2015 Meeting (of the SFVAC) was called to order (in City Hall Hearing Room #416) by President Stephen Noetzel at 6:00pm.  Meeting started with the traditional Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call

In Attendance for the Meeting:  (12) Commissioners: Baldonado, Caldera, Dacumos, Gallagher, Guy, Jenkins, Kennedy, Maffei, Marshall, Noetzel, Smith, and Wong.
Absent:  Excused (3) Comm. A. Weeby (Schedule Conflict); Commissioners Ramirez and Wilkerson (Commissions Expired).
Absent:  Un-Excused (1) Commissioner L. Burnette
City Attorney W. Snodgrass was also present.

Note: Commission strength currently at 14 members, with one (Mayoral Appointed) Vacancy, and two opened BOS Appointed seats formerly held by Commissioners Ramirez and Wilkerson who previously announced that they will NOT be seeking re-appointment.

Approval of AGENDA

Motion to accept Agenda was made by made by Comm. Kennedy (2^nd, Comm. Dacumos). Without objection, the Agenda was APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY, as distributed.

Review of Minutes of Previous VAC meeting.

Motion to Approve draft of Minutes for VAC meeting of January 13, 2015 (as written by Comm. Kennedy), made by Comm. Caldera, (2nd Comm. Marshall).   In discussion, Commissioner Caldera requested changes to the January 13, 2015 meeting minutes to correct his statement that he had served on the Commission for 17 years when he meant to say seven (7) years. Comm. Dacumos noted that she was absent during the officer elections, therefore she did not vote for any candidates and the record should be corrected.  With no additional corrections, the subject Minutes were unanimously approved, as corrected.

Agenda item 1 – Call for PUBLIC COMMENT

• Guest (and Veteran) Scott Joiner introduced himself to the Commission and announced that he was interested in the work and proceedings of the Commission, and that he had submitted application for appointment to one of the vacant (BOS Appointed Commission seats.

• Guest (and Veteran) Latonia Dixon invited Commissioners to attend an event that she has organized called: Phenomenal Women’ Afternoon Tea on the afternoon of 2/28/15. The event is a tribute to Dr. Maya Angelou, Honoring African American Women Veterans. In concluding her announcement, Ms. Dixon also reiterated that she was interested in the work of the Commission, and had submitted an application for appointment to one of the vacant (BOS )Appointed Commission seats.

• Commissioner Guy reported that there is an organization called Women’s Veterans Connect (President Joanne Martinez).  The mission of this organization is to provide leadership and best practices for working with women veterans.

• Vice President Michael Maffei gave a progress report on efforts to create a staff position in the City of San Francisco.  Meetings have been held between members of the SFVAC and Mr. Elliot from the Mayors Office.  VP Maffei provided specific information about possible funding sources including the CORO Foundation that may support a paid point person to focus on Veterans related programs, grant writing and issues affecting Veterans.

• Commissioner Marshall provided additional information on the efforts to advise the Mayor and Board of Supervisors on ways to assist Veterans.  Additionally, the U.S. Conference of Mayors is being held in San Francisco this June and it would be a great opportunity to convene a Veterans Panel so we can learn more about what other City’s are doing to improve services to Veterans.

• Commissioner Caldera mentioned that he met with Supervisor Cohen to discuss paid staff support for the SFVAC and comparisons to the SF Youth Commission.  President Noetzel pointed out that the Youth Commission is a policy Commission and is different than the SFVAC which is an advisory Commission.

Agenda item 2 - Officers Reports  

1. President’s Report;
   President Noetzel also provided an update on the status of Board of Supervisors new Rules Committee, and what they are doing with respect to new appointments to the SFVAC as there are now five (5) BOS appointed seats that currently stand as ‘expired’.
   The new Rules Committee includes Supv. John Avalos (Chair); Supv. Katy Tang (Vice Chair), and Supv. Malia Cohen. They will contact candidates for appointment (or re-appointments) well prior to the Hearing Date for consideration of candidate Applications.
   It was again noted that Commissioners Ramirez and Wilkerson earlier announced that they will not be seeking re-appointment.
    
2. Vice Presidents Report; 
   Vice President Michael Maffei gave a progress report on efforts to create a staff position in the City of San Francisco.  Meetings have been held between members of the SFVAC and Mr. Elliot from the Mayors Office.  VP Maffei provided specific information about possible funding sources including the CORO Foundation that may support a paid point person to focus on Veterans related programs, grant writing and issues affecting Veterans.
    
