HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/23/2016 MEMORIAL HALL COMMISSION
March 23, 2016
5:00 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Hall
Members present: Craig White, Richard Hastings, Scott McDonald, Marcia Courbat, Mel
Wittwer, Marilyn Robinson, Ron McMahon, Mike Mrzlak, John Mrzlak (A), and Don Ticknor.
Members absent: Randall Miller, Jim Lentfer (A), Ronald Nielsen, Chad Hill (A), Michael
Dennis (A) Sherman Lundy(A).
Also in Attendance: Nancy Higby, Administrative Secretary.
Moved by Wittwer, seconded by Ticknor, that the Agenda be approved. Ayes: Ten. Motion
carried.
Moved by Mrzlak, seconded by Courbat that the Minutes of February 24, 2016, be approved.
Ayes: Ten. Motion carried.
Citizens Oral Comments
Richard Hurtado spoke about the Honor Flight Dance on April 8th to be held at the Electric Park
Ballroom. He provided flyers to hang and tickets for purchase.
Treasurer's Report
Marcia Courbat reported that the brick fund has a balance of$12,263.42 after $106 in expenses
and $250 of brick sales.
Ms. Courbat requested payment be made for the two invoices from Black Hawk Memorial
totaling $300, for the engraving of 12 bricks, as well as an invoice received from Hawkeye
Alarm& Signal Company in the amount of$217.84 for the replacement of batteries in Memorial
Hall on 1/6/15. Marcia also questioned if advertising expenses had been reimbursed yet for the
Honor Flight Variety show which was presented at the October 2015 meeting. Mr. White
submitted the updated receipt to the secretary,Nancy Higby.
Moved by Ticknor, seconded by McDonald, that the invoice from Hawkeye Alarm & Signal in
the amount of $217.84, the two invoices from Black Hawk Memorial totaling $300, and
reimbursement for advertisement at the Honor Flight Variety show in the amount of $250, be
paid. Ayes: Ten. Motion carried.
Chairperson's Report
Craig White, Chairperson, reported that the first Honor Flight for 2016 is scheduled for Tuesday,
May 24, followed by two additional flights, September 13th and 27th. Craig wants to come up
with an idea for an item to present to those that take the flight, such as a pin, or other item, and
welcomes ideas from the commission members.
Committee Reports
Building, Grounds & Operations
Dick Hastings asked if new flowers can be purchased for the urns for Memorial Day. The
commission agreed this should be done.
A brief discussion took place regarding the digitizing of items in Memorial Hall in an effort to
manage inventory as well as the desire to create a Memorial Hall letterhead.
Education/Historical
In preparation for the upcoming tours, it was agreed that the Hall needs to be decluttered, and
cabinets repaired.
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Finance/Fundraising
Marcia Courbat reported a the •ate of the first Open House was changed from April 2nd, to
April 9th, followed by ay 4th . d June 1 lth. The tours will run from loam to 3pm. Ms.
Courbat said she is seeki istorical information and/or stories to share during the tours.
Ms. Courbat shared her desire to have Memorial Hall events covered in the Main Street Waterloo
and Grout bulletins or mailers, and reiterated she feels there are many missed opportunities for
sharing information about the Memorial Hall.
Ms. Courbat stated she is still searching for funds to bring in an assistant to catalog artifacts and
other records. Suggestions were made to contact NEIAAA, CUNA Mutual and local
philanthropists might bring better results since grant requests through the Isle have not been
successful at this point.
Collections Manager/Registrar
Mel Wittwer reported that he did a walk through to review current artifacts, and to determine
what has been done to date to index them. It is his opinion that more could be done to better
manage and preserve the artifacts, but a decision needs to be made on whether to document each
artifact or continue with limiting them to three categories. If moving forward, the process will
take a great deal of time if it is left up to the commission alone. Alternatively, if a grant could be
obtained, this would pay for someone with the experience and knowledge to get it done more
quickly.
Mr. Mrzlak suggested getting a quote before pursuing a grant, possibly from a history major at
UNI.
Unfinished Business
None.
New Business
None.
With no further business before the commission, it was moved by Ticknor, seconded by
McDonald that the meeting be adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Ayes: Ten. Motion carried.
Nancy Higby
Administrative Secretary
*Next meeting scheduled for April 27, 2016