board minutes june 2007

8/8/2019 Board Minutes June 2007

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EXHIBIT 1WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

WDVA Briefing of June 14, 2007King, Wisconsin

Board Members Present WDVA Staff Members PresentPeter Moran Bill Kloster, Acting SecretaryMarv Freedman Anthony Hardie, Executive AssistantRodney C. Moen Bill Crowley, Commandant, King

William Andersen Glen Brower, Commandant, Union GroveKen Wendt John Rosinski, Chief Legal Counsel

Mike Diaz, Division of Veterans HomesLegislative & Program Review Members Present Ken Abrahamsen, Budget DirectorMarv Freedman Colleen Holtan, Budget OfficeVera Roddy Steve Stead, WVH-KingSteve Lawrence Shari McCann, WVH-KingDuane Miskulin Rich Calcut, WVH-King PIOJim Young Bob Telfer, WVH Staff, sang National AnthemTim Thiers Attending Via Video Conference:Mike Furgal Ken Black, Division of Veterans BenefitsScott Berger Andrew Schuster, Communications DirectorDon Heiliger Seth Perelman, Division of Administration

Mel Brandl, Regional CoordinatorLong Term Care Committee Members Present Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff AssistantRod MoenKen Wendt Council on Veterans Programs PresentLewis Harned Russ Alsteen, NCUSARick Scollon Paul Bialk, MCLJerry Polus Cleon Brown, USSVWWIIAlan Walker Rick Cherone, MOPHDr. Charles Allen Jesse Haro, CWVChristine Jordan Bill Hustad, WVVJackie Guthrie Paul Fine, ANU

Mark Foreman, VVAWFinancial Committee Members Present Chris Kanios, VFW

Bill Andersen Jon LiDonne, CVSOAl Richards John Margowski, VVAMike Demske Walter Peterson, Am ExPOWsJim Gausmann Vera Roddy, UWVBill Hustad William Sims, NABVJoe Campbell Mike Smith, ARCAl Kochenderfer Clif Sorenson, WACVOBill Bottoms Clarence Stoel, DAV

Jack Stone, PVACVSO Advisory Council Tim Thiers, AMVETSMark Grams, Dodge CVSOTed Mynyk, Iowa CVSO Others PresentAndrew Clark, Outagamie CVSO Gary Mader, MemberMichael Jackson, Dane CVSO Donald Langer, MemberNick Benzinger, Shawano CVSO Victor AlvarezMike Haley, Chippewa CVSO Cletus Rataichek, AMVETSJohn Solis, Rock CVSO Donna Chrzas, Columbia CVSORobert Stone, Rusk CVSO Rock Larson, Wood CVSOFred Kaiser, Waushara CVSO Holly Hoppe, Oconto CVSO

Tony Tyczynski, Sauk CVSOTom Lois, Kenosha CVSO


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The briefing session by WDVA staff for Board, Council and Committee memberscommenced at 12:30 p.m. The Colors were posted, the National Anthem was sung and thePledge of Allegiance was recited. Mr. Crowley said this special start to the briefing wasbecause it was the first time that the Board of Veterans Affairs had their meetings at Kingon Flag Day. Also, it is a brief commemoration of the 120th anniversary of the founding ofthe Wisconsin Veterans Home and the first veterans home in the nation to welcomespouses as residents. Mr. Moran also noted that June 14 is the 232nd birthday of theUnited States Army.

1. Certification of Notice of Meeting and Roll CallRoll call of Board members: 5 members present for a quorum.Roll call of CVSO Advisory Council members: 9 members present for a quorum.Roll call of Legislative and Program Review Committee members: 9 members present, 2members excused. Quorum present.Roll call of Long-Term Care Committee members: 9 members present; 2 membersexcused.Roll call of Financial Committee members: 8 members present; 2 members excused.Quorum present.Roll call of Council on Veterans Programs members: 20 members present, 2 members

excused, and 2 vacancies. Quorum present.

2. Board Committee AppointmentChairman Moran introduced Board appointee Jacqueline Guthrie who awaits

Senate confirmation. Until her confirmation Mr. Moran recommended appointment ofJackie Guthrie as a citizen member to the Long Term Care Committee. It was movedby Mr. Freedman, seconded by Mr. Wendt and carried on a voice vote to approve theappointment of Jackie Guthrie to the Long Term Care Committee.

3. Legislative ReportMr. Hardie talked about several pieces of state legislation:

Senate Joint Resolution 24 would move forward the process for creating aconstitutional amendment that would prevent inter-fund transfer between anystate funds. We have been advocating with regards to the impact on theDepartment of Veterans Affairs should that constitutional amendment pass. Themortgage loan repayment fund has historically been a funding source for theVeterans Trust Fund and this bill would prevent those sorts of transfers.

Senate Bill 19creditable military service under the Wisconsin RetirementSystem passed out of committee. Funding for an actuarial study was approvedby the Joint Committee on Finance.

Senate Bill 49free access to state parks and state trails by certain disabledveterans and former prisoners of war passed out of committee.

Senate Bills 101 and 146expanding eligibility for the veterans and survivingspouses property tax credit passed out of committee. The Departmentspriorities are to expand the credit to remove the age limit, to include those withindividual unemployability, to reduce the disability requirements down to the 30%level and to liberalize the current residency requirement.

Senate Bill 173 relating to family military leave is in the Committee on EconomicDevelopment, Job Creation, Family Prosperity and Housing.

Assembly Bill 43creditable military service under the Wisconsin RetirementSystem passed out of committee.


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Assembly Bill 63Hire a Veteran Week, Veteran Recognition Week andveterans who volunteer in schools passed the Assembly and is awaiting fullSenate action.

Assembly Bill 75assistance for veterans affected by depleted uranium passedthe Assembly and is in the Senate Veterans Committee.

Assembly Bill 243prohibits consideration of veterans disability payments whenordering maintenance in a divorce settlement. It is pending in committee.

Assembly Bill 270changes the membership of the Council on Veterans

Programs. It has passed the full Assembly and is awaiting action in the SenateVeterans Committee.

Assembly Bills 292 and 256remove the age requirement for the veterans andsurviving spouses property tax credit.

Assembly Bill 362provides financial aid to military families and creates anindividual income tax check off for the military family relief fund. WDVA hasapproximately $7,000 that has been donated for military family relief andlanguage in the statutes is insufficient to appropriately distribute those funds.The requirements for the Assistance to Needy Veterans (ANV) grant aresufficiently stringent that it is hard to find an activated service member who meetsthose criteria. Various amendments are being considered to be able to get thatmoney to military families and one method would be to separate it from the ANVprogram.

Assembly Bill 365 is another bill expanding eligibility for the veterans andsurviving spouses property tax credit.

Assembly Bill 370relates to commercial driver license testing for militarylicense holders.

The Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bond (QVMB) is a program that allows thestate to issue bonds and use the bond proceeds to provide mortgages in the stateveterans Home Loan Program. This issue continues to move forward in Congress in aclose, bi-partisan fashion with Congressman Paul Ryan and Congressman Ron Kind.The total cost of the package would be over $300 million in lost revenues over a tenyear period and there has to be an offset for that.

Congress is moving forward with a funding package for veterans issues ofhistoric levels.

There have been a number of actions that have taken place on the state budget.There were two motions in the Joint Finance Committee that covered the Departmentsoverall budget and other issues regarding the bed tax and the Wisconsin G.I. Bill. TheSenate will begin considering the budget, it will then move to the Assembly and aconference committee will ultimately be convened.

The motion on the Wisconsin G.I. Billcurrent law would allow that the 128credit limit could be used first within the UW system and then again at the technicalcollege system. That was certainly never the intention and the Joint Finance Committeeclosed this loophole. It also established a prorating on the tuition remissionreimbursement. The Governors budget included just over $11 million in generalpurpose revenue (GPR) to fund this program and that GPR was retained by the JointCommittee on Finance as well. Additionally it would provide a deadline so that a persontrying to use these funds would have to claim the remission by the end of each


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semester. The other provisions would reduce the program so that it could only be usedfor undergraduate work, there would be a grandfather clause for veterans currentlyenrolled in graduate study. The other area is to provide tuition remission only during thefirst ten years following separation from service. There has been quite a bit of pressabout this issue. Mr. Hardie had prepared a summary of the fiscal bureau paper andmade sure that the veterans community was informed about the issue.

Mr. Freedman asked that a copy of the Appleton Post Crescent editorial on the

matter and the press release by the Governor be provided to the Board members. Mr.Moen said it is clear that the Legislature is very concerned about issues concerningveterans and we need to work together and continue the dialogue between both partiesin both houses. Veterans issues are not partisan issues.

4. Programs ReportKen BlackMr. Black reported his Division programs:

CVSO Bulletin Updates: #785 addresses the revision of the Lenders ServiceGuide and Bulletin. #788 addresses administrative changes to the VetEdapplication.

Total cemetery burials for the fiscal year are approximately 1,100 burials.

Northern Cemetery will have 30% fewer burials due to a temporary lack ofcolumbarium space. The Southern Cemetery will have approximately 800burials.

Northern Cemetery construction of private vault and cremation gardens whichbegan in May should be completed late June. The result of this expansion will beabout 460 burial spaces for vaults and about 444 in ground cremation spaces. Avendor was selected for the phase two expansion which consists of 704columbarium niches and a scattering garden.

