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HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND
VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2015, 3:00 PM
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1225 MAIN ST, SEBASTIAN, FL
Chairman Newland called the Veterans Advisory Committee to order at 3:00 p.m.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Wayne Newland, Member of American Legion, Chairman
Jerry Peeler, Commander of American Legion
Michael Heashe, Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Leonard Dube, Member of VFW
Char Kinlen, Representing Ladies Auxiliary
Absent:
Barney Giordan, Alternate Member of American Legion
Alternate Member Representing VFW
Also Present:
Joe Griffin, City Manager
Frank Watanabe, City Engineer
Jeanette Williams, Deputy City Clerk/Recording Secretary
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
June 1, 2015 Meeting
MOTION by Mr. Peeler and SECOND by Mr. Heashe to approve the June 1, 2015 minutes
passed with a unanimous vote.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Sewer Project Update
Mr. Peeler reported that their engineer hoped to get the project started but the rain
has held them up and the finances are in escrow.
Veterans Advisory Committee
October 5, 2015
Page Two
6. NEW BUSINESS
a. Veterans Day — November 11, 2015
Chairman Newland reported there will be a new person in charge for this event that
will be in touch with the Parks Superintendent Chris McCarthy and the City
Manager.
b. Military Museum
Chairman Newland welcomed new member, Len Dube who owns a military
museum with artifacts that they hope to move to Sebastian. Mr. Dube stated the
Legion is developing three phases; the museum might be located at the Legion or at
a donated 24' x 44' building on U.S. 1 (by a current project, beyond the Church on
the left). The Legion will pick up the transportation costs. In response to his
request to move forward with the project, Chairman Newland said Todd Smith is
developing a ten year plan for the City to look at.
The City Engineer said the Community Development Department would like to look
at the project as a whole and then they could develop phases. He advised them to
schedule a meeting with himself or Senior Planner Jan King to go over the details.
Added C. Display of Service Flags During Ceremonies
Chairman Newland explained that the veterans have added a flag line behind the 21
gun salute shooters. During the last ceremony some of the veterans had to be
replaced dues to the duration of the ceremony. He suggested adding a line of
chairs and in the ground installing PVC pipe that would accommodate the shaft of
the flags. He asked the City Manager if this would be feasible, taking into
consideration sprinkler, and utility lines.
The City Manager said he was considering additional concrete padding for the band
and around the memorial itself. To accommodate chairs, he suggested increasing
the pad in back of speaker's lectern. Chairman Newland remarked they weren't
necessarily looking for more concrete but something to hold the flags. The City
Manager offered to look over the site with the City Engineer. The City Engineer
suggested PVC pipes could be placed in the additional poured concrete and capped
off when not in use.
Mr. Peeler reported that he just received a phone call from Todd Smith who was in
the hospital with diverticulitis which is why they haven't heard from him regarding
the sewer project.
7. PUBLIC INPUT - None
8. NEW BUSINESS — None
2
Veterans Advisory Committee
October 5, 2015
Page Three
9. STAFF MATTERS - None
10. MEMBER MATTERS
Mr. Dube said the local newspaper was giving a lot of publicity to Vero Beach and not
mentioning Sebastian, especially in the calendar of events. He asked who was
responsible to notify the paper of upcoming events. The City Manager said the City
does not have a public relations person but City events are announced on Comcast
Channel 25, the website, and during the live broadcast of meetings.
Mr. Dube reported that the present Commander -in -Chief was not releasing any surplus
military items (helicopters/tanks), but he will stay on top of it, even if he must wait for the
new Commander -in -Chief. He noted if they do receive a piece of equipment, there will
be a contract to sign that the equipment will be maintained while it is leased from the
federal government.
11. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA - None
12. Being no further business, Mr. Dube made a motion with a SECOND by Ms. Kinlen to
adjourn the Veterans Advisory Committee meeting at 3:18 p.m.
By: Y4
Chairn-(ah Wayne Newland