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Minutes 01-09-13 MINUTES OF THE VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSIO HELD ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2013, AT 10:00 AM, IN CITY HALL, CONFERENCE ROOM 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BOULEVARD, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA PRESENT: Tom Kaiser, Chair Chuck Magazine, Risk Management William Mitchell Stuart Preston Bridget Roberts Frank Bregoli Stanley Gavlick, Alt. Lester McKinzie, Alt. Karl Washington, Alt. ABSENT: James Bowman Victor Norfus . CALL TO ORDER — Tom Kaiser, Chairman Chair Kaiser called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — All Hands The members recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. INVOCATION Chair Kaiser gave the invocation. Mr. Magazine announced this would be his last meeting as liaison as the duty had been turned over to the Police Department. Sergeant McNevin was introduced and it was explained he was filling in for the new liaison, Lt. John Bonafair. The members thanked Mr. Magazine for his assistance. IV. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS The Recording Secretary called the roll. A quorum was present. V. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE -CHAIR For the position of Chair, Mr. Gavlick nominated Tom Kaiser. Mr. Mitchell seconded the nomination. No other nominations were received and Mr. Kaiser's nomination was unanimously approved. Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Council Boynton Beach, FL January 9, 2013 For the position of Vice Chair it was noted Stuart Preston had been the Vice Chair. Chair Kaiser opened the floor for nominations. None being received, a vote to retain Mr. Preston as Vice Chair was taken and unanimously passed. VI. AGENDA APPROVAL, January 9, 2013 Motion Mr. Bregoli moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Mitchell seconded the motion that unanimously passed. VII. APPROVAL OF MINUTES, November 14, 2012 Motion Mr. Bregoli moved to approve the minutes. Mr. Mitchell seconded the motion that unanimously passed. VIII. COMMENTS a. Chair Chair Kaiser read a holiday card from Ms. Metcalf, whose son was recently honored at the Veterans Memorial Park. She sent a check for $500 and wanted to purchase a bench. He noted the monument for the U.S. Coast Guard was moved so that space was available for another monument. He commented they would have a monument for the Unknown Soldier to coincide with the flying of internment flags. The Air Force monument would be installed March 6 and he requested those in the Air Force to assist with the cost. He requested the members purchase bricks as it helps to defray expenses. He commented there was not a big reception to the Marines monument. b. Members or Visitors Honorary member Dottie Moore was introduced and she spoke about the Gold Star Mothers program. She commented all Gold Star families suffer, grieve over lost ones and there is no such thing as closure. She suggested members of an immediate family should also be eligible for membership on the Veterans Advisory Commission. Mr. Magazine had provided a copy of the Ordinance detailing the requirements of membership. If the members wanted to amend the Ordinance, they would have to speak to the Commission and they would have to add any Ordinance amendments to the agenda. I. OLD BUSINESS: a. Veterans Memorial Park Events 2 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Council Boynton Beach, FL January 9, 2013 i. U.S. Air Force, Wednesday, March 6, 2013, 11 a.m. Chair Kaiser reviewed March 6th was the anniversary of the first major raid of Berlin by B -17 Bombers and the B -17's would be depicted on the monument. They would also develop appropriate wording for the monument with the initiation date of the first U.S. Army Air Force from WW II. Mr. Bregoli commented it was originally the U.S. Army Air Corp. The U.S. Air Force was created in 1947. Chair Kaiser differed on the name and explained in 1947, a separate entity was created because it became so large. Chair Kaiser agreed to research the matter to ensure the correct title was used. ii. U.S. Army, Thursday, June 6, 2013, 11 a.m. This monument would have a map of the D -day beaches and the routes the divisions entered the various areas of the beaches. It was noted the local District Representative was Lois Frankel and a question was posed whether she would be invited. Chair Kaiser agreed to send an invitation. There were already speakers and he had invited one representative. iii. U.S. Navy, Veterans Day, Monday, November 11, 2013, 11 a.m. Chair Kaiser explained this would be unveiled around October 14, 2013, with the time to be determined. November 11, 2013, would be the Unknown Soldier monument. b. Awarding of French Legion of Honor Medals award ceremony only i. Thursday, January 10, 2013, Civic Center, 11 a.m. Chair Kaiser requested assistance with this event as flags needed to be placed and Ms. Moore agreed to assist from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. He anticipated about 24 veterans would be at the ceremony which was anticipated to last about an hour. At the October 22nd Cuban Missile Crisis event, one veteran, one widow and one corpsman attended. A week later, they provided 150 names for medals to him. Two weeks later, they provided another 50 names. Chair Kaiser was disappointed no activities had occurred over the summer. ii. Thursday, January 24, 2013, Civic Center, 11 a.m. The second medal ceremony would take place as noted above. iii. February (tbd), 2013, Civic Center — 11 am & 1 p.m. (two ceremonies) The date for this event would be announced. Brief discussion followed the event was similar to a split ceremony. No food was allowed at the Civic Center. Chair Kaiser did indicate if they held the event at the Park instead, they could bring in lunch for the staff 3 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Council Boynton Beach, FL January 9, 2013 and eat it outside. Mr. Magazine explained it would be much easier to hold the event at the Civic Center and he agreed to check on the dates and forward the information. C. Four Chaplains Ceremonies, Sunday, February 3, 2013, Ascension Lutheran Church, 2 p.m. Chair Kaiser announced the above. The event would commence at 2 p.m. and would end about 3 p.m., in time for the Super Bowl. Anyone who could not attend should let Chair Kaiser know. d. Memorial Day Ceremonies, Sunday, May 26, 2013, 2 p.m. Boynton Beach Memorial Park (Flags on gravesites, Friday, May 24, 2013, 8:30 a.m.) This event would be at the Park. Chair Kaiser provided the members with lists to ensure the members would be aware of upcoming events. They were also distributed at the Veterans Council. On Friday, May 24th, flags would be placed on the graves. He asked the members to be on time. Last year they had a small turnout and if the students had not participated, it would have been a disaster. He agreed to again invite the students to participate. The Ceremony would be on the 26th, at 2 p.m. and they would hold the normal ceremony with the Color Guards. He did not anticipate any French medals would be awarded at the time, but there was still a possibility. If so, a few will be awarded. On June 6th, one week later, the Army monument would be unveiled. e. Donated flags and poles along center walkway (awaiting funding & written proposal) Chair Kaiser explained the flags and poles are still being contemplated for the Park. Flags would only be flown for ceremonies. When needed, only the pole would have to be brought in and installed. He requested anyone with information regarding the cost of permanent sockets that are placed in the ground to let him know. It would enhance the Park. f. Honorary Member Appointments (3 positions vacant — see attached section from Code of Ordinances) Chair Kaiser explained there are vacancies. He noted General Irzyk was recently on the History Channel for his participation in the Battle of the Bulge and he would be in attendance for the event on June 6th. The members were requested to provide names of interested individuals to Chair Kaiser. It was also noted Victor Norfus has not been in attendance. When he was appointed, it bumped Karl Washington to an Alternate position and Mr. Washington has attended every meeting. Chair Kaiser favored asking the City Commission to reinstate Mr. 4 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Council Boynton Beach, FL January 9, 2013 Washington to his original position. Mr. Magazine explained the appointment process is handled through the City Clerk's Office. There is a pool of candidates and Commissioners appoint individuals from that pool. He did not know which Commissioner would make the appointment and Chair Kaiser was directed to the City Clerk for more information. A member could be removed for missing four meetings per year; however, the Veterans only meet five times per year, whereas most Boards meet monthly. Mr. Norfus missed the March, September, and November meetings, and of the two meetings he was present for, he arrived just before the meeting adjourned for one of them. The members contemplated sending Mr. Norfus a letter inquiring about his commitment to the Committee; but it would be up to Mr. Norfus to resign. Chair Kaiser suggested an Ordinance amendment changing the attendance requirement be submitted to the City Commission for consideration. Motion Mr. Bregoli moved to ask the City to change the Ordinance for members to attend at least three meetings out of five. Ms. Roberts seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Mr. Magazine recommended a member contact the City Commissioners or the Mayor and request they add the item to the agenda. It would then be forwarded to the Legal Department to draft language based on the request. He noted it could be a month or two before any change is made. It was noted Commissioner Taylor was now on the Board and he had served in the Air Force and Chair Kaiser agreed to make the call. g. Letter to City Commission regarding appointment of Honorary Member requirements. Chair Kaiser requested the members provide names for Honorary Membership. h. Park Brochure & Fundraisers Chair Kaiser suggested tabling this item. November 11 was the anniversary of the official opening of Veterans Memorial Park and November 2013 would mark its 5th Anniversary. It was thought it was better to defer printing the brochure until then because then the Park would be complete. The brochure would explain the Park's development and help educate children. He requested a motion to install the Unknown Soldier monument on November 11, 2013, and to table the brochures until that time. 5 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Council Boynton Beach, FL January 9, 2013 Motion Mr. Bregoli moved to add a monument for the Unknown Solider. Mr. McKinzie seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Mr. Magazine explained the motion was to make a recommendation to the City Commission to do so. X. NEW BUSINESS a. Other I. BENEDICTION, MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER Chair Kaiser gave the benediction, followed by a moment of silent prayer. II. NEXT BOARD MEETING —Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at 10:00 AM XIII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, Chair Kaiser adjourned the meeting at 10:48 a.m. F R 4 Catherine Cherry Recording Secretary 011013 6