Veteran’s memorial proposal stalls

Evenly divided Task Force unable to make recommendation

Nearly one year and hours of discussion later, there is still no decision about where a veterans memorial should be placed in Clear Lake.

Monday night the Clear Lake City Council received a much-anticipated report from a task force charged with studying locations for a memorial and making a recommendation.

“We’ve struggled and struggled to find an answer for the memorial,” said Dave Parks, Task Force facilitator.  “We had some confrontations, some consultation.  In the end, we have a hung jury.”

Parks said the eight-member Task Force, which has met regularly for almost seven months, was unable to reach a unanimous consensus.  In the end, members were split evenly between placing the memorial at the Sea Wall, or at the intersection of Main Avenue and 8th Street.

“I’m at square one, where we were eight months ago.  We put it in your hands,” Parks told the Council.

Mayor Nelson Crabb said the City Council has aways been openly supportive of the belief there should be a veterans memorial in the city.  However, without a clear recommendation from his appointed task force, he said there is no basis for Council action.  

“The Council hoped for a more definitive recommendation,” said Crabb.  “At 4-4, it is more accurately described as neutral.”

Crabb noted the issue dates back to June 2, 2014 when the Council heard a proposal from veterans to locate the memorial at the Sea Wall. The Council referred the issue to its Parks and Recreation Board, which denied the Sea Wall request by a 5-1 vote.  The Parks Board recommended the City establish a Task Force to study possible sites, including the Sea Wall.  In August 2014 the Council affirmed the Park Board’s denial on a 3-2 vote and unanimously supported the Task Force idea.  

“Since the Task Force was formed, members received over 150 emails, over 50 hand-written or typed letters, numerous phone calls and encountered many face-to-face meetings with citizens, friends, neighbors and veterans; all gave their opinion on their favorite, or least favorite, location for the memorial.  As a group we took into account the public’s comments to help us come to a conclusion,” stated a letter presented to Crabb by the Task Force.

The Task Force created actual size mock-ups of the proposed memorials to help the public envision its placement at three locations.  In the end, the group was evenly divided between the Sea Wall and 8th Street and Main.

Those favoring the Sea Wall noted that was the location the majority of veterans wanting the memorial chose for the site and they would be the group providing funding for the project. Task Force members supporting the Sea Wall also noted the memorial would not obstruct the view of the lake, as had been feared, and would enhance the beauty of the area.  A petition circulated throughout the city obtained over 1,000 signatures in favor of the location and supporters feel it is the most prominent and deserving spot. A design for the memorial already exists for the Sea Wall location.

Task Force members supporting the 8th Street and Main Avenue intersection noted that area is well-lit and not likely to experience vandalism with its location near the police station.  Existing parking would make it easily accessible to the public and not likely to be interrupted during summer events.  There would be ample room for expansion, if needed and potential to review the overall design.  Supporters also said the location is prominent as the gateway to Clear Lake.  Task Force members noted there was very little negative feedback about the 8th Street and Main location.

No public comment was allowed on the veterans memorial at Monday’s meeting.  About 40 persons attended the meeting.

Alley project

In other business Monday night, the Council accepted a bid from Larson Contracting, of Lake Mills, for an alley improvement project between Main Avenue and 1st Avenue North, as well as between North 4th Street and the mid-block intersection.  The project generally includes the removal of existing alley pavement, repair of an existing clay sanitary sewer main and replacement of a defective pipe and replacement or abandonment of private service connections.  Larson’s bid for the work was $34,867. The project is set to be completed by mid-June.

Housing development

The Council also approved a second amendment to its original - Read More Via e-Edition