Minutes for Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting: June 9, 2015

Call to Order

Having achieved a Quorum (see Roll Call, below), the June 9, 2015 General 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:  (11) Commissioners: Dacumos, Dixon, Guy, Jenkins, Kennedy, Maffei, Marshall, Miller, Noetzel, Rogers, and Wong.   

Absent:  Excused (5) Comm. R. Baldonado (Illness), Comm. J. Gallagher (Work), Comm. S. Pandey (Active Duty Deployment), Comm. B. Smith (Out of State travel), Comm. A. Weeby (Out of State travel).

Office of City Attorney was not represented at the meeting.

Note: Commission strength currently at 16 members, with one (Mayoral Appointed) Vacancy.

Approval of AGENDA

Motion to accept Agenda was made by made by Comm. Maffei (2^nd. Comm. Marshall). After minor spelling corrections subject AGENDA was APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY, as corrected.

Review of Minutes of Previous VAC meeting.

Motion to Approve draft of Minutes for VAC meeting of May 12, 2015 (as written by Comm. Kennedy), made by Comm. Dacumos, (2nd Comm. Guy). After minor spelling corrections subject MINUTES were APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY, as corrected.

Agenda item 1 – Call for PUBLIC COMMENT

Guest (and Veteran) ALWMC Commissioner Wallace Levin provided information and updates on the Veterans Day Parade

and the new route through Fisherman’s Wharf.

Agenda item 2 - Officers Reports  

A.   President’s Report;

President Noetzel reported that he and other Commissioners have been ACTIVE in attending meetings (on VAC Issues) since last meeting; including:

5/18/15 meeting with Mr. Albert Jaimes, Senior Manager of Public Affairs and Community Relations, with S.F. Giants.  Full report when we get to Agenda Item 4A, Old Business.

5/19/15 Meeting in Walnut Creek office of CA Dist. 11 Congressman Mark DeSoulnier, with 3 Commissioners and key leaders of Friends of Port Chicago, to discuss potential for Restorative Justice for US Navy Sailors of Port Chicago. Full Report when we get to Agenda Item 4D

5/28/15 General Meeting of the S.F. Human Rights Commission, to make full Presentation to the SFHRC to advocate for a Mirror Resolution to our earlier Resolution on Restorative Justice for US Navy Sailors of Port Chicago. Full Report when we get to Agenda Item 4D

Pres. Noetzel concluded by reminding Commissioners that the BEST way to accomplish our goals, is to do so in a coordinated, and Commission Authorized effort. He asked for greater coordination when Commissioners have incidental meetings with City Officials, and requested a follow-up email including a short synopsis of the meeting or conversation.

B. Vice Presidents Report; 

         Vice President Michael Maffei stated that he had nothing to report this month.

C.  Secretary’s Report;  Secretary Kennedy reported that Public Notice and all relevant documents for this meeting were distributed timely and as per distribution schedules.

Agenda Item 3.  NEW Business – 

1. Presentation on VETS DIGEST.  Mr. Aaron Saari, a US Military Veteran and Founder and Curator of the dynamic new weekly SF Vets Digest and Calendar made a full presentation of the purpose and use of his weekly ‘Online’ Digest and calendar that gathers and publicizes Veteran Related events in S.F. and Bay Area.

2. Re-establishment of Communications with Office of the Mayor.  Pres. Noetzel opened this discussion with a review of his attempts (since April of 2015) to communicate with the office of the Mayor on several different issues, and the highly unusual months-long lack of response. After a short discussion, V.P. Maffei offered to make a new attempt, on behalf of the Commission to contact the Office of the Mayor, and ask for a meeting to establish a “Re-Set” of a viable communications link. He will report on his meeting at the next VAC meeting (August, 2015).

Agenda Item 4.  Old Business

A.   First Annual North Beach Veterans Day Parade and Festival.  Pres. Noetzel to provide Update Report on continuing progress being made by ALWMC Commissioner and Event Director Nelson Lum, on this initiative.

B.   VAC Research Team on Veterans Mental Health .  Comm. D. Guy, Team Leader, indicated no new progress on this issue. Will Report again in future.

C.    Veterans Housing  Commissioners discussed a the Veterans Housing issue and Mayor Lee’s announcement of new Housing Bond.

D.    Research Team on Restorative Justice for Port Chicago Sailors.  D. Research Team on Restorative Justice for Port Chicago Sailors. Commissioner Jenkins provided an update on Restorative Justice issue.

E.    83rd Annual U.S. Mayors Conference, in S.F., June 19-22 2015.  Comm. Marshall reported that he continues to work “back channel” connections at Office of the Mayor to facilitate at least a VAC presence at the Veterans Affairs Task Force session, scheduled for Friday morning, June 19. 

F.    Status Report on Compilation of Services Available to Bay Area Veterans.  In the absence of Lead Commissioner Sam Pandey (currently on active duty deployment), this issue was tabled for further research.

Agenda Item 5.  Veterans Related LEGISLATION. No now legislation at this time.

Agenda Item 7.  ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Floor opened for short announcements of veteran related events and/or activities.

Agenda Item 8.  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.

Agenda Item 9.  ADJOURNMENT   (At 8:05pm)

Minutes of the 6/9/15 VAC Meeting written by Secretary Dwane Kennedy, and were unanimously approved at VAC Meeting of 8/11/15