Board of Supervisors  
Chambers  
County of El Dorado  
330 Fair Lane  
Placerville, CA 95667  
Minutes - Final  
Veterans Affairs Commission  
Todd Smith, Vice Chair, District I - Alternate Robert Fischer  
Roger Reynolds, District II - Alternate Donna Mullens-Becker  
Seth Culver, Chair, District III - Alternate Alonso Aguilar  
Ken Welch, District IV - Alternate Tim Thompson  
Gary Norton, District V - Alternate Thomas Millham  
Jon Brown, VSO, Secretary Ex-Officio  
Courtney Frame, Recording Clerk of Veteran Affairs  
Commission  
Thursday, May 14, 2026  
12:00 PM  
https://edcgov-us.zoom.us/j/86378230395  
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION INSTRUCTIONS: The Commission meeting room will be open to the  
public. The meeting will continue to be live-streamed via Zoom. By participating in this meeting,  
you acknowledge that you are being recorded.  
To observe the live stream of the Commission meeting go to  
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PROTOCOLS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT  
Public comment will be received at designated periods as called by the Commission Chair.  
Individuals will have three minutes to address the Commission. Except with the consent of the  
Commission, individuals shall be allowed to speak to an item only once.  
Individual Commission members may ask clarifying questions but will not engage in substantive  
dialogue with persons providing input to the Commission.  
If a person providing input to the Commission creates a disruption by refusing to follow  
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Step 1. Request the person adhere to Commission guidelines. If the person refuses, the  
Commission Chair may turn off the speaker’s microphone.  
Step 2. If the disruption continues, the Commission Chair may order a recess of the Commission  
meeting.  
Step 3. If the disruption continues, the Commission Chair may order the removal of the person  
from the Commission meeting.  
CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG - 12:08 PM  
ROLL CALL  
10 -  
Present:  
Commissioner Norton, Alternate Thompson, Commissioner Welch, Commissioner  
Millham, Alternate Mullens-Becker, Alternate Fischer, Commissioner Reynolds,  
Chair Culver, Vice Chair Smith and Alternate Aguilar  
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS AND WELCOME  
ADOPTION OF AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF CONSENT CALENDAR  
All items on the Consent Calendar are to be approved by one motion unless a Commission  
member requests separate action on a specific item including moving items to or from the  
Consent Calendar and adopt the Agenda and the Consent Calendar for discussion. At the  
appropriate time as called by the Chair, members of the public may make a comment on matters  
on the Consent Calendar prior to Commission action.  
CONSENT CALENDAR  
26-0815  
1.  
2.  
Commission to review and approve mileage reimbursement for the  
Veterans Affairs Commissioners for the month of April 2026.  
Attachments: April 2026 MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT  
26-0816  
Commission to review and approve Veterans Affairs Commission April 9,  
2026 meeting minutes.  
Attachments: Draft Minutes Veteran Affairs Commission 4-9-26  
Commissioner Mullens-Becker requested the Agenda Items 26-0817 and 26-0818 be  
switched, with Agenda Item 26-0818 heard first and Agenda Item 26-0817 heard second.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Reynolds, seconded by Commissioner  
Smith to adopt the agenda and approve the consent calendar as amended.  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Welch, Commissioner Reynolds, Chair Culver  
and Vice Chair Smith  
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR  
AGENDA ITEMS  
26-0847  
3.  
Transportation Committee to review obstacles or items they have found  
that have hindered their abilities to provide transportation to veterans to  
the Veteran Affairs Commission.  
El Dorado County Veteran Services Office Administrative Technician, Courtney Frame,  
requested item 26-0847 be moved to the Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC) June  
agenda due to time considerations and the length of the May agenda.  
Public Comment: T. Whalen, C. Armstrong  
A motion was made by Commissioner Reynolds, seconded by Commissioner  
Welch to have the Transportation Committee report to the VAC at their June  
meeting.  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Welch, Commissioner Reynolds, Chair Culver  
and Vice Chair Smith  
26-0817  
4.  
Receive recommendations from the TOT Committee for funding of the  
One Time Funding applications and vote to approve funding amounts for  
each applicant.  
