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Veterans Affairs Commission

September 11, 2025 ·12:00 PM Final ·3368 Sandy Way HHSA Large Conference South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

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 ***INSERT ZOOM LINK***. 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 ***INSERT MEETING ID***. 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 - 12:07 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. 11 PAGE BREAK
  13. 1. Commission to review and approve mileage reimbursement for Veteran Affairs Commissioners for the month of August 2025. 25-1554
  14. 2. Commission to review and approve Veteran Affairs Commission August 14, 2025 meeting minutes. 25-1555
  15. 14 END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
  16. 15 AGENDA ITEMS
  17. 3. The Veteran Affairs Transient Occupancy Tax Committee (VA TOT) will present their recommendations for the TOT Annual Grants. The Veteran Affairs Commission (VAC) will vote on the TOT Annual Grants for the Fiscal Year 2025/2026. Commissioner Mullens-Becker reported that the VA TOT Committee met earlier that morning and approved the Annual 2025/2026 TOT Grants to be presented to the VAC for final approval. She also noted that the committee had additional items under review, which would be brought to the VAC at a later date. 25-1556
  18. 17 GUEST SPEAKER - VETERAN SPOTLIGHT
  19. 4. Caleb Armstrong from Non-Profit Construction Corporation to provide an overview of the organization and how they help to serve the veteran community. Armstrong reported that his company, Non-Profit Construction Corporation, was founded in August 2023 and has been actively rebuilding homes for the veteran community in El Dorado County. The organization has successfully utilized Veteran Affairs Transient Occupancy Tax (VA TOT) Mini-Grants and plans to apply for the upcoming VA TOT Annual Grants cycle to secure additional funding. Non-Profit Construction has partnered with The Home Depot Foundation and American Eagle Roofing to provide supplies and labor. They have also collaborated with Golden Sierra High School wood shop students to construct frames for the homes. Looking ahead, the company aims to increase the number of homes built to better serve local veterans. 25-1557
  20. 19 EX-OFFICIO REPORT - RECEIVE AND FILE (Brown)
  21. 19 PAGE BREAK
  22. 20 PAGE BREAK
  23. 21 COMMITTEE REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE
  24. 22 • TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) (Reynolds) - Commissioner Culver reported that the TOT Committee met earlier that morning to discuss and approve the 2025/2026 Annual Grants for the VAC to review and approve. The committee also discussed the possibility of conducting a second round of Mini-Grants. • 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) - Commissioner Thompson was not available to provide a report. • BUDGET (Reynolds/Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Mullens-Becker stated there was nothing to report. • EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT (Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Mullens-Becker stated there was nothing to report. • OUTREACH (Reynolds) - Commissioner Culver reported that Commissioner Reynolds is still posting on the Facebook Veterans Affairs Commission page regularly.
