Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-16 VAC MINUTES• • n U VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION CITY OF CHULA VISTA MINUTES APRIL 16, 2002 TUESDAY, 6:04 P.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 2. MEETING CALLED TO ORDER — 6:00 p.m. Human Resources Conference Room City Hall Building ROLL CALL — Stephen Arends P , Carmen Fedje P , Agustive Hermes, Jr. P , William Poindexter P , Robert White P , A.Y. Casillas A , Stephen Millikin P Guests: Trevor Angood 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Motion was made and seconded for approval of March Minutes. 5. ACTION ITEMS Unfinished Business a. Street Names Capt Dyke reported on his meeting with Jim Sandoval and some of his staff members. He will be attempting to schedule a meeting separate from this commission meeting to have an open dialogue on the status concerning street names and other issues. The Commissioners would like the meeting to be scheduled for Wednesday, May 1s` at 6 p.m. Capt. Dyke will coordinate the date and time with Jim Sandoval and advise the Commission. Mr. Arends informed the Commissioners that the renaming of the north end of Davies Court to Ayers Court in honor of Bill Ayers has been overturned by becoming a parking lot/basketball court, and a new site is yet to be determined. It should be noted that the City Council has the final word on street names in Chula Vista. b. Veterans Memorial A lengthy discussion transpired among the Commissioners regarding the park and surrounding area. Mr. White presented information which took place at the two workshops. One of the primary agenda items was the naming of the park, "Veterans Park", which has been supported by the Mayor and many council members. Mr. White felt that there needed to be stronger support from veterans, and many of the commissioners were in agreement. The Veterans plan to gather more support and attend the 3`d and final meeting of the workshop. The Commissioners will closely follow the progress of this item. c. Chula Vista Veterans Home Support Foundation Update Mr. Millikin updated the Commissioners on the Skilled Nursing Facility at the Veterans Home. Immediately after approval, patients were moved into the facility. First priority was given to those who qualified for skilled nursing and had been contracted out to local providers. The program is to continue adding people to the facility until it reaches full capacity, by the Fall of 2002. Another inspection is forthcoming to complete the licensing/certification process. 1 Mr. Arends reported on the block grant funding that he is working on for the new fiscal year. He stated that the City will meet the first week in May to decide on the block grant funding distribution. Mr. Milliken stated that thanks to an aggressive outreach program in several cities in the County, and also the veterans service organizations, led by Chair Arends, the Veterans Home Support Foundation is doing well. Mr. White informed the commissioners that one of the foundation directors, Jack Hensch of the San Diego Padres, has provided 1/2 price tickets at several Padre games for veterans and all military personnel, with a valid ID. d. Veterans Home Update Mr. Arends shared an interesting statistic provided by Tom Arnold, Director of the Veterans Home : Over 8,000 applications were sent out to qualified applicants to live in our Veterans Home. The maximum capacity is 400 but the demand is phenomenal to move in. There are currently 120 pre -approved people for the Skilled Nursing Facility. Mr. Arends reported that a number of civic events continue to be held at the Veterans Home, providing excellent exposure for the City of Chula Vista. e. Veteran of the Year Update Trudi communicated with Jeri Gulbransen to request an insert in the Spotlight regarding this year's Veteran of the Year. Jeri advised that one had just gone to press but that the insert would be in the next issue. Trudi requested that she use the same information as last year. is f. Goals and Objectives Same as previous month. 1) Continue to advise and make recommendations to the City Council regarding Veterans' concerns, and on matters that the Board has special knowledge and expertise. 2) Find a new commissioner to replace Mr. Arends. 3) Continue to encourage veterans to apply for the Commission. Prior to the Legislative Reports, Mr. Arends asked for an update on the Street Name project. Trevor Angood responded that he is making a change in the paperwork that he has, but would bring a bound copy of the information to the next meeting. g. Legislative Reports Mr. Arends reported that he had been working with various assemblymen on Assembly Bill 1841. This bill passed the Committee on Higher Education Committee by a 9-0 vote on April 2"d. There will be a public meeting in Sacramento on April 24" Mr. Arends also reported that the plans for Glen Abbey are currently not being addressed. Mr. White addressed the policy for preference hiring of veterans, communicating the information he had researched. Captain Dyke advised that this information is printed on each job description and titled "Veterans Preference Points". It was suggested that this become an item of New Business. h. Oral History Mr. Poindexter felt that this item should be deleted as he has had no success in soliciting information. The Commissioners felt that there was so much history here in Chula Vista, especially at the Veterans Home, that this item may be revisited in the future. 2 6. COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR'S COMMENTS Mr. Arends mentioned Joe Brooder who is on the County Veterans Advisory Council with him, and he is now VFW's Service Officer at the V.A. Regional Office in Mission Valley. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS Mr. White commented on the changes being done at Mt. Soledad, and that it could provide some ideas for Veterans Park. Mr. Hermes was,elected President of the Fleet Reserve Branch #61 for another year. He also informed the Commissioners of the upcoming Memorial Day service at Glen Abbey at 1100 hours on Monday, May 27`". Guest speaker will be Chaplain Betts. He has been asked to speak about his experiences in delivering the news to a family that their loved one is not coming home. Mr. Hermes also advised that if you or anyone wishes to have a flag dedicated and flown on the Avenue of Flags in honor of a veteran or a group (USS Arizona, USS Wasp, etc.), contact Mrs. Hermes at 482-7922 STAFF COMMENTS Capt. Dyke asked if he could be notified if the MIA flag was not flown at Fire Stations and other civic buildings on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. PUBLIC COMMENTS • None ADJOURNMENT — 7:23 p.m. Next regularly scheduled meeting at 6:00 p.m., on Tuesday, May 21, 2002 in the Human Resources Conference Room at City Hall, 276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910 Trudi W. Mayes Clerical Support 4 3