Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Warren Slocum
Subject: Appointment to the San Mateo County Veterans Commission
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for the appointment of George Smith as a regular member of the San Mateo County Veterans Commission, for a term ending June 30, 2018.
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BACKGROUND:
On June 2, 2015, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 073812 establishing the San Mateo County Veterans Commission. The mandate of the Veterans Commission includes the promotion of programs and policies that address the unmet needs of veterans in San Mateo County, such as those identified in the 2014 San Mateo County Veterans Needs Assessment. In establishing the Veterans Commission, the Board specifically directed that efforts be undertaken to maximize the likelihood that the Commission's membership will reflect the diversity of veterans in San Mateo County, including with respect to race/ethnicity, gender, age and sexual orientation.
Subsequently, on November 3, 2015, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 074159, which increased the membership of the Veterans Commission from nine to eleven regular voting members. Thereafter, on November 17, 2015, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 074183 which expanded the membership of the Veterans Commission to include two alternate members.
George Smith was appointed as an Alternate to the Veterans Commission on December 13, 2016, for a term ending on June 30, 2017. He was reappointed to this position on June 6, 2017. However, a vacancy was created on the commission by the resignation of a regular voting member. This recommendation is to appoint George Smith as a regular voting member to fill this vacancy, with the term ending on June 30, 2018.
DISCUSSION:
This appointment contributes to the 2025 Shared Vision statement of a Healthy Community by supporting increased access by veterans to critical services and benefits in the County, especially by underserved populations, including senior and women veterans. It fosters a Livable Community by providing a platform to address affordable housing, emergency and transitional shelter and related services for low-income and homeless veterans. Finally, it promotes a Collaborative Community by encouraging veterans and others who have an abiding interest in veterans’ affairs to become civically engaged, as well as by helping to educate the broader community about veterans issues.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no impact on the budget from the reappointment of these five full voting members and to the Commission.