(a) The veteran affairs commission shall act as an advisory body to the city manager and the city council and shall:
(1) evaluate and recommend programs, policies, and practices designed to alleviate veterans' difficulties in meeting basic needs, obtaining housing, employment, and comprehensive mental health assistance;
(2) act as a central clearinghouse for information relating to the status of veterans in the Dallas community;
(3) accumulate information about the needs of veterans in the Dallas community, including available services, and make recommendations to the city council regarding these needs;
(4) recommend ways to:
(A) educate the community on:
(i) the status of veterans' rights and needs; and
(ii) veterans' contributions to our community; and
(B) promote awareness among the public and private sector of veterans' full potential and of the importance of veterans' contributions to the development of the community; and
(5) identify and review the entire range of services available to veterans, and recommend ways to:
(A) strengthen existing services and pursue new services for veterans;
(B) promote collaboration between service providers; and
(C) expand resources available to veterans.
(b) The city manager shall provide staff to assist the commission in performing its duties and responsibilities. (Ord. 31746)