Meeting Minutes

September 22, 2009

Opening and Pledge of Allegiance — led by Art Beveridge. Art introduced Cletus Kephart from Osceola (owner of Kephart Hardware).

Adoption of the Agenda — A line item regarding sending a letter to George Cowfer for the Trout Run Projects was added to the original agenda. Lee Vaux made the motion and Rich Myers seconded the motion. All were in favor, and the agenda was adopted as written plus the item for the letter to George Cowfer.

Adoption of Minutes — Rich made a motion to adopt the minutes as written. Lee seconded the motion. All were in favor of adopting the minutes as written.

Treasurer’s Report — Art gave the treasurer’s report. The general fund balance before the festival was $11,895.58, and $11,857.99 after the festival. After all donations and expenses, the festival cost about $47. Growing Greener account balances are as follows: TR36-$4755; TR40-$3631; Mo. Creek Headwaters $60.50; Moshannon Creek Phase 2-$511.33; MC Fore $7838.00.

Old Business:
Growing Greener Grants — No news.

Watershed Festival — The festival cost MCWC about $50 overall. A donation from MCWC to the pool for their purchase of the sound system was discussed. The pool paid $450 for the sound system. MCWC paid $550 for the band. The pool let people swim for free, so MCWC didn’t think the pool made back their $450. Rich stated that the 150th Committee gave $150 to the pool, and Art felt that $150 is an appropriate amount for a donation to the pool. Rich made a motion for $150 donation to the pool, and Joan seconded the motion. All were in favor. We spent more than that last year on the festival.

Rich said that the goal of the festival was public awareness, and he had heard only good things about the festival. Joan said that the 150th Committee was very happy with the festival. Ideas for next year include: Albright’s Ranch and their mini-horses (it costs $75); Clear-Cen Child Services (animals, Elmo, etc.); Bonnie’s pony rides. The wagon train was a really big draw. Art has nice photos. Michelle has some as well. Rich asked if MCWC would bring the festival back to Osceola next year. Art, Michelle, and Rich said yes. We can maybe partner with the rec committee next year. We should decide by Feb. and send our donation letters out earlier. We need to start working on it earlier overall.

Education Tour — Joan Myers sent thank you notes to Susan from the Vets and Mr. Shimmel. She also sent bouquet ads in to the Journal and the Progress. The group talked about the tour in detail. Comments included the following: people were disappointed that there were no municipal officials although they were invited; there were teachers there, which was one of our goals; tour was well put together; interesting sites; very educational. There were 40+ people in attendance, which was the biggest tour/event.

The group indicated that they would like to have the tour again next year, and will look into getting a little grant. The tour can probably be done for a budget of $1000. The group decided to wait to see what Trout Unlimited does in terms of tours for next year. Ann Donovan indicated that TU is supposed to be going back to 1 big meeting next year instead of several small tours.

One of MCWC’s target audiences was teachers and students. Having the event during a school day may help to get more teachers and students to attend. The educational credits were a draw for teachers. MCWC has to figure out how to get an event to be certified for credits. Lee suggested that we work with council as well to help get municipal officials involved.

Beaver Run — The Beaver Run fish habitat project is done with the exception of restoring the grass in the Twoey’s yard, which is planned as soon as the yard is dry enough to run equipment. Michelle Merrow brought thank you letters for Art to sign for the participants and the permit close-out form. MCWC may consider doing a similar project next year. We need to make a list of potential projects. Ann noted that the stream is healing itself in Houtzdale, but it could use a buffer. Ann mentioned a project that had been done in Unionville, and said that we need people to want the project to get “Walking Around Money” for it. The buffer would be good for the stream in the Borough.

Spirit Day (unofficially added) — The Spirit Day set up and power point presentation were nice. There were not enough people watching. Mike worked very hard on the presentation and getting everything set up. Gail Beveridge was a good salesperson in getting people to watch the presentation, but we need more salespeople. There was a misunderstanding about the water leftover from the festival. We were going to give it away at Spirit Day but it was given away by the pool before Spirit Day. Rich stated that the display was a good presence even though we didn’t have a lot of people stop by.

This led to a discussion of outreach activities for MCWC. The power point presentation can be built upon and taken to other places. Lee suggested doing outreach during fishing seasons like selling memberships or having a stand at Cold Stream or other dams to reach fishermen. Other suggestions for outreach were Houtzdale Days, Black Moshannon Winter Festival, Brisbin and Janesville Dams, Mo Valley Economic Development Partnership, Kiwanis Club, Windy Hill Village, and Township meeting nights.

New Business:
Thank you letters and delivery of T-Shirts (Festival) — Art stated that Mike Malicki has a thank you letter for festival contributors and participants, and has T-shirts saved for the major contributors. The letters and shirts will be distributed before the next meeting.

Letter to Cowfer (added item) — Michelle suggested sending a letter to George Cowfer to follow up on MCWC’s initial request for him to sign the landowner-grantee agreement for the TR 36-38-40-41 projects. These systems are designed, and MCWC has applied for construction money, which they should receive in the spring. A letter was sent in July, and there was no response. The group agreed to send a letter with the plans and the agreement via certified mail. A self-addressed, stamped envelope should also be included for Mr. Cowfer to send the paperwork back to us. Art signed a transmittal letter, and we will wait a month to see if we get a response.

Other added new business — Rich mentioned that Little Beaver Run (above the road, at the beaver dam) is white. The group thought that the white material is aluminum.

Adjourn — Meeting was adjourned at 8:30. Rich made the motion and Lee seconded the motion.