Veterans’ Affairs Commission
Minutes
February 12, 2009
Regular Meeting

I. CALL TO ORDER
The Veterans’ Affairs Commission meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

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

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes approved.

V. CHAIR REPORT

Ø Chair Sarlls will arrange for a presentation to be given to the Commission at an upcoming meeting regarding identity theft.
Ø Chair Sarlls mentioned Corrine Hogg is the new Arapahoe County VSO. Ms. Hogg is a Women Marine and has a Purple Heart. She will be available to do a presentation for the VAC if requested.

VI. COUNCIL CONTACT REPORTS
Commissioner Echols attended Council Member Beer’s Ward III meeting last night at which the construction of a new VA hospital was discussed and it was mentioned that the construction of the facility will proceed.

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Ø POW/MIA Flags:

o Commissioner Bennett is trying to have a flag erected in the City Council Chambers but is having difficulty. She would like to have a POW/MIA flag presented to the City at the Veterans Forum.
o Commissioner Yett found a company in Baltimore that is willing to give a 10% discount on 500 flags, but he thinks they can get them cheaper than that. Commissioner Sams found a dealer in Aurora that said he could get outdoor flags for less than $100 each, but he also thinks he can get them cheaper.
o Commissioner Bennett has been attending budget meetings and said the grim outlook may affect what will happen with the flags.
o Commissioner Sams said there is interest with Chamber members in assisting with the flags.
o “Show Your Colors” is one of the companies that may be interested in working with the VAC to provide flags.
o Chair Sarlls said that regardless of who will pay for or donate flags, the VAC still needs approval to fly them. When the Commission gets funding or donations, she will do the presentation.

Ø Memorial Day Parade

o Several Commissioners’ cars are available for use in the parade.
o Chair Sarlls will be in the parade with the Women Marines which normally rides in front of the VAC.
o Commissioner Bennett thought it would be a good idea to have interested City employees ride with the VAC to show support for veterans. Barbara Shannon-Banister mentioned she would put an announcement on the intranet regarding this.

Ø Veterans Forum

o The forum is March 12, 2009 and begins at 6:00 p.m. Chairs Sarlls asked Commissioners to meet in the Aurora Room at 5:00 p.m. for setup.
o Commissioner Bennett mentioned that representatives from both Mike Coffman’s and Ed Perlmutter’s staff will attend the forum. She also mentioned that Corrine Hogg will have a table at the event. Chair Sarlls invited several veterans organizations and said the VA’s top staff will attend.
o Publicity: Commissioner Dow mentioned that he heard a radio station is designating each Thursday as Veterans’ Day and he would like to have the station announce the forum each Thursday until it occurs. Chair Sarlls will do an announcement for Channel 8. Commissioners will distribute flyers at their posts.
o It was suggested that the Veterans Forum as well as the Memorial Day Event be advertised in the “Leisure” magazine for next year.
o Food will be provided for the event. Suggestions included cake, cookies, fruit platters, vegetable and cheese trays, soda, lemonade, and water.

Ø Veterans Salute

o The first meeting for this year’s Salute is Tuesday. The theme is “Honoring the Fallen.” Family members of soldiers who have passed will honor their loved ones. Chair Sarlls believes it will be held on November 4, 2009 with an open house from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the lunch ceremony from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. She will reserve a table for the VAC and will need to collect money from the attendees before the event.

Ø Transitional Housing

o Commissioner Sams reported on the progress of the transitional housing project. He said locations are still being discussed and considered for the site.
o Sams mentioned it would be beneficial to establish a 501(c)(3) non-profit for the project so funds could be collected and used specifically for the transitional housing project. Barbara Shannon-Banister mentioned the “Spirit of Aurora” is a separate entity that can isolate funds to be used only as designated by the group. Commissioner Dow agreed saying the “Spirit of Aurora” can cut through the red tape on this issue.
o Commissioner Sarlls asked if anything can be done as a Commission to expedite this issue. She mentioned she could get the United Veterans Committee involved.

