City of Aurora Veterans Advisory Council Met May 12.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
1. Call to Order
Will Hart called the meeting to order at 5:45 pm.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance lead off the agenda
3. Moment of Silence
The Council joined together for this moment honoring active duty service members and veterans
4. Roll Call
Six members (a quorum) were present. Those in attendance were Bruce Cairns, Jose Cervantes, Randy Fisher, Will Hart, Ken Leask, and Curtis Spivey
The Adoption of Rules on Public Comment was not discussed because Alex Voigt was not in attendance.
5. Mission Statement
Randy Fisher read the AVAC Mission Statement
6. Acceptance of previous Minutes
The Minutes from October, 2020 were read and approved. Ken made the motion to accept the minutes and Curtis seconded the motion. They will be sent to Doug King, City of Aurora.
7 Public Comment
Joe Toma addressed the council. He pointed out instances when he felt the Council had not been responsive to communications from himself and others. He said he had filed a Freedom of Informational Act request concerning the finances of AVAC but would not state the specific problem other than “the money was not right.”
8. Treasurer’s Report
Randy Fisher read off the balances of the five funds held by the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley. There was no financial activity in April.
Scholarship Fund $00.00
AVAC Fund $16,701.74
Memorial Brick Fund $1123.46
Service Dog Fund $83,131,65
Veterans Assistance Fund $31,079.77
9. Committee Report Out
a. Scholarship Fund
The City of Aurora has failed to send the Community Foundation their donation of $5,000.00 for 2020. This means AVAC will not present any scholarships this Spring (2021). We will work with COA to obtain the funds for 2020 and 2021. The Community Foundation failed to inform AVAC of the past due funds and that there was an October deadline for activating the scholarship process. This was not shared with the Council.
b. AVAC Web/Social Media
Curtis reported that the AVAC website is active and doing well. Will and Randy will be access to AVAC’s e-mail when implementing the Veterans Assistance program. Curtis said he would get them the necessary passwords for that to happen.
c. Service Dogs
No report because Josh Pfeuffer was not present.
d. Memorial Brick Fund
June 13th is the tentative date for a small ceremony at Phillips Park with four bricks to be dedicated that day. Will and Jose are working on obtaining the bricks and contacting the families of the June date.
e. Assistance Fund
Will and Randy will contact Kane County Veterans Assistance Commission to start the program before the next meeting.
10. COA Liaison Report
Alex Voigt was not present for the meeting
11. Upcoming Events
June 13th (Sunday afternoon) for the Brick Dedication.
12 Old Business
None
13. New Business
AVAC Coins
Will presented the idea of developing an AVAC Coin to be given to veterans or civilians for acts above and helping veterans. This is based on the program in the services of presenting “Challenge Coins.”
Dogs for Vets
Ken will arrange for Jane Davis, Aurora University, to come to a council meeting to talk about a Dogs for Vets program. The goals would be different than our service dog program.
14. Announcements
None
15. Good of the Order
None
16. Next meeting is June 9, 2021
17. Adjournment
Motion to adjourn made by Bruce and seconded by Curtis at 6:45 p.m.
https://www.aurora-il.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05122021-2616
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