HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-01-20 VAC MinutesPage 1 | Veterans Advisory Commission Minutes January 20, 2016
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
6:00 pm
A Regular Meeting of the Veteran Advisory Commission of the City of Chula Vista was called to
order at 6:00 pm in the Veterans Home conference room, located at 700 E. Naples Court, Chula
Vista, California.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Commissioners Whitehead, Bailey, Blum, Wunder, Perez,
Ramirez and Chair Stewart
ABSENT:
ALSO PRESENT: Secretary Zepeda, Captain Turner, CVPD
Melissa Martin, Council Representative
1. Approval of Minutes
Staff recommendation: Commission approve minutes.
ACTION: Commissioner Bailey moved to approve minutes of November 17, 2016 as
written. Commissioner Wunder seconded the motion, and it carried by the following
vote:
Yes: 6- Whitehead, Bailey, Wunder, Blum, Perez, Ramirez and Stewart.
Guest(s): None.
ACTION ITEMS
a. Fallen Veteran Memorial at Memorial Park. Chair Stewart is working on scheduling a
meeting with Veterans organization leaders on February 12th, 2016 to discuss the
potential on what can be done and to gather their input. Chair Stewart requested
information on “Friends of the Park” to see if they can help raise funds for the memorial.
b. Flags on 3rd Avenue. The VFW Post 211 was able to successfully obtain an
Encroachment permit. They are focusing now on trying to get the bracket issue rectified
specifically the missing brackets and brackets that are placed too high. Commissioner
Wunder will be scheduling a meeting with City personnel to discuss the banner project.
c. Chula Vista Veterans Park Brick Program. Discussion of possibly inviting
representative for the Brick Program to a future VAC meeting to discuss how the
money raised is broken down: Commissioner Bailey is to contact Kristi McClure-
Huckaby, Director of Recreation to discuss the brick program.
Page 2 | Veterans Advisory Commission Minutes January 20, 2016
d. Homeless Veterans Outreach/Chula Vista Homeless Coalition meeting: Homeless
count will be held on January 29th, 2016 at 3:30am at the Chula Vista Police Department.
Commissioner Perez reported on the South Bay Homeless Connect event. 114 attendees,
15 individuals reported to be Veterans, 7 reported to being permanently disabled, 30
reported being mentally disabled, 40 living on the street, 20 living in a vehicle, 14 living
in a room of a household that was not their own and 16 reported living in shelters.
e. Veterans Activities Report: Commissioner Whitehead’s report on Veterans Activities
for the month of January 2016.
OTHER BUSINESS
2.
STAFF COMMENTS-
Capt. Turner: Will contact City Attorney David Miller to invite him to the next VAC
meeting for an update on the DVBE.
CHAIR’S COMMENTS-
Veteran of the year program: Start looking at advertising earlier this year and reach a
broader base. By the next meeting commissioners are to bring ideas on when to start and
how to fine tune the program.
Will continue forward on the VSO leadership and make sure we get consensus on several
items. The goal of meeting with VSO’s is to get input and information veteran related topics
and to possibly meet with them on a regular basis like once a quarter.
Commissioners Whitehead, Blum and Stewart will term out in June 2016. It was requested
to start looking now at possible replacements.
COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS-
Commissioner Ramirez: San Diego River Foundation will have about 200-300 volunteers
to help clean the river by Sea World (Old Sea World Drive) from 8:00 am-11:00 am on
Saturday, January 23rd, 2016.
Commissioner Wunder: Letter sent to the VFW order of the Cootie from the Department
of the Army from Arlington National Cemetery asking all groups to limit reef laying
ceremonies to once a year. A letter writing campaign is underway.
Commissioner Whitehead: The senate approved Veteran ID cards. Advocates are available
at the VA hospital, Administrative section to get certified and take paperwork to the DMV.
3. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:57 pm Chair Stewart adjourned the meeting to the next on February 17, 2016 in the
Veterans Home Conference Room, Chula Vista, California.
____________________________________
Mariluz Zepeda, Secretary