Centre Regional Recreation Authority

Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee
APPROVED MEETING SUMMARY
for Wed., 19 APR 06, 4:00 PM at the MMNC Barn 

1.         CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL: (9 of 17 Appointed Members)

              Jennifer Shuey, Chair        Kathy Matason                  Dr. Rick Marboe                Dr. Rob Brooks                 Jean Aron

              Mary Alice Graetzer          Sue Younkin                      Robert Ayer                       Diane Kerly                       Holly Fritchman

              CRPR Staff: Molly Hetrick 

2.        COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None 

3.         APPROVAL OF THE MEETING SUMMARY from 15 FEB 05:

Motion by Rob Brooks, Second by Rick Marboe.

4.         REPORTS & UPDATES:

• Operations Update: Molly

Molly updated the group on upcoming events and programs during this busy, exciting time at MMNC! Upcoming activities include the K-9 Karnival rental, the Flying Wild Event with Shavers Creek, the Romantic Moonlight Mothers Day walk, Homeschool programs, summer camps, and more. Molly has been working on hiring and training staff, coordinating group programs, and overseeing public programs. Molly highlighted the excellent photos that appeared in the CDT from the Knee High Naturalist programs.

• Facility / Wetlab / PCC Grant Update: Molly 

Molly shared information from Greg Roth, who was unable to attend the meeting. The PCC crew has been working on repointing and repairing the Centre Furnace stack and working in Bellefonte on a project at Governors Park. The Wetlab contractor has finished his cleanup and rough graded the lawn where the drain pipe was installed. Dog stations have been delivered for Thompson Woods and will be installed soon. Rick shared that on Park Partner Day (4/15), Troop 31 trimmed the streamside trails, removed logs, and mulched.

• Thompson Woods Subcommittee: Jennifer

Jennifer shared that the subcommittee is meeting with a concerned neighbor to help him understand the management plan and desired process used to make decisions about the preserve. Also, Alan Sam is using GPS to create a base map of the preserve.

• 10-Year Anniversary Ideas for 2007 (Please brainstorm ideas for discussion at May Mtg): Molly

Molly asked the group to continue thinking about an anniversary event and email ideas to her for preparation for the May event. Discussion focused on a date in 1997 that things actually began at the center and if that date should be used for the anniversary.

• Centre County Community Foundation Endowment Disbursement Summary: Molly

Molly shared the summary from the endowments. Discussion focused on the amount of information the community has about donating to these funds and the fees the foundation charges. Rick told the group about the CCCF Campbell Society and that Bob Potter mentioned it is possible to personally lobby these members to designate their gifts to MMNC.

• Capital Campaign/Building Fund Updates

a. Grant Meeting with CCCF: Jennifer

Jennifer shared with the group that she and Molly made a presentation to the grants committee for the CCCF and provided additional information to support our application for support. This was a positive visit.

b. Major Donor Visits: Molly

Molly reported that major donor visits are underway and a generous pledge of $50,000 was received this week. Total pledges so far total over $400,000 and the committee hopes to reach $600,000 in private gifts before beginning the public campaign phase.

c. CPCVB Grant Application Submitted: Molly

Molly reported a grant application was submitted in the amount of $7,500. Previous support from these grants included funds for the rack brochure, the highway signs, and the barn-side painting.

d. Governmental Plan: Rick Marboe

Rick shared the importance of using the Spring Creek corridor connection to add weight to our request for support to the commissioners. Molly is drafting a letter of request for the commissioners, which will be sent to them prior to their picnic invitations.

e. Capital Campaign Picnic Event at MMNC (Th, 25 May 06, 5-7 PM): Holly

Holly gave an update for the picnic event, which includes food from Clem’s BBQ and will feature tours, pictures, and exhibits about the progress of the campaign. Molly will resend the email reminder about the preparation of letters and mailing lists for this event.

5.         BUSINESS ITEMS

• Requested Endorsement of PSU/CRRA Maint. Agreement for PSU Slab Cabin Projects: Jennifer

Jennifer presented information about the maintenance agreement, which was reviewed by CRPR and CWC. Discussion focused on the use of the word “several” in section 1 on page 2, but the committee decided to endorse the agreement as is. Motion by Diane Kerly, Second by Rick Marboe.

• Consider a suggestion to modify the planned name of the “Four Season Education Center” to include “Spring Creek” so as to denote a larger and focused service area: Jennifer

Jennifer presented the idea of naming the new building at MMNC, formerly called the “Four Seasons Education Center” to include Spring Creek. After much discussion about the use of this name, the various combinations of the name, and synonyms for the word “center”, the committee finally decided on the name “Spring Creek Education Center at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center”. This name change will be reported to the CRRA in June.

6.         ADJOURNMENT   Next Meeting: Wed., 17 MAY 06, 4:00 PM at MMNC Barn