3. Secretary’s Report;  Secretary Kennedy stated that he had nothing to report this month.

Agenda Item 3.  NEW Business – 

1. Further ACTION regarding AWOL Commissioner (Burnette).  President Noetzel opened by stating that he was prepared to present text of his draft letter to the President of the Board of Supervisors detailing reasons why Mr. Burnette’s Commission should be terminated. Letter is withheld however as Comm. Guy, informs Commission that she recently had an email from Mr. Burnette, stating that he had (permanently) moved to Colorado to take advantage of a new career opportunity with a friend there.  In light of this new information, Pres. Noetzel agreed to collaborate with V.P. Maffei, to write a shorter letter to the BOS (i.e. Appointing Authority) requesting termination of the Burnette Commission due to his out-of-state move.

Agenda Item 4.  Goals and Plans for 2015 Administrative Year

President Noetzel opened discussion on three issues for further discussion of stated Goals and Plans for the Commission for POTENTIAL ACTION to appoint COMMITTEES, and/or STUDY TEAMS in THREE distinct areas including:

1. Research Team on Protocols for Equitable Assignment to Veterans Housing and other mental health issues. After discussion reviewing the parameters as earlier described by Commissioners Gallagher, Wong, Caldera, Smith and Weeby.
    
2. Committee on Veterans Mental Health Issues to study areas where VAC might provide advice on areas including (but not limited to) issues of: Moral Injury, Depression and Suicide, and more.
    
3. Potential for establishment of Committee on Collaboration and Agenda Development as earlier described by Commissioners Weeby, Guy, Jenkins, Maffei and Marshall.

Agenda Item 5.  OLD Business

1. Report on Relocation of Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  President  Noetzel opened his Report with an update on the progress of our recent initiative to Re-Locate the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from its current undesirable placement in the Embarcadero area, to a more fitting location in the lobby of the War Memorial Veterans Building, after it re-opens in late summer of this year. He concluded that negotiations for such a relocation are moving along slowly, but with no strong objection from any entity.
    
2. Resolution on Justice for Port Chicago Fifty. 
   Research Team leader, Comm. Jenkins re-introduced the issue of the correcting the record for the Port Chicago Fifty.  Commissioner Jenkins provided additional details about the 50 sailors at Port Chicago how they pioneered military integration and non-violent leadership.   The Commission discussed a draft resolution and provided detailed feedback on recommendations to improve resolution. After a full discussion on all suggested text changes, subordinate motions was made and the text changes were ultimately approved by unanimous vote.
   
   
   Finally, the question was called on the original Motion to Adopt and it too passed by unanimous vote. The Resolution urging the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and Mayor to bring Restorative Justice to the US Navy Sailors of Port Chicago is officially ADOPTED by the SFVAC. President Noetzel will insure that it is distributed electronically to all SFVAC Mailing Lists, and follow up with hard-copy Transmittal Letters to Mayor Lee, Members of the SF BOS, and Bay Area members of the US Congress.

Agenda Item 6.  Veterans Related LEGISLATION.

Commissioner Wong provided an update on the Clay Hunt Anti-Suicide Federal Legislation. 

Agenda Item 7.  WAR MEMORIAL VETERANS BUILDING 

President Noetzel provided an update on efforts to create permanent memorial inside the Veterans Memorial Building including a recent plan review meeting with Paul Cox and the Construction/Design Team

Agenda Item 8.  ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Floor opened for short announcements of veteran related events and/or activities

Agenda Item 9.  Honors Report and Moment of Silence:

In memory of American Armed Service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice in all wars and conflicts, plus the passing of homeless veterans and veterans who died while waiting approval of benefits requests and suicides within the veterans and armed services community, and in commemoration of African American Appreciation Month, in respect and gratitude for the historic sacrifices of the brave young men of Port Chicago, many of whom, at an average of only 19 years of age, gave the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our Country,

Agenda Item 10.  ADJORNMENT   (At 7:24pm)

Minutes of the 2/10/15 VAC Meeting written by Secretary Dwane Kennedy, and unanimously approved, as written at the SFVAC Meeting of 3/10/15.