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Veterans Affairs Commission

November 13, 2025 ·12:00 PM Final ·6289 Main Street Georgetown Veterans of Foreign War Post 9241 Georgetown, CA 95634

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

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 33 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 - 12:02 PM
  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 October 2025. 25-1847
  13. 2. Commission to review and approve Veterans Affairs Commission October 9, 2025 meeting minutes. 25-1848
  14. 14 END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
  15. 15 PAGE BREAK
  16. 16 AGENDA ITEMS
  17. 3. Veterans Affairs Transient Occupancy Tax Committee (VA TOT) will present their recommendations for utilizing the fund balance at El Dorado Community Foundation. The Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC) will vote on the VA TOT Committee recommendations. Commissioner Mullens-Becker thanked the Georgetown VFW for hosting the VAC meeting and for providing lunch. Mullens-Becker reported the TOT Committee met earlier that day and discussed some options for utilizing the El Dorado Community Foundation (EDCF) funds. Mullens-Becker and Commissioner Reynolds met with Amy Pooley, Executive Director from EDCF, a few weeks prior to review scenario options to spend down the balance other than the Annual Mini-Grants awards. One idea brought forward previously was a one-time donation of $75,000 to the El Dorado County Senior Nutrition Program, and the question was asked how this could be done to help other organizations. Pooley suggested a one-time emergency-type language that the VA TOT Committee could add to the draft contract with EDCF. The suggested language is: "Funds will be used to provide grants to local veteran service offices or non-profit veteran service organizations in support of their missions. Applications for funding shall be evaluated by the Veterans Affairs Commission. In addition to supporting ongoing programmatic activities, a portion of these funds may be awarded as one-time donations to veteran service programs that are addressing urgent or emergency needs of the most vulnerable veteran families. These one-time donations shall be used to fill critical service gaps, provide emergency assistance (such as housing stability, food security, transportation, or medical needs), and ensure timely support to veterans and their families in crisis. The Veterans Affairs Commission shall review and approve such allocations to ensure they align with the intent and priorities of the Veterans Mini-Grant Program". Mullens-Becker asked about the timeline for approval of a one-time donation since the Annual Mini-Grant cycle can take up to three months from applying for the grant to receiving approval. The timeline would need to be shortened to help organizations in emergency need. Mullens-Becker reported that organizations would be able to apply for a one-time emergency donation, not just veteran organizations; individuals are not able to apply for funds. The criteria would need to be reviewed for organizations that apply for the one-time donation, including the turnaround time from applying to being awarded the emergency funds. Mullens-Becker requested the VAC to vote on having the language added to the contract with EDCF for possible future use. 25-1849
  18. 18 EX-OFFICIO REPORT - RECEIVE AND FILE (Brown)
  19. 19 PAGE BREAK
  20. 20 COMMITTEE REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE
  21. 21 • TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) (Reynolds) - Commissioner Reynolds stated there was nothing additional to add to the TOT report. • RULES (Welch) - Commissioner Welch stated there was nothing to report. • HOUSING (Welch) - Commissioner Welch stated there was nothing to report. • LEGISLATIVE (Smith) - Commissioner Smith stated there was nothing to report. • TRANSPORTATION (Thompson/Whalen) - Commissioner Thompson stated there was nothing to report. • BUDGET (Reynolds/Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Reynolds stated there was nothing additional to add to the Budget report. • EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT (Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Mullens-Becker requested a discussion with the VAC regarding what the Commission would like to see reported for Education and Employment. Mullens-Becker feels the bylaws for this committee are vague, and she was only instructed to identify Veteran-Owned Businesses. She feels that the scope of this committee should be broader. Mullens-Becker reported that she will be working with Commissioner Fischer on this committee. Commissioner Smith noted that the VAC had previously been focused on other matters but is now able to turn its attention to the various committees since those issues have been resolved. Smith expressed willingness to help provide direction for the Education and Employment Committee. • OUTREACH (Reynolds) - Commissioner Reynolds reported that he is working with Lynette Stott, Deputy Director of the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), to set up an Instagram account for the VAC. Reynolds noted that the process has been slow, but they are continuing to work through the complications.
  22. 21 PAGE BREAK
  23. 22 COMMUNICATIONS' REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE
