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HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/25/2026 MEMORIAL HALL COMMISSION March 25, 2026 5:00 p.m. Veterans Memorial Hall Members present: Craig White in the Chair, Randy Miller, David Grimm, Richard Day, Mel Wittwer, Jim Lentfer, Heidi Warrington and John Mrzlak. Stephen Grimm(A) arrived at 5:33 p.m. Frank McCaw was absent. Also in Attendance: Nancy Higby, LeAnn Even, Bridgett Wood, Rick Hurtado Moved by D. Grimm, seconded by Lentfer, that the agenda as presented be approved. Voice vote-Ayes: Eight. Motion carried. Moved by Wittwer, seconded by Lentfer, that the meeting minutes of February 25, 2026, be approved. Voice vote-Ayes: Eight. Motion carried. Citizen's Oral Comments—Jim Lentfer introduced Alex Meihe, UNI intern. Chairperson's Report Craig White reported that just over half of the tables have been sold for the Honor Flight fundraiser. Committee Reports Building, Grounds & Operations—Chairperson Mel Wittwer Mel Wittwer shared that the committee met and had selected the tiles to be placed in the kitchen and entryway. He said that he asked Blackhawk Alarm to run an activity report to assess how often the janitors come and how long they stay. He intends to ask Midwest Janitorial what their schedule is and plans to be present to audit their performance. Moved by Warrington, seconded by D. Grimm, for Mel Wittwer to perform an audit of the janitorial services. Voice vote-Ayes: Eight. Motion carried. Operations—Chairperson David Grimm David Grimm gave a quick review and status of upcoming events. Heidi Warrington shared that the Hultman family has purchased a Fender whole system for the PA which includes two new mics and cables. She anticipates it should arrive within a week. She said that Dan Hook will train her and anyone else who is interested at no cost. Educational/Historical/Artifacts Preservation—Chairperson Frank McCaw Jim Lentfer reported on behalf of Frank. Jim passed around a letter that Frank has drafted for the Town Hall meeting on the 19th of September. March 25, 2025 Page 2 Moved by D. Grimm, seconded by Wittwer,to approve the letter for mailing. Voice vote-Ayes: Eight. Motion carried. Jim introduced Laura Benson and explained that she has asked us to consider consolidating all the veteran burial records in the county and keeping them the Veterans Memorial Hall. Laura explained the issues she is facing and stated that Yolando Loveless told her that Veteran Affairs must protect the privacy of those records for fifty years following the death unless the families agree to release them sooner. The commission members acknowledged the challenges of the project due to laws that protect veteran burial records and discussed possible alternatives with Laura. Moved by D. Grimm, seconded by Lentfer,to table the item. Voice vote-Ayes: Eight. Motion carried. Before the next committee report, LeAnn Even, Deputy City Clerk, provided an update on the Electric Park Ballroom liquor license as it relates to the Honor Flight fundraiser event. She shared that the Cattle Congress's liquor license expired in February and said that the new management was likely unaware as he continued to book events. In the meantime, some of the buildings have failed their fire and building inspections and unfortunately, the city is unable to issue a liquor license until it can pass. Finance/Fundraising—James Lentfer Jim Lentfer shared the consolidated financial worksheet and asked Bridgett Wood to confirm the amount of money that is being held in the city budget for Veterans Memorial Hall. Bridgett clarified that there is not a separate budget just for this commission, then reported that as of March 11, 2026,there is $2,038.28 for Building and Grounds; $2,610.60 for Other Contractual Services; $2,117.93 for Utility Service and $2,148.12 for Office Supplies and Minor Equipment. The expenses that this commission has had this past year have come from Building and Grounds, and Office Supplies and Minor Equipment. She explained that she added $5,000 to the amount that was presented to her by Jim Lentfer because the city wants to support them in their efforts with Memorial Hall. Heidi Warrington asked if the general's project was paid with the $5,000. Bridgett said the general's project came out of the Waterloo Foundation funds. He asked if the commission would be liable for a purchase if the city goes over budget and denies a reimbursement request. Bridgett explained that the city isn't going over budget and said that the commissioners need to stay within the agreed budget. Bridgett said that she had sent the quote for the color printer and needs to know if the commission approved the item. Once approved, she will order both the computer and the printer. Nancy Higby shared that the commissioners had previously approved the expense as up-to- $1,500. Bridgett explained that when the commission needs supplies such as ink,they are to contact her, and she'll get it ordered tax free and use their budget to pay for the item. Unfinished Business —None. March 25, 2025 Page 3 New Business Heidi Warrington commented that levy that founded the military museum has been eliminated at the state level and the short fall is about $400,000 per year. She passed around a petition and asked that any Black Hawk County veteran sign the petition which is asking our state legislature to please reinstate the money. Jim Lentfer reported that VFW is selling their building and they will need some storage space. He asked if the commission would allow them to use space in this building for their items. The commissioners discussed what items would and would not be acceptable and Craig White said that Jim would need to have Mel in attendance when bringing items in, and no weapons would be allowed. Heidi clarified that the person taking over for Jim needs to understand the limits set forth by this commission. Heidi Warrington asked if our By-Laws address security of external agencies using this building. If not, it should be considered while we're updating the document. Moved by Miller, seconded by Wittwer, to allow Jim to use the building for storage. Voice vote- Ayes: Eight. Motion carried. With no further business before the commission, it was moved by Warrington seconded by S. Grimm that the meeting be adjourned at 6:09 p.m. Voice-vote Ayes: Eight. Motion carried. Nancy Higby Deputy City Clerk