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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-04-2019 VAB AgendaCITY or SEW"iIAN ;4M;;;; HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND 1225 MAIN STREET • SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958 TELEPHONE: (772) 589-5330 • FAX (772) 589-5570 VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA MONDAY, February 4, 2019 @ 3:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN 1) CALL TO ORDER 2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3) ROLL CALL 4) APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR OCTOBER 1, 2018 5) OLD BUSINESS 6) PUBLIC INPUT 7) NEW BUSINESS a. Organization updates (services, joint efforts etc.) a. 2019 Veteran / City Functions L January 27`h Four Chaplains Completed (Sunday) Rescheduled to Feb. 16 ii. May 27, 2019 Memorial Day @ 11:00 a.m. (Monday) iii. July 4, 2019 Parade, starts @ 8:00 a.m. (Thursday) iv. November 11, 2019 @ 11 a.m. (Monday) v. December 7, 2019 Pearl Harbor Day @ 12:35 p.m. (Saturday) b. Discussion on which organizations are handling each event along with back-up plans. 8) MEMBERS ROUNDTABLE & TOPICS FOR APRIL 1, 2019 MEETING 9) ADJOURN HEARING ASSISTANCE HEADPHONES ARE AVAILABLE N THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS FOR ALL GOVERNMENT MEETINGS ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT THIS MEETING WILL NEED A RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE HEARD. (286.0105 F.S.) N COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA), ANYONE WHO NEEDS A SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION FOR THIS MEETING SHOULD CONTACT THE CITY'S ADA COORDINATOR AT 589-5330 AT LEAST 48HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THIS MEETING. "An Equal Opportunity Employer" Celebrating Our 75th Anniversary VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2018, 3:00 p.m. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FL 1. Chairman John Kinlen called the Veterans Advisory Committee meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. 3. Present John Kinlen, Chairman and 15' Vice Chairman, American Legion Post 189 John Haskins, Commander of the VFW Russ Pacowski, Commander of the American Legion Char Kinlen, President of the American Legion Auxiliary Neil Baumgartner, Member of the VFW Kim Paskiewicz, VFW Alternate Member Not Present John Whitford, Alternate Member of the American Legion -- Excused Barney Giordan, Member of the American Legion — Absent Also Present Randy Moyer, Procurement Manager Jerry Liucci, Commander of the Honor Guard Al Blakeborough, Member of the Honor Guard Janet Graham, Technical Writer 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION was made by Mr. Haskins and SECONDED by Mr. Baumgartner to approve the August 6, 2018 Minutes. Motion carried by unanimous vote. 5. OLD BUSINESS -- None Mr. Moyer stated there was no old business, but he had been requested to review the Ordinance with the Committee for discussion during New Business. 6. PUBLIC INPUT VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 2 Meeting of October 1, 2018 Al Blakeborough, Member Sebastian Area Honor Guard, American Legion Post 189, Veteran Service Officer Indian River County DAV, Veterans Service Officer VFW Post 10210. He introduced himself and described that he is a member of a devolvement committee for a DAV chapter that is being established in Indian River County. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. Veterans Day discussion/update Mr. Haskins stated everything is pretty much lined up, including the speaker. He inquired if the City would have printed programs available to pass out, and Mr. Moyer said yes. Mr. Moyer stated he will follow up on this. He also stated he had received an inquiry regarding Pearl Harbor Day. Mr. Haskins stated the VFW usually takes care of Pearl Harbor Day, and he will inform Mr. Moyer of the time and other particulars. b. Ordinance #0-12-05, member review and discussion. Mr. Moyer reviewed the Ordinance, a copy of which he provided each member of the Committee. He discussed that, according to the Ordinance, the Committee should be reporting to City Council describing the activities and programs in which the Veterans are involved. He mentioned the many activities that require commitments by the veteran volunteers and the need to spread the word that some of the meals and benefits are open to members of the community in general, not just veterans. Mr. Haskins emphasized that more recognition should be given to the volunteers who do so much for the veterans. C. Veterans Advisory Board contributions to the Sebastian community. Mr. Tom Thompson, member of the American Legion Post 189 Riders described the activities that his group performs for the community: • They participate in the Sebastian parades. • Work the Shrimp Festival, Clambake. • Act as funeral escorts for veterans. • Are members of the Veterans Council of Indian River County. • Act as Honor Flight escorts, escorting veterans to Orlando International Airport for their trip to D.C. once a month. • Present gifts to local nursing homes at Christmas. • Visit veterans in local hospitals VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 3 Meeting of October 1, 2018 • Do fundraisers (poker runs) for needy veterans and their families. • Hold a breakfast for the ROTC candidates at Sebastian High School. • Participate in the "Wreaths Across America" program. • Donate to Homeless Veterans of Indian River County. John Haskins, Commander of the VFW Post 10210 described activities that his group has been involved in: • The wrestling team at Sebastian High School sponsored by the Sheriffs Department is in serious need of wrestling mats and mats for the walls. His group donated $200.00 towards the mats, their Auxiliary will be donating $200.00 towards the mats, and the VFW is going to donate $600.00 which will total $1,000.00 in donations from VFW Post 10210 to aid in procuring the mats for the wrestling team. Anyone wishing to make a donation may contact him for the information. • On November 101h he is having a Boston Boil and an auction at the Post. Fort McCoy Veterans Retirement Home is in