PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
PHOENIX MILITARY VETERAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION

*Revised*

Pursuant to A.R.S. Section 38-431.02, notice is hereby given to the members of the PHOENIX MILITARY VETERAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION and to the general public, that the PHOENIX MILITARY VETERAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION will hold a meeting open to the public on Thursday, August 21, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. located in in the City Council Subcommittee Room, 12^th floor, Phoenix City Hall, 200 W. Washington St., Phoenix, Arizona.

One or more commission members may participate via teleconference. Agenda items may be taken out of order.

The agenda for the meeting is as follows:

1.	Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance		Chairman Tom Liddy
*2.	Recognition of Outgoing Members		Chairman Liddy
3.	Review and Approval of Minutes from the April 17, 2008 Commission Meeting		Commission members
4.	Update Regarding the Phoenix Military Veterans Commission Foundation – the commission will receive an update regarding the activities of the foundation. This item is for information only.		Lou Kelter
5.	Discussion and possible action regarding standing subcommittees:
	a.	Military Hospitality Room at Sky Harbor Airport	John Workley
	b.	Special Events	Rita Brock-Perini
	c.	Communications	Chairman Liddy
	d.	Homeless Veterans Liaison	Ken Lambert
	e.	Fundraising	Chairman Liddy
	f.	Budget	Mike Rall
6.	Operational Audit Results – Commissioners will have an opportunity to respond to the recent Jefferson Wells audit regarding policies and procedures for the Foundation and the MVHR. This item is for discussion and possible action.		Chairman Liddy
7.	Mayoral Proclamations Honoring World War II Veterans – the commission will discuss potential future nominees and upcoming proclamation presentations. This item is for discussion and possible action.		George Weisz
8.	Announcements – commission members may make announcements regarding veteran-related activities and/or events being sponsored by other organizations. No formal actions will be requested or taken regarding these activities and/or events.		Commission members
9.	Request for Future Agenda Items		Commission members
10.	Call to the Public – Consideration and discussion and comments from the public. Those wishing to address the commission need not request permission in advance. Action taken as a result of public comment will be limited to directing staff to study the matter or rescheduling the matter for further consideration and decision at a later date.		Chairman Liddy
11.	Adjournment		Chairman Liddy

*Revised item

For further information, please call Brian Suggs, Management Assistant, Deputy City Manager’s Office at 602-261-8845.

For reasonable accommodations, call Brian Suggs at Voice/602-261-8845 or TTY/602-534-5500 as early as possible to coordinate needed arrangements.

August 19, 2008

Phoenix Military Veterans Affairs Commission, August 21, 2008, Item 2

CITY OF PHOENIX

MILITARY VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION

MEETING SUMMARY

April 17, 2008

Phoenix City Hall

200 W. Washington Street, 12^th Floor

Phoenix, Arizona

Members Present

Rita Brock-Perini

Virgel Cain

S. Louis Kelter

Tom Liddy

Jim Otis

Mike Rall

Joan Sisco

Tri Trinh

John Workley

Members Absent

Bob Edwards

Ken Lambert

Henry Ong

James Pipper

Rick Romley

Staff Present

Ryan Burke

Brian Suggs

Guests

Anne Theodosis

1. Call to Order

Chairman Tom Liddy called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance at 1:06 p.m. with nine members present.

2. Review and Approval of Minutes from the March 20, 2008 Commission Meeting

A motion was made by Mr. Mike Rall, seconded by Mr. Lou Kelter, to approve the March 20, 2008 minutes. Motion approved 8-0-1, with Mr. Virgel Cain abstaining.

3. Update Regarding the Phoenix Military Veterans Commission Foundation

Mr. Lou Kelter asked Mr. John Workley to report on the findings of the recent audit of the Foundation, conducted by Jefferson Wells.

Mr. Workley said the audit was operational, focusing on policies and procedures that would need to be established as the Foundation grows. He said that liability insurance for the Military and Veterans Hospitality Room (MVHR) was important, as were several clauses that had been identified in the Manage Staff contract. He said accounting operations were now being standardized, including the development of an asset list for the MVHR.

Chairman Liddy asked that commission members review the audit findings in order to make recommendations for implementation at the May meeting. Those recommendations would be forwarded to the Foundation Board for action.

Mr. Kelter said Jefferson Wells would be providing three templates for insurance, the Manage Staff contract and other Foundation activities. He noted that a $10,000 donation had been received from the Friends of Sky Harbor, which had also hosted a mixer for the MVHR in early April. He noted that donations had also been received from the Gold Star Wives and the United Way.

Mr. Ryan Burke noted that the helicopter trip and tour of border facilities near Nogales had been successful and recapped the event.

Ms. Rita Brock-Perini said the Border Patrol was glad to have National Guard mechanics available to service their aircraft and vehicles.