Attachments: 2026 May One Time Funding Applications - VAC Approved 5.14.26  
2026 May One Time Funding Applications  
2026 May One Time Funding Applications - Amended 5-11  
VFW 10165 One Time Funding Application  
Non-Profit Construction Corporation One Time Funding Application  
SSgt Sky Mote Det 697 Marine Corps League One Time Funding App  
El Dorado Post 119 American Legion One Time Funding Application  
Military Family Support Group One Time Funding Application  
El Dorado County HHSA Senior Nutrition One Time Funding  
Application  
American Legion Post 795 One Time Funding Application  
Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless One Time Funding Application  
Commissioner Mullens-Becker presented the TOT Committee’s recommendations for  
funding of the One-Time Funding applications received through the El Dorado Community  
Foundation (EDCF). The TOT Committee recommended funding the One-Time  
applications as follows:  
VFW 10165 $0  
Non-Profit Construction Corporation $10,000  
MCL SSgt. Sky Mote Det 697 $5,000  
El Dorado Post 119, American Legion $10,000  
Military Family Support Group $0  
EDC Health and Human Services Agency Sr. Nutrition $20,000  
American Legion Post 795 $30,000  
Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless $0  
Total Recommended Funding: $75,000  
Commissioner Mullens-Becker shared that one-time applications were established to  
provide funding to organizations assisting veterans with urgent or emergent needs and to  
reduce the TOT fund balance with EDCF. Commissioner Culver noted annual TOT  
funding for veterans is competing with other County funding needs and noted he would  
like to see organizations working with veterans seeking assistance to also help those  
veterans with budgeting. Commissioner Culver cautioned frugality and stated he doubts  
there will be one-time funding opportunities like this in the future. Commissioner Smith  
noted he spoke with his supervisor, and it was clear the TOT fund balance needed to be  
reduced and that he felt the Commission would accomplish that goal by funding these  
applications. Commissioner Mullens-Becker noted this would be the last time this level of  
funding would be available and recommended each Commissioner share with their  
supervisors that the VAC had approved distribution of the TOT fund balance.  
Commissioner Reynolds noted during the annual report to the Board of Supervisors last  
year, the Board had made it clear funding could be reduced if a high fund balance  
remained. Commission Mullens-Becker noted that the Mini-Grant and One-Time  
applications received all had merit and the TOT Committee spent a lot of time  
determining how to distribute funds in the best manner to support veterans.  
Public Comment: T. Whalen, C. Armstrong, D. Zelinsky, L. MacAdams  
A motion was made by Commissioner Culver, seconded by Commissioner  
Welch to approve $35,000 in One Time funding as recommended by the TOT  
Committee excluding El Dorado Post 119, American Legion and American  
Legion Post 795.  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Welch, Commissioner Reynolds, Chair Culver  
and Vice Chair Smith  
A motion was made by Commissioner Culver, seconded by Commissioner Smith  
to approve $10,000 in One Time funding to American Legion El Dorado Post 119  
and approve $30,000 in One Time funding to American Legion Post 795.  
3 - Commissioner Welch, Chair Culver and Vice Chair Smith  
2 - Commissioner Norton and Commissioner Reynolds  
Yes:  
Recused:  
26-0818  
5.  
Receive recommendations from the TOT Committee for funding of the  
annual Mini Grant applications and vote to approve funding amounts to  
each applicant.  
