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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04012013 VAC Agenda1 of 4 LnOf S1111:1�A E ST" HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2013,3:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN ST, SEBASTIAN, FL CALL TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Meeting of February 4, 2013 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Proposed Veterans Transitional Facility — Speaker Walt Payne Invited by Chairman Piper B. Updates by City Manager Al Minner 6. MEMBERS MATTERS 7. OTHER MATTERS A. Set Next Meeting Date and Agenda 8. ADJOURN HEARING ASSISTANCE HEADPHONES ARE AVAILABLE IN 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.) 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. 1 of 4 2 of 4 M OF SE ST," HOME OF PELICAN ISLAND VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4,2013,3:00 PM CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN ST, SEBASTIAN, FL Chairman Piper called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. 2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. ROLL CALL Present: Jerry Piper Ed Irons Butch Dawson Pete Puzzo Tom Nagle Excused: Donna Goff Ed Kilbane Staff Present: Al Minner, City Manager Barbara Brooke - Reese, MIS Senior Systems Analyst Jeanette Williams, Recording Secretary 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES — DECEMBER 3, 2012 MEETING There were no corrections, deletions or additions to make to the minutes and Chairman Piper declared the minutes approved. 5. TED ARENS — CONSIDERATION OF VETERANS ENDOWMENT FUND Mr. Arens, Veteran Endowment Funds, said he was a Dutch immigrant as well as a Vietnam Marine Corp Veteran and his family was very grateful for the contributions the veterans have given for the United States security as well as the world's security. He said a friend asked him to join the Manistee Community Foundation in Michigan and he explained that endowments raise money in communities, distributing about 5% through the 501 C3 corporation. To start one, a group just needs to state the fund's purpose, fill out the paperwork, make the minimum contribution, and get going. He suggested the members could contact Sandi Scannelli, Executive Director of the Community Foundation for Brevard (321) 752 -5505 to explore any interest they may have in joining the Military Officers Association currently starting an endowment. He has made a commitment to provide a $5,000 match if the veterans control the fund. 2 of 4 3 of 4 3:19 pm 3:31 pm Veterans Advisory Committee February 4, 2013 Page Two Questions Mr. Dawson asked if Brevard and Indian River Counties could be combined. Mr. Arens suggested they contact Ms. Scannelli to work something out that would make it easy to conduct business. Mr. Arens noted the rules would be wide open, it would not matter if the veteran served in a war zone or their length of service, and the funds would also be available for the spouses and children. Chairman Piper said Sebastian was the only city that has a veteran advisory group formed jointly between the VFW and American Legion to help those who have served and been honorably discharged. Their top priority is the homeless veteran situation. He said the Committee is centered on the greater Sebastian area and if they were to join the endowment, they would like the funds to go to the City with Committee guidance as to the needs of the veterans. In response to Mr. Puzzo, Mr. Arens said Manistee County's administrative cost is 2% with the rest going towards the veterans. He invited the Committee to contact Ms. Scannelli and left a copy of Manistee County's endowment regulations. (see attached) 6 CONTINUING DISCUSSION OF HOMELESS VETERANS TRANSITION HOUSE Chairman Piper said the Committee had been provided the plat and information about the house on Louisiana Avenue that they are interested in but he cannot find out the status of the house. Mr. Puzzo offered have some friends of his in the real estate business look into it further. The City Manager offered to help locate the owner. Chairman Piper said the house was the only suitable place other than the small cottages behind the Sand Drift Hotel but they were not interested in talking about a homeless shelter. In response to the City Manager's question as to how they would pay for the house, Chairman Piper said they hoped the City would help and Mr. Dawson said there are grants available to both the VFW and the American Legion. Chairman Piper said the Veterans Council of Indian River has received four donated homes veteran occupancy and they were hoping for something similar in Sebastian noting the Louisiana house would make a good establishment in getting people off street, put a roof over their head, get them back on their feet, and help submit veterans' claims. The City Manager offered to report back to them at the next meeting with preliminary direction. Mr. Nagle added the house is in an ideal location, surrounded by churches, no nearby bars and offered to gather information how the Brevard veterans obtained their Fee Avenue Facility. 7. MEMBERS MATTERS Mr. Nagle cited an alert he was given from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) fraudulently obtaining personal information on veterans to submit claims for benefits. (see attached) He asked the Committee members to be aware of the scheme and watch out for the older WWII, Korean War veterans. Vice Chairman Irons said this was also mentioned at the last Vero Veterans Council meeting. 3 of 4 2 4 of 4 Veterans Advisory Committee February 4, 2013 Page Three Vice Chairman Irons asked if they have heard back from the City Attorney on re- wording of the failed solicitation resolution. Chairman Piper noted the mistake may have been that they were asking to ensure the veterans were legitimate and keep out of town veterans from soliciting and they should have asked to make sure the collected monies would remain in Indian River County. The City Manager said for the next agenda, he would look into the housing issue and an update /new draft for the soliciting resolution. Vice Chairman Irons clarified that the resolution said the VFW and American Legion would be the sole source solicitors but they only want to screen the soliciting veterans. Chairman Piper said Council Member Coy wanted to have the five service flags displayed in the Chamber but was not sure if she wanted the flagpole display or for them to lay flat on the wall. The City Manager offered to contact Council Member Coy. Chairman Piper announced the next meeting would be April 1St at 15:00. 8. ADJOURN The Committee saluted the flag and Chairman Piper adjourned the meeting at 3:39 p.m. Approved at the April 1, 2013 meeting by Chairman Jerry Piper 4 of 4 3