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Meeting Minutes Military and Veterans Affairs Commission Regular Meeting August 13, 2024 | 5:00 p.m. Chandler Nature Center, Jackrabbit Room 4050 E. Chandler Heights Rd., Chandler, AZ Call to Order The meeting was called to order by Chair Farabee at 5:04 p.m. Roll Call Commission Attendance Chair Carol Farabee Vice Chair Michael Simon Commissioner Robert Dalpe Commissioner Jacob Dort Commissioner Shane Levinson Commissioner LaShay Marks Staff Attendance Corey Povar, Staff Liaison Tawn Kao, Assistant City Attorney Luke Tasker, Recording Secretary Matt Dunbar, Budget & Policy Director Absent Commissioner Nancy Dunn Scheduled and Unscheduled Public Appearances 1. Recognition of Sandy Popovich, outgoing Commission Secretary Ms. Popovich was unable to attend. Mr. Povar will present the certificate to her and express the Commission’s appreciation. Consent Agenda 2. Approval of the June 11, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes of the Military and Veterans Affairs Commission Page 2 of 4 3. Approval to support the Senior Center in locating a sponsor for the Military Appreciation Breakfast, to be held November 8, 2024 Comm. Levinson motioned to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Comm. Dalpe. Motion carried 6-0. Action Agenda 4. Discussion and motion to approve date for the next Military Bound event, to be held May, 2025 Comm. Levinson will be taking lead on the event again. Comm. Levinson motioned to approve May 8, 2025; seconded by Comm. Dalpe. Motion carried 6-0. 5. Discussion and motion to approve locating an external speaker for the City's Constitution Day event, to be held September 17, 2024 from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. at the City Hall Courtyard Comm. Dalpe motioned to approve locating a speaker; seconded by Vice Chair Simon. Motion carried 6-0. 6. Discussion and motion to approve date for 2024 Military and Veterans Affairs Commission retreat Comm. Levinson suggested holding the planning retreat on December 10, 2024. Discussion ensued. Comm. Levinson motioned to approve that date; seconded by Comm. Dalpe. Motion carried 6-0. Discussion 7. Presentation by Arizona Veteran Mission Group on resources provided to veterans The Arizona Veteran Mission Group presented a disability calculator they have developed with the help of their partner law firm. They also shared how they help veterans navigate the Veterans Affairs system and use resources most effectively. Page 3 of 4 8. Capital Project Funding/Bond Election Discussion - Budget Division Budget & Policy Director Matt Dunbar presented on the process to explore a bond election in 2025. Mr. Dunbar asked that the Commission provide him a list of any commissioners interested in serving on the exploratory committees. 9. Discuss updates regarding memorial for the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, to be held April 26, 2025 Mr. Povar provided an update, including that the event would be held at the Veterans Oasis memorial and that the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Division would assist. 10. Discuss updates regarding external event communication Comm. Dalpe advised that the Southwest Veterans Chamber of Commerce would be hosting their 9th annual Patriots Ball on September 28, 2024. Chair Farabee inquired whether the Commission might establish a calendar to keep track of external events. Mr. Povar advised that he would work with staff to look into it. Ms. Kao advised that any shared platform would need to comply with open meeting law. 11. Discussion regarding services to include in Veteran Resource brochure Mr. Povar advised that resources had been recommended by Comm. Dalpe and Comm. Dort. Discussion ensued, with a consensus that the Arizona Veterans Mission Group should be included in the brochure. Mr. Povar advised that a draft would be available at the September meeting. 12. Site tour and discussion of event planning for Veterans Day event, to be held November 11, 2024 The Commission toured the memorial site and discussed logistics for the event. Vice Chair Simon advised that Valley of the Sun Cemetery had expressed interest in providing food and that he would reach out to them. Comm. Levinson suggested handing out challenge coins at the event. Briefing 13. Treasury Report - Luke Tasker, Commission Secretary Mr. Tasker advised that the annual budget remained the same, and that additional funds had been allocated for the event to commemorate the fall of Saigon. Page 4 of 4 14. Update on pop-up tent for outreach events - Corey Povar, Staff Liaison Mr. Povar displayed the tent and table cover purchased for outreach events. 15. Update on Recognition Wall at Veterans Memorial - Corey Povar, Staff Liaison Mr. Povar advised that project funding was received in July as part of this year’s capital improvement budget, and that it would soon enter the design phase. Future considerations include the solicitation and vetting of nominations, and what information ought to be engraved. Comm. Dalpe suggested that nominations might be vetted by verifying Form DD 214s. Comm. Dort suggested that names might be arranged like the Korean War Memorial Wall of Remembrance, and divided by branch and rank. Calendar The next Regular meeting of the Military and Veterans Affairs Commission will be on September 10, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Adjourn The meeting was adjourned at 6:35 p.m. ______________________________ ______________________________ Luke Tasker, Secretary Carol Farabee, Chair