Ad hoc committee sets May 22 ribbon-cutting for Veterans Park Circle of Honor; recommends honor guard

The Veterans Park ad hoc committee met Wednesday at City Hall and set a ribbon-cutting for the park’s Circle of Honor for 10 a.m. on Friday, May 22, a Parks and Recreation staff member said.

The staff member told the committee that construction is progressing rapidly, with substantial completion expected in early May and final completion currently scheduled for early June. "They're projecting a substantial completion, early May," the Parks and Recreation staff member said. The staff member also reported that the granite monument is in the United States and that site work — including back pavers, seat wall stucco, and shade-structure supports — is largely finished.

The committee was told that Christopher Barnes, described by staff as a senior adviser to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has confirmed he will travel to Florida to speak at the ribbon-cutting. "He has confirmed that he will speak," the Parks and Recreation staff member said.

Committee members pressed staff for details about donations and the tribute program for pavers, medallions and benches. Staff said paver sales have produced "a few" donations so far and that marketing outreach and the ribbon-cutting are expected to generate additional interest. The staff member directed donation inquiries to the city’s tribute program and identified Kim (last name provided variably in the record) as the community partnership and engagement marketing manager; staff said they would circulate a contact for donation questions.

On accounting, the Parks and Recreation staff member said donations currently flow into the general fund and described constraints on keeping donated money segregated for a single project under standard municipal accounting: the general fund is available to general fund purposes, so the city continues to finalize a mechanism to ensure tribute revenues are applied to pavers and medallions as intended.

The committee discussed logistics for the ceremony, including whether honor guards and flag details would participate. One committee member said the police and fire departments have traditionally been involved in similar ceremonies and asked that contact lists be notified. After brief discussion, a committee member moved "to have an honor guard" and the committee voted; the chair announced the motion carried unanimously. The chair said staff will work with the director to finalize which groups participate and how the ceremony will be staged.

Staff offered a brief site walkthrough with the superintendent for members after the meeting to see final progress in the blocked-off area. The committee also approved the Jan. 28, 2026 ad hoc committee meeting minutes earlier in the session.

The committee adjourned after confirming there were no public comments. The ribbon-cutting remains scheduled for May 22 at 10 a.m.; staff said additional event details and any finalized participant lists will be circulated as they are confirmed.