VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION

City and County of San Francisco

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

San Francisco, CA 94102

 

 

MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, February 12, 2019 – 1800

San Francisco City Hall, Room 416

 

 DAVID CHASTEEN, PRESIDENT (DELAYED)

WILLIAM BARNICKEL, CHRISTINE BORGOGNONI, MATTHEW BRAUER (EXCUSED),    DEBORAH DACUMOS, MARGO ELLIS, KIM FLAHERTY, GEORGE ISHIKATA,        JEFF MARSHALL (EXCUSED), VICTOR OLIVIERI, RAYMOND WONG (DELAYED)

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

Meeting called to order at 1800 by Vice President Olivieri.

 

ROLL CALL AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

 

COMMUNICATIONS

Officer’s Reports

Vice President – Broadly outlined plans for a retreat, a summit, and happy hour gatherings to improve VAC operations.Indicated further discussion would occur during New Business, and asked the Commissioners to provide additional thoughts on how to improve our processes.Mentioned the plan to establish committees of three Commissioners to handle the work of the VAC.Outlined the plans to leverage the fact-finding authority of the VAC, and that we would ask the BOS to pass legislation that addresses issues of concern to the VAC.Commented that other initiatives include a review of our existing bylaws and reinvigoration of our social media presence (our website and Facebook page).Noted that his role as VP will be to usher in new internal actions.

 

Secretary – Noted the receipt of one piece of correspondence, which is under review.Asked Commissioners to provide contact reports with any Supervisors by e-mail for consolidation and inclusion in the minutes.The VP clarified that Commissioners should meet with their sponsoring Supervisor monthly to determine if there are any pending actions or issues related to veterans, and to offer assistance on veteran-related issues.Commissioner Borgognoni asked for clarification of sponsoring Supervisors; the VP provided this information and indicated new Commissioner appointments might alter this.The VP yielded the gavel to the President at 1812.

 

President – Reported the Executive Committee met and discussed ways the VAC could improve its operations.Subsequently deferred allotted time to Vice President Olivieri to discuss details of the EC meeting.

 

Veterans Related Legislation – Commissioner Wong reported about the recent Federal Appeals Court ruling that will potentially return disability benefits to a number of Blue Water Navy veterans from the Vietnam War exposed to Agent Orange.Commissioner Wong explained the Navy classified ships as Blue Water (ocean vessels off the territorial cost of the country) or Brown Water (those which operated on the interior waterways). Brown Water Navy vets received presumptive benefits for Agent Orange related disabilities, whereas Blue Water Navy vets didn’t, even if they may have been exposed to Agent Orange.This court ruling should correct this injustice.

 

 

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

Motion to approve the January 9, 2019, Commission Meeting Minutes by Commissioner Ellis; seconded by Commissioner Flaherty.  Approved by acclimation.

 

 

AGENDA CHANGES

Motion to modify the February 12, 2019 Commission Agenda by Vice President Olivieri; seconded by Commissioner Ellis.Motion to approve modified agenda by Commissioner Ellis; seconded by Commissioner Flaherty.Approved by acclimation.

 

REGULAR AGENDA

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

            President Chasteen indicated the initial draft of the annual report is complete and he is updating it based on the minutes from last year.  He will share the updated draft at the next meeting.  VP Olivieri asked Commissioners to report if anyone had any absences from first half of 2018.

 

NEW BUSINESS

VP Olivieri discussed the VAC retreat.  The goal of the event is for Commissioners to get to know each other.  He stated establishing the date was the important first step.  The plan is to conduct a 3 to 4 hour program at the Veteran’s War Memorial Building starting at 1000 to discuss projects, assignments, and pending major requirements, then conclude with lunch.  After discussion about Commissioner availability, VP Olivieri made a motion to hold our inaugural retreat on Sat, 16 Mar; President Chasteen seconded the motion.  The majority of Commissioners concurred; one abstained.  As with any meeting of the VAC, VP Olivieri noted the event will be open to the public, and we will need to accommodate public comment.  He concluded by noting we might invite key personnel to join us.

 

VP Oliveri discussed the VAC summit.  He described the summit as a big kickoff event for the VAC.  The plan is to hold it for a half day in June, which is immediately before the BOS departs on summer break, and before the submission of the City budget.  He stated the initial thought is to invite the Mayor’s Office, the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, the SF Municipal Transportation Agency, the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, an office to discuss VA loans, etc. and that we will continue developing the program.  He noted that establishing the date is the first step.  After discussion among the Commissioners about an ideal date, Commissioner Flaherty motioned to conduct the summit on Wed, 12 Jun; President Chasteen seconded the motion.  By acclimation, the motion passed.