The Department of Administration (DOA) is working with the architectural firm tocome up with a process of doing the construction at the Southern Cemetery. Wehope to begin construction this fall. The expansion consists of 5,000 additional

grave spaces, 1,800 niches for new columbaria, in ground cremation gardensand a scattering garden. The 320 remaining niches are expected to be filled inthe July 2008 time frame. Casket space is sufficient through May 2011.

The Southern Cemetery recently had a tri-annual review by the NationalCemetery Administration and the inspection went very well.

Both cemeteries consistently receive a variety of donations. Dependent burial fees of $450 per dependent were reviewed and will remain the

same at this time. However, unless additional operational funds are receivedwithin the next year, an increase for fiscal year 2009 will need to be considered.

The Military Funeral Honors Program expects about a 13% increase over fiscalyear 2006. That puts us at about 5,880 military funeral honors for the fiscal year.

The Womens Veterans Conference is scheduled for September 28-29 at Ft.McCoy.

The Center for Veterans Issues (CVI) took over the operational control of theveterans assistance center at King on May 1, 2007. We are currently workingwith the federal VA on building codes required in Cottage 16 at Union Grove.

Two employees are currently on site at the Chippewa Falls homeless program.Veterans are expected to begin housing there around the Labor Day timeframe.

The Department continues to expand its efforts in support of HR711, the Troopsto Teachers (TTT) project. The bill expands the number of school districts at


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which TTT candidates can serve the obligated years involved with the stipend orthe bonus.

The Department has recently participated in two reintegration briefings with theNational Guard.

VetEd Program process action team has completed its study. Therecommendation will be ready next week.

Loans and grantsthe Veterans Trust Fund (VTF) delinquency rate was at2.10% in April and 2.12% in May.

The Personal Loan Program (PLP) volume was $365,000 in March and about$835,000 in April. The month of May continues to reflect the impact from themarketing campaign with total loan volume at about $678,000.

The Home Loan Program volume was $3.5 million for April and $4.7 million forMayup from $2.8 million in the month of March. The average home loan nowis about $175,000, about $25,000 more than two years ago.

As of the end of May there was approximately $25,967,000 remaining in theQualified Veterans Mortgage Bond (QVMB) pot of money.

Volume in the Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP) was at $198,000 inApril.

The Department is planning an additional direct mail initiative the first half of Julyto promote all three of the loan programs.

The customer survey for the HILP and the PLP for the months of April and Mayindicated that 20% of the applicants heard about the loan from the direct mailcampaign, 21% from the website and 30% from the CVSO community.

The maximum loan amount on the Home Loan Program is adjusted every July 1and the maximum loan will increase from $395,000 to $400,000 on July 1.

Mr. Freedman asked that Mr. Black distribute the detailed written document thathe prepares as his Board report. It would be helpful to have this in the binders on theday of the meeting.

5. Veterans Homes ReportCommandant Crowley reported that the King Home census was 706 at the end

of May. There are 70 pending applications in various stages of development. Theaverage time from receipt of application to date of admission is 35 days.

The Home Exchange operation had no significant changes to report. In themonths of April and May there were receipts of $41,816.47 with a net loss of $23.46.There was a net gain in the past 12 months of $627.12. The Gifts and Bequests totalrevenues since the last report: $21,465 and expenditures from that fund: $13,549 for anet gain of $7,915.

Major functions at the King Home: The first King Day was May 12th with thePolish Legion of American Veterans. Mr. Freedman attended the annual Open Houseon May 20th. State Senator Luther Olson spoke on Memorial Day and over 5,000 flagswere placed on the veterans graves. June 24, DAV King Day; July 4, Member CouncilIndependence Day Celebration; July 22, VFW King Day; August 11, the annual GreenBay AMVETS King Bicycle Tour and August 12, American Legion King Day (changedfrom their traditional Fathers Day visit).


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Construction Projects at King: The steam condensate lines replacement hasbeen completed. The grounds crew has done an excellent job restoring the area.The architect has been selected for the resident ceiling lifts project. This will allow forpatient lifts for members in need of assistance and make it safer for the caregiver. Thegrant application is on the VAs priority list; however, the $1.892 million has not yet beenset aside. The architect has been selected for the Olson Hall domestic water pipingreplacement project. The 35% design was completed and sent to the VA.The grant application is on the VAs priority list; the grant would be approximately

$975,000, however, funds are not currently set aside. One other project beingconsidered is the replacement of the windows in Olson Hall.

Commandant Brower said that as of May 31, 2007 the skilled nursing facility has47 members. The assisted living building has 110 members. Admissions are not beingprocessed for the assisted living because of the upcoming construction projects. Joboffers have been made to several qualified nurses and most positions have been filledwith the exception of one part-time weekend position. Mr. Brower expects to have acensus of 114 members by the end of December. The average length of time toprocess applications is about 27 days.

The Union Grove Home has authorization for about 272 staffing positions. As ofMay 1, 174 of those positions were filled.

The construction of all three portions of Maurer Hallthe activity center, the foodservice and administrative offices have been completed. The Home is working with theDepartment of Workforce Developments visually impaired operators to contract out thedeli and the bar. The deli will open on July 2nd and the pub should open sometime inthe fall. They received a number of significant donated items for the chapel. Theycontinue to refine and increase knowledge on utilizing the new food service equipment.Mr. Brower said that because they are making refinements, the quality of the food isimproving.

Ten double rooms are being converted into 15 single rooms in Fairchild andShemanske Halls. The remaining double rooms will be fitted with ADA compliantbathrooms and all the windows in both buildings will be replaced. The census will bedrawn down to about 30 members in the building while under construction. Thereplacement of a water heater, water softeners and air handling units are scheduled aswell and a new grant amount is being submitted to the federal VA.

The second phase of the federal VA certification process took place on April 27.The minor shortcomings detected have been corrected and the VA has been notified.The Zablocki VA Medical Center sent a letter saying that the survey team has reviewed

those corrective actions and all the standards have been met as of May 24, 2007. Aletter authorizing per diem from the federal office will be forthcoming. The effective dateof this per diem is still unknown as to whether it will be the 24th of May or revert back towhen the first veteran was admitted on September 6, 2006.

The annual assisted living survey was just completed by the VA and encouragingfeedback was received with minor shortcomings noted and all of those corrections havebeen made.


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The gazebo donated by the veterans from United Auto Workers Region 4 is nowconstructed. The two smaller buses to be used for medical appointments have beendelivered.

The member family picnic will be held on September 30th. Last year close to 400people were in attendance.

Mr. Diaz gave an update on the status of the King Koach bus. The fundraising

campaign raised nearly $335,000 for the buses. In December 2006 the Departmentissued purchase orders for four vehicles for Union Grove. Two have arrived and theother two will be coming on line at the end of the summer. In March 2007 theDepartment submitted a request to the Department of Administration (DOA) for theprocurement of the King Koach, a 40 foot handicapped accessible motor coach. Thenext cycle for us to put in an order for that purchase will be in the fall of 2007. DOAprocurement said the timeline for delivery would be 12 to 18 months after the order issubmitted.

Mr. Langer, a King Home member spoke about the cook-chill food system. Hefelt that from the consumer point of view it is inferior food. Mr. Crowley said the cook-

chill system of preparing and serving food is commonplace in the commercial industry.It is a system that was researched and a decision was made six years ago to use thissystem at the Home and funding was made available for this $5 million dollar project,including a total remake of the existing kitchen facilities. There was a learning processduring the first few months. The member food advisory council stated a great deal ofsatisfaction with the recipes that were in use at the Home prior to the change to the newsystem. The dietary staff did as much as they could to continue those menus asopposed to going to something that is more common through the industry. Mr. Moransaid that the food is prepared at King and then trucked to Union Grove so there is greatefficiency with this process. Mr. Brower said that efficiency was the key word but hethinks that we seriously need to take a good look at this whole system, bring in the

experts, consultants and say get this to the quality that we need for our veterans in thelong term. Mr. Moran asked the Secretary to take another look at the food service andsee what we can do to improve the system or what our options might be and reportback to the Board. Mr. Kloster said that the most recent survey in regard to thesatisfaction with the cook/chill system is that the numbers remain the same as under theold system. The only issue has been variety.

Mr. Mader, chairman of the Member Council and a member of the foodcommittee said there are very few complaints about the food and if there is, changesare made.

Mr. Grams had questions about the inequities in the service costs between Kingand Union Grove. The answer came in WDVA Bulletin #787, the Comparison Chart forCare and Services at Wisconsin Veterans Homes. He wanted assurance that as aCVSO, he can counsel families that there is no charge for these listed services at eitherHome. That was determined to be the case and even co-payments are taken care of bythe Home.

6. Financial ReportColleen HoltanMs. Holtan reported that fiscal year-to-date operating expenses for the King

Home have exceeded operating revenue resulting in an operating loss of $539,000;


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contrasted with a net operating income of $6.3 million for the same period. Operatingexpenses increased by $5.8 million which was a 13% increase over last fiscal year todate. $5.3 million of that increase was for salaries and fringe which is consistent withthe decrease in the staff vacancy rate at King. The remainder of the increase was insupplies and services. Fund equity as of May 31st was $52.2 million, a decrease ofapproximately $200,000 since the start of the fiscal year, but $19.3 million greater thanthe balance as of May 31, 2006. The increase in equity between 2006 and 2007 is dueto the retrospective medical assistance (MA) payments as well as increase in the capital

assets. The May 30th cash balance was $23,325,751.

