Waterville Community Connections Wednesday June 13, 2012

Waterville Community Connections

Monthly Minutes of Advisory Group

Meeting on Wednesday June 13, 2012

Singing Hills Coffee Shop

Meeting called to order by Cindy Kennedy, Chair. 

In attendance: Diane Munson, Lynne Coleman, Jane Cummiskey

Guest:  Jennifer Nelson, SMIF

Jennifer Nelson from SMIF was introduced.  She attended the meeting to get an update on all of our projects and an update on the Sakatah Foundation funds.  Jennifer provided information on the two upcoming grant opportunities with SMIF starting July 1, 2012.  One is the annual matching grant by SMIF of up to $5,000 for a project either in the Early Child Hood initiatives category or the Entrepreneurial or small business category. Last year this is the grant Kim received for HeLP project.  The second opportunity is for a $5,000 match for every $10,000 that WCC raises for their foundation.  The funds we have in the Sakatah Foundation would provide this $10,000 and a $5,000 match for our general WCC fund.  Jane will get in touch with Jim Hansen to get this issue settled once and for all.  Both Horizons Communities could benefit from this transfer of funds.

Jennifer had to leave – we thanked her for coming and for all her encouragement of our projects.

The fiscal report was reviewed and it is evident that we have to come up with some fundraising ideas in the next year. 

Diane from Friends of the Library gave an update on all of the projects that the library is starting.  Examples are Dads and Donuts for Father’s Day, Summer Reading Program, Teen Groups, Puppeteers on July 17^th, Reading Challenge.  The Chili Cook Off planning is underway with the group deciding on the Green Bay vs. Vikings or Lions or Bears games this fall.  Saturday library hours are proving to be successful so far.  Counts are being taken of the adults and kids coming in on Saturdays.  The new carpet is nice and several new patrons are coming into the library.  Setting up a booth at Bullhead Days did not have the interest or the book sales that they anticipated.  It was hard to get volunteers to work the booth.  There needs to be discussion on this before next year. 

Kathy Kerekes gave an update on the Sakatah Arts Experience scheduled for August 11^th from 11 am to 7 pm.  Jeff worked on the logo and flyers were printed and handed out during Bullhead Days and to area businesses.  Entertainment this year includes the popular Belly Dancers; Zack Benson Band; John Hiscock and Chance Meeting; local Singer, Carissa Pelant-Nygaard singing an Italian Aria; the WEM School drum line;  Christa Bauman and the Suzuki Band; Martial Arts group from Elysian; Emma Mae Spring – singer and guitar player; Jeff Pridie, HS Art teacher with art demonstrations.

Food vendors include Gilligans, Swans Truck, Shenelle Lemonade, Kettle Corn, Singing Hills with sandwiches.  No replies so far from Kaplan Elk Farm, Indian Creek Winery and the Cheese Factory.  There will be a local artist’s tent, a juried expedition with a cash prize, crafters, face painting. There will be 4 tents this year.  The Children’s area could include Tina Tonn with tie dying, Nicole Volk with kites, a weaving class, dress-up area, art easel, sidewalk paint.  A grant was received from the Prairie Arts Council to cover some of the costs.  More funds are being raised.  A complete budget will be sent for review.

The Downtown Beautification group reported on the flowers.  They survived another Bullhead Days event.  Cleota, Arlis, Jo, and Pat are dead heading on Thursdays and reported that the job is easier this year because of the choice of flowers.  The ivy in the planters was a great choice this year.  Watering by Bob at the City continues during the week with a work crew from Potential Unlimited watering on Tuesdays and late Friday afternoons. Kathy D and Jane C have signed up for weekends in June, July and August. Don and Darlene Jacobson stopped into the office and offered to sign up for one weekend a month.  Don will be getting a lesson from Bob on using the City watering tractor and wagon as he will be filling in for Bob when he goes on vacation from June 28^th to July 5^th.  We are trying to recruit three more couples to take a weekend in July, August and September.  The bill for the Flowers was $740 and $200 was received from the Chamber Wine-Tasting event and $739 was received from the Lions Club. Approval was given to pay the bill since all of the funds were raised to cover the cost.  We will pay Potential Unlimited for watering and the bill for May was $18.00.

