The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2026 07 09 Veteran and Veteran Family Regular Meeting AgendaVETERAN AND VETERAN FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING AGENDA THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2026 - 5:30 PM CITY HALL - COMMISSION CHAMBERS 1126 EAST STATE ROAD 434, WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA 1 CALL TO ORDER Roll Call Invocation Pledge of Allegiance Agenda Changes AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 100. Not Used INFORMATIONAL AGENDA 200. Not Used PUBLIC INPUT Anyone who wishes to speak during Public Input on any Agenda Item or subject matter will need to fill out a “Public Input” form. Individuals will limit their comments to three (3) minutes, and representatives of groups or homeowners' associations shall limit their comments to five (5) minutes, unless otherwise determined by the City Commission. CONSENT AGENDA 300. Approval of the January 8, 2026 Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes 2026 01 08 Veteran and Veteran Family Regular Meeting Minutes.pdf PUBLIC HEARINGS AGENDA 400. Not Used Pursuant to F.S. § 286.0115, if the mayor or any city commissioner receives and/or sends ex parte communications regarding any application filed with the city, the mayor or any city commissioner must publicly disclose such communications before or during the hearing at which a vote is taken on the quasi-judicial matter, so that persons who have opinions contrary to those expressed in the ex parte communications are given a reasonable opportunity to refute or respond to the communications. REGULAR AGENDA 500. Recommendation for 2026 Hometown Hero Hometown Hero Nomination - Lt. Col. Charles Buehring.pdf 501. Newsletter Item Ideas: August - October 2026 REPORTS PUBLIC INPUT Anyone who wishes to speak during Public Input on any Agenda Item or subject matter will need to fill out a “Public Input” form. Individuals will limit their comments to three (3) minutes, and representatives of groups or 2 homeowners' associations shall limit their comments to five (5) minutes, unless otherwise determined by the City Commission. ADJOURNMENT PUBLIC NOTICE This is a Public Meeting, and the public is invited to attend and this Agenda is subject to change. Please be advised that one (1) or more Members of any of the City's Advisory Boards and Committees may be in attendance at this Meeting, and may participate in discussions. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City of Winter Springs at (407) 327-1800 "at least 48 hours prior to meeting, a written request by a physically handicapped person to attend the meeting, directed to the chairperson or director of such board, commission, agency, or authority" - per Section 286.26 Florida Statutes. "If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board, agency, or commission with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based" - per Section 286.0105 Florida Statutes. 3 CONSENT AGENDA ITEM 300 VETERAN AND VETERAN FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA | JULY 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING TITLE Approval of the January 8, 2026 Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes SUMMARY FUNDING SOURCE RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends approval of the January 8, 2026 Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes as presented. 4 VETERAN AND VETERAN FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 8, 2026 [RESCHEDULED FROM JANUARY 15, 2026] CITY HALL – COMMISSION CHAMBERS CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA CALL TO ORDER Committee Member Laurel Ross called to order the Thursday, January 8, 2026 Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee Regular Meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Commission Chambers of the Municipal Building (City Hall, 1126 East State Road 434, Winter Springs, Florida 32708). Roll Call: Committee Member Laurel Ross, present Committee Member Robert Miller, present Committee Member Scott Sims, present Committee Member Gus Douglas, present Committee Member Kim Bean, present Committee Member Paul Dillman, present Committee Member Margo Orf, present Assistant City Clerk Tristin Tarrant, present Also present: Mr. Micheal Krist, Parks Manager, Parks, Recreations and Events Mr. Brian Dunigan, Director of Administrative Services and Operations Committee Member Orf led the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. REGULAR AGENDA - PART I 500) Election for Chairperson of the Veteran and Veteran Family’s Advisory Committee for Calendar Year 2026 COMMITTEE MEMBER ROSS NOMINATED PAUL DILLMAN FOR CHAIRPERSON. COMMITTEE MEMBER DILLMAN ACCEPTED THE NOMINATION. SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BEAN. NO OTHER NOMINATIONS WERE GIVEN. THERE WAS NO OPPOSITION TO THE NOMINATION. COMMITTEE MEMBER PAUL DILLMAN WAS ELECTED AS CHAIRPERSON FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026. 