Veterans' Affairs Commission - September 8, 2015 - Minutes

Meeting Date: 
September 8, 2015 - 6:00pm
Location: 
San Francisco, CA 94102
Related Meeting Content:
Agenda

Minutes for Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting: Sept. 8, 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 6:05pm.  Meeting started with the traditional Pledge of Allegiance.

 

ROLL CALL

Present:  Dixon, Guy, Jenkins, Kennedy, Maffei, Miller, Noetzel, Rogers, and Weeby.  

Absent:  Baldonado, Dacumos, Gallagher, Marshall, Pandey.

City Attorney W. Snodgrass was present at the meeting.

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

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion was made by Comm. Guy (2nd Comm. Kennedy ) to accept Agenda.  Motion APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

REVIEW PRIOR MEETING MINUTES.

Motion to Approve draft of Minutes for VAC meeting of August 11, 2015 was made by Comm. Maffei (2nd Comm. Kennedy).  Subject Minutes were approved unanimously.  

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

  • Mary Ann Rich addressed the Commission and provided background qualifications for service on SFVAC.

  • Wallace Levin addressed the Commission and provided an update on the new route for the Veterans Day Parade in Fisherman’s Wharf.

  • James Cho addressed the Commission and provided background qualifications for service on the SFVAC.

     

    OFFICER’S REPORTS

·President’s Report

      President Noetzel announced the War Memorial Building is opening soon.

·Vice Presidents Report

      Vice President Michael Maffei solicited names for potential SFVAC appointment and gave progress

  • Secretary’s Report

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

     

    NEW BUSINESS

 

  1.  Commission Policy on “Endorsement” and/or “Support”.   

    • Commissioner Maffei presented information and documents regarding new procedures to evaluate, endorse and support outside organizations while streamlining VAC actions.

    • Motion was made by Comm. Maffei  (2nd Comm. Kennedy) to adopt the new form and procedure. Motion APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

  1. War Memorial Veterans Building Reopening Ceremony.

  2. President Noetzel announced that there would be a reopening ceremony for the Veterans Memorial Building.

     

  3. Service Guide to Bay Area Veterans:

  4. Update on the creation of Veterans Service Guide was tabled until future meeting.

           

    OLD BUSINESS

    A.  Restorative Justice for Port Chicago Sailors

  5. Commissioner Jenkins provided information and a progress report on the exoneration of the Port Chicago Sailors.

     

      B.   Veterans Mental Health

  • Commissioner Guy and Noetzel will attend a mental health summit sponsored by Swords to Plowshares.

 

  1. Veterans Related Legislation

  2. Commissioner Miller provided and update on issues related to experiments on military personnel.

     

     

    ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

    Commissioners made announcements regarding upcoming veteran related events. 

 

HONORS REPORTS 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.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Meeting was adjourned at 6.55 p.m.

 

Minutes of the September 8, 2105 VAC Meeting written by Secretary Dwane Kennedy,

And Approved, unanimously, at VAC Meeting of November 10, 2014