HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 01 27 Regular 501 - Review of the Veteran and Veteran Families Advisory CommitteeREGULAR AGENDA ITEM 501
CITY COMMISSION AGENDA | JANUARY 27, 2025 REGULAR MEETING
TITLE
Review of the Veteran and Veteran Families Advisory Committee
SUMMARY
The City Clerk's Office presented a review of all Boards and Committees at the January
13, 2025 City Commission Regular Meeting complete with recommendations. The City
Commission subsequently voted to review each board and committee individually at
subsequent meetings. Attached to this item is Resolution 2020-22 which established
the Veteran and Veteran Families Committee and the relevant excerpt from the
previously presented report. Staff's recommendation to sunset the committee is based
on irregular meetings, many due to a lack of quorum, and the absence of clearly
defined areas for the committee to operate within. Sunsetting the committee would
require a resolution.
Should the Commission wish to maintain the committee, staff would request that a
new resolution be adopted addressing the following areas:
Clear goals and areas of responsibility of the committee. This should include if
the committee plays a part in the Hometown Hero selection process.
Membership of five (5) members instead of the currently stated range.
Frequency of meetings dependent on the assigned areas of responsibility.
Currently the committee is set to meet quarterly.
Staff liaison dependent on the assigned areas of responsibility. Currently the
designated representative is the "Marketing and Events Manager," a position
which no longer exists. The Recreation and Events Manager is serving as the
current committee liaison.
FUNDING SOURCE
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is requesting the Commission discuss the Veteran and Veteran Families
Committee and make a determination to sunset the committee or propose changes
and adopt a resolution to modify the committee specifically addressing, at a minimum,
areas of responsibility, membership, meeting frequency, and the staff liaison.
134
RESOLUTION NO. 2020-22
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING THE
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS VETERAN AND VETERAN
FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE; PROVIDING FOR
REPEAL OF PRIOR INCONSISTENT RESOLUTIONS;
SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS,the City is granted the authority,under Section 2(b),Article VIII,of the State
Constitution,to exercise any power for municipal purposes, except when expressly prohibited by
law; and
WHEREAS,the City Commission desires to encourage and facilitate the involvement of
veterans and their families in the Winter Springs community and city events and,therefore,desires
to create an ad-hoc City of Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee to
obtain input in matters of special interest to veterans and to encourage meaningful veteran
participation in city events;and
WHEREAS,the City Commission of the City of Winter Springs fords that this Resolution
is in the best interests of the public health,safety,and welfare of the citizens of Winter Springs.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS,SEMINOLE COUNTY,FLORIDA,AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals. The foregoing recitals are deemed true and correct and are hereby fully
incorporated herein by this reference.
Section 2. Creation of the Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory
Committee. The City Commission hereby creates an ad-hoc Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran
Family Advisory Committee to advise and make appropriate recommendations to the City
Commission regarding matters affecting local veterans and their families and, specifically,ways
to encourage meaningful veteran participation in city events, such as the Celebration of Freedom,
Veteran's Day Tribute,Winter Wonderland,and Hometown Harvest. The Winter Springs Veteran
and Veteran Family Advisory Committee shall be an advisory committee only and shall not have
any final decision making authority.
Section 3. Composition of the Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory
Committee. The Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee shall consist
of no more than seven(7)and no fewer than five(5)members,who shall be residents of the City
as defined in Section 2-41 of the City Code. In addition,each member must be either(1)a veteran
of the U.S. military who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than
City of Winter Springs
Resolution No.2020-22
Page 1 of 3
135
dishonorable; (2)an immediate family member of a veteran or deceased veteran; or(3)an officer
or leader of a veteran organization based in Winter Springs.
Section 4. Appointment and Term of Members. Appointment of members, term length,
vacancies,and removal of members of the Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory
Committee shall be governed by Section 24lof the City Code. No alternates shall be appointed.
Prior to appointment, each applicant shall be required to complete an application as prescribed by
the City Commission or City Manager. Upon appointment, each member of the Winter Springs
Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee shall serve at the pleasure of the City
Commission and may be summarily removed at any time with and without cause. Each member
of the Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee shall serve without
compensation.
Section 5. Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee Meetings.