An update was given on the HeLP/WLCO project.  The new name WLCO stands for Waterville Local Cooperative Outlet.  They received $750 from Kim and $1,750 from the Lions Club to get the project started.  They have all of their own tax identification numbers and will spin off from the WCC.  Karen Bauer is the Chair, Pat Kelm is the Treasurer and Jane Mittlestadt is the Board Member.  They have a signed lease in place with the Singing Hills Coffee Shop, lease documents for the artists, signage on the window at the Coffee Shop and systems in place to get the business in operation.    

Lynne Coleman has a Bike Repair/Rental project that she would like to have considered for SMIF matching fund in July. This project would fit into the Entrepreneurial category. She will send the proposal to Jane to work on a budget to be submitted. The City funded $1,000 of the Summer Reading Program.  Lynne will submit the proposal to the group for review.

Cindy suggested that we focus on three fundraisers this year.  A Garden Walk, Christmas Walk and the Luminaries around the Sakatah Bay were suggested.    

Next meeting was set for July 2^nd at Singing Hills.

Meeting adjourned at 11:30.

Submitted by Jane Cummiskey in place for Karen Bauer. 

WCC May 7, 2012 Steering Committee Meeting

The minutes of the April 13, 2012 meeting were read and approved by the board.

 

Committee reports:

 

Beautification

Some of the benches have been placed on Main St. sidewalks. Plants to come.

The Lions Club applied for and will receive trees to honor 4 local people. 3 are deceased Lions members, and the fourth will honor LaDonna Fallon, who was the driving force in our downtown beautification through Horizons and WCC. LaDonna passed away this spring. The 4 trees are good sized trees and will be planted in Lions Park. This is part of a national tree planting project by the Lions.

Plant watering: the city is looking into the ban on using golf carts and 3 wheelers in town. This may interfere with Tuesday and weekend plant watering by WCC members.

 

Financial Report  

Jane has requested that some of the profits from the Chamber's Wine Tasting, being held on Wed., May 9, be given to WCC for flowers. Their plan for the profits is for downtown beautification. The city will pay for watering the plants.

The Community Patio has been cleaned and there is new mulch coming.

The city will give $600.00 to the Sakatah Arts Experience, and $1000.00 to the summer activity program developed by Lynne.

 

Friends of the Library

The FOL has been receiving donations from local businesses and individuals. An article will be written for the paper to acknowledge these donations, and they plan a reception at some future date at the library. Sat. June 2 will be the first day for Saturday hours, 9-12, at the library and the donations will help pay the librarian's salary for working on Saturdays.

 

Kaleidescope Institute

The local group will host a meeting with the state group in Waterville on May 19.

 

Sakatah Arts Experience 

The SAE is looking forward to receiving a $1200.00 grant from Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council. 80% of the money will be paid before the event, and the balance after a report about the event has been sent to the council.

 

Bullhead Days

Cindy will be presenting a church service under the tent on 3rd. St., 10:30 a.m. Sat. June 10th. Del Point has many events planned for the venue.

 

Adjounment by consensus.

Karen Bauer, note taker.

 

 

 

 

 

WCC April 13, 2012 Steering Committee Meeting

WCC April 13, 2012 Steering Committee Meeting

The minutes of the March 12, 2012 meeting were read and approved by the board.

Beautification  Flowers for the barrels and planters are ordered, and most of the hanging baskets ordered by the Chamber have been sponsored. It was suggested in future years, sponsors for the barrels are sought, to defray some of the cost of filling them. Jane is working on donations from other sources to help pay for them this year. 

