Extracted text (via pymupdf)
5681 characters
Meeting Minutes
Military and Veterans Affairs Commission
Regular Meeting
February 11, 2025 I 5 p.m.
Council Chambers Conference Room
88 E. Chicago St., Chandler, AZ
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Chair Levinson at 4:59 p.m.
Roll Call
Commission Attendance
Chair Shane Levinson
Vice Chair Michael Simon
Commissioner Robert Dalpe
Commissioner Jacob Dort
Commissioner LaShay Marks
Absent
Commissioner Carol Farabee (excused)
Staff Attendance
Corey Povar, Staff Liaison
Tawn Kao, Deputy City Attorney
Luke Cerré, Recording Secretary
Public Attendance
Jacob Marson
Dan Tilsner
Julian Wyatt
Greg Moore
Consent Agenda
1. January Military and Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting Minutes
Move Military and Veterans Affairs Commission approve the meeting minutes of the
January 14, 2025 regular meeting.
Unscheduled Public Appearances
Jacob Marson addressed the Commission regarding Discussion Item #7. He advised that he
was accompanied by the current and previous commanders of Jewish War Veterans Post
#619, and had been discussing the possibility of a memorial for Jewish war veterans in
Chandler with Councilmember Poston. After discussing the matter with staff, he hoped it
would be possible to sponsor a plaque at the Veterans Oasis memorial honoring Jewish
veterans.
Page 2 of 3
Discussion
2. Discuss updates regarding the Freedom, Hope, Future Vietnam event, to be held April 26,
2025
Mr. Povar advised that the event planning was progressing well, and that staff would like
the Commission to present coins to the Vietnam veterans during the coining ceremony.
Comm. Dalpe suggested inviting Rep. Nguyen (LD1) to tell his story during the storytelling
portion of the event.
3. Discussion and possible action regarding challenge coin design for the Freedom, Hope,
Future Vietnam event
Mr. Povar advised that marketing staff were requesting assistance with design elements for
the challenge coin. He displayed a number of samples found online, and Commissioners
pointed out elements that they liked.
Comm. Dalpe motioned to approve a coin similar to the front of #1 (bright gold, war
memorial in background) and the back of #5 (a map of Vietnam with stars at major battles,
with a black background). Comm. Dort seconded. Motion carried 5-0.
4. Discuss event planning and assignments
Chair Levinson advised that all branches had been contacted, and credited Comm. Dalpe
with getting a response from the Air Force. He advised that he would start getting names
from the recruiters in the next month, and would have a rough headcount by the next
meeting. Mr. Povar advised that the Commission’s focus would be on food and outreach,
with staff taking care of equipment rental and other details. Chair Levinson suggested it
would be best to have multiple lanes for food service this year, as last year’s event had a
long line. Comm. Marks advised that he would inquire about a catering discount through
The Uncommon.
5. Discuss annual report to City Council
Discussion ensued regarding details to include, such as key events, a retreat recap, annual
goal, and impact.
6. Discussion and possible action regarding the 2025 Military and Veterans Affairs
Commission planning retreat date
Comm. Dalpe motioned to combine the annual planning retreat with the August 12 regular
meeting; seconded by Chair Levinson. Motion carried 5-0.
7. Discussion and possible action regarding details to be included on the Veterans Oasis
memorial
Chair Levinson moved this item to the beginning of the Discussion agenda.
Mr. Povar advised that staff were beginning the third phase of construction for the
memorial, and that a decision would need to be made as to the format and structure of the
names engraved on the panels. He further advised that after hearing Mr. Marson’s request,
staff were considering setting aside a panel for groups and organizations.
Discussion ensued regarding various possibilities, such as separating names by branch, or
including conflict and years of service with each name. Comm. Dort advised that standards
Page 3 of 3
and qualifying criteria would need to be established for groups. Mr. Povar advised that staff
would need a standardized list of the correct abbreviations for each rank from the
Commission.
A consensus emerged to format the names as ”Name, Branch, Rank”, though the
Commission also wanted to see what effect including years of service would have on the
layout. Comm. Dalpe motioned to approve that format, seconded by Comm. Dort. Motion
carried 5-0.
8. Discuss updates regarding external events
Comm. Dalpe asked if the City would still be holding a Constitution Day event in September;
Mr. Povar advised that staff would confirm. Comm. Dalpe advised that the Arizona
America250 group would be holding events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing
of the Declaration of Independence, and that he would like to get in touch with Mayor &
Council. Mr. Povar advised that staff would reach out to facilitate.
Calendar
9. The next Military and Veterans Affairs Commission meeting will be held March 11, 2025, at
5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room, 88 E. Chicago St.
Information Items
10. Treasury Report - Luke Cerré, Commission Secretary
Mr. Cerré advised that there had been no expenses since the previous meeting.
11. Due to a scheduling conflict, the November 4, 2025 meeting has been moved to Room 101
at the Chandler Community Center, 125 E Commonwealth Ave, at 5 p.m.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 5:47 p.m.