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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-04-2019 VAB MinutesVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2019 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 1St Vice Chairman, American Legion Post 189 John Haskins, Commander of the VFW 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 — Absent Barney Giordan, Member of the American Legion -- Absent Russ Pacowski, Commander of the American Legion -- Excused Also Present: Randy Moyer, Procurement Manager Brian Benton, Director of Leisure Services Janet Graham, Technical Writer 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION was made by Mr. Baumgartner and SECONDED by Mr. Haskins to approve the October 1, 2018 Minutes. Motion carried by unanimous vote. 5. OLD BUSINESS a. Organization updates (services, joint efforts, etc.) Mr. Moyer introduced Mr. Gary Spiecker, United States Marine Corps, Retired, First Sergeant. Mr. Spiecker described his involvement with the homeless veterans in the area. He and his group provided a hot meal for the veterans on Thanksgiving. He stated there is a transitional facility in Melbourne where the veterans are entitled to spend six months in order to get prepared for living a more fulfilling lifestyle. There are rules and regulations for these folks, and they are required to abide by those rules. They also have VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 2 Meeting of February 4, 2019 to make an active effort to find jobs, etc. There is an entity called Career Source who comes in and interviews the veterans and seeks to find jobs for them in the fields where they have previously had experience. There is also a program entitled a Stand -Down, where veterans are transported by vans provided by the Marine Corps to Fort Pierce where they receive clothing, etc.in order to help acclimate them in their attempt to find a better life. He then asked for questions or comments. Ms. Kinlen inquired if the people in the transitional homes in Vero Beach go the West Palm VA. Mr. Spiecker stated the veterans can go anywhere there is an opening. Mr. Haskins stated when he was Commander of the VFW, they had a program for the transitional veterans where they provided hot meals on holidays, clothing, etc. That program has since dissipated, but he would like to get that program restarted. Mr. Spiecker stated that Mr. Haskins' group can get together whatever items they want to give the vets at the transitional home in Melbourne, drive up to the home, and the vets will gladly take whatever they have. He added that when the veterans request items they have to sign for those items. Mr. Kinlen asked for the address of the Melbourne facility. Mr. Spiecker stated it is 700 Fee Avenue, Melbourne, FL. Ms. Kinlen described that the American Legion Auxiliary is working with the transitional homes in Vero Beach, of which there are currently three, in much the same way as Mr. Spiecker's group works with the transitional home in Melbourne. Plans are in place for a fourth home for which construction is scheduled to begin in March. The Auxiliary is currently collecting household items with which to furnish the new house. Her group also works with Mr. Spiecker to provide items to the homeless who live in the woods. 6. PUBLIC INPUT -- None. 7. NEW BUSINESS a. 2019 Veteran/City Functions i. January 27th Four Chaplains Completed (Sunday). Rescheduled to February 16 ii. May 27, 2019 Memorial Day at 11:00 a.m. (Monday) iii. July 4, 2019 Parade, starts at 8:00 a.m. (Thursday) iv. November 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. (Monday) V. December 7, 2019 Pearl Harbor Day at 12:35 p.m. (Saturday) VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting of February 4, 2019 PAGE 3 b. Discussion on which organizations are handling each event along with back-up plans. • Four Chaplains -- Mr. Moyer stated the most current date he has for the Four Chaplains is February 16, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. He has notified the Honor Guard of this date. • Mr. Moyer stated regarding the other events, the most important thing to keep in mind is for the different groups to communicate with each other. • Mr. Kinlen stated that 9111 is not included in the list on the Agenda. Mr. Haskins stated that the Police Department has taken over this event. • May 27, 2019 (Memorial Day) -- Last year it was the American Legion who was in charge, but he does not know if that will be the same group this year. Mr. Kinlen stated the Board will find that out and let Mr. Moyer know. • July 4, 2019 Parade -- Mr. Moyer stated he and Mr. Brian Benton have been working with the Lions Club on this, and it will be pretty much the same as it was last year. The veterans will be in the first part of the parade. Mr. Kinlen clarified that this is a Lions Club event and is coordinated through the City. • November 11 (Veterans Day) -- Mr. Kinlen stated the Committee will work to figure out which groups are going to coordinate this event. • December 7, 2019 (Pearl Harbor Day) -- Mr. Haskins stated the VFW usually takes care of that event. 8. MEMBERS ROUNDTABLE AND TOPICS FOR APRIL 1, 2019 MEETING Mr. Moyer requested that any of the Committee members who have items they wish to discuss at the April meeting let him know what they are so he can put them on the Agenda. Mr. Haskins stated Memorial Day will be the most important topic for that meeting. Mr. Kinlen questioned whether the Committee should have a calendar of these events and give it to the City. Mr. Moyer stated the City already has a calendar of every event, and the Police Department also has a copy. Mr. Haskins stated the veterans' picnic that was held last weekend was a huge success. Ms. Kinlen stated between 400 and 500 people were treated to a free luncheon. She thanked Mr. Benton and the City for all their help regarding this function. She also stated the Veterans Council will set the date for next year. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Meeting of February 4, 2019 PAGE 4 Mr. Haskins announced that the VFW and the American Legion are having Valentine's Day dinners. 9. ADJOURN There being no further business, MOTION to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Haskins and SECONDED by Ms. Kinlen. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Meeting was adjourned at 3:28 p.m. By: '' ' - Date: 3 2 s Chairman John Kinlen j9