Ø Memorial Day Ceremony

o Memorial Day Flag Raising Ceremony will take place at noon on Memorial Day at the AMC. It will include a flag raising, a flyover and Taps being played.
o Commissioner Bennett is working on the paperwork for the flyover.
o Chair Sarlls mentioned that initially her intention was for the ceremony to be solemn and simple; to take a moment to honor veterans. She would like to keep it from becoming too complicated and asked for the Commissioners’ opinions on the issue. Commissioners agreed that it is best to keep the ceremony simple and dignified.
o Commissioner Echols asked if the Young Rifle Drill Team could be invited. Chair Sarlls said they are already involved with the Marine Corp Memorial Day event, but she believes the Young Marine Corp from Buckley could be invited.
o Commissioner Sams suggested a Color Guard be invited to participate, but Chair Sarlls felt it is unnecessary to have a Color Guard attend because the ceremony is intended specifically to raise the flag.
o Commissioner Sams felt State Representatives such as Mike Coffman and Ed Perlmutter would attend.
o Further details included: having the flyover at noon as the flag is raised; doing publicity for the event; providing bottled water for attendees; distributing VAC handouts; using a police megaphone for speakers; and handing out treats to children in attendance.

VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Ø Alan Mitten was interviewed and accepted to the Commission.
Ø Chair Sarlls will distribute copies of minutes from the transitional housing meetings.
Ø The City Tracking Report was discussed.

IX. NEW BUSINESS

Ø A Rotary Breakfast will be held March 14, 2009 at 8:00 a.m.
Ø A television movie highlighting the experience of Marine Corp Lt. Colonel Michael Strobel will air on HBO, February 21, 2009. The movie is called, “Taking Chance” and stars Kevin Bacon.
Ø Commissioner Bennett attended a hearing at the Capitol regarding a bill that would use money from an increase in social fees (marriage filings, divorce filings, etc.) to help military members and their families with domestic violence issues. The hearing went well with dispute only from men who felt they may be discriminated against. The bill passed unanimously and is in appropriations to become law. Bennett distributed paperwork regarding this issue.
Ø Chair Sarlls distributed “White Papers” regarding the VA hospital which includes several letters supporting a stand-alone building for the site. On Tuesday, the University of Colorado confirmed they are no longer interested in having the VA Hospital in their second tower because of the economic situation, so they will try to get a stand-alone hospital. Money is still approved for the project. A committee is looking at buildings.
Ø Chair Sarlls received a letter from Commissioner Yett stating that his commission will expire in July and that he would like to continue for another term. Sarlls asked for a motion to reappoint Commissioner Yett for another term on the VAC. Commissioner Dow motioned; Commissioner Echols seconded the motion; the motion carried unanimously. Sarlls will write a letter to the City asking that he be reappointed and an attendance record will be attached.
Ø Chair Sarlls mentioned the UVC’s Annual Banquet will be held on April 26, 2009 at the Red Lion Hotel in Aurora. Dinner tickets are $40 each; sponsor tickets are $60 each. Sarlls will attend the event and purchase an ad for the VAC to support the cause.
Ø A Lenten Fish Fry will be held Fridays, February 27^th through April 3^rd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Michael’s Church in Aurora.

X. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m.

Paula Sarlls, Chair, Veterans’ Affairs Commission
Transcribed by Pam Feigitsch, Administrative Technician

The Veterans Forum was held on March 12, 2009
The next regular meeting is Thursday, April 9, 2009
6:00 p.m., Fletcher Room, 1^st Floor, Aurora Municipal Center

2009 Meeting Dates to Remember
04/01/09 6:00 p.m. HRC, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC
04/06/09 6:59 p.m CCAMA, Rising Star, 1500 S. Dayton Street
04/07/09 8:00 a.m. KCRT, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC
04/08/09 9:30 a.m. NAHRW Western Region, Sand Creek Room, 4^th fl., AMC
04/09/09 6:00 p.m. VAC, Fletcher Room, 1^st fl., AMC
04/11/09 10:00 a.m. NAACP, Aurora Central Library
04/21/09 6:00 p.m. Community Relations Div., City Cafe, 2nd fl., AMC
04/22/09 8:30 a.m. Diversity Tool Kit, Aurora Room, 1^st fl., AMC
04/23/09 9:00 a.m. ACOF, Aspen Room, 2nd fl., AMC
04/23/09 6:00 p.m. KAC/ICCNA, Fletcher Room, 1^st fl., AMC