  24. 23 • VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING – VETERANS HOUSE COUNCIL (Reynolds) - Commissioner Culver reported that the Veterans Memorial Building (VMB) House Council met on Thursday, November 6th, at 6:00 PM. He noted that the House Council is still waiting for reimbursement from El Dorado County for insurance. Lastly, Culver reported that the VMB organized a cleanup field day with 48 volunteers from various organizations who helped clean the building. During the cleanup, several broken windows and other minor issues were discovered and quickly repaired. However, the refrigerator continues to leak and still requires repair. • AMERICAN LEGION SERVICE OFFICER (Zelinsky) - Zelinsky reported that veterans are not identifying themselves as having served in the military when they are arrested or taken into custody. He plans to work with the county jail to ensure staff ask individuals if they have served in the military, rather than simply asking if they are a veteran. Zelinsky noted that many people do not consider themselves veterans if they did not serve in a combat zone or if they are National Guard reservists. He believes that a dozen inmates may not be properly identified as veterans and therefore are not receiving the support they are entitled to. Next, Zelinsky reported he worked with Commissioner Culver and utilized TOT funds to help a veteran secure an apartment for themselves and their family. In addition, he collaborated with Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) to connect the veteran with Housing and Urban Development–Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH), which will help cover a portion of their rent. Lastly, Zelinsky shared that another veteran he has been working with will be utilizing a HUD-VASH Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) to purchase a home. He plans to learn more about this program and how it can be used to assist additional veterans in the future. Zelinsky has reached out to Julie Tucker, El Dorado County HUD-VASH Social Worker, for further information. • EDC VETERANS ALLIANCE - Jack Babbitt thanked all the volunteers for their efforts during the Veterans Day Ceremony at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument, noting only a few minor issues such as a lack of power and one bench that had been recently painted. Babbitt reported that work is still underway to install an atlas at the center of the Veterans Monument, along with a few additional slabs, and they are currently seeking bids. He also shared that the El Dorado Veterans (EDC) Alliance is collaborating with VSO Brown on the application process for bricks and stones at the Veterans Monument. Lastly, Babbitt noted there was a Public Records Act request regarding a stone placed at the monument in 2006. • VA VET CENTER/MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP/EL DORADO VETERAN RESOURCES (Whalen) - Tim Whalen was not available to provide a report. • REGIONAL VETERAN EVENTS - Commissioner Mullens-Becker reported that Non-Profit Construction Corporation had planned to hold its Key Ceremony in Grizzly Flats on Saturday, November 15th. However, due to rain, the event was rescheduled to Saturday, November 22nd, at 10:00 AM at 5083 Sciaroni Road, Grizzly Flats, CA 95636. Mullens-Becker encouraged others to attend the ceremony to show their support.
  25. 23 Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Jon Brown reported that he and Veterans Services Representative (VSR) II Sharon Neu attended the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CACVSO) Fall Training Conference in Tuolumne County at the Chicken Ranch Casino October 19-24, 2025. Both Brown and Neu gained valuable knowledge they plan to share with the other VSRs who were unable to attend. Next, Brown reported on the Veteran Appreciation BBQ, hosted by El Dorado Veteran Resources (EDVR) on October 31st at the Veterans Memorial Building (VMB). The event had a strong turnout, with approximately 100 veterans and their families attending. Guests enjoyed free food, met the Veteran Services Office staff, and shared camaraderie with fellow veterans. Brown expressed hope that EDVR will continue to host similar events for veterans and their families in the future. Next, Brown reported that Senate Bill 694 will be voted on in January 2026 when the California State Legislature reconvenes. He encouraged all veterans and their families to contact their representatives in support of the bill, which aims to protect veterans from predatory “claim sharks” who charge fees for filing claims on veterans’ behalf and take portions of their awards. Lastly, Brown reported that for the month of October 2025, the Veteran Services Office recorded 100 walk-in clients, 112 scheduled appointments, and 264 incoming phone calls. Lastly, Brown reported that Tisha Holy, VSR II, continues to provide services to clients in South Lake Tahoe. 25-1943
  26. 24 GOOD OF THE ORDER (COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS)
  27. 25 OPEN FORUM
  28. 26 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.
  29. 27 NEXT MEETING LOCATION, DATE & TIME December 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM 330 Fair Lane, Building A Board of Supervisors Chamber Placerville, CA 95667
  30. 28 ADJOURNMENT - 12:59 PM
  31. 28 PAGE BREAK
  32. 31 PAGE BREAK
  33. 33 Public Comment VAC Rcvd 11-13-25 25-1944