docketcity.com
Home › El Dorado County › Meetings

Veterans Affairs Commission

December 11, 2025 ·12:00 PM Final ·3883 Ponderosa Rd El Dorado County Child Support Services Shingle Springs, CA 95682

https://edcgov-us.zoom.us/j/86378230395

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 36 items

  1. 1 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INSTRUCTIONS: The Commission meeting room will be open to the public. The meeting will continue to be live-streamed via Zoom. By participating in this meeting, you acknowledge that you are being recorded. To observe the live stream of the Commission meeting go to https://edcgov-us.zoom.us/j/86378230395. Members of the public may address the Commission in-person or via Zoom to make a public comment. The public should call into 530-621-7603 or 530-621-7610. The Meeting ID is 863 7823 0395. Please note you will not be able to join the live-stream until the posted meeting start time. If you are joining the meeting via zoom and wish to make a comment on an item, press the "raise hand" button. If you are joining the meeting by phone, press *9 to indicate a desire to make a comment. Speakers will be limited to 3 minutes. Although the County strives to offer remote participation, be advised that remote Zoom participation is provided for convenience only. In the event of a technological malfunction, the only assurance of live comments being received by the Commission is to attend in person. Except for a noticed teleconference meeting, the Commission reserves the right to conduct the meeting without remote access if there is a malfunction. If you choose not to observe the Commission meeting but wish to make a comment on a specific agenda item, please submit your comment in writing. You are encouraged to submit your comment in writing by 4:00 PM on the Tuesday before the meeting to ensure the Commission has adequate time to review. Please submit your comment to the Clerk of the Board at edc.cob@edcgov.us. Your comment will be placed into the record and forwarded to Commission members.
  2. 2 PAGE BREAK
  3. 3 PROTOCOLS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
  4. 4 Public comment will be received at designated periods as called by the Commission Chair. Individuals will have three minutes to address the Commission. Except with the consent of the Commission, individuals shall be allowed to speak to an item only once. Individual Commission members may ask clarifying questions but will not engage in substantive dialogue with persons providing input to the Commission. If a person providing input to the Commission creates a disruption by refusing to follow Commission guidelines, the Commission Chair may take the following actions: Step 1. Request the person adhere to Commission guidelines. If the person refuses, the Commission Chair may turn off the speaker’s microphone. Step 2. If the disruption continues, the Commission Chair may order a recess of the Commission meeting. Step 3. If the disruption continues, the Commission Chair may order the removal of the person from the Commission meeting.
  5. 5 PAGE BREAK
  6. 6 CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG - 11:59 AM
  7. 7 ROLL CALL
  8. 8 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AND WELCOME
  9. 9 ADOPTION OF AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR
  10. 10 All items on the Consent Calendar are to be approved by one motion unless a Commission member requests separate action on a specific item including moving items to or from the Consent Calendar and adopt the Agenda and the Consent Calendar for discussion. At the appropriate time as called by the Chair, members of the public may make a comment on matters on the Consent Calendar prior to Commission action.
  11. 11 CONSENT CALENDAR
  12. 1. Commission to review and approve mileage reimbursement for Veterans Affairs Commissioners for the month of November 2025. 25-2025
  13. 2. Commission to review and approve Veterans Affairs Commission November 13, 2025 meeting minutes. 25-2026
  14. 14 END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
  15. 15 PAGE BREAK
  16. 16 AGENDA ITEMS
  17. 3. Commission to approve and vote for a new Veterans Affairs Commission Chair. Commissioner Smith recommended Commissioner Culver to lead as Chair for the Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC) for the year of 2026. 25-1850
  18. 4. Commission to approve and vote for a new Veterans Affairs Commission Vice Chair. Commissioner Reynolds recommended Commissioner Smith to remain as the Vice Chair for the Veterans Affairs Commission. 25-1851
  19. 5. Veterans Affairs Commission to approve date for Annual Report presented to the Board of Supervisors on April 7th or September 15th. Commissioner Reynolds recommended that Commissioner Culver select Tuesday, September 15, 2026, to allow sufficient time to prepare a presentation to the Board of Supervisors. Reynolds also noted that Commissioner Mullens-Becker provided significant assistance in gathering information for the 2025 Annual Report. Commissioner Culver agreed that Tuesday, September 15th, would be preferable, as the Annual Grants would be closed by then and could be included in the report. Courtney Frame, Veteran Services Office Administrative Technician, informed Commissioner Culver that she would email him the instructions after the meeting. 25-2027
  20. 6. Veterans Affairs Commission to review the duties and reporting requirements for the Education and Employment Committee. Commissioner Mullens-Becker reviewed the Education and Employment Committee section of the Veterans Affairs Commission By-Laws and requested clarificiation regarding the requirements for reporting. She noted that at one time the committee reported on veteran-owned businesses but was unsure how to report on education. Commissioner Smith shared his experience with El Dorado County’s Point System of Employability. He explained that when he applied to the Sacramento Sheriff’s Academy, he received additional points for being a veteran. When he first moved to El Dorado County, however, he was unaware whether the County offered hiring credits for veteran status. Mullens-Becker confirmed that the County does use the Point System of Employability. Smith also reported that he had worked with other veterans to reach out to veteran-owned businesses, but that outreach has since stalled. Mullens-Becker requested direction from the VAC for herself and Commissioner Fischer regarding what type of report the Commission would like to receive. She suggested gathering statistics from the Employment Office on how many veterans in El Dorado County are employed or unemployed, how many were hired specifically because of veteran status, and whether businesses provide additional points to veterans. Mullens-Becker further suggested outreach to local college campuses to learn what services they provide for veterans, how many veterans are enrolled, their primary course objectives, career goals, and the support offered by the schools. Smith added that his sons, both in college, are able to visit Veteran Services offices on campus and utilize their resources. He recommended reporting statistics on how many veterans are employed by El Dorado County, how many veteran-owned businesses are active, and how the County promotes the Point System of Employability. He also questioned how veterans are made aware of this benefit when applying for jobs. Commissioner Reynolds mentioned that at one time stickers were distributed to veteran-owned businesses, but they have not been supplied recently. Commissioner Norton reported that 12 veterans are currently attending Lake Tahoe Community College and noted that military service provides additional training useful for civilian employment. Commissioner Fischer emphasized the need to understand what each institution offers veterans, identify the most effective programs, and report back to the VAC, including statistics on unemployed veterans in the county. He also noted that El Dorado County job postings include the statement “Veterans Encouraged to Apply.” Commissioner Culver expressed concern that the committee’s requirements were too broad and suggested splitting responsibilities-moving Education into the Outreach Committee or combining Employment with Outreach since that committee already engages with veteran-owned businesses. Reynolds pointed out that splitting the committee would require updating the VAC By-Laws. Mullens-Becker concluded that splitting the committee was unnecessary, but duties could be divided between herself and Commissioner Fischer. 25-2030
  21. 21 EX-OFFICIO REPORT - RECEIVE AND FILE (Brown)
  22. 22 PAGE BREAK
  23. 23 COMMITTEE REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE
  24. 24 • TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) (Reynolds) - Commissioner Reynolds reported that the Committee Title would need to be changed, though the new title has not yet been determined. Reynolds stated there was nothing further to add to the TOT Report and noted that the committee would not meet again until early spring of 2026. • RULES (Welch) - Commissioner Welch was not available to provide a report. • HOUSING (Welch) - Commissioner Welch was not available to provide a report. • LEGISLATIVE (Smith) - Commissioner Smith stated there was nothing to report. • TRANSPORTATION (Thompson/Whalen) - Commissioner Thompson was not available to provide a report. • BUDGET (Reynolds/Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Reynolds stated there was nothing to report. • EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT (Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Reynolds stated this committee had already been covered. • OUTREACH (Reynolds) - Commissioner Reynolds reported that he is still working on connecting the VAC Facebook page with the VAC Instagram account. He noted that he needs the login information from Bill Scrivani, who originally created the VAC Facebook page, in order to complete the connection. Reynolds explained that linking the two accounts would help expand outreach, particularly to younger veterans.
  25. 25 COMMUNICATIONS' REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE
  26. 26 • VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING – VETERANS HOUSE COUNCIL (Reynolds) - Commissioner Reynolds reported that the Veterans Memorial Building (VMB) House Council met on Thursday, December 4th. He noted that the House Council was busy preparing the VMB schedule for organizations that utilize the building. The Council also discussed upcoming changes to the facility and confirmed that funding for the building had recently been received. Commissioner Culver reported that the Veterans Day event at the VMB was successful. Approximately 150 guests attended, the event generated $2,420 in revenue, and an additional $110 was received in cash donations. • AMERICAN LEGION SERVICE OFFICER (Zelinsky) - Zelinsky reported that he has been working with Adult Protective Services (APS) on behalf of a homeless veteran. He noted that the veteran is still mentally functioning, but additional mental health services cannot be provided at this time. Next, Zelinsky reported that he assisted in distributing quilts at the Marine Corps League event last night. The quilts were made by Sew for Vets, and he added that he would be delivering another quilt after the VAC meeting. Next, Zelinsky reported that a veteran will soon be released from State Prison. The veteran is doing well, maintaining contact with their probation officer, and was recently awarded 100% service-connected status. Next, Zelinsky reported that he referred a veteran and their family to the Veterans Service Office during a walk-in day to explore potential benefits. Lastly, Zelinsky reported that the County Jail is currently reporting five veterans as inmates. He is working with Dave Webb, El Dorado County Public Defender, to help identify veterans within the jail system. • EDC VETERANS ALLIANCE - Commissioner Culver reported that the Veterans Alliance is researching a stone placed at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument. The stone was placed by Peter Wolf in honor of a veteran who received the Medal of Honor for their service in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. Culver noted that the veteran has no connection to El Dorado County, and the Veterans Alliance is working to obtain the original documentation for the stone. Next, Culver reported that the Veterans Alliance is planning another event at the VMB following the Veterans Day Ceremony. • VA VET CENTER/MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP/EL DORADO VETERAN RESOURCES (Whalen) - Commissioner Culver reported that on December 6th, the Military Family Support Group (MFSG) partnered with Indivisible El Dorado for a food outreach event. He further noted that MFSG will be giving away Christmas dinners on Saturday, December 21st, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for veterans and their families. Participants must sign up with EDVR or the El Dorado County Veterans Service Office by Monday, December 15th. • REGIONAL VETERAN EVENTS - Commissioner Reynolds stated there was nothing to report.
  27. 27 GOOD OF THE ORDER (COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS)
  28. 27 PAGE BREAK
  29. 28 OPEN FORUM
  30. 29 Open Forum is an opportunity for members of the public to address the Veteran Affairs Commission on subject matter that is not on their meeting agenda and within their jurisdiction. Public comments during Open Forum are limited to three minutes per person. The Commission Chair may limit public comment during Open Forum.
  31. 30 NEXT MEETING LOCATION, DATE & TIME January 8, 2026 at 12 PM 330 Fair Lane, Building A Board of Supervisors Chamber Placerville, CA 95667
  32. 31 ADJOURNMENT - 1:07 PM
  33. 31 PAGE BREAK
  34. 33 Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Jon Brown reported that he and Bonnie Steward, Senior Office Assistant at the Veterans Services Office, attended the Placerville Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 7th, in downtown Placerville. They rode on the Fleet Reserve Association float, which was pulled by District 3 Veterans Affairs Commissioner Seth Culver in his truck. Other participants on the float included Leonard MacAdams, Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10165; Eddi Gilstrap from El Dorado Veteran Resources (EDVR); Ann Marie, Commander of the American Legion Auxiliary; and Yolanda Romero with her husband. Brown noted that the parade was enjoyable for all and expressed hope that more veterans and their families will join the parade in December 2026. Next, Brown reported that the Veterans Services Office is moving forward with securing financing to build out a new office within its current footprint. This expansion will provide Veterans Service Representatives with private areas to conduct client interviews. Next, Brown reported that Senate Bill (SB) 694 will be heard again in January 2026 when the legislature reconvenes, urging everyone to contact their representatives in support of the bill. Next, Brown reported that for the month of November 2025, the Veterans Services Office recorded 93 walk-in clients, 94 scheduled appointments, and 150 incoming phone calls. Lastly, Brown reported that there were no changes in services provided to clients in South Lake Tahoe. 26-0022
  35. 37 PAGE BREAK
  36. 40 PAGE BREAK