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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-19-2021 Veterans Advisory CommitteeVeterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 1 Federal Way City Council January 19, 2021 Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 2 Policy Question: Should the City of Federal Way approve the Veterans Advisory Committee’s proposal to place a flag pole, service medallions, plaque, and lighting to be located at the top of the Town Center Steps adjacent to the Performing Arts and Event Center? Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 3 Background: This proposal would be funded by two King County Veterans Program grants ($10,000 and $9,999) totaling $19,999, and would honor veterans and families. The grants were facilitated by King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer (District 7). Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 4 The Veterans Advisory Group was formed by Mayor Ferrell in the summer of 2018 to recommend the appropriate way to honor our veterans and families. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 5 Currently, members of this committee include the following veterans and community members: Susan Honda, Council President, Dan Altmayer, Frank Bannister, Bob Celski, Roger Flygare, Jack Garfield (Eagle Scout), Gene Hunt, Bob Kellogg, Diana Noble-Gulliford, Keith Selthofer Lori Steinhorst and Dick Whipple. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 6 The group has been extensively studying tributes and memorials for veterans in our area as well as regionally, nationally and internationally. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 7 After coming to a consensus about features and elements from the other locations that were compelling, they attended community events and informally polled citizens on what they would like to see in a tribute to our veterans and families. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 8 Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 9 Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 10 There was also discussion of fundraising strategies, whether or not to form a non-profit or work with other community groups. In February just before the COVID-19 outbreak, the group held a Saturday retreat in order to build a consensus on next steps. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 11 It was around this time the first $10,000 grant was facilitated by King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer from the King County Veterans Program. In the fall, the grant of $9,999 was also given to the project. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 12 In mid-December outside the PAEC, King County Councilmember von Reichbauer brought together a group of veterans and the Mayor to announce the additional grant of $9,999, bringing the total funding to $19,999 for the project. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 13 He took an impromptu and unofficial poll to gauge opinion on using the funding to place a flag pole, service medallions, plaque and lights at the top of the Town Center steps just adjacent to the PAEC. The group was in favor of the idea. The Mayor announced he would immediately convene a meeting of the official Veterans Advisory Group to get their input on the idea. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 14 In light of the timing as the two grants of $19,999 from King County have a short window to be allocated, a few days later on December 16th the Mayor convened the official advisory committee including the council president, to formally discuss the proposal. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 15 The group was updated on a study of a proposal that had been previously discussed to site the tribute for veterans at the southeast corner of Town Square Park. However, a study by our Parks Department concluded that there were significant drainage and infrastructure issues which would result in exorbitant costs to use that location. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 16 After discussion, the unanimous decision by the group was to recommend to the Council to move forward with a flag pole at the top of the Town Center Steps utilizing this grant funding. The project would also include a medallion or marker for each of the service branches at the base of the flag pole, which would be approximately 30-35’ in height. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 17 The advisory group also unanimously felt that this project is the beginning of a Veterans Memorial and does not reflect a final project--but it would be a definitive start. Many citizens and organizations have worked to fulfill the community’s desire for recognition of veterans and families since our inception as a city. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 18 In light of the group’s recommendation, the Mayor is recommending that the Parks, Recreation, Human Services & Public Safety Committee approve a proposal from our Veterans Advisory Group to use King County Veterans Program grants funding to honor our veterans and their families. The project will be coordinated with the expertise of our Parks, Recreation and Culture Services Department. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 19 Specifically, the advisory group’s proposal is to place a flag pole, service medallions, plaque and lighting to be located at the top of the Town Center Steps adjacent to the Performing Arts and Event Center. This project would be funded by King County Veterans Program grants totaling $19,999 that was secured by King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 20 Council options: (1) Approve. (2) Approve with changes. (3) Disapprove. The Mayor’s Recommendation is to approve. Veterans Advisory Committee Proposal to Honor Veterans and Families 21 Questions and Discussion