CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee Formation MEETING DATE: August 21, 2024
TO: Mayor and City Council
PREPARED BY: Mariana Mitchell, Community Services Manager REVIEWED BY: Jonathan Nicks, Deputy City Manager
APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Adopt a resolution establishing the formation of the Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee.
DISCUSSION
On October 19, 2022 the City Council requested the opportunity to discuss the potential formation of a Veterans Advisory Committee. In the past, the Community Services Department hosted informal meetings for local veteran groups and service organizations to share resources.
However, during the many closures related to the COVID pandemic, this group moved toward email as the primary form of communication. Interactions have slowed and most groups have either integrated into the regular community partners meeting hosted by the Community Services Department or have become involved in specific veteran event committees.
This item was brought forward for discussion at three subsequent meetings and at the April 17, 2024 City Council meeting staff were directed to move forward with establishing an advisory committee that focuses on creating an inclusive network of support for active service members, veterans, and their families.
The Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee (VMFA Committee) would serve as an advisory body to City Council and would focus on creating opportunities for veterans and military families to provide input on community projects, programs, and events while encouraging community engagement.
The proposed VMFA Committee would be comprised of five members, all appointed at-large and would not be restricted to living within the appointing Councilmember’s district. Additionally, the appointee need not be a veteran or active service member to participate.
City of Menifee Staff Report
VMFA Committee
August 21, 2024
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5 0
As with other City Committees, VMFA Committee Members would be required to:
•Be a resident and registered voter within the City of Menifee •Agree to the City Council’s Code of Ethics (CC-23)
•Attend AB 1234 Ethics Training
Similar to the Senior Advisory Committee, the VMFA Committee would meet on a regular monthly schedule and meetings would be held in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act. Similar to the City’s other committees, VMFA Committee Members would serve for a two-year term with no term limits.
To improve citizen involvement and transparency, the City Clerk Department implemented a biennial committee and commission recruitment process that follows each regular municipal election. Although committee and commission applications are accepted at any time, at the end of each even year the City advertises and invites the citizens of Menifee to submit their applications for upcoming City Committees and Commissions vacancies. City Clerk staff verify that applicants meet the requirements and prepare those applications for the elected Councilmembers for their review. At the first City Council meeting in January, following the election, newly elected or reelected Councilmembers may choose to reappoint their current appointees or make a new appointment.
The City Clerk Department will begin the biennial recruitment in Fall 2024 which would include the recruitment for the VMFA Committee whose inaugural members would be appointed in January 2025.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Community Engagement and Social Infrastructure
FISCAL IMPACT
Although there are no fiscal impacts with the recommended action of forming the Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee, future fiscal impacts would be based upon the parameters of any projects or programs that are developed and recommended by the VMFA Committee.
Future programs and projects would need to be assessed and budgeted for in the corresponding years’ budget.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution