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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/27/2022 minutesMEMORIAL HALL COMMISSION July 27, 2022 5:00 p.m. Veterans Memorial Hall Members present: Randy Miller in the Chair, Mike Hudson, Terry Scheffert, Scott McDonald, Mel Wittwer, Don Ticknor, Marilyn Robinson, Frank McCaw, James Lentfer, Mike Mrzlak and John Mrzlak, Matt Carpenter (A), David Grimm (A), Angela Hickok (A) and Richard Berry (A). Absent: Craig White. Also in Attendance: Nancy Higby, Secretary, City of Waterloo and Nia Wilder, Ward 3 Councilperson. Moved by Wittwer, seconded by J. Mrzlak, that the Agenda be approved. Ayes: Eleven. Motion carried. Mel Wittwer commented that the minutes should be amended to reflect that it was the DAV who agreed to purchase one bench and not Leisure Services. Moved by J. Mrzlak, seconded by Wittwer, that the Minutes of June 22, 2022, as amended, be approved. Ayes: Eleven. Motion carried. Citizen's Oral Comments It was shared that Antioch Baptist Church would be holding an event to construct a seasonal high tunnel system in a food desert community in Waterloo. It begins at 7:00 a.m. on Friday, July 29, 2022 at the corner of Oneida and Manson Streets. Lunch and tools will be provided. Treasurer's Report — Vacant Nancy Higby read the current balances as of July 20, 2022. The Brick Fund - $7,751.35; Flag Fund - $205.26; Courbat Memorial Fund - $1,000.00; Special Projects Fund - $287.96; Artifacts Project Fund - $227.97. Scott McDonald questioned the status of the flag monies discussed at the prior meeting. Nancy Higby explained that with Michelle Weidner's retirement she would have to do some follow-up with the finance department to determine where that stands. Moved by J. Mrzlak, seconded by Lentfer, that the Treasurer's report be received and placed on file. Ayes: Eleven. Motion carried. Chairperson's Report — None Absent Committee Reports Building & Grounds — Chairperson Mel Wittwer Mel Wittwer commented on his report last month for additional security at the front entrance using a wireless door contact. He is seeking the commission's approval to move forward. Moved by Wittwer, seconded by J. Mrzlak, to approve an amount not to exceed $150 to add a wireless contact for the front doors. Ayes: Eleven. Motion carried. Mel presented an invoice from Black Hawk Memorial for $275.00 for the engraving of eleven bricks. Moved by Wittwer, seconded by McDonald, to approve a payment of $275.00 to Black Hawk Memorial. Ayes: Eleven. Motion carried. Mel commented that he had not heard back from the city regarding tuck -pointing. Nancy Higby explained that Greg Ahlhelm notified her that a pre -authorization for tuck -pointing was set to go before the finance committee for approval. July 27, 2022 Page 2 Randy Miller commented that Leisure Services will be removing the existing picnic table and put up three new picnic tables. Operations — Chairperson David Grimm David Grimm revisited the discrepancies found with the current commission membership and the Iowa code. Per state code, we can have no more than eleven and no less than five primary members and all members must be veterans. The commission as a group reviewed the membership list, as provided by Mel Wittwer, of the current veteran organizations and those members representing each organization. It was noted that there are some primary commission members that are not veterans, which is required by state code. However, the state does not have the same requirement for alternate members. Jim Lentfer questioned if there has been anyone from the Purple Heart who had applied to be on the commission. Nancy Higby explained that all boards and commissions applications are handled through the Mayor's office, and that she would look into that. Randy Miller stated that he will be attending the August meeting of the Order of the Purple Heart to get approved. Randy Miller commented that in his attempt to encourage more involvement, he included patriots, military and veterans, and he feels somewhat responsible for the current predicament. David Grimm reiterated the key to getting this squared away is to be in compliance with both the state and city. Moved by Grimm, seconded by McCaw, to adopt the changes made through this discussion, and pass forward. Ayes: Eleven. Motion carried. David explained that the Constitution and By -Laws basically are not in compliance, so the first thing that needs to be done as an organization, is to add the following verbiage: "This organization adheres to all federal and state regulatory guidance." David questioned if the commission would like to form a committee to correct and update the By -Laws and Constitution or do you want the operations committee to continue doing this. Jim Lentfer commented that the By -Laws should be reviewed on how the committees are formed. Additional discussion followed. Scott McDonald