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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 7/24/2024 MEMORIAL HALL COMMISSION July 24, 2024 5:00 p.m. Veterans Memorial Hall Members present: Craig White in the Chair, Randy Miller, David Grimm, Mel Wittwer, Frank McCaw and Jim Lentfer. Also in Attendance: Nancy Higby, Deputy City Clerk. Moved by Grimm, seconded by Miller,that the agenda be approved. Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Moved by Lentfer, seconded by Grimm,that the Minutes of May 22, 2024, meeting be approved. Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Citizen's Oral Comments None. Treasurer's Report—Vacant Nancy Higby read the finance report for the period 5/16/2024 through 7/17/2024. • Brick Fund- $7,184.51 • Courbat Memorial Fund - $1,000.12 • Special Projects Fund - $600.00 • Artifacts Projects Fund - $135.98 Moved by Wittwer, seconded by McCaw, to receive the treasurer's report and place it on file. Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Chairperson's Report None. Committee Reports Building, Grounds & Operations—Chairperson Mel Wittwer Mel Wittwer reported that Greg Ahlhelm had arranged to get the fountain repaired. Mike Dolan and his crew leveled the first step around the fountain and then recaulked everything. The work was completed at no cost. Mel commented that he now intends to clean the basin and paint it an aqua color. There has been discussion of improving the area at the base of the fountain by setting the bricks back a bit,pouring a strip of concrete and painting it white. Mel explained that he is waiting for the approval of the QR Code sign we want to put out by the pedestal. He created a prototype and gave it to Jessica Rucker at Main Street Waterloo. He described the prototype as having four stars in each corner and six military seals. A discussion followed on how to deter vandalism of the sign. Jim Lentfer read a letter of thanks and appreciation to Americans for Independent Living. Mel suggested Jim write a second letter to Dolan Construction. July 24, 2024 Page 2 Randy Miller provided an update on his efforts to replace the piece of missing granite. He contacted Cambrian in Cedar Falls to see if they could offer a solution. Unfortunately, without the missing piece or pieces there isn't much that can be done. Epoxy could be used to fill the space,but it likely would not hold up well. Operations —Chairperson David Grimm David Grimm reported that work continues on the Vision Statement. He shared that Post 138 has submitted two applications to the mayor's office and anticipates they will be appointed at the August 5 council meeting. He questioned if there are other organizations that haven't been asked yet. Jim Lentfer stated he has a few more people he could contact. Jim Lentfer commented that VFW would like to hold a fall poppy drive and would like to coordinate that with our Veterans Day Event on November 11. Educational/Historical/Artifacts Preservation—Chairperson Frank McCaw Frank McCaw shared a display of items that were reconditioned and restored by UNI at no cost. He provided an update on the Rousselot Brothers event scheduled for October 25,which includes the laying of bricks for the two brothers and a ceremony. He commented on the casket flag that was at Fairview Cemetery and noted that the intent is to try to contact family members to see if they would like to have it back, and if not, would they consider donating it to the Veterans Memorial Hall for display. Finance/Fundraising—James Lentfer Jim Lentfer provided an update on the Waterloo Community Foundation balance. He also commented that he would like to eliminate the Special Projects Fund which was mainly created to redo the plants on the north side of the building. He suggested splitting the $600 evenly between the Courbat Memorial Fund and Artifacts Projects Fund. Moved by Lentfer, seconded by Wittwer, to eliminate the Special Projects Fund and split the $600 evenly and put $300 in the Courbat Memorial Fund and $300 in the Artifacts Project Fund. Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Unfinished Business None. New Business Craig White submitted an invoice from Dickey's for the Memorial Day programs in the amount of$225. July 24, 2024 Page 3 Moved by Lentfer, seconded by Wittwer, to pay Dickey's Printing in the amount of$225. Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Randy Miller questioned the status for the purchase of cemetery flags. Jim Lentfer commented that he has been purchasing them and selling them at cost to the cemeteries. Randy stated that he has an issue with an individual handling this and that our local VA should be the responsible party per state legislation. Randy commented on the sound system troubles during the Memorial Day event. He discussed with the board the possibility of purchasing a second mic and an extended cord. Frank questioned which committee this would fall under. Randy commented that it would fall under building and grounds. Frank explained that according to our operating procedures, if the cost is less than$100, he can purchase it and submit a reimbursement request to the commission after the fact. If the cost is greater than $100, he would need to bring an estimate and have it approved first. Jim Lentfer passed out a drafted letter that he would consider reading at an upcoming council meeting, thanking the mayor and city staff for all that has been done to help improve Veterans Memorial Hall. Jim also shared that Saturday, August 17, is the big check day for UAW, starting at 9:00 a.m. Dave Grimm commented that we need to develop a social media presence through a Facebook account or a web page and questioned if the city could help create this.Nancy Higby suggested he contact Chris Youngblut, Director of Information Systems, to see if he would be open to the idea. Randy Miller cautioned about posting photos of our inventory on social media as it could potentially lead to theft. The commission members discussed adding memorials or concrete statues of civil war soldiers to place on the grounds behind the fountain. With no further business before the commission, it was moved by McCaw, seconded by Miller, that the meeting be adjourned at 5:52 p.m. Ayes: Six. Motion carried. Nancy Higby Deputy City Clerk