PIERCE COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE COMMITTEE May 22,2008

Transcription

1 PIERCE COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE COMMITTEE May 22,2008 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jeff Holst, at 11:00 a.m. at the Veterans Service Office. Present: Jeff Holst, Mel Pittman, Jerry Kosin, Dave Till and Laurie Unseth Minutes: Motion by Mel Pittman, second by Jerry Kosin to approve minutes of September 10, Motion carried. Agenda: Motion by Mel Pittman, second by Jerry Kosin to amend agenda to include nomination of officer. Motion carried Motion by M. Pittman, second by J. Kosin to nominate Jeff Holst as Chairman ofthe Veterans Service Committee. Motion carried. Motion by J Holst, second by M Pittman to nominate J Kosin and M Pittman as Co-Vice Chairmen. Motion carried Veteran Service Officer Update Since arriving on March 31, former CVSOs Merlin Blaisdell and Lorin Sather have given CVSO valuable assistance. He has attended the CVSOA Advisory Council, Eau Claire WI, Veterans Supermarket, Arcadia, WI, CVSOA Spring Conference, Fond DuLac WI and NW/NE CVSOA Advisory Camp American Legion north of Rhinelander. He has been introduced at Legion and VFW and continue to attend meetings Currently the CVSO is behind on files a tad, but getting faster, continues to follow legislation on the GI Bill (Sen Webb Bill). He will be giving the presentation at the Memorial Day celebration in Prescott and continues biweekly meetings with the UWRF Veterans Club. Future activities include NW/NE CVSOA in Cable WI- July 31-Aug 1, New CVSO Training Aug 4-5, Military Dates: June 9-13, Aug 1-22, Veterans Supermarket, New Richmond, WI,

2 outreach to Veterans and organizing the office system.. Review Courthouse Landscape and Historical Perspective plan CVSO spoke with Maintenance Supervisor, Al about what to do: Where Veterans Fit in here CVSO will be having a meeting with Diane from Extension next week to discuss further. Paul Barkla called requesting Veterans to help with work which may be possible. The Veterans could perhaps add interest for addition to Veterans Memorial if funding comes through them or perhaps match funding from organizations in town. Veteran Office Future Focus: The outlook for the office is for possible deployment near the beginning of next year. CVSO is considering a work study position. Discussion was had regarding change for current CVSO Secretary title to Benefits Specialist as she is doing similar work as CVSO and that more accurately describes her position. Chairman Holst said request for change needs to go to the Acting Administrator, then Finance and Personnel and the County Board for approval. CVSO will continue outreach to Veterans Adjourn; Being no further business there was a motion by J Holst, second by J Kosin to adjourn at 11:25 a.m. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, David R Till, CVSO

3 PIERCE COUNTY WISCONSIN.VETERAN'S SERViCE OFFICE W.KINNESTREET, P.O.Boxl46. :OA VID R. TILL VETERANS SERVICE COMMISSION PIERCE COUNTY July 9, 2008 The meeting was called to order by Chairman, Howie Nelson, at 9:00a.m. in the Veterans Service Office... Present: Howie Nelson, Jerry Christianson, Lawrence Bechel, Dick De Costa David Till and Laurie Unseth Minutes; Motion by L Bechel with second by Dick DeCosta to approve minutes of January 8, 2007 minutes as presented. Motion c~ied. Budget and Costs, Budget and expenses were reviewed 2007budget as of 1-S-07 was $ with expenditures of$1, for 18 Veterans. $ was reimbursed to the Commission by veteransfor a balance of 1, Budget as of was $1,000 with a rqllover of$ for a total budget of $ Expenditures through July 9, 2008 are for 6 veteran requests and $60.00 reimbursement by a veteran. Currentbalance $2, Commission requested a chirificatioil of carryover funds and where reimbursement from veterans goes. Why to different funds.. Discussion on need of m9re funding due to rising costs in an unstable economy. Subject to be reviewed at next meeting. ~ NEXT MEETING: The Commission has s~heduled a follow up meeting scheduled for July 23, 2008, at9:00 a.m. in the Veterans Service Office, to.review and clarify.funding. Adjourn: Being no further business a motionby L Bechel!D DeCosta was made to adjourn at 9:40 a.m.. Motion carried: David R Till, E. cutive Secretary..

4 VETERANS SERVICE COMMITTEE PIERCE COUNTY JULy 11, 2008 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jeff Holst at 11:30 a.m. in the Veterans Service Office Present: Jeff Holst, Mel Pittman, Jerry Kosin, David Till Minutes: Motion by J Kosin, second by M Pittman to approve minutes of the May 22, 2008 Committee meeting. Motion carried. Veteran Service Officer Update: Soldiers are returning and filing for their benefits at a consistent pace. Several education, hospital and combat related claims are being filed on their behalf. CVSO continues to visit homebound veterans and to be active with the Vet Center at U of WI as a resource for returning vets. CVSO will attend WI Department ofveterans affairs training in August. Discussed future needs regarding office management and coverage if CVSO is deployed. Possible coverage may include more hours for Secretary, hiring of Part-time CVSO and work study student. Veterans Memorial: Discussed plans and design for Memorial in front of County Courthouse. Currently waiting for input from Architect. No action taken. Preliminary Budget: Reviewed budget. Increases will be expected due to change in the economy. Mainly in gas due to cost increase, vehicle maintenance as warranty is ending and vehicles are aging, office supplies, and other small budget changes. The next meeting of the CVSO Committee will be Wednesday, September 10 at 11:00 am in the Veterans Service Office. Being no further business, Motion by J Kosin, second by M Pittman to adjourn at 12:00. Motion carried. Respectfully, David R Till, CVSO a ~ Sewice ro a,.,~t VeW~am, 5fieitt w~ and l91tf11'lam

