HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-04-18 VAC MinutesMINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE
VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA
April 18, 2018
6:00 pm
A Regular Meeting of the Veterans Advisory Commission of the City of Chula Vista was called
to order at 6:04 pm in the Chula Vista Police Department, located at 315 Fourth Ave, Chula
Vista, California.
ROLL CALL
PRESENT: Chair Mueller, Vice Chair Sears, Commissioners Perez, Stewart,
Torres and Wynne
ABSENT: None
ALSO, PRESENT: Capt. Vern Sallee Staff Liaison and SRO Secretary Claudia Bravo
1. Approval of Minutes
ACTION: Commissioner Stewart moved to approve minutes as written. Vice Chair Sears
seconded motion and it carried by the following vote: Yes: Mueller, Torres,
Wynne, and Perez.
Guest Speaker: Patti Larkin — Director Veterans Services and JD White — Coordinator
Veterans Resource Center (SWC)
ACTION ITEMS:
a. Chair Mueller's absence from March meeting:
Commissioner Stewart moved to approve Chair Mueller's absence from the
March meeting. Seconded by Vice Chair Sears and it carried by the following
vote: Yes: Torres, Wynne and Perez.
b. Memorial Garden at SWC: JD White and Patti Larkin were invited to share all
the unique opportunities SWC has to offer for Veterans and their families.
Currently there is the "Garden of Honor" which has a brick fund raising program
where anybody can go online and purchase a brick for $250-$275 to honor any
loved one who has served in the military. Also, a Flag Garden was recently
created within the last few years and there are flags from each branch of service.
There is also a Veterans Resource center which is new and serves about 1500
Veterans at SWC each semester. Recently SWC partnered with "Feeding San
Diego" and "Courage to Call" and organized a food give away for local Veterans.
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Another program that is offered is called "SWC Cares" which includes: housing
insecurity, homeless, food insecurity, personal wellness and programs for victims
of sexual assault. Also created is a "Military Allied Program" for the internal
community, which is an educational program to help staff recognize the needs of
our Veterans. Upcoming event for Memorial Day called "Honor our Heroes".
This is a short ceremony where a bell is rung to honor not only the fallen but
those Veterans that are still here with us.
Recommendation: JD to contact Chair or Vice Chair with any Veterans related
matters. JD will also contact Torres on any upcoming activities.
c. Veteran Memorial at Bay Front Park: Chair Mueller sent a letter May 4, 2017
to city officials which had positive response. Commissioner Stewart suggested we
get a letter to city officials as soon as possible because the opportunity is there.
Right now, the park is in the planning stages and this is the time to champion the
idea to John McCann and Mike Diaz. A place for active duty and former military
to bring their families. The location just seems appropriate and there is a
uniqueness to this. This opportunity is with the new development not and existing
park. Pursue a park honoring military families in the bay front improvement
project.
Recommendation: Sears motioned to approve. Wynne seconded motion and it
carried by the following vote: Yes: Mueller, Torres, Perez, Stewart
d. Veterans Activities Report: Torres received great information from Kim
Coronado and will also now be in contact with JD from SWC for information on
any upcoming activities.
Staff Comments:
Capt. Sallee brought together JD and Patti with our Recruiting Sgt. to discuss a career path in
law enforcement. Also, to make sure we get a recruiter to any event that SWC has to offer.
Effective May 16, 2018 Capt. Sallee will no longer be the Staff Liaison. The new Staff Liaison
will be Capt. Collum or Capt. Thunberg. Regarding Kristine, Capt. Sallee did send a formal
request to the city clerk's office but has not heard back with a final answer. Capt. Sallee called
the city clerk's office to start the formal process and send a courtesy letter and then can
withdraw.
Commissioner Comments:
Vice Chair Sears indicated there will be three vacancies. Sears will be marketing for the Veterans
of the Year award to get the nominee by the end of June. Wynne will be assisting Sears on
getting the information out. Also getting out this information on the cities website.
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Stewart will submit a letter and his last day with the VAC will be June 1St, 2018. Stewart will
still be on the Veterans Board that meets every three months.
ADJOURNMENT At 7:13 pm Chair Mueller adjourned thento the next on May 16,
2018 in the Chula Vista Police Department 315 4tn Ave, Chyfa Vista California.
Bravo, Secretary
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