Item 4I - MemoCITY OF
SOUTHLAKE
MEMORANDUM
August 20, 2024
To: Alison Ortowski, City Manager
From: David Miller, Director of Community Services
Subject: Item 41, Appoint Members to the Veterans Memorial Focus Group
Action
Requested: Appoint members to the Veterans Memorial Focus Group
Background: The purpose of this item is to request the City Council appoint Jack Baxter
and Dennis Minder to the existing Veterans Memorial Focus Group.
The FY24 Art CIP includes funding for the creation of a Veterans Memorial
therefore, the Community Services Department began working with the
Southlake Arts Council in January 2024 on this project.
The Arts Council determined the formation of a Southlake Resident,
Veteran Focus Group would be beneficial to consult with on the project.
Staff presented the project idea to the City Council during the regular
February 20, 2024, meeting and explained the intent of the Southlake Arts
Council requesting to form a Southlake Veteran's Memorial Focus Group.
Staff received positive feedback from Council and encouragement to
proceed with the formation of the Southlake Veterans Memorial Focus
Group.
Applications for the Veterans Memorial Focus Group opened in February
2024 and closed in March 2024. 16 applications were received and
presented to the City Council during the May 21, 2024, meeting. The City
Council appointed 14 members to the Focus Group and the full list of
appointments is included on page two of this memorandum for reference.
Since the kickoff of the Focus Group, the Southlake American Legion
Post Commander has changed from John Kirby (originally appointed to
the VFMG as Legion Liaison) to Jack Baxter. Additionally, Dennis Minder,
a Southlake resident and military veteran has expressed interest in
serving on the Focus Group and advised he missed the application
process due to a health emergency he has since recovered from.
Item 41 requests Council appoint both Dennis Minder and Jack Baxter (to
replace John Kirby as the Southlake American Legion Post
representative) to the Southlake Veterans Memorial Focus Group.
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Financial
Considerations: N/A
Strategic Link: The Veterans Memorial Focus Group initiative is linked to the City
Council's Focus Area of "Partnerships and Volunteerism." It also
addresses the City's Corporate objectives of "providing opportunities
for partnerships and volunteer involvement" and "providing attractive
and unique spaces for the enjoyment of personal interests."
Legal Review: N/A
Alternatives: • Appoint one of the proposed new members to the Southlake
Veterans Memorial Focus Group
• Appoint both proposed new members to the Southlake
Veterans Memorial Focus Group
• Appoint no new members to the to the Southlake Veterans
Memorial Focus Group
Supporting
Documents: List of appointed members of the Veterans Memorial Focus Group:
Veterans Memorial Focus Group
John Kirby
Frank Bernardo
Heidi Brown
Matthew Hince
Robert Kemins
Alec Knight
Bruce Krieger
Casey Lawrence
Georgia Milan
Sabrina Modi
Frank Pittman
Brent Scurci
Kevin Sweeney
Natan Ton -that
Staff
Recommendation: Appoint both new members to the Veteran Memorial Focus Group
City of Southlake Values:
Integrity ♦ Innovation ♦ Accountability ♦ Commitment to Excellence ♦ Teamwork
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