2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999
Vice President Varni called the meeting to order at 6:06PM, a quorum being present. Commissioner Cauley led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE – ROLL CALL
|
|
present
|
absent
|
excused
|
|
Wallace Levin
|
x
|
|
|
|
Robert Varni
|
x
|
|
|
|
Elbert “Bud” Wilson
|
x
|
|
|
|
Regalado Baldonado
|
x
|
|
|
|
Jill Buck
|
x
|
|
|
|
John Caldera
|
x
|
|
|
|
Veronika Cauley
|
x
|
|
|
|
Renie Champagne
|
x
|
|
|
|
George Gibbs
|
|
|
x
|
|
Chris Gruwell
|
x
|
|
|
|
James Guglielmoni
|
|
|
x
|
|
Michael Thompson
|
x
|
|
|
|
Edwin Wilkerson
|
|
|
x
|
|
Raymond Wong
|
x
|
|
|
|
Dara Wong
|
x
|
|
|
Twelve (12) commissioners present, three (3) commissioners excused, eight (8) commissioners required for quorum. Deputy City Attorney Wayne Snodgrass, Margaret Champagne, Keith Phillips, and Yon-Teo Seeger (Past AL Post #911 adjutant) were also present. Twenty-three (23) participants from the BSA Troop 88, Sea Scout Ship Corsair 22, and Sea Scout Ship Viking 100, Steven Welch (Quartermaster), Lt. Commander Kevin Lavery (United States Coast Guard Reserves), were present.
Acceptance for approval of March 2nd, 2009 agenda. Motion by Commissioner Varni, 2nd by Commissioner Cauley. Motion passed.
Acceptance for approval of February 2nd, 2009 minutes. Motion by Commissioner Caldera, 2nd by Commissioner Champagne. Motion passed.
ACTION ITEM #1
BSA Troop 88, Sea Scout Ship Corsair 22, and Sea Scout Ship Viking 100 are chartered units in the Sea Scouting program, of the Boy Scouts of America (San Francisco Bay Area Council); this council is sponsored by the San Francisco Bar Pilots Association. Corsair and Viking are Sailing Whaleboats--30', wooden, open boats powered by sails and oars, ketch and cutter rigged, respectively. They were constructed by the U.S. Navy in the 1930's, and donated to the San Francisco Sea Scouts during World War II. Thus, their programs each have been running continuously in San Francisco for over sixty years, since 1947. Corsair is crewed by male youth, and Viking by female youth. Twenty-three participants from the above-mentioned groups appeared before the commission, to ask for support from the commission, explaining the pending March 31st eviction date from the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park (Aquatic Park), which is managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Steven Welch (Corsair quartermaster, mate) reported the NPS changed the unconditional use; requiring a special use permit, short extension to March 31st eviction date. They are campaigning to get their old agreement back with the NPS and to have the NPS accept them as part of the park. Commissioners Cauley and Wilson motioned to support the Sea Scout Ship resolution, 2nd by Commissioner Buck. Motion passed.
ACTION ITEM #2
Keith Phillips “Project Homecoming” and John Wang reported before the commission regarding the revised resolution to help locate 88,000 plus troops missing from World War II, Korean, Vietnam wars, and other oversea conflicts. Keith Phillips reviewed his dedication in getting the government to do more to find America’s MIA’s. After corrections and additions were made, Commissioner Champagne moved to support the modified resolution, 2nd by Commissioner Cauley. Motion passed.
ACTION ITEM #3
Aide to the Secretary of the U.S. Army, Commissioner Varni’s combat stress project and an invitation to the March 24, 2009 evaluation meeting, at the Marines’ Memorial Club. President Levin urged commission members to attend this meeting. Commissioner Varni discussed traumatic brain injury (TBI) among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, an ongoing project of outreach to pursue. 20% TBI patients coming back from multiple deployments from Iraq. U.S. Army is leaving TBI problems to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
ACTION ITEM #4
Supervisor Carmen Chu (District 4) welcomed, introduced and presented a Certificate of Honor to Colonel Robert Powell for his service in the community and in recognition of February as Black History Month, during the regular scheduled February 10th Board of Supervisors’ meeting, special order – recognition of commendations. President Levin and Commissioner R. Wong motioned to support this great public servant, 2nd by Commissioner Caldera. Motion passed.
ACTION ITEM #5
Assemblywoman Fiona Ma (12th Assembly District, State Assembly Majority Whip), introduced AB 223 on February 4th, 2009 pertaining to San Francisco Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, with a February 5th press conference at Lowell High School, which two Commissioner(s) Wong supported for many years. AB 223 would save the jobs of a dozen veterans. Motion to support AB 223 by Commissioner Varni, 2nd by Commissioner R. Wong. Motion passed.
ACTION ITEM #6
Yon-Teo Seeger (Past AL Post #911 adjutant) reported on their effort to have the War Memorial Board of Trustees allow them to park their van for 24 hours in the area behind the War Memorial Veterans Building. Motion by Commissioner Caldera, 2nd by Commissioner Baldonado supporting American Legion Post #911 effort to park their van in the area of the War Memorial Veterans Building, without losing 3 parking spaces assigned to veterans. Motion passed.
The following committee reports were submitted:
COMMISSION GOALS AND PLANS
President Levin reported ongoing bylaws review. Commissioner Caldera circulated the current commission bylaws to the President, Vice President, and Secretary.
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT
Commissioner Thompson announced February 2009 planning meeting at the SFVAMC Downtown Clinic, 1,600 applications/invitations/flyers sent to employers, event will be held on:
May 13th, 2009 10:00AM thru 2:00PM
18th annual San Francisco Job Fair
Fort Mason Conference Center
LEGISLATION
Commissioner R.Wong reported:
- AB 38 (Mary Salas) postsecondary education; resident classification; veterans. Enacts Veterans Education Assistance Act of 2009. Would entitle a veteran to resident classification status, for purpose of determining tuition and fees at the state universities and colleges, for the length of time the student lives in the state after being discharged from the military service if the student qualifies.
- AB 351 (Mary Salas) JROTC PE credit, introduced February 19, 2009
- AB 264 (Paul Cook) would require the Governor to annually proclaim March 30th as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day”
- SB 15 (Gil Cedillo) student financial aid for members and former members of the Armed Forces
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Newly elected Board of Supervisor (from District 9) David Campos’ prior position on the Police Commission is now vacant. Two-year Veterans Affairs Commissioner Caldera reported that he has applied for the opening. It will come before the board’s Rules Committee in March.
HONORS REPORT and ADJOURNMENT – Meeting adjourned in memory of the 4,865+ Americans killed in Iraq/Afghanistan, the homeless veterans that died in San Francisco and the veterans that died because of suicide during the month of February.
The meeting adjourned at 7:50PM
