March 4 and 5, 2005

Comfort Suites Bismarck, North Dakota

Meeting called to order by Chairman Rudy Jenson. Pledge of Allegiance, followed by moment of silence for POW/MIAs and troops serving overseas.

Roll Call

Members PRESENT:

Daryl Beard	Rudy Jenson	Lyle Schuchard
Carl Bloomquist	Orletta Kilen	Paul Smathers
Wally Buckingham	Dean Overby	Dave Vandergon
Larry Dakken	Rick Ryan	Bob Volk
Dave Hilleren

Members ABSENT:

Gary Skarphol

Motion by Dakken to accept the minutes of the December 3 and 4, 2004 meeting, second by Smathers. Motion passed

Guest Speakers:
Kelly Schmidt, State Treasurer [HANDOUT] - Discussion on Postwar Trust Fund and how it's invested. Her office is looking forward to a good working relationship with the committee on administering the fund.

Patty Evans and Shelly Backlund, VA - Discussion on the impact of VA proposals on the Veterans Home. One proposal in the 2006 Presidential Budget is to eliminate the per diem paid to state nursing homes for patients who are not 70% serviced connected or higher. Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) are on an "unofficial" hold pending discussions in Washington over the budget. Until that is resolved, there will be not new CBOCs established. The new Associate Director, Rosalyn Cole, will likely be here in May.

Tim Nolz, Job Service North Dakota [HANDOUT] - Stated a 20% administrative fee is charged on PWTF grant money received. Tim will find out if that charge can be reduced.

Jerry Meske, DOL Veterans Employment and Training Service [HANDOUT]- Request for PWTF monies to help with the expenses of a Stand Down to be held in September 2005. The Governor may be asked to designate September as "Hire the Vet" month. Veterans Benefits Seminars to be held in Dickinson, Valley City and Jamestown.

Eric Monson, NOVUS [HANDOUT] - Discussion on the e Strategic and Operational Plan.

Motion by Bloomquist to adopt the Strategic and Operational Plan, second by Smathers. Motion passed unanimously. [MOTION #1]

Veterans Home Update - Neil Asper, Administrator
Attended National Conference in Washington, DC. If the VA's proposal on eliminating per diem were to go through, the loss of per diem would cost the State an estimated $500,000 in Medicaid costs for the Veterans Home.

Breakout of Subcommittees.

Reconvene meeting.

Subcommittee Reports:

Budget Committee - Rick Ryan

• 2005-2007 budget still going through legislature
• 2003-2005 budget on target

Legislative Committee - Rudy Jenson
Committee members asked to contact their area representatives for support of the Department's and Home's budget (SB2007)

Postwar Trust Fund Committee - Paul Smathers

1. Veterans Home $10,000
   Committee recommends to fund request.
   Motion by Smathers to obligate $10,000 to the Veterans Home, second by Beard. Motion passed unanimously. [MOTION #2]
2. Stand Down -committee tabled request, requested additional information
   Motion by Smathers to table request, second by Bloomquist. Motion failed. [MOTION #3]
   Motion by Smathers to obligate $5,000 and any funding reimbursed will be returned to the Postwar Trust Fund, second by Dakken. Motion passed unanimously. [MOTION #4]
3. HCHV Program $5,400
   Committee recommendation not provide to $5,400 but to provide $2,500.
   Motion by Smathers to obligate $2,500, second by Vandergon. Motion failed, 6 yeas 7 nays - Buckingham, Dakken, Hilleren, Jenson, Ryan, Vandergon, Volk. [MOTION #5]

Motion by Beard to obligate $3,000 for HCHV Program, second by Smathers. Motion failed, 6 yeas 7 nayes - Bloomquist, Buckingham, Dakken, Hilleren, Jenson, Overby, Vandergon [MOTION #6]

Motion by Dakken to obligate $5,400, second by Beard. Motion failed, 4 yeas 9 nayes - Bloomquist, Buckingham, Jenson, Overby, Ryan, Schuchard, Smathers, Vandergon, Volk [MOTION #7]

Appeals Committee - Rick Ryan
The cost to hold a hearing averages around $200, this includes the conference call, materials and staff time. Appeals are being based on something that is not appealable, i.e. over income limitation. Committee recommends the first page of the grant application cover the eligibility requirements the applicant must meet. The applicant needs to initial the page signifying their understanding that if they don't meet the basic requirements of the program, they cannot appeal. Commissioner should be authorized to deny appeal or if applicant persists, the Commissioner contacts an ACOVA member to review appeal for merit.

