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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02042013 VAC MinutesCm of 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. 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 t4le 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. 2 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 1 st at 15:00. 8. ADJOURN The Committee saluted the flag and Chairman Piper adjourned the meeting at 3:39 p.m. P Approved at the April 1, 2013 meeting by ` C airman Jer4 PipLrr 3 VETERAN ENDOWMENT FUNDS THROUGH COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS TED G. ARENS DR. GEORGE F. WAGONER H. 231 - 889 -5595 H. 231 - 398 -0447 C. 586- 530 -3931 C. 231 - 392 -3157 Purpose of this Fund These funds are to provide financial support for unmet needs of veterans and their spouses and children that reside in a Community Foundation area. A veteran is defined as an individual who has served, or is currently serving, in an armed service of the United States of America (no war time service required). Canadian and allied soldiers with wartime service residing in that community are also eligible. I. Manistee County community foundation MANISTEE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FIELD OF INTEREST FUND AGREEMENT MANISTEE COUNTY VETERANS ENDOWMENT FUND AGREEMENT made January 30, 2009, between THEODORE ARENS, (hereinafter called "Donor ") and MANISTEE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, a Michigan non- profit corporation (hereinafter called "Foundation "). This Agreement supersedes entirely all prior Fund Agreements entered into between Theodore Arens and the Foundation, including specifically the Donor Advised Fund Agreement dated August 28, 2007 and the Committee Advised Fund Agreement dated August 4, 2008. This Amendment is the result of the transition of this fund to a Field of Interest Fund. I. ESTABLISHMENT 1.1 Transfer. Donor transfers to the Foundation $25,000 to be held by the Foundation or its Agent, to establish a fund to be known as the Manistee County Veterans Endowment Fund. 1.2 Additions. Donor and others at any time may make contributions to the Foundation designated for addition to the Fund. 1.3 Acceptance. Foundation accepts the transferred property and additions and agrees to hold, administer and distribute the Fund as provided in this Agreement. Any additional gifts to the Fund will be subject to the Foundation's Gift Acceptance Policy. II. DESIGNATED PURPOSES 2.1 General. The purpose of the Fund is to provide support for unmet financial needs of veterans and their spouses and children that reside in Manistee County. For the purposes of this agreement a veteran is defined as an individual who has served, or is currently serving, in an armed service of the United States of America. Canadian and allied soldiers with wartime service residing in Manistee County are also eligible. 2.2 Expenditure of Fund. The Fund will be Field of Interest Fund as defined in a certain resolution adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Foundation with respect to such funds. It is the intent of the Donor that the Fund be held in perpetuity with distributions for the purpose described in Section 2.1 to be made in accordance with the Foundation's Spending Policy as may be modified by the Foundation from time to time. Manistee County Veterans Endowment Fund Agreement 1 of 3 2.3 Advisory Committee. An Advisory Committee shall make written recommendations for grant distributions from this fund. The Donor does not control the use of the fund. Voting members of the Advisory Committee for this fund shall consist o£ A representative and an alternate from the Manistee County Community Foundation Board of Directors or the community appointed by the Manistee County Community Foundation Board of Directors with preference given to veterans. It is the Donors intent that during his lifetime he be appointed as the primary representative and that George Wagoner be appointed as the alternate, if each is willing and able. It is also the intent of the Donor that, upon his death, the Donor's daughter, Jaimie Zeidieh, be given the option of being appointed to the Advisory Committee by the Manistee County Community Foundation Board of Directors if she is available and interested. • One representative from each of the chartered veterans service organizations in Manistee County and the Michigan National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard. Advisory Committee Rules are attached as an appendix to this agreement. The rules may be adjusted from time to time by majority vote, but must reflect the inclusivity, the charitable purpose, and the spirit of this fund. The Manistee County Community Foundation will provide staff support to the Advisory Committee as necessary. 2.4 Status of Fund. The Fund will be administered by the Foundation as its property, held by it in its normal corporate capacity, and not as Trustee, for purposes within its charitable purposes and in accordance with its Articles of Incorporation and By -laws; and Donor agrees to all the terms of said Articles of Incorporation and By -laws, including, without limitation, provisions as to presumed intent of donors, variance from a donor's restrictions, and amendments and termination, so long as Foundation's Trustees conclude such changes will promote the purposes of the Foundation. III. ACCOUNTING AND CHARGES 3.1 Accounting. Foundation shall keep records of the Fund's receipts, disbursements and property on hand and, at least annually, shall provide Donor with an accounting for the Fund. 3.2 Charges to Fund. Foundation may charge to the Fund expenses and fees which it customarily charges to other Field of Interest Funds. Foundation also may charge an extra- ordinary fee, reasonable in amount, for services to the Fund which are requested by the Donors and are a significant and unusual administrative or economic burden to the Foundation. During any quarter that the Fund balance is less than $10,000 a $50 service fee will be charged. We Manistee County Veterans Endowment Fund Agreement 2 of 3 further understand the fee schedule is subject to modification and may be increased or decreased at the sole discretion of the Community Foundation's Board of Trustees. The parties execute this document in evidence of their agreement. Theodore Arens, Donor MANISTEE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IN Chris A. McGuigan, President Note: This agreement was reviewed by the Council of Michigan Foundation's attorney at Clark Hill. Manistee County Veterans Endowment Fund Agreement 3 of 3 Subject: FW: VA Warning Ref "Veteran Affairs Services" Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen, From the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Please disseminate widely. VA Warning: "Veterans Affairs Services" Organization Not Affiliated, Getting Vet IDs. The Office of the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has requested dissemination of the following : An organization called Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) is providing benefit and general information on VA and gathering personal information on veterans. "This organization is not affiliated with VA in any way. [The organization described itself at its web page at: http: / /www.vaservices.or /g /us /index.html ] VAS may be gaining access to military personnel through their close resemblance to the VA name and seal. Our Legal Counsel has requested that we coordinate with DoD to inform military installations, particularly mobilization sites, of this group and their lack of affiliation or endorsement by VA to provide any services. In addition, GC requests that if you have any examples of VAS acts that violate chapter 59 of Title 38 United States Code, such as VAS employees assisting veterans in the preparation and presentation of claims for benefits, please pass any additional information to Mr. Daugherty at the address below. Michael G. Daugherty, Staff Attorney, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of General Counsel http: / /mail.aol.com/ 37288 - 111 /aol- 6 /en -us /mail /PrintMessage.aspx 1/11/2013