called the question. Moved by McCaw, seconded by J. Mrzlak, that the operations committee continue reviewing and correcting the By -Laws and Constitution. Ayes: Eleven. Motion carried. Marilyn Robinson questioned what is she to do, as she, nor the alternate for Rolling Thunder are veterans. It was also noted the Cedar Valley Civil War Roundtable does not have a primary now that Frank will be moved to alternate. Marilyn stated that there are a lot of veterans in the organization and if we have to elect one, then we will, then questioned if we actually have to. David Grimm confirmed. Education/Historical —Chairperson Randall Miller Randy reported that the Vietnam Vigil would be held September 9-11, 2022 beginning Friday at 3:00 p.m. and ending at noon on Sunday. Artifacts Preservation — Chairperson James Lentfer Jim Lentfer reported that there would be an Open House at Memorial Hall on September 11, 2022 from 12:20 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for an Artifact Fund Raising event. Lunch will be provided by the American Legion Post 138. There was no artifact meeting in July due to the holiday. The next meeting is set for August 1, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. The committee will discuss how to encourage people to donate artifacts for display at Veterans Memorial Hall. July 27, 2022 Page 3 Jim shared that the building & grounds committee meets on the 2nd Monday of each month, and the operations committee meets at 10:00 a.m. on the 3rd Monday. Since Labor Day falls on the first Monday of September, there won't be an artifacts committee meeting in September. He explained that they are looking for additional ways to display artifacts and questioned if the city might have a stockpile of aluminum -framed easels that they might loan out for this purpose. Frank McCaw suggested he check with the Grout. Jim reported that he spoke with Main Street Waterloo about putting up POW/MIA flags along the 4th Street Bridge from September 9-19, 2022. He explained that he would like to offer to manage the responsibility of putting those flags up if the commission approves. Finance/Fundraising — None. Position vacant. Unfinished Business Terry Scheffert explained that he read an article where the Black Hawk Gaming Association had given monies to several entities. He spoke with them regarding our dire need for funds for this building. They told him that whomever owns the building would need to apply for the grant. Randy Miller commented that Marcia Courbat went through this process numerous times without success. He commented that the style of bench that the commission approved, was unfortunately denied by Leisure Services. He explained that according to Leisure Services, we would have to order four benches and the benches would have to match what is out there. Terry disagrees as these benches will have sharp edges and could cause injury to children who may climb on them, etc. (He passed around photos). He shared that the quote he received for four benches of this style was $8,963 plus tax. That equates to $2,250 plus tax per organization, where we had been looking at $1,600 originally. Leisure Services said that they would do the cement pads and setting of the bridges. Randy Miller requested to revisit the decision to name this room in honor of Marcia Courbat. He discovered that this room has already been named when it was first built, and is named Smith/Cull. He went on to review the rooms and to whom they are dedicated. He questioned if the commission would like to add Marcia's name to this room. Mike Hudson would like to see the room name left as it currently and stated that the street name has already been changed to Courbat Court. Randy concurred that he would not like to take any honor away from those who were instrumental in getting this building built and feels that Marcia would be the first one to say that if that's the way it was, then we're going to honor that. Terry Scheffert suggested posting the names and history behind the naming of the rooms. Mel Wittwer noted this would be a good project for the artifacts committee. A discussion followed regarding options. Moved by Grimm, seconded by McDonald, that the kitchen be named in honor of Marcia and marked with a plaque. Ayes: Seven Nay: Four. Motion carried. Mike Hudson stated that all of the rooms named are historical and the street has already been named for Marcia. There is no doubt that Marcia has done a tremendous amount for the Veterans Memorial Hall. He questioned if we really need to name a kitchen for Marcia. Randy Miller commented that we told the family that we would be naming a room after her besides the street. New Business — None. With no further business before the commission, it was moved by Hudson, seconded by Tickor, that the meeting be adjourned at 6:05 p.m. Ayes: Nine. Motion carried. Nancy Higby Administrative Secretary