Centre Regional Recreation Authority
Millbrook Marsh Nature Center Advisory Committee

MEETING SUMMARY- DRAFT

Wed., 15 OCT 08, 4:00 PM at the MMNC Barn

1. CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL: (8 of 16 Appointed Members)

              Jennifer Shuey                   Robert Ayer                       Diane Kerly         Mark McLaughlin 

              Dr. Rick Marboe, Chair     Mary Alice Graetzer          MJ Kitt                Alan Sam

              CRPR Staff: Ron Woodhead - Director, Greg Roth - Parks Supervisor, Jen Watts-Mattise - Seasonal Prog. Coord.  Molly was attending the NRPA Congress.

2.        COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC: None

3.         APPROVAL OF THE MEETING SUMMARY: Motion by Bob Ayer, Second by Diane Kerly.

4.         OPERATIONAL REPORTS:

            •          Fall Program Report: Jennifer Watts-Mattise

Jen reported that Fall Programs are winding down and have gone very well to date. School programs have been very well received by teachers and our staff has been very strong. Scout programs and birthday parties have been very popular for fall and have filled many of the weekends. With scout programs being a new program offering we have been very pleased at their success and expect to see some groups return in spring for another badge. Historic Harvest Festival planning is under way and the PSU RPTM planning team had a lot of wonderful ideas.

            •          Facility Update: Greg Roth

Greg reported that the Thompson Woods split rail fence will cost $1500 and the need for additional work to be done on the parking area. The PCC group will be finishing at Suburban park in about 3 weeks.

5.         BUILDING FUND CAMPAIGN UPDATE

            •          Proposal for Architectural / Engineering Services for the Spring Creek Education Building with HP Architects c/o Alan Popovich, Principal.

                        A.        Discussion by the Committee

Many questions that had been brought up by the committee were answered beforehand by Alan via e-mail. Discussion centered on the ability to continue our forward progress and still keep the time frame for the ground breaking deadline. With all permits and wetland evaluation considered, Alan believes that we should still be able to continue to push for this goal. Diane believes that should the committee continue in good stead towards meeting the goal, but should there be outstanding permits that hold up the ground breaking date once everything else is in place, that the committee can approach donors and explain the reason for delay and they will be understanding. Regarding discussion by the committee on geo-thermal heat, Alan agreed that due to the size of the building and the future of the economy and energy sources, geo-thermal was still the best option that he would recommend. Mary Alice will look back at research that she has done around the property to see if it can be submitted to keep cost down on future site studies.

B.Establish an official recommendation to the Authority

Motion was made to continue with official recommendation to the Authority. Motion by Diane Kerly, Second by Jennifer Shuey. *e-mail votes were provided from Kathy Matason and Jackie Melander

6.         BUSINESS ITEMS

            A.        The 2009 Budget Update: Rick Marboe

Rick Marboe provided a summary of the budget hearing with the COG Finance Committee. In general, there were few questions on the budget items themselves. Staff has done a good job trying to reduce line items were possible. Rick presented an analysis at the budget hearing showing program fees, grants and donations cover the program costs; farmhouse and facility rentals approximately cover the park expenses, and there are approximately $7,000 in COG building expenses. COG was asked to change the philosophy of funding for MMNC to cover the recreation supervisor as is done for all of the other supervisors. The COG Finance Committee voted to send this back to each municipality for comment with a positive endorsement. 

            B.        Request from Spring Creek Watershed Community re: water monitoring equipment (attached).

                        Staff recommendation:

1. to approve the request pending the specific site recommendation of Dr. Brooks and Parks Supervisor Greg Roth,

                             2. for a 5-year (renewable term) duration, and

3. the Authority reserves the right to have the device removed with 60-days written notice to the Conservancy.

Motion to approve request from the Spring Creek Watershed Community regarding water monitoring equipment by Diane Kerly, second by Mark McLaughlin

7.         ADJOURNMENT    Next Meeting: Wed., 19 Nov 08 at 4 PM at the COG Building. Topic: The proposed 2009 Fee Policy for the Nature Center.