REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

Tuesday, January 11, 2022 – 6:00 pm

Hosted Remotely via MS Teams

                                                           

https://tinyurl.com/38tf6py3

 

CALL TO ORDER AND WELCOME/President Ikram Mansori

President Mansori called the meeting to order at 6:01pm.

 

ROLL CALL:

Present: President Ikram Mansori, Vice-President Stephen Martin-Pinto, Joseph Baba, William Barnickel, Douglas Bullard, Hanley Chan, Jason Chittavong, Deborah Dacumos, Christopher McDonald, Courtney Miller, Victor Olivieri, Nicholas Rusanoff, Raymond Wong

Absent: Commissioners Matthew Brauer (excused), Jeff Marshall (excused)

Quorum present.

 

COMMUNICATIONS

Officers’ Reports:

• President Mansori dedicated the meeting in memory and honor of fellow Commissioner George Ishikata, who passed away on December 30, 2021. President Mansori extended condolences to Commissioner Ishikata’s family, friends, colleagues, students, and fellow Veterans Affairs Commissioners.  She further noted today begins her term as commission president, and she will strive to continue the great work of Commissioner Ishikata and follow in his footsteps.

 

• Vice President Martin-Pinto said he is grateful to start his term as Commission Vice-President.  He too shared his thoughts and condolences on the devastating and unexpected loss of Commissioner Ishikata, remembering the Commissioner as a great man who set this commission on the right path.

 

• President Mansori next announced the hiring of a full time secretary, who started in the position last week.  With this new staff support, a goal has been set to conduct future meetings in the same manner as the Board of Supervisors, and this will be worked on for next month’s meeting. For this meeting’s procedure, attendees are requested to use the “raised hand” feature of Microsoft TEAMS, at which time they will be unmuted to share comments.  Acknowledging the large number of public in attendance, President Mansori explained the meeting will proceed by first completing the administrative tasks of the agenda, followed by tributes and memories in honor of Commissioner George Ishikata.

Committee Reports:

• Legislative Committee – no report
• Finance Committee – no report
• Communications Committee – no report
• Events Committee – no report
• Rules Committee – no report
• Ad Hoc Committee (SF Veteran Center) – no report
• Ad Hoc Committee (Veteran Justice Court Funding) – no report
• Ad Hoc Committee (Below Market Rate program) – Waiting for Disparate Impact Analysis Report to be released on 2/29/22. Will proceed to next steps once report is complete.
• Ad Hoc Committee (Parks Legislation) – Commissioner Chan reported Parks legislation was passed by the Board of Supervisors in December, and San Francisco residents who are veterans can go to the parks listed in legislation at no cost. OneVet OneVoice will hold a celebration for the Parks Bill on February 12, 2022 outside the Conservatory of Flowers.  President Mansori requested this event information be forwarded to her.
• Ad Hoc Committees (Hiring) – Commissioner Olivieri introduced and welcomed the new secretary for the Commission, Mary Murphy.  Ms. Murphy briefly introduced herself.

Supervisor Liaison Reports

District 1: Sup. Chan

• No report

District 2: Sup. Stefani – Commissioner Miller

• no report

District 3: Sup. Peskin – Commissioner McDonald

• no report

District 4: Sup. Mar – Commissioner Wong

• no report

District 5: Sup. Preston – Commissioner Dacumos

• no report

District 6: Sup. Haney – Commissioner Mansori

• No report

District 7: Sup. Melgar – Commissioner Martin-Pinto

• No report

District 8: Sup. Mandelman – Commissioner Marshall

• no report

District 9: Sup. Ronen – Commissioner Chan

• no report

District 10: Sup. Walton – Commissioner Chan

• no report

District 11: Sup. Safai – Commissioner Bullard

• Commissioner Bullard reported Supervisor Safai sends his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of George Ishikata.

 

APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES

• Motion to approve the December 14, 2021 meeting minutes.

Motion seconded, and unanimously passed.

Minutes approved.

Absent: Commissioners Matthew Brauer, Jeff Marshall.

 

AGENDA CHANGES

• None

                                                               

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

• None

 

NEW BUSINESS

• Recognition of the passing of Commissioner George Ishikata: President Mansori stated tributes to Commissioner Ishikata will be heard after the administrative tasks of the meeting are completed.

 

• Introduction of new staff secretary, Mary Murphy: Ms. Murphy introduced herself earlier in the meeting.  As point of administrative discussion, President Mansori advised commissioners that changes will be made to the bylaws in regard to the hiring of a new full time secretary.  These changes will be worked on during the upcoming weeks as Ms. Murphy continues training in her new role.  Discussion followed as to the best way for commissioners to communicate with the secretary.  President Mansori reminded that commissioners are prohibited from communicating directly with the secretary, as all communication should go through the executive team.

