Veterans Affairs Commission

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

Agenda — 27 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 - 12:06 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 September 2024. 24-1764
13. 13 Commission to review and approve Veteran Affairs Commission September 12, 2024, meeting minutes. 24-1765
14. 14 END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
15. 15 AGENDA ITEMS
16. 16 Commission to review and vote on proposed dates and locations for Veteran Affairs Commission 2025 meetings. 24-1766
17. 17 EX-OFFICIO REPORT - RECEIVE AND FILE (Brown)
18. 18 COMMITTEE REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE
19. 19 • TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) (Reynolds) - Reynolds reported that the Grant Writing Workshops in both South Lake Tahoe and Placerville were a success. He thanked Kathy Haven from the El Dorado Community Foundation for her hard work in organizing the workshops. Mullens-Becker mentioned that the Veterans Transient Occupancy Tax (VA TOT) Committee met that morning to discuss the 2024/2025 Annual Grants. The committee will present its recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 VA TOT Annual Grants at the VAC November meeting. • RULES (Welch) - Commissioner Welch stated that there was nothing new to report on Rules. • HOUSING (Welch) - Welch reported that he has been following some state-level bills that could bring changes to El Dorado County in regards to housing. • LEGISLATIVE (Smith) - Commissioner Smith stated that there was nothing new to report on Legislative. • TRANSPORTATION (Thompson) - Zelinsky reported that Chris Angi, with El Dorado Veteran Resources (EDVR), has been assisting with transportation for veterans. Whalen stated that Zelinsky was very helpful with transportation during the Stand Down event and getting a veteran back to Sacramento. Additionally, Whalen reported that Tim Page, with EDVR, has been providing rides to veterans as well. Lastly, Whalen noted that a vehicle might be donated to EDVR, although discussions are still ongoing. • BUDGET (Reynolds/Mullens-Becker) - Reynolds reported that the Veterans Memorial Building (VMB) House Council has $60K in its budget. • EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT (Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Mullens-Becker stated that there was nothing new to report for Education and Employment. • OUTREACH (Reynolds) - Reynolds reported that the Veterans Affairs Commission Facebook page has seen an increase in followers and engagement on posts over the last month.
20. 20 COMMUNICATIONS' REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE
21. 20 Veterans Service Officer Brown reported his findings after visiting Lake Tahoe Community College following the September 12 Veteran Affairs Commission (VAC) meeting. Brown, accompanied by Courtney Frame, Veteran Services Office Administration Technician, and Bonnie Steward, Veteran Services Office Senior Office Assistant, met with the point of contact at the student center for the Veteran Resource Center. Currently, the Veteran Resource Center does not have any staff employed, and veteran students need to inform the front office to gain access to the center. Brown stated that he will continue to follow up with the college and report any new findings to the VAC. Next, Brown reported that for the month of September, the Veteran Services Office received 351 incoming phone calls, scheduled 80 appointments, and had 124 walk-in visitors. Lastly, Brown reported that there have been no changes in the services provided to South Lake Tahoe veterans. 24-1860
22. 21 • VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING – VETERANS HOUSE COUNCIL (Reynolds) - Reynolds reported that Bud Sweet was being replaced at the Fleet Reserve Association. He also mentioned that the House Council had replaced the trash containers and a door at the VMB. The House Council is still working on changing banks. Reynolds noted that Quilts of Valor would like to continue making quilts for veterans and are working on a name change. Lastly, he reported that food can now be eaten in the East Room at the VMB as long as paper is put down on the floor to catch any crumbs or spills. • AMERICAN LEGION SERVICE OFFICER (Zelinsky) - Zelinsky introduced Mike Roberts from Save the Graves to discuss their work in preserving gravestones of veterans in El Dorado County. Roberts reported that his organization, Save the Graves, has been instrumental in cleaning up tombstones in El Dorado County and helping to replace broken or missing grave markers as well. Roberts reported that his organization will be hosting an event Saturday, October 19th at 650 Bee Street in Placerville from 10 AM to 4 PM. Lastly, Zelinsky reported on a few veterans he has assisted in the community with transportation, property tax solutions, and housing. • EDC VETERANS ALLIANCE (Wolfe) - Wolfe reported that preparations are underway for the Veterans Day memorial service at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument. Efforts are being made to ensure that all groups are represented at the service. • VA VET CENTER/MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP/EL DORADO VETERAN RESOURCES (Whalen) - Whalen reported that the Citrus Heights Veteran Center is providing counseling sessions at the VMB every Tuesday, every other Thursday, and every 2nd and 4th Friday morning. They might increase their counseling days due to the higher demand. El Dorado Veteran Resources (EDVR) and the No Vet Goes Hungry organization prepare 150 meals each month for veterans. EDVR partners with the Food Bank every 2nd and 4th Wednesday to distribute food at the VMB lower parking lot from 10 AM to 1 PM. Next, Whalen reported that there will be a turkey giveaway hosted by the Marine Corps League/Toys for Tots on November 24th at District Church. Lastly, Whalen reported that the Stand Down event was successful, with 415 veterans and family members in attendance. He noted the difficulty in getting service providers for the Stand Down event, as they provide services for free, and ensuring veterans are aware of and sign up for the services. Whalen referred veterans to the Sacramento Stand Down, held two weeks later, for additional services not available at the El Dorado Stand Down. • REGIONAL VETERAN EVENTS - Whalen reported that several veteran events were happening in the surrounding counties.
23. 22 GOOD OF THE ORDER (COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS)
24. 23 OPEN FORUM
25. 24 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.
26. 25 NEXT MEETING LOCATION, DATE & TIME November 14, 2024 at 12:00 PM El Dorado Hills Fire Station #85 1050 Wilson Blvd. El Dorado Hills, CA 95762
27. 26 ADJOURNMENT - 12:58 PM