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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-4-2016 VAB MinutesCaLf SEBASTLAN HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 4, 2016, 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. 3. ROLL CALL Present: Wayne Newland , Member of American Legion, Chairman Barney Giordan, Representing the VFW Peter Puzzo, Representing of American Legion Jerry Peeler, Commander of American Legion Absent: Michael Heashe, Commander of VFW Len Dube, Representing the VFW Char Kinlen, Ladies Auxiliary Representative Also Present: Joe Griffin, City Manager Frank Watanabe, City Engineer Marissa Moore, Community Development Director Jeanette Williams, City Clerk Cathy Testa, Records Clerk 4. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS --None 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — October 5, 2015 MOTION by Mr .Puzzo SECOND Mr. Peeler to approve the October 5, 2015 passed with a unanimous voice vote. PUBLIC INPUT 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Sewer Project Update Mr. Peeler said the digging started on the sewer lines last week, there is one tank in on the American Legion property and they have gone all the way around to the VFW. The project is making headway. Veterans Advisory Committee Meeting April 4, 2016 City Manager asked for an update on the completion date. Mr. Peeler said it will be complete in about two weeks. City Manager asked .if that included the connection to the force main on 512 that was to be done by County and if there is any coordinating being done with the County regarding the project. Mr. Peeler said Todd Smith told him that he had everything lined up. 8. NEW BUSINESS Announcement of a Annual Sea Scouts Hike Chairman Newland said the weekend of Memorial Day, the Sea Scouts will be for the fourth time hosting the Sebastian Historic Trail. The Trail passes through Old Roseland and Old Sebastian. They have no idea how many scouts will be attending this year. The American Legion will supply free camping to the scouts. Saturday morning groups of 15- 20 scouts will hike through Old Roseland and Old Sebastian and end up at VFW, which will be the end of hike as laid out in 1997. The VFW will supply free lunch for the Scouts. They will take down their tents and go to the Sebastian Cemetery where they will complete their requirements for the Historic Trail Award for the Boy Scouts of America by making sure all the flags are up for veterans. The Scouts should be done around 1:30- 2:00pm. The Friday night before Memorial Day there will be a retirement of flags at VFW at 9:00 p.m. The Police Department will be advised that they will be burning flags in the fire pit. The City Manager would like to make sure that there will be fire extinguishers near the fire pit. ii. Road closing behind Veterans Memorial Garden during ceremonies (Resolution No. R-14-12) Chairman Newland said the City has been good about closing off the road along the memorial area of Indian River Drive but during the Four Chaplains Ceremony that was dropped. There was traffic passing, motorcycles and trucks which disrupted the solemn ceremony. He asked what can be done on the part of the Veterans to help with communication lines to make sure the road is closed off as per the agreement. Mr. Giordan said the Police Department as well as City Parks must be notified and they will conduct traffic control. The people who ran the event at that time did not make a request to City Parks or the Police Department. The request must be made in advance to give them time to do what is necessary to provide traffic control. The City Manager requested that he receive a two day notice prior to the Ceremony. The procedure is to have a meeting prior to these events. At these meeting there will be members of the Police Department and Public Works there to discuss what needs to be done. The City Manager introduced Community Development Director Marissa Moore, who will be conducting these meetings and any other events at the park. Veterans Advisory Committee Meeting 3 April 4, 2016 Ms. Moore made note of the events and said she will get in touch with the appropriate persons to get the road closed. She requested that Chairman Newland send her a 30 day reminder in advance. Firehouse Garage Flo Ursulean requested to improve the parking along Louisiana Avenue. He would like to purchase white rock for the west side of Louisiana. Many people who park there sink and get stuck in the sand. Mr. Watanabe asked for rough dimensions of the area. Mr. Ursulean said about 20-25 ft. wide and about 75 ft. long. Mr. Watanabe suggested millings would be better to put down than white rock. Mr. Watanabe will take a look and get back to Mr. Ursulean. 9. COMMITTEE MEMBER MATTERS Veterans Court Mr. Giordan said the Veterans Council of Indian River had a meeting with the Court System regarding Veterans Court to see if they can improve and encourage the Veterans Court plan. Judge Cox has been appointed to handle the Veterans Court Program. It has to do mainly with misdemeanors and non -serious felonies. Arresting officer must agree that the Veteran can go to Veterans Court. There are specific services set up such as Veterans Health Administration, Veterans Justice Outreach and Veterans Mentor Mr. Giordan said one area that needs help is the Mentoring Program. These Mentors will help those who have been charged with a less serious crime. The idea of the program is to reduce community expenses. There will be an extensive write up in Veterans Voice in Brevard County. There are a lot of Veterans in the Sebastian area and this would be a great benefit for them. Veterans in the Classroom, Mr. Giordan said he and Mr. Puzzo met with school administration to present a Three Phrase Program to include the honoring on Veterans Day; honoring those that gave their lives on Memorial Day; and Americanism -the meaning behind the Pledge of Allegiance, 10 myths about the U. S .Flag, the War of 1812 and the history behind the National Anthem. There is also a student question and answer program. A new Americanism Program was started to teach the students how to fold the US Flag. They get to do it themselves and they love it. The Sebastian Schools have been doing this for many years. Proposed Military Museum Mr. Giordan read a proposal he would like to have the board pass onto Council. (see attached) 3 Veterans Advisory Committee Meeting April 4, 2016 MOTION by Mr. Giordan and SECOND by Mr. Puzzo to pass the request onto City Council passed with a unanimous voice vote. The City Manager will add this to the agenda on April 13, 2016. Mr. Giordan requests that the city provide the permits that will be necessary. The City Manager advised the building must conform to the building codes. Mr. Puzzo explained that the Sons of the American Legion 189 instituted a program called "Operation Remember Our Heroes". Flags and grave markers will be put on every Veteran's grave in the Sebastian area. The work will start in Sebastian Cemetery between Memorial Day and Veterans Days. Year to date over 250 graves have been marked. Mr. Puzzo asked if there is someone to contact at the City to see if this would be allowed. The City Manager suggested contacting City Clerk, Jeanette Williams. Mr. Peeler thanked the City Manager and the City Council for the sewer that they will start enjoying. The City Manager would like to be there for ceremonial flush. Mr. Giordan thanked Chief Morris for allowing a police escort for the Honor Guards and taking them from where they meet, to where they are doing their service. 10. STAFF MATTERS The City Manager made changes on the Veterans Memorial and would like another set of eyes to look at it and make suggestions. He would like to work on along the south side fence and put a sidewalk and disabled parking there for better connectivity for our disabled Veterans. He is hoping to get this done before the 1" of October. Chairman Newland would like to say thank you for the chairs on the concrete at the Memorial it really makes a difference to the elderly Veterans. 11. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA The next meeting will be on June 6, 2016 12. Motion by Mr. Puzzo and SECOND by Mr. Giordan to adjourn the Veterans Advisory Committee at 3:38 p.m. passed with an unanimous vote. By: ~ !O --1 ,5-- f/c;;, Chai i Wayne Newland Date