 

• Supervisor Re-assignment

 

• • District 1: Sup. Chan – Joseph Baba
  • District 2: Sup. Stefani – Courtney Miller
  • District 3: Sup. Peskin – Christopher McDonald
  • District 4: Sup. Mar – William Barnickel
  • District 5: Sup. Preston – Deborah Dacumos
  • District 6: Sup. Haney – Nicholas Rusanoff
  • District 7: Sup. Melgar – Hanley Chan
  • District 8: Sup. Mandelman – Jeff Marshall
  • District 9: Sup. Ronen – Ikram Mansori
  • District 10: Sup. Walton – Stephen Martin-Pinto
  • District 11: Sup. Safai – Douglas Bullard

 

• Committee Re-assignments

 

• • Legislative Committee
    • Stephen Martin-Pinto, Chair
    • Courtney Miller
    • Nicholas Rusanoff

 

• • Finance Committee
    • Jeff Marshall, Chair
    • Courtney Miller

 

• • Communications Committee
    • Jason Chittavong, Chair
    • Douglas Bullard
    • Stephen Martin-Pinto

 

• • Events Committee
    • Joseph Baba, Chair
    • Deborah Dacumos
    • Raymond Wong

 

• • Rules Committee
    • Victor Olivieri, Chair
    • Christopher McDonald
    • Hanley Chan

 

• • Ad Hoc Committee (SF Veterans Center)
    • Courtney Miller, Chair
    • Jason Chittavong
    • Ikram Mansori

 

• • Ad Hoc Committee (Veterans Justice Court Funding)
    • Nicholas Rusanoff, Chair
    • Ikram Mansori
    • Jason Chittavong

 

• • Ad Hoc Committee (Below Market Rate Program)
    • Nicolas Rusanoff, Chair
    • Christopher McDonald
    • William Barnickel
    • Jason Chittavong

 

• • Ad Hoc Committee (Parks Legislation)
    • Hanley Chan, Chair
    • Courtney Miller
    • Jason Chittavong

 

• Recognition of the passing of Commissioner George Ishikata: President Mansori opened the floor for motions or comments:

 

• Commissioner Chan shared a video tribute to Commissioner Ishikata.  He acknowledged the many supporters who helped in creating the video, particularly citing the San Francisco Civil Air Patrol.

 

• Commissioner Bullard recognized the presence of Gil Sanborn, Civilian Aide to Secretary of the Army for the Sierra and Northern CA Region.

 

• Commissioner Chan recognized the presence of California State Treasurer Fiona Ma.

 

• Commissioner Baba shared condolences from Supervisor Chan’s office regarding the passing of George Ishikata.

 

• President Mansori requested information on the memorial service be shared with the Events Committee, or herself, Vice-President Martin-Pinto, or Mary Murphy.  Commissioner Bullard responded that a memorial is being planned for January 29, at the National Guard Armory.  However the date may be delayed due to Covid restrictions on the use of the facility.  President Mansori asked to be kept informed.

 

GOOD WELFARE

This is the opportunity for members of the Veterans Affairs Commission to share special thanks and congratulatory remarks for the good welfare taking place in the veterans community.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

President Mansori explained she will first call on public attending through Microsoft TEAMS using the “raise hand” method, and follow by calling on phone attendees:

 

• Gilbert Sanborn, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, Northern California, shared condolences on the loss of Commissioner Ishikata.  Noting especially his dedicated work on JORTC.

 

• California Secretary Treasurer Fiona Ma shared condolences on the loss of Commissioner George Ishikata.  Noting his tireless work on behalf of the JORTC, Treasurer Ma mentioned her recent funding request to Bloomberg Philanthropies and asked if anyone knows someone at Bloomberg to please write in and support this request.

 

• Alan Wong shared condolences on the passing of Commissioner Ishikata.

 

• Eddie Ramirez provided an update regarding the American Legion Gallery re-opening event on Wednesday, January 12, 4:00pm-7:00pm.  He further mentioned two new programs of the VA, “The Community Veteran Engagement Board” and “Veteran Community Partnership” of which he will bring more information to future meetings.

 

• 1Lt. Michelle Marcaida, USA, is a substitute teacher at Lincoln High School, and worked as an assistant teacher with Commissioner Ishikata in the JORTC program. Lt. Marcaida said she will keep the Commission advised of upcoming JORTC events, and said if there is anything the Commissioners would like to share with the students, she is happy to be that connection.

 

Public Comment Concluded.

 

HONORS REPORT AND MOMENT OF SILENCE

In memory of American service members, in all wars and conflicts who made the ultimate sacrifice.  We also remember the passing of homeless veterans, veterans who died while waiting approval of benefits, and suicides within the veteran and armed services communities.

 

This meeting is dedicated to the memory of Commissioner George Ishikata.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 7:25pm.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Mary Murphy

Secretary to Veterans Affairs Commission