4. Discussion on changes to the preliminary design of the Scandia Veterans MemorialSCANDIA
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: September 7, 2016
To: City Council
From: Neil Soltis, Administrator
Re: Scandia Veterans Memorial
Background: The City approved the site plan and design concept of the Scandia Veteran's
Memorial to be placed in Lilleskogen Park on July 15, 2015. The approved design concept
called for the memorial to be located in a 12' x 12' area north of the parking lot. (See the
attached except from the minutes of the Council meeting) The Veteran's Memorial
Agreement approved on June 22, 2016 includes a provision that no party shall construct or
place additional objects or monuments in addition to what is identified in the original site plan
and design concept without the express written consent of all parties. The Veterans Memorial
Committee is seeking to modify the plan which results in an increase in the size of the
memorial. The proposed design would include a circular patio area that is 24' in diameter (452
s.f.) and a 46'x5' (230 s.f.) concrete sidewalk from the monument area to the parking area.
Issue: Should the revised Veterans Memorial Plan be approved?
Proposal Details: Sketches of the modified plan are attached. Once the design is approved, the
Committee will need to apply for a building permit for the construction.
Fiscal Impact: Depending on the area to be filled through the project, adjacent areas in the park
near the parking lot should also be brought up to grade.
Options:
1. Approve the revised design,
2. Recommend modification to the revised design,
3. Refer the review of the design to the Parks & Recreation Committee for
recommendation,
4. Reject the request to revise the design.
COMMENTS SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL BY RYAN JINKS, PRC CHAIR
The PRC approved a 120 s.f. Veterans Memorial that was consistent with the overall Lilleskogen plan and
accounted for feedback from many community members that were adamantly opposed to placing the
memorial in this park. The agreed size and location represented a compromise to make room for the
memorial without detracting heavily from the planned butterfly garden installation.
There is already a perception that the Veterans Memorial Committee has bypassed procedure and
public comment and that the decision to move forward wasn't based on community input; this opinion
is particularly strong with the Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails.
The new plan outlined by Dave is almost 300% larger than what was approved in July 2015. Dave and
his team are very aware of the city process and the commitments they made to the PRC. Given this new
direction and the sensitivity around this project I think it's important that the community gets a chance
to review and add their voice before this goes to the City Council. I expect the Veterans Committee will
understand that this need is driven by the decisions they have made regarding the design, and that they
will adapt to the timing required.
In short, I think it would be a mistake and a disservice to the community to bypass the PRC on this issue.
COMMENTS SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL BY GREG ZAUNER, PRC
I will not be able to attend. I would like to state, for the record, I am not in favor of increasing the size of
the memorial footprint.
Scandia Veterans Memorial
The Scandia Veterans Memorial in Lilleskogen Park will have a center section containing three brown
granite pieces. A centered dedication piece with rectangular columns on either side. These columns will
have service emblems on them. On each side of the center section will be honor walls containing the
paver bricks bearing the names of honored veterans.
Scandia Veterans Memorial Overview
Flagpole
Lilleskogen Parking Lot
Monuments
01 Honor Walls (2)
Patio
Benches (2)
0-
ewalk 46'x 5'
Notes: Patio will be cement, clay in color and textured. 24' diameter. Monuments are Brown Granite. 6' height.
Walls will have a decorative block base with the personalized pavers mounted above. 8' in length, approx. 5'
height. Sidewalk meets handicap codes. Flagpole is 30' height with solar lighting.
RECEIVED
7 h ZU i�
Lilleskoitan Park Veteran's Memorial Proposal :;UPJ
CITY OF SCANDIA
Proposal:
We, the Veterans Memorial Committee, wish to work with the PRC and place a unique veteran's
memorial in Lilleskogan Park. Importantly, this veterans memorial will blend with the natural feel of the
park. The memorial would be self—funded at no cost to the City of Scandia. Contributions towards the
park cost for sidewalks in the memorial and parking areas will be made. Details on this proposal are
attached.
The subject of a veteran's memorial in our area has been studied and discussed over the past two
years. Much has been learned through the process to lead to this proposal. It should be clear that this
proposal is being made after much due diligence on site selection. We are submitting our request for
Lilleskogan Park as it is the most desired location for the veteran's memorial for a number of reasons.
