January 13, 2026 Military and Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes
Military and Veterans Affairs Commission
Regular Meeting

January 13, 2026 15:00 p.m. | na CHANDLER
Council Chambers Conference Room aS arizona

88 E. Chicago Street, Chandler, AZ —————ae

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair Levinson at 5:01 p.m.

Roll Call

Commission Attendance Staff Attendance

Chair Shane Levinson Corey Povar, Staff Liaison

Vice Chair Michael Simon Tawn Kao, Deputy City Attorney
Commissioner Robert Dalpe Luke Cerré, Recording Secretary
Commissioner Jacob Dort Julie San Miguel, Recording Secretary

Commissioner Carol Farabee (Virtual)
Commissioner Mary Baker

Consent Agenda

1. November Military and Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting Minutes

Move Military and Veterans Affairs Commission approve the meeting minutes of the November 4,
2025, regular meeting.

Comm. Dalpe motioned to approve the consent agenda; seconded by Comm. Dort. Motion carried
unanimously, 6-0.

Action Agenda

2. Election of Chair for the Military and Veterans Affairs Commission
Comm. Dalpe nominated Vice Chair Simon to serve as Chair.

Comm. Dalpe motioned for Vice Chair Simon to serve as Chair of the Military and Veteran Affairs
Commission; seconded by Comm. Baker. Motion carried unanimously, 6-0.

7. Veterans Day
Debrief regarding the Veterans Day event, held on November 9, 2025

The commission discussed the Veterans Day event and the unveiling of the Veterans Honor Wall.

Mr. Povar mentioned the 2026 Veterans Day event could be an opportunity to do something
special as it’s the 250" anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He advised for the 250"
anniversary, the city has a 27-flag display that will travel to multiple locations throughout the year,
with its final appearance being the Veterans Day event. Mr. Povar stated the Daughters of the
American Revolution (DAR) and Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) may potentially be part of
the 2026 event and he will be handling the lighting as Mickey Ohland, who controlled the lighting
in the past, will retire in February.

Mr. Povar presented an update on the Veterans Honor Wall. He stated that the city has received
submissions and is planning the next engraving installation for Memorial Day. He further advised
marketing team will be doing another push to get the word out in the hopes of receiving more
submissions. The commission discussed how often the submissions will be reviewed and
engraved. Vice Chair Dort recommended the names be read aloud at the next unveiling.

8. Military Bound
Discussion and possible action regarding the Military Bound event.

1. Begin contacting recruiters

Comm. Levinson advised he will begin reaching out to recruiters for information. Comm. Dalpe
suggested going through the recruiter location who has offices for all the branches of the armed
forces. Vice Chair Dort advised the Navy recruiter is the same as last year. Comm. Levinson advised
that he had an Army contact who contacted the other branches but is now stationed out of state.
He asked if VIPs should be invited, such as State Representatives. Mr. Povar advised that Mayor
and Council would be invited and asked if the recruiters could provide backdrops for photo
opportunities. He advised the recruiters are welcome to be active partners and set up tables at
the event. Mr. Povar reminded the commission the event will be held at Hamilton High School and
to start thinking of a keynote speaker.

9. Military Bound 2027 Availability

Discuss potential dates for the 2027 event, as reservations for April 2027 will be available in
February 2026.

Mr. Povar advised the commission that staff wishes to reserve the Chandler Center for the Arts
for the 2027 Military Bound event and asked the commission for potential dates. Discussions were
held by the commission, and they agreed on dates between the last week in April and first week
in May. First preference was given to April 28, with April 21 and May 1 as alternatives.

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13.Treasury Report - Luke Cerré, Commission Secretary
Mr. Cerré advised there were no changes to report.

Member Comments/Announcements

14. Announcements regarding any external events

Comm. Dalpe advised of several veteran events occurring in the upcoming coming weeks,
including a women veteran resource event in Tempe on January 24, 2026; a veteran business
networking event on January 26, 2026; and the Buckeye Air Fair taking place March 13-15.

Mr. Povar advised that the Community Services Department is in the process of planning events
in honor of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, tentative events include a
patriotic pickleball event and a swim lap challenge.

Calendar
15.The next Military and Veterans Affairs Commission meeting will be held on February
10, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room, 88 E. Chicago Street.

16.Ruck 5K/10K - TBD
Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E Chandler Heights Rd, Chandler, AZ 85249

Military Bound - May 2, 2026
Hamilton High School Auditorium, 3700 S Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85248

Information Items

17. Residents are encouraged to take the Annual Budget Survey at
www.surveymonkey.com/r/LSD5LMT

18. Introduction of Julie San Miguel, new Commission Secretary

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 5:53 p.m.

Wy | perl

jufié San Migdpl Secretary Michael Simon, Chair

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