2011-06-16 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 8 June 16, 2011 would be included during the design phase. We would work hand in hand with the VA to be sure what we want to do is what they will pay for. The money is classified in general funds which is a little problem because it’s difficult to spend that much money on an extraordinary project in the short amount of time that the general funds are available which is one year. A project of this scale will probably take longer than one year to plan and complete especially because there are multiple cemeteries to do it on (East Hawaii I and East Hawaii II), West Hawaii is not included since it is new and done so well. All of the other cemeteries as well as Kaneohe are in the plans. We hope to get to plan and design phase this year and in a few years to the actual resurfacing. The Hilo Office of Veterans Services will be relocating to Keaukaha Military Recreation Area on June 20, 2011. Director Jackson said the OVS is working on hiring a counselor for this island, not sure if the position will be located in Hilo, Kona or be a floater. The internal vacancy closed without any applicants, so an external vacancy announcement will go out in the near future. That is not replacing Joe Flores, it will work under him. Director Jackson will research the cemetery grants and check if there are funds that could be used for purchasing equipment. He will respond to Director Fitzgerald on the outcome. Director Jackson announced that there will be changes to the composition of the State Veterans Advisory Board. Keith Ribbentrop’s interim appointment to replace Norm Stahl will end and Ms. Carole Brulee-Wilson will be appointed as an Interim Advisory Board member. Mr. Minoru Hanato told Director Jackson regarding the gate opening in the wrong direction, he installed chain link fence under the gate. He said it works, but it doesn’t look that great. The plan was to have the gate open outward instead of inward because of the way the ground is. The sensor that opens the gate is only a few feet from the gate and somebody will eventually run into the gate because it’s so close. The sensor needs to be far away from the gate. Director Jackson said it sounds like two separate issues, 1 is the chain link to keep the goats out and the other is the sensor being too close. Mr. Hanato said and the gate is opening the wrong way. Director Jackson said the contract has not yet closed, but they put in for reimbursement on the final payment. He has not done a final walk through at that project so he will pull the contract and see if it’s finished. Mr. Nishimoto suggested they purchase a computerized gravesite locater with leftover funds. Director Jackson said those cost about $35,000 each.