Veterans Affairs Commission

CITY OF LONG BEACH TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019 VETERANS AFFAIRS RANCHO LOS CERRITOS COMMISSION MINUTES 4600 VIRGINIA ROAD LONG BEACH, CA 90807, 9:00 AM Ricky Fernandez, Chair Gustavo Orozco, Commissioner Ryan Antes, Vice Chair Mike Shaknovich, Commissioner Sylvia Contreras, Commissioner Josh Smith, Commissioner Juanita Doplemore, Commissioner Carlos Gonzalez, Commissioner FINISHED AGENDA & MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Chair Fernandez called the meeting to order at 9:15 a.m. ROLL CALL Commissioners Sylvia Contreras, Carlos Gonzalez, Gustavo Orozco, Ryan Antes Present: and Ricky Fernandez Commissioners Mike Shaknovich and Josh Smith Excused: Commissioners Juanita Doplemore Absent: 19-014VA VETERANS COMMISSION STRATEGIC PLAN DISCUSSION The Commission reviewed analyses of data collected through a literature review and stakeholder interviews as well as a demographic analyses of the Long Beach Veterans' population. The Commission engaged in an extensive discussion and decision-making process which resulted in the selection of four core priorities (focus areas) for the Strategic Plan: access to resources and services, coordination between agencies, Veterans' strengths and assets and housing and homelessness. The Commission recognizes and appreciates all who helped make the strategic planning retreat a success, including Gina Overholt, Ginger Lee, Julie Leung, Jason Thompson, Ebony Blaine, Zeena Aljawad, Katie Balderas, Kelly Colopy, Mable Goss, Dennis Keith, Rancho Los Cerritos staff, and Melody Ngaue-Tu’uholoaki, Field Deputy for District 8 Councilmember, Al Austin. Page 1 of 3 CITY OF LONG BEACH TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019 VETERANS AFFAIRS RANCHO LOS CERRITOS COMMISSION MINUTES 4600 VIRGINIA ROAD LONG BEACH, CA 90807, 9:00 AM A motion was made by Vice Chair Antes, seconded by Commissioner Gonzalez, to received and filed. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Sylvia Contreras, Carlos Gonzalez, Gustavo Orozco, Ryan Antes and Ricky Fernandez Excused: 2 - Mike Shaknovich and Josh Smith Absent: 1 - Juanita Doplemore 19-015VA Recommendation to approve the minutes for the Veterans Affairs Commission meeting held on March 13, 2019 A motion was made by Vice Chair Antes, seconded by Commissioner Orozco, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 5 - Sylvia Contreras, Carlos Gonzalez, Gustavo Orozco, Ryan Antes and Ricky Fernandez Excused: 2 - Mike Shaknovich and Josh Smith Absent: 1 - Juanita Doplemore 19-016VA Recommendation to discuss employment and education panel Commissioner Antes reported that the panel planning subcommittee met to discuss potential dates and locations for the event. Antes reached out to the American Legion Post 496 (on Parkcrest, behind Heartwell Park), which has a meeting hall with a capacity of up to 250 persons as well as parking. It is available for a suggested donation, and the Legion is willing to work with the Commission. He also suggested that the event be held there on the last Saturday of June of first Saturday in July. Discussion followed. Commissioner Antes made a motion to hold the employment and education panel on Saturday, June 29, at the American Legion Post 496 hall, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and to draft a save the date postcard. Commissioner Gonzalez seconded. Motion carried. Page 2 of 3 CITY OF LONG BEACH TUESDAY, APRIL 9, 2019 VETERANS AFFAIRS RANCHO LOS CERRITOS COMMISSION MINUTES 4600 VIRGINIA ROAD LONG BEACH, CA 90807, 9:00 AM Yes: 5 - Sylvia Contreras, Carlos Gonzalez, Gustavo Orozco, Ryan Antes and Ricky Fernandez Excused: 2 - Mike Shaknovich and Josh Smith Absent: 1 - Juanita Doplemore COMMENTS Members of the public were invited to address the Commission at the top of the meeting, before lunch and in the afternoon. No members of the public were in attendance. ADJOURNMENT Chair Fernandez adjourned the meeting at 4:13 p.m. Page 3 of 3