Minutes – April 2014

Meeting Minutes – April 2014

Call to order – 09:30, Invocation – Pledge of Allegiance –
Greetings: Recognition of visitors and guests – MN Senator John Hoffman
Announcements – Ralph Donais, Chairman – Jerry Kyser, Vice Chairman.

Alex Tittle, Equity Director for Minnesota Sports Facility Authority

• Previously Civil Rights Director for MN Transportation Department
• Brief update on how MN Multi-purpose Stadium project
  Brought detailed report
  Compliance program: MA Mortenson Thor is Construction Manager at Risk
  HKS Design Sports is Design Engineer and Architect for project
  30 different targeted businesses
  Equity plan overall identified Veteran inclusion piece
  Department of Human Rights is currently monitoring work force and prevailing wage on this project
  Mandate for every contractor on job to identify if their employees are Veterans or not
  One contractor has been been committed so far at 2.4 million dollars
  Normally, try to be transparent, accountable, and efficient as possible with sharing information
  Every other month, there are Stadium Equity Oversight Committee Meetings
  Encourage all of you to attend
  Who is employing out Veterans on the project?
• In effort to outreach and train qualified workers, we have employed an EAF(Employment Assistance Firm)
  15 different organizations , helps with outreach and training personnel for this project
  Total workforce hours on project so far: 55,000 and 19,000 minority hours, 5,000 female hours, 1,000 Veteran hours, ( increased since February)
  Not all Veteran workers are self-identifying as Veterans, so encourage those workers to identify themselves on rosters
  Targeted Business Program -Minority, Women, and Veteran owned businesses
  Project is based on 5 different packages ( most has already been awarded)
  1st: Application is for Iron Workers
  2nd: Glass Roofing System -not completely awarded
  3rd: Earth work + demolition
  4th: Interior Finishes work
  5th : Electrical
  Make sure you’re connected with CVE, Vetbiz.gov, to connect with right company to get on board with work
  Outside of stadium, downtown East project is also hiring Veterans ( 610 million project)
  City of Minneapolis has adopted the Equity Plan that involves Veteran inclusion parameters
  Msfa.com holds schedules for meetings

Chuck Jones from Military order of the Purple Heart

• April 4th at noon, there is a mobile home called the “Spirit of 45”that will be at the VA home
  Commemorates 75th anniversary of WWII
  Will be in the Purple Heart National Magazine

John Hoffman, Represents Minnesota Senate District 36

• Works at Ally People Solutions with Erica Hiller ( founded in 1965)
  Work with helping Veterans with disabilities looking for jobs
  Business model that does digital imaging so people can search archived images
  In 5 years, have raised the income levels of people with disabilities 420%
  In MN, you can still pay Veterans and people with disabilities a special minimum wage
  Continually find employment and social opportunities
  Urge to connect and becomes partners to help find employment for Veterans with disabilities

1. Federal Congressional Representatives and Senators

Senator Amy Klobuchar- Tim Cossalter

• Veterans Administration has contract with Common bonds to build 58 housing units in Fort Snelling
  Need project approved to obtain more funds due to historical significance
• Center is concerned about Veteran bill- did not pass
  Did not pass because there were 3 Amendments –( procedural process, send back to committee, and funding)
  Did not pass by 56/48 votes
  Will try to get it to pass
• National Governors Association has granted MN the basic Economic Development and Employment Opportunity Deed
  3 professions in particular: LPNs, Paramedics, Law Enforcement
  How to get Veterans into these professions, and give Veterans credit for their service
  Faster route to career field
  In the last 10 years, have gone from 6,900 Veterans in 2008 to 12,000 Veterans in 3013 in educational system

Senator Al Franken- Nicole Ly Not Present

8th District Representative – Rick Nolan – Rick Olseen

• On a mission to figure out if Social Security is paying deceased people
  2.5 people pass away every year in America
  Only a few thousand are getting payment after passing
  A lot of it is fraud
  90 million people in Master Death File
  750-1,000 people every month who are listed as dead but are still alive
  Contacted D.C. Office- unsure of how much money they recover
• Personal note: speaks about Veteran father passing away and how moving it was to have an Honor Guard at his funeral

