Centre Regional Recreation Authority
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee

MEETING SUMMARY

Wed., 21 May 08, 4:00 PM at the MMNC Barn

1.         CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL: (10 of 16 Appointed Members)

              Jennifer Shuey                   Kathy Matason                           Alan Sam           Dr. Carolyn Mahan 

              Dr. Rob Brooks                 Mary Alice Graetzer                       MJ Kitt             Holly Fritchman

              Robert Ayer                       Diane Kerly

              CRPR Staff: Molly Hetrick, Jennifer Watts-Mattise  

2.        COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None

3.         APPROVAL OF THE MEETING SUMMARY from 16 APR 08

                        Motion by Bob Ayer, Second by Kathy Matason

4.         OPERATIONAL REPORTS:

            •          Spring / Summer Program Report: Molly Hetrick

Molly reminded members to visit the new blog for the nature center and updated the group on the busy spring program season. The spring schedule has been filled and the weather caused some group cancellations, but so far all have been re-scheduled. The spring staff is doing an exceptional job with programming and the SCASD curriculum team has been pleased with the programs they observed. Summer planning has begun and two summer interns have been hired. A new “Youth Fly Fishing for Bass” camp has been added for this summer with funding from the PA Fish and Boat Commission. Other camps are full with waiting lists.

            •          CRRA Meeting Highlights from 08 May 08: Kathy Matason

Kathy shared highlights from the CRRA meeting, including the new ActiveNet system that is being used by CRPR, the PCC grant has been renewed and is now in its seventh year, and mentioned the Oak Hall and Whitehall Road park acquisitions are still in progress, as well as progress on the pool renovations.

            •         Thompson Woods Subcommittee Update: Carolyn Mahan

Carolyn introduced herself as the volunteer site steward for the Thompson Woods Preserve and will be meeting with Greg Roth, Bill Hilshey, and Todd Litzinger to do a walk-through of the site next week. They will review the trail network, consider a suggestion from the Smith partnership about trails, and check on the fence. Carolyn suggested a sign is needed near the repaired fence area to direct visitors to the authorized entrances to the park. She will follow up with Greg Roth about this.

5.         BUILDING FUND CAMPAIGN UPDATE

            •          Governmental Team Update: Molly Hetrick

                                    - Letters from Governors Office

                                    - Letters to be sent to the Governor

                                    - Discussion of Timeline

Molly shared the letters received from Mary Soderberg, the Executive Deputy Secretary for the Budget from the Governor’s Office. Letters are also being collected from local schools to prepare a packet for the Governor to continue to encourage the release of these funds. After much discussion on the meaning of Ms. Soderberg’s letters and the potential impact on the nature center campaign, the Advisory Committee outlined these priorities 

                 •          Molly or Rick should call Ms. Soderberg to discuss the status of the release and ask for her suggestions on the timing and if we should continue to wait for these funds or proceed with the project. Her answer and recommendations on a possible release date will heavily influence the next steps the Committee decides to make.

                 •          The center will continue to support our case through letters and remain in the forefront to the Governors office and local legislators who have supported us.

                 •          The committee will wait until the end of June to see how the passing of the state budget impacts the release of the capital funds for the nature center and if the bill to replenish these capital funds is passed.

                •          01 Apr 09 has been set as a goal for breaking ground on the Spring Creek Education Building. The committee has asked staff and the Campaign Team to work with Alan Popovich to create a timeline working backwards from that date, in order to start construction and have progress by the June 09 deadline set by Mr. Hamer. The committee confirmed its commitment to meet this deadline and retain Mr. Hamer’s support of the project, as well as other donors who are anxious to see development begin.

                 •          By September 1, 2008 a decision will be made to proceed (with or without the Governors release) and to complete a building based on the funds available.

Meeting Follow-up: Mr. Popovich has completed his current agreement with CRRA for the Spring Creek Education Building, so a new agreement needs to be developed and considered by CRRA for this project. Staff will begin working on a timeline for project development through Apr ‘09, with input from the Campaign Team and Mr. Popovich.

Some committee members gave suggestions for the current Community Phase of the campaign and reaching out the community to continue to gain support. The Campaign Team welcomes those fresh ideas and discussed combining the Campaign Team meetings back in with regular Advisory Committee meetings. Campaign Team members have spent many extra hours over the past years keep the campaign progressing and are anxious now to encourage involvement of the entire Committee from this point on.

6.         ADJOURNMENT                                    Next Meeting: 18 Jun 08 at 4 PM at MMNC Barn