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HomeMy WebLinkAbout- - Military Affairs Team - 3/30/2012MEETING DATE: MARCH 20, 2012 ITEM NUMBER: NB -4 SUBJECT: MILITARY AFFAIRS TEAM DATE: MARCH 9, 2012 FROM: OFFICE OF THE CEO PRESENTATION BY: DANIEL K. BAKER, MANAGEMENT ANALYST FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DANIEL K. BAKER AT (714) 754-5156 RECOMMENDATION: Receive and file DISCUSSION: At the November 15, 2011 City Council Meeting, Council Member Leece, in an effort to reinvigorate the community's support for the City's adopted military battalion, the 1/5 Marines, and to further support all of Costa Mesa's active and retired military personnel, proposed that a new committee be formed to allow Costa Mesa residents an opportunity to provide continued support to all branches of the military. Rather than form a committee, staff has determined that the creation of an informal Military Affairs Team (The Team) would provide greater support for all military personnel that call Costa Mesa home. The Team will allow the flexibility of interested Costa Mesa community members to reach out to all military personnel while not having the general restraints that a formal committee has (minutes, postings, etc.). The Team will routinely report back to Council regarding its accomplishments. The Team will initially be led by Council Member Wendy Leece and Planning Commissioner Jim Fitzpatrick. A staff member currently assigned as the liaison to the 1/5 Battalion will continue to provide in-house support to facilitate cooperation and communication between Costa Mesa residents, and The Team members. The Military Affairs Team will focus on three areas: First, it will continue to support the 1/5 Marines and its family members. The Team will work closely with staff and the community to continue the Care-Pac program and raise funds through various charity events. The Team will also review the way other Orange County cities raise awareness and funds for their local adopted battalions and attempt to form a best practices model to better honor the soldiers of the 1/5. Thirdly, The Team will collaborate with community stakeholders for ways to honor all branches of the military. A few examples would be a Welcome Home Recognition Program, in which community members can host welcome home celebrations for the family and friends of returning Costa Mesa soldiers. The Team will also explore ways to host Mess Nights, which are traditional nights of revelry and companionship that have a longstanding history throughout the military. Another idea will be finding areas for memorial placements to honor Costa Mesa's wounded and past war heroes. The Team will also honor its veterans by providing job support placement and help in pinpointing benefit assistance. All community members interested in honoring our veterans will be welcome. The first meeting will take place at 4:00 p.m., April 26th at City Hall, conference room 1A. A press release will be issued to the public and posted on the City's website for further clarification. DANIEL K. BAKER Management Analyst File: 032012Milita AffairsTeam Dafe: 031312 1 Time: 11:30 a.m.