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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-11-19 VAC MINUTES• VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION CITY OF CHULA VISTA 'MINUTES November 19, 2002 TUESDAY, 6:00 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE MEETING CALLED TO ORDER — 6:00 p.m. Human Resources Conference Room City Hall Building 3. ROLL CALL: Robert White P Stephen Millikin P A.Y. Casillas E , Carmen Fedje P, - Agustive Hermes, Jr. P , William Poindexter P , Bobby Price P , is Guests: Mr. William Keith — Resident of the Chula Vista Veterans Home Mr. Stephen Arends - 4, APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes were approved with correction of date. ACTION ITEMS Unfinished Business a. Street Names Chairman White turned the meeting over to Mr. Keith who has taken on this project. He has visited with each of the developers. He presented a good deal of information to the commissioners, and advised that the developers did not respond to the commissioners' letter earlier this year because the street naming was still a long way off. It appears that Otay Ranch Company developers showed the most interest and their development will be in the form of villages. The idea behind the villages is to bring back community spirit and involvement, with bridges connecting the villages. Mr. Keith distributed a copy of the proposal from the Otay Ranch Company with an attached photograph using the existing pedestrian bridge on La Media as an example. There are currently three bridges planned which will carry the names of Chula Vista veterans. Mr. Keith stated that the developer is open to suggestions from the commissioners. Chairman White proposed that Mr. Millikin follow up on this project and find out how may bridges will be built. An in-depth discussion followed with suggestions from the commissioners. • b. Veterans Park Mr. White thanked everyone who attended the meeting on 10/17/02. By a vote of 5-1, the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Commission was to provide the name of "Veterans Park" to the City Council. A Walk of Honor has been brought forward also, to honor military, police, and fire departments, and is pending. 1 c. Chula Vista Veterans Home Support Foundation Update Chairman White informed that there are currently 10 additional residents. An incident involving a patient who needed skilled nursing at the Veterans Home involved Turko (from Channel 9's Turko Files). Turko made calls to Sacramento and the issue was resolved. Assemblyman Juan Vargas also was involved and went directly to the Governor to get the second phase of the skilled nursing facility opened. Mr. Keith expressed concern that it was announced that the CNAs(Certified Nursing Assistants) had been transferred to Skilled Nursing and would no longer be in the resident facility. He asked the Commissioners to look into this as the residents feel they no longer have a "safety net" they can contact in their buildings. Chairman White stated he would mention his to Tom Arnold, Director of the Veterans Home. Chairman White discussed the two fundraisers which were scheduled. The golf tournament was rained out and has been rescheduled for President's Day (February 17, 2003). He stated that the VFW Four -Mile Walk scheduled for November 91' was a success and approximately $2,800 was collected for the Veterans Home. Commissioner Price advised that plans are already in the works for next year's walk, which promises to be bigger and better. d. Veterans Home Update Chairman White advised that there are now 250 residents at the Veterans Home and growing. He also reported that with the new Skilled Nursing Facility open, there may be around 320 residents at the home by April, 2003. e. Veteran of the Year Update John Willet, Chula Vista's Veteran of the Year, was also recognized at last week's City Council meeting. f. Goals and Objectives • Tabled at this time. g. Legislative Reports Mr. White advised that this report Would not be available again until January 2003. h. Oral History Discussion was held regarding this project. It Was decided among the Commissioners that it would remain on the agenda while more research was done on how to best to go forward. Mr. White requested that Mr. Poindexter contact the Star News for further information. 6. COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR'S COMMENTS Chairman White advised that the next CWHSF meeting is for noon, December 12, 2002 at the Veterans Home. The next United Veterans Council meeting will be held on November 23, 2002 at 0900 in Balboa Park. At this time Mr. Arends updated the commissioners regarding the Veterans Cemetary in the County. He informed them that at the last County VAC meeting, Pete Houben advised of the official rejection from the VA to make Glen Abbey in Bonita a satellite cemetery. At this time there is discussion to make MCAS Miramar into a full body burial cemetery, but probably not until 2009- 2010. Mr. Arends also informed the commissioners that John Willett, Chula Vista's Veteran of the Year, was one of the six finalists for County Veteran of the Year. Chairman White then advised that he has not been able to speak with Mr. Scott Buress, the Eastlake High School point of 2 contact, to continue the research program for additional Chula Vista Veterans. He will continue trying to reach him. 16 COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS All participated in the discussion regarding the Veterans parade. It was determined until further notice, that Chula Vista would continue to have its parade. STAFF COMMENTS Trudi reminded everyone about the luncheon Capt. Dyke is trying to schedule. It was suggested to schedule it before the year was out. On December 11, 2002, prior to the mailing of these minutes, Chairman White sent an email to all the Commissioners. The following is a synopsis of the email. "Today I received a County of San Diego Proclamation from Supervisor Greg Cox and signed by all the County Supervisors. The Proclamation was given to the Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission to'Honor our volunteer efforts to plant 500 trees in the Otay Valley Regional Park' and today, 11 Dec, was proclaimed as 'Otay Valley Regional Park Volunteer Appreciation Day.' Congratulations to all on the Commission who made this award possible." PUBLIC COMMENTS None 4. ADJOURNMENT — 7:00 p.m. Next regularly scheduled meeting at 6:00 p.m., on Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at the Human Resources Conference Room, Chula Vista, CA 91910 Trudi W. Mayes Clerical Support REMINDER NO MEETING IN DECEMBER 2002 HAPPY HOLIDAYS! •