Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-08-2024 VAB Minutes w/AttachmentsVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2024 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN STREET, SEBASTIAN FL32958 Chairman Spiecker called the Veterans Advisory Committee meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. II. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. III. Present Gary Spiecker, American Legion Member Rich Feldhann, Past Commander, American Legion Kristine Burr, Commander of the VFW Also Present Brian Benton, City Manager Richard Blankenship, Parks Director Joseph Perez, AV Technical Assistant Janet Graham, Technical Writer IV. Meeting Chair Makes Announcements A. City Manager Introduces Richard Blankenship, Parks and Recreation Director, as the new Liaison for this Committee Mr. Benton introduced Mr. Richard Blankenship as the new liaison for this Committee. Mr. Blankenship is the new Parks and Recreation Director. He started in early January. Mr. Benton stated he will make sure that all Committee members have Mr. Blankenship's email address. Mr. Benton assured the Committee members that they can reach out to Mr. Benton at any time, and Mr. Blankenship will be the liaison for this Committee's meetings starting with the next meeting. V. Agenda Modifications -- None VI. Approval of Minutes All having indicated they had reviewed the Minutes as presented, Chairman Spiecker called for a motion. A motion accepting the Minutes of October 2, 2023 as presented was made by Feldhann, seconded by Ms. Burr, and approved unanimously via voice vote. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING APRIL 8, 2024 VII. Unfinished Business -- None Vill. Public Input -- None IX. New Business A. America 250 Monument Location Discussion PAGE 2 Mr. Benton introduced Dr. Holly Hamilton from the Daughters of the American Revolution and reviewed that he had had her speak to this Committee in the past. She is here today once again to speak about the America 250 Monument. Dr. Hamilton explained her group is looking at doing an America 250 Monument at the Veterans Memorial location in Riverview Park in Sebastian. She stated it will most likely be a granite boulder with a seal of the organization, and it will be commemorating the men, women, and children who achieved American independence, which honors all of the patriots who fought and contributed to the America 250. This will be in the hopes that it can be installed ahead of the 2501h anniversary of the nation, which is 2026. That will be running through approximately 2030 or 2031. She pointed to a photo on the screen and said that this is a similar one that the Daughters of the American Revolution have done to give this Committee an idea of what that would look like. It has been approved to do the marker, and she added that as of right now Florida would be the very first state in the nation to have this kind of a marker for this organization with the hopes that you will approve this location. She also pointed out on the screen a photo of the location. Facing the River, it is on the east side by the Navy area. So, it would be overlooking the River. She explained why they had picked this area. She asked for approval of the location that overlooks the River as presented in the photo. She acknowledged that this Committee will have final approval on the design, the location, etc. She said the only cost to this Committee would be whatever maintenance that this Committee does in the park already. Mr. Benton stated that Dr. Hamilton's group will bring back the final design of the monument for this Committee's approval. What is being sought today is for this Committee to either accept, deny, or make an alternate recommendation of a location. Then, at that point staff will take this segment to City Council. They will make the final decision. He stated that he and City staff have worked closely with Dr. Hamilton in looking at this location. There is already a concrete pad there. So, there is very minimal work that will be needed from the City, and it is in an area that is already established there. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING APRIL 8, 2024 PAGE 3 Mr. Benton stated that what is needed today is for this Committee to accept, deny, or make an alternate recommendation of a location. At that point, we will take this segment to City Council. They will make the final decision, but he is requesting a recommendation or denial of the proposed location that is being presented today. He added that he and City staff have worked closely with Dr. Hamilton in looking at this location. There is already a concrete pad there, so there is very minimal work that will be needed from the City, and it is in an area that is already established there. Ms. Burr asked if it is known whether there are any other monuments planned to be placed there. Mr. Benton said there is one other monument that is currently planned to be placed at the Veterans area. So, the POW -MIA monument was installed a year or two ago. Right across the sidewalk from that is going to be the Goldstar Familes Monument. That will be a little bit to the south of this. There are currently no plans for anything else to be installed in this area. The Goldstar Families have gone through the full approval process, and the City is waiting for that one to be developed and installed. A motion approving the location as presented was made by Mr. Spiecker, seconded by Ms. Burr, and approved unanimously via voice vote. B. Memorial Day Event Plan Mr. Spiecker stated that the Memorial Day should be handled this year by the VFW. Ms. Burr stated that Ms. Paskiewicz had given her a brochure from a previous event. She said her group will look at it and will get the names needed. She will be working with the Sebastian River High School to get the band, etc. She is aware that the VFW is responsible for conducting the Memorial Day ceremony this year. Mr. Benton asked that, as the date for the event gets a