SR 05:094 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission and/or City Council on matters related to the maintenance, upkeep, scheduling and use of the Veterans Building as it affects official Veterans Organizations. The City also agreed that all rights granted to Veterans under the California Military and Veterans Code for the continued access to and reasonable use of the Pleasanton Veterans Memorial Building would be preserved into the future. In 1997, after operating for 60 years under the auspices of Alameda County, the facility and property were transferred to the City of Pleasanton. In April 2003, the Veterans Commission created a subcommittee comprised of representatives from the three (3) local Veterans' Organizations to develop a formal Joint Use Agreement with the City for use of the Veterans Memorial Building. This effort would ensure consistent, on going communication and define use protocols between the City and the Veterans Organizations. Several meetings were conducted from April to June 2003, and a draft Agreement was forwarded to the three (3) Veterans Organizations for comment. City staff met with representatives of the Veterans Organizations in January 2004 to respond to questions about the proposed Joint Use Agreement. In March 2004, Executive Director David Rice of the Tri Valley Community Foundation and Kelley Totten, Tanner Insurance, attended a meeting to review insurance requirements for fraternal/Veterans Organizations, funding opportunities, and special event/alcohol insurance premiums. A revised draft Agreement was also reviewed, which reflected changes made in response to concerns about technical protocols and timelines identified at the January 2004 meeting. Subsequent to the March 2004 meeting, staff contacted the State offices of both the VFW and American Legion, to determine Post insurance coverage requirements. It was determined that individual Posts are not covered by the State office, but are expected to have coverage as a good business practice. This is particularly important since Post activities at times include alcohol and participation by members of the general public. Ms. Totten reviewed the existing insurance policy secured jointly by the VFW and American Legion, and determined that it was very comprehensive. She also felt that the annual premium was priced substantially lower than other companies would charge. Staff also researched the claim by a local Veteran that the facility was established under a Veterans Code Memorial District (requiring an elected County Veterans Commission with oversight of the Pleasanton facility). By scanning City archives and newspaper stories, contacting County personnel, and reviewing County documents, it was determined that a Veterans Memorial District was never established in Alameda County. On March 15, 2005, the Commanders of VFW Post 6298 and American Legion Post 237, along with the VFW Ladies Auxiliary President, met with staff to sign the Joint Use Agreement. The Agreement provides local Veterans Organizations more autonomy to manage Veterans groups affiliated with the building by eliminating the Veterans Commission and establishing a Veterans Organizations of Pleasanton (VOP) that is self-governed and assigned a City liaison/contact. It clearly preserves the exclusive use of the two (2) designated rooms currently utilized for SR 05:094 Page 2