There will be a "Welcome to Waterville" downtown event on May 5, and there will be bags handed out to people who stop in at Main St. Lounge for a business expo. The Friends of the Library and the Beautification group should have flyers for the bags. The Lions are planting trees in town in honor of members who have recently died, and one is being planted in LaDonna Fallon's honor. Jane has arranged for the delivery of more mulch to be put at the Community Patio. The beautification group will meet later to discuss some of the details.

Financial Report  Jane gave a summary of the financial spreadsheet. It was decided that the money in the Ride Around Town account go to the beautification account, and any money collected in the future for rides, will go to that account.

The Friends of the Library requested $314.30 from SMIF to pay for supplies needed for Summer Reading at the library. The FOL was able to get Saturday hours set up for the summer, which will be paid for from their account. Flyers were sent to the school to be put in backpacks of the 3rd grade and younger kids to advertise the coming author visit to the library.

HeLP Kim had applied to Malt-O-Meal for funds, but the request was denied. The HeLP project hopes to be able to set up at Singing Hills coffee shop to sell art, crafts and locally grown produce. Kim will pay $750.00 for half the rent to start the project. It is hoped the balance can be raised so the group can open when Kathy does on Memorial Day weekend. The store will be set up for consignment, 20% of vendor profit will go to a fund to help pay for needed expenses. Kim is also looking at a grant from BCBS.

Kaleidescope Institute The group will have their May meeting in Waterville, they are studying about building relationships in communities. By October they will have "Action Plans". Jane and Kim both offered to donate $50.00 to the project.

Sakatah Arts Experience  Kathy K. did get funding from the city for this project. Jane will attempt to get funds from the city budget for other WCC needs.

Adjounment by consensus.

Karen Bauer, notetaker.

3rd Sakatah arts festival

This is a "save the date" message from the Sakatah Arts Experience, which is an event partially supported by the Waterville Community Connections. This year's festival in Waterville will be Saturday, August 11th. It ought to be cooler than mid July - that's the hope anyway. Tentative hours are 11 am to 7 pm.

http://www.sakatahartsexperience.com/index.html

Please help spread the word & we hope to see you there!

March '12 WCC Steering Committee Notes

The Waterville Community Connections Steering Committee met at the Waterville United Methodist Church on Mar 12, 2012.

Sakatah Arts Experience

Kim Gossen presented a report on the Sakatah Arts Experience, comparing the budget and expenses of 2011 and the upcoming budget for 2012. It is hoped there will be more volunteer help this year to lower expenses. Jeff Jarvis of Waterville has volunteered to help with marketing the event. It will be held in August instead of July this year to try to avoid the very hot weather. Kim has also applied, on behalf of WCC & and the SAE organizing committee, to Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council for a Small Arts Grant (for the max of $1200). She is confident the grant will be awarded. Last year we received an Arts and Cultural Heritage grant from them.

Helping Local Producers

Kim has applied for a grant from MOM Brands (Malt-O-Meal) to help with expenses for developing her "Helping Local Producers" project. The WCC board voted to approve up to $1500.00 to cover her application and expenses, but if MOM approves the grant of $750.00 or more, WCC will pay less.
An application for funds will be presented to the City Council of Waterville, for supplies to implement the project, which will be structured like a farmer's market, but with an inside location. There will be a "town hall" meeting at the Waterville United Methodist Church on Mar. 28 at 7 p.m. to further present information about the project to local producers. It was suggested we send emails to those who attended our forum last fall, to invite them to attend this meeting. Kim will also put a note in the local paper about the meeting. There will be a speaker from the Experiment in Rural Cooperation, University of Minnesota, Rochester, who will tell about similar projects in other communities.

Beautification

No new information.

Youth

Lynne reported on some of her plans for summer activities. The Waterville Library will have a summer reading program, so she would like to have more physical activities outdoors for kids, probably 2 days a week, 2 hour sessions. She is looking for donations for equipment. She would also like to have the kids work on art projects that could be displayed at the Sakatah Arts Experience. Also, since there are limited areas of employment in town, she would like to get work experience/work study implemented for teens, such as helping with the summer programs.
The WCC office at Cummiskey's is ready for painting, and a sign for WCC is needed.
There was discussion about our Chamber membership, and Cindy will find out when the meetings are held and hopes to attend one.