Operating revenues for Union Grove were $6.3 million through May 31st, whileoperating expenditures were $10.85 million resulting in a year-to-date operating loss of$4,556,000. The increase in operating revenues includes $1.5 million in membercontributions, $1 million in medical assistance, $750,000 in VA per diems and $220,000in Medicare. The MA and Medicare are new revenue sources from 2006 to 2007 due tothe opening of the skilled nursing facility. Fiscal year-to-date loss has caused fundequity to decrease to $17.8 million as of May 31st. Cash uses have exceeded receiptsby $5,652,960 for fiscal year 2007 and the ending case balance for the Home at UnionGrove is a negative $5.3 million.

Assets in the Veterans Trust Fund (VTF) were $71.3 million as of May 31st whichis $7.9 million less than one year earlier. $2.9 million of the decrease was in the cashbalance; $2.8 million in the unpaid principal balance of personal loans and $1.6 millionin the unpaid principal balance of various loan portfolios. The net operating lossthrough May 31st was $4,391,616. Fiscal year-to-date non operating expenses were$1.6 million less than last fiscal year as of the same time period due to decreases ingrant expenditures, of which education grants accounted for $1.1 million of thedecrease; and also due to increases in investment earnings and grant receipts. TheMay 31st cash balance of $26,728,000 is $2.3 million less than the balance at the startof the fiscal year. A significant portion of that is due to the increase in personal loans

originated in 2007 over the 2006 levels.

Assets in the Mortgage Loan Repayment Fund (MLRF) totaled $417.4 million atthe end of May. The MLRF had a net loss of $5,163,645 through May 31st which is$2,170,000 less than the same period last fiscal year-to-date. The investment earningsincreased and debt service interest decreased to contribute to those changes inoperations. The cash balance in the MLRF was $119.7 million at May 31st, which is anincrease of $15.4 million since June 30th.

The Personal Loan Program (PLP) delinquency rate was 2.1%. The PrimaryMortgage Loan Program (PMLP) delinquency rate for April was 0.71%. In May, 30

applications were received for the PMLP. There was $23.7 million dollars of fundsremaining for the PMLP out of our current proceeds. Those funds are anticipated to besufficient to meet the demand until November 2007 based on current projections.

Mr. Freedman requested that Ms. Holtan provide in writing to the Board membersthe language she gives verbally as an explanation for the differentials in numbersbetween the current fiscal year and the previous fiscal year.

7. Overview of the Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant ProgramMr. Black provided an overview slide presentation. The purpose of the

Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant Program (ANV) is to provide emergency benefits


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to very low income and needy Wisconsin veterans whose household income is withinthe program income limit. He stressed that this program is for the neediest of the needyveteran. The program is broken into two partsthe health care aid and the subsistenceaid. WDVA provides dental, vision and hearing aid in the health care portion.Subsistence aid is the replacement of veterans income lost within a 12-month perioddue to illness, injury or natural disaster and not eligible for replacement by any othermeans. This is temporary assistance, not long term payments. There are capsassociated with each area of assistance. There is a lifetime cap of $5,000. The

household income limit is 130% of the federal poverty limit for household size. For asingle household it is $1,106 and for two in the household it is $1,483. In determiningthe amount of subsistence aid received WDVA considers income before the dateincome was lost minus the income received after the date income was lost. Themonetary award amount cannot exceed $2,000 in a 12-month period. The ANV Grantmust be applied for through the County Veterans Service Office, proof of application forother aid is required, additional information requested must be provided within 30 days.

Mr. Moen asked if there have been recent adjustments for inflation. Mr. Klostersaid that the limits were established two years ago and there is Joint Finance action toincrease the limits in the current budget. The recommendation is for the lifetime limit to

go from $5,000 to $7,500 and that there be no limits on any of the three categories.The original category of dental care was a limit of $2,500, hearing $3,000, vision $500and subsistence $2,000.

Mr. Andersen asked how long it took to process these applications. Mr. Blacksaid that once WDVA gets the correct information in, it is just a matter of days tocomplete the process.

Mr. Smerling said it would be beneficial for the Board to see a past history of thisprogram. The 30 day limit is too difficult to work with. Also, there is no flexibility in theincome limit. The program is overly restrictive both in the processing and in the

flexibility of a veteran in need. Mr. Grams said there has to be a way to provideservices to the needy veterans and not have to make them feel like theyre runningthrough impossible hoops. Mr. Moran asked the Secretary to look at the program andcome back and advise the Board what can be done to make it more generous and toimprove the time lines.

8. Recess/AdjournmentIt was moved by Mr. Freedman, seconded by Mr. Moen and carried on a voice

vote that the Board of Veterans Affairs adjourn; the time was 3:25 p.m. TheCommittees stood in recess and the CVSO Advisory Council recessed until 3:30 p.m.


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M I N U T E S

CVSO ADVISORY COUNCIL

June 14, 2007

King, Wisconsin

Members Present WDVA Present

Nick Benzinger, Shawano Bill Kloster, Acting Secretary

Andrew Clark, Outagamie Anthony Hardie, Executive AssistantMark Grams, Dodge John Rosinski, Chief Legal Counsel

Mike Haley, Chippewa Bill Crowley, Commandant, WVH-K

Michael Jackson, Dane Glen Brower, Commandant, WVH-UG

Fred Kaiser, Waushara Mike Diaz, Division Administrator

Ted Mynyk, Iowa Ken Abrahamsen, Budget Director

John Solis, Rock Colleen Holtan, Budget Office

Robert Stone, Rusk Shari McCann, WVH Exec Staff Secretary

Rich Calcut, WVH-King PIO

Ron Woods, Security Chief

Don Martin, Superintendent Bldgs & Grounds

Linda Eskritt, NSG Supervisor

Leanne Turzinski, OH ADONSally Herek, MH DON

Nancy OConnell, Dir. Materials Management

Shannon Hardel, SH DON

Bev Przyblski, AH DON

Jackie Moore, Adjutant

Colleen Roemer, Executive Staff Assistant

Sherry Kelley, Director Social services

Donna Warzynski, Nursing Administrator

Attending via Video Conference:

Ken Black, Division of Veterans benefits

Seth Perelman, Division of Administration

Mel Brandl, Regional CoordinatorKathy Scholl, Communications

Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant

1. Call to Order and Roll Call.The meeting of the CVSO Advisory Council was called to order at 3:30 p.m. A quorum

was present.

2. Certification of Notice of Meeting.So noted.

3. Approval of Minutes of April 19, 2007It was moved by Mr. Mynyk, seconded by Mr. Kaiser and carried on a voice vote to

approve the minutes of the April 19 CVSO Advisory Council meeting.

4. Announcements and IntroductionsMr. Crowley introduced members of the King Home staff (they are listed in the above

column titled, WDVA Present).


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5. WDVA Form 2045 UpdateKen Black said he met with Michael Jackson and John Solis to discuss distribution of

Form 2045. Mr. Black further discussed the matter with his staff and at this point in time they

have not made any determination nor arrived at a solution as to how they should move forward.

Mr. Solis said the matter will be updated at the next meeting of the Council.

6. VBATS Eligibility UpdateThe CVSOs received an email of what will appear on the WDVA website on the first of

July. For records that have been entered since 2002, if CVSOs see a base file number in red, that

indicates that the veteran is not eligible for state veterans benefits. Mr. Jackson thanked Acting

Secretary Kloster and others who accomplished this because it is exactly what they asked for.

7. VetEd Process Action Team UpdateThe Process Action Team gave Acting Secretary Kloster a recommendation. Mr. Kloster

had some more specific questions on things that were not done so he sent the report back to Mr.

Black who will call the group back together again. Once that is done, the recommendation will

go back to Mr. Kloster.

8. WDVA Forms/Brochures ChangesMr. Kloster said that the sheet that compares the services of the two Homes was handed

out by Mr. Crowley at the Northern CVSO Association meeting specifically to get feedback. It

was not meant to be final and released at that time. It was released as a final bulletin the

following week. Mr. Grams cited a problem with another brochure, B0106, the property tax

exemption brochurea veteran came into his office with a more updated version than the one

Mr. Grams was referencing. CVSOs did not get an update for the change in that bulletin that

occurred in February 2007. Mr. Kloster said he would check on the B0106 to find out if a

bulletin was sent.

9. Discussion Regarding Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) and the CVSOMr. Jackson said the CVSO Association has a position paper out. A request was made at

the last meeting that the Board support that position paper in terms of keeping the independence

of the County Veterans Service Officers separate from other county departments. Mr. Solis said

the item is on the agenda for the Legislative and Program Review Committee and the Board.

10.Providing Service to Transitioning SoldiersMr. Kloster asked that the Advisory Council come back at the next meeting and give the

Department a report on how every county is handling services to transitioning soldiers. The

soldier who walks in your door whos on terminal leave, doesnt have a DD-214 yet, but they

want to know about how to go about filing a claim, etc. We need to be standard in the way we

handle every potential veteran. Do we have a problem and if we do, some suggestions on how

we can work that out. Mr. Solis said he could put something out through the CVSO email

system or at the regional meetings to find out if there is uniformity out there.

