City of Menifee Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee Minutes Page 1 of 4 City Council Chambers
29844 Haun Road
Menifee, CA 92586
City of Menifee
Veterans and Military Families
Advisory Committee
Special Meeting Minutes
Ed Samuelson, Chair
Linda Blanche, ViceChair
Committee Members:
Darci Castillejos
Yolanda Tanner
Al Maybeno MINUTES
Monday, February 23, 2026
3:00 PM Special Meeting
M
ariana Mitchell, Director
Jasmine Monroe, Clerk
REGULAR MEETING (3:00 PM)
1. CA
LL TO ORDER
C
ommittee Chair Ed Samuelson called the meeting to order at 3:02 PM.
2. RO
LL CALL
P
resent: Ed Samuelson, Linda Blanche, Darci Castillejos, Yolanda Tanner, Al Maybeno A
bsent: None
3. FLA
G SALUTE
C
ommittee Chair Ed Samuelson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. P
RESENTATIONS
4.1 Shuttles4Soldiers Program Overview
N
atalie Verdugo, Founder S
huttles4Soldiers
N
atalie Verdugo, Founder of Shuttles4Soldiers, highlighted how Veterans are missing critical medical appointments in Riverside County due to the lack of systematic transportation. Ms. Verdugo explained the services provided by Shuttles4Soldiers, the intake process, the need for additional funding, and the geographical service areas.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
5.1 Minutes from November 17, 2025, Regular Meeting
A
motion to approve November 17, 2025, minutes was made by Committee member Castillejos.
V
ice Chair Blanche seconded.
M
otion unanimously approved.
5.2 Minutes from December 15, 2025, Regular Meeting
A motion to approve December 15, 2025, minutes was made by Chair Samuelson.
City of Menifee Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4 Committee member Castillejos seconded.
M
otion unanimously approved.
6. A
GENDA APPROVAL OR MODIFICATIONS
A motion to approve the February 23, 2026, agenda with the modification of moving the Community Services Department Comments after the Discussion Item s was made by Chair Samuelson.
C
ommittee member Tanner seconded.
M
otion unanimously approved.
7. C
OMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT COMMENTS
This item was approved through an agenda modification to be moved after discussion items.
8. DI
SCUSSION ITEMS
8.1 Election of 2026 Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee (VMFAC) Officers
RE
COMMENDED ACTION
1. Submit nominations and conduct annual election for Committee Chair and Vice Chair officers for the 2026 term, pursuant to Resolution 24- 1491.
C
ommunity Services Coordinator, Aisha Wilson, provided an overview of the role of the Chair and Vice Chair position.
C
ommittee member Castillejos motioned to re-elect Chair Samuelson for the Chair position.
C
ommittee member Tanner seconded.
M
otion unanimously approved.
C
hair Samuelson motioned to elect Committee member Blanche for Vice Chair.
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ommittee member Maybeno seconded.
M
otion unanimously approved.
8. 2 One
T
ime Property Tax Rebate for Disabled Veterans
RE
COMMENDED ACTION
1. Review the feasibility and provide feedback for a onetime $250 City sponsored Property Tax Rebate Program for 100% Disabled V
eterans.
M
argarita Cornejo, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Programs, reviewed the October 2025 City Council directive to explore a one-time $250 rebate for 100% disabled City of Menifee Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4 Veterans. Ms. Cornejo reviewed the State of California Disabled Veterans Exemption Program, the breakdown of property taxes, Menifee Veterans demographic, and the legal and administrative constraints of tax exemptions versus rebates.
C
ommittee member Tanner had concerns regarding the administrative cost to the City if the rebate program would move forward. Committee member Castillejos expressed concerns regarding the amount of Veterans that would benefit from the program vs the cost to the City. Committee member Tanner was in favor of the rebate program proposal.
Chair Samuelson had concerns about the reduction in operating budget due to the rebate program. Vice Chair Blanche seconded Chair Samuelson’s concerns. Committee member Maybeno expressed his disapproval of the rebate program.
C
ommittee member Castillejos motioned to not recommend approval of the one-time property tax rebate.
Chair Samuelson seconded.
M
otioned was passed 4-1.
Approved: Castillejos, Blanche, Samuelson, Maybeno
Opposed: Tanner
8. 3 Military Banner Program Renewal Process
RE
COMMENDED ACTION
1. Review and discuss the existing Military Banner Program renewal process.
J
ennifer Jackson, Senior Management Analyst, provided an overview of the Military Banner Program including the background of the program, program comparison against local cities, and the renewal process. Ms. Jackson overviewed the consideration for a second term application fee waiver or an extension of the banner replacement guarantee.
C
ommittee member Castillejos motioned to propose a recommendation to City Council for an extension of the banner replacement guarantee to two (2) years.
C
hair Samuelson seconded.
M
otion unanimously approved.
9. CO
MMUNITY SERVICES D EPARTMENT COMMENTS
Aisha Wilson, Community Services Coordinator, provided an overview of the upcoming Veterans services and Citywide special events being offered.
10. C
OMMMITTEE MEMBER UPDATES AND COMMENTS
C
ommittee member Maybeno reported on the meetings and events he attended:
• Sun City Family Restaurant Veterans breakfast
C
ommittee member Castillejos reported on the meetings and events she attended:
• None
City of Menifee Veterans and Military Families Advisory Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4 C
ommittee member Tanner reported on the meetings and events she attended:
• Bulky Item Drop Off
V
ice-Chair Blanche reported on the meetings and events she attended:
• Veterans’ Funerals at Miller Jones Mortuary
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hair Samuelson reported on the meetings and events he attended:
• VFW Meetings, MilVet Care Packaging Event, delivery of US Flag Retirement Box for a Scout Project
11. F
UTURE AGENDA REQUESTS
Motion to review the Military Banner Program residency requirements was made by Chair Samuelson.
V
ice Chair Blanche seconded.
M
otion unanimously approved.
12. A
DJOURN
Chair Ed Samuelson adjourned the meeting at 4:11 PM.
J
asmine Monroe
Meeting Clerk