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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes of 11.15.2023MEMORIAL HALL COMMISSION November 15, 2023 5:00 p.m. Veterans Memorial Hall Members present: Craig White in the Chair, Randy Miller, David Grimm, Mel Wittwer, Frank McCaw, James Lentfer, Mike Mrzlak, John Mrzlak, Angela Hickok (A). Absent: Mike Hudson, Scott McDonald, Marilyn Robinson, Matt Carpenter (A) and Richard Berry. Also in Attendance: Council Liaison: Belinda Creighton -Smith (Ward 4) and Nancy Higby, Secretary, City of Waterloo. Moved by Miller, seconded by J. Mrzlak, that the Agenda be approved. Ayes: Nine. Motion carried. Moved by Miller, seconded by J. Mrzlak, that the Minutes of October 25, 2023, be approved. Ayes: Nine. Motion carried. Citizen's Oral Comments Mohammad Elahi, Interim Director of Traffic Operations, provided an update on the commission's request for access to and from the parking ramp, changing Courbat Court to a one- way road and adding additional parking, particularly handicapped, for easy access to the grounds and building. He shared that following a meeting with a number of department heads, the commission's requests were unfortunately, denied. He cited security concerns as the reason given for not approving the request to open the doorway to the parking ramp. Mohammad further shared that though he thinks changing to a one-way road was a good idea, the request was also denied. He explained that the City Engineer suggested instead, removing some green space along Courbat Court and adding an additional lane for parking. The cost estimate is approximately $70,000- $75,000, and funding for the project will need to be identified. Treasurer's Report — Vacant Nancy Higby read the finance report for the period 10/19/2023 through 11/13/2023. • Brick Fund - $7,990.80 o $100 brick sale o Transfer of $300 to reimburse Courbat fund as approved on 10/25/2023. • Courbat Memorial Fund - $1,000.12 • Special Projects Fund - $600.00 • Artifacts Projects Fund - $316.99 Moved by Lentfer, seconded by Wittwer, to receive and place on file. Ayes: Nine. Motion carried. November 15, 2023 Page 2 Chairperson's Report Craig White shared that he has heard that people have been sending in donations for the repair of the fountain. Hopefully, we will see more donations coming in as the word gets out. He further shared that he will be doing a spot on a local radio station talking with a local reporter about making donations to help meet our goal. Committee Reports Building, Grounds & Operations — Chairperson Mel Wittwer Mel shared that the committee recently met and discussed the brick registry, small monument that is tilting, the fountain and the parking situation. He explained that they would like to get help from the City's IT department and have the brick register listed on the city website. This would allow visitors to access the registry online. Mel provided an update on the small monument that is leaning. The contractor discovered a crack about two inches from the bottom and expressed their concern about removing it from the footing. Mel commented that he discussed the concern with a few other commission members and decided it's best to have them go ahead and continue with the project and we would assume responsibility if it cracked further. He further shared that he is having some difficulty locating any contractors that look capable of taking on the fountain project and those he is finding are out of state. He reviewed the complexity of the project and said he believes the city engineering department would need to come up with the specifications for the foundation. He is concerned that a complete quote cannot be obtained until the fountain is disassembled. He said since this is a very big project, he would like to see the city assign a project manager. Moved by Miller, seconded by Lentfer, to proceed with the monument project. Voice vote - Ayes: Nine. Motion carried. Operations — Chairperson David Grimm David Grimm shared that he attended the Sullivan Brothers Plaza dedication. He reported that he has not received any comments or changes to the Operating Procedures so he would like to move forward with it as is. Moved by Grimm, seconded by Lentfer, to receive, approve and place on file the updated Operating Procedures. Voice vote -Ayes: Nine. Motion carried. Dave commented that he would be attending the next city council meeting on Monday, November 20, to ask for council support for the requests we have made for improvements. Educational/Historical/Artifacts Preservation — Chairperson Frank McCaw November 15, 2023 Page 3 Frank McCaw provided an update on the committee's progress to create a form that would help keep track of artifacts that might need to be temporarily