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Receive a presentation from Supervisor John M. Vasquez (District 4) and Jeff Jewell of the Vacaville Veterans Building Association highlighting completed maintenance, improvements and a proposed signage upgrade at the Solano County Veterans Memorial Hall of Vacaville and accept the work of the various building trades that have donated their labor and materials to the project(s)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Vasquez requests that the Board receive a presentation highlighting completed maintenance, improvements and a proposed signage upgrade at the Solano County Veterans Memorial Hall of Vacaville and accept the work of the various building trades that have donated their labor and materials to the project(s).
SUMMARY / DISCUSSION:
The Solano County Veterans Memorial Hall of Vacaville, constructed in 1929, serves as a local historic landmark and is the home to five veteran’s organizations and two auxiliaries that enjoy a reputation for broad community outreach and support.
County facilities such as this support the activities of local veterans’ organizations and veteran-sponsored events, holiday meals and support groups. Veteran-sponsored facility rentals also benefit community youth groups, service organizations, private parties, events, and life-cycle celebrations.
Responsibility for maintenance at the County’s six Veterans Memorial Halls is performed based on an agreement between the County and the veterans’ groups at each of the respective locations. The agreements outline the responsibilities for repairs and replacement of building services between the County and the respective Veterans Hall members.
The non-profit Vacaville Veterans Building Association consists of members from the AMVETS Post 1776, American Legion Post 165 and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 165, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7244 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Unit 7244, The Marine Corp League Detachment 1486 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 84.
Within the past year, the Vacaville Veterans Building Association has utilized its own funds and generous donations of materials and labor to make modest improvements to the Solano County Veterans Memorial Hall of Vacaville. All work was approved in advance through the County’s Real Estate and Facilities Divisions. Examples of the work completed are:
• Replacement plumbing, including laundry sink, hose bib and venting in basement washroom
• New paint, including exit doors, basement, main hall annex
• New level 5 drywall in main hall annex, interior entryway to main hall, basement
• New epoxy floor in basement and carpet leading to basement bathrooms
• New carpet in stairwell to basement
• New tile floor in basement washroom
• New low-flow toilets (11 total)
• Replacement plumbing to sink vanities with automatic shut-off faucets installed
• Changed outlets installed in basement for food warming cabinets
• New automatic light switches installed throughout the building
All of the labor was performed at no cost to the County or Vacaville Veterans Building Association by members of the building trades and oftentimes as part of union training programs. The union members who performed the work include the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 180; Local Union 1237 for Carpet, Linoleum and Soft Tile Workers; Local Union 487 Painters and Drywall Finishers; and the Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 343.
In addition, the American Legion Post 165, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7244 each sponsor Boy Scouts of America troops. Over the past 30 years, more than a dozen Eagle Scout projects have been completed at the Solano County Veterans Memorial Hall of Vacaville. These projects include:
• New wood fencing along the exterior side and rear of the veteran’s hall
• Renovation of a space for organization and American and POW flags
• Renovation of the downstairs food storage closet, new shelving and paint
• Renovation of the kitchen storage space
• Renovation of the basement storage room and washroom, new shelves, new wallboard hangers for brooms, mops, shovels and other tools
• The existing marquee was an Eagle Scout project that included new landscaping in the front of the veterans hall
• Renovation of the conference room, including paint and blinds
• Renovation of the main hall after bingo shut down in the late 1990’s, including repaired wallboard, primer, paint, and new trim
• Revitalization of all of the military static displays (105 Howitzer, WWI mortar, flagpole and memorials).
• Renovation of the upstairs storage area, including wallboard, paint and new shelves
Together, these projects have saved the County and veterans organizations an estimated several hundred thousand dollars in maintenance and repair costs. These projects compliment the County-led renovation of the Solano County Veterans Memorial Hall of Vacaville. Completed in 2019, the $1.4 million project addressed exterior walkways and ramps, fencing, roofing, painting, energy-efficient air conditioning/heating and interior finishes and lighting. Additional food storage equipment was provided along with improvements to the basement food storage areas.
The County-led renovation also presented a unique opportunity to restore the grand meeting hall to its original splendor by uncovering and refurbishing the original high wood-paneled ceiling and heavy timber trusses.
As part of Board action taken September 12, 2023, reaffirming the name of County Veterans Memorial Halls as the “Solano County Veterans Memorial Hall of [each respective City name]”; authorization was given to General Services to seek contract services for design and installation of the new signage at each Veterans Memorial Hall building displaying its name. The Vacaville Veterans Building Association has already begun the process of working with staff to upgrade its existing exterior sign to an LED display.
Today, the Solano County Veterans Memorial Hall of Vacaville is a place of pride for the local veteran community as well as those who visit for special events. The commitment to its upkeep is a positive example of the partnership between the non-profit Vacaville Veterans Building Association and the County and the shared commitment to maintaining a treasured community venue.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the District 4 FY2024/25 Working Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
Supervisor Vasquez requests the Board accept the presentation and generous donation of labor and materials from the building trades. The Board could choose not to accept the presentation and work performed by the building trades, however, that is not recommended as this is an opportunity to highlight the improvements made to the Solano County Veterans Memorial Hall of Vacaville and the ongoing partnership between the Vacaville Veterans Building Association and the County for maintenance and operation of a public meeting space that serves our veteran population and the community at large.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Vacaville Veterans Building Association, Jeff Jewell, Adjutant, American Legion Post 165
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION