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CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO
VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION
MINUTES OF May 5, 2008 MEETING
415-554-6036
President Levin called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
Commissioner Thompson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Commissioners present: Regalado Baldonado, Jill Buck, Renie Champagne, George Gibbs, James Guglielmoni, Wallace Levin, Michael Thompson, Robert Varni, Edwin Wilkerson, Bud Wilson & Raymond Wong. 11 present. Deputy City Attorney Wayne Snodgrass, Dara Wong, Margaret Champagne & Joe Gibbs. were also present. Additional guests present were World War II Filipino Veterans, Cesar Lagutan, Justino Lauzon, Felix Junia & Refereuo Polad. Commissioners John Caldera, Veronica Cauley & Chris Gruwell were not present & were excused. Comm. Guglielmoni moved approval of the May Agenda, with a 2nd by Comm. Baldonado. Motion passed. Comm. Wong moved approval of the minutes of the April meeting, with a 2nd by Comm. Baldonado. Minutes were approved.
PUBLIC COMMENTS - Comm. Baldonado introduced 4 World War II Filipino Veterans who came to our meeting to thank us for our support of the Federal Legislation that had just past. Cesar Lagutan, Justino Lauzon, Felix Junia & Refereno Polad conveyed their appreciation to the Commission for our support.
COMMISSION GOALS & PLANS - Comm. Levin reported that the letter to Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin, requesting that the Board remove John Caldera from the Commission had been sent to the Board.
City Attorney Wayne Snodgrass presented his proposed Bylaws replacement provision concerning attendance. His proposal would be in line what the Mayor & the Board has requested of city commissions. The proposal would be placed on the June agenda for discussion & action.
VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT - Comm. Varni reported that there is a new American Legion Post 911, which is made up of Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans. That we should start planning for the Veterans Building 2011 retrofit departure from the building & that we should bring the Golden Gate Park World War I Memorial into the Veterans Building's future plans.
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS - Comm. Gibbs reported that the veteran focused Project Homeless Connect Event would be held on July 23rd, at the War Memorial Veterans Building. The East Bay Stand Down would be held on Aug. 7, 8, 9 & 10, at the Pleasanton Fair Grounds.
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT - Comm. Thompson reported that the Job Fair would be held on May 14th, at Fort Mason. That about 900 people should attend the event and that it is a very important source of jobs for veterans.
Comm. Wilkerson reported that the money that is made from the Job Fair is used to buy clothing & other aid for homeless veterans.
LEGISLATION EVALUATION - Comm. Wong reported on legislation now before the State Assembly and Senate for the evaluation of the Commission. Comm.
Guglielmoni reported on AB2568, a bill that would give 100% property tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans.
ANNOUNCEMENTS - Comm. Caldera arrived & read his letter to Board President Aaron Peskin, in answer to the Commissions letter requesting that he be removed from the Commission. This matter is now in the hands of the Supervisors.
NATIONAL VETERANS GROUPS - Comm. Champagne reported on the VFW
Loyalty Day Event held at the Veterans Building. They honored the San Francisco & Daly City Police Departments, Fire Departments & Paramedics. Chief of Police Heather Fong, Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White & Chief McBride attended.
Comm. Guglielmoni reported on the DAV & Monterey Bay Veteran's Rehab Center's recent fishing boat outing for 500 disabled veterans.
HONORS REPORT & ADJOURNMENT - Meeting adjourned in memory of the 4,400+ Americans killed in Iraq/Afghanistan and the homeless veterans that died in San Francisco during the month of April.
