Title
Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2021.17 Monterey Bay Veterans Home at the Former Fort Ord; and approve recommendation to designate establishment of a Veterans Home in Monterey County as a legislative priority of the Board.
Report
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Receive a preliminary analysis report in response to Board Referral No. 2021.17 Monterey Bay Veterans Home at the Former Fort Ord and direct that staff:
1) Proceed with completion of referral based on description in this report; or,
2) Take action to direct that staff:
i. Proceed with completion of referral based on modifications by the Board; or,
ii. Return to Board with a more comprehensive analysis of referral and anticipated effort for completion; or,
iii. Rescind referral.
b. Provide further direction, as appropriate.
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:
Referral Summary & Background:
Board Referral No. 2021.17 (Alejo/Askew) Monterey Bay Veterans Home at the Former Fort Ord, was jointly assigned to the County Administrative Office-Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs Division (CAO-IGLA) and Military and Veterans Affairs Office on September 21, 2021. The purpose of the referral is for the County to engage in state and federal legislative advocacy efforts to construct and operate a Veterans Home on the Central Coast on County owned property at the former Fort Ord or other appropriate site.
California is home to the largest Veteran population in the nation (over 1.7 million) and Monterey County is home to nearly 21,000 veterans and thousands of active and reserve military members. In Santa Cruz County, San Luis Obispo and San Benito County, there are an additional 10,000, 17,800 and 2,500 veterans, respectively.
The Veterans Homes of California offer affordable long-term care to aged and disabled veterans as well as their eligible spouses and domestic partners. With eight facilities across the state, the Veterans Homes offer services ranging from independent living programs with minimal support to 24/7 skilled nursing care for veterans with significant clinical needs. There are eight (8) Veterans Homes in California operated by the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), none of which are in the Monterey Bay region. The nearest Veterans Homes are at a considerable distance: Fresno (2.5 hours), Yountville (2.5 hours), and Ventura (4 hours).
Proposed Project Description:
If approved and authorized by the Board of Supervisors, establishment of a Veterans Home on the Central Coast will be designated as a legislative priority within the County’s 2021-22 Legislative Program, and efforts to bring the project to fruition will be provided under the direction of the Legislative Committee. The County would then meet with state and federal legislators on this issue and sponsor state and federal legislation in the 2022 legislative session to site, construct and operate the facility at the former Fort Ord or other appropriate local site. The County’s legislative advocacy team and Military and Veterans Affairs office would work together to produce appropriate materials (briefing papers, letters, etc.) to demonstrate the need for the project.
Per the referral “The legislation should replicate SB 1234 (Johannessen) in 2002 that would authorize the State Public Works Board to issue lease-revenue bonds to finance acquisition, design, and construction of an additional Veterans Home on the former Ft. Ord in Marina, California, and to allow the State Department of General Services, on behalf of the State Department of Veterans Affairs to construct an additional Veterans Home in Marina. The legislation should also seek a continuous appropriation for its operation. Federal legislative efforts would also need to be initiated secure two-thirds of the costs for the acquisition, design and construction and a continuous appropriation for its operation through the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.”
Estimated Project Cost:
The cost of the project is currently unknown but would be funded through state and federal resources.
Staffing Level Estimate:
Staffing will be provided through existing CAO-IGLA staff, the County’s state and federal legislative advocates, and the Military and Veterans Affairs Office.
Departmental Challenges:
None anticipated.
Proposed Response Date:
It is recommended that by designating this project as a legislative priority ongoing updates be provided through the Legislative Committee and that the referral be considered complete.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Approval of this recommendation will support the Board’s priority to support the health and welfare needs of Monterey County veterans and honor their service to our nation.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
o Economic Development
o Administration
þ Health & Human Services
o Infrastructure
o Public Safety
Prepared by: Annette D’Adamo, MAIII (CAO-IGLA)
Approved by: Nick Chiulos, Assistant CAO
Jason Cameron, Military & Veterans Affairs Officer
September 28, 2021
Attachment: Board Referral No. 2021.17