little closer, the City be advised if the band is going to participate. The City will handle the full setup and make sure everything is completely set up for the veterans' arrival. If the City is needed to print out the brochures, staff will be happy to print those out and will help with the design and anything else that is needed. He asked if it is still the plan to have the event start at 11:00 a.m. Ms. Burr said yes. C. July 41h Parade Participation Discussion Mr. Spiecker said the parade will be handled by the American Legion. VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OF REGULAR MEETING APRIL 8, 2024 PAGE 4 Mr. Benton invited every veterans organization to participate in the parade. The City greatly appreciates everything this group does along the parade route and what they do for the community. The City will help out with whatever assistance is needed. Mr. Spiecker suggested having a police car in front to remind everyone to stand for the colors. Mr. Benton said he will make sure to have a police car in front making those announcements for the parade. X. Staff Matters -- None XI. Board or Co_mmittee_MembeLMattels Mr. Spiecker said he thinks everyone is on board with what needs to be done. XII. Items for. the NextAgenda _and_DateAugust 5, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. Mr. Spiecker encouraged everyone to make sure they have participation from every group. Mr. Feldhann asked that the Goldstar Families monument be put on the next agenda. He added that the last word he got was that the funds have been raised, and the stonecutter is working on it. He is waiting for a delivery date, and they will have to get together with the City for installation. Mr. Benton stated that item will be added to the agenda for the next meeting. XIII. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:16 p.m. By: ���., ` Date: ��— ZO Z� �C airman Spiecker jg Florida Society Children of the American Revolution What is the C.A.R.? The National Society of the Children of the American Revolution trains good citizens, develops leaders and promotes love of the United States of America and its heritage among young people. Mission Statement The Objects of the C.A.R. •To acquire knowledge of American History •To preserve and restore places of Historical importance associated with men and women who forwarded American Independence. •To ascertain the deeds and honor the memories of the men, women and children who rendered service to the cause of the American Revolution. •To promote the celebration of patriotic anniversaries. •To honor and cherish the Flag of the United States of America above every other flag. •To love, uphold and extend the principles of American liberty and patriotism. •–Adopted April 11, 1895 Introduction Holly Hamilton F.S.C.A.R. Senior State President 2022-2024 Introduction: America 250! Commemorative Marker What is the America250? America250 is a multiyear effort to commemorate the semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary, of the United States. This effort is being led at the national level by the non-partisan U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, created by Congress, and its supporting nonprofit America250 Foundation, with a mission to catalyze a more perfect union by designing and leading the most comprehensive and inclusive celebration in our country’s history. America250 represents a coalition of public and private partners all working to create initiatives and programs that honor our first 250 years and inspire Americans to imagine our next 250. The commemoration period began in 2020, culminates on July 4, 2026, and officially concludes in 2027. The Objects of the America 250! Marker Commemoration Began By NSDAR The program has been established to honor the memory of the men and women with whom we have a sacred compact to ensure that these United States of America continue as a government of the people, by the people, for the people. It is also designed to raise appreciation amongst current and future generations of Americans of our Patriots’ sacrifice for their benefit. Its importance leaves the legacy of this commemoration in a tangible and public way to publicly commemorate this occasion. DAR America 250! Marker Proposal for F.S.C.A.R. State America 250! Marker •The F.S.C.A.R. is working with Feldner’s Studio, a monument company in Fellsmere, FL who has been providing memorials and gravestones since 1987. •Plaque will have the C.A.R. insignia on the top with the wording on the next page •The memorial is proposed to be placed at the Veteran’s Memorial Park in Sebastian, providing proper permission is obtained. •The design would be similar to the image on the right but with a granite marker on a boulder. Insignia Why a Rock? •Stones and boulders have been used since biblical times to remember people and events. •They are a permanent marker of remembrance. •Using a boulder adds significance to the importance of remembering the fight for independence and the patriots that gave up their lives and fortunes for that fight Possible workup of commemorative marker Proposed Wording Revolutionary War Patriots This marker commemorates the men, women, and children who achieved American independence. These Patriots, believing in the noble cause of liberty, fought valiantly to found a new nation. 1775 - 1783 Presented by the Florida Society Children of the American Revolution in honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States. Time Frame: •The time frame for this project is 2 years in order to have the monument installed before 2026. •The goal is one year for fundraising and installation. Next Step •Approval by the City of Sebastian for placement at the Riverview Veterans’ Memorial Park •Presentation to N.S.C.A.R. gaining permission to use the official insignia on the memorial marker •Approval for location in Riverview Park •Mock-up of plaque for boulder •Final approval of design •Installation and ceremony Thank you for your support! Any questions?