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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-07-19 VAC MinutesPage 1 | Veterans Advisory Commission Minutes July 19, 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 6:11 pm in the Chula Vista Police Department, 315 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, California. ROLL CALL PRESENT: Commissioners Perez, Mueller, Sears and Torres ABSENT: Chair Wunder, Commissioner Stewart ALSO PRESENT: Mariluz Zepeda, Secretary 1. Approval of Minutes ACTION: Commissioner Sears moved to approve the June 14, 2017 minutes as written. Commissioner Perez seconded the motion, and it carried by the following vote: Yes: 4- Mueller, Sears, Torres and Perez Guests: Juan Hernandez, Chula Vista Resident Public Comments: None. ACTION ITEMS: a. Chula Vista Veterans Park Brick Program update. Discussion of Commissioner Perez’s meeting with Friends of the Park regarding the Veterans Brick program. When the program started, the VAC and the Veterans Home Support foundation had negotiated for a portion of the funds to go to the Veterans Home for internet access to the residents. At the time, the VAC was very involved in reaching out to veteran organizations and would submit hundreds of brick applications. In 2009, the price of the brick program doubled from $50 to $100 per brick. The Friends of the Park decided to stop contributing to the Veterans home being that the sales of the bricks had gone considerably down and it was no longer a reliable source of funds for the home’s internet. The Friends of the Park is interested in a formalized written agreement to have some of the proceeds go back to the Home and have VAC involved again in promoting the program. Currently the proceeds from the bricks go to recreation programs. The VAC has agreed to be involved again in promoting the brick program. b. Fallen Veteran Memorial at Memorial Park. Discuss ideas from the student’s from New School of Architecture and Design and finalize proposal to be presented to the City. Item tabled for next meeting. c. Veteran Memorial at Bay Front Park. Discussion of looking into having a section of the Bay Front Park dedicated to a Veteran Memorial and formalize a letter to City electives and Port Commission. Item tabled for next meeting. Page 2 | Veterans Advisory Commission Minutes July 19, 2017 d. Fallen Heroes Banners at Chula Vista Mall. Update on the process of completing the banners for display at Chula Vista mall. No update. e. State of the American Veterans Program with USC in San Diego. Update on the 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 spoke with Michael McGuire, USC who would like to meet with the VAC, Mayor, City Council and VSO’s possibly on August 28, 2017. Mariluz Zepeda will contact the Mayor’s office to see if councilmembers and Mayor are available for an August 28th meeting. f. Veteran of the Year 2017 applications. Nominations closed with two candidates: Miriam Byron, nominated by CVPD and Danny Carreon, nominated by Chula Vista Library. Danny Carreon was selected by the Commission to be recommended as the VOY for Chula Vista 2017-2018 and therefore, the candidate for San Diego VOY 2017-2018. g. Chula Vista Veterans Walk update: Discussion of possibly changing the ending location and the route for the walk. No update. h. Elect new Chair/Vice Chair. Commissioner Sears nominated. Commissioner Sears moved to nominate Commissioner Mueller as the Vice-Chair for fiscal year 2017-2018. Seconded by Commissioner Perez and it carried by the following vote: Yes: 4-Mueller, Sears, Torres and Perez Election for Chair will be tabled for August meeting. i. Commissioner Stewart’s Absence from July meeting. Recommendation: Commission approve absence. Commissioner Sears moved to approve Commissioner Stewart’s absence from the July meeting. Seconded by Commissioner Torres and it carried by the following vote: Yes: 4- Mueller, Sears, Torres and Perez j. Veterans Activities Report: Commissioner Torres’ report on Veterans Activities for the month of July 2017. No report. 2. OTHER BUSINESS: Staff Comments: None. Chair’s Comments: Co-Chair Mueller: Discussed if VAC can collaborate with Recreation Department to see if the City can apply for grants for the park projects. Commissioner’s Comments: None. Page 3 | Veterans Advisory Commission Minutes July 19, 2017 ADJOURNMENT At 7:06 pm, Vice Chair Muller adjourned the meeting to the next on August 16, 2017 in the Chula Vista Police Department, Community Conference Room, Chula Vista, California. ____________________________________ Mariluz Zepeda, Secretary .