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Veterans Affairs Commission

July 11, 2024 ·12:00 PM Final ·330 Fair Lane, Building A, BOS Chamber, Placerville, CA 95667

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

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/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. A. CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG - 12:05 PM
  7. B. ROLL CALL
  8. 8 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AND WELCOME
  9. C. 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. D. CONSENT CALENDAR
  12. 1. Commission to review and approve mileage reimbursement for Veteran Affairs Commissioners for the month of June 2024. 24-1238
  13. 2. Commission to review and approve Veteran Affairs Commission June 13, 2024 meeting minutes. 24-1239
  14. 14 END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
  15. E. AGENDA ITEMS
  16. 3. List of 2024 Veterans TOT Mini Grant Applications to be reviewed by the Veteran Affairs Commission. (No action required. Individual applications will be renewed separately for consideration and approval.) 24-1240
  17. 4. El Dorado Post 119 American Legion VA TOT Mini Grant Application to be reviewed and approved by the Veteran Affairs Commission for full amount. 24-1241
  18. 5. Gilmore Hero Foundation VA TOT Mini Grant Application to be reviewed and approved by the Veteran Affairs Commission for full amount. 24-1242
  19. 6. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10165 VA TOT Mini Grant Application to be reviewed and approved by the Veteran Affairs Commission for partial amount. 24-1243
  20. 7. Veterans of Foreign Wars Sierra Nevada Post 2680 VA TOT Mini Grant Application to be reviewed and approved by the Veteran Affairs Commission for full amount. 24-1244
  21. 8. Veteran Affairs Commission to review recommendation by the TOT Committee to approve the use of TOT funding for a permanent .50 FTE Office Assistant (OA) for the El Dorado County Veteran Services Office. Last year, the TOT recommended (and the VAC approved) allocating $21,000 for an extra-help General Trainee to provide staff support to the Veteran Services office. The current proposal is to no longer fund the General Trainee, but to instead fund a .50 FTE (half time) OA at a cost of $37,197. The difference between the two positions is $16,197. ($21,000 + $16,197 = $37,197). In reviewing the two positions, Veteran Services staff determined that the OA position would more comprehensively provide services than the General Trainee. 24-1245
  22. F. EX-OFFICIO REPORT - RECEIVE AND FILE (Brown)
  23. G. COMMITTEE REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE
  24. 24 • TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) (Reynolds) - Commissioner Reynolds stated there was nothing to report about the TOT since the Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC) had just discussed and voted on all TOT items. • 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 was not available to provide a report. • TRANSPORTATION (Thompson) - Tim Whalen reported they are helping veterans with rides. Riders will need to sign a waiver for legal reasons before they use the ride system. Whalen reported they have volunteers helping to provide the rides. Veterans will need to call El Dorado Veteran Resources (EDVR) to schedule a ride. • BUDGET (Reynolds/Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Mullens-Beck stated there was nothing to report about Budget at this time. • EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT (Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Mullens-Becker stated there was nothing to report about Education and Employment at this time. • OUTREACH (Reynolds/Carlson) - Commissioner Reynolds reported there had been a lot of activity on the Veterans Affairs Commission Facebook page. The page has been keeping veterans up to date with current activities in the El Dorado community, such as the 2nd Saturday breakfast at the Veterans Memorial Building (VMB).