This site offers the location that is most accommodating to the ideas and desires for what the memorial
should be that we have continuously heard from community veterans, non -veterans and residents. That
is, a simple, humble memorial that fits into the landscape of a peaceful setting where one can reflect
and enjoy the freedoms for which the veterans have defended. Nothing grand or overbearing and
placed in a peaceful setting. Lastly, pubic land is required for a Veterans Memorial.
It is proposed that the location in Lilleskogan be at the north end of the parking lot, settled against the
trees. This location offers visibility yet is not overwhelming.
Lilleskogan is also a gateway park entering Scandia and it will reflect the values of the community. The
memorial represents our strong values of patriotism and our appreciation of service men and women. It
will show that we don't take our freedoms for granted. The Memorial also offers an education piece to
future generations. In Lilleskogan it will be seen.
Why a Veterans Memorial?
There is no question that the subject of a Veterans Memorial in any community will bring out emotion
and passion in those that you talk with. Veterans Memorials are important to many for many differing
reasons. We have learned this- Veterans memorials are built for everyone, not just for the veterans.
They represent a thank you to our veterans for providing the freedoms that we enjoy. We give them a
place of honor, not because they want to be honored, but because we wish to honor them. We honor
them not out of a sense of responsibility to do so, but out of our humble and utmost respect for them.
A veteran memorial is important to community. It represents our community values. It shows that we
support our country and those who have served to protect it. The fact that memorials are permanent
structures allow for a forever showing of that support. In other words, they leave a legacy for our future
generations. We have learned that all of this is important to all of those we have reached out to here in
Scandia.
Today's Veterans Fund
We also recognize the need to support service men and women who are in need today. It is our utmost
hope that the memorial will draw attention and donations to the ongoing Veterans Support Fund within
the Scandia Marine Lions Foundation. We plan to have information available at the Veterans Memorial
to show how visitors can donate to the fund.
Design:
Much work has been done on designs. The public has been asked and have provided their input.
Through our process we know this: The memorial should be small, respectful and fit into the landscape.
On this we all agree. This has been repeated by veterans, non -veterans, city officials, and residents. It is
proposed to complete a memorial based off of the River Falls Wisconsin memorial and public input from
our area. We would work off of the following ideas.
• Three, five foot tall, earth -tone granite pieces will be blended into the trees.
• Of these three pieces, there will be a four foot wide centerpiece with two square columns on
either side. The centerpiece will have the dedication inscription and/or quotation. The
columns on the sides will have service emblems permanently engraved.
• Two benches will be added in the area.
• Include concrete walkways that are lined with engraved paver bricks.
Location within Lilleskogan:
North end of the parking lot, facing south to the parking lot, 30' from the curb. (estimate) Locate this
within the trees but open facing the parking lot.
Dimensions: Approxiamately 12'x 12'
Cost of Memorial materials:
Centerpiece 3-0 x 0-8 x 6-0 $ 3696
Columns 1-4 x 1-4 x 5.0 $3648 each x 2= $ 7296
Total on granite pieces:
$10,992*
*Pricing includes all lettering and design, delivery and installation. (graham Monument Co.) Doesn't
cover any concrete or landscaping.
Flagpole and flag installed: $2010
Landscaping: Donated.
Concrete and Park Development Expense: $10,000.
Total Cost: $23,002
Maintenance
Some maintenance will be needed periodically and we are discussing a fund for this purpose. A local
service group or others could be approached to cover this.
Funding
It is proposed that the memorial committee will work to secure private funding for the memorial. By
doing so it will lessen the costs to the city and others on the completion of the park. Sidewalks near the
memorial area that would otherwise be installed are planned to be part of the memorial itself. This
becomes part of the memorial cost and not city costs.
Funding for this design should be accomplished through the sale of personalized paver bricks at the
memorial, the sale of two benches, direct donations and other community support. We know that labor
and landscaping will be provided. Based on rough calculations by just selling paver bricks alone, selling
200 or more bricks (or if determined, name locations) will provide the majority of the costs.
The active fund raising will begin after PRC acceptance of a plan. We have held back on active fund
raising until we have a plan to show the public.
200 names sold at $100 each equals $20,000
Bench sales: $1000. (2 @ $500 each)
Timeline
July
• Hopefully we can obtain PRC's acceptance to pursue completion of the memorial planning in
Lilleskogan.
• Upon acceptance of a plan then the public fund raising campaign begins.
August
• Completion of final memorial details. Report back with PRC.
• Continued fund raising through public advertising.
September, October, November:
• Fund raising continues.
