TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: James V. Capparelli, City Manager
SUBJECT:
title
Resolution Approving a Memorandum of Understanding Between the United States Submarine Veterans Inc. - USS Chicago Base for a Monument at Bicentennial Park
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BACKGROUND:
The USS Chicago Base, which is the local chapter of the United States Submarine Veterans Inc., seeks to erect a monument dedicated to the Manitowoc submarine expedition adjacent to the Veterans Memorial on the southeast side of Bicentennial Park (see attached map). The USS Chicago Base dedicated a similar monument in 2020 at Canal Port Plaza in Morris.
During World War II, the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin fabricated 28 submarines. Upon completion of training in Lake Michigan, the 28 submarines covertly traveled from Lake Michigan down the Illinois Waterway system (Des Plaines River in Joliet) as they headed towards the Mississippi River with their ultimate destination of the Pacific Ocean.
USS Chicago Base Membership is comprised of men and women who served on submarines in World War II, during the Cold War, and to the present. Additional information on the USS Chicago Base can be found as an attachment.
DISCUSSION:
City staff have been working with the USS Chicago Base on their proposed monument for almost one year. This group desired a location adjacent to the Des Plaines River and staff identified a location next to the existing Veterans Memorial. The Board of Directors of the Will-Joliet Bicentennial Park, Inc. approve of the proposed monument and believe that the monument will be a further draw to the south side of Bicentennial Park.
The black granite monument will be 41” tall, 46” wide, and 8” thick with a weight of 2,000 pounds and will rest on a concrete base that is 8” thick, 22” wide, and 60” long. The USS Chicago Base obtained foundation installation services from local contractors courtesy of the Three Rivers Construction Alliance and the foundation was laid in mid-July.
The attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlines the roles and responsibilities for this new monument at Bicentennial Park. In summary:
• The USS Chicago Base will pay for permits and installation of the monument.
• The City will assume future ownership, liability, and long-term maintenance and care for the installed monument.
At this time, the City does not anticipate any additional maintenance costs or issues associated with the monument. There will not be an additional sidewalk or landscaping installed in conjunction with the monument. The monument will be sited as to not cause any grass cutting issues. The City’s Facilities Division maintains Bicentennial Park.
The USS Chicago Base will order the monument should the City approve the Memorandum of Understanding. The USS Chicago Base anticipates a spring 2023 monument dedication ceremony. The City will assist with promoting the dedication event.
The Public Service Committee reviewed this matter at their August 1, 2022 and recommended that this agenda item be reviewed by the full City Council.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Based on the above, it is recommended that the Mayor and City Council approve the attached Resolution authorizing execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Submarine Veterans Inc. - USS Chicago Base for allowing the installation of a monument dedicated to the Manitowoc submarine expedition and agreeing to long-term maintenance and care of the monument.
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