11.Secretarys MattersMr. Kloster attended the National CVSO Convention in Milwaukee last week. He

commended the CVSOs from Wisconsin who ran the convention, especially the point man, Jim

Young.


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The Department has processed all the CVSO grants and all but three of the checks have

been sent out. We have reached the limit in our current budget so your checks will be coming

out as soon as we get past the end of this month.

The Federal VA in conjunction with the State Directors of Veterans Affairs has created a

system known as State Benefits Seamless Transition Initiative. Wisconsin has signed up for

this initiative. This system parallels the real life line system that is part of the Department of

Labor and is handled here in Wisconsin by the Department of Workforce Development. Thissystem will send a fax to the Department to notify us when a soldier has been released from one

of the major medical centers and is coming back to Wisconsin. If that soldier has indicated that

he or she wants to receive information about state veterans benefits, we will get a fax indicating

the contact information. Mr. Kloster will turn that information over to the system that is already

in place in Wisconsin, the real lifeline network and it will serve as a check to make sure that

system knows the veteran is coming out.

12.Public InputMr. Jackson said there are a couple of things on the last minutes that needed follow up.

On page two, fifth paragraph, there was discussion about the Assistance to Needy Veterans

(ANV) Grant approval rate and Mr. Jackson had indicated that it was 25% and Ken Black said itwas 33%. In the last sentence, Mr. Black said that he would report back the reasons for the

denials at the next meeting (this meeting). The other point that Mr. Jackson asked to be put on

this agenda was a similar issue about the ANV program and that was that income earned before

date of injury should not count against veteran if reviewed after date of injury. WDVA stated

that it needs to do more research and figure out the overall impact so that it could make an

informed decision as to whether or not to change this code based upon this anomaly. If not

addressed today, Mr. Jackson would like both issues on the August agenda. Mr. Kloster said a

letter addressing both issues would be sent to CVSOs and if it did not sufficiently address his

concerns, the matters could be placed on the August agenda.

Mr. Black addressed the second item. According to the statutes it is a loss of income,

therefore that date that there is a loss of income is an anchor date. Thats the date we start from

and going forward from that date, there is no income or a limited amount of income. So those

two dates, the anchor date, i.e. when the individual loses income and the income out to 30 days

after that, thats a part of the equation that WDVA uses. Mr. Solis said the issue is that this is

income that the veteran earned before they became too disabled to work. They are just receiving

the payment after they got injured and cannot work. The pay that one receives today is pay for

work done two weeks ago so why are we counting that income.

13.Council Members Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)Mr. Mynyk said a year and a half ago a veteran tried to pre-register at the Union Grove

cemetery. He had already established eligibility and the cemetery said that the veteran had to re-

establish eligibility through them because they didnt have computer connection to WDVA to

verify eligibility. Has that been fixed? Mr. Kloster will check on that and send an email reply to

Mr. Solis.

14.Next Meeting ScheduleAugust 16 in Milwaukee at the War Memorial Center


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15.AdjournmentIt was moved, seconded and carried on a voice vote to adjourn the CVSO Advisory

Council meeting, the time was 4:10 p.m.

John Solis

Chair


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M I N U T E SLEGISLATIVE AND PROGRAM REVIEW COMMITTEEWISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Meeting of June 14, 2007

Committee Present WDVA PresentMarvin Freedman William Kloster, Acting SecretaryMike Furgal Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant

Vera Roddy Bill Crowley, Commandant, KingJim Young Glen Brower, Commandant, Union GroveSteve Lawrence John Rosinski, Chief Legal CounselDuane Miskulin Mike Diaz, Division AdministratorTim Thiers Ken Abrahamsen, Budget DirectorDon Heiliger Colleen Holtan, Budget OfficeScott Berger Shari McCann, Executive Staff Secretary

Attending Via Videoconference:

Committee Excused Ken Black, Division AdministratorBud Mautz Seth Perelman, Division AdministratorPaul Weprinsky Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant

1. Call to Order and Roll CallThe meeting of the Legislative and Program Review Committee was called to order at

4:10 p.m.; a quorum was present.

2. Certification of Notice of MeetingIt was certified that proper notice of the meeting occurred.

3. Approval of MinutesIt was moved by Mr. Lawrence, seconded by Mr. Young and carried on a voice vote to

approve the minutes of the April 19, 2007 meeting. Committee members Miskulin, Lawrence,

Furgal and Thiers did not receive minutes prior to the meeting.

4. Budget Results from Joint Finance Committee ActionsMr. Freedman asked if members of the Committee had any concerns with the Joint

Finance Committee actions. No one had questions.

5. CVSO Resolutions F002-06 Veterans Education Grant Income Limit; F003-06 VeteransEducation Grant Delimiting Date, and F004-06 Aid to Needy Veteran Grant ImprovementRecommendations

Mr. Freedman said a request was made for the Legislative and Program ReviewCommittee to take action on the above three Resolutions. The options would be to accept, reject

or consider independent action by separate motion.

It was moved by Mr. Lawrence, seconded by Mr. Heiliger and carried on a voice vote toreceive and file the Veterans Education Grant Income Limit Resolution.


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It was moved by Mr. Heiliger, seconded by Mr. Miskulin and carried on a voice vote thatthe Committee recommends to the Board of Veterans Affairs that the subject matter of theresolution, mainly raising the income limit on the VetEd Grant from $50,000 to $60,000 begiven full consideration when the 2009-2011 WDVA budget request is being developed.

The next resolution requests that the Committee recommends to the Board that the ten-year delimiting date be eliminated on the VetEd Program. It was moved by Mr. Thiers,seconded by Mr. Young and carried on a voice vote to receive and file the CVSO Resolution for

the purpose of presenting an alternative motion.

It was moved by Mr. Berger and seconded by Mr. Lawrence that the Committeerecommends to the Board of Veterans Affairs that the subject matter of the Resolution be givenfull consideration when the 2009-2011 WDVA budget request is being developed. Mr.Freedman asked if the makers of the motion, Mr. Berger and Mr. Lawrence would accept afriendly amendment to include the language for full time study after the word Resolution tothen read, that the Committee recommend to the Board of Veterans Affairs that the subjectmatter of the Resolution for full time study be given full consideration when the 2009-2011WDVA budget request is being developed. They were in agreement and the motion passed on avoice vote with one negative vote. Mr. Jackson added that the retraining grant is limited to

vocational education or on-the-job training only.

The Committee discussed the Resolution regarding the Aid to Needy Veteran GrantImprovement Recommendation. Mr. Freedman read the WDVA omnibus motionparagraph17: Assistance for Needy Veterans. Provide $96,000 SEG annually to the Assistance to NeedyVeterans appropriation. Specified that eligible veterans may not receive more than $3,000 in anyconsecutive 12-month period for assistance to needy veterans program, health care aid grants andsubsistence grants. Provide a $7,500 assistance to needy veterans lifetime maximum for anyeligible individual. Delete the current maximum for dental care, vision care and hearing care.Under current law an individual may not receive more than $2,000 in subsistence aid grantsduring any 12-month period. Additionally an eligible individual may not receive more than

$5,000 in their lifetime for Assistance to Needy Veterans Grants. The veterans household maynot have liquid assets in excess of $1,000 without losing eligibility for the program. Undercurrent DVA rules an applicant must earn less than 130% of the federal poverty level to beeligible for these grants. An unremarried spouse or dependent of a veteran that died while onactive duty, including training are also eligible to receive either of these grants. This provisionwould increase the 12-month maximum for Subsistence Aid Grants to $3,000 and the lifetimemaximum for Assistance to Needy Veterans by $7,500. The Health Care Aid Grant Programprovides emergency assistance to financially needy veterans to help pay for medical treatmentand hospitalization. Over any 12-month period, grants for a veteran currently may not exceed$500 for vision care, $1,500 per ear for hearing care and $2,500 for dental care. This provisionwould delete those maximums.

Mr. Freedman said that with respect to the CVSO Resolution, the above paragraph 17includes in the budget all the amounts requested with the exception of the percentage of thefederal poverty level that would be the income limit.


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It was moved by Ms. Roddy, seconded by Mr. Young and carried on a voice vote toreceive and file CVSO Resolution F004-06 Aid to Needy Veteran Grant ImprovementRecommendations.

It was moved by Mr. Lawrence, seconded by Mr. Heiliger and carried on a voice votethat the Legislative and Program Review Committee endorses the improvements to the Aid toNeedy Veterans Grant included in paragraph 17 of Joint Finance Committees Veterans Affairsomnibus motion #63 and recommends that the Board of Veterans endorses the Joint Finance

Committee action and directs the Department to take all necessary steps to ensure that paragraph17 is included in the final version of SB 40, the 2007-09 biennial budget.

6. Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) and Action on CVSO Association PositionPaper Regarding ADRC Concept and CVSO Involvement

MOTION: It was moved by Mr. Young that it shall be the policy of the Board ofVeterans Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs subject to Section 45.43(5)(e)Wisconsin Statutes, that the County Veterans Service Officers Association of Wisconsin shallremain separate and distinct from the county Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) forthe reasons including, but not limited to, those stated in the CVSO Association of WisconsinsApril 22nd position paper regarding the ADRC concept and CVSO involvement, a copy of which

is attached, incorporated by reference and endorsed in principle by the Board of VeteransAffairs. The Board of Veterans Affairs also concurs with the CVSO Associations position paperwhere necessary, individual county CVSO offices and the counties ADRCs should formalize theterms of their cooperative relationships in written memorandum of understanding (MOU). Themotion was seconded by Mr. Furgal.