  25. H. COMMUNICATIONS' REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE
  26. 26 • VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING – VETERANS HOUSE COUNCIL (Reynolds) - Commissioner Reynolds reported that the House Council meeting was June 6, 2024 and stated who attended. Reynolds reported the Eagle Scout memorial project was going smoothly at the VMB. Next, Reynolds reported that the the House Council’s budget is $9,800, which is separate from their outstanding budget that the county gives them of $15K a year. The House Council has an additional $53K to spend on different changes to the building. Madaline Kolsky, Facilities Project Manager for El Dorado County Central Services, emailed Reynolds stating that the House Council is requesting to drop the ceiling in the dining room, change the lighting so it can be dimmed, and paint the walls. The estimated cost of dropping the ceiling would be $60K, and Madaline is looking for additional bids to drop the ceiling. The House Council also wants to move the bar, but they have not received a contract for that change at this time. Additionally, there is a contract to paint the outside of the building both upstairs and downstairs. Reynolds did not have the numbers for how much painting the building will cost. Lastly, Reynolds reported the VMB House Council meeting will be on Thursday, July 11th at 6 PM, since it was postponed due to the July 4th holiday the previous Thursday. • AMERICAN LEGION SERVICE OFFICER (Zelinsky) - David Zelinsky mentioned a veteran who was almost arrested a couple of weeks ago at the VMB. Zelinsky was there to help the veteran and took him to the ER and setup a detox center. The ER cleared him and let him go. The veteran is unfortunately back on the street, and Zelinsky is not sure when he will reappear again. Next, Zelinsky mentioned that 14 veterans at the Marine Corps required money through the Supportive Services for Veterans and their Families (SSVF) Program and that getting veterans housed was a lot of work. In South Lake Tahoe, Zelinsky mentioned 2 veterans in custody that he is trying to assist. Lastly, Zelinsky mentioned he was helping a veteran at Veterans Court. At the end of Zelinsky’s report, he mentioned has helped almost 1,260 veterans. • EDC VETERANS ALLIANCE (Wolfe) - Commissioner Wolfe reported that they were working on creating more areas for plaques at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument. It took the Veterans Alliance 3 weeks to find the same rock quarry they used when the Veterans Monument was originally built. Wolfe said they had 4 additional plaques to add to the Monument. Commissioner Reynolds also mentioned they were struggling to find a new place for the Veterans Alliance meetings since the Dennys in Cameron Park was currently closed due a fire in the building. • VA VET CENTER/MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP/EL DORADO VETERAN RESOURCES (Whalen) - Tim Whalen reported that the Citrus Heights Vet Center would be hosting a Veterans’ Outdoor Experience for their clients at Zephyr Point in South Lake Tahoe. The group will hike and explore the outdoors at Zephyr Point. Veterans will need to go through the Vet Center to sign up. This outdoor experience will be August 21-23. Next, Whalen reported that the Vet Center is reviewing the budget and staff requirements for the demand for additional Veteran Therapy at the VMB. Next, Whalen reported that EDVR is still conducting the food giveaway on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. They are making it a drive-up and go process for veterans, and are trying to have a menu of items for veterans to pick from. The food pick-up location is downstairs in the lower lot at the VMB. Whalen reported that the Vet Center would be at the Capitol Air Show on July 13-14. The air show would be from 3 PM to 9 PM. Next, Whalen reported the California State Fair will have a Veteran Appreciation Day on July 24th, where veterans could get free admission with a military ID. The Amador County Fair will be held from July 25th – 28th, and the Vet Center will be there. On July 31st, there will be an Elk Lodge Cookout at Mather VA Hospital, and the Vet Center will be there as well. Lastly, Whalen mentioned the September 13th and 14th Standdown at the VMB. The Standdown committee has been meeting frequently to prepare for the event. • REGIONAL VETERAN EVENTS - Commissioner Roger reported there were no additional regional events to report on.
  27. I. GOOD OF THE ORDER (COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS)
  28. J. OPEN FORUM
  29. 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.
