Parks Commission Minutes 11-22-1994cNaNUTEO
SPECIAL NMETING " MONTICELLO PARKS COMMISSION
Tuesday, November 22, 1984
Members Present: Dick Frie, Larry Nolan, Bruce Thielen
Members Absent: Roger Carlson, Fran Fair
Consideration of aDDmVaI Of minutes for the meetine held September 28.
1994.
Minutes were approved by Larry Nolan and seconded by Dick Frie. Motio
carried unanimously.
Review of the ormosal to nlace a Veteran's Memorial in a Citv nark.
Continuing the project to have a memorial located in Monticello that is
dedicated to the veterans, Joanne Yaeger presented updates on her research
since the last meeting. Yaeger reported that she called several mounument
companies to presented a variety of designs and prices available for this
project. At the last meeting a design resembling a small tombstone marker
was discussed. Roger Mack, Park Superindent, stated that the lighter
tombstones in the Hillside cemetery were often vandalized and thought a
larger monument would prevent this. Bruce Theilen also thought a
different style would be more appealing in the park setting that was being
requested. The representatives from the VFW, Rob Hoffman, and the
representative from the American Legion, Lloyd Lund were in agreement
with this idea. Mr. Hoffman and Mr. Lund agreed that a monument of a
larger design would be acceptable to Weir organizations even if the cost was
higher. The main objective for We VFW and the American Legion was to
have a memorial in Monticello that was an asset to the City and an
appropriate dedication to the armed forces.
Joanne Yaeger presented six different designs and coats to We group. It
was a unanimous decision to recommend design B. Design B was made of
jet black grant, the same as We Vetrana Wall Memorial in Washington,
D.C., with a center tablet that is: 3'0"x0'8"x7'0", all polished, Chamfered
Front edges; Two Wings: 3'0x0'6"x2'6", all polished, floral carving, five
service emblems; Base: 11'0"x1'4'x0'8", polished flat top, balance rustic
finish. The memorial could also be made of a Jet Black Granite the same as
was used in the Veterans Wall Memorial in Washington DC. The cost of
this would be $8,100.00. The parks commission did recommend that Joanne
call We Monument Company and cheek on delivery and installation prices.
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Parks Commission Minutes - 11!27(94
There were a mixture of ideas for the site of the memorial. Lloyd Lund was
not particular about a certain place just so it was in a neutral area. Rob
Hoffman stated the VFW had visions of it being in a place that was very
visible and accessible so that it could become part of the celebrations. One
suggestion was East Bridge Park because of the parking lot, river, and
beautiful landscaping. Auer discussing East Bridge Park, it was agreed
that the eight would be too small to accommodate many people because the
parking lot was small and not designed for large groups. Mack suggested
the east end of Ellison Park. The east end of the park, past the gazebo, is
mowed and kept up but not used for picnic or playground area. The
memorial will be visible from the street yet offer a serene setting for
veterans and their families. The Parke Commission was in agreement that
this would be an ideal setting for the memorial. There is ample space at
Ellison Park for large gatherings yet will still offer a quite place for
individual use.
The park is mowed and kept up by the city parks department but Rob
Hoffman, VFW expressed an interest in helping maintain the area.
Larry Nolan made the motion to have the city parks department to do the
mowing and maintain the permanent shrubs. Bruce Theilen seconded the
motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Lund and Hoffman both expressed that the wording on the memorial should
be generic to service branch and gender. The words that were agreed on
are: "In honor of the men and women who have served our country in times
of war and peace". The completion and dedication is set for Riverfest 1995.
Joanne Yaeger will attend the December meeting for the VFW and the
American Legion to present the memorial, wording, site, and increased cost.
If both organizations agree to the recommended decision the memorial will
be ordered after the January parka meeting.
Jeff O`Neill gave an update on the oath -way orciect.
The project is at a standstill because of a hold up with Burlington Northern.
BN will not grant a crossing at River Street, Elm Street, or Prairie Road.
BN is waiting for MNDOT to complete a set of rules governing the design of
grade crossings. MOOT as been slow to develpe the rules and there is no
telling when the rules will be completed. O'Neill stated that the City
Engineer had been working with BN on the delay. The parks commission
thought this area should be priority and everything possible should be done
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Parke Commission Minutes - 11!22194
to speed up the process, even if that meant getting involved through other
cities receiving the grant or elected officials that could help.
It was decided that there would not be a meeting in December unless there was
an update on the pathway.
There being no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned
IN✓nomi�/lat%l A_
Wanda Kraemer
Developement Services Technician
C per-