Waterville Friends of the Library

Diane Munson and Dallas McIntyre plan to attend the Waseca Library board meeting this evening to petition for Saturday hours at the library.
Community Garden
There has not been much enthusiasm for this project, so we will probably abandon it for now.
Kaleidescope Institute
Cindy told us about this program and she has 5 people interested in attending the meetings, which are held the last Sat. of 6 months, in various locations. This program explores the different cultures in communities, in all areas of life. She hopes to bring back information and apply it to the local community.

There was discussion on activities that would attract people to town, which is one of the original ideas of the Horizons project.
It's hoped we can present articles to the local paper in regard to the past accomplishments of Horizons/WCC, and thank people who have volunteered for local projects.
Adjournment by concensus.
Next meeting is April 13, 10:00 a.m. at the Cummiskey office.
Karen Bauer, note taker and blogger

The following was added as an addendum to the above report: "The Board reviewed and discussed the request from Kim on the matching funds for her Helping Local Producers Project and agreed to provide the full $3,000 match for the project. They approved the payment of $6,000 to Kim for her work on Phase I. $3,000 would come from the SMIF grant and $3,000 would come from the Waterville Community Connections unobligated funds."
Karen Bauer

Waterville Community Connections Steering Committee

The Waterville Community Connections Steering Committee met at the Cummiskey office on Feb. 13, 2012. There were 8 community members present so we had an introduction and roll taken. Chairperson Cindy Kennedy opened the meeting with committee reports.
Secretary’s report
Copies of minutes from the last meeting were handed out by Karen, and the report was approved by concensus.
Downtown beautification
The downtown beautification committee reported that plants for the barrels and pots have been ordered from River Street Nursery. Plants will be watered again by a city employee, and he will be asked to water a little more on the days before and after his days off. In the case of very hot dry weather, committee members will arrange for other watering to be done. Mulch will be ordered for the Community Patio.
Jobs committee
Kim Gossen reported on the “Helping Local Producers” project, and expects to have a report by the end of March.
Youth committee
Cindy reported on progress, and Jane mentioned the fact we need more adults to help organize a program. A brainstorming meeting is needed with interested people to get plans made soon.
Financial report
Jane handed out the report from 2012 that was subject to audit by SMIF. She also had the year to date report. There is a need for money for flowers. A motion was made by Diane, seconded by Arlis, to accept the treasurers report. Motion carried.
Office
Progress is being made on the office to be used by WCC and the youth committee, in a room at the Cummiskey law office. A motion was made by Cleota, seconded by Kim, to pay $65.00 for this year’s Chamber membership. Motion carried. Cindy will be the contact person for the Chamber, and will attend meetings when she can, or get someone else to attend.
Funds requested
No funding requests at this time.
Reports from projects:
Sakatah Arts Experience
A motion was made by Arlis, seconded by Karen, to approve reimbursing Kim $121.29 to keep the Sakatah Arts Experience website and domain name going. Motion carried. No date has yet been set for this year’s SAE, the committee will be meeting soon to make those decisions.
Friends of the Library
Diane reported that the Friends are working on setting goals for this year, and have met to go through donated books and recycle old and worn out books. The for-sale books area has been moved and updated. The FOL is publishing a monthly newsletter, and it has been submitted to the local paper and copies will be given to library patrons. Our biggest need is members to be called on to help with projects and fund raisers. The FOL is planning another chili feed in the fall.

