HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Package - VACR_Feb18_2026
Date:Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Time:6:00 p.m.
Location:City Hall, Bldg. C, Conference Room B-111
276 Fourth Avenue, Chula Vista, CA
Veterans Advisory Commission Regular Meeting
______________________________________________________________________________
In-Person Public Comments: Join us for the Veterans Advisory Commission meeting at the time
and location specified on this agenda to make your comments. Each person will be allotted three
minutes to address the Commission, unless otherwise adjusted by the presiding officer.
Electronic Public Comments: At www.chulavistaca.gov/boardmeetings, locate this meeting and
click on the comment bubble icon. Select the item and click on "Leave Comment." The deadline to
submit e-comments or any comments emailed to VAC@chulavistaca.gov will be noon on the day
of the meeting.
Accessibility: Individuals with disabilities are invited to request modifications or accommodations in
order to access and/or participate in a Veterans Advisory Commission meeting by contacting the
commission staff at VAC@chulavistaca.gov (California Relay Service is available for the hearing
impaired by dialing 711) at least forty-eight hours in advance of the meeting.
Pages
1.CALL TO ORDER
2.ROLL CALL
Commissioners Akana, Castro, Jimenez, Nava, and Pine.
3.PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
4.PUBLIC COMMENTS
The public may address the Commission on any subject matter within the
Commission’s jurisdiction that is not listed as an item on the agenda. State law
generally prohibits the Committee from discussing or taking action on any issue
not included on the agenda. The Committee may schedule the topic for future
discussion or refer the matter to staff.
5.PRESENTATIONS
The following item(s) will be presentations given to the Commission. Action on
these item(s) is typically limited to the Commission receiving the presentation
and providing direction or feedback to staff, as appropriate.
6.CONSENT CALENDAR
Recommended Action:
Commission to approve the recommended action on the below consent
calendar items.
6.1 Approval of Excused Absence of Commissioner Pine for the Regular
Meeting of December 17, 2025
4
6.2 Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of December 17, 2025 5
6.3 Approval of Excused Absence of Commissioner Jimenez for the Regular
Meeting of January 21, 2026
8
6.4 Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of January 21, 2026 9
7.ACTION ITEMS
Action items are considered individually by the Commission and are expected to
elicit discussion and deliberation.
7.1 Update on Veteran of the Year Subcommittee
Members of the subcommittee to present an update.
7.2 Update on Outreach Subcommittee
Members of the subcommittee to present an update.
City of Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission
February 18, 2026 Agenda Page 2 of 13
7.3 Update on Starlight Parade Subcommittee
Members of the subcommittee to present an update.
7.4 Discussion on the Process and Criteria for Adding Names to the
Memorial Park War Wall
Commission to examine potential additions of names to the Memorial
Park War Memorial, including eligibility criteria and next steps.
8.STAFF COMMENTS
9.CHAIR'S COMMENTS
10.COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
11.ADJOURNMENT
to the regular meeting on March 18, 2026.
Materials provided to the Veterans Advisory Commission related to any open-
session item on this agenda are available for public review, please contact the
Fire Department at VAC@chulavistaca.gov.
City of Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission
February 18, 2026 Agenda Page 3 of 13
Request for Excused Absence Form – 6/19
REQUEST FOR EXCUSED ABSENCE
City of Chula Vista Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Name: _________________________________________________ Date of Absence: _________________________________
Board/Commission/Committee: _________________________________________________________________________________
Chula Vista Municipal Code section 2.25.110 (C) allows board/commission/committee members, by a
majority vote, to excuse a fellow board, commission, or committee member’s absence from a meeting for any
of the reasons listed below. A member who is absent from three consecutive, regular meetings will be
deemed to have vacated his or her membership, unless the member’s absence is excused by a
majority vote of the other members. An absence is only recorded as “excused” upon receipt of a member’s
request and majority vote of the board/commission/committee to excuse the absence. Accordingly, if you
have been absent from a regular meeting, please complete and submit this form to the chair or secretary.
Please indicate the reason for the absence:
1. Illness of the member, family member of the member, or personal friend of the member;
2. Business commitment of the member that interferes with the attendance of the member at a meeting;
3.Previously scheduled vacation of the member, notice of which was provided to the respective board
or commission in advance of the meeting;
4.Attendance of the member at a funeral, religious service or ceremony, wedding, or other similarly
significant event;
5. Unexpected, emergency situation that prohibits the member’s attendance; or
6.Other reason for which the member has given notice to the secretary of his or her unavailability at
least seven days in advance of the meeting.
OR
If completed by secretary or staff to board/commission/committee:
Completed on member’s behalf by: _____________________________, per member’s Verbal Written request
on: _________________.
(date)
12/17/2025
Veterans Advisory Commission
The absence was not for any of the above-listed reasons. I understand that the absence will be recorded
as unexcused.
I certify the reason for the absence indicated above is true and correct.