  30. 30 NEXT MEETING LOCATION, DATE & TIME August 8, 2024 at 12:00 PM 330 Fair Lane, Bldg A BOS Chamber Placerville, CA 95667
  31. 30 Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Brown reported that Veterans Service Representative (VSR) I Sharon Nue would be attending CalVet Phase II for her accreditation training. After she is accredited, she will be able to begin assisting veterans and helping to assist the other VSRs. Beginning in August, Senior Office Assistant (OA) Bonnie Steward will be attending the Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC) meetings with Administrative Technician Courtney Frame. Bonnie will be trained as a back up Clerk for the VAC meetings in the event Courtney Frame is unavailable to attend. Brown next reported that CalVet 6-Month Audit was coming to a close at the end of July. The Veterans Service Office had posted over $1.2 million in retroactive payments by the time of the VAC meeting and $203K in recurring monthly payments to veterans and their families in the community. Brown reported that VSR II Tisha Holy attended the California Association of County Veterans Service Offices Summer Conference as the VSO’s proxy. She brought back information to assist the office with providing the best service to El Dorado County veterans. Next, Brown reported that for the month of July the office had 353 incoming phone calls, 72 scheduled appointments, and 165 walk-in visitors. Lastly, Brown reported that there had been no changes to services provided to the veterans in South Lake Tahoe by VSR II Tisha Holy. 24-1353
  32. 31 ADJOURNMENT - 1:02 PM
  33. 34 • VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING – VETERANS HOUSE COUNCIL (Reynolds) - Commissioner Reynolds reported that the House Council meeting was June 6, 2024, and stated who attended. Reynolds reported the Eagle Scout memorial project was going smoothly at the VMB. Next, Reynolds reported that the House Council’s budget is $9,800, which is separate from their outstanding budget that the county gives them of $15K a year. The House Council has an additional $53K to spend on different changes to the building. The House Council is requesting to drop the ceiling in the dining room of the VMB, change the lighting so that it can be dimmed and paint the walls. The estimated cost of dropping the ceiling would be $60K, and additional bids are being sought. The House Council also wants to move the bar, but they have not received a contract for that change at this time. Additionally, there is a contract to paint the outside of the building both upstairs and downstairs. Reynolds did not have the numbers for how much painting the building will cost. Lastly, Reynolds reported the next VMB House Council meeting will be on Thursday, July 11th at 6 PM, since it was postponed due to the July 4th holiday the previous Thursday. • AMERICAN LEGION SERVICE OFFICER (Zelinsky) - David Zelinsky mentioned a veteran who was almost arrested a couple of weeks ago at the VMB. Zelinsky was there to help the veteran and took him to the ER and setup a detox center. The ER cleared him and let him go. The veteran is unfortunately back on the street, and Zelinsky is not sure when he will reappear again. Next, Zelinsky mentioned that 14 veterans at the Marine Corps required money through the Supportive Services for Veterans and their Families (SSVF) Program and that getting veterans housed was a lot of work. In South Lake Tahoe, Zelinsky mentioned 2 veterans in custody that he is trying to assist. Lastly, Zelinsky mentioned he was helping a veteran at Veterans Court. At the end of Zelinsky’s report, he mentioned has helped almost 1,260 veterans. • EDC VETERANS ALLIANCE (Wolfe) - Commissioner Wolfe reported that they were working on creating more areas for plaques at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument. It took the Veterans Alliance 3 weeks to find the same rock quarry they used when the Veterans Monument was originally built. Wolfe said they had 4 additional plaques to add to the Monument. Commissioner Reynolds also mentioned they were struggling to find a new place for the Veterans Alliance meetings since the Dennys in Cameron Park was currently closed due a fire in the building. • VA VET CENTER/MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP/EL DORADO VETERAN RESOURCES (Whalen) - Tim Whalen reported that the Citrus Heights Vet Center would be hosting a Veterans’ Outdoor Experience for their clients at Zephyr Point in South Lake Tahoe. The group will hike and explore the outdoors at Zephyr Point. Veterans will need to go through the Vet Center to sign up. This outdoor experience will be August 21-23. Next, Whalen reported that the Vet Center is reviewing the budget and staff requirements for the demand for additional Veteran Therapy at the VMB. Next, Whalen reported that EDVR is still conducting the food giveaway on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month. They are making it a drive-up and go process for veterans, and are trying to have a menu of items for veterans to pick from. The food pick-up location is downstairs in the lower lot at the VMB. Whalen reported that the Vet Center would be at the Capitol Air Show on July 13-14. The air show would be from 3 PM to 9 PM. Next, Whalen reported the California State Fair will have a Veteran Appreciation Day on July 24th, where veterans could get free admission with a military ID. The Amador County Fair will be held from July 25th – 28th, and the Vet Center will be there. On July 31st, there will be an Elk Lodge Cookout at Mather VA Hospital, and the Vet Center will be there as well. Lastly, Whalen mentioned the September 13th and 14th Standdown at the VMB. The Standdown committee has been meeting frequently to prepare for the event. • REGIONAL VETERAN EVENTS - Commissioner Roger reported there were no additional regional events to report on.