CC - Item 4C - Ad-Hoc Veterans Commission• •
ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
STAFF REPORT
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OLIVER C. CHI, CITY MANAGER &(;-C--~.
DATE: APRIL 8, 2008
SUBJECT: FORMATION OF AD-HOC VETERANS COMMISSION
SUMMARY
Mayor Pro Tern Nunez has requested that the City Council consider the formation of an ad-hoc
Veterans Commission. Staff has engaged in some preliminary and cursory research regarding this
possibility and prepared a memorandum outlining some of the basic issues regarding this potential
action (Attachment A).
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council provide direction regarding Mayor Pro Tern Nu6ez's
request for creating an ad-hoc Veterans Commission.
PUBLIC NOTICE PROCESS
This item has been noticed through the regular agenda notification process.
Attachment A: Memorandum Regarding Formation Of Ad-Hoc Veterans Commission
APPROVED FOR CITY COUNCIL AGENDA: 6
City of Rosemead
Memorandum
TO: OLIVER CHI, CITY MANAGER
0
FROM: AILEEN FLORES, PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANAGER
DATE: APRIL 1, 2008
SUBJECT: RESEARCH REGARDING VETERANS COMMISSIONS
Per our conversations with Mayor Pro Tern John Nunez, I have researched existing
Veterans Commissions throughout the nation, including those at the state, county and
local level. Based on his input along with what I have found, below is a summary of
what I believe would be the purpose of the proposed Rosemead Veterans Commission:
• Honor all Rosemead residents who have served or currently serve in the military.
• Strengthen awareness of and increase the community's pride in all military
personnel.
• Take leadership in developing, enhancing and coordinating the Memorial Day,
Veterans Day and other events designed to honor service men and women.
• Connect Veterans with available resources.
• Provide an avenue for networking.
• Coordinate fundraising events to finance on-going efforts.
• Preserve honor for Veterans of the future.
• Provide support to Veterans and their families when in need.
The overall goal of the commission would be to provide residents of Rosemead who
have and continue to serve in the military a sense of belonging, appreciation and
support.
Possible Activities based on information gathered form existing Veterans Commissions:
• Recognize Veterans annually at a City Council meeting
■ Create a military banner program that displays the name of the service person.
Banners could be displayed during the 4th of July, Memorial Day, September 11tH
Veterans Day and other designated dates. Banners could be sponsored by local
businesses and community members.
• Create a permanent memorial honoring Veterans.
• Include a Veterans Commission float in the 4th of July Parade.
• Set up an information booth at all community events for volunteers to promote
the commission.
• Coordinate Veterans networking events.
• Provide a Veterans discount on City sponsored classes and events that require a
fee.
Veteran's Commission • •
April 1, 2008
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• Create a webpage on the City website that provides an over view of the
commission.
• Ensure that Veteran's know what services, benefits and assistance.
• Honor service men and women when they return from their tour of duty. They
could be honored at a City Council meeting and be given a welcome care
package.
• Coordinate an on-going program to support troops or adopt platoons that are
currently deployed by collecting donations, including funds that can be shipped to
them through programs coordinated by the Department of Defense, USO, or
other military support organizations. It is recommended that items be sent
throughout the year and not just during the holidays.
Action Items/Challenges
• Developing/providing a budget.
• Providing staff support to insure that it is an on-going and active group.
• Recruiting active volunteers.
• Promoting the commission and its activities.
• Compiling resources and timely information regarding assistance that is available
to veterans.
• Creating guidelines that provide items such as:
o How commissioners are appointed
o Requirements for being on the commission
o The terms of their appointment
o Powers and duties
o Structure and purpose
o Required activities,
o How activities and events are to be planned including regular standing
meetings.
Guidelines are necessary so that the activities are carried out by a majority of the
committee volunteers rather than a committee/commission operated by City employees.