Redding Veterans Home of Northern California -Meeting Notes

April 7, 2009

Chair Stephen Jorgensen called the meeting to order at 11:15 AM in the Enterprise Room at City Hall, 777 Cypress Street Redding Ca.

Attending were the following.

J.P. Tremblay, Deputy Secretary, Communications & Legislation CDVA  JPTremblay@cdva.ca.gov

Stephen Jorgensen-Northern Calif. Veterans Cemetery

Mel Fisher-Medical Coverage  melphs@phango.co 

Sue Thompson, City of Redding  sthmpsn@ci.redding.ca.us

Tom Pearson, Visitor

Norma Comnick, Anderson City Council

Pete Stiglich, Volunteer for Jim Nielsen, Assemblyman

Senator Maurice Johannessen

John E Cleckner

Ken Schneider

Jack Tolbert

Candi Tucker

Trica Connors

Dave Meurer- Wally Herger Field Rep.                                                                                                                            

Brenda Haynes-Assemblyman Nielsen Field Rep

Connie Grinols

Charlee Thompson

Flora Pearson, Secretary pearsonfnpearson@aol.com

Minutes:

The minutes of previous meeting stood as written.

J.P. Tremblay stated we have started over with the bids after a review and they expect to have a better number of contractors to select from when the bids are awarded. We may have the Ground Breaking by April 2010. He again reiterates until the contract is awarded to the builder possibly in January 2010 and signed we will not have a firm date for the Ground Breaking.  The project costs are estimated to be between 65-75 million.  Staff to be hired by 2011.

Completion 12-2011. We remain on the top priority List, working to insure we remain top of the list. Must have plans well underway by August 2009 or can fall off the list.

Maurice Johannessen inserted that the home has been approved for construction and Senator Aanestad bill {HB-3060} assures the money will be there when needed.  We do not need to wait for the Federal Funds, can start with funds borrowed from the State.

The design may be very different from the plans we have seen in the past. The builder will have own design.

Last week's meeting was mandatory for any one wishing to bid on the project.

Redding Veterans Home projected to start about four months ahead of the Fresno Home. Redding wet weather could be a concern.

By October or November should know who the Contractor would be, so Chair Steve will set a date in December for our next meeting. Any further changes for the project will be forwarded to Steve.

Sue Thompson, City of Redding has the water and electric in and ready to proceed. The City retained a strip of land that may one day be a street. There is a chance Shasta View Drive may be extended to Knighten Road in the future.

There were a number of concerns regarding the Redding Home:

Q - Will local veterans have a preference?

A - depends on their answers to the application.

Q - Only 15 beds for Veterans with Memory problems -not adequate for the North State .

A - Only in-patients will be transferred to the Dementia/Memory Unit.

Q - Will legislation be required for the Veterans Clinic to be placed on parcel with the home or to expand the home?

A - May need legislation -depends on project.

Q - Do we need to apply to the IRS for 501-C-3 designation?

A - Yes so persons donating may claim a tax exemption Need to start the paperwork as may take months. Connie offered to do the paper work; stated there will be a cost. Shasta County Veterans Affiliated Council has a fund for the Northern California Veterans Home. They have a meeting on Saturday. Chairman Steve will report on the Veterans Home at the meeting.  Will request using some of the funds for the application to the IRS.

Q - Do we need a Foundation?  

A - Yes, as fund-raising is ongoing for the home. Need to provide the items the Government will not provide -Chapel, library, TV, sport equipment etc

The meeting adjourned at 12:20

Flora Pearson, Secretary

This is an unofficial website, for information purposes only, and not affiliated with the California Department of Veterans Affairs.

For information about this website, contact webmaster D. Butler deedle38@hotmail.com

Home