VETERANS’ AFFAIRS COMMISSION
City of Aurora
April 10, 2008, 6:00 p.m.
Fletcher Room, 1^st Floor
Aurora Municipal Center

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

V. FINANCIAL REPORT

VI. CHAIR REPORT

VII. COUNCIL CONTACT REPORTS

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORT

IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

X. NEW BUSINESS

XI. ADJOURNMENT

Next Meeting for the Veterans’ Affairs Commission
May 8, 2008, 6:00 p.m.
Fletcher Room, 1^st Floor, Aurora Municipal Center

Veterans’ Affairs Commission
Minutes
February 21, 2008
Regular Meeting

I. CALL TO ORDER
The Veterans’ Affairs Commission meeting was called to order at 6:15 p.m.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS
Present: Commissioners Dow, Nowalk, Rodriquez, Sarlls
Absent: Commissioners Bennett, Moody, Van Sciver, Yett, Sr.
Staff: Barbara Shannon-Banister, Chief of Community Relations Division
Guest: Deelynn Ford

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Commissioner Sarlls that the minutes be approved. Motion carried.

V. FINANCIAL REPORT
Beginning yearly balance: $400.00.

VI. CHAIR REPORT
The Aurora Veterans’ Center Working Group meeting was held on February 4, 2008. Discussed were plans for the homeless veterans transition center which would provide temporary shelter for veterans, as well as assisting them in transitioning back into a normal, productive life. Chair Sarlls feels the AVC would benefit more from working with the United Veterans Committee and using the domiciliary at Fitzsimmons than for each group to do their own separate project. Chair Sarlls feels it is best for the VAC to support either or both groups, whatever the case may be, in providing a center for veterans in need. She would like to see the President of the UVC working together with Jay Bobick (head of the Colorado Board of Veteran Affairs) and Bob Broom (Aurora City Council Member) to complete this project.

VII. COUNCIL CONTACT REPORTS

Ø Chair Sarlls has set-up an e-mail network in order to send invitations for VAC meetings and events to the Mayor and Aurora City Council Members. Last year she sent them letters telling about the VAC and stating their mission and goals.
Ø Commissioner Bennett is a candidate for the Aurora City Council once again.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Regarding the Memorial Day Parade: Commissioner Rodriquez will be in charge of invitations; the parade will be held May 24, 2008, the Saturday before Memorial Day.

IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Regarding the Aurora Veterans’ Forum: Dress for the Forum will be blue VAC shirts with name tags. Chair Sarlls, Commissioners Dow and Nowalk, and Deelynn Ford will personally provide or solicit companies to provide light refreshments (cookies, water, mixed soda) for the forum. Chair Sarlls has been inviting guests and encourages others to do the same. All members will work on promoting and publicizing the event through various avenues such as Fox 31 morning show, Aurora Channel 8, Tidbits newspaper, and contacting veteran’s organizations and distributing event posters at their posts and meeting places. The VAC members will be sitting in the Council Member seats during the forum. The speakers this year will be held to a time limit of approximately three minutes so all participants will have an opportunity to speak.

X. NEW BUSINESS

Ø Chair Sarlls requested from Commissioner Nowalk a contact at his company to whom she can write and solicit help for the Women Marines Association History Project. They also have a 5K run in the fall that they need support for.
Ø Commissioner Rodriquez mentioned that Dr. Desmond from his school would like to speak at a veteran’s group meeting. Chair Sarlls did pass this information on to Council Member Broom. She mentioned that Rich Deblazio from the Veterans Administration was a student of Dr. Desmond and gave him a high recommendation. She stated “it” is currently in the forming stages, but is sure that they will call Dr. Desmond when they are at a point where he can be involved. Commissioner Rodriquez commented on the benefits of the VUB (Veteran Upward Bound). He mentioned that the participants do not receive college credits but do receive a stipend.
Ø The VAC will raise the flag at the AMC at noon on Memorial Day. Commissioner Bennett will arrange for the building’s facilities management to attend with the flags.
Ø The Marine Corps will also have a ceremony on Memorial Day at 2:00 pm. It will be held at the Marine Corps Memorial at 6^th Avenue and Colfax in Aurora. An interesting part of the program will feature military dogs.
Ø The Colorado Board of Veteran Affairs is working on setting up a “1-800” number as a veterans help line which veterans can call and be referred to the appropriate agency that can assist them best. The Colorado Board of Veteran Affairs manages the veterans’ trust fund for the state. Their meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m. at VFW Post 9644 at Federal and Hampden. Chair Sarlls suggested Deelynn Ford attend an upcoming meeting with her in order to represent the VAC.
Ø The VAC received a request for endorsement from the Honor Flight Foundation Company which sends veterans around the country to visit memorials in Washington DC and other locations. Chair Sarlls was told by others that this is a good organization, although some people have mentioned that the VAC should be supporting the Greatest Generations Foundations instead. An endorsement of the group would mean that they could have their organization information printed in the Aurora Leisure magazine and other publications in Aurora. This publicity would mean the public could make donations to the foundation through the City of Aurora. Commissioner Dow moved to table this issue until they can get more information. He feels it would not be in the best interest of the VAC at this time because they do not have authority in the City as well as not having money. It was mentioned that Nancy Sheffield in Neighborhood Services is the city representative that asked the VAC to be involved with this foundation. Deelynn Ford felt that if the VAC endorses this group, other groups will also want endorsements and funding. She also mentioned that citizens of Aurora may question the fact that the money is going to benefit locations outside of the city as it is a national, not just a local, program. The issue will be tabled at this point.
Ø Commissioner Nowalk brought up the topic of the Colorado Freedom Memorial. He is curious as to what the status is on this project. He feels the VAC could be doing more to get the National Debt Memorial going forward.
Ø The celebration of Black History Month was mentioned. The Aurora Lingo newsletter was passed out.

XI. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

The 2^nd Annual Veterans’ Affairs Forum was held in lieu of the March meeting.

The next regular meeting is Thursday, April 10, 2008
6:00 p.m. Fletcher Room, 1^st Floor, Aurora Municipal Center

Minutes approved as amended.

Paula Sarlls, Chair, Veterans’ Affairs Commission

Recorded by Pam Feigitsch, Program Assistant

2008 Meeting Dates to Remember
04/01/08 8:00 a.m. KCRT, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC, 1^st fl. AMC
04/02/08 6:00 p.m. HRC, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC, 1^st fl. AMC
04/08/08 6:00 p.m. Police/Fire Community Forums, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC
04/09/08 9:30 a.m. Civil Rights/Human Rights, Sand Creek Room, 4^th fl. AMC
04/10/08 6:00 p.m. VAC, Fletcher Room, 1^st fl. AMC
04/15/08 6:00 p.m. Community Relations Div., City Cafe, 2nd fl., AMC
04/24/08 6:00 p.m. KAC/ICCNA, Fletcher Room, 1^st fl. AMC
04/24/08 9:00a.m. ACOF, Aspen Room, 2nd fl. AMC
04/24/08 8:30 a.m. Diversity Tool Kit, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC, 1^st fl. AMC
04/26/08 9:30 a.m. NAACP, Living Waters Christian Center, 1585 Kingston St.