Attachments: 2026 Veterans TOT Mini Grant Applications - VAC Approved 5.14.26  
2026 Veterans TOT Mini Grant Applications  
ED Post 119 Mini Grant  
Elder Community Fund Mini Grant  
Growlersburg VFW Mini Grant  
Guns Up Mini Grant  
Hearts Landing Ranch Mini Grant  
Housing El Dorado Mini Grant  
Jakes Journey Home Mini Grant  
Military Fmaily Support Group Mini Grant  
Nonprofit Construction Mini Grant  
RRuff Healing Heroes Mini Grant  
Sierra Nevada Post 2680 Mini Grant  
SSGT Sky Mote 697 Mini Grant  
Stars and Stripes Dog Rescue Mini Grant  
Tahoe Coalition Homeless Mini Grant  
Victory Village Mini Grant  
Commissioner Mullens-Becker presented the TOT Committee’s recommendations for  
funding of the 2026 TOT Mini-Grant applications received through the El Dorado  
Community Foundation. The TOT Committee recommended funding the 2026 Mini-Grant  
applications as follows:  
El Dorado Post 119, American Legion $20,000  
Growlersburg, VFW Post 9241 $10,000  
Guns Up! $0  
Elders Community Fund $0  
Hearts Landing Ranch $15,000  
Housing El Dorado $20,000  
Jakes Journey Home $5,000  
Military Family Support Group $10,000  
Non-Profit Construction Corporation $0  
RRUFF Healing Heroes $15,600  
Sierra Nevada Post No. 2680, VFW $15,000  
Marine Corps League SSgt Sky Mote Det 697 $10,000  
Stars and Stripes Dog Rescue $0  
Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless $20,000  
Victory Village Inc. $20,000  
Total Recommended Funding: $160,600  
The Commissioners discussed reallocating the funding recommendation from RRUFF  
Healing Heroes to Non-Profit Construction Corporation and Stars and Stripes Dog  
Rescue. Commissioner Mullens-Becker noted motions for funding to El Dorado Post 119,  
American Legion; Growlersburg, VFW Post 9241; and Sierra Nevada Post 2680, VFW  
would be separate motions. Commissioner Mullens-Becker shared RRUFF Healing  
Heroes could be reduced to $7,800 to fund one service dog for one veteran, with $5,000  
added to Non-Profit Construction Corporation for transportation, and $5,000 added to  
Stars and Stripes Dog Rescue. Commissioner Culver asked if RRUFF Healing Heroes  
was reduced to $7,800 and $5,000 allocated to Non-Profit Construction, would only  
$2,800 be available for Stars and Stripes Dog Rescue. Commission Mullens-Becker  
shared the TOT fund balance at EDCF had enough available to cover the $2,200  
difference to fully fund Stars and Stripes Dog Rescue at $5,000. Commissioner  
Mullens-Becker shared these changes would leave approximately $9,800 in TOT fund  
balance with EDCF to cover administrative costs and would bring the total 2026  
Mini-Grant awards to $162,800. Commissioner Culver noted the total funding to approve  
would be $117,800 indicating El Dorado Post 119, American Legion; Growlersburg, VFW  
9241; and Sierra Nevada Post 2680 would be separate from that total. Commissioner  
Mullens-Becker confirmed the first motion could be to approve $117,800 for the 2026  
Mini-Grants to include decreasing $7,800 from RRUFF Healing Heroes, adding $5,000 for  
transportation to Non-Profit Construction Corporation, and adding $5,000 to Stars and  
Stripes Dog Rescue.  
Public Comment: D. Zelinsky, C. Armstrong, D. Muirhead, T. Whalen  
A motion was made by Commissioner Culver, seconded by Commissioner Smith  
to approve the recommended funding of the 2026 TOT Mini-Grants in the  
amount of $117,800 with modifications to RRuff Healing Heroes to reduce their  
funding to $7,800, and provide $5,000 to Non-Profit Construction Corporation and  
$5,000 to Stars and Stripes Dog Rescue.  
5 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Welch, Commissioner Reynolds, Chair Culver  
and Vice Chair Smith  
A motion was made by Commissioner Culver, seconded by Commissioner Smith  
to approve $20,000 in funding to El Dorado Post 119, American Legion.  
4 - Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Welch, Chair Culver and Vice Chair Smith  
1 - Commissioner Reynolds  
Yes:  
Recused:  
A motion was made by Commissioner Culver, seconded by Commissioner  
Reynolds to approve $10,000 in funding to Growlersburg VFW Post 9241.  
4 - Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Reynolds, Chair Culver and Vice Chair Smith  
1 - Commissioner Welch  
Yes:  
Recused:  
A motion was made by Commissioner Reynolds, seconded by Commissioner  
Welch to approve $15,000 in funding to Sierra Nevada VFW Post 2680.  
4 -  
Yes:  
Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Welch, Commissioner Reynolds and Vice  
Chair Smith  
1 - Chair Culver  
Recused:  
EX-OFFICIO REPORT - RECEIVE AND FILE (Brown)  
26-0900  
Attachments: May 2026 Ex-Officio Report  
COMMITTEE REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE  
•
TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) (Reynolds) - Commissioner Culver stated there was nothing  
additional to report.  
