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Veterans Affairs Commission

August 14, 2025 ·12:00 PM Final ·330 Fair Lane, Building A Board of Supervisors Chamber Placerville, CA 95667

https://edcgov-us.zoom.us/j/91249101434

Agenda PDF Minutes PDF 📹 Watch video Official record ↗

Agenda — 37 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/91249101434. 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 912 4910 1434. 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 - 12:00 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. 12 Commission to review and approve mileage reimbursement for Veteran Affairs Commissioners for the month of July 2025. 25-1367
  13. 13 Commission to review and approve Veteran Affairs Commission July 10, 2025 meeting minutes. 25-1368
  14. 14 END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
  15. 15 GUEST SPEAKER - VETERAN SPOTLIGHT
  16. 16 Mike Sproull from the Food Bank of El Dorado to present an overview of the organization and how they help to serve the veteran community. Kim May, from the Food Bank of El Dorado, reported that the organization has been located in Cameron Park for 25 years as a nonprofit and currently partners with 35 different agencies. These agencies span from El Dorado Hills to South Lake Tahoe, supporting food distribution efforts across the region. May reported that the Food Bank is now serving approximately 12,000 individuals per month through its distribution programs. In addition to general food assistance, the Food Bank offers specialized programs such as Elder Outreach and No Vet Goes Hungry. The No Vet Goes Hungry program serves 70 to 75 veterans each month, providing them with boxes of food that include protein, dairy, produce, and nonperishable items. To enhance support for veterans, the Food Bank has been utilizing annual funding from the Veteran Affairs Transient Occupancy Tax (VA TOT). 25-1369
  17. 17 Caleb Balbuena, from Guns Up! Combat Veterans Hunt, and Todd Stevens provided an overview of the organization and its efforts to support veterans in the community. Balbuena reported that Guns Up! takes veterans on waterfowl hunting trips and has been actively working with them for the past four years. They are currently supporting seven veterans, most of whom were referred by friends or family members. The organization utilizes several different properties for their hunts and provides gear to clients who do not have their own equipment. Guns Up! is seeking to collaborate with the VA TOT to secure funding that would enable more disabled veterans to participate in hunts and other outdoor activities. 25-1370
  18. 18 Commission to discuss and vote on changes to the previously approved September 11, 2025 Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC) Meeting Date. Commissioner Millham reported that South Lake Tahoe holds community ceremonies every September 11th, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. These events begin at 11:00 AM and typically draw around 150 attendees at the American Legion Post. Millham expressed concern about scheduling the VAC meeting on September 11th, suggesting that the meeting be postponed by a week to avoid conflicting with ceremonies in South Lake Tahoe and other locations. Commissioner Reynolds noted that he, Vice Chair Commissioner Smith, Veterans Service Officer Brown, and Veterans Service Office Administrative Technician Courtney Frame had met earlier that morning to discuss the September 11th VAC meeting date. During that meeting, they agreed to proceed with the scheduled date due to conflicts that would arise from rescheduling. Reynolds acknowledged that September 11th is not a federal holiday but recommended observing a moment of silence to honor the significance of the day. Commissioner Culver supported keeping the original date, citing scheduling conflicts with the South Lake Tahoe Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA). Commissioner Smith also agreed, emphasizing the importance of a moment of silence while maintaining the scheduled meeting. Timalynn Jaynes, Assistant Director of Human Services, inquired about the meeting location and whether a quorum would be present. Frame confirmed the meeting would be held at 3368 Sandy Way in the Large Conference Room, and after checking with the Commissioners, verified that a quorum would be met. 25-1371
  19. 18 PAGE BREAK
  20. 19 EX-OFFICIO REPORT - RECEIVE AND FILE (Brown)
  21. 20 COMMITTEE REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE
  22. 21 • TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) (Reynolds) - Commissioner Reynolds reported that the TOT Committee did not hold a meeting in August. Reynolds reported that he had received a letter from Kathy Haven, Community Impact Officer at the El Dorado Community Foundation, regarding the TOT Mini-Grants. According to Reynolds, the Foundation has issued 109 Mini-Grants since 2014, totaling over $557,000. He also noted that the TOT Annual Grants issued in 2021 amounted to over $520,000. Combined, these grants total over $1 million. Reynolds expressed his gratitude to El Dorado County for establishing the TOT Committee and enabling them to support veterans in the community. • 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 report. • TRANSPORTATION (Thompson) - Commissioner Thompson was not available to provide a report. • BUDGET (Reynolds/Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Reynolds stated there was nothing additional to report. • EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT (Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Mullens-Becker stated there was nothing to report. • OUTREACH (Reynolds) - Commissioner Reynolds reported that he is working on connecting the Veterans Affairs Commission's Facebook and Instagram accounts, so that when he posts to one platform, the content will automatically appear on both.