  25. 23 COMMUNICATIONS' REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE
  26. 24 • VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING – VETERANS HOUSE COUNCIL (Reynolds) - Commissioner Culver reported that the VMB House Council held its regular meeting on Thursday, September 4th. He stated that the House Council is working with El Dorado County to redo the downstairs flooring and relocate the bar. Next, Culver reported the House Council is awaiting the return of funds from an insurance policy administered through El Dorado County. Next, Culver reported a change to a budget request concerning an office addition to the Veterans Services Office upstairs. The original request was for $6,000, but it has been updated to $6,500, which reflects the correct amount. Lastly, Culver reported that the Sky Mote ceremony, hosted by the Marine Core League, took place the previous evening with approximately 85 to 100 attendees. The ceremony also honored those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. • AMERICAN LEGION SERVICE OFFICER (Zelinsky) - David Zelinsky reported that Commissioner Millham was hosting a September 11th ceremony and doing a great job helping veterans in the South Lake Tahoe area. Next, Zelinsky reported that following the September 11th VAC meeting, he planned to visit the County Jail at South Lake Tahoe to meet with a veteran he has worked with several times. He has been trying to connect this veteran with a Veterans Affairs social worker. Next, Zelinsky reported that he is assisting another local South Lake Tahoe veteran in securing housing through programs such as Nation’s Finest, Volunteers of America, HUD-VASH (Housing and Urban Development – Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing), and the State of California Veterans Home. Next, Zelinsky reported he is working with a veteran for placement at Victory Village in Auburn. However, placement has not been successful as the veteran's pet does not meet the facilities requirements. Lastly, Zelinsky reported that he is preparing to work with another veteran who is currently incarcerated and facing criminal charges. • EDC VETERANS ALLIANCE - Commissioner Culver reported that El Dorado County Veterans Alliance will be hosting an event after the November 11th Veterans Day Ceremony at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument. The event will be a BBQ open to the public to attend with various veteran organizations present. Next, Zelinsky reported that he was interested in nominating a veteran for the Veteran of the Year Award. Culver suggested Zelinksy contact Joe Thuesen from the Veterans Alliance for his nomination. • VA VET CENTER/MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP/EL DORADO VETERAN RESOURCES (Whalen) - Zelinsky reported that he was working with Diane Muirhead to help a veteran pay their PG&E bill. Next, Culver reported that EDVR was still holding their food drive every other Wednesday from 11 AM to 1 PM until Wednesday, October 22nd. Lastly, Culver reported EDVR was hosting a Halloween BBQ as an appreciation lunch for veterans. Courtney Frame, Veteran Services Office Administrative Technician, and Bonnie Steward, Senior Office Assistant, confirmed the event would have free food, dessert and costume contest for those who choose to dress up. • REGIONAL VETERAN EVENTS - Commissioner Culver reported that the Sacramento Stand Down would be September 30th - October 2nd. Lastly, Culver reported that the California CalForce would be hosting a Free Health Care Clinic on October 10-12, 2025. The event will provide dental, medical, and vision services.
  27. 24 PAGE BREAK
  28. 25 GOOD OF THE ORDER (COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS)
  29. 26 OPEN FORUM
  30. 27 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. 28 NEXT MEETING LOCATION, DATE & TIME October 9, 2025 at 12:00 PM 330 Fair Lane, Building A Board of Supervisors Chamber Placerville, CA 95667
  32. 28 PAGE BREAK
  33. 29 ADJOURNMENT - 1:13 PM
  34. 30 Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Brown reported that he and Sharon Neu, Veterans Service Representative (VSR) II, will be attending the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CACVSO) Fall Conference. The conference will be held from October 19th to October 24th in Tuolumne County. Next, Brown reported that the Veteran Services Office staff will be attending the El Dorado Veteran Resources (EDVR) Veteran Appreciation BBQ on Friday, October 31st, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The BBQ will take place at the Veterans Memorial Building (VMB). Although costumes are not required, they are encouraged since the event is taking place on Halloween. Lunch will be provided, along with a costume contest. Brown hopes this event will give veterans in the community an opportunity to connect with the Veteran Services Office staff. Next, Brown reported that Senate Bill (SB) 694, a bill designed to protect veterans from predatory practices by unaccredited individuals and for-profit companies, was presented to the Senate on Tuesday, September 9th. The Senate has reviewed SB 694 but has not yet reached a decision. Brown urges all veterans to contact their representatives and request support for the bill by saying, “Help Stop Claim Sharks and support SB 694.” Next, Brown reported that for the month of August, the Veteran Services Office recorded 127 walk-in visitors, 95 scheduled appointments, and 290 incoming phone calls. Lastly, Brown commended Tisha Holy VSR II for her great work serving clients in South Lake Tahoe (SLT). Holy continues to staff the SLT office on the second and third Tuesday of each month. Brown hopes she will be able to connect with the new Veteran Representative at Lake Tahoe Community College during her next visit, as the office plans to collaborate closely with the college. 25-1632
  35. 34 PAGE BREAK
  36. 37 PAGE BREAK