removed from the building. The finalized form was passed around for the boards review and approval. Moved by McCaw, seconded by Wittwer, to approve the "Loan or Temporary Removal" form, as presented. Voice vote -Ayes: Nine. Motion carried. Frank commented that amongst the various artifacts, they have located an architect's rendering of the Veterans Memorial Hall building and the committee would like to recommend that we have it framed for display/presentation purposes. The preliminary cost was estimated at about $175.00 and that would including framing, matting with acid -free preservatives and a piece of ultraviolet protective glass. Moved by McCaw, seconded by Miller, to approve the framing and matting in an amount not to exceed $200.00. Randy Miller questioned if it might be a good idea to make a copy of the item and frame it instead of the original. Craig White requested there be a written quote. Frank McCaw confirmed. After a brief discussion the board voted. Voice vote -Ayes: Nine. Motion carried. Frank shared a photograph that was located in one of the cabinets. After some research, it was learned that these are officers of Company B of the 59th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which existed in Waterloo between the Spanish American War and the First World War. During that time, they were changed from the 59th Volunteer Infantry Regiment to the 1st Regiment of Iowa National Guard. Then during World War I, the Iowa National Guard was incorporated into a division of the United States Army and sent off to the war. They were able to identify the names of the officers in the photograph after reviewing a document that was recently on display at the open house. Frank then shared additional artifacts and information with the board members. Randy Miller shared comments on a 48 star flag that is a part of our artifact collection. He noted that he has been working to put together some history on the flag and ultimately use it for display. Finance/Fundraising — James Lentfer Jim Lentfer shared that more donations had been received into the Memorial Hall fund since the printing of the report, which he passed around. He explained that he ran out of ink when printing and requested approval to use money from the brick fund to purchase ink and paper for the office. November 15, 2023 Page 4 Randy Miller questioned if the city could supply paper and ink. Nancy said she was unsure but would ask the City Clerk and report back to Jim. Jim shared that the Waterloo Community Foundation is holding a "Strategic Giving Seminar" on Wednesday, November 29th, from 1:30-2:30 at the Friendship Village Event Center located at 600 Park Lane in Waterloo. Moved by Lentfer, seconded by Wittwer, to approve the purchase of ink and paper in an amount not to exceed $200. Voice vote -Ayes: Nine. Motion carried. Unfinished Business David Grimm questioned the status of the plaque for Dick Hastings that was approved at a previous meeting. Mel Wittwer explained that he had not ordered it yet but would do so now. Dave said he would like to coordinate the effort with Mel because he has two coins that he would like to go on the plaque. John Mrzlak asked Councilperson Creighton -Smith the source of the monies that she said the city would be putting toward the fountain repairs. Ms. Creighton -Smith stated that it would come from grant funds. He questioned if it would be reasonable to ask the Veterans Way group to match what the city was giving. She explained that she could not speak for Veterans Way but would be happy to make that proposal on behalf of the commission. Randy Miller provided an update on his recent discussion about the mural with Chawne Paige, Director, Center for the Arts. Chawne has proposed the mural to Main Street Waterloo and they liked the concept, but suggested putting a mural up higher, similar to Lafayette Street. He shared that it would be some time before this project might be complete. New Business Randy Miller commented that the committee chairs still need to be appointed. Craig White called for the following committee chairs to be re -appointed: Mel Wittwer - Building and Grounds David Grim - Operations Frank McCaw - Education/Historical/Artifacts Preservation James Lentfer - Finance/Fundraising Moved by White, seconded by J. Mrzlak, to approve the appointments. Voice vote -Ayes: Nine. Motion carried. Randy Miller shared that all of the flags around the city have been taken down. The board members discussed the rotation of hosting the annual Veteran's Day Event. November 15, 2023 Page 5 With no further business before the commission, it was moved by Miller, seconded by J. Mrzlak, that the meeting be adjourned at 6:15 p.m. Ayes: Nine. Motion carried. Nancy Higby Administrative Secretary