Barrels of Hope
Bev Brown-Nelson was present with 4 friends from the “Barrels”, and they told the group about the workings of their organization. Many items come in and go out, and they have recently helped 2 fire victim families. The WCC wants to know what and when is needed by the Barrels, and we would help if possible. There was discussion about financial records and local questions about the workings of the project.
Community garden
Nothing to report, tabled.
Kaleidoscope Institute
Cindy reported on this subject, and will be showing a film about it on Mon., Feb. 20 at the WUMC. She would like to have people go to a training seminar, and use the ideas for a local study of the subject, which is Intercultural Training. There is a need in the community for this.
Miscellaneous:
Karen will get together some info for the local paper about WCC’s involvement in the community in the past year.
The annual Chamber awards dinner is this Sat. evening at Gilligan’s. An award is ready for LaDonna Fallon, who was instrumental in getting the downtown beautification project going.
The WCC and FOL plan to prepare and donate baskets for a silent auction to benefit the Gregor family whose infant son requires organ transplants. The event is Mar. 17. In Morristown.
Further discussion
There was discussion in regard to Kim’s project, and her attempts to get in contact with the local Economic Development group. Her focus now is the potential use of a local building for a store to sell products made and grown by local people. She will continue to research this project. There was discussion on the need for local organizations to work together on promoting the use of their sites that give services to people needing assistance, to avoid overlapping those services.
Next meeting is Mar. 12, 10:00 a.m. at the Cummiskey office.
Karen Bauer, note taker and blogger.

January, 2012 WCC steering committee

The Waterville Community Connections steering committee met Jan. 4, 2012, at the Cummiskey law office for their first meeting of the new year.
Secretary’s report
The minutes of the Oct. 27 meeting were approved by concensus.
Treasurer’s report
Jane presented the fiscal report. Our total amount at SMIF is $11,128.50, with $925.30 committed to projects, and $2,103.20 non-committed. We need to raise funds.
Waterville Friends of the Library report
Diane reported that the Waseca library used funds allocated for Waterville library to purchase the books chosen to be purchased by the FOL. She presented a financial spread sheet report for 2011. Some of the needs that the FOL would like to see fulfilled are: a membership campaign; bulletin board for the library; newsletter. The group is planning another cookoff in the fall, and would like to have a silent auction, with baskets of donated items. A pancake breakfast was also mentioned as a fund raiser.
Downtown Beautification group
The group decided to have less plant barrels on the corners of Main St., probably a total of 8. The Chamber sponsors the hanging baskets and we maintain them. They will get in touch with River Street Nursery in regard to planting the barrels and baskets. Jane’s nephew and a friend washed and hauled the benches and plant boxes, and Jane put a finish on them. Fertilizing the plants last year worked well. The group will meet again to work out schedules for watering, and the city will be asked for assistance for this.
Welcome to Waterville Sign
The Waterville Chamber had letter boards put up on the sign, below the main board for local messages. The Chamber’s Holidays in Hooterville went well, with many people participating.
Ride around town
Not many rides being given. Meals on Wheels is still operating, but there is no congregate dining.
The WCC would like to meet again this spring with the participants of our forum last fall to see what all are doing and if there are ideas for more action.
Jane told us about the WCC and Lions floats that she helped with for the Elysian Holidazzle parade in Dec. There were not as many floats or people as it was a snowy day.
Kim Gossen told about her proposal to SMIF in regard to her plan to develop a community market. She is still in the exploratory stage, but has scheduled a meeting with interested parties and local talents to see what they have to say about her idea. She is trying to line up a speaker from Red Wing that has info on starting co-ops and markets. She wants a focus group to meet by the end of March to get people committed to the project and to get further funding. She needs $1500.00 to fulfill her requirement for a grant.
Youth programs
Lynne hasn’t got much going now, her application and proposal to SMIF for a grant didn’t get through to them in time due to computer problems. She is getting an office fixed up at Cummiskey law office. The city is interested in her projects for youth programs but is noncommittal. She will be meeting with Val Vail, who is head of the parks and rec. for the city, to try to work out something for the project, and to show the necessity of having a program as well as a place to meet.
Next meeting, Feb. 13.
Karen Bauer, note taker/blogger.