MCRF Membership Meeting Minutes
Cuppa Book Club from Montezuma enjoyed the Lacey Recreation Trail Tram Tour
MCRF Membership Meeting Minutes
January 09, 2014
Present:
MCRF Members: Jesse Burress, USSSA softball; Craig Coen, Trees Forever; Dawn Collins, Mahaska YMCA & MWC; Charlie Comfort, KBOE; Ben Drost, Oskaloosa Church League; Ryan Harkema, Mahaska YMCA & Oskaloosa Youth Football; Kelly Halbert, Nelson Pioneer Farm; Andrew Jensen, Oskaloosa Chamber; Loren Lammers, Mahaska United U-12 Soccer; Leroy Nugteren, Mahaska County Conservation Board; Reggie Randau, Mahaska County Soccer Club; Dave Sedivec, Mahaska County Conservation Board; Matt Saville, Oskaloosa Babe Ruth; Matt Sherlock, Harvest Point & Edmundson Golf Courses; and Kim Sytsma, City of Leighton
MCRF Executive Board: William (Bill) Almond (re-election candidate); Joe Crookham, Carl Drost, Brad Hodges, Jake McGee (re-election candidate); Scottie Moore, Bob Morris, Bob Nielsen, John Pothoven, Todd Roach (re-election candidate), Russ Reiter, Heidi Scholes, Mark Stek and Sherry Vavra.
MCRF staff: Chad Rietveld and Kandis DeBruin
John Pothoven called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Self-introductions given by board members present.
Carl Drost made a motion and Bill Almond seconded for the approval of the January 09, 2013 membership meeting minutes. No discussion. Passed, unanimous.
Treasurer’s Report: John P gave the treasurer’s report for the 2012-2013 fiscal year from Progress Report, which shows three years prior for comparison. He noted that RAGBRAI was included as MCRF was the 501C3 for the event.
Progress Report: Sherry Vavra added for the Progress Report (attachment) that development at the complex has brought an increase in % of participation of players and spectators at the Stadium. Question was asked by audience member how funds were raised for RAGBRAI. Sherry answered that many people in the community came together for RAGBRAI and held fundraisers from selling of t-shirts to seeking donations and sponsorships. She also noted that the impact of the event was even greater as vendors who profited at the event are not included in the MCRF financial report as they provided services and made profits for themselves.
MCRF Board Candidates & Election: John first opened the floor for additional nominations for the board, none made. Bill Almond, Jake McGee and Todd Roach ran uncontested for re-election. Bio sheets and ballots for candidates were given to all present. The three candidates introduced themselves and shared about their interests and their desire to continue as a member of the board. A secret ballot election was held. Results: Bill Almond, Jake McGee and Todd Roach were re-elected (unanimous) to fill terms expiring December 31, 2017.
Member organizations updated events and programs.
Matt Saville reported for Babe Ruth stating that they their organization is growing and they owe much to MCRF and the “unbelievable fields”. He reported for both junior and senior Babe Ruth, noting that last season Jr Babe Ruth saw 2 teams win state titles. He also noted that a multi-state regional tournament was held here this year with 7 states joining and he received high compliments from all, the winning Missouri team stating that these are the best fields they have seen other than Las Vegas. Matt noted this was a high compliment as they play all over the nation. Matt also reported the successes of the season, noting that Mahaska teams are doing very well, one team making it all the way to finals in the regional tournament and he expects more large tournaments at the complex. Matt finished by stating he cannot express enough how great MCRF has been and he thanked Chad, Sherry and Kandis for the works they do. Bill Almond added that he received a note form Babe Ruth regarding the World Series. One goal for the local Babe Ruth is to bring the world series to these facilities.
