VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION

City & County of San Francisco

Mailing Address:  S.F. Veterans Affairs Commission, City Hall #1 Goodlett Place, Room 051, San Francisco, CA 94102

Approved Minutes for Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting: JAN. 12, 2016

Location:  Room # 416, San Francisco City Hall

Call to Order

Having achieved a Quorum (see Roll Call, below), the January 2016 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:  (13) Commissioners: Dacumos, Dixon, Gallagher, Guy, Kennedy, Maffei, Marshall, Miller, Noetzel, Pandey, Rogers, Weeby, and Wong.  

Absent:  Excused (1) Comm. A. Jenkins (Schedule Conflict)

City Attorney W. Snodgrass was also present for most of the meeting.

Note: Commission strength currently at 14 members, with 3 vacancies. (i.e. One BOS Seat #11, and two Mayoral Appointed.)

Approval of AGENDA

Motion to accept Agenda was made by made by Comm. Maffei (2^nd, Comm. Kennedy). 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 December 8, 2015 (as written by Comm. Kennedy), made by Comm. Dixon, (2nd Comm. Maffei). In discussion, President Noetzel presented a list of six (6) individual Motions to change or correct the Minutes as written. They were:

Motion #1:  At Opening sentence of Public Comment segment, change “President Maffei” to “President Noetzel”.  Subsequent vote to adopt the revised text was unanimously approved.

Motion #2:  At start of Honors Report (at end of Minutes), change “President Maffei” to “President Noetzel”.  Subsequent vote to adopt the revised text was unanimously approved.

Motion #3.  Noetzel proposes that the “Call to Order” segment should include the fact that this particular meeting was held, as scheduled, in room 206 of the War Memorial Veterans Building, and revised text should read:

Call to Order

Having achieved a Quorum (see Roll Call, below), the December 8, 2015 General Meeting (of the SFVAC) was called to order (in Room 206 of the War Memorial Veterans Building) 

by President Stephen Noetzel at 6:01pm.  Meeting started with the traditional Pledge of Allegiance.

Subsequent vote to adopt the revised text was as follows:

Voting to adopt: Commissioners Dacumos, Dixon, Gallagher, Marshall, Miller, Noetzel, Rogers and Wong (8)

Voting Nay: Commissioners Kennedy, Maffei, Pandey (3)

Voting Abstain: Commissioners Guy and Weeby (2)

By a vote of 8 votes to 3, (with 2 abstentions), the revised text will be adopted.

Motion #4.   Noetzel proposes that Roll Call record should include detail on Un-Excused Absence as well as Excused Absence, as per previous practice, and revised text should read:

Roll Call

Present: (10) Dixon, Guy, Miller, Jenkins, Kennedy, Wong, Maffei, Rogers, Weeby, Noetzel.

Absent: Excused (3) Dacumos, Gallagher, Marshall

Absent: Un-Excused (1) Pandey

Note: There was no representative from the Office of the City Attorney present at the meeting.

Subsequent vote to adopt the revised text was as follows:

Voting to adopt: Commissioners Dacumos, Dixon, Gallagher, Marshall, Miller, Noetzel, Rogers and Wong (8)

Voting Nay: Commissioners Kennedy, Maffei, Pandey (3)

Voting Abstain: Commissioners Guy and Weeby (2)

By a vote of 8 votes to 3, (with 2 abstentions), the revised text will be adopted.

Motion #5.  Noetzel proposes a re-alignment of existing text in the Public Comment segment to list reference to all three Public Speakers, before adding the closure of Public Comment. After minimal discussion the question was called.

Subsequent vote to adopt the revised text was as follows:

Voting to adopt: Commissioners Gallagher, Miller, Noetzel, Rogers and Wong (5)

Voting Nay: Commissioners Dacumos, Dixon, Kennedy, Maffei, Marshall and Pandey (6)

Voting Abstain: Commissioners Guy and Weeby (2)

The Motion FAILED, 6 votes to 5. The original text will stand

Motion #6.  Noetzel proposes that the title indicated under New Business, Item #2, be revised to improve understanding of the issue in reference, and the revised text should read:

New Business 2.  Proposed Changes to Identifying Signage and Street-light Flags, at War Memorial Veterans Building.

Vice President Maffei briefly described some proposed changes on the subject and suggested these be pursued as a Goal in the 2016 VAC Administrative Year.

Subsequent vote to adopt the revised text was approved as follows:

Voting to adopt: Commissioners Dacumos, Dixon, Gallagher, Marshall, Miller, Noetzel, Rogers and Wong (8)

Voting Nay: Commissioners Kennedy, Maffei, Pandey (3)

Voting Abstain: Commissioners Guy and Weeby (2)

By a vote of 8 votes to 3, (with 2 abstentions), the revised text will be adopted.

No other amendments or change suggestions were offered. Secretary Rogers will issue the December Minutes with revisions, as approved.

