HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes-01/22/2020 MEMORIAL HALL COMMISSION
January 22, 2020
5:00 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Hall
Members present: Scott McDonald in the Chair, Rodney Butz, Mel Wittwer, Marilyn Robinson,
Mike Mrzlak, Jim Lentfer and John Mrzlak.
Absent: Craig White, Randy Miller, Marcia Courbat, Don Ticknor, Frank McCaw, and Angela
Hickok(A).
Also in Attendance: Nancy Higby, Administrative Secretary.
Moved by J. Lentfer, seconded by J. Mrzlak, that the Agenda be approved. Ayes: Seven.
Motion carried.
Moved by J. Mrzlak, seconded by M. Mrzlak, that the Minutes of October 23, 2019, as
presented,be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Citizen's Oral Comments
None.
Treasurer's Report
Marcia Courbat was absent. Nancy Higby presented an invoice from Black Hawk Memorial in
the amount of$275, for the engraving of 11 bricks.
Moved by J. Mrzlak, seconded by M. Robinson, to approve payment of the invoice to Black
Hawk Memorial in the amount of$275. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Chairperson's Report
Craig White was absent. Scott McDonald explained that the May 2020 honor flight is full but
seats remain available for the September flight.
April 18th is the Variety Show. A table of eight can be purchased for$200.
Plans are moving forward to hold the Field of Honor at Soldier's Park from May 1-3, 2020, with
a ceremony on May 2°d
Committee Reports
Building, Grounds & Operations—Chairperson Mel Wittwer
Mel Wittwer commented that a report had been called in to the Mayor's office that a city vehicle
was parked on the brick walk. Nancy Higby explained that it was Leisure Services city
employees power washing the bricks before snow would prevent the maintenance to be done.
She passed around a before and after photo so the commission members could see what work
was being done and why.
Mel reported that there was a low turnout for the Civil War to Civil Rights History Tour which
was arranged with the help of Charles Pearson. He also explained that he received a call from
the Waterloo Police that an alarm went off indicating possible entry to the building. Mel reset the
system and asked if Black Hawk Alarm could review recent access records but unfortunately
their time stamp was not working. Mel noted that door was likely left ajar following the Civil
War to Civil Rights History Tour event.
Mel shared that he received $300 in brick sales and will discuss with Marcia the process for
getting them ordered.
The WWI pledge cards that Dick Hastings had previously worked on collecting and organizing
were returned to the care of the Memorial Hall. Mel commented there is approximately 1300
gigabytes of information if the cards were to be digitized. He explained that there is a no cost
January 22, 2020 Page 2
website where the information can be uploaded. Individuals can register and gain access to the
digitized information. Mel asked the commission members to approve the action and asked if
they'd like to store the original cards.
Moved by M. Wittwer, seconded by J. Mrzlak to digitize the pledge cards and store the hard
copies. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Mel brought a brick to be considered for the walkway which would be cheaper alternative at $3
each. He stated that he would do the engraving for no charge at Cedar Valley Makerspace. The
brick is quite a bit different in color to those bricks currently being used.
Education/Historical—Chairperson Randall Miller
None. Randy Miller was absent.
Finance/Fundraising—Chairperson Marcia Courbat
None. Marcia Courbat was absent.
Artifacts Preservation—Chairperson James Lentfer
Jim Lentfer shared a letter he had written to Black Hawk County to request surplus equipment
and obtain a laptop computer for the Memorial Hall. He explained that the cost to the
commission would be approximately$200 to add needed software.
The members discussed the letter and recommended that Craig White review the request prior to
petitioning the county.
Unfinished Business
The brick order form was brought back up for discussion since the city would not approve
revising the form to include Craig White at his Black Hawk County office address. After some
discussion, the commission determined that the form should list the Memorial Hall, 655 Cedar
Street as an alternative to drop off completed order forms. Mel Wittwer will make sure to check
for mail at the building on a more regular basis. Nancy will bring a revised form to the next
meeting for final approval.
New Business
Jim Lentfer shared a copy of the Memorial Hall Operating Procedures which he located in the
files. In order to have the ability to update the document in the future, Nancy Higby will scan it
and convert it into Word then email it to those who have provided their email address.
With no further business before the commission, it was moved by White, seconded by Miller,
that the meeting be adjourned at 5:36p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried.
Nancy Higby
Administrative Secretary