Chairman Liddy asked Mr. Rall to draft a letter to the Governor to thank the National Guard for its service in Operation Jumpstart.

4. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Subcommittees

a. Military and Veterans Hospitality Room at Sky Harbor Airport (MVHR).

Mr. Workley said the MVHR is slowly approaching 10,000 visitors. He noted 8,110 people have visited the room since it opened. Discussion took place about the timing of a celebration to highlight the 10,000^th visitor.

Ms. Brock-Perini, as head of the Special Events subcommittee, will direct the planning for this event, assisted by Mr. Jim Otis. It will be timed to occur shortly before a planned fund-raising event in September.

Mr. Tri Trinh said that the Aviation Department needs a letter from the Foundation regarding its intent to extend the lease of the MVHR. Chairman Liddy asked Mr. Trinh to draft such a letter for Mr. Kelter’s signature.

Special Events

Ms. Brock-Perini said the Salute to Women Veterans event on April 8 had gone very well.

More than 150 people attended, including several Tuskegee Airmen. Photographers from the City and the National Guard took pictures, and Mayor Gordon, Mr. Rick Romley and Lt. Col. Lake (keynote speaker) had all participated.

Mr. Burke congratulated Ms. Brock-Perini for her work organizing the event.

Ms. Brock-Perini said that two of the honorees had been awarded the Bronze Star. She also said that the V.A. Voices choir had sung at the event.

Ms. Brock-Perini asked for volunteers to present the Commission’s wreath at upcoming Memorial Day ceremonies at the National Cemetery in north Phoenix. Mr. Otis and Mr. Cain will be assuming those duties.

Communications

There was no report on this item.

Homeless Veterans Liaison

Ms. Joan Sisco said that Veterans First and U.S. Vets were partnering to conduct a Standdown campaign exclusively for homeless women veterans. The events would be held in several cities and towns throughout Arizona.

Chairman Liddy suggested that Wal-Mart, Target and Costco be approached for donations of the backpacks the groups would like to distribute to the homeless vets.

Mr. Tri Trinh reported for Mr. Ken Lambert. He said there had recently been a meeting with Ms. Ruth Osuna of the Mayor’s Office and Ms. Kim Dorney of the Housing Department to discuss the services available to homeless veterans through that department.

Mr. Burke noted that the federal Housing and Urban Development Department and the Veterans Administration are creating housing vouchers designed specifically for veterans. He said City staff would be used to help determine eligibility for the 105 vouchers to be available in Phoenix

Mr. Burke said that he and Mr. Lambert would soon be meeting with staff from the Human Services Department to learn about the services they offer to homeless vets.

Fundraising

Chairman Liddy noted that the fund-raising event to be held in September and asked all commissioners to submit contact information of people who should be invited. He said that until that event takes place, it is important to keep basic fund-raising efforts going.

Budget

Mr. Rall presented a draft Foundation budget. Chairman Liddy asked if it was ready for final adoption. Mr. Rall and Mr. Workley both said it was.

Mr. Kelter moved approval for the commission to recommend the draft 2008-09 budget to the Foundation for its approval. Motion was seconded by Mr. Virgel Cain and approved, 9-0.

Mr. Rall stated the Foundation Treasurer can track actual expenses against the proposed budget and suggested that the Commission’s Budget Subcommittee be reconstituted.

Ms. Brock-Perini said she would send estimates for 2008-09 special event expenses to Mr. Rall.

Chairman Liddy appointed Mr. Rall (subcommittee chairperson), Mr. Jim Pipper, Mr. John Workley, Ms. Rita Brock-Perini and Mr. Rick Romley to the Budget Subcommittee.

6. Mayoral Proclamations Honoring World War II Veterans

Chairman Liddy said he is compiling information on a World War II veteran for a future nomination.

Mr. Burke said he needs some additional information from Ms. Sisco for the April 29 ceremony honoring several WAVES veterans.

Ms. Sisco asked if the Mayor could recognize three students and two teachers from Greenway Middle School who will be attending the ceremony. Mr. Burke thought that was possible.

7. Vets for Freedom

This item was not heard, as the presenter was unable to attend.

8. Announcements

Mr. Kelter said that former commissioner Paula Pedene is willing to produce an updated brochure of the commission and its members. He said that photos and short bios of the new members should be sent to Ms. Pedene. Mr. rall said he would assist Ms. Pedene in that effort.

Ms. Sisco said Veterans First and the Phoenix Mercury will be partnering to recognize women veterans at the July 25 game. Proceeds from ticket sales will help fund the statewide Standdown campaign for homeless women veterans, and women veterans can get free tickets to that night’s game.

Mr. Burke said Mayor Gordon would be attending the April 27 Vietnam Remembrance event at the Wesley Bolin Plaza.

9. Request for Future Agenda Items

None.

10. Call to the Public

None.

11. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 2:12 p.m.

Respectfully submitted.

Brian Suggs

Management Assistant


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