Mr. Freedman asked if the maker of the motion and the second would accept as friendlyamendments that this is a recommendation from the Legislative and Program Review Committeeto the Board, that the statutory cite is Section 45.80(5)(e), and then incorporate the basiclanguage of the statute so that it refers to county officers and staff shall perform their dutiesseparately and distinctly from the ADRCs. Mr. Young and Mr. Furgal accepted the friendly

amendments so the amended motion is as follows:

AMENDED MOTION: It was moved by Mr. Young and seconded by Mr. Furgal thatthe Legislative and Program Review Committee recommends that it shall be the policy of theBoard of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Veterans Affairs subject to Section 45.80(5)(e)Wisconsin Statutes, that the County Veterans Service Officers and staff shall perform their dutiesseparately and distinctly from the county Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) for thereasons including, but not limited to, those stated in the CVSO Association of Wisconsins April22nd position paper regarding the ADRC concept and CVSO involvement, a copy of which isattached, incorporated by reference and endorsed in principle by the Board of Veterans Affairs.The Board of Veterans Affairs also concurs with the CVSO Associations position paper that,where necessary, individual county CVSO offices and the countys ADRCs should formalize theterms of their cooperative relationships in written memorandum of understanding (MOU).

The motion carried unanimously on a voice vote.


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7. Secretarys MattersMr. Kloster had no further matters to discuss with the Committee.

8. Public InputNone.

9. Committee Members Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)Mr. Thiers was at the Senate Committee hearings on SB 19creditable military service

under the Wisconsin Retirement System. They are not taking into consideration how manypeople in state government are going to be able to retire a year or two earlier because theyregetting credit for that military service.

Mr. Berger felt that the draft minutes of the Board and committees should be distributedprior to formal adoption. Mr. Freedman said the Board adopted a motion on distribution ofminutes and any concerns should be raised during public comment at the Board meetingtomorrow.

10. Next Meeting DateAugust 16, 2006 in Milwaukee at the War Memorial Center.

11 AdjournmentIt was moved by Ms. Roddy, seconded by Mr. Young and carried on a voice vote to

adjourn the meeting; the time was 4:55 p.m.

Marvin FreedmanChairman


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M I N U T E SLONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRSMeeting of June 14, 2007

Committee Present WDVA Present

Rod Moen William Kloster, Deputy SecretaryKen Wendt Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant

Charles Allen Mike Diaz, Division AdministratorChristine Jordan Bill Crowley, Commandant, WVH-KingJerry Polus Glen Brower, Commandant, WVH-Union Grove

Rick Scollon John Rosinski, Chief Legal CounselLew Harned Ken Abrahamsen, Budget DirectorMary Meyer (via videoconference) Colleen Holtan, Budget OfficeAlan Walker Shari McCann, Executive Staff SecretaryJackie Guthrie Attending via Video Conference:

Ken Black, Division of Veterans BenefitsCommittee Excused Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff AssistantKevin Kavanaugh

1. Call to Order and Roll CallThe meeting of the Long Term Care Committee was called to order at 4:55 p.m., a

quorum was present.


3. Approval of MinutesIt was moved by Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Wendt and carried unanimously on a

voice vote to approve the minutes of the April 19, 2007 Committee meetings.

4. Dept. of Health & Family Services, Office of Quality Assurance Inspection ReportsMr. Moen explained that he asked that this item be placed on the agenda so that the

Board is aware of citations by the state and federal government at King and Union Grove. Mr.Diaz provided information detailing citations at King and Union Grove. Mr. Moen referenced anarticle in the Eau Claire Leader Telegram on private sector nursing home inspections. Mr.Crowley said that in each of the four licensed skilled care buildings, there is an obvious postingof the latest survey results from the surveyors of the State Department of Health and FamilyServices, Division of Quality Assurance for anyone to view at anytime. Mr. Scollon said thisinformation is available on the internet under medicare.com.

5. Secretarys MattersMr. Kloster reported on the status of the operational study on homes and future care of

veterans. We were expecting the request to be awarded, however, the Department ofAdministration (DOA) reviewed our proposal and perceived that there was an error and took theproposal out. DOA then realized that they had made an error in taking it off, however, they haddisrupted the timeline sufficiently enough that WDVA could not get it done before the end of thefiscal year. It has caused us to go back and redo the proposal. The proposal will go out shortly


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after the first of July. The main goal of this operational study is to do a study of our Homes toinclude future homes at Chippewa Falls and perhaps other places so that we can determineexactly what we need to put into the 2009-2011 budget.

Mr. Kloster said that in the past, when the Department has opened a new building andgotten per diem payments from the federal government, those payments have always been retro-active back to the date that the first resident was admitted into the facility. The federal VAofficials from Milwaukee who work in collaboration with the Union Grove Home have told us

verbally that the federal VA has a new interpretation of an existing rule which will now onlyprovide us per diem payments from the date of their final inspection, in this case 24 May. Wemay not get per diem from when we introduced our first resident in September to when we hadthe final inspection on 24 May. This could be a half a million dollars or more in lost revenue tothe facility. In the past there was a very liberal interpretation of the rule and this newinterpretation is more consistent with the way it is written. We will go through an appeal processif one is offered. Our argument will be not that the interpretation is incorrect, but that this hasbeen past practice and based upon past practice we made the decision to open several monthsprior to the inspection. There are other states affected and this may have to be resolvedlegislatively.

6. Public InputMr. Jackson said a new rule signed in December 2006 regarding those veterans who are

70% service-connected disabled or higher, residing in state veterans homes, that the federal VAcan now reimburse the state veterans homes for their care. The VA was to have promulgatedrules by March 21, 2007. That did not happen. Mr. Jackson said the CVSO organization hascontacted the VA to see about getting that done and received one reply from CongresswomanBaldwins office. The impact is that members at the King Home who are rated 70% or highertake that compensation and pay for their care. Veterans in community-based nursing homes takethat 70% or higher compensation and put it in the bank. He encouraged the Long Term CareCommittee to take action to have the VA promulgate those rules immediately.

7. Committee Members Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)Mr. Polus asked if a veteran comes to the Home and has just Medicare, does the Home

pay the difference in co-pay and deductible. Does the cost of care include everything? Mr.Crowley said the Medicare co-pay and deductible would be paid for by the Home.

Mr. Moen asked at the last meeting about the dollar transfer from King to Union Grovebecause of start up costs. Ms. Holtan said that the amount that has been transferred is$10,410,988.83. The first transfer occurred on June 30, 2002, again in fiscal year 2005 and infiscal year 2006. It is projected that there will be a transfer from King to Union Grove at the endof July 2007 of approximately $6.4 million. Mr. Moen asked when Union Grove would besustainable on its own. Ms. Holtan said she would need to redirect that question to the Home orto Mr. Secretary. Mr. Moen said that he would leave it to the Financial Committee to look intothat. Mr. Kloster said thats one of the reasons for the operational study, and why theDepartment is undertaking business plans for the two homes. Once we get those baselinenumbers, we will do a business plan for the home at Chippewa Falls before we ever open it. Mr.Moen said along with that, he assumes that WDVA will look at the veterans population in thestate because were losing so many WWII veterans. Mr. Kloster said the Department is


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projecting well out into the future what the need will be for nursing beds. We cannot predict 20years from now how medical advances will change this.

In answer to Mr. Walkers comments, Mr. Kloster said that even though were trying asmuch as possible to make Union Grove and King identical to each other, there are somedifferences in the vendors. One area is going to be the canteen and pub operation. WDVA willhave to contract out at Union Grove through a private vendor and hopefully an agreement can beworked out with the vendor to make the services comparable not only in quality but in price.

The cost of medical care is the same but costs at the canteen or other services that we do notreally need to provide may be different.

Dr. Allen was concerned as WDVA does its studies that it bears in mind our veteranpopulation may not fit that private model and how they generate revenues. What do you projectwhen the Chippewa Falls Home comes on board, will you do anything differently?

Mr. Kloster said that a higher level of Medicare patients had been contemplated forUnion Grove and that may or may not work out. At Union Grove the assisted living facility wasbuilt first and then the nursing home. At Chippewa Falls we would start with the skilled nursingfacility because that is where more opportunity is to get the additional Medicare and Medicaid

revenue. The business plans are going to be key to how we begin at Chippewa Falls.

8. Next Meeting ScheduleAugust 16, 2007 in Milwaukee at the War Memorial Center.

9. AdjournmentIt was moved by Mr. Wendt, seconded by Mr. Harned and carried unanimously on a

voice vote to adjourn the meeting; the time was 5:30 p.m.

Rod MoenChairman


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M I N U T E SFINANCIAL COMMITTEE


Committee Present WDVA Present

Bill Andersen William Kloster, Acting Secretary

Al Richards Anthony Hardie, Executive AssistantBill Hustad Bill Crowley, Commandant, WVH-KingJim Gausmann Glen Brower, Commandant, WVH-Union GroveJoe Campbell Mike Diaz, Division of Veterans HomesAl Kochenderfer John Rosinski, Chief Legal CounselBill Bottoms Ken Abrahamsen, Budget Director

Colleen Holtan, Budget Office

Committee Excused Shari McCann, Executive Staff SecretaryWalter Stenavich Attending Via Videoconference:Mike Demske Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff AssistantJohn OBrien

1. Call to Order and Roll CallThe meeting of the Financial Committee was called to order at 5:35 p.m.; a quorum was

present.