5 VETERANS SERVICE COMMISSION PIERCE COUNTY JULY 23, 2008 The meeting was called to order at 9:00am in the Veterans Service Office. Present: Chairman Howie Nelson, Dick DeCosta, Lawrence Bechel, David Till, CVSO and Laurie Unseth. MINUTES: Motion by L Bechel, second by D DeCosta to approve minutes of July 9, 2008 as presented. Motion carried. BUDGET: Carryover balance for 07 was $1, budget was $1,000 leaving a balance of $2, on Expenditures through were $1, with a reimbursement of $60.00 leaving a current balance of$ Discussed potential expenses for a veteran. Commission members agreed to allow up to $ If more is needed, CVSO will contact them. Motion by D DeCosta, second by H Nelson to increase 2009 Commission budget to $1,500 due to economic recession crisis. Motion carried. ADJOURN: Being no further business, Motion by L Bechel second by D DeCosta to adjourn at 9:30 am. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, David Till, Executive Secretary

6 COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE COMMITTEE September 10,2008 The meeting was called to order by Chairman JeffHolst, at 11:00 am in the Veterans Service Office. Present: Jeff Holst, Jerry Kosin, Mel Pittman, David Till and Laurie Unseth Minutes: The minutes of the July 11, 2008, meeting were reviewed. Motion by M. Pittman, second by J. Kosin to approve minutes as presented. Motion carried Budget: Motion by J Kosin/M Pittman to approve budget. Motion carried. CVSO will meet with Julie Brickner, Budget and Finance Director, and Paul Barkla, Acting Coordinator, to set up line items and then review with Chairman Holst before presenting to Finance and Personnel Committee. CVSO deployment: The CVSO will be deployed to Iraq on January 10, 2008, under Title 32 and February 15, 2008, under Title 10. Motion by J Kosin and M Pittman, that due to the mandatory deployment of CVSO, this Committee requests an exception to the Personnel Policy on family health insurance coverage for Dave Till, CVSO through February 15, 2008, and reinstatement of family policy upon his. return. Motion carried CVSO Secretary and staffing: Coverage of the office for the Secretary will remain at 35 hrs. per week from 8:30 to 4:30. Secretary will be on sick leave for 6 weeks beginning October 1. Motion by J Kosin/M Pittman to allow CVSO to hire a temporary employee in the absence of the secretary. This will be for a minimum of 6 weeks... Motion carried. CVSO will make a request and send to Finance and Personnel for approval. Lorin Sather has been selected to cover the CVSO's appointments 2 days per week for the period of deployment. Work study has been applied for but there is no approval at this time. Motion by M Pittman/J Kosin to adjourn at 12:15 p.m. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, David R Till, CVSO

7 VETEANS SERVICE COMMISSION MEETING December 12, 2008 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Howie Nelson at 10:00 am in the Veterans Service Office. Present: Howie Nelson, Lawrence Bechel, Dick DeCosta, David Till, Irv Yelle, Laurie Unseth Budget: The current balance as of is $ There will be further deductions in 2008 that are not accounted for in this balance. The 2009 budget will be $3, minus the deductions from through Motion by D DeCosta, second by Lawrence Bechel to authorize Secretary Laurie Unseth to approve up to $100 in expenditures but not over $ per quarter. Motion carried. Discussed procedures. Funds used for Pierce County veterans, no cash is given, authorization is in writing to the company or agency veteran is asking for assistance from and used for immediate, short term emergencies such as housing, fuel, groceries, etc. Anything over $ should be discussed with the Chairman of the commission prior to submitting. Adjourn: Being no further business, Motion by L Bechel, second by D DeCosta to adjourn at 10:30. Motion carried. Respectfully submitted, David R Till, Executive Secretary

8 ~VETERANS SERVICE COMMITTEE DECEMBER 12, 2008 The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jeff Holst at 11:00 am in the Veterans Service Office. Present: Jeff Holst, Jerry Kosin, Irv Yelle, David Till, Laurie Unseth. Minutes: Minutes of the previous meeting were reviewed. Motion by J Holst, second by J Kosin to approve minutes as presented. Motion carried. CVSO Replacement. Committee discussed procedures for acting CVSO, Irv Yelle. He will work 8-5 and be available 5 days every two weeks. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday one week and flexible days between Tuesday and Thursday the second week. Irv Yelle will be covered under the County's liability policy. CVSO Dave Till thanked Irv for assisting the office and feels confident the office is in capable hands. CVSO Deployment: Dave Till will be returning from active duty February 23, At that time he requests 2 weeks to decompress and then will be returning to work.. He requests that Finance and Personnel consider allowing 2/3 of his vacation time be accrued while he is gone. This package will be presented to F & P on December 15, A new policy for military health care will allow CVSO to have coverage for his son and himself 3 month prior to activating so he will be off County insurance as of January 1, Motion by J Holst, second by J Kosin to approve presenting PTO accrual request to Finance and Personnel Committee. Motion carried. Budget: Some things to consider for the 2009 are new tires for vans. The 2010 budget should include adding $1,000 per Van for accident deductible coverage, double Vims license. The computers are due to be replaced in 2009 by IS and possibly a new fax... CVSO is also suggesting that 2010 will need to consider Secretary's position at 40 hrs due to increase services and returning troops. Adjourn: Being no further business, motion by J Kosin/J Holst to adjourn at 11:25. Motion carried. Respectfully, David R Till, CVSO