Agenda item 1 – Call for PUBLIC COMMENT

Guest, ALWMC Commissioner Wallace Levin spoke to urge the SFVAC to challenge the Board of Trust with regard to preserving the name War Memorial Veterans Building, and specifically to note his objection to BoT plans to establish signage within the building, that deletes “Veterans” from the ‘Veterans Building’.

Guest, (and Veteran) Mr. Alby Bocanegra spoke to introduce himself to the Commission and to express his interest in the work of the Commission, and to announce that he is interested in appointment to the Commission.

Guest, (Name unknown) addressed to Commission with some personal comments

Agenda item 2 - Officers Reports  

A.   President’s Report;   In his last President’s Report, President  Noetzel addressed the Commission with his concern over the deteriorating Attendance Record of this Commission. He referenced his email of 12/14/15 wherein he delivered (to Mayor and Board of Supervisors) the Commission ATTENDANCE REPORT for 2015.  He noted that The Commission had an Absentee Rate of 27%, in 2015, which is worse than that of 2014.  He also asked the Mayor and BoS to consider strengthening sanctions for Un-Announced (i.e. Un-Authorized absence). He noted that he had received a reply from one member of the BoS who offered to work with the SFVAC in this regard.

B. Vice Presidents Report;  Vice President Michael Maffei stated that he had nothing for a Vice President Report this month.

C.  Secretary’s Report;  Secretary  Kennedy reported that meeting notices and agendas were made available to the public more than 72 hours prior the meeting including distribution the Mayor’s Office, BOS, SF Public Library and Interested Parties.

Agenda item 3.   NEW Business – Election of VAC Officers for 2016 Term.

A.  President Noetzel  began by asking Secretary Kennedy to review, for the record, the names of the Commissioners nominated.

The Secretary reported, as follows:   

For the Office of VAC SECRETARY: Comm. Brendan ROGERS.

For the Office of VAC VICE PRESIDENT: Comm. Dwane KENNEDY.

For the Office of VAC PRESIDENT: Comm. Michael MAFFEI.

B.  President Noetzel then called for Candidate Statements.  Nominated candidates were asked to address the Commission to express why there were interested in serving as nominated, and to address their qualifications.

Commissioner ROGERS stated that if elected as Secretary he wan't to work on professionalization of the body through professional communication with outside entities.

Commissioner Kennedy stated that if elected as Vice President he would focus on making recommendations to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors on “best practices” on policies and governance systems affecting San Francisco Veterans.

Commissioner Maffei stated that if elected as President he would faithfully conduct the duties of the office of Commission President – and looked forward to the opportunity to concentrate on new leadership initiatives, including strengthening the working relationship between SFVAC and the Office of the Mayor, and Board of Supervisors.

C.  Election.  Secretary Kennedy distributed Printed Ballots to all 13 Commissioners. Meeting went into recess as Commissioners marked ballots. Meeting Guest Alby Bocanegra volunteered to certify voting and tabulate the vote. After a 10-minute recess, meeting was called to order and Comm. Kennedy announced the voting results, as follows:

For the office of VAC Secretary, Commissioner ROGERS (unopposed)  received a total of thirteen (13) votes.  President Noetzel congratulated Comm. Rogers on his unanimous election to VAC Secretary, for the 2016 term.

 For the office of VAC Vice President, Commissioner Kennedy received a total of twelve (12) votes, with Comm. Noetzel casting a lone Write-In vote for Comm. K. Miller.  President Noetzel congratulated Comm. Kennedy on his election to VAC Vice President, for the 2016 term.

For the office of VAC President, Commissioner Michael Maffei received a total of twelve (12) votes, with Comm. Noetzel casting a lone Write-In vote for Comm. A. Jenkins.  President Noetzel congratulated Comm. Maffei on his election to VAC President, for the 2016 term.

D.  Installation.  As his last act as 2015 President, Comm. Noetzel administered formal installation of New Officers,

           for the 2016 Term, congratulated all, and relinquished the President’s Chair, to newly elected President Michael Maffei.

 From this point forward; Newly Elected President, Michael Maffei, Presiding

Agenda item 4. 

NEW CITY INITIATIVES to address ISSUES OF CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS in S.F. including Homeless Veterans.

Comm. Maffei had planned to introduce (guest) Supervisor MARK FARRELL, for a presentation on the subject, and to participate in discussion. Unfortunately Supv. Farrell sent word that due to a late schedule change he was unable to attend. President Maffei TABLED this item for placement on a future Agenda.

Agenda item 5.   2015 ANNUAL REPORT. Potential Action Item

President Maffei entertained a MOTION to accept his DRAFT of the 2015 Annual Report, however numerous Commissioners said they had not had opportunity to review the document. Comm. Noetzel stated that he was prepared to introduce a number of corrections/amendments to the Report, as written. With this turn of events, Comm. Kennedy made a Motion (2^nd., Comm. Maffei) to TABLE this item for further review and placement on the February meeting Agenda. The Motion was unanimously approved. The ANNUAL REPORT discussion is tabled until next meeting.