3. Approval of Minutes.It was moved by Mr. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Gausmann and carried unanimously on

a voice vote to approve the minutes of the April 19, 2007 Financial Committee meeting.

4. Discussion of Financial Report FormatChairman Andersen said that he looks at what WDVA does as a business. When he

invests in stock it is his practice to look at assets, liabilities, cash on hand, fixed assets, and longterm debt; so when it comes to the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and its financialstatements he would like to see some of that same information. Mr. Campbell recommended adetailed report at least once a year in August or October at the states fiscal year end.

It was moved by Mr. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Hustad and carried on a voice vote thatthe Department prepare and present to the Committee a one-page detailed statement for eachreport (cash flow, balance sheet, income statement) at the end of each fiscal year.

5. Secretarys MattersActing Secretary Kloster thought that the final report would best be presented in October

because we will have first look numbers in August and Ms. Holtans preliminary final would bein October.


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Mr. Kloster talked about the Primary Mortgage Loan Interest rates. There has been anincrease in market rates. WDVAs rate is fixed at 6% and we have very little if any room toadjust that rate. With the current Qualified Veterans Mortgage Bond (QVMB) money we do nothave the ability to adjust our rate up and down. The QVMB restricts us in the minimum interestrate we can charge on our mortgage loans. We must cover the cost of money, what were payingfor the bond, plus the add-ons that we have for administrative costs, insurance reserve, theorigination fee and servicing fee that were paying to the banks who actually make these loans.

We cannot go above one and an eighth percent beyond the cost of money because the federalgovernment has set a limit on how much money can be made on tax free bonds.

If the rise in interest rates is sustained, we would expect to see more use of our programand therefore, our amount of available funds would diminish quicker than anticipated. Mr.Kloster has contacted Capital Finance and asked for them to meet with us to discuss variousoptions we may have for the future. The Department cannot bond for any more money until thebudget is passed. There is potential for the Department to run out of funding in the PrimaryMortgage Loan Program by November if the budget takes longer than anticipated to pass. If thebudget passes and we can get the increase to our bonding caps, the funds will last until nextsummer. Ms. Holtan said that Capital Finance is aware that as soon as the budget passes we

need to go to the Building Commission to get an authorization to issue bonds.

Mr. Kloster said that as far as property foreclosures are concerned, the Department is notseeing an increase. WDVAs delinquency rate still remains below one percent. It is normal forus to take back five to eight homes through foreclosure each year. On the average, when we takea property back and go through the entire process of foreclosure and sale, which includes makingsome repairs to the property, the average loss to the Department is about $15,000. There is aninsurance fund that is set aside to make sure that we cover any of those kinds of losses.

6. Public InputNone.

7. Committee Members Matters (Not Subject to Adoption)None.

8. Next Meeting DateAugust 16 in Milwaukee at the War Memorial Center.

9. AdjournmentIt was moved by Mr. Campbell, seconded by Mr. Gausmann and carried unanimously on

a voice vote to adjourn the meeting; the time was 5:50 p.m.

Bill AndersenChairman


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M I N U T E SCOUNCIL ON VETERANS PROGRAMS


Members Present WDVA Present

Russ Alsteen, NCUSA William Kloster, Acting SecretaryPaul Bialk, MCL Anthony Hardie, Executive AssistantPat Brown, USSVWWII Bill Crowley, Commandant, WVH-KingRick Cherone, MOPH Mike Diaz, Veterans HomesPaul Fine, ANU John Rosinski, Chief Legal CounselMark Foreman, VVAW Ken Abrahamsen, Budget DirectorJesse Haro, CWV Colleen Holtan, Budget OfficeBill Hustad, WVV Steve Stead, WVH-KingChris Kanios, VFW Shari McCann, Executive Staff SecretaryJon LiDonne, CVSO Association Rich Calcut, WVH PIOJohn Margowski, VVA Attending via Video Conference:

Walter Peterson, Am. ExPOW Ken Black, Division of Veterans BenefitsVera Roddy, UWV Seth Perelman, Division of AdministrationWilliam Sims, NABV Kathy Scholl, CommunicationsMike Smith, ARC Julie Van Metre, Executive Staff AssistantClif Sorenson, WACVOClarence Stoel, DAV Others PresentJack Stone, PVA Steve Lawrence, VFW AdjutantTim Thiers, AMVETS Rick Scollon

Joe CampbellAl Richards

Members Excused Rod Moen, Board Member

Bud Mautz, Am. Legion Ken Wendt, Board MemberJerry Rabetski, PLAV Bill Andersen, Board MemberPaul Weprinsky, JWV Marvin Freedman, Board MemberWWI vacancy Jim Young, Vernon CVSOFCDV vacancy Mark Grams, Dodge CVSO

John Solis, Rock CVSORobert Stone, Rusk CVSODonna Chrzas, Columbia CVSOJackie Guthrie, Board AppointeeDebra Johnson, VAFLewis Harned

Al KochenderferChris Jordan, Walworth CVSONick Benzinger, Shawano CVSOTed Mynyk, Iowa CVSOHolly Hoppe, Oconto CVSOMichael Jackson, Dane CVSOJim Gausmann, LaCrosse CVSOMike FurgalBill Bottoms (continued)


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Tony Tyczynski, Sauk CVSOGary Mader, WVH MemberTony Pflanzer, WVH Member

1. Call to Order and Roll Call of MembersThe meeting of the Council on Veterans Programs was called to order by ChairmanSorenson at 8:00 a.m.


3. Introduction of Guests and AnnouncementsMr. Sorenson thanked Commandant Crowley for his hospitality. Introductions included

Bill Andersen, Board Member; Rod Moen, Board Member; Jackie Guthrie, Board Appointee andall other esteemed guests. Mr. Sorenson recognized WVH member Tony Pflanzer and thankedhim for attending the meeting.

4. Approval of MinutesIt was moved by Mr. Margowski, seconded by Mr. Fine and carried unanimously on a

voice vote to accept the minutes of the April 19-20 meetings.

5. Council CommunicationsChairman Sorenson said he will send a letter on behalf of the Council in support of a

Fisher House or comparable facility on the grounds of the VA in Milwaukee.

6. Museum Foundation ReportBill Hustad, President of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum Foundation, said that on June

23rd

there will be a Toast to Veterans fund raising event at the Capital Brewery in Madison. OnJuly 17th the Museum will host a golf outing at the Oaks Golf Course just outside of Madison onI-94. On November 3rd the Museum will host its annual Gala in the Museum. The Foundationmembers are busy planning for those events.

7. Discuss Adding Organizations to the CouncilVeterans for Peace and Veterans AssistanceFoundation

Mr. Sorenson said that it is not the Councils prerogative to say if a group can or cannotjoin but it is a courtesy for them to make a request and the Council can forward itsrecommendations on to the Legislature. Debra Johnson, Executive Director of the VeteransAssistance Foundation (VAF) provided information to the Council regarding the VAF.

Ms. Johnson said that the VAF is a non-profit organization formed in 1994 to developtransitional housing for homeless veterans. The first program opened at King and theorganization has operated the program at Ft. McCoy which transitioned to Tomah and they havea facility in Madison. They are in the process of developing a 12-bed program encompassingTomah and the LaCrosse area. The VAF is a nationally accredited organization. The key staffof the organization are veterans from Vietnam, Desert Storm and the Iraqi and EnduringFreedom conflict. They recognize the veterans in Wisconsin and have expanded to assisthomeless veterans throughout the nation as well.


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Mr. Hustad: How many members of your organization are in the State of Wisconsin?Ms. Johnson: The Board of Directors consists of nine members and three are from

California and one from Washington, DC.Mr. Hustad: How many veterans do you serve?Ms. Johnson: The Tomah facility has 59 veterans; the Madison facility has 3; and in the

new Step-Up Program 2 beds filled there. The VAF currently serve 64 veterans with thecapacity for 70 beds.

Question: Where does the foundation get its money?Ms. Johnson: The VAF gets the majority of its money through the US Department of

Veterans Affairs Grant and Per Diem Program. Other funds come through the Department ofLabor, Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program and they also do fundraising and acceptdonations.

Mr. Bialk: Is this a veterans organization as such? Is the staff all veterans?Ms. Johnson: We are a non-profit organization but we are also an accredited national

veterans service organization to assist with veterans claims on the federal level. The key staffare veterans, three staff members are not veterans. All of the people that the organization assistsare veterans.

Ms. Roddy: How do you meet the unique needs of women veterans?

Ms. Johnson: There are separate beds for women veterans and being on the grounds ofthe VA Medical Center, they have a Women Veterans Coordinator who works with the femaleveterans.

Mr. Alsteen asked for a printed copy of the information Ms. Johnson just presented. Hewould like the material mailed to the Department for inclusion in the mailing to Councilmembers.

Mr. Sorenson said representatives from both Veterans for Peace and the VeteransAssistance Foundation have presented information about their organizations. Mr. Smith wasunable to attend the last meeting of the Council and wanted more information on Veterans forPeace than what appeared in the minutes. Mr. Sorenson said the organization has an on-line

website that he visited for answers to his questions. Mr. Hustad asked about the number ofmembers they have in Wisconsin and what their mission is and how do they serve veterans.

