February 10, 2026 Military and Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes
Military and Veterans Affairs Commission
Regular Meeting

February 10, 2026 15:00 p.m. | na CHANDLER
Council Chambers Conference Room AS arl!zona

88 E. Chicago Street, Chandler, AZ Community ofinnovavien

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Chair Simon at 5:00 p.m.

Roll Call

Commission Attendance Staff Attendance

Chair Michael Simon Corey Povar, Staff Liaison

Vice Chair Jacob Dort Tawn Kao, Deputy City Attorney
Commissioner Mary Baker Julie San Miguel, Recording Secretary

Commissioner Robert Dalpe
Commissioner Shane Levinson
Commissioner Carol Farabee (Virtual)

Consent Agenda

1. January 13, 2026 Military and Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting Minutes

Move Military and Veterans Affairs Commission approve the meeting minutes of January 13, 2026,
regular meeting.

COMMISSIONER LEVINSON moved to approve the consent agenda; seconded by COMMISSIONER
BAKER. Motion carried unanimously, 6-0.

Discussion

2. Military and Veterans Affairs Commission's Objectives
Discussion regarding the Military and Veterans Affairs Commission’s objectives: Advise, Educate,
Collaborate & Coordinate, Acknowledge & Honor

3. The United States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus
Discussion and possible action regarding tabling an event at the Chandler Center for the Arts on
Saturday, March 7, 2026

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIAISON asked for confirmation on whether the Commission planned to
host a table at the event and who would attend.

CHAIR SIMON stated the Commission would proceed with one table for Military and Veterans

Affairs as all the Commission Members except Commissioner Baker would be able to attend the
event.

VICE CHAIR DORT asked what the Commission’s goal would be for the table.

Commission members discussed using the table to provide outreach, distribute swag, and share
information about commission events and the Veterans Honor Wall.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIAISON stated staff would provide printed materials for the table.

JULIE SAN MIGUEL, RECORDING SECRETARY informed the Commission that event organizers had
emailed to ask whether the Commission knew of a local color guard that could present the colors
at the beginning of the performance.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIAISON stated that he would reach out to Hamilton High School JROTC.
VICE CHAIR DORT recommended that Chandler High School color guard/JROTC be contacted.
COREY POVAR, STAFF LIAISON stated that he would communicate with both.

COMMISSIONER FARABEE asked for clarification on the event time for the performance.

JULIE SAN MIGUEL, RECORDING SECRETARY advised the Commission members could arrive
between 6:00 P.M. and 6:30 P.M. to set up the booth as doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the
performance begins at 7:00 p.m.

4. Military Bound 2026

Discussion and possible action regarding event planning and assignments for Military Bound at
Hamilton High School on Saturday, May 2, 2026

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIAISON provided an update on the Military Bound event. He advised staff

was waiting for the school scheduling system to open to formally book the site; however, the space
had been penciled in and was reserved for the Commission. He stated the event was being

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planned for the morning and discussed a program time of 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with
refreshments to follow.

Commission members discussed event timing and agreed that a shorter program format would
be manageable and would allow for lunch and pictures afterward.

VICE CHAIR DORT asked if a general information form to assist with recruiter outreach was
available.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIAISON advised staff would prepare a general information sheet with the
time, location, and expectations, prior year materials would be used as a template.

COMMISSIONER LEVINSON planned to begin contacting recruiters and asked for a deadline for
final names and headcounts.

Commission members discussed an internal deadline and the benefit of having branch tables and
backdrops available for photos.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIAISON suggested scheduling the next commission meeting at Hamilton
Library for the group to observe the space and plan the event layout.

COMMISSIONER LEVINSON mentioned the Commission needed to identify a keynote speaker.

COMMISSIONER BAKER pointed out that because the venue is larger, the process for calling
student names should be better organized, like a graduation ceremony, so participants could be
lined up in advance, and the ceremony could move efficiently.

Commission members agreed that staging students by branch/service before name recognition
would improve the event and agreed individual recognition was important. The commission
discussed outreach with recruiters and possibly involving Councilmember Orlando in outreach
efforts.

VICE CHAIR DORT stated that he would assist with Navy contacts and noted that he had a strong
relationship with the prior year’s Navy keynote speaker and would also reach out to determine
whether he would be interested in participating again. He noted that a new group of students and
families would be in attendance, so a returning keynote speaker would still be appropriate.

Briefing

5. Treasury Report

Informational review of the Treasury Report.

JULIE SAN MIGUEL, RECORDING SECRETARY advised there were no changes to report.

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CHAIR SIMON asked for the balance available.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIAISON advised the available balance on the report is $414.76. He further
advised this amount includes estimated upcoming costs for Military Bound and other events.

6. Commissioner Vacancy Update
Status of vacancy on the Military and Veterans Affairs Commission.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIAISON provided an update on the Commission vacancy process. He
reviewed applications and submitted a recommendation to the Mayor for consideration. He
explained the review process takes time because recommendations are submitted for multiple
boards and commissions.

Member Comments/Announcements

7. Announcements regarding any external events

COMMISSIONER DALPE announced Lou Bradley's Celebration of Life would be held on February
21st at 10:00 a.m. in Chandler. He mentioned Lou Bradley was a Marine Corps veteran, a member
of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame, and was instrumental in the first iteration of the Veterans
Commission. He advised of several veteran events occurring in the upcoming weeks, including
“Standdown Maricopa” at the State Capitol March 12th-13th and Congressman Biggs “Drop Zone”
event on May 9, 2026.

VICE CHAIR DORT announced VFW Post 7401 in Chandler would hold its grand reopening on
February 27, 2026, with a kickoff ceremony at 3:00 p.m. He stated a request had been sent to the
Mayor and City Council to attend and that Chandler High School's Color Guard would present the
colors. He advised the post would be open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, with
plans to expand to additional days as foot traffic increased. He further advised the goal is to
educate the community about the purpose of the VFW and the resources it provides.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIAISON announced that the State of the City would be held on Thursday,
February 12, 2026, at Chandler Cultural Center for the Arts. He also gave information about the
upcoming patriotic pickleball event.

COMMISSIONER DALPE advised that Chandler would not be receiving the traveling Liberty Bell

museum exhibit and that Chandler is identified as an interested city should an opening become
available.

Calendar
8. The next Military and Veterans Affairs Commission meeting will be held on March 10, 2026, at

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5:00 p.m. with the location to be determined. The Meeting will be held at Hamilton Library, 3700
S. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, AZ 85248 or Council Chambers Conference Room, 88 E. Chicago
Street, Chandler AZ 85225.

VICE CHAIR DORT requested the next agenda include discussion of veteran light pole banner
displays and Naval vessel naming efforts.

CHAIR SIMON agreed to have said items for discussion on the future agenda.

9. Military Trail 5k
TBD
Veterans Oasis Park
4050 E Chandler Heights Rd
Chandler, AZ 85249

10.Military Bound
Saturday, May 2, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Hamilton High School Auditorium
3700 S Arizona Ave, Chandler, AZ 85248

Information Items

11. Red, White, & Blue Pass

Join Chandler in commemorating America's 250th birthday! Experience America's story through
events and activities across Chandler for all ages. As the city is developing plans for this
celebration, we would’ like your input. Please take our survey” at
https://www.chandleraz.gov/events/america-250 to share your ideas.

Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

DVS bern

Ifie}san Miguel) secretary ) Michael Simon, Chair

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