HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission Packet - 10/28/2020 MEMORIAL HALL COMMISSION
October 28, 2020
5:00 p.m.
Veteran's Memorial Hall
UPSTAIRS CONERENCE ROOM
Pledge of Allegiance
I. Roll Call
II. Approval of Agenda, as proposed or amended.
III. Approval of Minutes of September 23, 2020.
IV. Citizens Oral Comments
V. Treasurer's Report
VI. Chairperson's Report
VII. Committee Reports:
1. Building, Grounds & Operations—Chairperson Mel Wittwer
2. Education/Historical—Chairperson Randall Miller
3. Finance/Fundraising—Chairperson Marcia Courbat
4. Artifacts Preservation—Chairperson James Lentfer
VIII. Unfinished Business
IX. New Business
1. Discussion on updating Operating Procedures.
2. Tentative meeting dates for November and December.
X. Adjournment
Nancy Higby
Administrative Secretary
*Next scheduled for November
MEMORIAL HALL COMMISSION
September 23, 2020
5:00 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Hall
Members present: Craig White in the Chair, Randy Miller, Scott McDonald, Mel Wittwer,
Marilyn Robinson, Frank McCaw, Mike Mrzlak and James Lentfer.
Absent: Rodney Butz, Marcia Courbat, Don Ticknor and John Mrzlak (A) and Angela Hickok
(A).
Also in Attendance: Richard Hurtado
Moved by Miller, seconded by McDonald, that the Agenda be approved. Ayes: Eight. Motion
carried.
Moved by Miller, seconded by Wittwer, that the Minutes of August 26, 2020, as presented, be
approved. Ayes: Eight. Motion carried.
Citizen's Oral Comments
Rick Hurtado stated that he recently visited Marcia Courbat. He shared with the commission, a
framed photograph of Marcia posed alongside a photo of herself during her years in the service.
He passed around a greeting card and asked members of the commission to sign the card.
Treasurer's Report—Marcia Courbat was absent.
Nancy Higby, read the fund balances as of September 16, 2020. Four bricks were purchased at
$50 each, bringing the brick fund to $7,254.94 with an additional $32.50 from a refund for the
post office box for an ending balance of $7,287.44. The balance in the Flag Fund stands at
$994.15.
There are two invoices from Black Hawk Memorial totaling $125, for the engraving of 5 bricks,
and a reimbursement request from Randy Miller in the amount of$237.60 for the purchase of 5
gallons of marble cleaning solution.
Moved by Wittwer, and seconded by Lentfer, to approve payment for the requests listed above.
Ayes: Eight. Motion carried.
Chairperson's Report
Craig White stated that the Vietnam Vigil went well, and despite the weather, there were
approximately 300 people that attended over the 3-day period.
Committee Reports
Building, Grounds & Operations— Chairperson Mel Wittwer
Mel reported that the surplus bricks that were stored near the back door are gone and said that
they went missing following the Field of Honor flag event. He said that if bricks are needed to
fulfil orders; they would need to be pulled from the courtyard, and the area cordoned off with
cones for safety.
Moved by Lentfer, seconded by Miller, to approve the purchase of 20 new bricks instead of
pulling bricks from the courtyard. Ayes: Eight. Motion carried.
Craig noted that a canopy used at the event was also missing.
Mel spoke about the lack of use of the building, and the possible consequences of not increasing
its use along with the importance that each commission member help to increase community
interest in utilizing the facility.
September 23, 2020 Page 2
Frank McCaw commented that the Cedar Valley Civil War Rountable meetings will no longer be
held at Memorial Hall, as members of the group have expressed concerns of safety with the area
at night. They will instead meet at the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa in Cedar Falls.
Mel explained he has reviewed the security call list and recommended the removal of a few
names. His recommendation was agreeable to the commission.
Education/Historical—Chairperson Randall Miller
Randy spoke on upcoming plans for the upcoming Veterans Day event and questioned if the
city's restriction of such events is still in place. Discussion followed about the possibility of
doing another virtual event.
Craig White stated that he will contact the Mayor to determine next steps for the event.
Finance/Fundraising—Chairperson Marcia Courbat-Absent.
Artifacts Preservation—Chairperson James Lentfer
Jim Lentfer commented that efforts continue on digitizing artifacts and they are making progress.
He also stated that he will continue to pursue the implementation of an email address and internet
access for Memorial Hall.
Unfinished Business—None.
New Business
Jim Lentfer spoke on the need to update the Memorial Hall Operating Procedures and explained
that it will likely take several meetings to present suggested changes. He touched on a few areas
outlined in the current procedures including(2)part time positions, and a petty cash account.
He explained that there were some voicemail messages left on the answering machine inquiring
about brick orders and flag purchases, and someone wanting information on how to donate a
bench for the grounds. He explained that these could easily have been missed opportunities and
having a part time staff could help provide a quicker response. He also mentioned the possibly
of using an answering service or a menu-driven phone tree. A considerable amount of discussion
took place regarding funding, increasing the usage of the building, and the possibility of working
in conjunction with events held by both the Grout Museum and Public Library as a viable
opportunity to introduce students to the Memorial Hall and the service of our veterans.
With no further business before the commission, it was moved by Miller, seconded by
McDonald, that the meeting be adjourned at 6:20p.m. Ayes: Eight. Motion carried.
Nancy Higby
Administrative Secretary
MEMORIAL-HALL COMMISSION-
September
OMMISSION September 23, 2020
5:00 p.m.
Veteran's Memorial Hall
Pledge of Allegiance.
I. Roll Call:
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Approval of Agenda, as proposed or amended
Approval of Minutes of August 26, 2020
IV. Citizens Oral Comments 1�
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V. Treasurer's Report
Motion to approve the payment of invoices
VI. Chairperson's Report
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1. Building, Grounds & Operations—Chairperson Mel Wittwer
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Nancy Higby
Administrative Secretary
Next meeting date: October 28, 2020
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