March 10, 2026 Military and Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes
Military and Veterans Affairs Commission
Regular Meeting

Program Room, Hamilton Library TAS arizona

3700 S. Arizona Avenue, Chandler, AZ aia ial

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 Kelly Schwab, City Attorney
Commissioner Robert Dalpe Julie San Miguel, Recording Secretary

Commissioner Shane Levinson
Commissioner Carol Farabee (Virtual)
Commissioner Mary Baker

Consent Agenda

1. February 10, 2026 Military and Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting Minutes

Move Military and Veterans Affairs Commission approve the meeting minutes of the February 10,
2026, regular meeting.

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

Discussion

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

No updates were provided at this time.

3. The United States Army Field Band & Soldiers' Chorus
Debrief regarding tabling participation at The United States Army Field Band & Soldiers' Chorus
at Chandler Center for the Arts on Saturday, March 7, 2026.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIAISON thanked the Commission for participating in efforts at the United
States Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus event and noted that Chandler Center for the Arts staff
had expressed appreciation for the informational table about the Veterans Honor Wall.

4. Military Bound 2026
Discussion and possible action regarding event planning Military Bound at Hamilton
High School on Saturday, May 2, 2026:

a. Tour and Facility Logistics
COREY POVAR, STAFF LIAISON announced the Commission meeting this date is at
Hamilton Library to tour the Hamilton High School auditorium where this year's Military
Bound event will take place. Mr. Povar and the Commission Members briefly toured the
auditorium and lobby areas to review the layout.

COMMISSIONER LEVINSON requested a seating layout of the auditorium showing chair
configuration so the Commission could review the arrangement and determine how to
designate seating sections for recruiters and participants.

COREY POVAR stated the lobby area provided ample space for post ceremony gathering
and reception activities. He noted staff may reserve 10-15 bistro tables so families have
space to gather following the ceremony.

VICE CHAIR DORT recommended providing clear guidance to participants regarding
parking locations, traffic flow, and building entry points.

COREY POVAR stated staff would prepare informational materials outlining parking
instructions, arrival guidance, and event flow.

b. Event Program: Honor Guard, National Anthem, Invocation/Benediction
COREY POVAR, STAFF LIAISON reached out to the Hamilton High School JROTC program
regarding providing the Honor Guard for the ceremony and is awaiting a response. He
stated if confirmation was not received, he would contact the Chandler High School
JROTC program to determine their availability. He stated a signer is still needed for the
National Anthem.

KELLY SCHWAB, CITY ATTORNEY suggested contacting Chandler Police Department
Officer Tyler Service, noting that he has performed the National Anthem at several public
events, including an Arizona Diamondbacks games.

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CHAIR SIMON advised he was at an event that Officer Service performed the National
Anthem and he was excellent.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIASON stated staff would reach out to Officer Service to
determine their availability to perform the National Anthem.

COMMISSIONER LEVINSON stated if the officer is unavailable, he would contact Jermaine
Jackson who had previously performed the National Anthem at Military Bound. He asked
if the program would include only remarks from the mayor or if a keynote speaker would
also be invited.

VICE CHAIR DORT stated he would contact the individual who served as the keynote
speaker at last year’s Military Bound event to determine if he is available to serve as
keynote speaker for this year’s event.

COMMISSIONER LEVINSON stated he would reach out to individuals who may be
available to provide the invocation and benediction for the ceremony.

c. Student Recognition Logistics
COREY POVAR, STAFF LIASON recommended recruiters organize their students
alphabetically so they could be called forward efficiently during the ceremony. He stated
students would likely be staged along the side of the auditorium and called to the stage
in alphabetical order.

COMMISSIONER FARABEE asked about the reception area following the ceremony and
emphasized the importance of allowing families to gather and take photos with the
students.

