VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION
City & County of San Francisco
Mailing Address: S.F. Veterans Affairs Commission, City Hall #1 Goodlett Place, Room051, San Francisco, CA 94102

Minutes for Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting: April 12, 2016
Location: Room # 416, San Francisco City Hall

Call to Order
Having achieved a Quorum (see Roll Call, below), the April 2016 Meeting (of the SFVAC) was called to order (in City Hall Hearing Room #416) by President Michael Maffei at 6:00pm. Meeting started with the traditional Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call
In Attendance for the Meeting: (14) Commissioners: Barnickel, Dixon, Guy, Jenkins, Joiner, Kennedy, Maffei, Dacomos, Miller, Noetzel, Rogers, Weeby, Flaherty, and Wong.
Absent: Marshall (Excused Absence)
City Attorney W. Snodgrass was also present.
Note: Commission strength currently at 15 members, with 2 vacancies.

Approval of AGENDA
Motion to accept Agenda was made by made by Comm. Notetzel (2nd, Comm. Guy).
Without objection, the Agenda was APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY.

Review of Minutes of Previous VAC meeting.
Motion to Approve draft of Minutes for VAC meeting of March 15th, 2016 made by
Comm. Notezel, (2nd Comm. Kennedy). In discussion, Comm. Notzel made a motion that the vacancies detail mayoral or BOS status. No second. Minutes were APPROVED with minor corrections by Commissioners Barnickel, Dixon, Guy, Jenkins, Kennedy, Maffei, Dacomos, Miller, Noetzel, Rogers, Weeby, Flaherty, and Wong. Comm. Joiner abstained.

Agenda item 1 – Call for PUBLIC COMMENT
Guest, Marlisa Davis spoke about the lack of privacy at the County Veteran Service Office.
Guest was placed in contact with Commissioner Notzel for follow up.
Guest and Ivan Serendi spoke about the County Veteran Service Office Openhouse.

Agenda item 2 - Officers Reports

A. President’s Report: President has contacted Mayor's Office to request filling the Mayoral Appointment Seats.

B. Vice Presidents Report: No report

C. Secretary’s Report: Reported that meeting notices and agendas were published.

Agenda item 3. Elder Abuse Prevention Program, Tamari Hedani, Associate Director
A. Spoke about abuse of the Aids and Attendance program though asset manipulation. She hopes to increase better prevention and response coordination between agencies and requests assistance networking with the veterans community.

Agenda item 4. Potential Change to VAC Meeting Format (action item)
President Maffei proposes that announcements be included in the agenda rather than live at the meetings. APPROVED by Commissioners Barnickel, Dixon, Guy, Jenkins, Kennedy, Maffei, Dacomos, Miller, Joiner, Rogers, Weeby, Flaherty, and Wong. Comm. Notzel abstained.

Agenda item 5. Veterans Housing Issue, Comm. Guy Report and Megan Owens Faught (potential action item)
A: Comm. Guy sent a letter to BOS and Mayor requesting notification of large scale homeless camp removal.

B: Megan Owens Faught from HSA reported on SFGOV efforts to end homelessness. Ms. Faught explained the algorithm used to enter the VASH priority list.

Agenda item 6. Report of Bylaws Committee - presentation of proposed changes to current VAC Bylaws
Bylaws Committee met and proposed new bylaw governing attendance.

Agenda item 7: Support for Swords to Plowshares Efforts to Initiate Restoration of Denied Benefits to Veterans, Comm. Noetzel (action item)
Commissioner Noetzel explained the concept of "Bad Paper" and the related work of Swords to Plowshares. Comm. Noetzel presented draft resolution to commission for review and potential motion at a later meeting. Comm. Miller expanded on the work of Swords to Plowshares and provided more detail on the related issues.

Agenda item 8: Commissioners to create SF VAC official LinkedIn page, Comm. Miller and Marshall (potential action item)
commissioners met to discuss, team needs to meet with City Attorney to discuss legality.
Will continue as an action item.

Agenda item 9: Veterans Related Legislation:
A. Comm. Wong. Bill is pending for expansion of medical coverage to include traditional asian medicine for members of uniform services and veterans.

B. Comm. Jenkins provided update on Port Chicago efforts.

Agenda item 10: ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Floor was opened for short announcements of veteran related events and/or activities. Commissioners announced related events.

Agenda item 11: 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 12. ADJOURNMENT
(At 7:46pm)

Minutes of the 4/12/16 VAC Meeting written by Secretary Brendan Rogers.