 

            President Chasteen spoke about the VAC conducting regular social events.  He noted the difficulty is ensuring we remain in compliance with the existing Sunshine Ordinance.  He’s contacted our POC in the City Attorney’s Office and was informed the VAC can legally conduct informal meetings, such as happy hours, with the proviso we must post notification, as with any meeting.  He indicated the plan is to append notification to already planned commission meetings.  Commissioner Flaherty asked if we intended to conduct these informal events at an established location; President Chasteen responded we can do either, and that we might consider assembling at veteran-owned businesses.  He also noted for convenience, sites near City Hall are likely best for assemblies after the VAC meeting.  President Chasteen made a motion to approve the plan to conduct informal meetings such as happy hour; Commissioner Borgognoni seconded the motion.  The majority of Commissioners concurred; one abstained.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

            None

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

An opportunity for members of the public to directly address the Commission on items of interest to the public that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission, including items being considered today which have not been considered by a Commission committee and excluding items which have been considered by a Commission committee. Members of the public may address the Commission for up to three minutes. Each member of the public will be allotted the same number of minutes to speak, except that public speakers using translation assistance will be allowed to testify for twice the amount of the public testimony time limit. If simultaneous translation services are used, speakers will be governed by the public testimony time limit applied to speakers not requesting translation assistance. The President or the Commission may limit the total testimony to 30 minutes.

 

Members of the public who want a document placed on the overhead for display should clearly state such and subsequently remove the document when they want the screen to return to live coverage of the meeting.

 

            Mr. Craig Peterson, a member of the Alameda County Veterans Affairs Commission as well as a 30-year Navy veteran and Faculty Staff Advisor at USF for a student veterans organization, introduced himself, expressed a desire to observe the functioning of the SF VAC, and offered his assistance.

 

            The Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, Mr. Gil Sanborn, introduced CPT Michael Whitted, the Company Commander of the US Army South Bay Recruiting Company.  Mr. Sanborn indicated a desire to improve the image of the Army and the military in San Francisco, and to help create a positive impression of veterans.  He indicated CPT Whitted would give us an opportunity to see what it’s like on the front end of this effort, working with a mix of perceptions.

 

            CPT Whitted thanked the VAC and Mr. Sanborn, and explained his company covers the area from San Francisco to Mountain View, with only 33 recruiters.  He stated his goal was to seek community support for recruiting efforts, since San Francisco is one of top 20 areas in the country with greater recruiting opportunities.  More importantly, CPT Whitted indicated he wants to combat the negative image of the military in San Francisco, to change public’s image of Army, and to increase Army awareness in the City.  He believes the dissemination of information is his biggest challenge, especially with such a small number of recruiters and a small uniformed presence here.  He noted they are working on trying to spread info through various platforms, having worked with iHeart radio, a local Asian TV station, social media, and through a corporate chamber of commerce package.  He stated he wants to enlighten folks on opportunities and resources available through the Army, and in so doing, possibly change the image of the military in San Francisco.  He noted one concern in the veterans’ community is finding employment after separating from the military.  He stated the PaYS (Partnership and Youth for Success) program is an option.  He has also worked on partnering with major companies across the country (e.g., Facebook, Sony, Tesla).  He has dedicated some of his recruiting force to bring other companies into fold.  He wanted to ensure the VAC was aware of these additional veterans resources.  Commissioner Ellis asked if CPT Whitted was working with the Department of Labor program that provides transition assistance.  CPT Whitted indicated they are not yet doing so.  Commissioner Ellis also noted the Presidio Trust has a student consortium that can organize and help with officer recruiting.  CPT Whitted appreciated the information.  Commissioner Flaherty asked how corporate partnerships work, if they entailed in-kind support, funds, connections, etc.  CPT Whitted responded these partner corporations have no obligation except to prioritize veteran applications, and guarantee those individuals an interview.  But he also noted many corporations are going beyond that to partner and host events.  One recently funded a mixer in Sacramento.  Commissioner Flaherty suggested that the Army should insist on more obligations.  VP Olivieri asked how the VAC can assist CPT Whitted.  CPT Whitted responded that he just wanted to share the information so the VAC can have greater awareness.

 

            Mr. Sanborn made some closing comments.  He suggested we need to follow up on corporate relationships and educate those companies on how to hire/integrate vets and how to support them.  He cited his experience in Connecticut, where he arranged for a quarterly meeting with companies to educate them on veterans issues.

 

 

HONORS REPORT 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 adjourned at 1847

 

 

This document is Official Business of the Veterans Affairs Commission, City and County of San Francisco.  It is part of the official Public Record of the City and County of San Francisco.

 

Public Access:

Public Records are covered under the State of California Brown Act, as well as the Sunshine Ordinance of the City and County of San Francisco. These acts ensure that deliberations of City Business are conducted “before the People,” and that City and County operations are open to the People’s review.

 

For information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance (Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code), or to report a violation of the ordinance, please contact:  Mr. Chris Ruston, Administrator, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, at (415) 554-7724.

 

Veterans Affairs Commission Meetings:

General meetings of the SFVAC are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month, with the exception for the month of July, when there is no scheduled SF VAC meeting, and are held in Room 416 in City Hall.

 

Meeting confirmation, and specific announcement of general meetings are made via public posting of the Meeting Agenda as required by law, at least 72 hours prior to scheduled meetings. Agendas for SFVAC meetings (and archived meeting minutes) are available on the SFVAC Pages of the City of San Francisco website, and are also available for public view and inspection at the 5th Floor Government Information Center at the San Francisco Public Library, at 100 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.  The documents librarian telephone number is (415) 554-4472.

 

Disability Access:

City Hall of San Francisco is wheelchair accessible via all entrances.  There is wheelchair accessible public parking nearby, including the underground garage at the north side of City Hall.  The nearby BART/MUNI station (Civic Center) is wheelchair accessible as are nearby city bus lines and stops.  For more public transit information services, call (415) 923-6142 or dial 311.