HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/28/2022 minutesMEMORIAL HALL COMMISSION
September 28, 2022
5:00 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Hall
Members present: Craig White in the Chair, Mike Hudson, Randy Miller, Scott McDonald, Mel
Wittwer, Marilyn Robinson, James Lentfer, Mike Mrzlak, John Mrzlak and David Grimm (A).
Absent: Don Ticknor, Frank McCaw, Matt Carpenter (A), Angela Hickok (A) and Richard
Berry (A).
Also in Attendance: Nancy Higby, Administrative Secretary, and Martin Petersen, City Attorney.
Moved by Miller, seconded by J. Mrzlak, that the Agenda be approved. Ayes: Ten. Motion
carried.
Moved by Miller, seconded by Grimm, that the Minutes of August 24, 2022, be approved. Ayes:
Ten. Motion carried.
Citizen's Oral Comments
Rick Hurtado turned in a $45 cash donation given to him while at the American Legion to
support of the Honor Flight. Craig White accepted the funds.
Treasurer's Report — Vacant
Nancy Higby provided an update on the current balances as of September 21, 2022.
Moved by J. Mrzlak, seconded by Wittwer, that the Treasurer's report be received and placed on
file. Ayes: Ten. Motion carried.
Mel Wittwer commented that the some of the $500 dollars that were donated to the Special
Projects Fund had been spent in error for repairs. He requested those funds be refunded from the
brick fund. Nancy will make sure finance knows to make the change. She suggested that future
motions to spend or reimburse monies, include which fund account should be used.
Randy Miller questioned if there was any update on when the city will hire a new Chief
Financial Officer as he would like to invite the individual to come to a meeting so that they will
be familiar with what the board does. Nancy explained that the city has hired a Finance
Manager, Bridgett Wood who has been filling the void in the interim.
Chairperson's Report
Craig White commented that the Honor Flights are done for the year.
Committee Reports
Building & Grounds — Chairperson Mel Wittwer
Mel Wittwer commented that the Building & Grounds Committee met on September 12, and JB
Bolger, Leisure Services, attended and spoke on the placement of the new picnic tables. He also
reported that a plumber came in to address the leak in the men's room and replaced the main
water shutoff to the building. He briefly discussed an interest in changing the parking signs on
Courbat Court and the addition of additional security cameras.
Moved by Wittwer, seconded by J. Mrzlak, to approve the purchase of plaques for the
rededication of rooms on Veterans Day, in an amount not to exceed $200 from the brick fund.
Ayes: Ten. Motion carried.
Moved by McDonald, seconded by Wittwer, to approve reimbursement to Mel Wittwer, for
$41.71, for office supplies. Ayes: Ten. Motion carried.
Rick Hurtado commented that he had a conversation with city staff about removing some of the
lower branches on the trees so that the building is more visible.
Randy Miller commented on the need to make repairs to the fountain and would like to see this
be a part of regular maintenance, not as part of the Veterans Way project.
September 28, 2022 Page 2
Operations — Chairperson David Grimm
David Grimm commented that the Operations Committee met to discuss change to Chapter 11 of
the City of Waterloo code. He passed out copies of the proposed changes. A lengthy discussion
followed regarding length of term, veteran status, organization representation, residency, etc.
Craig White called the question.
Moved by Grimm, seconded by J. Mrzlak to approve the changes as discussed. Ayes: Ten.
Motion carried.
Martin Petersen will incorporate the changes to Chapter 11 as agreed by this Board, and discuss
with the Mayor the suggestion to remove the him as an ex-officio voting member.
Martin Peterson left the meeting at 5:36 p.m.
Education/Historical —Chairperson Randall Miller
Randy commented on the Veteran's Day program idea to have the program based around the
individuals that all of the rooms are dedicated after. Frank McCaw plans to do a piece on the
Civil War. Craig White questioned if the old diary was still kept at the city and said it might be
good to share something from the diary. Nancy stated she would do a search.
Jim Lentfer commented he would like to get some poster boards on easels with the names of the
civil war veterans and their stories.
Moved by Lentfer, seconded by Miller to purchase poster boards and easels, in an amount not to
exceed $200. Ayes: Ten. Motion carried.
Artifacts Preservation — Chairperson James Lentfer
Jim shared that the Open House went well and $249.25 in donations was received. He reported
that no artifact meeting was held due to the holiday, and stated that the UNI intern started a
couple of weeks ago and they are making progress.
Finance/Fundraising — None. Position vacant.
Unfinished Business —None.
New Business
Randy Miller commented that the Vietnam Vigil crowd was down from years past, as well as the
POW/MIA program out at the Cattle Congress. He appreciates everyone who came out to
support these events but said he doesn't know what to do, or not do, to improve attendance.
Craig White commented that one reason could be due to the low circulation of the Courier.
Jim Lentfer commented that it would be beneficial to have a member of this board participate in
upcoming discussions on Phase II of the Veterans Way project.
Moved by White, seconded by McDonald that Jim Lentfer represent the Veterans Memorial Hall
for Phase II discussions on the Veterans Way project.
With no further business before the commission, it was moved by Miller, seconded by
McDonald, that the meeting be adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Ayes: Ten. Motion carried.
Nancy Higby
Administrative Secretary