Member’s Signature: ___________________________________________ 12/5/2025
PINE, Lynne
✔
Page 4 of 13
City of Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission
February 18, 2026 Agenda
1
City of Chula Vista
Regular Veterans Advisory Commission Meeting
MINUTES
December 17, 2025, 6:00 p.m.
City Hall, Bldg. C, Conference Room B-112
276 4th Avenue, Chula Vista
Present:Commissioner Jimenez, Commissioner Castro, Commissioner
Nava, Vice Chair Akana
Absent:Lynne Pine
Also Present:Fire Captain Martinez
Minutes are prepared and ordered to correspond to the agenda.
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Veterans Advisory Commission of the City of Chula Vista
was called to order at 6:02 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Secretary Aguilar called the roll.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
- No requests for public speaking.
5. PRESENTATIONS
- No presentations.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
6.1 Approval on the Formation of the Veteran Artwork Subcommittee
Moved by Commissioner Jimenez
Seconded by Commissioner Castro
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City of Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission
February 18, 2026 Agenda
2
Commission to discuss and approve the formation of the new
subcommittee.
Result: Carried Unanimously
6.2 Approval on the Preparation and Submission of a Formal Letter to
the City Council Expressing Interest in Installing a Flagpole Outside
the Civic Center Library
- Commissioner Castro mentioned that commissioner Pine drove by the
Civic Center Library and deemed the current flag as adequate and
believes it should not be changed to a holiday sized one.
- Commission voted to table item 6.2 and turn it into an action item for next
month's meeting to allow them to do research on flag rules, sizes, and
etiquette.
Moved by Commissioner Jimenez
Seconded by Commissioner Castro
Commission to discuss and approve the submittal of the formal letter.
Result: Carried Unanimously
7. ACTION ITEMS
7.1 Update on Veteran of the Year Subcommittee
- No update.
7.2 Update on Military Reintegration Program Subcommittee
- Chair Nava stated that there is a place called The Hut which provides
resources for Veterans.
7.3 Update on Outreach Subcommittee
- No update.
8. STAFF COMMENTS
- Captain Martinez stated that there will be another Captain to replace him for a
short period of time.
9. CHAIR'S COMMENTS
- No comment.
Page 6 of 13
City of Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission
February 18, 2026 Agenda
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10. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
- Commissioner Jimenez stated that he will not be attending January's regular
meeting. Additionally, he mentioned that he has seen a lot of improvement within
the commission this year.
- Vice Chair Akana stated that the Filipino American Veterans Park that is
opening in the city is actually the first Filipino Park in the country.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 6:41 p.m.
Minutes prepared by: Karina Aguilar, Secretary
_________________________
Karina Aguilar, Commission Secretary
Page 7 of 13
City of Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission
February 18, 2026 Agenda
Request for Excused Absence Form – 6/19
REQUEST FOR EXCUSED ABSENCE
City of Chula Vista Boards, Commissions, and Committees
Name: _________________________________________________ Date of Absence: _________________________________
Board/Commission/Committee: _________________________________________________________________________________
Chula Vista Municipal Code section 2.25.110 (C) allows board/commission/committee members, by a
majority vote, to excuse a fellow board, commission, or committee member’s absence from a meeting for any
of the reasons listed below. A member who is absent from three consecutive, regular meetings will be
deemed to have vacated his or her membership, unless the member’s absence is excused by a
majority vote of the other members. An absence is only recorded as “excused” upon receipt of a member’s
request and majority vote of the board/commission/committee to excuse the absence. Accordingly, if you
have been absent from a regular meeting, please complete and submit this form to the chair or secretary.
Please indicate the reason for the absence:
1. Illness of the member, family member of the member, or personal friend of the member;
2. Business commitment of the member that interferes with the attendance of the member at a meeting;
3. Previously scheduled vacation of the member, notice of which was provided to the respective board
or commission in advance of the meeting;
4. Attendance of the member at a funeral, religious service or ceremony, wedding, or other similarly
significant event;
5. Unexpected, emergency situation that prohibits the member’s attendance; or
6. Other reason for which the member has given notice to the secretary of his or her unavailability at
least seven days in advance of the meeting.
OR
The absence was not for any of the above-listed reasons. I understand that the absence will be recorded
as unexcused.
I certify the reason for the absence indicated above is true and correct.
Member’s Signature: __________________________________________________________ Date: _____________________________
If completed by secretary or staff to board/commission/committee:
Completed on member’s behalf by: _____________________________, per member’s Verbal Written request
on: _________________.
(date)
(secretary/liaison’s name)
Jan 21, 2026
Veteran's Advisory Commission
Dec 17, 2025
Elmer L. Jimenez
4
Page 8 of 13
City of Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission
February 18, 2026 Agenda
1
City of Chula Vista
Regular Veterans Advisory Commission Meeting
MINUTES
January 21, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
City Hall, Bldg. C, Conference Room B-112
276 4th Avenue, Chula Vista
Present:Commissioner Castro, Chair Nava, Commissioner Pine, Vice
Chair Akana
Absent:Commissioner Jimenez
Also Present:Fire Captain Kastelic, Fire Captain Martinez, Deputy City
Attorney Pietanza
Minutes are prepared and ordered to correspond to the agenda.
