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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005 Veterans Memorial Park Minutes r - r. i VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK COMMITTEE October 19, 2005 MINUTES A. Call to Order. The meeting of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee was called to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Pioneer Room of the Centre by Mr. Cook. B. Roll Call. Members Present: Jack Cook, Jerry Deering, Art Richoz, Tom Sandor, Gordon Schnulle, Kim Toth, Gene Banke Members Absent: Charles Krabbe, Tom Schmidt, Robert Shirley and Walter Wetzel Others Present: Eleanor Richoz C. Approval of Minutes. Motion made by Mr. Banke to approve the minutes of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee from September 21, 2005. The motion was seconded by Mr. Richoz. The motion passed unanimously. D. Discussion of Veterans Memorial Park. Mr. Cook stated that the City Council was in favor of the new site for the park. Mr. Deering added that the clean-up of the property was currently underway. Mr. Cook was hopeful that the park would be ready sometime in 2007. The committee members began to create a list of design elements that they felt were an essential part of the memorial. A few elements would be appropriate but optional. The list included: All services represented (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines) Bricks/plaques for names of both veterans and contributors/donors Water feature Lighting system Public address system Gathering area Sitting areas Elgin timeline for conflicts Flagpoles Military hardware (optional) CIB (optional) Branch related objects (optional) The committee decided that the list would be given to the groups in the design competition to incorporate into their proposals. v ' .: :4 E. Budget/Fundraising. Mr. Deering stated that the City Council has proposed funds for the memorial in the 2006 budget. The funds combined with fundraising may be enough to cover the cost of the memorial. Additional funds may be set aside in the 2007 budget if necessary. F. Other Business. There was a discussion of 2005-2006 meeting dates and times. It was proposed to start the meetings at 5:30 p.m. The members agreed that the third Wednesday was still a good date to meet. Ms. Rasmussen will contact all of the members to see if they are available to meet at an earlier time. G. Adjournment. The motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Banke. The motion was seconded by Mr. Deering. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Sally Rasmussen Recording Secretary Community Development Group Date Approved: i/i 8/4, -95") r VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK COMMITTEE August 17, 2005 MINUTES A. Call to Order. The meeting of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee was called to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Pioneer Room of the Centre by Mr. Cook. B. Roll Call. Members Present: Jack Cook, Jerry Deering, Art Richoz, Tom Sandor, Gordon Schnulle, Robert Shirley, Kim Toth, Gene Banke and Walter Wetzel Members Absent: Charles Krabbe, Tom Schmidt Others Present: Eleanor Richoz and David Powers C. Approval of Minutes. Motion made by Mr. Schnulle to approve the minutes of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee from July 20, 2005. The motion was seconded by Mr. Banke. The motion passed unanimously. D. Discussion of Veterans Memorial Park. Mr. Cook presented an alternate location for the park for the Committee to consider. It is a park located along Route 31 near Walnut Avenue. Mr. Sandor explained that the open space has parking available nearby. Additional parking could also be created. The landscaping could be cleaned-up to allow for great vistas over the river. Mr. Deering reported that he had brought the notion of a new location for the memorial to senior staff and some council members. He said that there was general acceptance of the old public works site. He made available a map of a portion of the Elgin downtown master plan. He explained that it is a concept for downtown development. It was noted that the area the Committee was interested in for the memorial was labeled as a park on the concept plan. Mr. Schnulle stated that there were EPA grants and Federal funding available if the memorial park included a water-fountain that used water directly from the Fox River. The grants were designed to encourage the conservation of water. The rest of the Committee members agreed that the public works location, just north of the original site, had many positive qualities. Mr. Banke also suggested the Committee consider the property along Crystal Avenue along the Northwest Railroad tracks, between South Street and East Chicago. A suggestion was made that the members drive