Winfield Veterans Building Management Commission will continue

By Bryce Kelly, Mt. Pleasant News

WINFIELD ? The Winfield Community Veterans Building Management Commission will remain intact thanks to a vote by the city council during a special session on Wednesday, however changes to the commission?s ordinance are likely.

It was agreed Wednesday to rescind a motion made during last month?s council meeting regarding the dissolution of the Winfield Community Veterans Building Management Commission. However, with the input from an appointed committee, an amended ordinance pertaining to the Veterans Building Management Commission will be up for review and approval by the board at the upcoming Winfield City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 12.

?As we work through this, we want to make sure people understand that at the center of this, we want to continue to honor our veterans and keep the veterans building in their honor,? said Winfield City Mayor, Chris Finnell. ??I know this is an important issue to the community and we thank people for voicing their opinion and being willing to do it respectfully.?

Councilman Tom Rodruck, who made the original motion to dissolve the Commission during last month?s meeting, restated his reasoning for doing so Wednesday night.

?I feel that the Winfield Veterans Building, which the city owns, could be better managed by the city council every month instead of meeting quarterly to make changes or manage the building and so on,? he explained. ?That was the reason for me making the motion.?

During last month?s council meeting, council member Ryan Kinneberg was not able to attend and vote on whether or not to dissolve the Commission. He stated that he is happy that the council agreed to move away from that vote and simply make some amendments to the ordinance.

?I know it?s different hearing it discussed at a meeting than it is just reading it in a minutes report,? said Kinneberg. ??I think finding ways to open a stronger line of communication, and maybe relooking at the current ordinance we have from the Commission and making some improvements to that is the better way to go.?

Council member Jan Walter added that after reviewing the decision made at last month?s meeting, she wanted to make sure it was clear moving forward that it is the council?s intentions to work openly with the members of the Commission.

?We don?t want to diminish anything the members of the Commission have done. They are doing a good job,? she said. ?And I think we can all continue to work together.?

Among the changes to the current Commission ordinance that will be reviewed by the appointed committee include:

? The Commission will consist of three members - one from the city council, one from the Winfield American Legion Post No. 643, and one from the women?s auxiliary of the Winfield American Legion Post No. 643.

? The term of office of the members of the Commission will be one year. Each term shall commence on Jan. 1.

? The Commission will have the power to recommend to the Council any adoptions, amendments, modifications or repeal rules and regulations for the care, use, government, management, operation and maintenance of the Veterans Building and the business of the Commission.

? The Commission will keep a record of all Commission proceedings and file all meeting minutes and actions to the Winfield City Clerk within 30 days of the meeting.

? The Commission shall make a yearly report to the city mayor and council immediately after the close of the fiscal year, not later than July 31.

The special meeting received a larger attendance than what is usually seen during their regular city meetings. During the public comment portion of the meeting, it was repeated by several members of the community that communication between the Commission members and the City Council needs to be improved. In addition, it was asked that the committee look at adding provisions in the ordinance to keep the current flags, banners and other veteran memorabilia in the building.

The Council said they would make sure all public forum comments are put into consideration as the appointment committee discusses and reviews changes to the current ordinance.