7th District Representative – Collin Peterson – Jodi Dey

• Honored to be here and bring greetings from the Congressmen Peterson
• HR236: WWI Centennial Coin Act-
  2018 will mark 100 years of signing the Armistice with Germany to end WWI
  Funds will go to support nonprofit WW! Centennial Commission
  Commission is privately funded to find ways to memorialize WWI and it’s Veterans
• Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran Bill
  Calls for recognition through a Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran’s Day
  Celebrated on march 30th
  Designed to give Vietnam Veteran’s the welcome home they never received
• Requested Appropriations language requiring DOD to buy American flags made in America
  HR4232: Veterans Higher Education Opportunity Act
  Amend current law to reduce amount of time service members must have served in a hostile area to be eligible to receive for the federal Perkins Loan forgiveness program from 1 year to 6 months
  Also if wounded before 6 months, will still be eligible
  Assures benefit remain accessible
• Military Academy Nominations: If you know students graduating HS this spring interested in joining Military Academy, go to Congressmen’s website for information
  Application by October or November 1st
  Air Force, Naval, WestPoint, and Merchant Marines Military Academy

1st District Representative – Tim Walz – Shawn Schoesser Not Present

2nd District Representative – John Kline – Chaz Johnson –

• Notified of young man who received appointment to service academy ( at 10 of 25 applicants)

3rd District Representative -Eric Paulson – John Paul Yates Not Present

4th District Representative – Betty McCollum – Connie Haddeland-

• Service Academy Information Meeting
  Tuesday, April 15th at Mount View High School
  1900 Lake Valentine Road in Arden Hills
  Tabling around 6 pm, forum at 7 pm
  4 out of 5 Academies requiring nominations will be represented
  Open to the public
  Will have another meeting in Woodbury or Stillwater for other side of population
• Congresswoman McCollum serves on the House Appropriations Committee, along with two other sub-committees- Defense Appropriations and Interior and Other Related Agencies
  Deadlines this week, so hectic for staff
• On Social Security: American individuals have responsibility to report death of loved ones

5th District Representative – Keith Ellison – Mike Siebenaler Not Present

6th District Representation – Michele Bachmann – Jessica Faust

• Nicole Pelzer is at VA Kitchen groundbreaking in St. Cloud
• Had Military and Veterans Affairs Assistant in district to attend meetings
• Handout with highlights
  Handled 22 Veteran and military cases
  Attended a Veterans Resource and Job fair hosted by St. Cloud University
  Met with new Veterans Resource Director for St. Cloud State
  Had round table discussion with VISN Director hosted by St. Cloud Director Barry ball
  Speak with some of CVSOs- most of country Veteran service officers in district
• Will be hosting a reception a few weeks for academy nominees to celebrate acceptance
• HR231: To establish a select committee on POW and MIA Affairs
  107 co-sponsors

2. State Agencies and MN Veteran Assistance Organization

MN Dept. of Veteran Affairs – Commissioner Larry Shellito Not Present

MN Veterans 2010 Legislative Info – Mike McElhiney

• Last week before 3rd deadline for Veterans bills
• Google MDVA
• Difficult session because it is short, and much going on
• House Capital Investment bill coming together
• Veteran owned Small Business Bill
• Still to be determined which bills will survive
• Encourage to watch bill tracker on website
• Women’s License Plate bill is supported
• Concern about Veteran’s sub-committee’s recommendations
  Up to 250,000 in 5 separate grants to be dispersed to different communities once needs are determined
  Money will go to Department of Housing Finance Authority to disperse
• Rep. Howe carrying a bill about Veteran Choice-still TBD
• Bills for Education and Holiday
• Most bills have been pushed off to other committees that have funding
• Veteran’s Voices would designate October as the month to celebrate Veteran
• There is a process which is supposed to be followed, but if it goes to rule, the process can change

MN Military Affairs Don Kerr, Executive Director

• Bill to streamline licensing process to streamline career moves for spouses
  Will probably need more refocusing to pass
• Bonding Bill 2490: 970 million in bonding
  Having difficulty matching funds
• Amended Bonding Bill dropped, our allocation took a 60% cut
• Seeing nonpartisan support in Senate, House seems more partisan
• State funding needs to match federal funding
  2490 is the Bill number