by all of the potential areas before the next meeting to get an idea of which location would be best. Mr. Sandor mentioned that the Council Retreat is scheduled for August 31St. The Committee could place their request for a new location on the agenda. The Committee discussed the option of putting this item on the agenda. Mr. Wetzel made a motion to request from City Council a new location for the Veterans Memorial Park which would be located at the Public Works site with an approximate dimension of 100' x 150', and if accepted by City Council to then proceed as necessary to start the planning of the memorial. The motion was seconded by Mr. Shirley. The motion passed unanimously. E. Budget/Fundraising. Mr. Sandor stated that funds were being budgeted by the city for 2006 and 2007. He did not know the amount but felt it may be substantial. Additional funding would be needed as well. A question was raised as to the need of a grant writer. It was stated that the city had staff available to help with grant writing. Mr. Schnulle brought up the question of selling buttons as fundraisers. He had three designs that he had created that could be made into a plastic button and sold. It was suggested that the cost of metal buttons be researched and then use one or all of the designs. They could be collector pieces. The size of the memorial was discussed and the potential for fundraising for the wall was discussed. The Committee agreed that it was most important for them to have a location selected. Then they could discuss size and design. Once the location has been selected then the Committee can begin planning for the design rk competition. Mr. Powers, a local artist, suggested that the Committee request a larger dimension for the memorial. He felt that the shape of 100' x 100' would be difficult to work with because of the square shape. A rectangle shape would be better in the size of 250' x 150.' He stated that he strongly felt the Committee should ask the City Council for a larger size. F. Other Business G. Adjournment. The motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Shirley. The motion was seconded by Mr. Banke. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee was adjourned at 7:09 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Sally Rasmussen Recording Secretary Community Development Group Date Approved: September 21, 2005 a �y• 4 City of Elgin Mayor %),&,71\11111 . Ed Schock /jr* ED Council Members Juan Figueroa AGENDA Robert Gilliam David J. Kaptain Brenda Rodgers VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK COMMITTEE Thomas K. Sandor John Walters City Manager 6:30 P.M., WEDNESDAY Olufemi Folarin AUGUST 17, 2005 THE CENTRE OF ELGIN PIONEER ROOM 100 SYMPHONY WAY Please call Sally Rasmussen, Recording Secretary, at(847) 931-5939 with questions. A. Call Meeting to Order B. Roll Call C. Approval of Minutes D. Discussion of Veterans Memorial Park E. Budget/Fundraising F. Other Business G. Adjournment 150 Dexter Court• Elgin, IL 60120-5555 • Phone 847/931-6100 • Fax 847/931-5610 •TDD 847/931-5616 www.cityofelgin.org :: Printed on recycled paper VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK COMMITTEE enik July 20, 2005 MINUTES A. Call to Order. The meeting of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee was called to order at 6:30 p.m. at the proposed Veterans Memorial Park Site located along the bike path between the Fox River and the Gail Borden Library by Chairman Cook. B. Roll Call. Members Present: Jack Cook, Jerry Deering, Art Richoz, Tom Sandor, Tom Schmidt, Gordon Schnulle, Robert Shirley, Kim Toth, Gene Banke and Walter Wetzel Members Absent: Charles Krabbe Others Present: Eleanor Richoz, David Powers, Christine Byers of the Daily Herald and Mark Underwood of Hitchcock Design Group C. Approval of Minutes. Motion made by Mr. Schnulle to approve the minutes of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee from June 15, 2005. rThe motion was seconded by Mr. Richoz. The motion passed unanimously. D. Discussion of Veterans Memorial Park. Mr. Cook asked Mr. Underwood from Hitchcock Design Group to begin discussion on the location of the proposed park site. Mr. Underwood stated that the area along the bike path was chosen because many people would be able to see it from the path and the library. It is a nice open public space. He pointed out the shape of the site which is a long narrow space between the walking path and the biking path that tapers to a point at each end. The Committee members were concerned that the space would be too narrow and limit the vision that they had in mind. There was a question raised on the possibility of expanding the site to the south along the river. This led to a lengthy discussion on the potential for expanding the site or selecting a different location. Mr. Powers, a local artist, recommended the Committee look into the old Public Works site along the river, just north of where the proposed site is located. He feels that the memorial should be a sacred monument that honors the veterans. The city owned property to the north would provide a more suitable area for the memorial. It significantly larger and is still located along the river with parking nearby. The Committee members unanimously agreed that the current proposed site is not r adequate. They liked the general area but need a larger space to create the monumental memorial they have begun to envision. The Committee members walked to the area recommended by Mr. Powers. They all agreed that it was a much better site because of the size. It overlooks the river and is a short walk from the library parking lot. The Committee will have to go before City Council to request the new location. No new discussion on the memorial can take place until the site for the memorial has been established. E. Budget/Fundraising. There were no new comments to discuss. F. Other Business. None G. Adjournment. The meeting of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee was adjourned at 7:05 p.m. by Chairman Cook. Respectfully Submitted, csdkA/021itifY XL.kaf\— Sally Rasmussen Recording Secretary Community Development Group r Date Approved: August 17, 2005 Cy OFE�C City of Elgin Mayor 1 . Ed Schock )/e (1)‘°:‘ 1)t° Council Members Juan Figueroa Robert Gilliam AGENDA David J. Kaptain Brenda Rodgers Thomas K. Sandor VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK COMMITTEE John Walters City Manager Olufemi Folarin 6:30 P.M., WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2005 VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK SITE LOCATED ALONG THE BIKE PATH BETWEEN THE FOX RIVER AND GAIL BORDEN LIBRARY (Weather Permitting) In Case of Rain, Meet at: THE CENTRE OF ELGIN PIONEER ROOM 100 SYMPHONY WAY Please call Sally Rasmussen, Recording Secretary, at (847) 931-5939 with questions. A. Call Meeting to Order B. Roll Call C. Approval of Minutes D. Discussion of Veterans Memorial Park E. Budget/Fundraising F. Other Business G. Adjournment 150 Dexter Court• Elgin, IL 60120-5555 • Phone 847/931-6100• Fax 847/931-5610•TDD 847/931-5616 www.cityofelgin.org 0 Printed on recycled paper VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK COMMITTEE June 15, 2005 MINUTES A. Call to Order. The meeting of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee was called to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Pioneer Room of the Centre by Chairman Cook. B. Roll Call. Members Present: Jerry Deering, Art Richoz, Tom Sandor, Gordon Schnulle, Kim Toth, Walter Wetzel and Chairman Jack Cook Members Absent: Tom Schmidt, Charles Krabbe and Robert Shirley Others Present: Eleanor Richoz C. Approval of Minutes. Motion made by Mr. Schnulle to approve the minutes of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee from May 18, 2005. The motion was seconded by Mr. Wetzel. The motion passed unanimously. D. Site Visit to Proposed Location of Park. Due to the weather the site visit was not conducted. It will be rescheduled for the next meeting scheduled on July 20, 2005. E. Discussion of Veterans Memorial Park. Mr. Sandor began the discussion by introducing Mr. Deering and explaining his role as city staff and committee member. He went on to state that he is currently working with the City Manager as well as city council to get seed money for the committee. He believes they will vote to give the committee $25,000 for start-up money in July. An unknown amount of money will be budgeted by the City of Elgin for the Veterans Memorial Park in the 2006 Budget. Additional funds will also be necessary. Mr. Schnulle passed around samples of potential logos and buttons to be used by the committee. It was suggested that they could be used for posters and fundraisers. The buttons currently cost $1.19 a piece. If bought in bulk, the price may be lowered to $1.00 a piece. If the committee orders 3,000 buttons and sells them at $5.00 each, a total of $12,000 could be raised. A question was raised as to the owner of the land of the proposed park and any cost to the committee for obtaining it. Mr. Deering responded by stating the property is owned and maintained by the city. There would be no cost to the committee for the land. The size of the land that is being set aside for the park was also discussed. There were concerns that the site may be too small for the park that the committee is envisioning. This led to another discussion as to the exact size the city has set aside and the potential for expanding it to the south. The library has designated the space to the east as an open picnic area. This will be beneficial when having ceremonies at the Veterans Memorial Park. Seating was discussed. Folding chairs may have to be brought to the site when ceremonies or large events are scheduled. The park must also be accessible from the library parking lot. This means a sidewalk that is handicap accessible must also be provided. It was suggested that a representative from Hitchcock Design meet with committee at the site at the next meeting. Hitchcock is currently working on the riverfront improvements and may be able to work with the committee so that both projects blend together nicely. Mr. Deering will find out from city staff the size of the land, how much flexibility there is with expanding the size of the land. Members agreed that they should visit and research surrounding area's Veterans Memorials. This will help the committee get a sense of how big they may want Elgin's to be and an idea of a cost. Members will make site visits and report their findings at the next meeting. All the members agreed that they want this memorial to be of high quality. They want to create a special memorial that is unique to Elgin. The members agreed to hold the next meeting, scheduled for July 20, 2005, at the proposed park site. F. Other Business. None. G. Adjournment. The motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Wetzel. The motion was seconded by Ms. Toth. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee was adjourned at 7:08 p.m. New committee member, Gene Bank, arrived just as the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully Submitted, aitmumtA__) Sally Rasmussen Recording Secretary Community Development /r► Date Approved: July 20, 2005 F OF City of Elgin Mayor Ed Schock AGENDA Council Members Juan Figueroa Robert Gilliam VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK COMMITTEE David J.Kaptain Brenda Rodgers Thomas K. Sandor John Walters 6:30 P.M.,WEDNESDAY City Manager JUNE 15, 2005 Olufemi Folarin THE CENTRE OF ELGIN PIONEER ROOM 100 SYMPHONY WAY Please call Sally Rasmussen, Recording Secretary, at (847) 931-5939 with questions. A. Call Meeting to Order B. Roll Call C. Approval of Minutes D. Site Visit to Proposed Location of Park E. Discussion of Veterans Memorial Park F. Other Business G. Adjournment 150 Dexter Court• Elgin, IL 60120-5555 • Phone 847/931-6100• Fax 847/931-5610 •TDD 847/931-5616 www.cityofelgin.org J Printed on recycled paper VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK COMMITTEE (1611 MAY 18, 2005 MINUTES A. Call to Order. The meeting of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee was called to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Pioneer Room of the Centre by Mr. Sandor. B. Roll Call. Members Present: Jack Cook, Charles Krabbe, Art Richoz, Tom Sandor, Tom Schmidt, Gordon Schnulle,Robert Shirley,Kim Toth and Walter Wetzel Members Absent: Jerry Deering Others Present: Pon Rattana, Eleanor Richoz and Tom Armstrong C. Approval of Minutes. This was the first meeting. No minutes were approved. D. Discussion of Veterans Memorial Park. Mr. Sandor gave an introduction to the newly appointed Committee members explaining their role in the planning of the Veterans Memorial Park. Mr. Sandor explained that the Committee would not be responsible for the actual design of the park. They will be involved with creating a concept for the memorial, finding funding, reviewing designs as well as making a recommendation to the City Council for final approval. Site plans for the area of the Veterans Memorial Park were distributed and discussed. The floor was opened for discussion on general ideas and concepts for this memorial. The Committee members began to discuss potential ideas. A list began to form of things the Committee members would like to see included in the park. The final list included the following: • All Branches Represented • Individual Service Recognition • Bricks/Wall- Fundraising • All Conflicts Represented • Commemorative Plaques • CIB • Reflecting Pool • Lighting System • Seating Area • Equipment(Tank/gun/field piece) • Industries that Supported Wars Recognized 4. ` ,t OF E<C�f✓ :4 , � 4 City of Elgin Mayor �� r �.. ill Ed Schock °4'ilLok"' Council Members Juan Figueroa Robert Gilliam David J. Kaptain Brenda Rodgers AGENDA Thomas K. Sandor John Walters VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK COMMITTEE City Manager Olufemi Folarin 6:30 P.M.,WEDNESDAY MAY 18, 2005 THE CENTRE OF ELGIN PIONEER ROOM 100 SYMPHONY WAY (Pioneer Room directions: enter the Centre at the Heritage Ballroom Main Entrance; it is the second meeting room on the left-hand side) A. Call Meeting to Order B. Roll Call C. Approval of Minutes D. Discussion of Veterans Memorial Park E. Other Business F. Adjournment r 150 Dexter Court• Elgin, IL 60120-5555 • Phone 847/931-6100 • Fax 847/931-5610 •TDD 847/931-5616 .. www.cityofelgin.org :