Minutes - Veterans Affairs Commission

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, June 11, 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

https://edcgov-us.zoom.us/j/86378230395. Members of the public may address the Commission

in-person or via Zoom to make a public comment. The public should call into 530-621-7603 or

530-621-7610. The Meeting ID is 863 7823 0395. Please note you will not be able to join the

live-stream until the posted meeting start time. If you are joining the meeting via zoom and wish to

make a comment on an item, press the "raise hand" button. If you are joining the meeting by

phone, press *9 to indicate a desire to make a comment. Speakers will be limited to 3 minutes.

Although the County strives to offer remote participation, be advised that remote Zoom

participation is provided for convenience only. In the event of a technological malfunction, the only

assurance of live comments being received by the Commission is to attend in person. Except for

a noticed teleconference meeting, the Commission reserves the right to conduct the meeting

without remote access if there is a malfunction.

If you choose not to observe the Commission meeting but wish to make a comment on a specific

agenda item, please submit your comment in writing. You are encouraged to submit your

comment in writing by 4:00 PM on the Tuesday before the meeting to ensure the Commission

has adequate time to review. Please submit your comment to the Clerk of the Board at

edc.cob@edcgov.us. Your comment will be placed into the record and forwarded to Commission

members.

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

Commission guidelines, the Commission Chair may take the following actions:

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 - 12:01 PM

ROLL CALL

8 -

Present:

Commissioner Norton, Alternate Thompson, Commissioner Welch, Alternate

Millham, Alternate Mullens-Becker, Alternate Fischer, Commissioner Reynolds and

Chair Culver

2 - Vice Chair Smith and Alternate Aguilar

Absent:

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

26-0992

Commission to review and approve mileage reimbursement for the

Veterans Affairs Commission for the month of May 2026.

Attachments: May 2026 MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT

26-0993

Commission to review and approve Veterans Affairs Commission May

14, 2026 meeting minutes.

Attachments: Draft Minutes Veteran Affairs Commission 5-14-26

A motion was made by Commissioner Culver, seconded by Commissioner

Welch to adopt the agenda and approve the consent calendar.

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Welch, Alternate Fischer, Commissioner

Reynolds and Chair Culver

END OF CONSENT CALENDAR

AGENDA ITEMS

26-0994

Transportation Committee to review obstacles or items they have found

that have hindered their abilities to provide transportation to veterans to

the Veterans Affairs Commission.

Commissioner Thompson reported that a recurring transportation issue involves some

veterans using transportation services even though they may have alternate options

available to them. Diane Muirhead, Board Member for the Military Family Support Group

(MFSG) and El Dorado Veteran Resources (EDVR), agreed with Commissioner

Thompson's report and shared EDVR will be screening requests for transportation

services more thoroughly. She noted that EDVR continues seeking additional drivers to

help transport veterans to their appointments. Commissioner Thompson plans to work

with MFSG and EDVR to help veterans secure reliable transportation and will report back

at a future meeting.

26-0995

Veterans Affairs Commission to review for the Veteran Affairs Transient

Occupancy Tax Committee membership.

The Commission discussed the Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Committee membership

composition and Brown Act requirements.

Public Comment: D. Mullens-Becker

A motion was made by Commissioner Culver, seconded by Commissioner

Reynolds to table the Veterans Affairs Commission Transient Occupancy Tax

Committee review pending clarification from County Council.

5 -

Yes:

Commissioner Norton, Commissioner Welch, Alternate Fischer, Commissioner

Reynolds and Chair Culver

EX-OFFICIO REPORT - RECEIVE AND FILE (Brown)

26-1097

Attachments: June 2026 Ex-Officio Report

COMMITTEE REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE

TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) (Reynolds) - Commissioner Mullens-Becker reported that all

•

of the One-Time Funding has been released by the El Dorado Community Foundation. Kathy

Haven, Community Impact Officer for the El Dorado Community Foundation, has issued the

letters and terms of agreement to the Mini Grant applicants whose proposals were approved and

will receive funds on July 1, 2026.

•

RULES (Culver/Smith) - Commissioner Culver reported there was nothing to report.

HOUSING (Welch) - Commissioner Welch reported there was nothing to report.

LEGISLATIVE (Smith) - Commission Smith was unavailable to provide a report.

TRANSPORTATION (Thompson) - Commissioner Thompson reported there was nothing

additional to report.

BUDGET (Reynolds/Mullens-Becker) - Commissioner Mullens-Becker reported that she and

•

Commissioner Culver attended the Board of Supervisors (BOS) budget meeting on Tuesday,

June 9, 2026. Mullens-Becker also met with Timalynn Jaynes, HHSA Assistant Director of Human

Services, to gain clarification on the projected budget for the VA TOT Committee. The CAO

recommended allocating $133,581 to the VA TOT Committee due to a remaining fund balance of

$41,419 from FY 21/22. Combined, the $41,419 and the recommended $133,581 would restore

the annual budget to the usual $175,000.

•

EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT (Mullens-Becker/Fischer) - Commissioner Fischer reported

that CalVet will be hosting a CAL TAP webinar on June 18th, 2026, focused on the CalVet

College Tuition Fee Waiver. On June 26th, 2026, CAL TAP will hold another webinar on Claim

Sharks, providing information for veterans on how to recognize and avoid them.