need of a new roof, and the proceeds from the auction will go to Fort McCoy. • The Christmas program for needy children is lined up. He asked anyone who knows of any children who need help to let him know. He clarified that they do not have to be veterans' families. • On November 22"d, which is Thanksgiving, there will be a free dinner to needy families. • Regarding the scholarships at Sebastian River High School, he described the programs entitled "Patriots Pen" and "Voice of Democracy." Andrea Coy is in charge of the Voice of Democracy program. Larry Mills is in charge of the Patriots Pen program. The VFW also provides a $3,000.00 scholarship spread over a two- year period--$1,500.00 the first year and $1,500.00 the second year if their grades are kept at the required level. • He also welcomed Kim Paskiewicz as a member of the Committee. Char Kinlen, President of the American Legion Auxiliary, described the American Legion Auxiliary activities in conjunction with the Post: • Two $1,000.00 scholarships are given by the Auxiliary each year to Sebastian River High School students. • A program called "Girls State" is sponsored by the Auxiliary where each year they send one girl who is between junior and senior years in high school to Tallahassee VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting of October 1, 2018 PAGE 4 • for a week to learn the workings of the state government, including learning how to write bills and get them through the legislature. • A program is in place where they send coupons to military bases that military families can use in the stores. Last year they sent over $160,000.00 worth of coupons. • They participate in the Clambake and the Shrimp Fest. • Visit the schools with men from the Legion to speak to the children about community service, what the flag means, etc. • They take people who need transportation to doctors' appointments, church, etc. • They work with the Sons of the American Legion to place grave markers. • They do a dinner in November with the "Quilts of Valor" group where veterans are brought to the Legion and each veteran is presented with an individually made quilt in his/her honor. • In January they do a luncheon called the "Welcome Home Veterans' for veterans where they are presented with certificates and pins while thanking them for their service. • They attend the veterans' services at Riverview Park. • Their members knit and crochet lap robes and ditty bags which are sent to the Veterans' Hospital. • They have donated shoes, socks, toiletries, etc. to the Veterans' Outreach program in Vero Beach. • Some members volunteer at the Victory Center store at the Vero Mall. • Individual goody bags are taken by the men to the homeless vets who are in the woods. • Two of their members have instituted the "North County Quarter Auction," and each month a quarter auction is held to benefit a different charitable organization. John Kinlen, Chairman and 181 Vice Chairman, American Legion Post 189. He is also the SAL Commander for Post 189. He described that, as well as joining with the Auxiliary in some of their programs, the Legion sponsors the following programs: • A "Boys State" program similar to the "Girls State' program described by Ms. Kinlen. • For the first time the Legion is going to be open on Thanksgiving. An attempt will be made to get some of the homeless veterans to come to the Legion for a meal, and meals will be delivered to those who do not come to the Legion. He described the manner in which the homeless veterans are communicated with by a member of the Legion. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting of October 1, 2018 PAGE 5 • He emphasized that the Christmas program is for the benefit of the whole community, not just veterans. There is a problem with getting that word out, and Mr. Moyer volunteered to see about posting a notice at the City in order to disseminate the information to a wider section of the community. • Regarding the SAL program, they are involved in the grave marker program which provides a flag with a marker on it. The goal is to provide a flag with a marker for every veteran's grave, and it is an ever-expanding program. • The SAL program is for the benefit of any person who is related to a veteran to become a member of SAL. Mr. Haskins stated if Mr. Kinlen would send him a letter regarding the SAL program, Mr. Haskins will have his group make a donation to the program. Jerry Liucci, American Legion Post 189 and Commander of the Honor Guard: • They will attend a funeral on October 10'h • They are prepared for the Veterans Day celebration. • He asked for someone to donate a flatbed trailer for the 2019 Fourth of July parade. Mr. Haskins volunteered to provide one. • The events and funerals which the Honor Guard attended last year were approximately 71, and he estimates approximately the same number this year. • He stated that anyone with a family member who has received an honorable discharge and is having a service, the Honor Guard is available to serve. d. Reporting Those Contributions to Sebastian City Council Mr. Moyer stated this requirement is part of the Ordinance, and that is why he provided a copy of the Ordinance to the Committee and asked for a description of the various programs which are conducted by the veterans. 8. MEMBERS ROUDTABLE & TOPICS FOR DECEMBER 3, 2018 MEETING Mr. Baumgartner described how a veterans' group he is familiar with in New York state filled out a form and got all the flags he asked for from the government free of charge. He will investigate this and see if he can obtain the name of a contact. Mr. Haskins stated he also had that experience in the past. Mr. Baumgartner reported on the Veterans' Hospital in West Palm Beach and the problems with the parking at that facility. He stated they have valet parking now, but there is still a problem with not having sufficient parking spaces. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting of October 1, 2018 9. ADJOURN PAGE 6 There being no further business, MOTION to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Baumgartner and SECONDED by Mr. Kinlen. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. z Chairman John Kinlen 19 Date