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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 3/27/2024 MEMORIAL HALL COMMISSION March 27, 2024 5:00 p.m. Veterans Memorial Hall Members present: Craig White in the Chair, David Grimm, Mel Wittwer, Frank McCaw, James Lentfer, Mike Mrzlak, and John Mrzlak. Absent: Mike Hudson, Randy Miller, Scott McDonald, Matt Carpenter (A) and Richard Berry (A). Also in Attendance: LeAnn Even, Deputy City Clerk, City of Waterloo. Moved by Grimm, seconded by Wittwer, seconded by J. Mrzlak that the Agenda be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Moved by J. Mrzlak, seconded by M. Mrzlak, that the Minutes of February 28, 2024, be approved. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Citizen's Oral Comments None Treasurer's Report—Vacant LeAnn Even read the finance report for the period 2/22/2024 through 3/20/2024. • Brick Fund- $7,334.51 • Courbat Memorial Fund- $1,000.12 • Special Projects Fund - $600.00 • Artifacts Projects Fund- $195.89 Moved by Grimm, seconded by J. Mrzlak, to receive the treasurer's report and place on file. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Chairperson's Report Craig White commented all tables have been sold for the dinner. Plans are for 20+ seats for the Honor Flight will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024. He received notice that due to the bridge collapse in Maryland, there may be some traffic delays so trying to see if the flight can be rerouted to a different airport. White reported there are a lot of great raffle prizes and great entertainment for the dinner with 450 tickets sold. There is a concern that the Cattle Congress (Cook) is charging more for the meals reducing funds raised for the flight. There was discussion regarding communications with Cook to reduce meal charges. Tickets are $35.00 per plate. Cook had suggested they would be charging $30.00 per plate which would only leave $5.00 per plate profit for the fundraiser. There was discussion regarding catering companies in the area. White explained the Cattle Congress has a contract with Hy-Vee so that is the only catering company they can use. March 28, 2024 Page 2 Committee Reports Building, Grounds & Operations—Chairperson Mel Wittwer Mel Wittwer shared he met with James Bolger of Leisure Services to discuss grounds maintenance. JB agreed to break up sticks, bring in fill dirt around the picnic table pads that have settled, take the stump out, and raise the canopy on a few of the trees. Wittwer also wants to address removing the bushes around the building and replacing them with mulch, but that he needs to discuss that with JB. The Unknown Soldier Memorial has been straightened and a new foundation has been put in place. Bricks were taken out to do that and they are working on scheduling to have them put back in. Wittwer spoke with Greg Alhelm, City Building Department, regarding repairs to the fountain. Alhelm had a contractor assess repairs, but Wittwer feels the city needs to contact a monument restoration specialist rather than a concrete contractor to assess the repairs needed. Alhelm is researching mud jacking as the fountain has settled on one corner. Wittwer suggested if a new foundation needs to be put in, repairs should be made to the fountain, a new liner and a cover be put in at that time. Alhelm is getting quotes and will be the project manager on the project. Members questioned if the city was paying for the project. Wittwer explained engineering will most likely come from the city but that anything else will come from Memorial Hall. Members discussed the need for the city to finance as it is a city building. There was discussion regarding finding a local contractor knowledgeable in monument repairs. Operations —Chairperson David Grimm David Grimm reported as Rolling Thunder is no longer active they will need to look at changing operating and financing procedures. Grimm reported that HF259 passed changing the definition of a veteran in the State of Iowa which now meets the federal definition in the code. Grimm reported on a list of upcoming events. Grimm would like permission to approach Rolling Thunder to obtain their bunting, flags, and whatever they have for the Memorial Day parade trailer. Lentfer suggested he ask about their wreath. There was discussion regarding furniture belonging to Rolling Thunder. Educational/Historical/Artifacts Preservation—Chairperson Frank McCaw Frank McCaw shared the UNI intern has finished the book cataloging project. She will start working on cataloging artifacts in the upstairs cabinet. McCaw shared his efforts to determine the author of a diary from Company E of the Mississippi Marine Brigade and develop a display regarding the soldier and his special unit. McCaw gave a brief overview of the progress of items sent to UNI for restoration. March 28, 2024 Page 3 Moved by McCaw Seconded by Wittwer to submit an invoice for payment in the amount of $29.94 for reimbursement for the purchase of dust masks and rubber gloves for handling artifacts. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Finance/Fundraising—James Lentfer Jim Lentfer reported the Waterloo Community Foundation is having an Open House on April 10, 2024, 4:00—5:00 p.m., at 114 E. 4th Street, 3rd floor. Lentfer reported the Finance Committee met on March 25, 2024, where he turned in the 2025 budget proposal and the Artifact budget. Bridgett Wood, City Finance Director, suggested they contact Paul Huting, Leisure Services,to ask for flags as he received donations for flags,which would take a load off of the budget. Lentfer reported items discussed in the finance meeting. Woods suggested contacting the Street Department for help removing the bushes, and contacting Chris, Youngblut, IT Director, regarding obtaining a used computer. Lentfer stated Nancy was to provide them with a Sales Tax Exemption certificate to use for tax purposes, and that grants and grant writing options need to be assessed. Woods suggested the Hawkeye Community Foundation to help with grant writing. Moved by Lentfer, seconded by Wittwer to form a committee to amend the operating procedures with regard to finances. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. There was discussion regarding a cutoff date for submitting the operating budget for FY 2026. Lentfer suggested the budget be finalized by October 2024. Unfinished Business There was discussion regarding the removal of unwanted items in Memorial Hall. Wittwer agreed to take a large painting to the Cultural Arts Center to see if they had any interest in the painting or if there were any value in the painting. New Business McCaw shared information regarding the value of a few of the historical books archived including a First Edition of Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs Vol. 1 and 2 and two of six volumes of a set of Medical and Surgical History of the Civil War Journals, published by the Surgeon General's office. With no further business before the commission, it was moved by Lentfer, seconded by Grimm, that the meeting be adjourned at 5:41 p.m. Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. LeAnn M. Even Deputy City Clerk