Mr. Foreman, a member of the Council representing Vietnam Veterans Against the War(VVAW), is also a member of Veterans for Peace. He noted that the reason veterans are joiningVeterans for Peace is because soldiers of the wars since the Second World War came back with alot of questions. Veterans for Peace believe that war should be the very last way to addressconflict.

Mr. Sorenson asked if this was a political organization as opposed to a veteransorganization. Mr. Foreman said it is political to take care of ourselves. Veterans organizations

take care of veterans who come back from war. We do not want more veterans of war; werepresent veterans who believe that war is insane and that we are the unique group of Americanswho understand that more than anyone else and we need to work hard to prevent any more of ourchildren and grandchildren getting involved in war.

Mr. Stoel said the Council is here to support veterans and not their own agenda. Theremay be 7,000 members of Veterans for Peace nationwide but there are not that many members inWisconsin. Mr. Cherone asked if the organization backs any political organizations for bills forand against the war. Does the organization have a political stance? Mr. Foreman said the


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organization supports the peace movement and anyone who opposes the war. Ms. Roddy saidthe size of the membership of an organization should not be considered. She thought it wasimportant to recognize voices from all parts of the veterans community. Her only concern wasthat Veterans for Peace is on the FBI watch list. Mr. Foreman said Veterans for Peace are aconscience about war. He appreciates and admires what other organizations have done to protectour benefits to make sure that we get what were due. We need to represent more than just oneidea as veterans.

Mr. Alsteen heard questions at a legislative hearing on what it takes for an organizationto be eligible to get on the Council on Veterans Programs. The state statutes do not clearlydefine that and he thought that this Council should address eligibility criteria in the future.

It was moved by Mr. Thiers and seconded by Mr. Stoel that the Council endorse the letterof request for membership on the Council on Veterans Programs by the Veterans for Peace. Rollcall: Alsteen-no; Bialk-no; Brown-no; Cherone-no; Fine-no; Haro-no; Hustad-no; Stoel-no;Kanios-no; LiDonne-no; Margowski-no; Peterson-yes; Roddy-yes; Foreman-yes; Sims-no;Smith-no; Sorenson-abstain; Stone-yes; Thiers-no. 14 no; 4 yes; 1 abstentionthe motionfailed.

It was moved by Mr. Hustad and seconded by Mr. Fine that the Council goes on recordendorsing Veterans Assistance Foundation membership on the Council on Veterans Programs. Itwas noted that Mr. Alsteen had requested additional written information about the Foundation.It was moved by Mr. Fine, seconded by Mr. Stoel and carried on a voice vote to table the motionuntil the next meeting.

8. Discussion Regarding Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)Mr. Sorenson said that the CVSO Association prepared a position paper that said the

county veterans service offices should remain separate and distinct from the ADRC as requiredunder state statute, but that the relationship between CVSO and ADRC be formalized (if

necessary) via written Memorandum of Understanding.

It was moved by Mr. Thiers, seconded by Mr. Alsteen and carried on a voice vote that theCouncil on Veterans Programs endorses the CVSO Association position paper.

9. Commanding Officer of the USS Freedom to Address the CouncilMr. Alsteen said there was a fire aboard ship in Marinette and the Commanding Officer

was unable to attend at this time.

10.Secretarys MattersMr. Kloster said that the federal VA announced a program in conjunction with the state

Department of Veterans Affairs to provide a state benefit seamless transition initiative. Thisinitiative will notify the state directors when a veteran is being moved from one of the militarytreatment facilities. When that veteran is being transferred back into their home state, he or shewill sign a release and a copy will be sent to WDVA for action. WDVA has signed up andparticipates in that program. The contact information for veterans will be turned over to the reallifeline network which already exists in Wisconsin through the Department of Labor WorkforceDevelopment.


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Saturday, September 1 will be the Badger football game at which veterans will berecognized during the half time show. There will be more details coming out about how ticketswill be made available and whether or not we will be able to have the reception.

It was a busy week in regards to the Wisconsin G.I. Bill and our programs in generalacross the state. It is important for us to make sure that as veterans we are heard and that we arespeaking with one voice and united in what we are requesting. There have been changes in the

budget affecting all of state government. As we go through the process we need to realize thatwe probably will not be able to get everything we ask for and even though we have great needand great merit for our need, we have to be patient and united in what we ask for. If we ask foreverything, we may get nothing.

11.Old BusinessNone.

12.New BusinessMr. Joe Campbell spoke about a Fisher House in Milwaukee. The City of Milwaukee

had a proposal to take over the entire historic district and 37 acres within the VA at Milwaukee.

The plan was pulled off the table about two and a half months ago. Mr. Campbell, along withvarious veterans boards have had meetings with Mr. Grippen, the Director of the MilwaukeeVA. One of the resolutions had to do with a Fisher House or a Fisher-type house built on the VAgrounds in Milwaukee. The Fisher House is a wonderful concept, similar to the RonaldMcDonald House; however they will only build new. It could be possible to get a combinationof donors to restore one of the historic buildings and put it into the concept of serving theveterans and their families while they are in need of recovery and visitation, etc. Effective July15th all the Milwaukee VA historic properties are going out for requests for proposals and thatmeans anyone can bid on any part or parcel as they so choose. The federal VA is going to deferthe land for six months, pending the decision on whether to reopen Wood National Cemetery.The fact of the matter is that Milwaukee has plenty of land to build a Fisher House or Fisher-type

House. Mr. Campbell is the co-founder of an organization called Being There-Reaching Outwhich is an organization that gathers the families of the fallen from the State of Wisconsin. Itsmission is to serve these families, allow them to get together three or four times a year and sharetheir love, their strength, their sadness, their sorrow and their hope with each other. One familyreceived a donation in remembrance of their son to build a memorial. They have opted to givethat money to the Fisher House in Milwaukee. We have asked them to hold off from thestandpoint that if the money goes to the Fisher House, it is under the control of SecretaryNicholson. He decides where the Fisher Houses are going to go and Milwaukee is not even onthe list of priorities over the next five years. Mr. Campbell represents the Veterans Board ofDirectors in Milwaukee and he is Vice President of the Allied Veterans Council and almostevery veteran organization has taken a position or resolution to Secretary Nicholson. One

resolution is to reopen Wood National Cemetery. The second resolution is to support theadvancement of a Fisher House in Milwaukee as soon as possible. The third resolution is to tryand pull the operating expenses of the historic district off of medical health care and put it underthe parks department. Many of you had been led to believe that once the City of Milwaukee hadpulled their proposal that it was basically all over. Far from it. Secretary Nicholson will be inMilwaukee next Tuesday for the groundbreaking ceremony of the long overdue relocation of thespinal cord injury center. He will be there for the remainder of the day to help kick off theNational Wheelchair Games.


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Mr. Sorenson wanted to clarify that a Fisher House is new construction and a Fisher-typehouse could utilize some of the existing under-utilized buildings. Mr. Campbell said that thebeauty of a Fisher House is that they have the structure, management and know-how to run thefacility. Mr. Cherone asked if veterans would manage the Fisher House. Mr. Campbell said thatsomeone through the VA hospital would be a partner with them in the management. Themanpower in the home itself would probably be privately hired through the Fisher Houseconcept. Mr. Cherone asked who funds that. Mr. Campbell said it would have to come from

ongoing funds.

Mr. Brown asked for an explanation of the Fisher House and what gave you the idea tobuild it and why did you want to proceed down that road when there are so many buildings onthe grounds that really need relocating or restoration. The Fisher House concept comes from thestandpoint that they are established throughout a number of VA medical facilities. The House isnot only for the families to stay in but it is also for the veteran in the recovery process so hedoesnt have to stay within the hospital, he can go through his rehab while staying at a FisherHouse with his family. The ideal would be to utilize an existing building and get it restored backto some beauty and more importantly the services that are needed. The Fisher Houses will onlybuild new, that is just their policy.

Mr. Sorenson said he has drafted a letter stating Council action of April 20th to supportthe establishment of a Fisher House. He included a statement about either rehabilitation or reuseof an existing building for a Fisher-type house. Mr. Sorenson will release the letter to theHonorable R. James Nicholson. Mr. Peterson, American Ex-POWs noted a typographical errorin the letter that Mr. Sorenson will correct before sending out.

Mr. Campbell recommended that the Council take the opportunity to visit the historicdistrict and the national cemetery when it meets in Milwaukee in August.

Mr. Sorenson asked Mr. Grams to talk about the Wisconsin G.I. Bill issue. Mr. Grams

referred back to Mr. Klosters statement that if we ask for everything, we may get nothing.Consequently, what are we asking for in regards to the Wisconsin G.I. Bill? Mr. Kloster saidthat we are looking for it to be restored to what it was intended to be. Mr. Grams said he hopesthat every service organization here is political, thats how we get benefits. You have to beactive politically to get things done for your organizations. This Council is responsible to takethis information back to your organizations for personal contact to the Senate and Assembly thatwe are all in favor of this Wisconsin G.I. Bill staying the same. Mr. Sorenson added that if welose benefits that we have earned, we will not get them back.

Mr. Thiers made a motion to recommend to the Board to endorse no changes in theWisconsin G.I. Bill. Mr. Sorenson said that unfortunately, since it is not an agenda item, it

would not be an appropriate motion. But the essence of this subject can be reported to theBoard.