Kandis DeBruin for Doug Yates reporting for USSSA stated that Doug sent his apologies as he could not make it but wanted MCRF to know that their organization feels that the facility is fantastic and they are grateful for the MCRF staff who are always very helpful working with them. He further wanted to board to know that USSA is thankful to have a place in Oskaloosa to host tournaments. Kandis further reported for the trail trams stating that over 1000 riders were served, $1,800 dollars were given in donations, 8 drivers volunteered this year. Kandis shared a story of a gentleman from Florida with Cerebral Palsy came up and was able to ride the tram. It is very difficult for his wife to find activities for him but he rode and enjoyed it so that they came back for a second tour later in the season. Kandis noted that we do reach many who cannot do other activities and this is an activity that reaches them. Kelly Halbert from Nelson Pioneer Farm introduced herself and said that she is trying to grow activities at the pioneer farm and feels like MCRF and the pioneer farm can form a great partnership. Craig Coen reported for trees forever stating that they have planted over 3000 trees on public properties and he would love to plant at MCRF when we reach that point, Sherry shared that MCRF and Trees forever have partnered in the past. Craig added he would also love to again in the future. Ryan Harkema reported for Oskaloosa Youth Football program stating that they have their youth football season at Lacey for 10 weeks, 4 times a week and they appreciate being able to play here. For the YMCA he reported that they held a fitness 5K for the second year and had over 100 people join which he stated was a very good number for year two. He also reported for the new Adult Challenger league started at the YMCA this year stating that they played all their games here and loved it! He thanked Chad, Sherry, and Kandis for all that the work that they do. Dawn Collins added for the YMCA that she was thankful and she reported for the MWC and Blue Zones that Oskaloosa is starting a Blue Zones blueprint and are still looking for Blue Zones volunteers. Ben Drost reported for Church League Softball stating that they had a 6 co-ed team season last year. Kim Sytsma for the City of Leighton stated that Dave Gleason, the mayor there, would love to see the trail connect up to their town. She also reported as a parent that she has three youth that play little league and Babe Ruth at these facilities and they have “great fun on a fantastic complex”. She stated that she appreciates all of MCRF’s efforts for this complex. Matt Sherlock reported for Harvest Point & Edmundson Golf and stated that he is working with the schools to introduce an IPGA America program at the elementary level PE programs. Matt is now on the IPGA board and it is his hope that introducing the spot at elementary level will add to interest later for high school . Russ Reiter added that on behalf of the school he has received great feedback from this effort. Loren Lammers reported for youth soccer stating that soccer is amazed at the fields here and other teams that compete are also amazed. He reported on the success of their U10 boys team going undefeated and winning Kohl’s. He reported the girls also won Kohl’s cup and stated that girls teams have now joined with the greater Des Monies league on Sunday bringing even more cities to compete on these fields. He thanked Sherry and Kandis and gave a special thanks to Chad for his work on the keeping the fields great. John P noted Carl’s work on the fields as well. Reggie Randau added for youth soccer a thank you to everyone who helps with the fields stating that he hears often from Greater Des Monies teams that these are the best facilities they play on in the state. Jesse Burress noted his appreciation, stating the USSSA girls softball played at the 5-plex. Dave Sedivec reported that MCCB has been working with Carl on the trail through Caldwell Park. He also noted that he works with Dawn and Sherry on MWC board and they have “been great to work with” having the same goal of getting people active and outdoors. He reported on the successes of MCCB stating that geocaching has been a success as well as canoe riding. Eveland access will soon get flush toilets and he is in negotiations to get the mammoth bones that were discovered in Oskaloosa purchased for public . This will give the MCCB grant opportunities as well. He ended his report sharing that Mahaska County saw 20 – 25,000 participants in programs last year which is the most of any conservation with only one naturalist and stated that they are reaching a lot of youth. Charlie Comfort was reporting for KBOE. John added that certainly he would compliment the MCRF staff and thanked Chad, Sherry and Kandis for their work.
Other items: There were no other items for consideration.
Pothoven adjourned the meeting at p.m. 7:15
Sherry Vavra, MCRF secretary
