Kaukauna Veterans Memorial Park Association Meeting Minutes – May 15, 2014

Council Chambers
Thursday, May 15, 2014

A meeting of the Kaukauna Veterans Memorial Park Association was called to order at 4:27 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2014, by President Rosin.

Members Present: Rosin, Schaefer, Roebke, Hanson, Weaver, Wolfinger Also Present: Linda Nieves – St. Paul Villa, City Attorney Kevin Davidson Absent and Excused: Meulemans, Roehrig, Wolf

• A motion to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2014, meeting was made by Schaefer, seconded by Weaver. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
  

• Linda Nieves, Activities Director from St. Paul Villa, gave an update on a fundraiser they would like to have for KVMPA. The State has granted them permission to hold three fundraisers per year (previously, they could hold one). They raised $3,000 by having a brat fry last fall for the Fire Department and would like to have a brat fry with proceeds to benefit the Veterans Memorial Park Association on Friday, May 23, 2014. They are looking to borrow a grill and for some assistance from Veterans to cook brats, hot dogs, and burgers. Weaver and Schaefer stated they would make calls to enlist volunteers.
  

The Villa will purchase the food and pay the bills associated with the brat fry. The Vets will assist with manning the booth, grilling, selling products such as chips, soda, and water, and greeting people. Hours for the brat fry are 10AM-4PM. Roebke will assist with publicity. After the fund raiser, a check will be cut for KVMPA, and Linda, along with some of the Villa tenants, would like to present it to some Veterans.

Larry’s Piggly Wiggly will donate $25 towards the event. All products are purchased from Larry’s. Weaver will ask to borrow the Fire Department’s grill. Mayor will coordinate the use of a folding table from the Community Room. Volunteers should arrive at 10AM. Linda would like as many volunteers as possible.

The statement was made that no one should turn away organizations that may be interested in making a donation to KVMPA. Any and all donations are appreciated. Space for items such as benches can be accommodated, and cash donations can always be used for flags, etc.

• Attorney Davidson reviewed the Bylaws with the group. There were no significant changes to the document, other than Attorney Davidson making the few changes that were discussed at the previous meeting. The next step is to adopt the bylaws and authorize the Mayor to direct Attorney Davidson to proceed with the 501(c)3 process.
  

A motion was made to adopt the KVMPA bylaws by Weaver, seconded by Schaefer. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

A motion was made by Roebke to direct the City Attorney to proceed with the application process for 501(c) 3, seconded by Wolfinger. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

Attorney Davidson did some research and found that bonding is not required for the Treasurer/Secretary.

• A motion was made by Hanson, seconded by Roebke, to receive and place on file Melissa Woodward’s letter of resignation from KVMPA. All members voted aye. Motion carried.
  

Tim Roehrig was absent and excused from the meeting, however, he sent an email with items he wanted to address. They are as follow:

• Tim Clark, Street Foreman, is in possession of corrected/replacement bricks and will see that they are placed before Memorial Day.
  

• The new, corrected sign for the Marine Flag Pole was delivered to Tim Clark. It will be placed soon.
  
  • New replacement benches have been ordered to replace the ones that were the incorrect size. They should be delivered to Gift Bricks soon. Gift Bricks does not want to etch them until they are sure the sizes are correct. Weaver expressed his disappointment that it has taken so long to get this bench problem remedied. There are four pads for the current benches, but there is room for more.
    

Shelly from Gift Bricks will also send a picture of the boulder that was donated for the park entrance. No one on the Committee was aware of the boulder. Weaver requested that any future improvements come through the Association for permission. Mayor will ask Tim Roehrig about the details surrounding the boulder.

Mayor pointed out that eventually, the sponsor bricks should be moved to an area away from the Veteran’s area. Schaefer mentioned that he has additional brick orders and some change orders. He would like to pass the brick orders duties onto another person. At the next meeting, the Association will appoint someone for that duty.

Mayor stated 2 more picnic tables will be placed on concrete pads. Hanson suggested placing the corporate bricks to frame the pads for the picnic tables.

Mayor suggested that the Civic Engagement class could possibly make a map of the Ring of Honor for ease in locating bricks. He will discuss with Tim Roehrig.

Weaver mentioned that a request should be made to acquire the files and records for the Ring of Honor project dating back to its inception from Tim Roehrig so they are easily accessible at City Hall if needed. Mayor will request the information from Tim.

Mayor inquired as to how many meetings would be necessary until the group feels it is ready to be on a set schedule (meeting quarterly or at specific times during the year). The group decided on once per month at 4:30 PM on a Wednesday or Thursday for the time being, and less once the KVMPA is established. Hanson asked if he could send a representative from the Legion in his place if he is unavailable for a meeting due to his work schedule. Because these are public meetings, a representative can listen and take notes, but he/she is not able to vote.

Kwik Trip Update: Construction is planned for 2015 -Mayor brought up concerns about lighting to City Planner, Bob Jake!, and made him aware of the Association’s concerns. Members are concerned that light flooding into the park will take away from the dignity of the park. The current, dignified way of illuminating the flags will be washed out at night by canopy lights at Kwik Trip, making it look more commercial and not proper. The group also feels that traffic to the pumps would cause a distraction during Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day ceremonies. Parking is also a concern on days with ceremonies, as there are 20 parking spaces and attendance

each year has been growing. Bob will pass the concerns on to Kwik Trip next time they meet. Weaver and Wolf

are looking to voice these concerns to the Plan Commission and Council. Weaver stated he is on the agenda for the next Plan Commission to discuss his concerns.

    Website: Roebke suggested creating a website for KVMPA. Programs for days of observance, a list of sponsors, purchasing bricks on line, a map, and basic information can be put on a website. Hanson suggested having a class at KHS design and maintain a website for class credit. Mayor will discuss with Tim Roehrig     and also mention to Andrea at the next meeting.

Park Care: Currently done by the Street Department. They maintain the lawn and landscaping and plant flowers. Schaefer suggested enlisting people who are ordered to perform community service or interested gardeners to do weeding, etc. It was suggested that Scouting troops are always looking for ways to acquire their badges and could do some of the maintenance to earn them. Weaver brought up that a plan is needed for larger landscaping projects i.e. mulching and areas that still need to be landscaped.

Sign Identifying the Park: This will be discussed when Association members meet at the park before the next meeting.

A motion to adjourn at 5:45 p.m. was made by Hanson, seconded by Roebke. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

Next meeting of the Association is scheduled for     . The group will meet first at Veterans Park and will return to City Hall to continue/and conclude the meeting.

Karen Koch, Executive Secretary