•
•
•
•
RULES (Culver/Smith) - Commissioner Smith reported there was nothing to report.  
HOUSING (Welch) - Commissioner Welch reported there was nothing to report.  
LEGISLATIVE (Smith) - Commissioner Smith reported there was nothing to report.  
TRANSPORTATION (Thompson) - Commissioner Culver stated we would review the  
Transportation Committee at the June VAC meeting.  
BUDGET (Reynolds/Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Culver stated there was nothing  
additional to report.  
EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT (Mullens-Becker/Fischer) - Commissioner Fischer reported  
•
•
on a CalTap webinar series available on their website covering topics on Veteran Homes of  
California on May 7th, Honoring Veterans for Burial Benefits on May 14th, and Veteran Caregiver  
Support on May 21st.  
•
OUTREACH (Reynolds) - Commissioner Reynolds reported there was nothing to report.  
Public Comment: C. Armstrong  
COMMUNICATIONS' REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE  
VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING – VETERANS HOUSE COUNCIL (Reynolds) -  
•
Commissioner Culver reported at the Veterans Memorial Building (VMB) House Council meeting  
the building manger is still working with El Dorado County of building repairs. Culver reported that  
both the fridge and the grill were in need of repairs. The VMB House Council was still working on  
getting funds returned from insurance.  
•
AMERICAN LEGION SERVICE OFFICER (Zelinsky) - David Zelinsky reported on the  
different veterans he has helped in the El Dorado County community with the assistance from the  
El Dorado Veteran Services Office, El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, and the veteran  
organizations throughout the community.  
•
EDC VETERANS ALLIANCE - Joe Thuesen reported that the El Dorado County (EDC)  
Veterans Alliance was preparing for Memorial Day. The EDC Veterans Alliance thanked VSO  
Brown for all his hard work on the El Dorado County Veterans Monument bricks and stones  
applications.  
•
VA VET CENTER/MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP/EL DORADO VETERAN  
RESOURCES (Whalen) - Tim Whalen reported that Military Family Support Group (MFSG) and  
El Dorado Veteran Resources (EDVR) holds a food give away at the VMB on the second and  
fourth Wednesdays. Next, Whalen reported on the different veterans they are working to hep in  
the community and donations received that will be available year round and at the Veterans Stand  
Down. Lastly, Whalen reported that their donations of wheelchairs and scooters are much  
appreciated and there is little turnaround time from when they receive them to when they go to a  
veteran in need.  
•
REGIONAL VETERAN EVENTS - Tim Whalen reported there will be a Veterans Appreciation  
Day hosted by the Nevada County Veteran Services Office held on Saturday May 16th at the  
Grass Valley Airport from 8am to 3pm. Next, Whalen reported there will be a Homeless Resource  
Fair at Detert Park in Jackson on May 17th and May 18th. Next, Whalen reported that Volunteers  
of America is having an all day Health Care Fair on Thursday, May 21st at Nations Finest. Next,  
Whalen reported that on May 23, 24, and 25 the Citrus Heights VA Center Van would be in  
Manteca for a Veteran Appreciation Celebration. Commission Culver reported that Richards  
Akins memorial service will be held on June 6th at 11 AM at the VMB. Leonard MacAdams  
reported the Veterans of Foreign Wars 10165 would be hosting a BBQ at the VMB after the  
Memorial Day event at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument.  
GOOD OF THE ORDER (COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS)  
Commissioner Smith thanked the TOT Committee for all their hard work on both the  
Mini-Grant Applications and the One Time Funding Applications.  
Commissioner Culver reported the VAC would be reviewing the TOT Committee  
membership at the June VAC meeting.  
OPEN FORUM  
Open Forum is an opportunity for members of the public to address the Veteran Affairs  
Commission on subject matter that is not on their meeting agenda and within their jurisdiction.  
Public comments during Open Forum are limited to three minutes per person. The Commission  
Chair may limit public comment during Open Forum.  
Public Comment: T. Millham, C. Armstrong  
NEXT MEETING LOCATION, DATE & TIME  
June 11, 2026 at 12:00 PM  
330 Fair Lane, Building A  
Board of Supervisors Chamber  
Placerville, CA 95667  
ADJOURNMENT - 1:52 PM