MN Military Affairs – COL Sandy Best

• Traveling for meetings such as suicide prevention training
• Met with Federal delegation to discuss priorities
  Personal note: Now a breast cancer survivor.
• Number 1 priority remains the Army Force structure debate taking place between Army and National Guard
  Intent to grab some aircraft some National Guard
  Looking at cost to retain Active Duty and Reservists
  National Guard wants to stay an active player
• Today, MN National Guard will receive a Minnesota Health Occupation Students Of America 2014 Outstanding Professional Advocate Award
  For pairing with students passionate about pursuing medical careers
• HR3930: Bill supporting Army Force Structure
  7 out of 8 Reps signed on
  Over 150 nationally
  Army Commission study to evaluate what appropriate mix should be
• Visit from District and Federal Staff at 133rd Air Lift Wing, and at Army Aviation Support Unit in St. Cloud
• Tuesday and Wednesday will be accompanying Duluth Military Affairs Committee to Washington
  To support Duluth Airport’s runway extension
  Will have to shut down airport unless they get an extension
• Senator Franken’s Office: Military Poetry Contest
  Grades K-12 supporting military
• Thank Congressmen Paulson’s office for supporting out Welcome Home
• Change of Command at 133rd Air Lift Wing for Civil Support Team on April 18th
• On 4/15, Congressmen Peterson with Northland Community College will be hosting event for UAVs
  Representing General Nash at that event

Yellow Ribbon – Annette Kyper

• On 4/15, Purple Up Day: Honoring Military Children
  In rotunda of State Capital
  Governor Dayton will sign resolution to have April be Month of the Military Child
• Yellow Ribbon Networks in MN are planning variety of activities to honor Military Children
• Critical period for Yellow Ribbon Networks
  205 Cities, 23 counties, 35 Companies in MN
  Recommend partnering your company with YRN
• Proclamation for 36th YR Company in June: McGeoff Construction in St. Paul
• Next YR Company Seminar on April 29th at Hennepin Technical College
  Share best practices & build relationships
• Saturday in Marshall: 4th of 5th Joining Community Forces Event
  Next one will be in May in Duluth
• Cargill, Super America, and United Health Care are all in process of becoming YR companies
• Beyondtheyellowribbon.org will list all members of YRN
• Note: The Military Child Education Coalition ( www.militarychild.org)
  501 C3 Non- profit organization- resources for schools to use for assisting military children

MN Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) Kathy Vitalis

• Stand down season:
  Next is in Fergus Falls Armory on 4/24
  Metro in August, September, October
• Good review of new parking ramp
• Will be adding a Legal Clinic in Anoka ( possibly in May)
• National Mayoral Competition to end homelessness
  Minneapolis and St. Paul are competing with Columbus and Des Moines to end Veteran homelessness
  Focus on these cities, views as collaboration
• Large amount of utility assistance
• Large amount of new staff
  Young Iraqi Veteran is one of new staff
  Honored to hire Veterans
• BMO Harris Bank offered assistance to MACV
  Makeover of one of their living and dining rooms
• Annual Dinner venue will probably change due to lack of partnership with new hotel owners
• Members of National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
  501 3C non-profit that has been around since 1990
  Most Representation is heavy on West Coast, East Coast, and Florida
  Trying to suggest for Midwest presence on Board
  Kathy Vitalis has been nominated to sit on the Board

Vets Employment & Training Service [VETS] – David Seay

• Waiting for Solicitation for Grant Applications to come out
  3 competitive grants that people can submit packages to with the Department of Labor
  HBRP ( same as with MACV)
  HVHFVVWF: Veteran and Homeless Veterans with Families Grant
  IVTP: Incarcerated Veterans Training Program
  Competitive Grant with Annual awards up to $300, 000
  Optional year funding based on performance for possibly up to 3 years
  Will leave business cards
  Stand downs: Still accepting money applications for Stand downs
  $7,000 for 1 day event
  $10,000 for 2 day event
  Must submitted 90 days prior to day it will take place
• Contact him with questions about Veterans Preference

Military Action Group (MAG) – Jerry Kyser

• Started out bad when House side said there was no extra money for Veterans activities
• Trying to certify Veteran owned businesses in state of MN
• Abysmal: nothing is happening
• Maybe can receive money from feds for training
• On Work cite Program: they are doing a better job in that avenue
• Over a million dollars’ worth of memorials that are in the mix
• Money for memorials, but not for programs to facilitate the hiring of Veterans
• Ralph and I are going to try talking to Committee Chairman
• Veterans applying for assistance programs are going to be increasing
• Note: We did pass law 3 threes ago: Veteran owned business can say they want to hire Veterans onl

3. Federal Agencies

VA Regional Office – Peter Panos, PAO

• Mr. Walder sends his greetings
• Backlog: As of 3/29, have reduced backlog by 44%
  Transformation into digital system has helped
  85% of all claims are digital now
  Overall inventory of claims reduced by 30%
  Embedded Rules Engine inside of claim
  Regional office all have embedded health care personnel, we have doctors to immediately discuss questions with
• Regional Office is getting ready to open
  ICE is taking over first, top , and second floors
• #1 Regional office in country right now
  Felt it was acceptable to send personnel to Philadelphia to help them out since they were struggling
• As Regional offices were struggling to process claims, we were brokering work and completing it for them and then sending it back
  Now moving to a new process: all claims come into one center, then sent out from there
  Claims will be sent to whoever has an opening to process them quicker
  Focus on ALL veterans, nation wide