501) Election for Vice-Chairperson of the Veteran and Veteran Family’s Advisory Committee for Calendar Year 2026 COMMITTEE MEMBER DILLMAN NOMINATED SCOTT SIMS FOR VICE-CHAIRPERSON. COMMITTEE MEMBER SIMS ACCEPTED THE NOMINATION. SECONDED BY COMMITTEE 5 CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES VETERAN AND VETERAN FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING – JANUARY 8, 2026 [RESCHEDULED FROM JANUARY 15, 2026] PAGE 2 OF 3 MEMBER ROSS. NO OTHER NOMINATIONS WERE GIVEN. THERE WAS NO OPPOSITION TO THE NOMINATION. COMMITTEE MEMBER SCOTT SIMS WAS ELECTED AS VICE-CHAIRPERSON FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS 100. Not Used INFORMATIONAL AGENDA 200. Not Used PUBLIC INPUT Chairperson Dillman opened Public Input. No one addressed the Committee Chairperson Dillman closed Public Input. CONSENT AGENDA 300) Approval of the October 7, 2025, Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee Regular Meeting Minutes "I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT THE MINUTES.” MOTION BY VICE-CHAIRPERSON SIMS. SECONDED BY COMMITTEE MEMBER BEAN. ALL IN FAVOR. NONE OPPOSED. MOTION PASSED WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT PUBLIC HEARINGS AGENDA 400. Not Used REGULAR AGENDA- PART II 502) Newsletter Items: February - April 2026 Chairperson Dillman opened the item and Committee Member Ross started with suggestions for the February entry, advertising for Four Chaplains Ceremony taking place in Oviedo. Staff request more information be provided but can be added as the Winter Springs Veterans supported event. An additional suggestion for April’s entry was also given to advertise the Seminole County Veterans Appreciation Lunch being held April 30th. Staff took note of the suggested entries and relayed the information for the February entry will need to be provided soon and the other information can be sent once received. 503) Program and Events Update Brief questions regarding the banner program were asked which segued staff into opening the next item with a banner project update by Operations Director Dunigan. Questions regarding the submittal timeframe and when the banners are expected to be on display were asked. Staff responded appropriately and relayed there were five banners purchased for this year and the banners will be posted on Blumberg Blvd starting in mid-January and stay up till the beginning of July. Registration for next year will reopen at the end of February or beginning of March. 6 CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA MINUTES VETERAN AND VETERAN FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGULAR MEETING – JANUARY 8, 2026 [RESCHEDULED FROM JANUARY 15, 2026] PAGE 3 OF 3 The names of the current five individuals within the banner program were relayed to the Committee by staff. Vice-Chairperson Sims relayed the intention of adding Mr. Michael Segura to the Banner Program next year and the Marine Corp Legion will be pay for it. Continuing, Committee Member Ross offered an “After-Action – Veterans Day Tribute”1 review, idealizing her thoughts within a handout provided to the Committee and staff. Brief questions were asked about the Veterans Monument and including the Hometown heroes. Staff relayed the plan to add an additional plaque for the city's hometown heroes. Discussion shifted to a potential Memorial Day event and if the city was planning to add one. Staff relayed the event wasn’t currently on the calendar approved by Commission, but they were open to the suggestion and could investigate it, at the Committee’s request. Staff suggested the Committee appoint a liaison to aid and provide input to staff regarding the event. Chairperson Dillman was appointed to be the liaison. Further suggestions were given to have other organizations involved as well with the proposed event. Staff relayed they could provide an update at the next meeting. Brief discussion on the number of parades that take place within the city ensued and staff responded that there was only one, the Holiday Parade. As well as clarification regarding the Scottish Highlands Games and Veteran involvement within the event. REPORTS None PUBLIC INPUT Chairperson Dillman opened Public Input. No one addressed the Committee Chairperson Dillman closed Public Input. Clarification and brief review ensued regarding the procedure for rescheduling notices and the 2026 meeting dates for the committee. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Dillman adjourned the Regular Meeting at 5:54 p.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: ____________________________________ TRISTIN TARRANT DEPUTY CITY CLERK NOTE: These Minutes were approved at the July 9, 2026 Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee. 1 See attached at end of minutes. 