  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, August 7th. He shared that the Council is working on several building updates, including moving the bar back to its original location, redoing the flooring or purchasing a more effective scrubber for the downstairs area, and adding an extra office to the Veterans Services Office. Culver reported that the VMB is currently awaiting a refund from the insurance company. He also reported that the building inspection has been rescheduled to August 26th at 11:00 AM, as the Building Manager was unavailable on the original date. Lastly, Culver reported that a Veterans Day BBQ has been proposed following the Veterans Day ceremony at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument. The BBQ would be open to the public and held at the VMB. Culver expressed hope that all veteran organizations will be able to participate and host booths at the post-ceremony event. • AMERICAN LEGION SERVICE OFFICER (Zelinsky) - David Zelinsky reported that he has been working to assist a homeless veteran on probation with securing housing and medical support. While the veteran has expressed interest in receiving help, he remains hesitant to begin the process of engaging with the VA. Zelinsky noted that he is limited in what he can do until the veteran is ready to fully commit. Commissioner Millham reported that he is assisting a veteran in South Lake Tahoe who is currently in need of medical support. He referred the veteran to the VA Hospital in Reno, noting that it is the closest and most accessible facility for the veteran to visit. Millham also mentioned that things have been relatively quiet in South Lake Tahoe. Next, Millham reported that American Legion Post 795 hosted the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron from Yuma, Arizona. The Squadron, which had been training at Fallon Naval Air Station, was granted a weekend off in South Lake Tahoe. Millham shared that both Post 795 and the Squadron enjoyed their time together and expressed hope for similar opportunities in the future. Lastly, Millham reported that he continues to refer clients to the Veteran Services Office for assistance. • EDC VETERANS ALLIANCE - Commissioner Reynolds stated there was no one available to provide a report. • VA VET CENTER/MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP/EL DORADO VETERAN RESOURCES (Whalen) - Whalen reported that the Military Family Support Group (MFSG) continues to provide essential services, including food distribution, mobility equipment delivery and pickup, and transportation assistance. Whalen expressed gratitude to Melanie Regan, David Zelinsky, Tim Page, and all the volunteer drivers for their ongoing support. Next, Whalen reported that the back office at the VMB will soon be used by Jeanne from Jake’s Journey Home, who will begin offering services in the near future. Lastly, Whalen reported that Julie Tucker from the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program has also been working out of the VMB.
  25. 24 GOOD OF THE ORDER (COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS)
  26. 24 PAGE BREAK
  27. 25 OPEN FORUM
  28. 25 AGENDA ITEMS
  29. 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.
  30. 27 NEXT MEETING LOCATION, DATE & TIME September 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM 3368 Sandy Way HHSA Large Conference Room South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150
  31. 28 ADJOURNMENT - 1:16 PM
  32. 28 PAGE BREAK
  33. 30 VSO Brown reported that the next California Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CACVSO) conference will be held from October 19th to 24th. VSO Brown will be attending with a Veterans Service Representative (VSR). Next, Brown reported that the El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has a new Program Manager for the Veterans Service Office: Amy Higdon. Next, Brown reported that the Veterans Service Office completed its first six-month audit. The Veteran Services Office is reporting $2.9 million in retroactive and recurring payments. Brown thanked Senior Office Assistant Bonnie Streward for her hard work diligently posting awards, which helped make this audit more successful than previous ones. Next, Brown reported that Senate Bill (SB) 694 passed the Senate and will be presented by the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, August 20th. SB 694 aims to: protect veterans from financial exploitation, keep benefit dollars in local communities, reinforce long-standing federal protections, and send a strong message that California defends its veterans. Next, Brown reported that for the month of July, the Veterans Service Office recorded 157 walk-in visitors, 55 scheduled appointments, and 200 incoming phone calls. Lastly, Brown reported that VSR II Tisha Holy was doing a great job providing service to the veterans in South Lake Tahoe. Holy continues to staff the South Lake Tahoe office every second and third Tuesday of each month, weather permitting. 25-1488
  34. 31 PAGE BREAK
  35. 34 PAGE BREAK
  36. 37 • REGIONAL VETERAN EVENTS - Tim Whalen announced that the Yuba-Sutter Veterans Stand Down will take place from August 14–16, 2025, at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds in Yuba City. The event will offer a wide range of free services to veterans and their families, including medical and dental care, housing support, legal assistance, and more. Next, Whalen reported that Growlersburg VFW Post 9241 will host a resource fair on August 20, 2025, in Georgetown, providing support and information for veterans in the region. Lastly, Whalen reported that Jake’s Journey Home Event will held on August 22, 2025, at the Folsom Community Center. The evening will feature a catered dinner, music, raffle prizes, and heartfelt stories celebrating the organization’s mission to support homeless veterans. Diane Muirhead reported that California CareForce would be hosting a Free Healthcare Clinic on October 10-12, 2025. They would be providing Dental, Medical, and Vision services. Commissioner Mullens-Becker reported that she attended the “Voices for Veterans” fundraiser in San Joaquin County. The event was organized to support local veterans in need, offering a day of music, food, and community engagement.
  37. 39 PAGE BREAK