HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-09/25/2019 MEMORIAL HALL COMMISSION
September 25, 2019
5:00 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Hall
Members present: Craig White in the Chair, Randy Miller (arrived at 5:03pm), Don Ticknor, Mel
Wittwer,Marilyn Robinson, Mike Mrzlak, and John Mrzlak(A).
Absent: Rodney Butz, Scott McDonald, Marcia Courbat, Frank McCaw, Jim Lentfer, Angela
Hickok(A).
Also in Attendance: Nancy Higby, Administrative Secretary
Moved by Ticknor, seconded by Robinson, that the Agenda be approved. Ayes: Six. Motion
carried.
Moved by J. Mrzlak, seconded by Ticknor, that the Minutes of August 28, 2019, as presented, be
approved. Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
Citizen's Oral Comments
Richard Hurtado commented that he had spoken with JB Bolger/Leisure Services about
landscaping concerns.
A brief discussion took place regarding beautification of the grounds and a suggestion was made
that someone reach out to local florists about the possibility of donating flowers for the urns on
behalf of veterans.
Mel Wittwer provided an overview of the conversations with Charles Pearson who spoke during
citizen's oral comments at the August meeting. It his Charles' desire to help make the Veteran's
Memorial Hall and the Soldiers and Sailors Park a tourist destination. Mel added that it will take
volunteers in order to see this happen and that talks will continue.
Treasurer's Report
In Marcia Courbat's absence, Nancy Higby read the fund balances from the project transaction
report, reporting a brick fund balance of$6,964.71 and flag fund of$486.28. She also reported
that Marcia will be sending eleven bricks over to be engraved in time for Veteran's Day.
Chairperson's Report
No report.
Committee Reports
Building, Grounds & Operations—Chairperson Mel Wittwer
Mel Wittwer reported that he removed building access rights for Jim Petersen and added Frank
McCaw and Jo Porter of the CV Civil Round Table. An updated list was provided to Nancy
Higby to be kept on file.
Education/Historical—Chairperson Randall Miller
Randy Miller reported there are still no tours or reunions scheduled for fall.
He spoke on his efforts to gather the names of those Vietnam veterans, both local and statewide,
who were killed or missing in action.
Craig White suggested expanding the list of names to include WWII and Korea for inclusion at
the next Healing Field observance.
Finance/Fundraising—Chairperson Marcia Courbat
No report. Marcia Courbat was absent.
September 25, 2019 Page 2
Artifacts Preservation—Chairperson James Lentfer
Jim Lentfer was absent. Mel Wittwer provided Nancy with a printout of a report prepared by
Jim Lentfer which has been incorporated herein for the record.
Commissioners:
I will not be attending the Veterans Memorial Hall meeting,please allow
me to address 4 Old Business items thru e-mail.
1) I would put forth efforts in planning a one time trial event in
collaboration with Charles Pearson (Iowa Civil Rights Trail)'stressing this
event be tied African America military history. 2)After discussions with
Mel Wittwer,Randy Miller and Rick Hurtado, it was determined to explore another
(more appropriate.for our needs) computer than city surplus.However
other city surplus ie: conference room chairs should be explored. a) The best
type and brand of Artifact documentation software is still being
researched. 3) The replacement glass for our General Logan lithograph has
been purchased from Laidig Glass at my cost of$34.77. 4)Battery operated
accent lighting for our remote display cabinets:Magichome pro RGB strip
lighting in 16 ft length could be purchased on line at approx$55.00, but it
has more options than we really need(wilt remote control, multi color)Home
Depot has 18 inch straight line DC under cabinet LED (manual switch)for
$15.97 but it might take 3 or 4 to light a cabinet.
Thank you for your time to read this,
Any questions 319493-9054 or j. lentfer*vnchsi. com
Jin:
Mel commented on the need for either a desktop or laptop computer as well as the required
software to create and manage an archive database. He noted that a new laptop would be the
likely best choice, but does not recommend moving forward until details of who will actually
manage the program and software is identified and secured.
Randy Miller suggested continuing to pursue the City for a used laptop even if a new laptop is
purchased because a second computer would be very useful.
Craig White mentioned he could also check with the County's I.T. department on the possibility
of tapping into its inventory of equipment that have been replaced with newer models.
Unfinished Business
Nancy Higby reported back on the issue of opening the Memorial Hall for a"warming station" in
conjunction with a downtown Christmas time event. She noted that her findings were that the
City has not organized a Christmas parade in the past and that it was likely Main Street
Waterloo. She further explained that Main Street Waterloo does list on their website, a Winter
Wonderloo event scheduled for November 30th.
Nancy also explained that no further update has been received from Chris Youngblut, City of
Waterloo - IT Director, on the inclusion of the brick locator to the city's website.
New Business
Mel Wittwer questioned the process for new bricks, how the orders are received, etc., and
commented that he would like to meet with Marcia Courbat to offer assistance by learning the
process and incorporate it as part of the Building and Grounds responsibility. The commission
concurred.
Nancy Higby explained that brick orders with checks pass through the Clerk's office either by
U.S. Mail or via the Fire Department. The checks are receipted in and the order forms are sent to
Marcia for processing. Marcia at some point then provides Nancy with a handwritten list to
update the master list which is maintained on the server at City Hall. She further stated that she
does not know if any orders are received at the post office box.
September 25, 2019 Page 3
A brief discussion followed on whether to keep the post office box. Jim Lentfer was absent and
unable to report on usage since the rental fee was last paid.
Moved by J. Mrzlak and seconded by Miller not to renew the post office box after the rental fee
expires if Jim reports little to no mail is received there.
With no further business before the commission, it was moved by Miller, seconded by Robinson,
that the meeting be adjourned at 5:29 p.m. Ayes: Six. Motion carried.
Nancy Higby
Administrative Secretary