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, Chair, District II - Alternate Donna  
Mullens-Becker  
Seth Culver, District III - Alternate Vacant  
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, December 11, 2025  
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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in-person or via Zoom to make a public comment. The public should call into 530-621-7603 or  
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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  
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Step 2. If the disruption continues, the Commission Chair may order a recess of the Commission  
meeting.  
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from the Commission meeting.  
CALL TO ORDER - PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG - 11:59 AM  
ROLL CALL  
6 -  
Present:  
Absent:  
Commissioner Norton, Alternate Mullens-Becker, Alternate Fischer, Commissioner  
Reynolds, Chair Culver and Vice Chair Smith  
3 - Alternate Thompson, Commissioner Welch and Commissioner Millham  
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  
25-2025  
1.  
2.  
Commission to review and approve mileage reimbursement for Veterans  
Affairs Commissioners for the month of November 2025.  
Attachments: November 2025 MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT  
25-2026  
Commission to review and approve Veterans Affairs Commission  
November 13, 2025 meeting minutes.  
Attachments: Draft Minutes Veteran Affairs Commission 11-13-25  
Public Comment: D. Mullens-Becker  
A motion was made by Commissioner Culver, seconded by Commissioner Smith  
to adopt the agenda with corrections noted and approve the consent calendar.  
4 - Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Reynolds, Chair Culver and Vice Chair Smith  
Yes:  
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR  
AGENDA ITEMS  
25-1850  
3.  
Commission to approve and vote for a new Veterans Affairs Commission  
Chair.  
Commissioner Smith recommended Commissioner Culver to lead as  
Chair for the Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC) for the year of 2026.  
Public Comment: D. Zelinsky  
A motion was made by Commissioner Reynolds, seconded by Commissioner  
Smith to elect Commissioner Culver as the Veterans Affairs Commission Chair.  
3 - Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Reynolds and Vice Chair Smith  
1 - Chair Culver  
Yes:  
Abstained:  
25-1851  
4.  
Commission to approve and vote for a new Veterans Affairs Commission  
Vice Chair.  
Commissioner Reynolds recommended Commissioner Smith to remain  
as the Vice Chair for the Veterans Affairs Commission.  
Public Comment: D. Zelinsky  
A motion was made by Commissioner Culver, seconded by Commissioner  
Reynolds for Commissioner Smith to continue as the Veterans Affairs  
Commission Vice Chair.  
3 - Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Reynolds and Chair Culver  
1 - Vice Chair Smith  
Yes:  
Abstained:  
25-2027  
5.  
Veterans Affairs Commission to approve date for Annual Report  
presented to the Board of Supervisors on April 7th or September 15th.  
Commissioner Reynolds recommended that Commissioner Culver select  
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, to allow sufficient time to prepare a  
presentation to the Board of Supervisors. Reynolds also noted that  
Commissioner Mullens-Becker provided significant assistance in  
gathering information for the 2025 Annual Report. Commissioner Culver  
agreed that Tuesday, September 15th, would be preferable, as the Annual  
Grants would be closed by then and could be included in the report.  
Courtney Frame, Veteran Services Office Administrative Technician,  
informed Commissioner Culver that she would email him the instructions  
after the meeting.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Reynolds, seconded by Commissioner  
Norton to present the Veterans Affairs Commission Annual Report to the Board  
of Supervisors on September 15, 2026.  
4 - Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Reynolds, Chair Culver and Vice Chair Smith  
Yes:  
25-2030  
6.  
Veterans Affairs Commission to review the duties and reporting  
requirements for the Education and Employment Committee.  
Commissioner Mullens-Becker reviewed the Education and Employment  
Committee section of the Veterans Affairs Commission By-Laws and  
requested clarificiation regarding the requirements for reporting. She  
noted that at one time the committee reported on veteran-owned  
businesses but was unsure how to report on education. Commissioner  
Smith shared his experience with El Dorado County’s Point System of  
Employability. He explained that when he applied to the Sacramento  
Sheriff’s Academy, he received additional points for being a veteran.  
When he first moved to El Dorado County, however, he was unaware  
whether the County offered hiring credits for veteran status.  
Mullens-Becker confirmed that the County does use the Point System of  
Employability. Smith also reported that he had worked with other veterans  
to reach out to veteran-owned businesses, but that outreach has since  
stalled. Mullens-Becker requested direction from the VAC for herself and  
Commissioner Fischer regarding what type of report the Commission  
would like to receive. She suggested gathering statistics from the  
Employment Office on how many veterans in El Dorado County are  
employed or unemployed, how many were hired specifically because of  
veteran status, and whether businesses provide additional points to  
veterans. Mullens-Becker further suggested outreach to local college  
campuses to learn what services they provide for veterans, how many  
veterans are enrolled, their primary course objectives, career goals, and  
the support offered by the schools. Smith added that his sons, both in  
college, are able to visit Veteran Services offices on campus and utilize  
their resources. He recommended reporting statistics on how many  
veterans are employed by El Dorado County, how many veteran-owned  
businesses are active, and how the County promotes the Point System of  
Employability. He also questioned how veterans are made aware of this  
benefit when applying for jobs. Commissioner Reynolds mentioned that at  
one time stickers were distributed to veteran-owned businesses, but they  
have not been supplied recently. Commissioner Norton reported that 12  
veterans are currently attending Lake Tahoe Community College and  
noted that military service provides additional training useful for civilian  
employment. Commissioner Fischer emphasized the need to understand  
what each institution offers veterans, identify the most effective programs,  
and report back to the VAC, including statistics on unemployed veterans  
in the county. He also noted that El Dorado County job postings include  
the statement “Veterans Encouraged to Apply.” Commissioner Culver  
expressed concern that the committee’s requirements were too broad  
and suggested splitting responsibilities-moving Education into the  
Outreach Committee or combining Employment with Outreach since that  
committee already engages with veteran-owned businesses. Reynolds  
pointed out that splitting the committee would require updating the VAC  
By-Laws. Mullens-Becker concluded that splitting the committee was  
unnecessary, but duties could be divided between herself and  
Commissioner Fischer.  
Public Comment: B. Steward, T. Jaynes, D. Zelinsky  
A motion was made by Commissioner Culver, seconded by Commissioner  
Reynolds for the Education and Employment Committee to report back at the  
next meeting with suggestions for committee goals.  
4 - Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Reynolds, Chair Culver and Vice Chair Smith  
Yes:  
EX-OFFICIO REPORT - RECEIVE AND FILE (Brown)  
26-0022  
Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Jon Brown reported that he and Bonnie  
Steward, Senior Office Assistant at the Veterans Services Office,  
attended the Placerville Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 7th, in  
downtown Placerville. They rode on the Fleet Reserve Association float,  
which was pulled by District 3 Veterans Affairs Commissioner Seth Culver  
in his truck. Other participants on the float included Leonard MacAdams,  
Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10165; Eddi  
Gilstrap from El Dorado Veteran Resources (EDVR); Ann Marie,  
Commander of the American Legion Auxiliary; and Yolanda Romero with  
her husband. Brown noted that the parade was enjoyable for all and  
expressed hope that more veterans and their families will join the parade  
in December 2026. Next, Brown reported that the Veterans Services  
Office is moving forward with securing financing to build out a new office  
within its current footprint. This expansion will provide Veterans Service  
Representatives with private areas to conduct client interviews. Next,  
Brown reported that Senate Bill (SB) 694 will be heard again in January  
2026 when the legislature reconvenes, urging everyone to contact their  
representatives in support of the bill. Next, Brown reported that for the  
month of November 2025, the Veterans Services Office recorded 93  
walk-in clients, 94 scheduled appointments, and 150 incoming phone  
calls. Lastly, Brown reported that there were no changes in services  
provided to clients in South Lake Tahoe.  
Attachments: Veterans Services Ex-officio Report December 2025  
COMMITTEE REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE  
TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) (Reynolds) - Commissioner Reynolds reported that the  
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Committee Title would need to be changed, though the new title has not yet been determined.  
Reynolds stated there was nothing further to add to the TOT Report and noted that the committee  
would not meet again until early spring of 2026.  
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RULES (Welch) - Commissioner Welch was not available to provide a report.  
HOUSING (Welch) - Commissioner Welch was not available to provide a report.  