VISN 23 – VAHCS Mpls – Director Patrick J. Kelly

• April Newsletter addresses several things, including removing annual income reporting requirement for Veterans
• Budget: We can never do enough for Veterans in budget process
  We in Minneapolis in Veterans health Administration are having another good budget year ( 4% increase)
• 8 of MN counties also have Veterans’ Court
  Normally misdemeanors can be seen in Veterans court (usually substance abuse related)
  Recognize and acknowledge that Veterans struggle with some issues
• Parking ramp opened 3/17/14: Has been great so far
  Project 21 is the Veteran owned company that finished the parking ramp 6 months ahead of schedule
• Community Based Outpatient Clinic opened in Albertlea
  Will cut ribbon on 4/25
  Shakopee CBOC will open in June
  Valor is company we are working with
• New clinical Services: Working with other hospitals for pain management
  Began with first cohort of 8, will increase to 20 people
  Establishing a comprehensive breast health center
  Mammograms, plastic surgery, mental health services
  Will open in July
  Bariatric surgery program
• Highlight researcher: Dr. Wilt has done work in area of prostate cancer screening
  Research, test, and publish clinical practice guidelines

VAHCS St Cloud VA Medical Center – Sharon Meschke

• Wind Turbine: No new status changes
• Focusing on Outreach Events:
  POW Recognition Event on 4/4
  National Health Care Decision State on 4/16
  Project Clothesline Event in Auditorium on 4/22-4/24
  Stand down on 4/25
  St. Cloud VA Women’s Wellness Expo: 5/17 ( 9 am to 3:30 pm)
  Annual Recognition Event in May: More info to follow
• Veterans to receive care remains constant
• Budget looks fine for remainder of year
• Construction updates
  Geo thermal wells, pharmacy and dental departments completed in Spring
  New patient psychiatric psychiatry building is 75% complete
  Foundation laid for Rehab building
  Community Living Center is nearly complete
  Addition to Building 28 Psychiatry Building
  Hopefully new designs will begin next fiscal year
• New physicians on board

Ft Snelling Cemetery – Robert Wolfe Assistant Director Not Present

4. Announcements –

www.facebook.com/pages/United-Veterans-Legislative-Council/305460522812395.
We are also on Twitter

• Honor Flight on 4/26
  79 WWII Veterans and 80 guardians
  Lost 30 Veterans for this flight ( 12 passed away)
  Support at Airport is appreciated
  Oldest is 96, oldest is 89
  Have taken 117, 000
• Honorflighttwincities.org

5. Meeting in Recess for 10 minutes

Treasurer’s Report

• As of 3/5, balance was: $4,282.19
• Had deposits of: $1,100
• Expenses of: $299.50
• Ending balance as of 4/1 was: $ 5,082.59
• 29 paying organizations/individuals
  20 have paid so far ( 2 more paid today, so down to 7 unpaid)
• Motion to approve

Old Business:

• Working on Bills down at the Capital
• Try to push through everything we worked on last year
• Honor and Remember Flag: some people said we never endorsed that, but they did last year
  Majority Rules here
• Very emotional to see Gold Star Mothers
  Flags are already in 33 other states
• Budget: trying to talk to media about lack of funding for Veterans

New Business:

• Annually, we hold our meeting in St, Cloud in July
• Idea to charter bus to bring people to St. Cloud
  Feel bad when some legislatures drive 100-200 miles for only small audience
  Are people interested in meeting at 8 am to ride on bus up to meeting?
  Ralph will research cost of bus
• Comment: VFW has dropped out of UVLC because misinformation
  Majority rules at UVLC
  Other Veteran organizations are furious at UVLC for supporting Honor and Remember Flags
  Urge UVLC members who belong to other Veteran organizations to have their commanders come to meetings
• What is the date for Veterans on the Hill? Need to know as soon as possible
• Discussion of lack of media coverage/information about Veterans Day of the Hill
• (Question about Retiree/tax bill) Bill in Senate to push through, dead in the House, might be revived
• Most of what is included in omnibus bill never makes it
• Motion to go home, approved

Adjournment/ Next Meeting 9:30 AM – Wednesday 7 May, 2014

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country.” – George Washington, 1789