COMMISSIONER FARABEE recommended the branch of military service for each
Commissioner be mentioned when Commissioners are introduced during the program.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIASON agreed and stated staff would incorporate this
information into the program.

d. Recruiter Outreach Updates, Tabling, Photo Backdrops
COMMISSIONER LEVINSON reported that notification letters had been sent to military
recruiters requesting the names of students planning to enlist following graduation. He
noted an initial deadline of April 1, 2026, had been requested to allow staff time to
prepare certificates and event materials.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIASON confirmed challenge coins had been ordered for the event
and stated certificates would be prepared once student names were received.
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Commission members discussed assigning seating areas for recruiters and potentially
providing service branch photo backdrops so students and families could take photos
following the ceremony.

5. Naming of a United States Naval Vessel
Discussion and possible action regarding the naming of a United States Naval Vessel.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIAISON advised the Commission that a resolution supporting the naming
of a United States naval vessel would be presented to City Council during an upcoming meeting.

KELLY SCHWAB, CITY ATTORNEY confirmed the resolution would appear on the City Council Study
Session agenda on March 23 and on the March 26 City Council meeting agenda for consideration.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIASON explained that the purpose of the resolution was to demonstrate
City Council’s support for the Commission pursuing the naming of a naval vessel in recognition of
the City of Chandler.

VICE CHAIR DORT stated that the Secretary of the Navy ultimately determines ship naming and
that building support through research and community advocacy could strengthen Chandler’s
case.

Commission members discussed gathering supporting information related to Chandler's military
presence, defense industry partnerships, and community support for veterans.

COMMISSIONER FARABEE requested that a timeline be established for research so
Commissioners would know when supporting materials should be submitted.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIASON stated that following the Council action, the Commission could
establish a research timeline during a future meeting.

6. Veteran Banners
Discussion and possible action regarding veteran banners for light poles in connection with
patriotic holidays.

VICE CHAIR DORT raised the idea of installing veteran recognition banners on light poles in the
downtown area during patriotic holidays.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIASON explained that banner installation would require coordination with

the Downtown Chandler Community Partnership (DCCP) and would involve costs associated with
banner production, installation, and removal.

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COMMISSIONER DALPE noted that some cities allow families to sponsor veteran banners with a
donation that covers all associated costs.

Commission members agreed additional information and cost estimates should be gathered
before pursuing the idea further.

7. Agent Orange Awareness Month Proclamation

Discussion and possible action regarding recognition of October as Agent Orange Awareness
Month to raise awareness of Agent Orange exposure and its long-term health impacts on U.S.
service members and others.

CHAIR SIMON noted the importance of recognizing Agent Orange Awareness Month and stated
the Commission would revisit the item closer to October.

Briefing
8. Treasury Report
Informational review of the Treasury Report.

JULIE SAN MIGUEL, RECORDING SECRETARY advised the Commission that the current available
balance was $346.76.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIASON explained the balance is due to costs associated with purchasing
challenge coins. He also noted that there is an expected additional $2,000 from City Council to
support the Veteran Memorial Wall.

Member Comments/Announcements

9. Announcements regarding any external events

COMMISSIONER DALPE announced several upcoming veteran related events and activities
Maricopa Stand Down at the State Fairgrounds, an upcoming Red Robin fundraiser benefiting
veteran organizations, and additional events recognizing Native American Code Talkers.

CHAIR SIMON announced that Chandler Post 91 would host a Back the Badge Barbecue event
supporting Chandler Police and Fire personnel.

COMMISSIONER BAKER mentioned the possibility of sharing Veterans Honor Wall information
with local medical offices serving veteran patients.

COREY POVAR, STAFF LIASON agreed and stated staff will develop a half-page information sheet
for veteran related events and interested individuals to have a distribute.

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Commission members briefly discussed potential recognition considerations related to
individuals who have received distinguished military honors in connection with the Veterans
Honor Wall.

Calendar

10.The next Military and Veterans Affairs Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, April 14, 2026,
at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room, 88 E. Chicago Street, Chandler, AZ 85225.

11. Military Bound
Saturday, May 2, 2026
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Hamilton High School Auditorium
3700 S. Arizona Avenue, Chandler AZ 52048

12. Veterans 5K Trail Run
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Veteran's Oasis Park
4050 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler AZ 85249

Adjourn

The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

Ce wn igal

Juli an Migu cretary (} Michael Simon, Chair

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