Minutes for Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting: Aug. 11, 2015

Call to Order

Having achieved a Quorum (see Roll Call, below), the August 11, 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: Dixon, Guy, Jenkins, Kennedy, Maffei, Miller, Noetzel, Pandey, Rogers, Smith and Wong.   

Absent:  Excused (5) Comm. R. Baldonado and D. Dacumos (illness), Comm. J. Gallagher and A. Weeby (Work), Comm. J. Marshall (Personal situation).

City Attorney W. Snodgrass was present at the meeting.

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

Approval of AGENDA

A. Motion was made by Comm. Kennedy (2^nd Comm. Maffei) to accept Agenda and hear Item 3B (i.e. Definitions and Implications of Commission “Endorsement” and/or “Support”), BEFORE Agenda item 3A (i.e. War Memorial Veterans Building Reopening Ceremonies).  Motion APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

Review of Minutes of Previous VAC meeting.

Motion to Approve draft of Minutes for VAC meeting of June 9, 2015 (as written by Comm. Kennedy), made by Comm. Rogers, (2nd Comm. Maffei). Without objection, subject MINUTES were APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

Agenda item 1 – Call for PUBLIC COMMENT
No Public Comment was offered.

Agenda item 2 - Officers Reports  

A.   President’s Report;
President Noetzel reported that his items are covered within the Agenda.

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. Definitions and Implications of Commission “Endorsement” and/or “Support”. 

The Commission discussed past efforts on Endorsements and Support definitions.  Commissioners Maffei, Kennedy and Rogers volunteered to work as a Passive Research Team to begin drafting a new endorsement/support policy and present findings at the September meeting.

2. War Memorial Veterans Building Re-Opening Ceremonies

Former Commissioner Eduardo Ramirez provided a presentation on the purpose and scope of the October 28, 2015 Veterans Building Reopening for Veterans, that he is hosting. He stated that the event will include a “One-Stop” Veterans Services Event, including areas and hosts for Health Care, Careers, Education, and Housing. He further stated that the 10/28 Event will also be a Fund Raiser, to develop funds to provided much needed Electronic Equipment required by Veterans Organizations, to facilitate meetings and events.

3. RELOCATION of Veterans Day Parade to Fisherman’s Wharf Area.  (Action Item)
   

   President Noetzel distributed a Draft Resolution regarding the relocation of the Veterans Day Parade.  After some discussion, the Commission voted to adopt the Resolution and forward it to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors under cover of a VAC Advice Letter.

    

4. SERVICES GUIDE for Bay Area Veterans
   

   President Noetzel opened item by distributing (for examination) three (3) different current Services Guides for Veterans. They included:

   • The California Veterans Resource Book, a 205-page hand, book of Veterans Services as published by the California Department of Veterans Affairs
   • The  VISN 21 Benefits book for Veterans and Dependents, a 60-page “flip booklet” as published by VA Sierra Pacific Network
   • A Veterans Services Guide – a 6-page directory of the primary Bay Area Veterans Service Organizations, as published by the office of Rep, Nancy Pelosi.

   There was considerable discussion as to the value and functional benefit of development of a comprehensive “online” Directory of Services for local veterans – and the question of how the Commission might be involved in development of such a Directory.  Comm. Rogers raised the question of “Mission Creep”, asking if the Commission had either the capability or mandate to lead such an effort. Comm. Pandey spoke of the current work being done by Deliotte Corp. in their comprehensive study and statistical survey of Bay Area veterans. He suggested that we might do well to wait on completion of that effort before deciding how the Commission might get involved in development of a Services Directory. The issue was left for further discussion at future VAC meetings.

    

Agenda Item 4.  Old Business

1. Re-establishment of Communications with Office of the Mayor.  V.P. Maffei reported that communication between the VAC and the Mayors Office has been re-established.  The Mayors Office has been advised of the unfilled Commission Seat and the Re-routing of the 2015 Veterans Day Parade.

2. Restorative Justice for Port Chicago Sailors.  Lead Commissioner Jenkins provided a comprehensive update on the Restorative Justice issue and progress over the past month. She reports that on 7/14/15, Supervisor Malia Cohen introduced ‘Mirror Resolution’ to the SF Board of Supervisors calling for Federal legislation and/or a Presidential Proclamation to bring Restorative Justice (even posthumously) to the ‘Port Chicago Fifty”. The resolution was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors.   The Board of Supervisors issued Certificate of Honor to the Veterans Affairs Commission for their efforts.

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

4. Veterans Affairs Task Force session, at  83rd Annual U.S. Mayors Conference, in S.F., June 19, 2015.

   Pres. Noetzel reported that he attended this Task Force Session as a guest. Session was co-Chaired by Rochester NY Mayor Arrdell Brede, and Mayor J.Y. McElveen of Sumpter, GA. The Task Force consisted of approx.. 20 additional Mayors or their representatives. The primary focus of the Task Force Speakers was on the subject: Helping Communities Respond to DOD’s Budget Reductions, and the financial impact of Military Facility or Base Closures on their local economy.

    

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

Agenda item 6.  WAR MEMORIAL VETERANS BUILDING  President Noetzel reported that his email exchange with Ms. Elisabeth Murray, Managing Director of the S.F. War Memorial and Performing Arts Center indicates that there is a tentative schedule for a Veterans Building Civic Rededication Ceremony, planned for 11:00am on Wednesday, the 16^th of September. She closed by informing us that she would send us more definitive information, as soon as she has it.

Agenda Item 7.  ANNOUNCEMENTS: 
Commissioners made announcements regarding upcoming veteran related events. 

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 8:30pm)

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