November 8,2010

President Guglielmoni called the meeting to order at 6:09PM, a quorum being present. President Guglielmoni led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Thirteen (13) commissioners present, nine (9) commissioners required for quorum. Margaret Champagne, Roger Dong, Deputy City Attorney Wayne Snodgrass, was present.

Acceptance for approval of November 8th, 2010 agenda. Motion by Commissioner Caldera, 2nd by Commissioner Wilkerson, no abstention.

Acceptance for approval of October 4th, 2010 minutes. Motion by Commissioner Caldera, 2nd by Commissioner Levin, no abstention.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Roger Dong, ALWMC chairman, summarized the current/future War Memorial Veterans Building space requirements, veterans service offices, negotiating with SFWMPAC Board of Trustees, bringing computers/furniture, EDD, Vet Center, etc. into WMVB.

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
The committee shall consist of the past commission's presidents (George Gibbs, Wallace Levin, Michael Thompson, Edwin Wilkerson). Commissioner Noetzel noted there will be nine (9) commission members term expiring January 31st, 2011, evaluating 3 slots, the board undecided, makeup of commission, depended upon Board of Supervisor, selecting commission candidate. Following discussion, and on Commissioner Guglielmoni motion to support the committee, 2nd by Commissioner Levin, the following resolution was unanimously adopted.

The following committee reports were submitted:

PRESIDENT'S REPORT
South Florida philanthropist Lois Pope hosted the ground-breaking of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, which will be within view of the Capitol, on a 2.4 acre plot, across from the U.S. Botanic Garden, November 10th, 2010, after twenty (20) years $ 83 million fundraiser, including the recent Diane Musselmann (http://www.advlm.org director) fundraising walk.

VICE PRESIDENT'S REPORT
Commissioner R. Wong reported that BART launched (available January 5th, 2010, announced by BART Board President James Fang) military pass program, allocated $ 50,000.00 for active duty only http://www.bart.gov/news/articles/2010/news20100107.aspx

SECRETARY'S REPORT
Commissioner D. Wong circulated CDVA Operation Welcome Home http://www.cdva.ca.gov/newhome.aspx materials received from Sacramento, while attending CDVA-CSCVC October meeting.

EMPLOYMENT
Commissioner Thompson reported the next VEC/EDD May 12th, 2011 job fair will be held 10:00AM-2:00PM, needs help publicizing the event:

University of Phoenix
1 Front Street
San Francisco, CA 94111-5325

HEALTH & WELFARE
President Guglielmoni updated the members regarding the San Francisco VAMC parking expansion roadblocks to accommodate 400 parking spaces: neighbors, planning commission, federal-state agencies (GGNRA, UCSF, NCIRE), commuters, museum visitors. Following discussion, and on Commissioner Levin's motion to support all veterans' services, 2nd by Commissioner Wilkerson, the following motion was unanimously adopted. Deputy City Attorney Wayne Snodgrass advised to go ahead with letter of inquiry, to explore information to support resolution to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors.

HOMELESS VETERANS
Veterans Connect (Project Homeless Connect 36) event will be held Wednesday, November 10th, 2010 10:00AM-3:00PM, accepting donations, all clients-veterans must be pre-registered:

