August 11, 2006

Comfort Suites, Bismarck, ND

Meeting called to order by Chairman Jenson. Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence for POW/MIAs and those serving overseas.

Roll Call

Present:

Daryl Beard	Jerry Goll	Orletta Kilen
Carl Bloomquist	John Hanson	Arnold Maier
Wally Buckingham	Dave Hilleren	Dean Overby
Larry Dakken	Rudy Jenson	Lyle Schuchard

Absent:

Jerry Meske

Gary Skarphol

Dave Vandergon

Guests:

BJ Brazil, President, CVSO Association
Mark Landis, Secretary/Treasurer, CVSO Association
June Veit, Senator Conrad's office

Motion by Dean Overby to accept minutes from June 2006 meeting, second by Carl Bloomquist. Motion passed.

Speakers:

Maren Daley, Executive Director Job Service North Dakota:

• Shared success stories on homeless veterans and veterans finding employment.
• Spoke on article featuring "Hire Vets First" Campaign tailored to North Dakota in the magazine: North Dakota Business Report.
• Williston Excellence of Center will be conducting training for work in the oilfields. There will be a real rig for students to train on. Williston will be receiving a US DOL Training grant to help facilitate the center.

BG Jerry Engelman, ND National Guard:

• General Haugen retiring this month. Change of command to take place on August 26, 2006 in Bismarck.
• Conference in September - Retiree Initiative and Retiree Council to provide more communication and involvement of retirees.
• Identified for Predator Mission, start-up will be this coming winter.
• February/March 2007 North Dakota will no longer have F16's.
• Southwest Border Patrol - presently overwhelmed with the number of guard troops being sent to help with the situation. Two-three week rotations for guard members are planned. The Border Patrol is trying to use more technology to help with situation.
• Update given on Guard mobilizations around the world.
• Legislative update - State level: good meeting with Gov Hoeven on legislative issues; Federal level: - funding is a major concern, i.e. replacing and updating equipment; clarifying missions designated under Title 10 (President's authority) & Title 32 (Governor's authority).

Rosalyn Cole, Acting Medical Center Director, Fargo VA
Maria Briggs, Facility Planner/Executive Assistant

• Dr. William Becker designated as Acting Medical Center Director for the next 120 days. Hopefully the new Director will be on board by October 2006.
• Fargo audited, best VA facility to date.
• Attended many veterans organizations' conventions and events this summer throughout North Dakota; attended CBOC town hall meetings in Dickinson and Williston. Jamestown's town hall meeting is scheduled for September 5th at the Law Enforcement Center.
• First Native American Open House at the VA held in June. August 30th is the scheduled date for the first "Sweat" in sweat lodge on grounds. Mental Health van to travel to the Reservations once a month.
• StandDown to be held at Rheault Farms, Fargo, on September 30, 2006.
• September 28, Carol Turner, National Women's Veterans Coordinator, will be in Fargo for a Women Veterans' Health & Wellness Day.

Mark Landis, Burleigh CVSO:

• Spoke on meeting held with Commissioner Hanson, two County Commissioners from County Commissioners Association, two CVSOs and a member of Commissioner's staff. Discussion on how state and counties can work together to ensure county veterans service officers can best do their jobs in servicing veterans in North Dakota and how the support from the county is essential in making this happen.

Appointments to the North Dakota Veterans Home Governing Board:

Chairman and Secretary recommend Norris Braaten as Chairman of the Governing Board. Motion by Wally Buckingham to approve recommendation, second by Daryl Beard. Motion passed unanimously. [MOTION #1]

Chairman and Secretary recommend Brad Maasjo to serve on the Governing Board. Motion by Carl Bloomquist to approve recommendation, second by Daryl Beard. Motion passed unanimously. [MOTION #2]

Chairman and Secretary recommend Duwayne Ternes to serve on the Governing Board. Background given on Mr. Ternes. Motion by Arnold Maier to approve recommendation, second by Dean Overby. Motion passed unanimously. [MOTION #3]

Subcommittee appointments:

Department of Veterans Affairs: Gary Skarphol (AL), Carl Bloomquist (VFW), Jerry Goll (DAV), John Hanson (VFW), Lyle Schuchard (AMVETS), Dave Hilleren (VVA)

Budget: Lyle Schuchard (AMVETS), John Hanson (VFW), Gary Skarphol (AL), Dean Overby (AL), Dave Vandergon (VVA), Jerry Goll (DAV)

Post War Trust Fund: Wally Buckingham (AMVETS), Daryl Beard (DAV), Carl Bloomquist (VFW), Dave Hilleren (VVA), Orletta Kilen (AL), Lee Finstad (VVA)

Appeals: Dean Overby (AL), Wally Buckingham (AMVETS), Arnold Maier (VFW), Jerry Meske (DAV), Dave Vandergon (VVA)

Legislative: Lee Finstad (VVA), Arnold Maier (VFW), Lyle Schuchard (AMVETS), Gary Skarphol (AL), Jerry Goll (DAV)

Committee recessed for subcommittee meetings.

Committee reconvened.

