TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Neha Hoskins - Clerk of the Board
REPORT BY: Paulette Cooper - Deputy Clerk of the Board II
SUBJECT: Appointment to the Napa County Veterans Commission
RECOMMENDATION
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Appointment of one of the following applicants to serve as the Public At Large Representative on the Napa County Veterans Commission with a term of office commencing immediately and ending on March 20, 2028. (No Fiscal Impact)
John Lee
Matthew Price
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BACKGROUND
There is currently one opening on the Napa County Veterans’ Commission due to a resignation. The County Executive Office advertised the openings and received two (2) appointment requests from John Lee and Matthew Price.
On January 30, 2018 the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2018-16 creating the Napa County Veterans' Commission.
The purpose of the Commission is to serve as an advocate for people who have served in the Military (“Veterans”) and their families by helping them to maintain a good quality of life and to remain independent by increasing awareness of the issues facing Veterans in Napa County and by influencing public policy through regular reports to the Board of Supervisors. The Commission educates and raises awareness to the public, County staff and the Board of Supervisors regarding issues affecting Veterans and their families, including, but not limited to, Veterans’ physical and mental health, transportation, benefits, and ways to generally improve the lives of Veterans. Further, the Veterans’ Commission makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisor’s Legislative Subcommittee regarding needed changes in State law for incorporation into the County’s legislative platform.
In order to achieve its general purpose, the Commission shall, among other things:
a. Study, investigate and research Veterans' matters in Napa County and surrounding counties so that services to Veterans can be coordinated and maximized;
b. Review annually the status of Veterans' benefits and services;
c. Submit recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding programs, plans, goals, policy, and procedures dealing with Veterans' services;
d. Submit annually a strategic plan outlining focus areas for the subsequent year; and
e. Assist where needed in Veterans' observance days during the year.
The Veterans' Commission shall be comprised of nine individuals as follows: A minimum of five Veterans serving on the Commission and four representatives from the community who fulfill any of the following categories: they are local Veterans, local family members of Veterans, and members of local organizations serving the needs of Veterans. Commissioners shall serve four-year terms.
On March 26, 2019 the Board adopted Resolution No. 2019-44 amending the bylaws to revise the language to reflect that the Commission serves as an advocate for Veterans, not spelled out in the original bylaws. The amendment eliminates the Supervisorial District residency requirement allowing applicants to be ranked according to merit and needs of the Commission, rather than residency, and eliminates the verbiage relating to the startup of the Commission. The amendment also changed the Conduct of Meetings/Order of Business to include:
• Veterans Service Officer Report;
• Veterans Service Office Staff Report;
• Standing Committees Reports; and
• Commissioner's Report
On June 26, 2024, the Veterans Commission met at a regular meeting and voted to recommend Matthew Price to fill the position for the Public At Large to the Napa County Veterans Commission.
PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. Staff reports.
2. Public comments.
3. Motion, seconds, discussion, and vote on the item.
Requested Action:
Accept the recommendation of the Veterans Commission (attached) and appoint Matthew Price as the Public At Large to the Napa County Veterans Commission with the term commencing immediately and expiring on March 20, 2028.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable.