Veterans' Affairs Commission - August 10, 2021 - Minutes

Meeting Date: 
August 10, 2021 - 6:00pm
Location: 
Related Meeting Content:
Agenda

DRAFT MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, August 10, 2021 – 6:00 pm

 

PRESENT
 
STEPHEN MARTIN-PINTO
JOSEPH BABA
WILLIAM BARNICKEL
DOUGLAS BULLARD
HANLEY CHAN
JASON CHITTAVONG
DEBORAH DACUMOS,
GEORGE ISHIKATA
CHRISTOPHER MCDONALD
COURTNEY MILLER
NICHOLAS RUSANOFF
RAYMOND WONG
 
ABSENT
Victor Olivieri
Ikram Mansori
Matthew Brauer
Jeff Marshall
 
Call to order at 1805                       

Roll Call conducted; quorum confirmed

COMMUNICATIONS

Officers’ Reports

President Olivieri – Secretary Martin-Pinto provided an update from the President and status of funding and plan to hire a Secretary.  Noted the VAC will not move under the HSA as mentioned in a previous e-mail.  Asked commissioners to vote on initial upcoming events.

Vice President Mansori – Nothing significant to report

Secretary Martin-Pinto – Nothing significant to report

Committee Reports

Legislative Committee – Conducted a meeting with the VP of VAC to discuss various projects.  Will update plans and provide more information later.

Finance Committee – Commissioner Marshall

Communications Committee – Commissioner Chittavong briefly noted that the committee discussed how it could best assist the VAC.  Also discussed how to best develop followers on social media forums for VAC.  Working on gaining access to sfgov.org site to make our site more functional for the VAC.  Secretary indicated he must transfer Twitter, Facebook, Instagram accounts, as well as website access to the committee.  Final item committee noted was need to establish government interface; to make other offices aware of the existence and functions as a VAC.

Events Committee – 16-17 Aug event on improving veteran healthcare; 10 Nov possible veteran event at War Memorial building; possible veteran event on 10 Nov at CCSF as well.  Secretary asked all to pass info to the Communications Committee to advertise this information.

Rules Committee – NSTR

Ad Hoc Committee – Meeting conducted with CoS for Supervisor Walton, resulted In resolution to keep Vet’s Center in SF.  Speaker Pelosi’s Office in SF very interested.

Supervisor Liaison Reports

District 1: Sup. Chan – Noted communications regarding Swords to Plowshares.

District 2: Sup. Stefani – Nothing significant to report

District 3: Sup. Peskin – Nothing significant to report

District 4: Sup. Mar – Sunset Forward found many are struggling with affordable housing.  So he’s working on low market housing.

District 5: Sup. Preston – Will reach out.

District 6: Sup. Haney – Nothing significant to report

District 7: Sup. Melgar – Nothing significant to report

District 8: Sup. Mandelman – Nothing significant to report

District 9: Sup. Ronen – Will forward summary information regarding response on VAC issues.

District 10: Sup. Walton – Nothing significant to report

District 11: Sup. Safai – Limited contact, though discussed JROTC funding issue.

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

Commissioner Chittavong moved to continue approval of June meeting minutes.  Seconded by Commissioner MacDonald.  Unanimous concurrence.

AGENDA CHANGES

No proposed changes to the agenda.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

  • IT support for veteran’s affairs commission.  Commissioner Chittavong reported that efforts continue between DOIT ad HSA to address this issue without resolution.

NEW BUSINESS

  • 9/11 Day of Service Ad Hoc Committee – Secretary Martin-Pinto indicated we need representation on this committee.  Requested Commissioner Barnickel find out information about this.

  • Fleet Week Ad Hoc Committee – Commissioner Baba contacted Lewis Loewen regarding Fleet Week; recommend getting as many elected representatives onto tours as possible.  The Fleet Week staff seemed hesitant to commit given the COVID uptick.  Secretary Martin-Pinto asked all commissioners to identify any Fleet Week activities they hear about, so select personnel can attend.

  • Veterans Day Parade Ad Hoc Committee – Secretary Martin Pinto indicated we need to find out who is running the parade this year; tasked Commissioners MacDonald and Dacumos to find out who is running the event this year.

  • Veterans Day Event with AmericaWorks – Commissioner Baba indicated he was approached to obtain VAC support for an event on 10 Nov at CCSF.  Asked for VAC to attend and provide support.  Secretary Martin-Pinto asked Commissioner Baba to keep us apprised as things progress.

  • Veterans Month – Secretary Martin-Pinto described the history of Veterans Month, and indicated he needed to speak to the President to determine if there are any events programmed for the month.

  • Resolution to keep Veteran’s Center in San Francisco – Commissioner Miller indicated it would be helpful to have a resolution to keep the Vet’s Center in San Francisco.  Commissioner Chittavong shared that the space offered by Swords to Ploughshares was insufficient for the need.  Commissioner MacDonald moved that the VAC supports the retention of the Vet’s Center in San Francisco.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Chittavong.  Motion passes unanimously.

  • Report on treatment of Veterans in Italy, compared to US – Commissioner Rusanoff reported that he initiated contact with the equivalent of the VAC in Rome during a personal trip, to assess the process employed there.  Although unable to meet with representatives in Rome, they invited the VAC for an official visit at a later date.  A further visit was related to medical care provided.  The VA would benefit in reviewing the process in Italy and make changes in some of our processes.  Of note, suicide accounts for a larger loss of personnel than expected.  The VAC equivalent of Italy presented a plaque to the VAC in appreciation.  The Italian embassy in San Francisco is welcoming and interested in establishing an ongoing relationship.

  • Resolution to create dedicated Ad Hoc Committee to lobby for dedicated funding for Veteran’s Justice Court – Commissioner Chittavong outlined the history of select funded positions for the VJC, and indicated there has been no success in securing funding for two positions.  Commissioner Rusanoff noted this was raised to the VAC previously and no action has resulted.  Secretary Martin-Pinto created an ad hoc committee to assist in securing funding for the VJC.  He appointed Commissioner Chittavong as the Chair, and Commissioners Rusanoff and MacDonald to serve as members.

  • Wally Levin in Memoriam Resolution – The commission discussed Wally Levin’s lifetime of service to our nation as well as to the City of San Francisco and the veteran’s community, to include the VAC.  Commissioner MacDonald moved for the VAC to memorialize Wally Levin for his service to the veteran’s community.  Commissioner Wong seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.  Secretary Martin-Pinto tasked Commissioner Wong to draft a letter documenting this resolution, and Commissioners MacDonald and Miller to assist.  He noted his plan was to present the letter to the Honorable Quintin Kopp to present to Wally Levin’s family.

GOOD WELFARE

Secretary Martin-Pinto asked for any notable acts.

Commissioner Chittavong reported that Mr. Carl Payne passed away from cancer recently.  Carl was a US Marine in the 50s and lived a full life.  He served San Francisco as both a cable car operator, as well as a police officer.

Commissioner Chan reported the accomplishment of Mr. Daniel Hurth, who rode a bicycle from Massachusetts to San Francisco, as a way to highlight the unsatisfied need for veterans mental health.  Beyond the distance covered, he endured a major accident, but continued his efforts.

Commissioner Wong noted the passing of a WWII veteran, Mr. Ronald Won, who served in the Navy, and later in the Air Force.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

HONORS REPORT AND MOMENT OF SILENCE

ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner MacDonald made a motion to adjourn.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Chan.  The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned by Secretary Martin-Pinto at 1959.