13.Activities within the Veterans CommunityMr. Sorenson attended the National County Veterans Service Officers Association

meeting in Milwaukee. Jim Young, the national delegate, did a wonderful job representingWisconsin. He thanked the Acting Secretary and staff for all of the support given to the NationalOrganization. Mr. Sorenson was in Washington, DC to attend the National Coalition forHomeless Veterans meeting. There will be a forum for women on September 28

that Ft. McCoy.


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Ms. Roddy said that United Women Veterans has taken over the clothing room at the VAHospital. They are looking for donations, especially stylish, back-to-work clothing for ouryounger veterans. She will have a pick up point at the War Memorial before the Council meetsthere in August if anyone wants to bring in donations of womens clothing and shoes.

Mr. Stone said the National Veterans Wheelchair Games will begin June 19th

inMilwaukee. Secretary Jim Nicholson will be a part of the kick-off supper on Monday night. He

will also be at the VA Medical Center for a ceremonial groundbreaking at 2 p.m. on June 19thfor the spinal cord injury unit. The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) organization has goneinto a venture for fundraising with a NASCAR racing team. The number 49 car is now paintedin red, white and blue Paralyzed Veterans of America colors with the logo and pva.org on it.

Mr. Alsteen was in Washington, DC for the Secretary of the Navy briefing to the MarineCorps Council, Chief of Naval Operations, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and enlisted menin each of those organizations. He learned that a newer style personnel carrier has beendeveloped. Bids are being sought to get these personnel carriers mass produced for servicemembers in Iraq. America appears to not be in a position to produce the carriers in a timelymanner. This information was shocking to Mr. Alsteeneverything is being made in China and

if we ever have to mobilize, he doesnt know where we are going to get the resources.

Mr. Thiers said the AMVETS State Convention is in Wisconsin Rapids at the HotelMead beginning on June 22nd. AMVETS donated $20,000 to the National Wheelchair Gamesand they will have membership applications at the convention to continue support for PVA. TheAMVETS organization provides canteen books for members of the Veterans Home. A rib roastfor the VAP residents will be put on during the AMVET King weekend.

14.Public InputMr. Jackson addressed the Departments position about not sharing draft copies of

minutes with those individuals who are not members of those committees. He provided copies

of the statutes that address public records19.31, 19.32 and 19.37 Declaration of Policy. TheDepartments position is that draft copies of minutes do not come under the public records law.Mr. Sorenson said distribution of the Councils minutes would be made an agenda item at theAugust meeting.

Mr. Stone said that Glen Grippen, Director of the Milwaukee VA Medical Center isbeing promoted as Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) Director at the VA RockyMountain Network (VISN 19) in July. The hospital is having a party for Mr. Grippen on June25th.

Ms. Roddy said that Sunday, July 1st is Freedom Day at the Milwaukee County Zoo. It is

hosted by Purple Heart veterans and the Milwaukee County Zoo. All veterans and familymembers are invited and it is free for all who have a wrist band.

Mr. Alsteen said that Department Chief Legal Counsel John Rosinski is retiring. Hethanked him for all of his efforts on behalf of the Council.

Mr. Young thanked the Council on Veterans Program for its support in assisting inputting on the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers annual training inMilwaukee. It was a four-year process and he thanked the American Legion, Vietnam Veteransof America, AMVETS and WDVA for their support of the training.


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15.Next Meeting DateAugust 16-17 in Milwaukee at the War Memorial Center.

16.AdjournmentIt was moved by Mr. Haro, seconded by Mr. Thiers and carried on a voice vote to

adjourn, the time was 9:30 a.m.

Clif SorensonChairman


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B O A R D M I N U T E SWISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Meeting of June 15, 2007King, Wisconsin

Board Members Present Council on Veterans Programs Members Present

Peter J. Moran Chris Kanios, Sr., VFWMarvin J. Freedman Bill Hustad, WVVRodney C. Moen Russ Alsteen, Navy ClubWilliam H. Andersen Rich Cherone, MOPHKenneth C. Wendt Jack Stone, PVA

Jon LiDonne, CVSO AssociationBoard Members Excused Walter Peterson, Am Ex-POWWalter M. Stenavich Vera Roddy, UWVMack E. Hughes Jesse Haro, CWV

John Margowski, VVAWDVA Present Tim Thiers, AMVETSBill Kloster, Acting Secretary

Anthony Hardie, Executive Assistant Others PresentBill Crowley, Commandant-King Steve Lawrence, VFW AdjutantJohn Rosinski, Chief Legal Counsel Al Kochenderfer, VFWMike Diaz, Division of Veterans Homes John Solis, Rock CVSOKen Abrahamsen, Budget Director Chris Jordan, Walworth CVSOColleen Holtan, Budget Office Donna Chrzas, Columbia CVSOShari McCann, Executive Staff Secretary Michael Jackson, Dane CVSOSteve Stead, WVH-King, Finance Director Mark Grams, Dodge CVSODonna Warzynski, Nursing Administrator Ted Mynyk, Iowa CVSODr. Paul Drinka, Medical Director Rock Larson, Wood CVSOColleen Roemer, Executive Staff Assistant Holly Hoppe, Oconto CVSOPolly Kimball, WVH-King, Finance Jim Young, Vernon CVSO

Mary Pavlick, WVH-King, Finance Jim Gausmann, LaCrosse CVSOAttending via Video Conference: Alan Walker, Long Term Care Committee memberSeth Perelman, Division of Administration William Bottoms, Financial Committee memberKen Black, Division of Veterans Benefits Mike Gunner Furgal, Legislative Committee memberJulie Van Metre, Executive Staff Assistant Al Richards, Financial Committee member

Dr. Petzel, VISN 23 DirectorJackie Guthrie, Veterans Board Appointee

1. Roll Call and IntroductionsThe meeting of the Board of Veterans Affairs was called to order at 9:40 a.m. The

Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silence. A quorum was presentafter roll call of members.

Mr. Crowley asked members of the King Home staff to introduce themselves (theyare listed above at WDVA Present).

2. Certification of Notice of MeetingIt was certified that proper notification of the meeting occurred.


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3. Approval of MinutesIt was moved by Mr. Wendt and seconded by Mr. Moen to approve the minutes of the

April 19-20 Board meeting and the Teleconference of May 2, 2007. Mr. Kloster was askedto clarify a couple of items from the Briefing Minutes. Page 3 second paragraph regardingthe transfer of funds from the Homes to the Veterans Trust Fund where Mr. Hardie addresseda provision in the upcoming budget to allow $7 million transferred from the Homes account

to the Veterans Trust Fund. The minutes say that any action of that type would be briefed tothe Board prior to a transfer for its concurrence. That is, in fact, true. There is no statutoryor rule requirement attached to this particular transfer that would require approval of theBoard. The second note was a typographical error where it was noted that 3 million veteransand 1 veteransit should read 1 million veterans (referring to national membership inthe American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary). Those two items will be corrected inthe final minutes. The motion to approve the minutes of April 19-20 as corrected and theminutes of the May 2 teleconference was approved.

4. Board Members MattersChairman Moran thanked Commandant Crowley and his staff for hosting this

months meetings. Mr. Moran represented the Board at the following venues: May 25th new Board member Department briefing at the Madison headquarters with

Jackie Guthrie and Bill Andersen.

May 26th Memorial Service for Army Sgt. Mark A. Maida in Madison at ResurrectionCemetery at the invitation of Dane CVSO Michael Jackson. Ms. Ellen Blissenbach(Gold Star Wives) made a quilt presentation to the family.

Memorial Day observations at the Dane County Memorial Coliseum where he made afew remarks before introducing Governor Jim Doyle.

Traveled to Milwaukee to attend the National Association of County VeteransService Officers National Training Conference and addressed the group at the awardsbanquet.

June 19th groundbreaking ceremony of the new spinal cord injury unit at the ZablockiVeterans Hospital in Milwaukee.

Wheelchair Games opening ceremonies at the Midwest Airlines Center. June 21st, Secretary Kloster, Ken Black and Mr. Moran will tour the Chippewa Falls

facility where a Veterans Assistance Center will be opening in the fall. They willthen travel to the Northern Cemetery in Spooner to discuss future upgrades.

Vice Chairman Freedman represented the Board at the following venues:

May 17 event sponsored by the Fallen Soldiers Project at the State Capitol. Portraitsare being done by Tim Mayer depicting men and women from Wisconsin killed inIraq and Afghanistan.

Kings 120th Anniversary and Open House on May 20th. Mr. Freedman co-chaired the second meeting of the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

(PTSD) Advisory Panel on May 22nd.

Speaker at the Memorial Day observance in Footville on May 28th. June 3 Wisconsin Korean War Veterans Memorial event at Plover. June 7 National Association of County Veterans Service Annual Training Conference

in Milwaukee.


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Mr. Moen represented the Board at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans MemorialCemetery Memorial Day observance. Mr. Moen asked that acronyms be spelled out in futureminutes of these meetings.

Mr. Wendt attended the volunteer banquet at the Union Grove Veterans Home onApril 23rd. He attended the Memorial Day program at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in

King. Door County dedicated its new Fallen Soldiers Memorial in Sturgeon Bay.

board minutes june 2007

Documents