Committee recommends having a definition for a "special" grant.

Motion by Ryan to allow appeals committee to develop a page to be included with the grant and loan applications based on the committee's recommendations, second by Smathers. Motion passed unanimously.

Evaluation Committee - Rick Ryan
The committee is working on the Commissioner's evaluation. It will be going out to all committee members as soon as possible.

Veterans Home Updates - Jake Reuter
Presented the committee the Rules and Regulations for Admission and Residency at the North Dakota Veterans' Home Handbooks:

• ND Veterans Home Skilled Care Handbook and Resident's Rights
• ND Veterans Home Basic Care Handbook and Resident's Rights

Motion by Ryan to accept the documents in their entirety, second by Smathers. Motion passed unanimously. [MOTION #8]

Governing Board - Daryl Beard, Chairman
?Pharmacy is up and running.

Meeting recessed until 8:00am Saturday at the Comfort Suites.

Meeting reconvened.

March 5, 2005

Comfort Suites, Bismarck

Meeting reconvened at 8:00am by Chairman Jenson. Pledge of Allegiance, followed by moment of silence for POW/MIA

Roll Call:

Members PRESENT:

Daryl Beard	Rudy Jenson	Lyle Schuchard
Carl Bloomquist	Orletta Kilen	Paul Smathers
Wally Buckingham	Dean Overby	Dave Vandergon
Larry Dakken	Rick Ryan	Bob Volk
Dave Hilleren

Members ABSENT:

Gary Skarphol

Legislative Update - Commissioner Hanson [HANDOUT]

Your Rights As A Veteran [HANDOUT]
Motion by Ryan to accept statement and make changes when necessary, second by Buckingham. Motion passed unanimously.

Policy Proposals on Loan and Grant Program [HANDOUT]
Timely payment definition discussed.
Motion by Buckingham to accept #1 but allow the Commissioner some discretion in individual circumstances, second by Ryan. Motion failed. (Paid by monthly due date)

Motion by Smathers to accept #2 with a 10 day grace period, second by Kilen. Motion failed. (Paid by no later than (5), (10) days after monthly due date.)

Motion by Overby for timely payment definition: monthly payment is postmarked on or before the date of the monthly payment", second by Ryan. Motion passed.

Special Grant use/nonuse:
Guideline page becomes first page of grant application; bottom of page would have line for applicant's initials signifying they are aware of the requirements.

Motion to table any further discussion on special grants and have the appeals committee come back with recommendations, second by Bloomquist. Motion passed unanimously.

Grant misuse:
Motion by Smathers that the Commissioner have the authority to place stipulations on people who seem to be abusing the program, second by Bloomquist. Motion failed unanimously.

Consensus of the committee is the commissioner already has authority to place stipulations on grant applicants.

Assets and land value:
Appeals committee will come back with a recommendation.
Motion by Smathers to table discussion until committee comes back with recommendations, second by Overby. Motion passed unanimously.

Discussion on Conservatorship Program:
Motion by Bloomquist that this issue be turned over to Attorney General's Office to include with their legislation this session regarding guardianships and conservatorships, second by Smathers. Motion passed.
Strategy for the upcoming hearing.
Committee members to contact house representatives for support on SB 2007. Encourage returnees of the 141st to attend hearing.

Motion by Ryan the next meeting to be May 6 and 7, 2005 in Fargo, second by Smathers. Motion passed.

Motion to adjourn, seconded, passed.