Meetings of the Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee shall be duly-
noticed, public meetings which shall be open to the public. The Winter Springs Veteran and
Veteran Family Advisory Committee shall meet at least quarterly. Meetings shall be coordinated
and scheduled through the City Manager or his or her designee so as not to conflict with other City
meetings or overburden limited City resources. A portion of each meeting will be reserved for
taking public input relevant to issues being considered during the meeting or matters of special
interest to Winter Springs veterans. The agendas, minutes and a record of the proceedings and
recommendations of the Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee shall
be kept and filed with the City Clerk in the same manner as those kept and filed for the City
Commission. The first order of business for the Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran Family
Advisory Committee shall be to elect a chairperson and deputy chairperson. The chairperson shall
be responsible for running the meetings,which may be conducted informally. In the absence of
the chairperson,the deputy chairperson shall run the meetings. A majority of the members of the
Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum. The
Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee shall act by consensus to the
extent possible, but if consensus cannot be reasonably reached, then the Committee may act by
majority vote. However, the Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee
may reference and explain minority opinions/positions which obtained the vote of at least two(2)
members of the Committee in any recommendation made to the City Commission.
Section 6. Staff Resources. The Marketing and Events Manager,through the City Manager,
shall serve as staff liaisons to the Winter Springs Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory
Committee. The City Clerk's office shall provide administrative assistance to the Winter Springs
Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee and shall be responsible for noticing meetings,
preparing minutes, and archiving public records.
Section 7. Repeal of Prior Inconsistent Resolutions. All prior inconsistent resolutions
adopted by the City Commission, or parts of prior resolutions in conflict herewith, are hereby
repealed to the extent of the conflict.
City of Winter Springs
Resolution No.2020-22
Page 2 of 3
136
Section 8. Severability. If any section,subsection,sentence,clause,phrase,word,or portion
of this Resolution is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent
jurisdiction,such portion shall be deemed a separate,distinct and independent provision and such
holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion hereto.
Section 9. Effective date. This Resolution shall take effect upon adoption.
DONE AND ADOPTED in regular session of the City Commission of the City of Winter
Springs,Florida,this &4M day of August,2020.
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iATTEST:
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CHRISTIAN GOWAN,Interim City Clerk U.
Approved as to legal form and sufficiency for O '
the City inter Springs only: 4,
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ANTHONY M GARGANESE,City Attorney
City of Winter Springs
Resolution No.2020-22
Page 3 of 3
137
Page | 15
Veteran and Veteran Families Advisory Committee
No. of Members: 7 Meetings: Quarterly
Background
The Veteran and Veteran Families Committee was established in 2020 following the
adoption of Resolution 2020-22.8
The Committee was set up to advise and make appropriate recommendations to the
City Commission regarding matters affecting local veterans and their families and,
specifically, ways to encourage meaningful veteran participation in city events, such as
the Celebration of Freedom, Veteran' s Day Tribute, Winter Wonderland, and
Hometown Harvest.
The membership of the committee is limited to residents and each member must be
either (1) a veteran of the U.S. military who was discharged or released therefrom under
conditions other than dishonorable; (2) an immediate family member of a veteran or
deceased veteran; or(3) an officer or leader of a veteran organization based in Winter
Springs.
Meetings are staffed by a representative of the City Clerk’s Office and the Parks and
Recreation Department.
Staff Analysis
The Veteran and Veteran Families Advisory Committee has met irregularly since its
inception, oftentimes due to an inability to establish a quorum, and does not have
clearly defined areas to operate in. The only stated purpose of the committee is to
increase veteran participation in city events; however this could be accomplished,
perhaps more effectively, outside of a city advisory board. Many of the initiatives that
have been discussed or proposed by the committee are outside of the scope of the
establishing resolution.
Veterans and Veterans Family’s Advisory Committee – meets quarterly
Cancelled or Occurred Reason Duration
2022 2 Cancelled 1 - No Quorum
2 Meetings Average 47 minutes
2023 1 Cancelled No Quorum
3 Meeting Average 50 minutes
2024 2 Cancelled
4 Meetings Average 44 minutes
8 See Appendix A
138
Page | 16
Recommendation
Staff recommends sunsetting the Veteran and Veteran Families Advisory Committee.
This would require a resolution.
