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SEBASTAN
HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND
1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA 32958
TELEPHONE (772) 228-7052 FAX (772) 228-7077
AGENDA
CITY OF SEBASTIAN
VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2no 2023
3:00 PM
1) CALL TO ORDER
2) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3) ROLL CALL
4) ANNOUNCEMENTS AND AGENDA MODIFICATIONS
Modifications and additions require unanimous vote of members. Deletions do not apply.
5) APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
August 7'N, 2023 Meeting Minutes
6) PUBLIC INPUT
7) UNFINISHED BUSINESS
8) NEW BUSINESS:
Item A: American 250 Monument Presentation and Discussion
Item B: Veterans Day Ceremony
Item C: Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony
9) ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA AND DATE: January 8'h, 2024 @ 3:00pm
10)ADJOURN
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL ANY DECISION MADE WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER CONSIDERED AT THIS MEETING (OR HEARING) WILL NEED A RECORD
OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND MAY NEED TO ENSURE THAT 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.)
IN 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 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE OF THIS MEETING.
Board Meetinq Date
Agenda Item Title
Recommendation:
Background:
CMOF
SEBAnAN
HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND
VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD
AGENDA TRANSMITTAL FORM
October 2"d, 2023
Meeting Minutes from August 7'h, 2023
Approval of Meeting Minutes from the August 71h, 2023
meeting.
If Agenda Item Requires Expenditure of Funds:
Total Cost: n/a
Attachments:
Veterans Advisory Board Meeting Minutes from August 7th, 2023
MINUTES
VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 3:00 P.M.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1225 MAIN ST., SEBASTIAN FL 32958
I. Chairman Gary Spiecker called the Veterans Advisory Committee meeting to order
at 3:00 p.m.
II. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.
III. Roll Call
Gary Spiecker, American Legion Member
Kim Paskiewicz, VFW Auxiliary Member
Neil Baumgartner, VFW Member
Rich Feldhann, Past Commander, American Legion
Also Present:
Brian Benton, Director of Leisure Services/Interim City Manager
Joseph Perez, AV Technical Assistant
Janet Graham, Technical Writer
IV. Announcements and Agenda Modifications -- None
V. ADDroval of Minutes -- ADril 3. 2023 Meeting Minutes
Chairman Spiecker called for a motion to approve the Minutes from April 3, 2023. A
motion approving the Minutes of April 3, 2023 was made by Mr. Baumgartner, seconded
by Ms. Paskiewicz, and approved unanimously via voice vote.
VI. Public Input
Peter Puzzo -- He introduced himself as representing the Sons of the American Legion,
Squadron 189, working out of the American Legion Post 189.
Raymond Osbourne -- Mr. Osboume introduced himself and stated recently he got
involved with the task force for the 100t' anniversary of the City. He mentioned to them
how great it would be to honor our veterans at that time and record a lot of veteran history
into this celebration. This past year he was involved with Memorial Day and inputting
VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 2
MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2023
data into a website called "Find the Grave" which lists some of our local veterans. This
enables children of veterans to visit the graves on Memorial Day. He explained that
presently he is working on a time capsule project. In that project there will be a slide
show. He has been working with the Indian River Archives in Vero Beach getting some
good photos of Sebastian and some of the locations that are part of our veteran history.
He presented a flyer to the Advisory Board describing a local history seminar. He is doing
a survey to find out what people are interested in. He is looking for a sponsor for this flyer
which will be handed out to the veteran community and the community at large.
Mr. Spiecker asked if there would be a cost to this. Mr. Osbourne stated he will look into
renting a hall or something like that to put on a seminar with a slide show. He does not
know what the cost would be. He said the library is out for this year, and he wanted to do
something closer to Veterans Day. He would like to do a slide show presentation of our
local veteran history and encourage more people to get involved and find out where we
can find some more photos and stories of our local veteran history. He said if he can get
some flyers posted at the local posts, City Hall, etc., that would lend more credibility to
the project. Mr. Spiecker asked Mr. Osborne if he could stop by the American Legion
when he gets back from his trip out of town, and it can be discussed. Mr. Osborne said
he would do that.