Agenda item 6.   Goals and Plans for 2016 Administrative Year

President Maffei started with his own plan for what he would like to see the Commission accomplish, in 2016. He expanded on his earlier Candidate Statement, with emphasis on his major goal of furthering both the professionalism and the efficiency of VAC effort to serve the Veterans of San Francisco, and building positive relationships with all entities of City Government.

President Maffei then opened the floor for Commissioners to offer their plans and goals for 2016.  Each Commissioner presented their anticipated contributions and objectives for 2016:

Comm. MILLER said his primary goal would center on the continuing problem of Veterans Homelessness within the city, and cited specific programs that he would like the Commission to endorse in this effort.

Comm. GUY said her primary goal was to find ways for the Commission to improve communication with the Veteran Community in San Francisco, including greater use of Social Media tools, and meetings with interest groups.

Comm. DIXON said she would like to focus special interest on the issues of Women Veterans, and Women in the Military.

Comm. WEEBY said she would like to see the Commission follow up on the major Study of Veterans Needs and Resources now being completed by Deloit corporation, and find ways to advocate for service to City Veterans based on information developed in the Study.

Comm. DACUMOS stated that her primary goal would emphasize research into how the Commission could study and contribute advice in the area of physical and mental health care, particularly for aging veterans, including palliative care.

Comm. KENNEDY said that his primary goal would be for Commission advocacy to insure that the Veteran Community receives its fair share of housing opportunity as recently authorized in the Public Housing Bond Initiative. He also advocates for advances in the professionalism and efficiency of the proceedings of the Commission.

Comm. ROGERS said his goal would be for the Commission to initiate direct visitation to the operations of local Service Providers who work daily to serve the veterans of our Community, and to learn from them how we might advocate on their behalf.

Comm. NOETZEL said that in addition to his continuing advocacy for fair and equitable space allocation in the War Memorial Veterans Building for all Veterans organizations, he had four new goals that he would , effort for he would like to see the Commission work on in 2016. First was to research potential for a Free-to-Veterans Fitness and Nutrition Gym and Training Program; similar to the VA ‘MOVE’ program but full-time and all-inclusive.  Second, he would like to see establishment of a VAC Bylaws Review Committee. Third, he would like the Commission to study & adopt new strategies to strengthen VAC Meeting Attendance. (Possibly in conjunction with Bylaws Changes), and finally he would like to work on development of an interactive On-Line Bay Area Services Directory for Veterans

Comm. MARSHALL said that one of the best recent developments for the Veterans Community was the successful relocation of the Veterans Day Parade to Fisherman’s Wharf. He would like to see the Commission build on this success to forge a new tradition and new community awareness and interest in S.F. Veterans and their needs. 

Comm. PANDEY mentioned three specific goals. First, the development of a useful Veterans Resources guide. Second, the area of Workforce Development Training, and finally to research the area of Transportation Improvements for the Veterans Community of San Francisco.

Comm. WONG mentioned two specific goals. First he would like to see the Commission once again advocate for greater use of the War Memorial Veterans Building by Veterans and all types of Veterans organizations and Advocacy groups. In addition, he would like the Commission to research the issue of exploitation of Veterans by ‘scammers’.

Comm. GALLAGHER spoke passionately about on two issues. First was his deep concern with the Direction and Oversight of the County Veterans Service Office where he works, including the fact that they will soon be moved from their easy-access Storefront Location (on Van Ness), to larger Administrative Offices on Gough Street, thereby discouraging much needed “walk-In” access for services to their Veteran clientele, and second, on the issue of unavailability of housing opportunities for clean and sober homeless veterans, as all available housing is given to homeless veterans with a variety of addictions.

Agenda item 7: Veterans Related LEGISLATION.

Commissioner Wong mentioned that he had recently forwarded an email to Commission members, (developed by the California Department of Veteran Affairs), titled: Seven California Veterans Assistance Laws that Took Effect on New Year's Day 2016. He urged Commissioners to become familiar with these new benefits to California Veterans.

Agenda item 8: WAR MEMORIAL VETERANS BUILDING  Commissioners were invited to present/discuss recent developments in this area. No further comments at this meeting. There was no new information offered at this time.

Agenda item 9: ANNOUNCEMENTS:  Floor was opened for short announcements of veteran related events and/or activities. Commissioners announced related events.

Agenda item 10: Moment of Silence and Honors Report:

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 11.  ADJOURNMENT 

(At 7:20pm)

Minutes of the 1/12/16 VAC Meeting written by Secretary Brendan Rogers. Approved unanimously with minor edits on 2/09/16.