LEGISLATIVE (Smith) - Commissioner Smith stated there was nothing to report.  
TRANSPORTATION (Thompson/Whalen) - Commissioner Thompson was not available to  
provide a report.  
BUDGET (Reynolds/Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Reynolds stated there was nothing to  
report.  
•
•
EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT (Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Reynolds stated this  
committee had already been covered.  
•
OUTREACH (Reynolds) - Commissioner Reynolds reported that he is still working on  
connecting the VAC Facebook page with the VAC Instagram account. He noted that he needs  
the login information from Bill Scrivani, who originally created the VAC Facebook page, in order  
to complete the connection. Reynolds explained that linking the two accounts would help expand  
outreach, particularly to younger veterans.  
COMMUNICATIONS' REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE  
VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING – VETERANS HOUSE COUNCIL (Reynolds) -  
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Commissioner Reynolds reported that the Veterans Memorial Building (VMB) House Council met  
on Thursday, December 4th. He noted that the House Council was busy preparing the VMB  
schedule for organizations that utilize the building. The Council also discussed upcoming  
changes to the facility and confirmed that funding for the building had recently been received.  
Commissioner Culver reported that the Veterans Day event at the VMB was successful.  
Approximately 150 guests attended, the event generated $2,420 in revenue, and an additional  
$110 was received in cash donations.  
•
AMERICAN LEGION SERVICE OFFICER (Zelinsky) - Zelinsky reported that he has been  
working with Adult Protective Services (APS) on behalf of a homeless veteran. He noted that the  
veteran is still mentally functioning, but additional mental health services cannot be provided at  
this time. Next, Zelinsky reported that he assisted in distributing quilts at the Marine Corps  
League event last night. The quilts were made by Sew for Vets, and he added that he would be  
delivering another quilt after the VAC meeting. Next, Zelinsky reported that a veteran will soon be  
released from State Prison. The veteran is doing well, maintaining contact with their probation  
officer, and was recently awarded 100% service-connected status. Next, Zelinsky reported that he  
referred a veteran and their family to the Veterans Service Office during a walk-in day to explore  
potential benefits. Lastly, Zelinsky reported that the County Jail is currently reporting five veterans  
as inmates. He is working with Dave Webb, El Dorado County Public Defender, to help identify  
veterans within the jail system.  
•
EDC VETERANS ALLIANCE - Commissioner Culver reported that the Veterans Alliance is  
researching a stone placed at the El Dorado County Veterans Monument. The stone was placed  
by Peter Wolf in honor of a veteran who received the Medal of Honor for their service in the United  
States Coast Guard during World War II. Culver noted that the veteran has no connection to El  
Dorado County, and the Veterans Alliance is working to obtain the original documentation for the  
stone. Next, Culver reported that the Veterans Alliance is planning another event at the VMB  
following the Veterans Day Ceremony.  
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VA VET CENTER/MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP/EL DORADO VETERAN  
RESOURCES (Whalen) - Commissioner Culver reported that on December 6th, the Military  
Family Support Group (MFSG) partnered with Indivisible El Dorado for a food outreach event. He  
further noted that MFSG will be giving away Christmas dinners on Saturday, December 21st,  
from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for veterans and their families. Participants must sign up with EDVR  
or the El Dorado County Veterans Service Office by Monday, December 15th.  
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REGIONAL VETERAN EVENTS - Commissioner Reynolds stated there was nothing to  
report.  
GOOD OF THE ORDER (COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS)  
Commissioner Norton reported that on Thursday, December 4th, he attended a meeting  
in Pollock Pines for veterans. He noted that many veterans were unaware of the El  
Dorado County Veterans Service Office or the Veterans Affairs Commission (VAC), as  
well as the benefits that might be available to them. Norton provided pamphlets and  
contact information for the Veteran Services Office. He emphasized that there is a need  
for greater presence and outreach in the Pollock Pines community.  
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: D. Zelinsky  
NEXT MEETING LOCATION, DATE & TIME  
January 8, 2026 at 12 PM  
330 Fair Lane, Building A  
Board of Supervisors Chamber  
Placerville, CA 95667  
ADJOURNMENT - 1:07 PM