Norm Cage -- Melbourne, FI. He stated today is the first day he visited this building.
He complimented the City on Friendship Park and the Boys Club. He is interested in
when some of the events will happen and made some suggestions for events in the future.
He has been involved in the Grant Seafood Festival, so he has experience with putting
on various events.
Mr. Benton suggested that Mr. Cage see Ron Paul who can give him some information.
There are many community events that take place all year. The Veterans Advisory Board
is heavily involved in all of the City's veterans events that take place at the Veterans
Memorial located next to Riverview Park. Riverview Park is also used for large events,
so there are a lot of events that take place along the riverfront. He suggested Mr. Cage
talk to some City staff, and they can give him some contacts for those events. Our next
veterans event which we are going to discuss today is Patriot's Day Celebration at the
Veterans Memorial.
VII. Unfinished Business -- None
VIII. New Business
VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 3
MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2023
A. Presentation by SCORE Treasure Coast -- Not addressed
B. American 250 Monument Presentation and Discussion
C. Patriot Day Ceremony Discussion
Mr. Benton asked whether it has been decided which organization is going to handle that
ceremony this year, or are we not going to do it. Mr. Spiecker said it is going to be turned
over to the VFW, and they will get back to us. Mr. Benton asked that he be contacted
with all the information so that the road closures, etc. will be done.
D. Discussion of Gold Star Family Monument
Mr. Puzzo called everyone's attention to the POWMIA monument that has successfully
been being worked on. He stated he is here to ask permission and to go forward with a
program to bring forth recognition to our Gold Star families. He passed out a drawing of
what the stone would look like. It will be the exact same shape as the others, except this
will be in white granite if possible with the Gold Star banner in the center. The proposal
of the placement has been to place it where the POWMIA stone is. There is a walkway,
and then on the south side of that walkway is where we would ideally like to place it. But
there is a sign there. As before, his group will do the fundraising to get all the money
together. They will use the same person who did the POWMIA monument. He said that
they believe it to be a tribute that is fitting in consideration of the losses of family members
in service to our country at the time of their demise. He asked for approval to go forth so
they can get it on the City calendar.
Mr. Spiecker asked roughly when this would be completed. Mr. Puzzo said it all depends
on how fast they get the granite. He stated that last time it took about 15 months.
Mr. Benton recommended adding this to the agenda so that the whole Advisory Board
can have a discussion on it and make a recommendation or not accept it as a possibility.
He stated the best way to handle this is to probably have a recommendation from this
Board to go to City Council. He suggested adding it to the agenda under New Business,
Mr. Richard Lewis spoke regarding the Gold Star Family Monument. He suggested that
this is an endeavor that is really needed. He also spoke about the Wreaths Across
VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 4
MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2023
America project in December. He said that this year they are going to place over 600
wreaths on December 16t". At this time there are over 200 wreaths dedicated to
Sebastian. So we need another 400 at $17.00 each. He asked anyone who would like
to donate to see him. This program has been a great success over the past few years.
He added that they will begin laying wreaths at 10:30 a.m. in the cemetery in Sebastian.
At the conclusion of the laying of the wreaths there will be a ceremony at Riverview Park
at 12:00 noon.
Item D -- Discussion of Gold Star family monument. Mr. Benton recommended that City
Council receive a recommendation from this Board if that is its will. Committee
recommended approval to move forward with presenting to City Council
IX. Items for the Next Aaenda and Date: October 2, 2023 and 3:00 a.m.
X. Adioum
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:19 p.m.
Date:
j9
CITY OF
SEBASTN
HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND
VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD
AGENDA TRANSMITTAL FORM
Board Meetinq Date: October 2"d, 2023
Aaenda Item Title: America 250 Monument Presentation and Discussion
Background: Ms. Holly Hamilton requested to be added to the agenda
to do a presentation on the potential installation of a
monument installation celebrating the 250th birthday of
the country.
If Aaenda Item Reauires Expenditure of Funds:
Total Cost: n/a
Attachments:
America 250 Presentation Powerpoint
Florida Society Children of
the American Revolution
Children
of the American
Revolution