Kelly Schmidt, ND State Treasurer [HANDOUT]
Update on Postwar Trust Fund.

Postwar Trust Fund Committee - Wally Buckingham, Chair

Discussion on DAV request for funding. Consensus of committee to grant this request on a one-time only basis.
Motion by Wally Buckingham to obligate $1,500 for DAV Transportation Network request, only to be used for ND veterans and any reimbursements go back to the DAV Fund, second by Arnold Maier. Motion passed, 9 yeas, 3 nays - Hanson, Jenson, Maier [MOTION #4]

Motion by Wally Buckingham to transfer $50,000 to Reserve Fund on June 30, 2007 second by Orletta Kilen. Motion passed, 11 yeas, 1 nay - Beard. [MOTION #5]

Motion by Wally Buckingham to obligate $50,000 to grant program, second by Daryl Beard. Motion passed unanimously. [MOTION #6]

Motion by Wally Buckingham to obligate $10,000 for Veterans Home Activities Fund and $3,000 for marketing video, second by Daryl Beard. Motion passed unanimously [MOTION #7]

Motion by Wally Buckingham to eliminate $10,000 for Casualty Fund, second by Daryl Beard. Motion passed unanimously. [MOTION #8]

Department of Veterans Affairs Committee - Lyle Schuchard

Gary Skarphol elected Chairman.
Motion by Lyle Schuchard to approve proposed change to Loan Policy #251, second by Carl Bloomquist. Amendment by Lyle Schuchard to set standard fee for everyone not to exceed $25.00, second by Carl Bloomquist. Motion as amended passed.

Motion by Lyle Schuchard to approve proposed change to Grant Policy #412, second by John Hanson. Motion passed.

Motion by Dave Hilleren, second by Dean Overby, to accept following recommended response to Audit Recommendation 2-6:

"A review of the work performed by the Department's veterans' benefits specialist at the Fargo VA was done. It was found the position is responsible for approximately 1200 Powers of Attorney (POA); deals with 200-300 contacts per month; and with the VA allowing the Department to have a rent free office in their building, the position becomes a direct and necessary link to the VA and its programs.

Therefore, it is the position of the Administrative Committee on Veterans' Affairs that the Department's veterans' benefit specialist position at the Fargo VA remain as is. This position, along with all other positions in the Department, will be evaluated on a regular basis." Motion passed.

Legislative Committee - Arnie Maier, Chair

No report at this time. Arnie Maier and Lyle Schuchard will attend the legislative drafting seminar presented by Legislative Council on September 26, 2006.

Appeals Committee - Dean Overby, Chair

Two appeals hearings were held this morning. Did not overturn Commissioner's decision
Motion by Dean Overby to accept report, second by Lee Finstad. Motion passed

ND Veterans Home Report - Mark Johnson, Administrator

Started May 1, 2006. Various projects are being considered: picnic area, courtyard, and lighting on the driveway leading to the Home. Looking to develop a "Philosophy of Care" and "Vision Statement" for the Home

Veterans Home Budget - Kristin Lunneborg
Overview of 2007-2009 Budget.

Committee recessed until 8:30am Saturday morning, August 12, 2006.

August 12, 2006, 8:30 am, Committee reconvened.

Meeting called to order by Chairman Jenson. Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence for POW/MIAs and those serving overseas.

Present:

Daryl Beard	Jerry Goll	Orletta Kilen
Carl Bloomquist	John Hanson	Arnold Maier
Wally Buckingham	Dave Hilleren	Dean Overby
Larry Dakken	Rudy Jenson	Lyle Schuchard

Absent:

Jerry Meske

Gary Skarphol

Dave Vandergon

Discussion on Veterans Home 2007-2009 base budget and optional package.
Motion by Daryl Beard to approve Veterans Home 2007-2009 budget as presented, second by Orletta Kilen. Motion passed unanimously. [MOTION #1]
Department of Veterans Affairs 2007-2009 base budget and optional package presented by Commissioner and Administrative Assistant, Cathy Halgunseth.
Motion by Arnold Maier to approve Department's 2007-2009 budget as presented, second by Dean Overby. Motion passed unanimously. [MOTION #2]

Budget Committee - Lyle Schuchard

Discussed optional package.

Bismarck StandDown - Lyle Schuchard

It is scheduled for September 12, 2006 at AMVETS Club in Bismarck. Update on the status of the event.

Meeting with Governor - Chairman Jenson

• Update on bonus program.
• Lyle Schuchard's appointment to Workforce Development Council.
• Discussed funding for Veterans Home video.
• Committee couldn't support the Medal of Honor Memorial being planned in Minot.
• "Hire a Vet" Month (October) Proclamation to be signed by Governor.

Newspaper announcement on naming of new committee members. Chairman will check with Governor's office on submitting the information.

"Day of Deployed Soldier" (October 26, 2006) Proclamation signed by Governor.

Sample designs for license plates discussed. ND Coordinating Council will be determining the design.

Dave Hilleren reported a Lewis & Clark Signature Event to be held in New Town, September 17-20, 2006.

Next meeting: November 3 and 4, 2006 in Bismarck.

Meeting adjourned.