HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-05-17 VAC MinutesPage 1 | Veterans Advisory Commission Minutes May 17, 2017
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 Chula Vista Police Department, 315 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista,
California.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Commissioners Bailey, Mueller, Sears, Stewart, Torres and Chair
Wunder
ABSENT: Commissioner Perez
ALSO PRESENT: Vern Sallee, Staff Liaison
Mariluz Zepeda, Secretary
1. Approval of Minutes
ACTION: Commissioner Bailey moved to approve the April 19, 2017 minutes as written.
Commissioner Stewart seconded the motion, and it carried by the following vote:
Yes: 6- Bailey, Mueller, Sears, Stewart, Torres and Wunder
Guests:Councilmember John McCann
Councimember Mike Diaz
Natalie Zuniga, Council Aide
Edgar Guerrero
Christopher Ramirez
Henry Martinez
Public Comments:
Councilmember John McCann invited commissioners to the Chula Vista Fallen Veterans Street
dedication ceremony on Friday, May 26, 2017 at 11:00am.
Councilmember Mike Diaz introduced himself to commission. Councilmember Diaz looks
forward to working with commissioners on making the lives of veterans better. Discussed
working on veterans housing projects in Chula Vista. His office fully supports the commission
and will work with the VAC with ideas that benefit veterans.
Henry Martinez, Parade coordinator discussed the Chula Vista Honor Our Veterans Parade 2017.
The parade is non-profit and is the first year event is being charged $6,500. Asking for support
from commission to help get some of the costs deferred. Item will be added to next month’s
agenda for discussion.
Page 2 | Veterans Advisory Commission Minutes May 17, 2017
ACTION ITEMS:
a) Chula Vista Veterans Park Brick Program: Chula Vista Veterans Park Brick
Program update. Update on Recreation Director, Kristi McClure Huckaby’s
discussion with Friends of the Park regarding sharing of the proceeds from the
Veterans Brick program with the Veterans Home Foundation. Kristi McClure
Huckaby, Director of Recreation sent an email requesting to set up a meeting with a VAC
representative and Mark Liuag, Treasurer of the Friends to discuss the future of the
Veterans Park Brick Program. Commissioner Perez will be taking over this project once
Commissioner Bailey terms out in June and will be contacted regarding this meeting.
Commissioner Stewart volunteered to attend the meeting as well.
b) Fallen Veteran Memorial at Memorial Park: Update on New School of Architecture
and Design Urban studies class’ VAC proposal for Fallen Veteran Memorial at
Memorial Park. The student’s proposals are not available electronically. Chair Wunder
will prepare a conceptual draft and will be presented by Vice Chair Mueller at next
month’s meeting.
c) Veteran Memorial at Bay Front Park. Commissioner Mueller met with Mayor Salas
regarding the Bay Front Park. Around late 2018/2019 there will have a planning
commission and the Mayor will send Commissioner Mueller the contact information for
the commissioner to the Port of San Diego that represents Chula Vista. At that point, the
planning commission will hold a meeting for public comment and the VAC should be
ready to present with the support of the community. Chair Wunder will draft a letter to
the City Manager, City Council and the Port Commission to voice desire to have some
type of Veterans Memorial on the bay front. Commissioners to ask for support from
Veteran Service Organizations as well.
d) Fallen Heroes Banners at Chula Vista Mall. Discussion on commissioners making
contact with management to discuss possible displaying of Fallen Hero banners at
Chula Vista Mall. The Chula Vista Mall agreed to display the Fallen Heroes Banners.
Commissioner Stewart will connect Commissioner Torres with the company involved
with making the banners. Veterans Day 2017 is the goal date for display.
e) Veterans Small Business Directory for Chula Vista. Discuss creating a Veterans
small business directory for residents who want to support local veteran businesses.
US4Warriors has an updated directory, forms and flyers to give to businesses.
Commissioner Stewart will bring the forms and more information to the next VAC
meeting.
f) State of the American Veterans Program with USC in San Diego. Discussion on the
VAC to possibly approach the City and eventually the County of San Diego to get a
State of the American Veterans program study done in San Diego. The program
consists of various studies throughout the country regarding the needs of veterans
and how their needs have been addressed. Commissioner Mueller will work on getting
feedback from the County of San Diego in regards to whether they already have this data
or would this new study enhance or provide additional information the County doesn’t
already have.
Page 3 | Veterans Advisory Commission Minutes May 17, 2017
g) Veteran of the Year Update: Discussion of 2017 application deadline, advertisement
and getting the word out on getting nominations. One application for nomination has
been received so far from CVPD. Advertisement for VOY nominations featured in the
May issue of Our Hometown Magazine. Press release was forwarded to Diane Howell,
Public Information Specialist and it was posted on City’s social media and the City’s
Community Connection.
h) Chula Vista Veterans Walk update: Possibility of changing route if VFW hall gets
rectified and fixed. Money is now accepted electronically.
i) Laserfiche Training: Overview of City of Chula Vista’s public Laserfiche page. The
City of Chula Vista is in the process of using a new document scanning solution and
archiving through Microsoft Office 365. Vern Sallee recommends item tabled until City
changes scanning program.
j) Commissioner Perez’s absence from May meeting. Commissioner Stewart moved to
approve Commissioner Perez’s absence from May meeting. Commissioner Bailey
seconded the motion, and it carried by the following vote:
Yes: 6- Bailey, Mueller, Sears, Stewart, Torres and Wunder
k) Veterans Activities Report: There is no Veterans Activities report for the month of May
2017.
2. OTHER BUSINESS:
Staff Comments:
The annual VAC activities report is due June 28, 2017.
VetNow service product to hire an accredited VA claims agent/Customer Service Rep that may
be interested in this employment opportunity. Part-time Monday-Friday 2:00pm - 7:00pm, work
from home with your own computer and Internet access.
Chair’s Comments:
Chair Wunder thanked Commissioner Bailey for his service with the VAC.
Predetermination for VA Burial rights is now available.
Chair Wunder was selected as one of 10 veterans from the West Coast to join an organization
called The Mission Continues. Chair Wunder will be spending a week in Atlanta, GA for an
event called West Side Surge. There will be a total of 70 veterans that go into a community and
rebuild it.
Commissioner’s Comments:
Commissioner Mueller: Recovery center that is preparing to open in Fallbrook for female
veterans that have been victim of sexual assault.
Page 4 | Veterans Advisory Commission Minutes May 17, 2017
ADJOURNMENT
At 7:48 pm, Chair Wunder adjourned the meeting to the next on June 21, 2017 in the Chula Vista
Police Department, Community Conference Room, Chula Vista, California.
____________________________________
Mariluz Zepeda, Secretary