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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-3-2016 VAB Minutesa,oF SEBASTL HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 3, 2016, 3:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN ST, SEBASTIAN, FL Chairman Newland called the Veterans Advisory Committee meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL Present: Wayne Newland, Commander of American Legion - Chairman Jack Willis, Commander, VFW Jerry Peeler, Member of American Legion Barney Giordan, Member of American Legion and VFW Linda Pugh, President of American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Absent: Leonard Dube, Member of the VFW Also Present: Joe Griffin, City Manager Margarita Hernandez, Community Development Coordinator Andrea Coy, City Council Member Jeanette Williams, City Clerk Cathy Testa, Records Clerk 4. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS Chairman Newland asked for nominations to elect a new chairman. Mr. Giordan nominated Wayne Newland SECOND by Mr. Peeler to nominate Mr. Newland for chairman which passed with a unanimous voice vote. The City Manager introduced Margarita Hernandez to the Committee. 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — April 4, 2016 MOTION by Mr. Giordan SECOND by Mr. Peeler to approve the April 4, 2016 Minutes passed with a unanimous voice vote. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Sewer Hook -Up Update Mr. Peeler reported the sewer was finished in June. It is up and running without any problems. The maintenance man is asking if there could be rocks put around the crease traps to stop the grass from crowinq over the top of the drums. The Citv Manager was asked for his recommendation and it was agreed upon for either a small rock area or a small fence. The maintenance man checks the amperage of the motors and records them once a month. The Chairman thanked the City Manager for his cooperation and help in getting them through the project. The City Manager said he was only one of the many spokes in the system. He said that City Council appropriated the funds. They went out on limb to do that because the Septic to Sewer program only allowed for a $5,000 grant per, so even with the two organizations, the American Legion and the VFW, that would only be $10,000. The City Manager said it was a worthwhile project and he said it adds to the overall efficiency of the Legion and the VFW. The Chairman asked if it would it be appropriate to thank City Council. The City Manager thought it would be nice if someone came to the City Council Meeting and thanked them. The City Manager will put it on the agenda for the next meeting held on October 12`" Mr. Giordan makes a MOTION thanking the City for its cooperation and help in the development and completion of the sewer system. There was a consensus of all members. B. Museum Location Since Mr. Dube was not present, the Chairman asked if anyone had any updates on the museum. Mr. Peeler said he talks to Mr. Dube once a week. Mr. Dube conveyed that the items are in storage in a POD until a location can be found. He had opportunities to take the museum to other posts but he doesn't want to do that. Chairman Newland will continue the museum to unfinished business for the next meeting. 7. PUBLIC INPUT - None 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Veterans Day at Riverview Park — November 11, 2016 Mr. Willis announced the ceremony will be November 11, 2016, at 1lam. They are still in stages of getting the program and a MC arranged. They want Mr. Newland to MC the ceremony and would like to get the Governor, Senator, or City Council member to come to and be a guest speaker. The band has not given the final word but sure they will come. St. Peters Academy, who has performed before, will come and sing. Mr. Willis thanked the City for doing a great job helping print the programs. A request was made to the City for a proclamation to thank Veterans. The Chairman asked the City Manager when it is convenient to have a meeting with the Planning Department prior to Veterans Day. The City Manager said the city workers do an exemplary job making all the preparations for the Veterans ceremonies. The Chairman took it a step further and thanked everyone for coming out on Patriot Day. The City Manager said he appreciated the city workers who participated in setting up the event Thursday for Retired Air Force Colonel West who was riding through town. Council Member Coy was instrumental in organizing the event with very short notice. Chairman Newland said the Colonel was most impressed with the reception he received. Council Member Coy thanked the Veterans for coming out at the drop of a dime. She mentioned the article in the luminaries section of the newspaper she said there were two pages really nice pictures of the ceremony. They failed to mention it was Colonel West's goal was to raise a $1,000 a day and he actually raised $4,000 in Sebastian. Ms. Coy said Sebastian knows how to do ceremonies and knows how to take care of our veterans. Ms. Hernandez requested a meeting with the representatives of the Committee to address their needs and find out how the City can be of assistance. Mr. Giordan will be the contact person to coordinate the meeting. Mr. Giordan added on to Veterans Day, he said starting Monday of that week Veterans classes will be held at the Sebastian Elementary, Sebastian Middle, and Treasure Coast and on the following Saturday there will be more classes about the Veterans Day program. Chairman Newland said Mr. Giordan has done an outstanding job getting into the schools and letting the youth know why we celebrate these different events. The American Legion Post declared him the Member of the Year for his outstanding work. B. Imposter Veterans Soliciting Money Chairman Newland asked the City Manager if he remembered what City Council did a few years ago about solicitation. The City Manager said there is a solicitation ordinance now that prohibits solicitation at intersections. Solicitation in front of a business is allowed under the Freedom of Speech but it comes down to educating the public to let them know who the true veterans are. Council Member Coy said Mark, the manager at Walmart, will not allow those he does not recognize to set up there. Mr. Giordan said there have been complaints in Vero Beach. The Sheriff has asked to be contacted and they will respond. Also in Vero Beach a representative has gone to the stores to educate the managers. Ms. Coy would like to see that happen here in Sebastian. 9. STAFF MATTERS Mr. Peeler said a lady at church approaches him every week and tells him that she paid for three bricks that haven't been laid yet and she would like to know where they are. The City Manager said there are about 50 bricks that need to be placed. There was a group that was handling placement of the bricks but they have since withdrawn. The City has taken it over last June. The strategy is to accumulate a number of bricks and then place them. A large part of the problem is that folks want to be able to place the bricks themselves with the family, which is understandable, but for Public Works the administration is difficult. The Public Works Department will do the actual placement of the bricks but it's difficult to get everyone to agree where the bricks should be placed. The City Manager asked for help from Veterans Advisory Committee to work through this. Mr. Willis announced on October 12th at 3 pm, Sebastian Middle School will be honoring the Teacher of Year which is a VFW program. The program picks teachers that promote patriotism and citizenship with the students. Jack Hodges was picked this year. He was also teacher of the year for the district post and the VFW State of Florida post. He was nominated by the National VFW post but he did not win. He was honored by the National Commander of VFW who sent commendations to present to him. Mr. Willis asked if a representative of City Council would attend the ceremony. 10. 11 12. Council Member Coy said if the Mayor can't go, she would go. Chairman Newland said he has known Mr. Hodges for ten years and he is a major asset to this community. Linda Pugh shared District 12 is having a free luncheon on November the 5h for the Vietnam Vets from 11 am — 3pm. The honor guard will be there and colonels from different branches of services will be there to present certificates and pins. The information is posted on Facebook. Mr. Giordan asked if they are still having the Korean Veteran dinner. Ms. Pugh announced that it is on November the 12'" and the Quilts of Valor will be there to present the quilts. Mr. Giordan thanked the Sebastian Police Department for giving a police escort to the honor guard. COMMITTEE MEMBER MATTERS A. Indian River County Veterans Council Report — Barney Giordan Please see attached ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA Museum Location MOTION BY Mr. Willis with a SECOND by Mr. Peeler to Adjourn the Veterans Advisory Board meeting at 3:49 p.m. passed with unanimous voice vote. By: Wne Newland, Chairman Date / El