Veterans commission allocates $7,500 for VetFest; discussion continues on honoring former Mayor Skip Hall

At the Feb. 12 meeting, the Veterans Disability and Human Services Commission approved a motion to allocate $7,500 from its current-year budget to support VetFest, the commission’s annual veterans event.

Danielle (city staff) presented options for recognizing former Mayor Skip Hall and outlined costs and timing for each. Options discussed included the City’s park tree-donation program (a small tree with plaque for $850 or a larger specimen for $2,000), a park bench donation with plaque for $5,000, and a Veterans Commemorative Plaza paver in Marley Park for $75. Staff also said a plaque in the City Hall hallway or Mayor’s Atrium was a possibility but might require additional procurement steps and could be more expensive depending on design and whether a photo is included.

Danielle told the commission that, to date in the fiscal year, the commission had spent about $1,300 and had roughly $8,600 remaining in its allotment. "My recommendation tonight is to allocate $7,500 toward VetFest," she said, adding that the funds would give staff authority to scale the event this year as needed and that staff were continuing to pursue sponsorships.

Commissioners discussed timing: several members said they preferred to wait until after VetFest to decide on a permanent recognition for Mayor Hall so the commission would know what funds remained. Danielle said the commission could revisit the Mayor Hall recognition at the May meeting and that a decision could be made then if funds allow; if not, the item could move to the next fiscal cycle.

The commission acted on the funding recommendation. The motion to allocate $7,500 to VetFest was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote; the minutes of the Jan. 8 meeting were also approved earlier in the session by voice vote. The meeting record does not show a roll-call vote; five commissioners were present and the chair called the votes "Aye." The chair declared both items approved.

Staff said VetFest planning is under way: exhibitor and sponsor registration links are live; organizers expect static vehicle displays, bounce houses, a kids zone, food trucks (with preference for veteran-owned vendors), a band and service-project activities such as letters to troops and care-package assembly. Staff are working with Arizona at Work on a potential job fair component but noted challenges because VetFest is an evening event.

Commissioners instructed staff to continue fundraising outreach and to return in May with a budget update and options for recognition of Mayor Hall.