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HomeMy WebLinkAbout22. 21-556 NOVEMBER 9, 2021 21-556 RESOLUTION (CARRIED__7-0____ LOST_______ LAID OVER_______ WITHDRAWN_______) PURPOSE: APPROVE GULF WAR MEMORIAL MONUMENT AT SOUTH PARK WAR MEMORIAL AREA INITIATED BY: PARKS DEPARTMENT ADVISORY PARKS BOARD RECOMMENDATION: Approved WHEREAS, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 437 have previously donated war memorials at the South Park War Memorial location in South Park; and WHEREAS, the group is requesting to add a memorial in honor of Oshkosh residents who have passed as a result of the Gulf War and the War on Terrorism; and WHEREAS, the Advisory Parks Board has evaluated the proposed monument and has recommended acceptance and placement of the memorial. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of Oshkosh that, on behalf of the residents of this community, the City acknowledges with deep gratitude and appreciation the generous donation of the Gulf War and War on Terrorism Memorial by the Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 437. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the proposed memorial monument is hereby accepted and the appropriate city staff are authorized to work with the donors for the installation of the memorial at the South Park War Memorial Area. City Hall, 215 Church Avenue P.O. Box 1130 Oshkosh, WI 54903-1130 http://www.ci.oshkosh.wi.us TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council FROM: Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager DATE: November 2, 2021 RE: Approve Gulf War Memorial Monument at South Park War Memorial Area (Advisory Park Board Recommends Approval) BACKGROUND The Vietnam Veterans of America and Associates, Chapter 437, Oshkosh, WI has proposed that a memorial marker be erected at the site of the current Veterans Memorial Monuments within South Park to commemorate those lost during the “Gulf War/War on Terrorism”. The marker would be placed at the base of the existing monuments within the flower bed. ANALYSIS The Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 437 representative met with Parks Department staff regarding the proposed monument and had G. Reinke & Company design the monument. The upright monument as designed is 48” wide and 30” high and constructed of Southern Grey marble to match the existing monuments. The proposed monument design is included in your meeting packet. The Advisory Park Board had discussions regarding the proposal that included relevance of the text on the monument and the importance of recognizing these individual service members at this location. Minutes from those meetings are included in your packet. FISCAL IMPACT The total fiscal impact of this project is staff time to organize the installation of the monument. The Vietnam Veterans of America and Associates, Chapter 437 is funding the monument and installation. RECOMMENDATION The Advisory Parks Board and staff recommend approval. Respectfully Submitted, Approved: Bill Sturm, Landscape Operations Manager Mark A. Rohloff, City Manager ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES JUNE 14, 2021 1) CONSIDER AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF A GULF WAR MEMORIAL MONUMENT AT SOUTH PARK WAR MEMORIAL AREA Mr. Sturm advised the board that this item comes as a result of a meeting that he and Mr. Maurer had with the Vietnam Veterans of American Chapter 437. They have raised the funds and met with department staff to design the marker. They would like to incorporate the memorial into the existing memorial area on site. It will be in front of the current memorial there and the picture provided shows the size of the memorial. Board members expressed concerns about the wording on the proposed memorial. The wording was provided by the veterans group and Mr. Sturm will follow up with them to ensure that it is correct. Motion by Metz to table approval of the Gulf War Memorial monument until the next meeting and further clarification is made regarding wording and dates. Seconded by Martin. Motion carried 9-0. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES AUGUST 9, 2021 1) CONSIDER AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF A GULF WAR MEMORIAL MONUMENT AT SOUTH PARK WAR MEMORIAL AREA Mr. Canon was present however due to technical difficulties he was unable to present his information. Motion by Palmeri to table approval of the Gulf War Memorial monument until the next meeting and further clarification is made regarding wording and dates. Seconded by Millette. Motion carried 8-0. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES SEPTEMBER 13, 2021 1) CONSIDER AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF A GULF WAR MEMORIAL MONUMENT AT SOUTH PARK WAR MEMORIAL AREA Mr. Canon was unable to attend the meeting in September however he advises that he can be present in October. Motion by Metz to table approval of the Gulf War Memorial monument until the next meeting and further clarification is made regarding wording and dates. Seconded by Martin. Motion carried 9-0. ADVISORY PARK BOARD MINUTES OCTOBER 11, 2021 1) CONSIDER AND RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF A GULF WAR MEMORIAL MONUMENT AT SOUTH PARK WAR MEMORIAL AREA Mr. Maurer reminded the Board that this request is for an additional memorial in the South Park War Memorial Area and also shared the rending of the memorial for review. Mr. Maurer then introduced Mr. Canon with the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 437. Mr. Canon gave a short history regarding the Gulf War and the War on Terrorism to clear up any questions the Board may have had regarding these wars. The location of the memorial was discussed; it will be placed in the flower bed in front of the existing memorials. Discussions were held regarding this being covered under the gifts and donations policy. Mr. Canon confirmed that Chapter 437 would be paying for the monument and donating it to the city. Mr. Maurer confirmed that it would be covered under the gifts and donations policy and if recommended by the Board would then move to Common Council for approval. Mr. Dirth questioned if the memorial would need to be changed if additional service members passed and Mr. Canon responded that names could be added if needed but the group is hoping there would be no additional losses of Oshkosh residents. A brief discussion was had regarding the wording on the monument and potential options for changing it. The Board agreed that it would be best to keep the wording that was initially presented by the veterans. Mr. Sturm added that staff has reviewed the site location with the group and feels that the location is appropriate and that the proposed monument will be a good fit with what is already at the location. This war memorial is a popular site for visitors especially during veteran holidays. Motion by Davis for approval of the Gulf War Memorial monument at South Park War Memorial Area as presented. Seconded by Palmeri. Motion carried 6-0.