Kaukauna Veterans Memorial Park Association Meeting Minutes – September 29, 2015

A meeting of the Kaukauna Veterans Memorial Park Association was called to order at 4:10 p.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2015, by President Rosin.

Members Present: Mayor Gene Rosin, Brian Roebke, Lisa Wolfinger, Brenda Leon, Karen Koch, Fred Cazzola, Mark Landreman, Troy Hanson, Eugene Schaefer. Also present: Tim Roehrig, Civic Engagement Class Instructor; Pat Vandenheuvel, Street Department Superintendent, City of Kaukauna.

Absent and Excused: Andréa Meulemans.

1.    Absent and Excused: A motion to excuse the absent was made by Leon, seconded by Wolfinger. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

2.    Minutes. A motion was made by Schaefer to approve and place on file the minutes of August 5, 2015. Seconded by Roebke. All members voted aye. Motion carried.

3.    Benches. Mayor Rosin discussed with two students of the Civic Engagement class the Association’s intent to move the benches that were donated by the Credit Union and the Schools to the green space and reserve the bench pads inside the Ring of Honor for veterans only. Tim Roehrig contacted the Mayor after receiving this information from the students to explain the background of the benches as well as his disappointment with the decision of the Association.

At the KVMPA meeting, Mayor and Tim reiterated the history of the benches, stating that it would offend the Credit Union to have their bench moved, as they were the first to come on board with the initial donation for the park–something they are very proud of. Also, the school and Civic Engagement class were instrumental with the creation of the park. Without their foresight, there would be no memorial park to honor the veterans. The school would be offended if their bench was removed as well.

After some discussion, the members agreed that both benches should remain in their original location, with space created for the two new benches by the removal of two trees. The two new benches to be placed were donated by Dick Vanderloop and Gary Wolf to honor Tom Otte (only Kaukauna resident KIA in Viet Nam) and by the American Legion. Bricks will have to be rearranged, but will be kept in the same general area for ease in locating them. New pads matching the existing pads will be poured for the new benches. Tim explained that the reason for the flared design of the concrete pads is to provide visitors sitting on the benches a place to rest their feet without placing them on the bricks.

Tim Roehrig also suggested contacting Eric Welhouse of Welhouse Construction to pour the concrete pads for the new benches. Pat Vandenheuvel will contact Eric regarding the new pads. Karen Koch and Jason Holmes will create a new map showing the new locations of the bricks that need to be moved.

A motion was made by Mayor Rosin for the placement of two additional benches that shall be placed on concrete pads identical to the concrete pads presently located in the park and that the bricks that need to be relocated for the pads shall be kept in the same general location of their present placement. Seconded by Schaefer. All members voted aye, motion carried.

4.    Replacement of flags. – Hanson checked into the cost of ordering a set of eight flags (not including the U.S. Flag). He will send the information for ordering the flags to the Mayor’s office, who will order 2 new sets now and be responsible for ordering the flags in the future after being notified when new flags are needed.

A motion to order two sets of flags (back-up and replacement sets) was made by Cazzola, seconded by Wolfinger. All members voted aye, motion carried.

5.    Monument(s). Tim Roehrig stated that his Civic Engagement class would like to raise funds for placement of an oblique (3’x3′) similar to the podium in the center of the Ring of Honor that will welcome people to the park. Cost is approximately $2,000, and they already have a donor for it. The class may qualify State Farm grant which would allow them to place one at each of the other two entrances to the park. They will work with Appleton Monument, the same company that constructed the podium, who will try to match them up as close as possible to each other. (The students were unable to attend the meeting of September 29, but will be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of the Association. They will provide a drawing of their idea, along with the wording that will be placed on the monument.)

A motion to adjourn was made by the Mayor, seconded by Leon. All members voted aye. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 4:50 PM.
Submitted by:

Karen Koch, KVMPA Secretary