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Centre Regional Recreation Authority
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee
MEETING SUMMARY (Approved)
Wed., 21 FEB 07, 4:00 PM at the COG Building
1. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL: (13 of 16 Appointed Members)
Jennifer Shuey Kathy Matason Alan Sam Mark Henry Robert Ayer
Dr. Rob Brooks Mary Alice Graetzer Don Epp Diane Kerly
Steve Maruszewski Jackie Melander Sue Younkin Holly Fritchman
CRPR Staff: Greg Roth, Molly Hetrick Ex Officio: Alan Popovich (Architect)
2. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC:
Diane Kerly mentioned the Photo Contest in the CDT and suggested that members vote for the MMNC
Boardwalk photo that was submitted.
3. APPROVAL OF THE MEETING SUMMARY from 17 Jan 07
Motion by Bob Ayer, Second by Diane Kerly
• Current Advisory Committee Roster: Corrected S. Younkin & S. Maruszewski email addresses
Approved with corrections; Motion by Diane Kerly, Second by Bob Ayer
4. OPERATIONAL REPORTS
• Wetlab Design Update (as authorized by CRRA): Architect Alan Popovich
Alan shared Wetlab plans (dated 1/25/07) and outlined issues related to the Code approvals for the building.
Issues included: an “Assembly Use" designation for the upstairs and “Educational Use” designation for the
downstairs Wetlab, which will remove the 40 per floor restrictions; keeping the historic doors on the
wetlab, which may not be possible due to access and emergency exit requirements; Handicap accessible
requirements to total 20% of the construction budget, including upgrades to the slope of the path and
inclusion of handrails. Pending code approvals and funding, this project should be completed by the end
of 2007.
• Centre Co. Community Foundation (CCCF) Endowments: Molly
Molly reported the following 2007 disbursements have been received (for operations):
$1,038.72 Fred & Anita Coombs Fund / MMNC of the CCCF
$2,914.42 The MMNC Fund of the CCCF
Typically, the actual fund balance reports are provided by CCCF by mid-year.
• CRRA Meeting Review from 8 Feb 07: Kathy Matason
Kathy reported CRRA reviewed the draft lease for the Welch pool and reviewed the shared parking
requirements for the project. Also under consideration are the capital projects, including the Oak Hall and
Whitehall Road plans and the Welch & Park Forest Pool renovations. Kathy outlined the Fee Policy
discussion for the nature center and explained the per person program fee has been reduced to $4.50 from
$5.00.
• Thompson Woods Subcommittee Update: Greg
Greg reported the gazebo has been removed from the parking area by College Township and a Landscape
Architect will design a plan for replanting the areas of the preserve where neighbors have encroached into
the property. Posts will be used to mark the property lines by College Township.. Also, College Township
has repaired the torn fence and replied to the Smith Partnership letter.
• Capital Campaign Update/Team Roster: Jennifer & Molly
Jennifer explained the Major Donor phase of the campaign is nearly complete and the Business and
Community phase is in progress. Community phase will include mailings, events, group presentations,
flyers for visiting groups, and publicity. Molly asked the committee members to consider taking
presentations about the campaign to the organization they represent to help educate the partner groups and
their members about the campaign.
• 2007 Fee Policy Update: Molly Hetrick & Sue Younkin
Committee members reviewed three attachments: a letter from Sue Younkin to CRRA, a response Letter
from CRPR staff, and Fee Policy Changes (as approved by CRRA in Feb.) Molly explained CRRA’s review
of the fees and their concerns about non-staff guided group visits, which resulted in the addition of a Group
Leader Training component to the Fee Policy. Sue Younkin expressed her disappointment in the $25 per
teacher per year fee for training and explained that this fee and the per year requirement would prevent her
being able to send teachers for this training. Sue also explained that grants, which are used to send SCASD
children to programs, are gone now and so no funding is available to send students to the marsh. Bob Ayer
questioned the schools funding and pointed out that many people assume the school uses tax dollars to send
children on state required trips. Sue explained that no tax money is available to her for these trips and
therefore, all funding must come from grants and other outside sources. Sue pointed out how unique it is
that SCASD has transportation available for no cost and that other schools do not have this benefit. Molly
commented that other groups pay their fees and transportation costs through their PTA organizations or
through grants like the “Connections” program. Jennifer pledged to cooperate with the schools to continue
the Connections program and Rob Brooks suggested that Connections fund 50% of trips for groups, instead
of the full amount, to better spread the available money through applicants.
• PennDOT’s Sinkhole Repair Project: Greg
College Township update from Kent Baker: “PennDOT's contractor will need to come back in the spring to repave the bike
path and clean up. At that time, we should get them to restore any damage at the Quonset Hut.” area.
• Puddintown Road Bikeway Update from College Twp.: Greg
From Kent Baker:“The Puddintown Bike Trail is currently on track to be bid in May, with construction to occur this
summer. We had not established a staging area, although I am sure that the areas used during the sinkhole repair will be
likely candidates. We will probably work this out with the successful bidder.” Greg added that he hopes that the
staging area will be a location closer to the barn where invasive species are now growing. After the
project is completed, native plants can be planted during the restoration.
5. BUSINESS ITEMS
• 2007 Tourism Grant Application recommendation to CRRA: Molly & Greg
Staff proposed that a grant application be submitted by CRRA to purchase the necessary materials so
that Glenn O. Hawbaker Inc. can complete the parking area construction projects at the nature center in
2007 (if GOH will again contribute their labor and equipment). Greg explained the cost for materials
would be approximately $30K. Jackie Melander, a member of the Tourism Grant Review Committee,
cautioned that a grant this large is not likely. Greg will determine a lower cost request. A motion was
made to submit this or another suitable project, based on staff decisions, to CRRA for approval of the
application. Motion by Bob Ayer, Second by Jackie Melander.
• Discuss the 2007 Priorities for the Advisory Committee
The 2007 Agency Work Plan as approved by the Authority at their February meeting was available for
review by members. Molly suggested that, in addition to these staff goals, the Committee may wish to set
priorities for themselves as a group. After some discussion, a general priority to support the center was
decided upon.
The 2007 Priority for the MMNC Advisory Committee is to support the nature center by promoting the
Building Fund Campaign and being a champion of the nature center to the community through
participation in events (the 2007 10th year Anniversary Event) and sharing Friends Group information and
campaign details within business and personal circles.
6. ADJOURNMENT Next Meeting: Wed., 21 Mar 07, 4:00 PM at the COG Building
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