Veterans’ Affairs Commission
Minutes
September 11, 2008
Regular Meeting

I. CALL TO ORDER
The Veterans’ Affairs Commission meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS
Present: Commissioners Dow, Echols, Ford, Sams, Sarlls, Yett
Absent: Commissioners Bennett, Moody, Nowalk
Staff: Barbara Shannon-Banister, Chief, Community Relations Division
Guest: Alan Mitten

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chair Sarlls asked to make a change in the August minutes to add Alan Mitten on the roll call as a guest. Minutes were approved with that change.

V. CHAIR REPORT

Ø Chair Sarlls mentioned that Commissioner Bennett went to the Transition Center meeting in her place and will report on what was discussed.
Ø Chair Sarlls attended a VA hospital briefing by Glen Grippin with the Veterans Administration who has been working with legislators to encourage VA Secretary Peak to change the plan for hospitals. In March or April of this year, the VA decided to go with a new plan to not have stand-alone VA hospitals which many veterans are against. At this point, the situation is in the hands of Congress and the Senate. Sarlls feels Colorado Representatives are in favor of a stand-alone hospital. She encouraged the Commissioners to write their representatives and ask that a bill be passed to approve appropriations for a stand-alone hospital. The VA has said that they are firm in this plan and will try it in four pilot cities including Aurora. A discussion continued about the plan for the hospital. It was mentioned that clinics are being placed in independent locations and mobile clinics are being used in areas such as Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Ø Submissions for the “Veteran Volunteer of the Year” award will be mailed out to each Commissioner. Then each Commissioner can vote on the nominees in order of who they would most like to see receive the award. Chair Sarlls will check with the owner of Mt. Fuji Restaurant to see if he will host a dinner again this year. If so, the celebration dinner will be held there.
Ø Alan Mitten mentioned that he brought up the need for funding to purchase POW/MIA flags at a Community Partnership meeting and was disappointed that no motions were made to purchase flags. He did ask a colleague to suggest the purchases of flags at another meeting. The flags that would be needed are 5’ X 8’. Initially, only five flags will need to be purchased to fly at the Aurora Municipal Center (those flags will need to be replaced three or four times each year due to wear). But, eventually, the VAC would like to see the flags flown in 49 approved locations throughout the City which could cost $15,000 to $20,000 each year. Council Members Frazier and Beer recommend flying the flags only on code approved days. Commissioner Sams mentioned he is part of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce and will bring the need for funding to the group.
Ø A note to new Commissioners from Chair Sarlls: The National Debt Memorial is a project that is being sponsored by the VAC while the Colorado Freedom Memorial is an outside project they are helping to support by way of directing donations to the memorial fund. The VAC has made an agreement with Rick Crandall that they will not pursue funding for the National Debt Memorial until the Freedom Memorial is completed so there is no competition for the same funds. Sarlls is on the Board of Directors for the Freedom Memorial and said she is benefiting from the experience of having that project erected. Each group will support one another with fundraising, etc. It was also mentioned that Crandall is endowing in his plan the maintenance of the memorial.
Ø A table will be secured at the Veterans Salute for all Commissioners interested in attending. Each Commissioner will pay their own way and Chair Sarlls will collect the money ($15 per person) at the October meeting.

VI. COUNCIL CONTACT REPORTS

Ø No report.

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Ø Commissioner Sams reminded the Commission about the group that he is involved with that is planning to build a transitional housing center for homeless veterans. He mentioned they are hoping ideally to build in the area of Peoria and Colfax near Fitzsimons (the future home of the VA hospital). A brief discussion was held about the project and the difficulties that are being met in the process of finding a property, raising funds and getting support from the government. Chair Sarlls asked Sams if he would represent the Commission at upcoming meetings concerning the transitional housing; he agreed.
Ø Commissioner Sams met with Rick Crandall to discuss a situation involving someone who asked Crandall about possibly enlarging the memorial at Airport Boulevard and Chambers Road. Sams asked Crandall if he would consider buying granite from him upon which Sams would engrave names as requested. Sams would charge for the granite and engraving with some of the income going to the cost of the granite and some going to fund the memorial.

VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
No report.

IX. NEW BUSINESS
Sams announced that a meeting for “Veterans for McCain” will be held next Tuesday at the Cool River Restaurant. There will be another held in October. He also mentioned his trip to the Republic National Convention in Minnesota.

X. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m.

Paula Sarlls, Chair, Veterans’ Affairs Commission

Transcribed by Pam Feigitsch, Administrative Technician

The next regular meeting is Thursday, October 9, 2008
6:00 p.m. Fletcher Room, 1^st Floor, Aurora Municipal Center

2008 Meeting Dates to Remember
10/01/08 6:00 p.m. HRC, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC
10/07/08 8:00 a.m. KCRT, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC
10/08/08 9:30 a.m. Western Region NAHRW, Sand Creek Room, 4^th fl., AMC
10/09/08 6:00 p.m. VAC, Fletcher Room, 1^st fl., AMC
10/22/08 8:30 a.m. Diversity Tool Kit, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC
10/23/08 9:00 a.m. ACOF, Aspen Room, 2nd fl., AMC
10/23/08 6:00 p.m. KAC/ICCNA, Fletcher Room, 1^st fl., AMC
10/25/08 9:30 a.m. NAACP, 12075 E. 14^th Street, Aurora, CO 80010
10/29/08 5:00 p.m. HRC Community Forums, 1^st Floor, AMC