SFVAMC VA Downtown Clinic
401-3rd Street
San Francisco, CA 94107-1214

LEGISLATION EVALUATION
Commissioner R. Wong reported on the bills signed/chaptered by the Governor, previously e-mailed:
• AB 498 Vehicles: special interest license plates (Mary Hayashi ,Hayward; coauthored Ted Lieu, Torrance); supporting ex-POWs' option to purchase veterans' license plate instead, without fees
• AB 1088 Taxpayer contributions: California Veterans Fund (Nathan Fletcher, San Diego)
• AB 1729 Civil service examinations: veterans' preference (Mariko Yamada, Davis)
• AB 1757 Veterans cemetery (William Monning, Santa Cruz)
• AB 1829 Military decorations: fraud (Paul Cook, Yucaipa)
• AB 1908 Vehicles: specializes license plates: veterans organizations (Paul Cook, Yucaipa)
• SB 1057 State holidays: Veterans Day: state office closure (Jeff Denham, Merced)
• SB 1296 Peace officer training; traumatic brain injury; post-traumatic stress disorder (Lou Correa, Santa Ana) Commissioner R. Wong reported the following bills were vetoed:
• AB 1925 Veterans courts (Mary Salas, Chula Vista)
• AB 2784 Veterans (Paul Cook, Yucaipa; Mary Salas, Chula Vista) to increase size/oversight of California Veterans Board

Commissioner Alfidi presented two revised documents on the subject of the conduct of former AL leader Michael Gerold. The first document was a draft resolution that urged the City & County of San Francisco government to support enactment of strong federal and state Stolen Valor laws. After discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Caldera, 2nd by Commissioner Noetzel, for a vote to adopt and forward the resolution as written. Motion passed unanimously and resolution (copy attached) will be forwarded to Mayor and Board of Supervisors.

A second document was also examined and discussed by the commission, namely Commissioner Alfidi's latest draft of a proposed letter from the Veterans Affairs Commission, detailing Michael Gerold's misconduct, with respect to his dealings with local veterans' organizations. After examination and some discussion, several suggested edits were offered. The item was then tabled for further revision and renewed motion for consideration at the next commission meeting.

NATIONAL VETERANS GROUPS
Commissioner Caldera ‘s formal charges against the AL District #8 and ALWMC prior leadership dovetails into Commissioner Alfidi's previous discussion.

VETERANS PROJECTS
The Veterans' Day parade was held Sunday, November 7th, 2010 11:00AM.

Commissioner Caldera announced the Ohlone Costanoan Carmel Tribe performed a ceremony, War Memorial Court complex, November 7th, 2010 2:00PM, supported by AL Post #315, Veterans for Peace, AL District #8, actions approved by SFWMPAC Board of Trustees

WAR MEMORIAL VETERANS BUILDING
Previous entry from Roger Dong, during public comments.

Commissioner(s) Caldera and Levin announced Rebecca Boyko event, featuring jazz samba/patriotic tunes, to benefit the AL District #8, November 10th, 2010 7:30PM

OLD BUSINESS
U.S. Air Force Academy Band will be performing at various Bay Area counties venues from October 31st, 2010, through November 6th, 2010

NEW BUSINESS, ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Guglielmoni announced there will be:
• Avenue of Flags ceremony, Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, November 11th, 2010 11:00AM
• Veterans Commons, 150 Otis Street groundbreaking, November 9th, 2010

Commissioner D. Wong reported there will be (invitation only):
• San Francisco VAMC Veterans' Day ceremony, November 10th, 2010 11:00AM (federal employees, VAVS volunteers)

Commissioner Levin announced the San Francisco Veterans Memorial press event, November 10th, 2010 12:00PM noon, with the three (3) design finalists, the memorial to be formally dedicated in November 2013, ninety (90) years from the original 1920's vision of San Francisco War Memorial complex.

Commissioner Caldera reminded everyone of the Swords to Plowshares' dinner, Grand Hyatt, November 11th, 2010

HONORS REPORT and ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned in memory of the 5,798 Americans killed in Iraq (4,414) and Afghanistan (1,384), the homeless veterans that died in San Francisco, the veterans that died because of suicide during the month of October.

The meeting adjourned at 7:32PM

COMMISSION GOALS & PLANS
Jason Elliott, Mayoral Aide, came in during the nominations committee meeting, Commissioner(s) Wong, had stayed to listen to Jason's http://www.sf311.org portal presentation, to articulate what is available, which was deployed without consulting the commission for advice; using city employees to do veterans' outreach: crisis intervention, education, facebook, homelessness, housing, , PTSD, referral to federal/state, substance abuse, vocational services.