CALL TO ORDER

Meeting called to order at 1800.

ROLL CALL

COMMUNICATIONS

Officers’ Reports

President Olivieri reported we should expect new commissioner appointments and applications, and asked these be sent through the Rules Committee for vetting.  Next, we’ll have officer elections starting next month, with nominations starting next month.  Please advise if you’re interested in working in that capacity.  Also have been working with Supervisor Ronen’s office on legislation, and will report next month, if possible.  Finally, VP Ellis is resigning due to a move to SC, and Secretary Miller is absent due to a death in the family.  Commissioner Ishikata is serving this month as Secretary.

Committee Reports

                        Events Committee – Commissioner Mansori – No updates to provide.

Rules Committee – Commissioner Ishikata – Draft bylaws cleared through City Attorney and final update provided to commissioners for review.  Once approved, there are two new changes suggested by commissioners the committee will begin action on.

                        Finance Committee – Commissioner Marshall – Met with John Gibber at City Attorney’s Office about creating the SF veterans fund.  Three parts identified: programmatic efforts (grant funding, educational funding); commission positions (secretary, director of veteran affairs); commission expenses (veterans events).  Discussed difference between this fund and VSO (VAC is related to policy).  Discussed good examples to replicate; he suggested the SF Entertainment Commission.  He noted funds created by BoS by ordinance and associated with City Departments.  But VAC is not a City Department, so options involved creating a fund, funding a department, then having VAC administer the fund.  Next step is to secure a sponsor on the BoS (or in the Mayor’s Policy Office).  Once sponsor secured, City Attorney’s Office would draft the legislation, and then present it to the BoS for ratification.  Discussion deferred to next week.

                        Ad hoc Committee – Commissioner Chan – Believe it would be worthwhile to partner with a veteran organization like DAV, and also need to secure a BoS sponsor for this bill.  Continuing to research past legislation (specifically a 1999 disabled veterans bill) and results.

Veterans Related Legislation – No legislation to report on.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

President Olivieri made a motion to deferred approval until next month; Commissioner Martin-Pinto seconded.  Motion passes unanimously.

AGENDA CHANGES

            No motions made for changes.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Veterans Preference in Below Market Rate – Four commissioners have volunteered to work in this area.  Commissioner Barnickel reported on the status of actions and ways to approach this problem.  Commissioner McDonald shared a document and diagram related to the discussion.

NEW BUSINESS

CAPT Larry Vasquez, USN Ret., Director of Military and Veterans Affairs for Office of Mayor of Los Angeles

Invited to begin collaboration and share lessons learned between the two entities.  CAPT Vasquez outlined his scope, which includes military organizations (LA AFB), National Guard (on disaster response and civil unrest), and Corps of Engineers.  Three focus areas include: employment, homelessness, and mental health and veterans suicide.  LA has a Mayor’s Veterans Advisory Council (of nine members).  Also have Veterans Peer Access Network, where veterans train other veterans who need help, whether educational or mental health or housing, they are trained and certified by county to perform this function.  Favorably received by community.  Would like to develop a Fleet Week in LA to match San Francisco’s great Fleet Week.  Commissioner Chan asked if LA has a commission; LA County has a commission, but the city has a council.  Commissioner Marshall asked to discuss funding structure for LA’s efforts.

Veterans Justice Court

Judge Michael Beggert (Presiding) and Ms. Allison West (Director of Collaborative Justice Programs of the SF Superior Court).  Background for proposed resolution in support of the Veterans Justice Court.  The court serves people with a military background and provides service and support to active duty and veteran servicemembers.  They leverage VA for services.  About 40% of clients have a military background, but don’t qualify for VA service.  But current grant is about to expire.  Searching for replacement for that grant, so these individuals aren’t returned to the normal criminal justice system.  Commissioner Chan asked for clarification on funding sources for the court.  President Olivieri asked if these funding problems occur annually.  Ms. West explained the people supporting the court has changed over time, so the funding has shifted.  Commissioner McDonald expressed his appreciation to the court for all they do.

            President Olivieri directed commissioners to review the proposed language for a resolution to send to the BoS.  Commissioner Martin-Pinto made a motion to approve the proposed language; Commissioner Chan seconded.  Motion passed unanimously.  President Olivieri asked commissioners to advise him if they had a supervisor they believe would want to sponsor the resolution.

Philippine Human Rights

President Oliveri noted the City College students that raised this issue asked it be continued to the next meeting and moved such.  Commissioner Martin-Pinto seconds.  Motion passes unanimously and is continued until next month.

Bylaws Amendment

Commissioner Ishikata outlined the one change recommended by the City Attorney’s Office.  Commissioner McDonald moved to adopt the amended bylaws.  Commissioner Marshall seconded.  Motion passes unanimously.

            Commission Appointments

Commissioner Brauer is on extended deployment, so need support with Communications Committee.  Likewise, with VP Ellis’ departure, will need someone to step in.  We’re also one month away from nominations, but considerable work to be done.  Commissioner McDonald and Commissioner Mansouri volunteered to assist.

PUBLIC COMMENT

• none

MEETING ADJOURNED