7 After Action – Veterans Day Tribute 2025 Laurel Ross All below are experiences from the event and recommendations only Overall fantastic ceremony and recognition. I especially appreciated having the veterans’ and veterans’ family organizations assembled at the back. Location Setup The extra lighting in the back was great, possibly two without generator? Veterans’ and veterans’ family organizations need o an additional table o enough chairs for all who have RSVP’d o canopy/tent for ease of directing attendees to for after the event Communication If having veterans’ organization representatives, need to communicate the week before with detailed information (when, where, where to park, etc.) Appreciated that a representative from the Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee was included in some of the planning process Like all of the social media play, is there a way to send a press release to local news stations for additional coverage (calendar sections, too)? Program Try to limit to 30 minutes Is there a way to proof the Emcee’s script? o Recognize all veterans’ and veterans’ family organizations in attendance at the back o Correct branch order o Location in program of moment of silence and significance o Other small details to correct Paper program did not match what actually occurred, any updates should be recognized/announced o Was there an Assembly Bugle Call? o National Anthem was sung by the WSHS choir (excellent, by the way) o Branch Tribute (video/music) is not indicated o Moment of Silence in an awkward location (right after presenting an award…maybe a better place would beafter the Honor Roll of Veterans or before Taps?) Closing Remarks o Nice job including the alibis (people not recognized at the start) o Include reminder of Veterans Banner program deadline o Include invitation to visit veterans’ and veterans’ family organizations at the back Overall, the City did an amazing job and having the tribute is very appreciated by the Winter Springs community. I understand many hours and resources are put into this event and appreciate all that it takes to make this event happen. Special kudos to the WSHS bugler who played taps…it is not an easy play, especially with a cold instrument. 8 REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 500 VETERAN AND VETERAN FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA | JULY 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING TITLE Recommendation for 2026 Hometown Hero SUMMARY FUNDING SOURCE RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the Committee discuss the received nomination(s) and recommend an individual to the Commission to be designated the 2026 Hometown Hero. 9 From:Paul H. Dillman To:Tristin Tarrant Subject:Hometown Hero Nomination Date:Monday, June 15, 2026 3:25:31 PM EXTERNAL EMAIL: [Caution: Do not click on links or open any attachments unless you trust the sender and know the content is safe.] Tristin, Please see nomination below: Nominee's Name and Address Lt. Col. Charles H. "Chad" Buehring (Posthumous Nomination) Winter Springs, FL Contributions and Hometown Hero Essay It is with great reverence that I nominate Lt. Col. Charles H. "Chad" Buehring posthumously for the Winter Springs Hometown Hero award. Lt. Col. Buehring exemplified the highest ideals of service, both to his country and his local community. Raised right here in Winter Springs, he and his family had recently returned to his childhood home. While serving a distinguished 18-year career in the U.S. Army, he remained deeply rooted in everyday community life. He was a devoted family man, an active member of his church, and a dedicated assistant scoutmaster for The Boy Scouts of America, always leading by example and shaping the character of our youth. Tragically, Lt. Col. Buehring made the ultimate sacrifice on October 26, 2003, during a rocket attack in Baghdad while serving as the chief of the Military Information Support Team. He was one of the highest-ranking casualties of the Iraq War. Despite his high-level military intelligence duties, he is remembered locally for his simple pursuits—his devotion to his wife Alicia, his sons Nick and Drew, and his hometown of Winter Springs. Naming him a Hometown Hero is a fitting tribute to a man who laid down his life for our freedom, ensuring his legacy of selfless leadership and community service continues to inspire us all. Nominator Information Paul H. Dillman Commander, Winter Springs Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5405 pdillman1@gmail.com 10 REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 501 VETERAN AND VETERAN FAMILY ADVISORY COMMITTEE AGENDA | JULY 9, 2026 REGULAR MEETING TITLE Newsletter Item Ideas: August - October 2026 SUMMARY At a pervious Veteran and Veteran Family Advisory Committee Regular Meetings the Committee requested a standing item for suggesting items to the upcoming newsletters for the City. FUNDING SOURCE RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends the Committee have a discussion on protentional items for the next upcoming Newsletters and submit information to staff to be included. 11