Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Warren Slocum, District 4
Subject: Recommendation for Appointment and Reappointments to the San Mateo County Veterans Commission
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for the appointment and reappointments to the San Mateo Veterans Commission, each for a term ending June 30, 2021:
A) Linda Meyer, Half Moon Bay - Member; and
B) Brandon Jones, Pacifica - Member; and
C) Mark Leach, San Mateo - Member; and
D) Kai Martin, Pacifica - Member; and
E) Hank Scherf, Menlo Park - Member; and
F) George Smith, San Mateo - Member
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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.
DISCUSSION:
This recommendation is for the appointment of Linda Meyer as one full voting member and the reappointment of five Veterans Commissioners as full voting members for another term of office, from June 30, 2018 through June 30, 2021. Ms. Meyer was appointed as an alternate on October 17, 2017 for a partial term, and is now being recommended as a full voting member.
This appointment and the reappointments contribute 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 segments like 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 appointment of one full voting member and the reappointment of five full voting members and to the Veterans Commission.