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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-05-2021 VAB MinutesVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MONDAY, APRIL 5, 2021, 3:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN ST., SEBASTIAN FL I. Chairman John Kinlen called the Veterans Advisory Committee meeting to order at 3.00 p.m. II. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. III. Present John Kinlen, Chairman, American Legion Post 189 Neil Baumgartner, VFW Member Kim Paskiewicz, VFW Auxiliary Member Gary Spiecher, American Legion Member Not Present Jerry Liucci, Excused Randy Moyer, Excused Also Present Brian Benton, Leisure Services Director Barbara Brooke -Reese, MIS Manager Janet Graham, Technical Writer IV. Meeting Chair Makes Announcements -- None V. Agenda Modifications -- None VI. Approval of Minutes -- January 4, 2021 Hearing no corrections/additions from the Committee members, Chairman Kinlen called for a Motion. A Motion to approve the Minutes of January 4, 2021 as presented was made by Ms. Paskiewicz, seconded by Mr. Baumgartner, and approved unanimously via voice vote. VII. Unfinished Business -- None VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 2 MINUTES OF MEETING OF APRIL 5, 2021 VIII. Public Input -- None IX. New Business Item A: Memorial Day Event Mr. Kinlen stated that the VFW will be chairing the Memorial Day Event, which will be May 31St. He will get the numbers of the people who lead the prayers as well as the bands. The only other thing that needs to be done is to get a keynote speaker. He further stated that, if Mr. Spiecher is going to be the new VFW Commander, he will be the keynote speaker. Mr. Benton asked regarding the start time. Mr. Kinlen stated it has usually been 11.00 a.m. Mr. Benton asked if typically the Sebastian High School Band does attend. Mr. Kinlen answered yes. Mr. Kinlen added that following the ceremony, there will be open houses at both the VFW and the American Legion. Mr. Benton stated that the City will once again broadcast the event live. Mr. Baumgartner stated he spoke directly to Mr. Westerfield, and Mr. Baumgartner gave him Mr. Spiecher's telephone number. Mr. Baumgartner said he did not know if Mr. Westerfield was going to have the band call Mr. Spiecher or not. However, Mr. Spiecher said he has not heard anything. Mr. Kinlen stated they have never called him either, but the band director is very good and wants to participate. Also, the bagpiper needs to be invited, although he always participates. Item B: July 4t" Parade Participation Discussion Mr. Kinlen stated the Honor Guard has always led the parade, and he assumes they will do the same this year. Mr. Benton said yes, they will. Mr. Benton stated it is open to everyone like it has been in the past. He stated that typically the parade front order is the Honor Guard, then the Grand Marshals, the VFW Post, the American Legion Post, Honor Guard bus and Veterans, then the Veterans Council of Indian River County, then listed veterans and military organizations, which is the Sebastian JROTC, Sea Cadets, Sea Scouts, and then it is followed by the Sebastian Police Department, Mayor, City Council, and Indian River County Sheriff's Department. Mr. Spiecher asked who notifies the Indian River Veterans Council. Mr. Benton stated the Lions Club is handling the parade and the event, so he will speak with them to see if VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 3 MINUTES OF MEETING OF APRIL 5, 2021 they have notified them or not. Mr. Spiecher said there is a meeting of that group this coming Wednesday, and he will extend to them an official invitation so they can prepare. Mr. Baumgartner asked if Mr. Benton can provide the Committee members with a copy of the list of parade participants and the order in which they will go. Mr. Benton stated he will do this as soon as the City Manager signs off on it, which is typically a week prior to the event. Mr. Baumgartner said that would be very helpful. Mr. Kinlen addressed another event that the veterans had been doing, which is the grave marker program at all the cemeteries in Indian River County. He stated that Peter Puzzo from Sons of the American Legion had put that program together, and Mr. Kinlen explained that program. He further stated there has been a change at the Sebastian Cemetery, and all the markers and flags were picked up. When Mr. Puzzo tried to contact someone from the Cemetery, the reception was not positive. So, as of now, Sebastian Cemetery will not be included in this program. He did comment that the markers were not thrown away. The markers are in the garage, and they have not been able to meet for pick-up yet, but they will. If in the future something changes, that will be fine. He said that, so far, there has not been a problem with any of the other cemeteries. Mr. Benton said, if everyone on this Committee is in agreement, he will speak with City staff to see if there is any way in the future, they can accommodate this and what that could possibly entail. He will provide a follow-up email to all the Committee members and let them know what he finds out. He added that he knows the Committee wants to have those markers and flags out year-round. He asked if the City staff can locate the markers in preparation for these two events, Memorial Day and Veterans Day, would it be possible that the City staff could pull them and put them back out for those specific dates. Mr. Kinlen said that would be an option. Mr. Benton said he will see what he can do and will make sure everyone on the Committee is notified. E�•�ii1��i��►C.Ti� XI. Board or Committee Matters Mr. Kinlen stated that Mr. Baumgartner is still on the Committee, Ms. Paskiewicz is still on the Committee, he thinks he is still on the Committee, and Mr. Spiecher is going to be on the Committee. When that change occurs, Mr. Spiecher will become Chairman. He mentioned that Randy VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE PAGE 4 MINUTES OF MEETING OF APRIL 5, 2021 Moyer has informed him that he is going to be moving. So, he will be vacating his position with reference to the Legion. There is an executive meeting this evening, and Mr. Kinlen will inform them. XII. Items for the Next Aqenda and Date: Auqust 2"d, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. Mr. Kinlen stated he has been told that the Police have taken over the 9/11 event, but that does not mean the veterans do not participate. He believes they do participate. Mr. Benton stated that was one of the reasons he slated the next meeting for the beginning of August, so that he could have someone from the Police Department here, and there can be discussion with them on what assistance they need from the veterans. There will be another meeting in October in preparation for Veterans Day. XIII. Adiourn -- There being no further business, Mr. Kinlen called for a motion to adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Baumgartner, seconded by Ms. Paskiewicz, and approved unanimously via voice vote. in Ice Date: