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Minutes 04-11-07 MINUTES OF THE VETERANS ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2007, AT 10:00 A.M. CONFERENCE ROOM B, CITY HALL, BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA Present: Thomas Kaiser, Chairman Robert Zimmerman, Vice Chairman David Buckner Karl Washington Stanley Gavlick, Alternate Stuart Preston, Alternate Cramer Hegeman, Alternate Chuck Magazine, City Liaison I. Call to Order Chair Kaiser called the meeting to order at 10: 14 a.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance The board recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. III. Invocation Chair Kaiser gave the Invocation. IV. Roll Call of Members Roll call was taken. V. Agenda Approval Motion Mr. Boruck moved to approve the agenda. Mr. Gavlick seconded the motion that unanimously passed. VI. Approval of Minutes Motion Mr. Gavlick moved approval of the minutes. Mr. Washington seconded the motion that unanimously passed. 1 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL April 11, 2007 VII. Comments by Chair Chair Kaiser announced Jody Rivers, Superintendent, Parks Division, and Debby Coles- Dobay, Arts Coordinator, were present to discuss the Veterans Memorial. More specifically, they would review the proposal and proposed locations and receive feedback. VIII. Comments from Visitors None. IX. Old Business a. Veterans Eternal Flame & other Memorial - Location (Debby Coles-Dobay) Ms. Coles-Dobay, Public Art Administrator, explained they published a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) some time ago. The specifications included names of Veterans from Boynton Beach, and each seal for the American Legion, the MIA's, and the City of Boynton Beach. She explained the artist would work with the various planners on the project and the budget established was $35K. Chair Kaiser requested confirmation the seals for all the veteran's organizations and armed forces would be on the memorial. Ms. COles-Dobay explained that question would be addressed later in the meeting. She reviewed on March 6th, the Arts Commission produced the RFQ and on April 6th, the selection panel selected three artists. In December the Request for Proposal (RFP) was created and in February, the Eternal Flame monument was selected. Ms. COles-Dobay showed the members a maquette of the artist's concept of the project. The monument would be concrete, bronze and stainless steel, and would stand about eight-feet high topped with an illuminated fountain representative of the Eternal Flame. Ms. COles-Dobay described the fountain as a concrete plinth about eight feet high supporting a circular copper dish with a diameter of about three and a half feet and depth of about 15 inches that would contain a mist fountain, with a two foot plume. The plume would be illuminated with red, yellow and blue lights. Four bands of stainless steel divide the plinth into five smaller segments representing fewer combat deaths from each of the five major wars. These wars were WW 1, WW II, Korean, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War. The water that spilled down the front onto a bronze sculpture would symbolize flowing water, and the confluence of the rivers of life. The mist would the Eternal Flame. Two sides of the triangle would contain the three seals originally specified, which were the MIA, the City of Boynton Beach and the American Legion. The sculpture would need electric and water at the site, which was already included in the budget. There would be a concentric circle on the ground that would 2 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL April 11, 2007 include the names of the Veterans and six other plaques would be incorporated into the project. In addition, the plaques already at Intracoastal Park would be worked into the project. Jody Rivers, Park Superintendent, explained the artist would work with the Landscape Stewardship Company, the planner the City hired on the project. The proposed locations discussed were Veterans Park and Bicentennial Park. Chuck Magazine, Risk Management Manager, noted near Veterans Park, there was open space on the other side of Ocean Avenue. Residential, retail and office spaces were planned for that area. Most likely, office space would be constructed overlooking the park. Mr. Magazine pointed out that, potentially, many people would spend their lunch and break times there. There would not be a lot of pedestrian traffic anticipated at Bicentennial Park in the near future and presently, there were no trees or parking. The current Veterans Park was already dedicated to veterans and was an intimate space away from loud traffic. There was adjacent parking and an Art Walk planned for Ocean Boulevard nearby. Mr. Oyer explained he owns the property next to Veterans Park and he personally thought Bicentennial Park was the better location for the City and the Veterans. He commented the trees at Veterans Park were a hazard. He reported the trees dirtied the site; they were a hazard, a hurricane hazard, and the area had homeless persons camped around there from time to time. Mr. Oyer announced one of the individuals responsible for creation of Bicentennial Park was John Quincy Adams, the IV, and emphasized the park was actually dedicated by an individual who was a direct descendent of the President of the United States and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He thought the site would be appropriate for Veterans given its history. Ms. Rivers announced she would make that information known to the landscape architects and thanked Mr. Oyer for the information. Further discussion ensued about Bicentennial Park. Mr. Oyer thought the artist conception of the memorial was of four wars, but in the history of Boynton, there are individuals buried locally that were Veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish American War, and the Philippine Insurrection and other wars. He noted rather than naming the wars, the committee might consider dedicating the memorial to Veterans of all the Wars. Chair Kaiser explained the names of veterans killed from the City of Boynton would be inscribed into the monument and were deserving of a bit more honor. He thought there was more room for a memorial fountain, a monument at Bicentennial Park and meditation benches. Mr. Oyer also commented the individuals killed had an identity in the community. 3 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL April 11, 2007 Ms. Rivers noted the City decided to put in the memorial and a wall, as the memorial pieces. No other pieces would be included and only a part of the park would be used for the memorial. Ms. Rivers requested the committee make a decision and they would advise the City. There was $100K from the City, $200K from the CRA and $35K for the memorial itself. She thought they could renovate and incorporate the pieces at the park. Additional elements that were discussed were the relocation of a memorial from Intracoastal Park, which would cost about $6K, a lighted flagpole would cost about $10K, six additional plaques about $3K. A reflection bench and landscaping was already incorporated into the park renovation costs. Ms. Rivers explained the landscape architect contract would be completed in April; the architect and artist would meet in May; conceptual drawings would be brought back in May/June, and the conceptual review by the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee, Veterans and City Staff would take place in June/July. The permitting would occur in September, and the project would be bid out in October. Work would commence in November/December. She noted the schedule she gave was contingent upon no glitches. Chair Kaiser commented the veteran organizations wanted to donate a memorial free and clear and they wanted to go before the City Commission to offer their memorials. That included a flagpole, and the meditation benches. Mr. Magazine did not know if there would be space or if the City would be willing to put up a second memorial. He thought two memorials could be construed as redundant. He hoped the veterans would augment the memorial with appropriate elements. Chair Kaiser asked Mr. Magazine to put the veterans on the City Commission agenda. Mr. Kaiser asked for a vote on which park would be appropriate for the memorial. Ms. Rivers noted Veterans Park was about .5 acres and Bicentennial Park was about .75 acres. The animal facility would remain at its present location and it was emphasized although Bicentennial Park was the larger of the two parks, only a portion could be used. Chair Kaiser asked the members to inspect the two parks and be prepared to make a recommendation. He did not want to delay making a recommendation and requested the members look at the parks and convene a special five-minute meeting next week. The members agreed to meet the following week. Ms. Coles-Dobay commented the artist who designed the piece felt the artwork could work in either park. The memorial would have a significant presence at Veterans Park and a slightly diminished presence at Bicentennial Park in comparison to the size of the park. c. Memorial Day, Flag Placement at Municipal Cemetery (Heard out of Order) 4 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL April 11, 2007 Ms. Rivers announced in response to a request made last year by the Veterans, a Boy Scout Troop or ROTC would assist with putting the flags at the cemetery on Memorial Day weekend. Chair Kaiser felt that responsibility was being usurped by the other organizations and advised the veterans always enjoyed the activity. He clarified the assistance they asked for was to purchase a sleeve that went in the ground along side of the veterans stones they could place the flags into. Ms. Rivers explained the graves were marked and they did not feel it was necessary to purchase the sleeves but she indicated she would bring it before the Cemetery Board. Chair Kaiser commented a flyer was distributed announcing that on May 27th at 2 p.m. at the cemetery on Seacrest and Woolbright, the Memorial Day ceremony would begin. The Veterans would place the flags at the cemetery on May 25th at 9:00 a.m. b. Boynton/Lantana VFW Post 5335, 500 NE 21st Avenue There would be a meeting of the Veterans Council the first Tuesday of the month in May at 7:00 p.m., at the above location. There would be an open house at the American Legion on Veterans Day. The Mayor would be the speaker. Mr. Magazine offered to contact Congressman Klein who was doing a lot of work with the Veterans Council in Broward. The Bob Ensler Memorial, which was an eagle monument, would be unveiled at the American Legion on May 30th around noon. The monument would be located at the roundabout owned by the American Legion on Ocean Avenue. The Color Guard would be there. Mr. Magazine requested information on the program so he could have a program printed. Chair Kaiser announced Mr. Magazine would receive a plaque on Memorial Day to say thanks for his assistance. d. Past Events 1. Four Chaplains Sunday, February 4, 2007 e. Future Events 1. Memorial Day Event, Sunday, May 27. 2007 (Tentative) Chair Kaiser announced Veterans Day would fall on the 11th this year. x. New Business Chair Kaiser urged all the members present to attend the special meeting on April 18, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. 5 Meeting Minutes Veterans Advisory Commission Boynton Beach, FL April 11, 2007 A short report about the road by the American Legion Hall was given. Trash along 21st Avenue was discussed and was an ongoing issue. There were two break-ins at the Hall and a generator had been stolen. Mr. Magazine spoke about Boynton Beach TV (BBTV), and would investigate putting information about the veteran's activities on it. If the veteran's activities were taped, they could possibly be broadcast. On another matter, Mr. Magazine announced an individual requested he notify all the veterans about a medical records program. The individual indicated he was contacting various entities on behalf of Senator Clinton. Mr. Magazine recommended the individual contact the Veterans Administration Hospital and the different organizations. Accordingly, the veterans may be contacted. Mr. Oyer suggested the veterans groups petition Congress to stop using social security numbers as the military serial number. Under the Geneva Convention, the only information required of a soldier was the soldier's name, rank and serial number. Today, access to that information could lead to identity theft. Mr. Magazine explained federal law prohibits that practice, however, the military are exempt from it. There was a discussion on a reduction in property tax if an individual was a disabled combat veteran. The individual needed to meet five different criteria, one of them being they had to have been drafted from Boynton Beach. There was no further discussion of the issue. XI. Benediction, Moment of Silent Prayer The benediction was given by Chair Kaiser. XII. Adjournment There was no further business to discuss. Motion Mr. Gavlick moved to adjourn. Mr. Boruck seconded the motion that unanimously passed. Meeting adjourned at 11:13 a.m. O~-~~1 Catherine Cherry-Guberman Recording Secretary 051507 6