Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 01 08 Veteran and Veteran Family Regular Meeting Minutes 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 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. 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.