Veteran Affairs Advisory Committee

City of San Marcos Regular Meeting Minutes Veteran Affairs Advisory Committee March 10th, 2021 5:00 p.m. Zoom Virtual Conference Room I. Call To Order Meeting was called to order by Michael Hernandez at 5:05 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10th, 2021. II. Roll Call Present- Marty Nelson, Ben Kvanli, Michael Hernandez, John Minyard, Steven Saxon, and David Franklin. Not Present: Jude Prather Staff Present- Lisa Morris and Kari Fontenot. III. 30 Minute Citizen Comment Period: Each speaker signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will be called in the order in which they signed-up. Each speaker will be provided up to three minutes to speak. No citizen comments. MINUTES 1. Consider approval, by motion, of the October 2020 meeting minutes. Michael Hernandez made a motion to approve the October 2020 minutes. John Minyard seconded his motion. All were in favor and motion passed 5:53 p.m. ACTION ITEMS 2. Consider approval, by motion, Election of Officers. Michael Hernandez nominated himself as Chair at 5:09 p.m. John Minyard seconded the motion. All were in favor, motion carried. Michael then nominated John Minyard as Vice Chair, Steven Saxon seconded the motion. All were in favor and motion carried at 5:10 p.m.  DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Annual review of committee by-laws and charges. The Committee received these documents in a separate packet and did not report on any needed changes. 4. Review of Ethics Ordinance. The Committee received the Ethics Ordinance and did not pose any further questions. 5. Meeting dates for calendar year 2022. The Committee agreed that quarterly meetings would be conducted on the second Wednesday of April, May, October and November 2021 at 5 p.m. Special meetings will be conducted as needed. 6. Hold a discussion regarding a resolution recommendation to City Council to seek designation as a Purple Heart City by the Military Order of the Purple Heart Organization. Michael Hernandez made a motion to create a recommendation resolution for the City of San Marcos, Texas to be recognized as a Purple Heart City. Ben Kvanli seconded the motion and all were in favor. A special meeting will be held via Zoom on Wednesday, March 17th, at 5:00 p.m. 7. Hold a discussion regarding Wreaths Across America 2020 and plans for 2021. Staff and the Committee discussed the growing event and need for additional wreaths during our 2021 event. As a direct result of this event, staff was made aware that many veteran’s graves are unmarked. We will need greater funding and must continue to raise awareness towards wreath donation opportunities. In order to generate more donations toward this event annually, the Committee proposed adding a runner on our website year-round. A ‘Wreaths Across’ sub committee was formed by members Michael Hernandez, Ben Kvanli and John Minyard. 8. Hold a discussion regarding needed repairs/upkeep to the Hays County Veterans Memorial. The Advisory Committee is requesting to place this item on the future agenda. Lisa will provide the Committee with Master Plan updates related to these repairs and future upkeep.  9. Hold a discussion regarding Field of Honor Flags program and a City Flag Drop-off Location. Steven Saxon suggested flying five, standard sized flags at the memorial. Michael said the Committee needs to decide where the proceeds will go. This can be difficult because we don’t want to promote one field over another. 10. Hold discussion regarding Memorial Day Ceremony. Lisa has the standard procedure for conducting the ceremony. The Committee needs to identify a Veteran to handle the welcome and honorary speech. Volunteers for name recognition and the Pledge of Allegiance are needed. Lisa will email a copy of the 2019 program to the Advisory committee. 11. Hold discussion regarding annual goals/projects. The Committee has tabled the discussion of community-wide veterans’ pantries to our April meeting. REPORTS FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS • Annual goals and projects • Wreaths Across America • Field of Honor Flags • City Flag Drop-off Location VI. Question and Answer Session with Press and Public. This is an opportunity for the Press and Public to ask questions related to items on this agenda. No questions from press or public. VII. Adjournment A motion was made by Michael Hernandez to adjourn the meeting at 6:25 p.m. and seconded by David Franklin. All were in favor and motion passed. Kari Fontenot Michael Hernandez Notice of Assistance at the Public Meetings The City of San Marcos does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission or access to its services, programs, or activities. Individuals who require auxiliary aids and services for this meeting should contact the City of San Marcos ADA Coordinator at 512-393-8000 (voice) or call Texas Relay Service (TRS) by dialing 7-1-1. Requests