PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING
PHOENIX MILITARY VETERAN AFFAIRS COMMISSION

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, October 16, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. located 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.	Review and Approval of Minutes from the September 18, 2008 Commission Meeting		Commission members
3.	Remarks from Col. Joey Strickland, Director, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services – Col. Strickland will discuss veterans issues of mutual interest with the commission. This item is for information and discussion.		Chairman Liddy
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.		Virgel Cain
5.	Discussion and possible action regarding standing subcommittees:
	a.	Military Hospitality Room at Sky Harbor Airport	John Workley
	b.	Special Events – including participation in the annual Veterans Day Parade	Rita Brock-Perini
	c.	Communications	Chairman Liddy
	d.	Homeless Veterans Liaison	Ken Lambert
	e.	Fundraising	Chairman Liddy
	f.	Budget	Jim Pipper
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.	City and State Contracting Preferences for Veteran-Owned Businesses – the commission will be presented with information regarding possible local government contracting preferences for veteran-owned businesses. This item is for discussion and possible action.		Paul Smiley
8.	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
9.	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
10.	Request for Future Agenda Items		Commission members
11.	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
12.	Adjournment		Chairman Liddy

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.

October 8, 2008

Phoenix Military Veterans Affairs Commission, October 16, 2008, Item 2

CITY OF PHOENIX

MILITARY VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMISSION

MEETING SUMMARY

September 18, 2008

Phoenix City Hall

200 W. Washington Street, 12^th Floor

Phoenix, Arizona

Members Present

Rita Brock-Perini

Virgel Cain

Anthony Irby

Annette Lavelle

Jason LeVecke

Jim Otis

James Pipper

John Workley

Members Absent

Scott Crowley

Tom Liddy

Ken Lambert

Henry Ong

Rick Romley

Joan Sisco

Julio Zapata

Staff Present

George Weisz

Brian Suggs

Guests

Mel Brody

Lou Kelter

Paul Smiley

Don Taylor

Anne Theodosis

1. Call to Order

Vice-Chairman John Workley called the meeting to order and Mr. Jim Pipper led the Pledge of Allegiance at 1:05 p.m. with eight members present.

2. Introduction of New Members

Vice-Chairman Workley welcomed the new members and asked everyone to introduce themselves and briefly recap their military experience.

3. Review and Approval of Minutes from the August 21, 2008 Commission Meeting

A motion was made by Mr. Pipper, seconded by Ms. Rita Brock-Perini, to approve the August 21, 2008 minutes. Motion approved 8-0.

4. Update Regarding the Phoenix Military Veterans Commission Foundation

Foundation President Lou Kelter said that a $25,000 check is expected soon from TriWest Corporation and that Mr. Mel Brody is also working to raise another $25,000 from other sources.

Vice-Chairman Workley said there was currently $2,800 in the Foundation account, slightly more than the $2,500 at the end of August. He also stated that a Form 990 report is being completed.

Mr. Kelter said a fundraising golf tournament will be held on Nov. 10 at the Anthem Country Club. He noted that any release of information to the media should follow the chain-of-command through the Foundation and the Mayor’s Office.

5. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Subcommittees

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

Vice-Chairman Workley introduced Ms. Anne Theodosis, Executive Director of the MVHR, who reviewed the mission of the room, its history, and the funding used for it.

Ms. Theodosis stated the room has had 11,345 visitors to date. She also stated that Food City has agreed to donate 30 cases of bottled water every other month. A place is needed to store this water.

Mr. George Weisz said the bottles can be stored without charge in Terminal 2. He said he is working with Aviation Department staff to identify space in Terminal 4 for a temporary MVHR.

Mr. Pipper said the Foundation and Commission need to be sure solid funding for the MVHR is in place before any move to Terminal 4.

Ms. Theodosis said Mr. Bob Immel is working to enable contributions to be made over the internet.

Vice-Chairman Workley said these would be credit card contributions.

Special Events

Ms. Brock-Perini asked if the commission would be participating in the annual Veterans Day Parade. A vehicle would be needed, and magnetic signs with the commission name could be purchased to display on it. Mr. Jim Otis volunteered to lead this effort, and Mr. Anthony Irby volunteered to assist him.

Communications

Although there was no report on this item, Mr. Jason LeVecke will consider serving as chair of this subcommittee. It was decided that the new commissioners should send their biographies to Mr. LeVecke, who will then give them to Ms. Paula Pedene. She will be producing the commission brochure.

Homeless Veterans Liaison

Although there was no report on this item, Mr. Irby stated he would like to work with Mr. Ken Lambert on this subcommittee.

Fundraising

Vice-Chairman Workley reminded everyone of the fundraising golf event on Nov. 10 and said funds would come from golfers and from corporate sponsors.

Budget

Vice-Chairman Workley said a new chair is needed for this subcommittee. Mr. Pipper and Ms. Brock-Perini agreed to work, on a temporary basis, with Vice-Chair Workley to review the budgeting process and make recommendations.

6. Operational Audit Results

Vice-Chairman Workley announced that due to time constraints and several new members who have not yet received the audit results report, this item would be postponed until the October meeting.

7. Mayoral Proclamations Honoring World War II Veterans

Mr. Brian Suggs told the commissioners that Mr. Peter Nick Karegeannes knew of additional Iwo Jima veterans in the Phoenix area, and that those veterans are being contacted for possible inclusion in a ceremony honoring them.

8. Announcements

Mr. Suggs announced there is an opening on the Foundation Board and that current and former members in good standing of the Commission are eligible to be considered. He said that interested parties should contact Foundation President Lou Kelter.

Ms. Brock-Perini said that all commissioners should plan to attend the City’s new training for board members and commissioners.

Ms. Annette Lavelle said the Veterans Administration would be holding an event for returning troops and veterans at the Phoenix Zoo on Oct. 1.

9. Request for Future Agenda Items

The following items were requested for future commission agendas:

· Discussion of Operational Audit Results

· Participation in upcoming Veterans Day Parade

· City and State contract set-asides for veteran-owned businesses (Mr. Paul Smiley would present this item).

10. Call to the Public

Mr. Mel Brody stated an installation ceremony for the Veterans Hall of Fame would be held Oct. 24 at the El Zaribah auditorium.

Mr. Kelter inquired whether the new director of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, Col. Strickland, would soon be visiting the commission. Mr. Suggs replied that he was tentatively scheduled to attend the Oct. 16 meeting.

11. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 2:22 p.m.

Respectfully submitted.

Brian Suggs

Management Assistant


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