Veterans' Affairs Commission - May 13, 2014 - Meeting Minutes
Minutes for Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting: May 13, 2014
Call to Order
Having achieved a Quorum (see Roll Call, below), the May Meeting (of the SFVAC) was called to order (in City Hall Hearing Room #416) by President Stephen Noetzel at 6:00pm. Meeting started with the traditional Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call
In Attendance for the Meeting: Commissioners: Burnette, Caldera, Gallagher, Guy, Jenkins, Kennedy, Maffei, Marshall, Noetzel, Ramirez, Weeby, Wilkerson, Wong (13) Absent – Excused (3) Comm. R. Baldonado, Illness, Comm. D. Dacumos, Travel, Comm. B. Smith, Travel. Attending Guests: D. Wong. Note 1: City Attorney Wayne Snodgrass did arrive at the meeting during the proceedings. Note: 2 Commission strength currently at 16 members, with one (Mayoral Appointed) Vacancy.
Approval of AGENDA
Motion to accept Agenda, as written, made by Comm. Weeby, (2nd, Comm. Kennedy). After minimal discussion, the meeting AGENDA, was approved by all, save one Abstention (Comm. Caldera).
Review of Minutes of Previous VAC meeting.
Motion to Approve draft of Minutes for VAC meeting of April 8, 2014 (as written by VP Maffei, and President Noetzel), made by Comm. Maffei (2nd Comm. Kennedy). In discussion, Comm. Caldera recalled that during the April meeting, he raised the issue of the unfortunate lack of presence of an observer/advisor from the Office of the City Attorney, for several of the past VAC meetings.
V.P. Maffei agreed to author a short revision of the April Minutes to include Comm. Caldera's concerns in this area. The Question was called and a vote was taken for approval of the 4/8/14 VAC Meeting Minutes, as amended. All Commissioners voted YEA, save Comm. Ramirez who abstained. The 4/8/14 Minutes are Approved, as amended.
Agenda item 1 – Call for PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
Agenda item 2 - Officers Reports
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President’s Report;
President Noetzel began his Report with a review of the Transmittal of Meeting Documents (i.e. Draft Agenda and Draft Minutes as above). He stated that he he never received an Email transmitting these documents from the Commission Secretary, but rather received them second-hand from another Commissioner. He asked how many Commissioners had received the current meeting documents from the secretary. Only three Commissioners indicated that they had received the documents. No one else had received them. Sec'y Burnette offered that he had attempted to send them out, but that there had been some sort of "glitch" in the process. After some discussion in attempt to verify individual email addresses Sec'y Burnette said he believed he had discovered the cause of the 'lost emails' and assured everyone that he would correct the problem, and that future email distribution would be handled efficiently and timely. President Noetzel then distributed copies of the current Agenda and copies of the April Minutes to all who had not received them.
President Noetzel then distributed copies of the Flyer for the upcoming Memorial Day event at the Presidio, on Monday the 26th of May, and urged all to attend if possible.
President Noetzel then announced that he will not be attending the June VAC meeting as he will be on vacation; however VP Maffei would preside at the June meeting and he further expressed confidence that the Commission would move forward with an active and productive Agenda at the 6/10/14 meeting in his absence.
B. Vice Presidents Report;
V.P. Maffei announced that he had nothing to report this month.
C. Secretary’s Report;
Secretary Burnette announced that he had nothing to report this month.
Agenda Item 3. OLD Business
A. REPORT from Committee on Veterans Mental Health Services. Committee Chair Ramirez responded and asked each Committee member to give additional individual reports. Commissioners Weeby and Guy reported extensively on research that they were compiling in this area. Comm. Ramirez urged that the VAC should 'partner' with the VA in this area and "piggy-back" off his monthly Town Hall Collaborative meetings. He offered a MOTION to seek VAC endorsement and support for a Mental Health Summit Meeting (hosted by the Veterans Administration) and tentatively scheduled for the 27th of August. Pres. Noetzel pointed out that such an Action Motion was not possible at this meeting as the subject item was not on the published Agenda; but that it could be on the Agenda for the June VAC meeting. Comm. Ramirez stated that he would certainly follow-up on this, and verify the time/date of the Health Care Summit in plenty of time for action at the June VAC meeting.