_____________________________________________________________________
1. CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Veterans Advisory Commission of the City of Chula Vista
was called to order at 6:01 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
Secretary Aguilar called the roll.
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
- No comments.
5. PRESENTATIONS
5.1 Veterans Transition Support Presentation
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
6.1 Approval of Excused Absence of Commissioners Castro and
Jimenez for the Special Meeting of October 16, 2025
Page 9 of 13
City of Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission
February 18, 2026 Agenda
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Moved by Commissioner Pine
Seconded by Chair Nava
Commission to approve the excused absence form for Commissioner
Castro.
Result: Carried Unanimously
Commission to approve the excused absence form for Commissioner
Jimenez.
6.2 Approval of Special Meeting Minutes of October 16, 2025
Moved by Commissioner Castro
Seconded by Commissioner Pine
Commission to approve the meeting minutes.
Result: Carried Unanimously
6.3 Approval of Excused Absence of Commissioner Akana for the
Regular Meeting of November 19, 2025
Moved by Commissioner Pine
Seconded by Commissioner Castro
Commission to approve the excused form for Commissioner Akana.
Result: Carried Unanimously
6.4 Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2025
Moved by Commissioner Castro
Seconded by Commissioner Pine
Commission to approve the meeting minutes.
Result: Carried Unanimously
7. ACTION ITEMS
7.1 Update on Veteran of the Year Subcommittee
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City of Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission
February 18, 2026 Agenda
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- Commissioner Pine stated that the subcommittee is working on a
timeline and that commissioner Jimenez would like to be the point of
contact for the color guard.
- Commissioners Pine and Jimenez would also like to have someone sing
the national anthem on the City Council meeting in which the recipient will
be awarded.
7.2 Update on Outreach Subcommittee
- Chair Nava mentioned that it would be a great idea to have some
members of the commission reach out to other veteran organizations and
give a presentation of what our commission's goals are.
- City Attorney Pietanza stated that the first step should be to create a list
of all local veteran organizations and then reach out to them to see if they
would like to attend one of the commission's meetings.
- Commissioner Castro stated that she will work on the list and later
present it on the next public meeting.
7.3 Review and Address Proper Flag Lightning at City Hall
- Commissioner Pine stated that the only issue that she sees is that there
is not enough lightning on the flag of the City Hall. Current lightning still
passes standard code and adding more lights to it would only be a
recommendation to City Council.
- Commissioners made a motion to recommend City Council to provide an
individual upplight for the American Light outside of City Hall, and motion
passed.
Yes (4): Commissioner Castro, Chair Nava, Commissioner Pine, and Vice
Chair Akana
Result: Carried (4 to 0)
7.4 Discussion on the Process and Criteria for Adding Names to the
Memorial Park War Wall
- Captain Martinez stated that individuals are reach ing out to City Council
and recommending that more names be added to the Memorial Wall. City
Clerk's office has not found any information on who took care of providing
the list of individual veterans, only that the City financed it.
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City of Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission
February 18, 2026 Agenda
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- Commissioners motioned to move this action item to next public meeting
to give enough time to do research on the list of veterans that are missing
on the Memorial Wall, and motion passed.
- Commissioner Pine stated that the commission should come up with a
process as well when making the recommendation to City Council.
- City Attorney Pietanza stated that the City has parameters on gifts and
donations, and that they will make the decision as to how to include the
outstanding names.
Yes (4): Commissioner Castro, Chair Nava, Commissioner Pine, and Vice
Chair Akana
Result: Carried (4 to 0)
8. STAFF COMMENTS
- Captain Martinez stated that Captain Kastelic will be replacing for 6 months.
- He also mentioned to include the VAC email when emailing secretary Aguilar.
- City Attorney stated that City Council has made an update on Board and
Commissions regulations on commissioner seats, however, it does not affect the
current seats.
9. CHAIR'S COMMENTS
- Chair Nava stated that he biggest concern that he heard City Council mention is
that District 4 is highly underestimated.
- He also requested Captain Martinez to include the Starlight Parade
Subcommittee to the next public meeting.
10. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
- Commissioner Pine asked City Attorney if she can buy a banner to promote the
Veterans Advisory Commission.
- City Attorney Pietanza stated that the City logo cannot be used due to
copyright.
- Captain Martinez stated that although commissioners cannot endorse outside of
public meetings, they can direct civilians to the commission's website.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.
Page 12 of 13
City of Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission
February 18, 2026 Agenda
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Minutes prepared by: Karina Aguilar, Secretary
_________________________
Karina Aguilar, Commission Secretary
Page 13 of 13
City of Chula Vista Veterans Advisory Commission
February 18, 2026 Agenda