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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-07-2019 VAB MinutesVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2019, 3:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN ST., SEBASTIAN FL 1. Chairman John Haskins called the Veterans Advisory Committee meeting to order at 3:02 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. 3. Present David Spooner, President of the VFW Auxiliary, Post 10210 John Haskins, Past Commander of the VFW, Post 10210 John Kinlen, Member of the American Legion, Post 189 Neil Baumgartner, Member of the VFW Kim Paskiewicz, VFW Auxiliary Member Also Present Brian Benton, Leisure Services Director Janet Graham, Technical Writer 4, MEETING CHAIR MAKES ANNOUNCEMENTS — It was announced that Mr. Jim Cunningham is now the Commander of VFW Post 10210. 5. AGENDA MODIFICATIONS — None 6.. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairman Kinlen asked if everyone had a chance to review the Minutes from June 3, 2019. All stated they had. Mr. Kinlen brought up a correction that should be made to those Minutes. On page 3, the seventh paragraph, where it says, "Ms. Paskiewicz stated David Spooner will be taking over as the Legion's auxiliary representative," that should read that "David Spooner will be taking over as the VFW's auxiliary representative." MOTION to accept the Minutes of the June 3, 2019 meeting as amended was made by Mr. Haskins, seconded by Mr. Baumgartner, and approved by unanimous voice vote. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 2 MEETING OF OCTOBER 7, 2019 UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. July 4th Parade Review and Discussion Mr. Kinlen stated the Fourth of July parade went well. The parade was well organized and went on smoothly. Mr. Benton asked that car magnets for the Grand Marshal either be located or purchased. The magnets were not available at the parade, and the car the Grand Marshal was riding in was not identified with the magnets. If anyone knows where the old ones are located, please let him know so that he can obtain them. If not, he suggested that new ones be purchased and kept with the City staff going forward. Mr. Haskins stated the old ones are not obtainable, so there will have to be new ones purchased. He will see to that. Ms. Paskiewicz stated some of the old ones were returned to the Post, but she forgot to pick them up and bring them today. She will bring them in to Mr. Benton. Mr. Haskins addressed the ceremony on 9/11. There was a big issue with the public not being able to hear over the loudspeaker system, as it did not work. There was a good turnout at the event, and he thanked the members of City Council and all the other City staff that attended and helped. Mr. Benton informed the Board that the City has purchased a complete new sound system. The system will be tested at the park sometime in the next week or so 8. PUBLIC INPUT Randy Moyer, Sebastian, stated that last year the City had the sign shop make the signs. So those signs may be made in house this year. He also advised that Mr. Kinlen follow up with Mr. Benton about getting the flyers printed. Gary Shaw introduced himself as a member of the Legion and the VFW. Char Kinlen introduced herself as the Past President of the American Legion Auxiliary. 9. NEW BUSINESS VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 3 MEETING OF OCTOBER 7, 2019 a. Veterans Day Planning and Responsibility Mr. Kinlen stated the keynote speaker for the Veterans Day event is present. Mr. Curtis Holden introduced himself and stated he is a member of Post 189 of the American Legion, also the Cigar Club, and also the First Vice President of the Veterans Council of Indian River County. He was an enlisted Marine and also an Army officer. He will provide a biography to Mr. Kinlen so that it will be available at the Veterans Day event. He also suggested that 400 or so flyers be printed for the event, as last year they ran out of flyers of which they only had 250. Regarding Veterans Day, Mr. Kinlen understands that the VFW will be doing an open house, and the American Legion will also be doing an open house. He will speak to all of the City dignitaries regarding the event. Mr. Benton asked who the point of contact regarding Veterans Day will be. Mr. Kinlen stated it will be Char Kinlen. Mr. Benton will talk with her after the meeting. Mr. Kinlen also wanted to clarify that Memorial Day is for all those veterans who died in battle; Veterans Day is for all veterans of the military. Mr. Kinlen also explained that Russ Pacowski is the Commander of the American Legion; however, he has a medical condition that affects his speech, so Mr. Kinlen will act as the host at the event. Mr. Kinlen also announced that President Trump recently signed new legislation regarding the Legion which states that anyone who served after December 7th, 1941 and was honorably discharged can now be a member of the American Legion. He stated he is trying to get the word out regarding that matter. Mr. Haskins inquired whether that also includes the Merchant Marines. Mr. Kinlen stated he did not know that, but he will try to find out. Mr. Kinlen clarified how the two events, Memorial Day and Veterans Day, are alternated as to who will be running the events each year. For instance, the American Legion will run the Memorial Day event one year and the VFW will run Veterans Day that same year, and then the next year they will switch as to who runs each event. 10. STAFF MATTERS VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 4 MEETING OF OCTOBER 7, 2019 Mr. Benton stated he was contacted by Mr. Barney Giordan prior to this meeting regarding the CDBG grant funds that the City of Sebastian will be receiving. CDBG is the Community Development Block Grant. It is a federally funded grant program that serves the lower income portions, but it can also be used in other areas of the City as well for specific needs. The Community Development Department will be running the grant program. The funds have not yet been received from the federal government. When that occurs, it is desired that the Veterans Advisory Board and member organizations be involved in the grant -funding application process. He believes that approximately $50,000.00 of the grant money will be for veterans, and the Community Development Department has outlined exactly how those funds can be used. As soon as that department has all the information in hand, Mr. Benton will bring it to the next meeting. He stated that after this meeting he will get with each Board member in order to get the correct contact information. 11. BOARD OR COMMITTEE MEMBER MATTERS Mr. Kinlen stated that Mr. Gordian wanted to know if this grant money will only be for specific individuals or can an organization such as the American Legion put in for some of this grant money for specific needs that they have. Mr. Benton could not say, but he will try to get the answer and disseminate that information among the Board members. 12. ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA AND DATE: December 2nd, 2019 @ 3:00 P.M. Mr. Kinlen stated that Pearl Harbor Day will be discussed at that meeting, and he asked anyone who is aware of any Pearl Harbor survivors to contact those persons regarding the event. 13. ADJOURN There being no further business, MOTION to adjourn the meeting was made by Mr. Haskins and seconded by Mr. Kinlen. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote. The me ting was adjourned 2 p.m. By: Date: 6--" O� 9