Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton
March 28, 2006
You may not have noticed an item in last week’s City Council meeting that celebrates a successful public-private partnership. The City Council approved an agreement between the City and the O’Fallon Veterans Monument Association for the maintenance of the new Veterans
Monument on Wesley Drive. The agreement is significant because it outlines how the monument will be treated in the future.
So often, a project is pursued and people get excited about its construction but do not give any thought to how it will be maintained over time. Our agreement is simple and clear: the City will provide basic maintenance for the monument grounds, including mowing, cleaning, trash pickup, snow removal, weed eating and annual landscaping. We will also provide advice and supervision of any capital improvements to the site.
The Association will be responsible for establishing a perpetual fund in the name of the City of O'Fallon Parks & Recreation Department/Veterans’ Monument that will be utilized for future capital improvements and repairs. This may include granite replacement, foundation repairs, additional engraving, events and promotions. The Association will retain control of the fund until all monument name positions are filled at which time the City will assume full responsibility for the Monument and Fund, to include any residual monies. Then the Association will dissolve once the City assumes responsibility for the Monument and the perpetual fund.
This is important because we want to separate maintenance and capital improvements. We do not want to use general operating expenditures to pay for capital improvements. An ongoing Veterans Monument fund will sustain the vision of the original association by providing a vehicle for making improvements and our Parks & Recreation Department employees will maintain the grounds so they do not fall into disrepair.
The partnership has been in place throughout the project. The City provided the land for the monument and paid for the parking lot and electrical extension to the site. The Veterans Monument Committee raised money to pay for construction of the monument and has managed the construction of the monument.
The Veterans Monument is nearing completion. Starting tomorrow, crews will begin placing the granite bases and 15 pillars listing the names of O’Fallon veterans. In addition, the flag pole, parking light, and entrance and roadside markers will be installed. The concrete base and electrical wiring has already been completed. Landscaping will begin in late April. The Monument Dedication is scheduled for May 29 that will include a military flyover and presentations from local and state government and Scott Air Force Base.
It is exciting to see a great idea come together. The O’Fallon Veterans Monument Association has worked tirelessly to see the project completed and City staff has been there at every stage to assist them when needed. It will be a proud day for O’Fallon when the planes fly over on dedication day.
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