To close out this Report, Commissioners Ramirez and Guy invited all to visit a "gathering" tonight - of veterans interested in working together on the Mental Health Care issues of Veterans and families, at the Golden Gate Tap Room (2525 Sutter St. @ Powell).
B. REPORT from Research team on Development of a City Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Commissioners
Maffei and Marshall provided a report that included use of Visual Media Presentation of the Website of the existing Los Angeles County Department of Veterans Affairs. They have taken the initiative to contact Ms. Stephanie Stone, Director of Los Angeles County Department of Veterans Affairs, and are planning a tele-conference (in the near future) to gain advice and information on the L.A. Agency as a potential 'model' for creation of a similar City Department in San Francisco. The website depicted showed how the LA Department serves as a kind of "Umbrella Agency" to facilitate joint-participation of a host of Veteran-related agencies and services - including areas such as Military Records, Housing, Employment, Health Services, etc. To close out this Report, Commissioners Maffei and Marshall assured the Commission that their research into the potential of Establishment of a new San Francisco Department of Veterans Affairs would continue and that they will report further progress in future VAC meetings.
C. REPORT on issue of Protection of Veterans Transportation. Lead Commissioner Kennedy provided full background on an unfortunate situation whereby busses operating in San Francisco - on contract to the VA - to transport veterans, and VA employees/volunteers to and from various VA facilities in the city, are now being "caught-up" in the protests, demonstrations, and harassment of similar charter busses transporting "high-tech" employees to and from their jobs. Comm. Kennedy has prepared an Information Packet, which depicts the situation in photos and other media/news reports. The packet includes a 2-part Recommendation for Action that he would like the Commission to support. President Noetzel asked that this issue be included on Agenda for the June VAC meeting as an Action Item, and VP Maffei (who will preside at that meeting) agreed to work with Comm. Kennedy on creation of a formal Letter or Resolution (on this matter) for adoption at the June VAC meeting.
Agenda Item 4. NEW Business.
A. Presentation of the Program “The Mission Continues” (Potential Action Item on Agenda). Commissioner Weeby reported that guests Ryan Cahill and Rosie Brown, were unable to appear this evening to make their planned presentation so she proceeded with an Overview of of "The Mission Continues", explaining that the program started in 2007 by a Navy Vet who sought to find ways to "Continue the Mission" by offering Service to Community on his return to civilian life. The program is set up as a certified Non-Profit and features a 6-month Community Fellowship program whereby Veterans provide specific public-service "missions". Comm. Weeby reports that one such Mission includes a concept to have up to five (5) qualified veterans work as interns in various offices of the City Hall of San Francisco. After some very positive discussion on the program potential, Comm. Weeby offered a MOTION seeking formal VAC support for this program (2nd by Comm. Gallagher). The MOTION included VAC support and advocacy for the Mayor to find service positions for up to five 'Fellows' to work in City Hall under the 6-month Mission Continues program. A vote was taken and the Motion passed unanimously. Comm. Weeby will follow up by writing an Advice Letter (regarding Commission advocacy for the program) for signature by Acting President Maffei as soon as is practicable.
B. Concept of a "VETERANS TRAIL' proposed for development at Ft. Miley (Potential Action Item on Agenda). Commissioner Weeby reported that the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is considering development of a new hiking trail on the outskirts of Ft. Miley - to be formally presented on National Trail Day (6/7/14), as the VETERANS TRAIL. The new hiking trail would essentially connect the Ft Miley VA facility, to the nearby Legion of Honor. It would be constructed under ADA standards via volunteer labor, including, hopefully, a high percentage of volunteer work by area veterans. After supportive discussion Comm. Weeby offered a MOTION (2nd, Comm. Guy) to "Endorse and partner with the GG Nat'l Parks Conservancy in advocacy for development of the subject VETERANS TRAIL". A vote was taken and the Motion passed unanimously. Comm. Weeby will follow up by writing an Advice Letter (regarding Commission advocacy for the program) for signature by Acting President Maffei as soon as is practicable.
