VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION

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

August 9, 2016 SFVAC Meeting Minutes

Call to Order: Having achieved quorum (see Roll Call), the August 2016 meeting of the SFVAC was called to order at 6:00pm, with Vice President Dwane Kennedy presiding.

Roll Call: In attendance: Commissioners Barnickel, Dacumos, Dixon, Flaherty, Guy, Jenkins, Joiner, Kennedy, Maffei, Miller, Noetzel, and Wong.

Absent: Commissioners Weeby and Marshall (all excused)

City Attorney Snodgrass was also in attendance.

Approval of Agenda: Motion made by Commissioner Marshall, Seconded by Commissioner Wong. All present Commissioners approved the agenda with one change (Moving proposed resolution to support Gold Star Families to September).

Approval of Minutes: Motion made by Commissioner Dacomos, Seconded by Commissioner Flaherty. All present Commissioners approve with one

Executive Reports:

President Maffei announced that progress has been made in obtaining an email address for the SFVAC for official purposes. He also announced that Veterans may be eligible for a property tax exemption (per David Chui) and Commissioner Barnickel will be leading a mini job fair and will have flu shots available at MUB 140 at City College of San Francisco.

Vice President Kennedy welcomed Commissioner Noetzel back after an extended absence.

Secretary Guy announced that all materials were distributed in a timely manner and announced that she would be ordering business cards in the near future.

Agenda Items

New Business:

Melissa Washington of the Women Veterans Alliance (WVA) discussed their efforts to empower Women Veteran in California. The Alliance has chapters in the Sacramento area an is looking to expand to the Bay Area.

The WVA focuses on career and professional development and is looking to connect women to resources and each other. With more women leaving the military, this is critical.

Go to womenveteransalliance.org for more details on how to join and who is eligible.

Vice President Kennedy drafted a resolution to support Gold Star Families. The motion was seconded by President Maffei and was approved by all present commissioners with minor edits.

Commissioner Noetzel brought up privacy at the County Veterans Service Office. Commissioner Barnickel has done considerable work on this subject and it was agreed that signage was needed to invite Veterans to ask for a private room. They will be speaking to the powers to be at the CVSO to make this happen.

Old Business:

Secretary Guy and Commissioner Joiner will discuss parameters re: Veteran of the Quarter. It was discussed to honor a long time Veteran Advocate to start and go from there.

The Fairness for Veterans Act was discussed and how it can help stop punishing Veterans for unfair discharges.

A meeting needs to happen re: SFVAC's social media with the City Attorney.

Veterans Related Legislation:

Commissioner Wong reported on Prop 61 that threatens to raise prices of prescriptions for Veterans and their families.

Commissioner Jenkins talked about a resolution for the exoneration of the Port Chicago 50.

Announcements were attached to the agenda.

The honors report was given and the meeting was adjourned at 6:51pm.