HomeMy WebLinkAbout5/27/2026 MEMORIAL HALL COMMISSION
May 27, 2026
5:00 p.m.
Veterans Memorial Hall
Members present: Craig White in the Chair, Randy Miller, David Grimm, Mel Wittwer, Richard
Day, Frank McCaw, Jim Lentfer,John Mrzlak, and Rick Grimm. Heidi Warrington and Stephen
Grimm (A)were absent.
Also in Attendance: Nancy Higby,Noel Anderson, Community Planning and Development
Director and Jamie Knutson, City Engineer
Moved by Wittwer, seconded by D. Grimm,that the agenda as presented be approved. Voice
vote-Ayes: Nine. Motion carried.
Moved by Lentfer, seconded by Mrzlak,that the meeting minutes of April 22, 2026, be
approved. Voice vote-Ayes:Nine. Motion carried.
Citizen's Oral Comments
Noel Anderson apologized for the unannounced presence and shared that the mayor had called a
meeting this morning to identify funding for additional parking that had been requested. Jamie
Knutson passed out plans that indicated where the seven additional parking stalls would be
located. He said that they would be parallel,just as they are on 4th Street and would all be
marked ADA accessible. He shared that the current plan is to use city staff to keep costs down
and he anticipates that work will begin next spring with a goal of having them done before
Memorial Day. Jamie passed out business cards for Oumie Ceesay and asked that any concerns
be directed to her.
The commission members continued to discuss parking ramp access and security issues with
Noel and Jamie.
Chairperson's Report
Craig White acknowledged the great work that was done to make the Memorial Day celebration
a success and thanked everyone that participated.
The commission members discussed adding seating in the shade for future events after seeing
that some people left early, likely due to the hot sun, as well as holding a parade committee
meeting to review the parade and make improvements.
Committee Reports
Building, Grounds & Operations—Chairperson Mel Wittwer
Mel Wittwer provided an update on the flooring project and shared that the installer had
concerns about the tile height not matching with what was put in the men's restroom. He feared
that it would just get worse over time and said he is rejecting the new tile and said we need to
choose a different tile. Mel showed which tile colors would be suitable, and the commission
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members shared their opinions. After some discussion it was agreed that the men's restroom
shall remain as is instead of starting over.
Moved by D. Grimm and seconded by Wittwer to move forward with the tile labeled 1051
Blend. Voice vote-Ayes: Five.Nays: Four. Motion carried.
Mel reported that he set six bricks in the courtyard and has a request for three new bricks and
said he has an invoice from Dickeys for printing the programs.
Moved by Wittwer seconded by Mrzlak to approve payment to Dickeys in the amount of
$190.00. Jim Lentfer commented that this should be paid for from the city funds as he had this
expense listed in the budget. Voice vote-Ayes: Nine. Motion carried.
Operations—Chairperson David Grimm
David Grimm agreed that the parade was not its best. He heard a lot of comments that not
enough people were involved, but overall,the formal program was very good. Craig White
commented that the preacher, Bill Van Wey, did an excellent job. David said we should consider
asking him again next year. He also said that the Honor Guard needs to work on firing at the
same time.
Frank McCaw commented that the parade committee meet again right away and come up with
suggestions for next year instead of waiting until a couple of months before the event.
David Grimm commented that Garrett Gingrich is owed an apology because he was promised he
and his family would arrive in a convertible, but that didn't happen.
Frank shared that they are trying to put together a database of participants and potential
participants for next year. He also wants to send out formal thank you cards to those that
participated. He read through his list, and the commission members provided feedback on who
was and wasn't there. Frank thanked everyone for helping and said he would begin compiling the
information.
Randy Miller shared that he used to have a couple of articles printed in the Courier a few months
before the parade asking people to participate and then recognize them for their participation in a
separate article after the fact.
Educational HistoricaUArtifacts Preservation—Chairperson Frank McCaw
Frank shared the grenade replica that was researched and designed by our UNI intern, Alex
Imeg, who also arranged to have Tech Works produce it for us at no cost. It is an authentic
replica of the grenade that goes on the German trench grenade launcher. Frank commented that
it will make a nice addition to our collection.
Craig White said to be sure to send them a thank you too.
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Frank said that with the primary elections next Tuesday,there will be a lot of candidates
identified that we can approach about being a part of our September program.
Finance/Fundraising—James Lentfer
Jim Lentfer presented the following invoices to be paid from the city budgeted funds:
• Black Hawk Rental in the amount of$137.76 for two sections of scaffolding.
• Sandee's Custom Engravers in the amount of$24.99 for the customized magnet for
Colonel Garrett Gingrich.
Jim said that he also bought paint from Pittsburgh Paints for$45.51 for the front steps and noted
that paint had not been budgeted for in the city funds. He asked if we should draw from the
brick fund or city budget funds.
The commission members discussed the reimbursement for the purchase and agreed that this
should come from the city funds even though it had not been budgeted for because it is
maintenance for the building.
Moved by D. Grimm seconded by McCaw,to pay the invoices as presented from the city budget,
including the reimbursement for the paint. Voice vote-Ayes:Nine. Motion carried.
Jim presented the financial report and shared the following fund balances.
• Brick Fund- $6,731.68
• Courbat Fund - $3,895.12
• Artifacts Fund- $353.98
• City Budgeted Funds - $1,067.93
Waterloo Community Foundation Funds.
• Fountain Fund - $5,908.28
• Cole/Hultman Fund - $0
• General Fund- $6,897.33
Unfinished Business
A discussion was held on alternative ways to gather information each month for those veterans
that have passed.
New Business
Randy Miller shared that as he was spending time touching up the front steps because they were
a tripping hazard, he noticed that the flowerpots reeked and found standing water in there so he
put holes to help them drain.
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Craig White shared that Randy has spent hours upon hours working on the tripping hazard out
front and thanked him for doing such a great job.
Nancy Higby requested clarification on the red-lined Constitution and By-Laws she received
from Jim Lentfer and questioned what he was referring to when he said he took the liberty of
removing something. Jim said that he removed Post#1623 from VFW. She explained that the
change was not included in the recent vote to amend, so if you wish to make this change, the
commission will need to vote again at the next two meetings. It was agreed to hold a vote at the
next two meetings to remove Post#1623 from the VFW.
With no further business before the commission, it was moved by Mrzlak, seconded by
Wittwer, that the meeting be adjourned at 5:58 p.m. Voice-vote Ayes:Nine. Motion carried.
Nancy Higby
Deputy City Clerk