C. Development of a SOLDIERS PLAZA in the Presidio of San Francisco. (Potential Action Item on Agenda).
Note: Though on the Agenda for Potential Action, this item was inadvertently and unfortunately overlooked by President Noetzel during the proceedings. It was brought up again at the end of the meeting by Lead Commissioner Ramirez. President Noetzel offered to go back to the item for presentation by Comm. Ramirez, but he declined, stating that he would just as soon bring it up again as an Agenda item for the June meeting. He promised to forward to Commissioners, an Email which would provide full background information on the proposed Soldiers Plaza, in the Presidio.
D. Commission Advocacy for passage of Proposition 41, on the June 2014 ballot. (Potential Action Item on Agenda).
President Noetzel opened this item by distributing and reading aloud a draft Resolution that he had written on the subject. It included 5 background 'whereas' statements that reviewed the background of Prop 41, and ended with a resolution (that):
" ...the Commission advises all patriotic San Franciscans to cast their ballot in support of this important measure, as passage of Proposition 41 will result in construction of affordable, supportive, and transitional housing for homeless and near-homeless California Veterans – without raising taxes." To initiate discussion on the matter, Comm. Kennedy offered a MOTION to adopt the Resolution and forward it, with cover letter, to the Mayor and Board of Supervisors. (2nd by Comm. Maffei).
In discussion, Comm. Ramirez asked City Attorney Snodgrass if there was not an established process for Commissions to advocate for passage of legislation. Attorney Snodgrass stated that there well might be such a process, but Commissions had every right to pass Resolutions that advocate passage of any legislation or ballot Proposition, that might further the mission and ideals of said Commission.
President Noetzel also addressed the Ramirez objection by pointing out that this was not a Resolution in support of legislation, as the State Legislature had already passed legislation in favor of this measure, but it was now before the electorate because voter approval of re-allocation of funds approved by ballot must also be passed by majority vote. Finally, Pres. Noetzel pointed out that the election was only weeks away, and submittal via the Legislature Advocacy process would take far too long.
In further discussion several minor changes to improve the text and style of the Noetzel Draft Resolution were offered by Commissioners Maffei and Kennedy and Burnette. These were all gratefully accepted by Resolution author Noetzel, and eventually the Question was called and a vote was taken. The motion passed with all yea votes, no nays, and Comm. Ramirez abstaining. President Noetzel will forward the Resolution, as modified, with Transmittal Letter, to all appropriate addressees.
Agenda Item 5. Veterans Related LEGISLATION.
President Noetzel invited Commissioners to Report on report on new developments in the area of Veterans related Legislation. There were no Reports or comments in this area.
Agenda Item 6. WAR MEMORIAL VETERANS BUILDING
President Noetzel invited Commissioners to Report on report on new developments in space allocation and/or construction issues with respect to the W.M. Veterans Building. There were no Reports or comments in this area.
Agenda Item 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Note: Many of the announcements cited below have further information and details on the VAC Facebook page.
Click Facebook icon (and Twitter icon) on the homepage, of the SFVA website, at: http://sfgov3.org/index.aspx?page=1688
Numerous announcements were made by various Commissioners regarding events of potential interest to Veterans, happening within the next four weeks. President Noetzel encouraged all those making such announcements to discuss them with Comm. Marshall and/or Guy, to get them on the Social Media pages of the SFVAC website. There were no announcements of events for dates beyond the publication date of these Minutes.
Agenda Item 8. 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.
Agenda Item 9. AJORNMENT
Meeting adjourned @ 7:58pm
Minutes of the 5/13/14 VAC Meeting written by S. Noetzel, and Approved, by unanimous vote at the S.F. Veterans Affairs Commission General Meeting of August 12, 2014