139
1/22/25, 9:43 AM Fw: Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee - Christian Gowan - Outlook
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Outlook
Fw: Veteran and Veteran Family Advisor y Committee
From Kevin Sweet <ksweet@winterspringsfl.org>
Date Tue 1/21/2025 8:14 AM
To _City Clerk Department <City-Clerk-Department@winterspringsfl.org>
Cc City Manager Office <CMOffice@winterspringsfl.org>
Kevin Sweet, MPA, ICMA-CM
City Manager
P: (407) 327-5950 F: (407) 327-4753
A: 1126 East State Road 434
Winter Springs, Florida 32708
From: Winter Springs, FL <noreply@civicplus.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2025 6:22 AM
To: City Manager Office <CMOffice@winterspringsfl.org>
Subject: Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Commi ee
EXTERNAL EMAIL:
[Caution: Do not click on links or open any attachments unless you trust the sender and know the
content is safe.]
Name: Walter Person
Email: Walter.Person@icpcchaplains.org
Message: Dear City Manager, Kevin Sweet I am writing to express my opinion about the City of Winter
Springs disbanding the Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee. I believe the City needs this
committee to stay in touch with issues that specifically relate to this demographic in our City. I want to
let you know that Winter Springs has always been known as a veteran friendly community and believe
that the Committee is a vital part of that reputation. I highly encourage the City of Winter Springs to
keep the Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee active and support it as they continue to
recognize and assist members of our city and beyond. Respectfully, Walter S. Person Jr. USAF Veteran,
Retired Winter Springs Resident
140
1/22/25, 9:44 AM Fw: Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee - Christian Gowan - Outlook
about:blank 1/1
Outlook
Fw: Veteran and Veteran Family Advisor y Committee
From Kevin Sweet <ksweet@winterspringsfl.org>
Date Tue 1/21/2025 8:13 AM
To _City Clerk Department <City-Clerk-Department@winterspringsfl.org>
Cc City Manager Office <CMOffice@winterspringsfl.org>
Kevin Sweet, MPA, ICMA-CM
City Manager
P: (407) 327-5950 F: (407) 327-4753
A: 1126 East State Road 434
Winter Springs, Florida 32708
From: Winter Springs, FL <noreply@civicplus.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2025 9:08 PM
To: City Manager Office <CMOffice@winterspringsfl.org>
Subject: Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Commi ee
EXTERNAL EMAIL:
[Caution: Do not click on links or open any attachments unless you trust the sender and know the
content is safe.]
Name: Laurel Ross
Email: laureleross@gmail.com
Message: I am writing to express my opinion about the City of Winter Springs disbanding the Veteran
and Veteran Family Advisory Committee. I believe the City needs this committee to stay in touch with
issues that specifically relate to this demographic in our City. At last count, the city is home to over
2,700 male and 110 female veterans. I want to let you know that Winter Springs has always been
known as a veteran friendly community and believe that the Committee is a vital part of that
reputation. I believe disbanding the VAVFA Committee sends a message that the City no longer wants
or values input from its veteran residents on these matters. I highly encourage the City of Winter
Springs to keep the Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee active and support it as they
continue to recognize and assist members of our city and beyond. Respectfully, Laurel Ross US Army
Veteran Winter Springs Resident 407-227-5340
141
1/22/25, 9:44 AM Fw: Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee - Christian Gowan - Outlook
about:blank 1/1
Outlook
Fw: Veteran and Veteran Family Advisor y Committee
From Kevin Sweet <ksweet@winterspringsfl.org>
Date Tue 1/21/2025 8:13 AM
To _City Clerk Department <City-Clerk-Department@winterspringsfl.org>
Cc City Manager Office <CMOffice@winterspringsfl.org>
For packet
Kevin Sweet, MPA, ICMA-CM
City Manager
P: (407) 327-5950 F: (407) 327-4753
A: 1126 East State Road 434
Winter Springs, Florida 32708
From: David C. Godwin <godwindc@aol.com>
Sent: Monday, January 20, 2025 4:35 PM
To: Kevin Sweet <ksweet@winterspringsfl.org>
Subject: Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Commi ee
EXTERNAL EMAIL:
[Caution: Do not click on links or open any attachments unless you trust the sender and know the
content is safe.]
Dear Mr. Sweet,
I am writing to express my opinion about the City of Winter Springs disbanding the Veteran and Vete
ran Family Advisory Committee. I believe the City needs this committee to stay in touch with issues
that specifically relate to this demographic in our City. The City of Winter Springs has always
been known as a veteran friendly community,
and I believe that the Committee is a vital part of that reputation. I would highly encourage you to ke
ep the Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee active and support it as they continue to rec
ognize and assist veterans in our city and beyond.
Respectfully,
BG (Ret) David C. Godwin
US Army
1434 Northern Way
Winter Springs, FL 32708
142