•

OUTREACH (Reynolds) - Commissioner Reynolds reported there was nothing to report.

Public Comment: T. Millham

COMMUNICATIONS' REPORTS - RECEIVE AND FILE

VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING (VMB) – VETERANS HOUSE COUNCIL (Reynolds) -

•

Commissioner Reynolds reported that the VMB House Council met on June 4th, 2026. Guest

speaker Tucker Anderson presented his Eagle Scout project to create Vietnam Banners for Main

Street in Placerville, featuring 60 veterans and expected to be completed by November 11, 2026.

Sue Young also attended to thank the Marine Corps League for helping secure a memorial brick

for her late husband. Commissioner Culver noted that the House Council plans to update its

bylaws, last revised in 2008, with a follow-up meeting scheduled for August. He also shared that

Victor Masfield will represent the Marine Corps League at a NASCAR race in San Diego from

June 17th–20th, where their logo will appear on a vehicle. The next House Council meeting is set

for August 6th due to the July 4th holiday conflict.

•

AMERICAN LEGION SERVICE OFFICER (Zelinsky) - David Zelinsky reported on his work to

support veterans in the community through partnerships with the Veteran Services Office, Tahoe

Coalition for the Homeless, EDVR, the Navigation Center, and the El Dorado County Sheriff's

Office Homeless Enforcement and Assessment Team (HEAT).

•

EDC VETERANS ALLIANCE - Jack Babbitt reported that there was a great deal of

assistance in cleaning up the El Dorado County Veterans Monument prior to the Memorial Day

ceremony. He requested that anyone with ideas for the 250th United States Anniversary share

them with him for consideration in the Veterans Day ceremony, as well as for the Veteran of the

Year recognition. Babbitt announced that the next El Dorado County Veterans Alliance meeting

will be held at the VMB on July 14, 2026. He also noted that anyone interested in purchasing a

brick or stone should visit the Veteran Services Office to obtain an application or access it online.

Lastly, Babbitt reported that efforts are ongoing to install an atlas in the center of the Veterans

Monument, within the Honors Circle, along with additional granite slates to accommodate future

honorees on the honor wall.

•

VA VET CENTER/MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP/EL DORADO VETERAN

RESOURCES (Whalen) - Diane Muirhead reported that MFSG is preparing for the Stand Down

event on September 11th and 12th at the VMB, securing dental services with support from El

Dorado Community Health and using TOT Mini Grant funds to help cover costs. MFSG continues

to provide veteran transportation and hosts food giveaways on the second and fourth

Wednesdays, but additional volunteers are needed due to increased demand. They currently

have an excess of mobility items and cannot accept more. MFSG is partnering with Stars and

Stripes Dog Rescue to match veterans with service dogs, which will begin training with inmates at

the end of June and be ready in four months. Lastly, Muirhead shared that EDVR will act as a

central hub for veteran organizations to coordinate assistance and prevent duplicate services.

•

REGIONAL VETERAN EVENTS - Commissioner Culver reported that the El Dorado County

Veterans Stand Down would be on September 11th and 12th. Diane Muirhead reported that

Yuba County Veteran Stand Down would be August 20th, 21st, and 22nd.

Public Comment: D. Zelinsky

GOOD OF THE ORDER (COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS)

Commissioner Fischer reported that on Monday, May 18th, he volunteered with the Food

Bank of El Dorado. He helped prepare and load 75 boxes of food designated for veterans

and their families. Fischer noted that his goal is to eventually deliver the food boxes

directly to veterans and their families in the community.

Commissioner Culver noted that the VAC Bylaws and policies have been brought up for

discussion and that it may be time to review and update them again. He added that the

VAC has been evaluating its various standing committees, and he has spoken with

Supervisor Veerkamp regarding the necessity of maintaining all of them. There is

ongoing discussion about whether all current standing committees are needed and

whether updates to the Bylaws are warranted.

Commissioner Mullens-Becker reported that she and Commissioner Reynolds also spoke

with Supervisor Turnboo, who agreed that the VAC should review its current Bylaws and

determine whether any changes are appropriate. Mullens-Becker suggested that this

could be a good opportunity to form an ad hoc committee and establish this as a goal for

the VAC.

Culver requested that this item be added to the July meeting agenda. He also asked

whether members of the community could participate on an ad hoc committee.

Commissioner Culver asked Joe Thuesen, Secretary of the EDC Veterans Alliance and

Commandant for the Marine Corps League, about creating an ad hoc committee to

explore improvements to the El Dorado County Veterans Monument. Thuesen noted that

the EDC Veterans Alliance had additional plans for the monument but had run out of

funds. He added that an ad hoc committee could help restart these projects and discuss

future enhancements to the Veterans Monument.

Timalynn Jaynes, HHSA Assistant Director of Human Services, provided clarification

regarding VAC ad hoc committees. She explained that an ad hoc committee is

composed of VAC members in a number less than a quorum and may include

participation from constituents and other veteran organizations for the purpose of

gathering input and feedback. While constituents can review the Bylaws and help collect

information, they are not considered members of the ad hoc committee itself because

they are not commissioners.