• Veterans Day 2015 is our goal to complete.
Summary
We would propose the following:
1. Locate a Veterans Memorial north of the parking area against the tree line. Using approx.:
rsa sq ft.
2. Add a member of the PRC committee to work with us on the final design of the memorial. This
would go with the goal of keeping the memorial to blend with the park design.
3. The memorial committee will do the fund raising and add no costs to the city of Scandia for this
project.
4. The memorial committee through fund raising expects to donate up to $10,000 for sidewalks in
the memorial and parking area. This is considered to be part of the memorial cost and will
lessen the cost to the City for completion of the sidewalks.
5. With acceptance by the PRC, the Veterans Memorial committee will proceed to publicize the
plan through local media and printed materials to actively solicit donations. This will begin the
active fund raising phase. We have determined that the active phase needed to wait until the
site and design were determined. Please see the timeline in this proposal.
Barton W. Johnson, USA,
lorry Peterson, USN
John ULson, USA
Greg Mine, LG
Barry Nelson, USAF
Gkn/ones; USAF
Mary Pagt USA
Steven C Andnmq USAF
7acharyJones, USA
Veterans Memorial
Dedicated to those who
have provided the
freedoms that we enjoy
today.
This memorial is dedicated to all
U. S military veterans.
William R Wilson, USN, WWII
William It MLson, Jr., USM
Gonnk L Rolntun, USArmy
RobertJohnson, USN, WWII
Llrrda Arnold USAF
Michael While, USN
Randall Simonson, USAF
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July 21, 2015
PUBLIC FORUM
Karen Schik, 13860 236th Street, spoke on the Veterans Memorial topic. Ms. Schik said that she
supports a memorial in Scandia, but has concerns that it would be out of character for
Lilleskogen Park. The vision of the park is as a nature park and this would be a betrayal of trust
to those who donated the land and worked hard to bring about its natural setting. She asked that
the Council defer a decision on the memorial; but if proceeding, to consult a landscape architect.
Janie O'Connor, Oakhill Court, stated that she appreciated the work that the Vets Memorial
Committee put in, but said she is disheartened that Lilleskogen Park was chosen as the location.
She stated that the park is the wrong venue and genre for the memorial.
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE
Veterans Memorial
At its July meeting, the Parks and Recreation Committee heard a proposal to locate a Veterans
Memorial near the north end of the parking lot at Lilleskogen Park. The Lions Foundation
would raise the funds to install a 12'x12' area consisting of granite columns, benches, concrete
walkways, and a flagpole and landscaping, at an approximate cost of $23,000. There would be
no costs to the City other than to insure the site, estimated to be $14 per year.
The Parks Committee recommended this location with parameters included in the staff report,
such as having it in close proximity to the parking lot, visible from Oakhill Road, accepting a
$10,000 donation from the Lions Foundation towards construction of the sidewalk, handicap
accessibility features and landscaping, and entering into a Memo of Understanding for future
maintenance.
Tom Triplett and Dave Wilson, Memorial Committee members, were present and described the
site location process that began over 2 years ago. The Lilleskogen site offered desired features
such as a peaceful setting in a visible location entering Scandia, with the intent that it will
complement and blend into the features of the Park. Triplett confirmed that a Memo of
Understanding would be entered into between the City and the Lions Foundation so that the
Foundation would be responsible for on-going maintenance of the memorial through a support
fund.
Council member Lee asked if this is a change to the Comp Plan and if the Planning Commission
should weigh in on a memorial at the Park. City Administrator Handt replied that Lilleskogen is
identified as parkland and there will be no change to its use, and gave examples of changes to the
Park's concept plan which did not need review from the Planning Commission.
Ness, seconded by Hegland, moved to accept the PRC recommendation to locate a Veterans
Memorial at Lilleskogen Park that is no larger than 12'x12' with the addressed
parameters.
July 21, 2015
Scandia City Council
Page 2 of 2
Council member Schneider asked if there will be any initial costs to the city. Handt explained
that there would not be; the work would be coordinated with the Pilar Road ditching project and
fill brought in for cost savings and efficiencies. Council member Lee questioned the intent to
complete the parking lot to accommodate the memorial and the $10,000 donation towards this.
Handt reasoned that the donation is going towards making the site handicap accessible which is
important and tied to the memorial.
Simonson called for a vote on the above motion. The motion carried 4-1, with Lee opposed.