CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Veterans Committee and Resources
MEETING DATE: November 15, 2023
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Mariana Mitchell, Community Services Manager REVIEWED BY: Jonathan Nicks, Deputy City Manager
APPROVED BY: Rebekah Kramer, Acting City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Review and discuss the potential formation of a Veterans Advisory Committee.
DISCUSSION
At the January 18, 2023 City Council meeting, staff presented the current methods of communication and recognition that the Community Services Department staff employ to continually engage the Menifee military and veteran community. These methods consisted of past informal gatherings and outreach to all local veteran groups to support the planning and implementation of the various annual special events. Many of the participating organizations are also active participants of the bi-monthly Community Partners Meetings. Staff was provided direction to further evaluate the interest of the veteran community for a city appointed committee and/or provide alternative solutions to ensure the voice of the veteran community remains heard.
City staff consulted with the various military and veteran organizations that serve Menifee and although support for a formal committee is appreciated, many groups expressed concern about the additional commitment of time, the potential for duplication of efforts, and the ability to fairly represent all groups equally within the limitations of a committee.
In an effort to address these concerns, an option for the City Council’s consideration is for the City to organize an annual summit to provide a collaborative forum for all groups to share information and build partnerships focused on the military and veteran community. This approach would allow for maximum participation while creating opportunities for building a stronger community network of support. Similar to the Annual Education Summit, the City Council could appoint two members of the Council to an Annual Veteran’s Summit Committee. Based on the feedback from the initial summit meeting, the City could adjust how often meetings would be scheduled and the content of future meetings in order to be supportive and responsive to the needs of the group.
City of Menifee Staff Report
Veterans Committee and Resources
November 15, 2023
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Additionally, staff heard from organizations that they would appreciate a way to make information more readily available and accessible to better inform the whole community about military and veteran resources. In response to this request, City staff are working on organizing monthly workshops to be hosted at the Kay Ceniceros Senior Center highlighting the various resources and community groups working to support Menifee veterans and their families. An annual workshop calendar is scheduled for release in December with the first workshop scheduled for January 2024.
City staff are open to additional feedback and recommendations for veteran programs and resource options.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Community Engagement and Social Infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
The organization and implementation of an annual Veterans Summit and the addition of monthly informational workshops can be absorbed in the Community Services Department Fiscal Year 2023-24 adopted budget.
ATTACHMENTS
None.