Centre Regional Recreation Authority
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee
MEETING SUMMARY
Wed., 17 JAN 07, 4:00 PM at the ClearWater Conservancy Bldg.

1.         CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL: (15 of 16 Appointed Members)

Jennifer Shuey                   Kathy Matason                  Jean Aron                     Robert Ayer         Mark McLaughlin
Dr. Rick Marboe                Dr. Rob Brooks                 Mary Alice Graetzer         Don Epp              Diane Kerly 
Steve Maruszewski            Jackie Melander                 Sue Younkin                 Alan Sam             Holly Fritchman  
CRPR Staff: Greg Roth, Molly Hetrick                      Friends: Bryce Boyer      Absent: Mark Henry

2.        COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None

3.         APPROVAL OF THE MEETING SUMMARY from 15 Nov 06 ( No December meeting.) Motion by Bob Ayer, second by Diane Kerly.

4.         2007 REORGANIZATION

                       • Welcome new & reappointed committee volunteers: Jennifer Shuey

Jennifer Shuey welcomed Steve Maruszewski to the group and members introduced themselves to Steve. The reappointed members were welcomed back and thanked for all their efforts:
K. Matason       D. Kerly            R. Marboe         M. Graetzer      H. Fritchman
J. Shuey            S. Younkin        R. Brooks          J. Melander       

               • 2007 Meeting Schedule (as approved at Nov meeting): 3^rd Wednesday of each month, 4 PM

            • Election of Officers for 2007: Jennifer Shuey, Chair and Rick Marboe, Vice-Chair

Jennifer Shuey and Rick Marboe (who served as Chair and Vice-Chair during 2005 & 2006) each accepted nominations to continue these positions, but also welcomed new leadership if the committee chose. No other nominations were made and the committee unanimously voted Jennifer and Rick back to office.

            • Review of Rosters: Molly Hetrick

Molly asked the group to review their attached rosters for accuracy and consider if they should be contacted at the organization they represent or at their homes. Members were asked to provide Molly with corrections after the meeting or via email. An updated roster for 2007 will be distributed prior to the Feb. meeting.

            • Confirm membership of Subcommittees for 2007: Jennifer Shuey

Jennifer read the sub-committee member lists. Rick Marboe asked to be part of the Thompson Woods Sub-committee, as the leader of the Park Partner Group for the preserve.

        Thompson Woods Subcommittee (includes Stan Yoder Preserve):

Todd Litzinger, Janet Dargitz, Jennifer Shuey (or the appointed ClearWater representative), Greg Roth, Alan Sam, Rick Marboe.

        Finance & Facility Subcommittee/ Campaign Steering Committee:

Don Hamer, Jennifer Shuey, Rob Brooks, Diane Kerly, Rick Marboe, Holly Fritchman, Rob Mothersbaugh.

5.         REPORTS & UPDATES:

            • End-of-Season Program Report Summary 2006: Molly

Molly reviewed the summary numbers and budget information on this report. 2006 numbers were slightly higher than 2005 numbers, which may illustrate that program capacity has peaked with the current available facilities. Bob Ayer questioned why the Friends of Millbrook Marsh Nature Center income was $0 during the year. Molly explained that the Friends Group, made up only of Advisory Committee Members in ‘06, was put on hold until it could be better promoted through the Capital Campaign. Also, creating 8-page newsletters for such a small group was not an effective use of staff time. Jennifer Shuey pointed out that most Friends groups are started by citizens who are excited about the nature center, not by the staff. It is the goal of the Campaign Steering Committee to promote the Friends group as a component of the capital campaign and to recruit an excited community member to be the volunteer coordinator of this group. Donors to the capital campaign (perhaps at a certain level) will be given a complimentary one-year membership. Alan Sam suggested cooperating with other partner groups membership base (ClearWater or Historical Society) to offer a free one-year membership to MMNC also, then ask them to renew during the second year.

            • Thompson Woods Update/Smith Partnership letter: Greg Roth & Alan Sam

Greg explained and addressed the issues in this letter. He said the fence was repaired by College Township and within an hour it had been cut again. Currently the police are not involved but the township is addressing the problem by educating the neighbors. Also, dumping in the preserve is a problem. Signs for the preserve are being finalized. The next meeting of the subcommittee will be Tuesday, January 23.

            • Capital Campaign Update/Status Report: Rick Marboe

Total campaign pledges as of 31 Dec 06 totaled $685,850 or 59% of the local goal. Rick explained the summary and outlined the pledges from three local municipalities: Harris, Ferguson, and College. Jennifer Shuey asked what ways the Advisory Committee could be supportive of the campaign and Rick responded that each member will be asked to take information back to their organization and solicit participation or support in that way.

6.         BUSINESS ITEMS

            • 2007 Fee Policy - revisit as requested by CRRA: Molly

Molly reviewed the Fee Policy with the members and explained CRRA’s concerns about groups using the grounds and instructional areas. This draft of the Fee Policy is the staff’s response to those concerns and addresses the need for supervision and teacher training in advance. Molly thanked Sue Younkin and Mark McLaughlin for their time and input as this policy was developed. Sue commented that SCASD had already requested a Teacher Training session from the nature center and written a grant to offset costs for that instruction, even before the idea was included in the fee policy. Mark McLaughlin explained that such a policy works well for SCEC and it’s positive to have a staff person greet visiting groups. Rob Brooks stated the policy was very thorough and well-thought out, but could be confusing to the general public. Bob Ayer asked how it was possible to inform the public of this policy and enforce it with no staff on-site. The committee discussed at length the importance of having the Recreation Supervisor and the Seasonal Program Coordinator located at the nature center office. Discussion focused on the broadband hook-up needed for internet access to the office and to the Wetlab. Rick Marboe stated that it should be a priority for Molly to begin working on-site during 2007 as a transition and plan to be full-time at the nature center in 2008. Molly explained that a weekly posted schedule of hours between COG office and MMNC would help other staff locate her during this transition. Rick also mentioned that when the move is complete, the COG office costs in Fund 47 should be returned to Fund 45 and the space no longer charged to the nature center. Bob Ayer stated he felt it was not fair to put staff at the nature center without proper heated restroom facilities. The draft of the revised Fee Policy was referred to CRRA with a motion by Diane Kerly, Second by Rob Brooks.

            • Discuss the 2007 Priorities for the Advisory Committee: Molly

Due to lack of time, the Committee reviewed only the proposed staff goals for 2007 (Development of Priorities for the Committee, such as planning the 10-year Anniversary Event, will be discussed at the next meeting). Greg Roth informed the committee of PCC and other funding for the boardwalk and suggested adding that to the goals list. Rob Brooks added the Wetlab category should include the development of an Equipment List (similar to a Wish List) and Rick Marboe agreed that these types of things will be included in the community phase of the campaign. The committee asked for an update on the Wetlab plans and construction schedule, which will be scheduled for the February meeting. Alan Popovich will be asked to attend if possible. Discussion also returned to the priority of staff offices onsite at the center.

               • Proposed MMNC goals for 2007

The following goals will be presented by staff to the CRRA as part of the 2007 Agency Work Plan:

7.         ADJOURNMENT            Next Meeting: Wed., 21 FEB 07, 4:00 PM at the COG Building

Prepared by Molly A. Hetrick, Recreation Supervisor-Nature Center, 23 Jan 07