Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 4/24/2024 MEMORIAL HALL COMMISSION April 24, 2024 5:00 p.m. Veterans Memorial Hall Members present: Craig White in the Chair, Randy Miller, David Grimm, Scott McDonald, Mel Wittwer, Frank McCaw, Jim Lentfer, Mike Mrzlak, John Mrzlak. Absent: Mike Hudson, Matt Carpenter (A) and Richard Berry (A). Also in Attendance: Nancy Higby, Deputy City Clerk, City of Waterloo. Moved by Grimm, seconded by Wittwer, seconded by Grimm that the agenda be approved. Ayes: Nine. Nays: Zero. Motion carried. Moved by Lentfer, seconded by J. Mrzlak, that the Minutes of Mary 27, 2024, be approved. Ayes: Nine. Nays: Zero. Motion carried. Citizen's Oral Comments None Treasurer's Report—Vacant Nancy Higby read the finance report for the period 3/21/2024 through 4/17/2024. • Brick Fund - $7,334.51 • Courbat Memorial Fund - $1,000.12 • Special Projects Fund- $600.00 • Artifacts Projects Fund- $165.95 Moved by Wittwer, seconded by J. Mrzlak, to receive the treasurer's report and place on file. Ayes: Nine. Nays: Zero. Motion carried. Chairperson's Report Craig White commented that the fundraiser was very successful, and we are looking forward to the June 11 Honor Flight. Committee Reports Building, Grounds & Operations—Chairperson Mel Wittwer Mel Wittwer shared that the bricks have been reset at the Unknown Soldier Monument after its repair. He reported that he placed an order with Black Hawk Memorial to engrave 5 bricks which should be complete in time for Memorial Day. There has been no update from Greg Ahlhelm regarding fountain repairs. Rick Hurtado commented that the brickwork wasn't done correctly and requested that the board consider letting him remove and reset the bricks at no cost before Memorial Day. April 24, 2024 Page 2 The board discussed the matter, and it was decided that Mel Witwer would speak with Greg Ahlhelm to obtain permission for Rick Hurtado to do the work and upon such approval, inform Rick Hurtado. Moved by Lentfer, seconded by Miller, to allow Rick Hurtado with city approval, to reset the bricks at the Unknown Soldier Monument, including brick removal, sand replacement, saw-to-fit and resetting before Memorial Day. Ayes: Nine. Nays: Zero. Motion carried. Operations—Chairperson David Grimm David Grimm reported that MOAA was a no show. He shared that HF259, definition of a veteran, was signed by the governor, and noted that on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, there will be a Vietnam War Veterans Day event held at the Iowa State Capital from 11-12:30 p.m. He further reported that the Memorial Day parade event is coming along, and that he will be attending the ICVA meeting in Des Moines on May 3, 2024. Educational/Historical/Artifacts Preservation— Chairperson Frank McCaw Frank McCaw shared that we just completed another rotation with a UNI intern and shared the projects she worked on. He explained to the commission,that he would like to put on an event here at Memorial Hall to honor the Brousseau brothers on Friday, October 25,2024,the 80th Anniversary of when the USS Hoel was sunk by enemy fire. It would include some history of them and their family, what happened to them during the war and a re-dedication with the honor guard and rifle salute. It would also include a history of the Battle off Samar where they were lost, which was one of the most significant battles in the Pacific. He asked that the commission endorse the project which would be open to the public with an invitation to all the veteran groups. Moved by McCaw, seconded by Lentfer, to approve the project. Ayes: Nine. Nays: Zero. Motion carried. Frank presented a receipt and requested reimbursement for matte and fabric materials to be used in a display projects. Moved by McCaw, seconded by Wittwer, to approve the request to reimburse in the amount of $29.97, for the purchase of matte materials and fabric used in the display,to be paid from the artifacts fund. Ayes:Nine. Motion carried. Frank shared that Emily Machen of UNI, told him that we have received really good reviews from the four interns that we have had here, and have become "one of the good sites to go to", so we anticipate that we'll be getting more interns in the Fall. Finance/Fundraising—James Lentfer April 24, 2024 Page 3 Jim Lentfer shared an update of the April 22, 2024, Finance Committee meeting and provided an outline of the proposed additions and changes to the WVMH Operating Procedures in regard to finances and expenses and the financial responsibilities for each committee. He gave a brief review of the timeline and process for the next fiscal year's budget, expenditures, and reimbursements. • Budgets must be approved by the commission in the fall and then submitted to the City of Waterloo no later than December for FY26, which begins July 1, 2025. • Expenditures $100 or less may be made with the permission of the appropriate Committee Chairman then submitted for reimbursement approval by the WVMHC. • Reimbursements for expenses must be submitted in writing, accompanied by the appropriate receipts. Upon approval by the WVMHC they will be forwarded to the City of Waterloo for payment. • The Commission Chairman and Chairman of the Treasurer/Finance/Funding Committee will be authorized to utilize the City of Waterloo Amazon.com Account for necessary small purchases. • The city's sales tax exemption certificate may be used for purchases made on behalf of WVMH. Jim Lentfer stated that there was no change to the Waterloo Community Foundation report. He noted that the UAW Veterans Committee had a fundraiser, but they asked him not to share the amount at this time. It is expected that there will be more donations coming in very soon. He would like to make a tentative plan to have a big check presented at the rank-and-file meeting on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. He questioned if the commission would like to vote on the first reading for the proposed additions and changes that he presented. He noted that there are a few typographical errors that need to be corrected in the document. Moved by Grimm, seconded by Wittwer to approve the first reading of the proposed additions and changes to the WVMH Operating Procedures. Ayes:Nine.Nays: Zero. Motion carried. Unfinished Business None. New Business Nancy Higby read an email sent to her by Bridgett Wood which stated that she has placed $1,000 into an Office Supplies line-item account for use by the commission for the remainder of this fiscal year. There were also some funds placed into two other line-item accounts (Other Contractual and Building & Grounds)to help support Memorial Hall expenses. We will need to do another one next year (July 1)based on your proposed budget, to make funds available again. She also said she is working with Greg Ahlhelm regarding the fountain and has let him know about the windows that need replacing and an issue with peeling paint. April 24, 2024 Page 4 Randy Miller commented that some time ago he shared that he would be donating $5,000 when he dies. He has decided to fast-track $2,500 now into the Waterloo Community Foundation to be used for the mural that he has proposed. He has spoken with Chawne Paige who is still looking for an artist to do the rendering. At this time, he is unaware of what the project will cost. Randy also shared that he has replaced 50-60 flags so that when the city comes to put up the downtown flags, they'll all be in good condition. John Mrzlak requested clarification that Randy's donation would be strictly for the mural. Randy confirmed that this is his intention but noted if Main Street Waterloo should deem the project unallowable, he could leave the decision up to the commission on how to redirect the funds. A discussion followed on the best way to have Randy's wishes recorded and legally recognized. Jim Lentfer commented that he would speak with someone at the Foundation on how to handle this. Mel Wittwer commented that he came across a link where people can donate monies for the Waterloo Veterans Memorial Hall, and shared his concerns that it could be fraudulent. He plans to speak with Chris Youngblut on how to find out if it is legitimate or not. With no further business before the commission, it was moved by McCaw, seconded by Lentfer, that the meeting be adjourned at 5:41 p.m. Ayes: Nine. Nays: Zero. Motion carried. Nancy Higby Deputy City Clerk