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Meetings & Minutes
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2012 LARA Board Meeting Schedule
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East Buffalo Township Building, Basement |
Approved 2012 LARA Board Meeting Schedule (Please Note time changes)
The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. Meetings may vary. Call the office between 8:30am-4:30pm to confirm times. 524-4774.
LARA Board meets the 4th Thursday (with exception to the Winter Holidays) of each month in the East Buffalo Township Building.
2012 Schedule is as follows:
*WEDNESDAY, January 25, 2012 @ 8:00am *NOTE DAY & DATE CHANGE!*
Thursday, February 23, 2012 @ 8:00am
Thursday, March 22, 2012 @ 8:00am
Thursday, April 26, 2012 @ 8:00am
Thursday, May 24, 2012 @ 8:00am
Thursday, June 21, 2012 @8:00am
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 8:00am
Thursday, August 23, 2012 @ 8:00am
Thursday, September 20, 2012 @ 8:00am
Thursday, October 25, 2012 @ 8:00am
Thursday, November 15, 2012 @ 8:00am (this is the 3rd Thursday)
Thursday, December 20, 2011 @ 8:00am (this is the 3rd Thursday)
LARA is also a member of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society (PRPS).
The LARA Board is comprised of nine members. One elected official and three community members are appointed by each municipality from Lewisburg Borough and East Buffalo Township, to serve five years and one representative appointed by Bucknell University. The Board of Directors sets policies and procedures and advises the LARA staff on matters pertaining to the operation of the Authority. |
There are currently no minutes available.
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April LARA Board Meeting Minutes
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East Buffalo Township Building, Basement |
Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority
Board Meeting Minutes for April 28, 2011
Location: East Buffalo Township Building
Present: Tom Zorn (Chair), Jim Buck, Matthew Hoffman, Sam Pearson, Mark Huber, Keri Albright
(Secretary), Kevin Drewencki (Executive Director), Alista Lebo, staff
Guests: Shawn McLauglin, Eric Grimes, Frank Bershline
The minutes herein are a draft copy and have been distributed as a pre-release, and do not
become an official document until the board approves the contents. Corrections can be sent to
Debb Boyer at debb@golara.org. Corrections may or may not be included in the final version sent
prior to the next meeting.
The minutes will generally reflect motions. However, requests by one or more board members or attendees for
statements and or comments to be considered as part of the record may also be included. Other comments may be
entered into the minutes as deemed by the Secretary.
1. Called to Order:
? T. Zorn called meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
2. Public Comments from Visitors:
? Shawn McLaughlin, Union County Planner, made a presentation about the
history of LARA. At a future meeting, Shawn will present the other part of the
presentation.
? Don E. Bowers, Inc.: Frank Bershline of Don E. Bowers, Inc. came to the
meeting to request payment on Phase II project that is four months past due.
LARA owes $140,000. Kevin responded by saying that LARA is waiting for a
matching grant from DCNR as well as DEP to pay this bill. Ed asked if there was
a way to speed up the process. Kevin commented that a $15,000 ‘good faith
payment’ was sent out recently. Mr. Bershline submitted an additional invoice
for over $5,000 for interest to date on the outstanding balance owed as
instructed by management at Don E. Bower Inc. Following Mr. Bershline’s
departure, Jim Buck and Keri Albright asked about the nature of this request,
commenting that they had no knowledge that this money was owed. Kevin said
that the payment was withheld due to lack of funds for the above reasons. Mark
Huber added that he believes it’s appropriate to operate by managing risk and
would like to be advised going forward when LARA is exposed to risk. From a
project management perspective, Mark added that it’s appropriate for the board
to be advised of outstanding issues like Don E. Bower Inc. looking for payment.
3. Approval of Minutes:
? Tabled for next meeting due to time limitations
4. Financial Report:
? Balance Sheet: see handout
? Monthly Profit and Loss: see handout
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5. Director’s Report: see handout
6. Capital Campaign Committee:
? Eric reported that he had met with YWCA, 1st Community Foundation, Green
Dragon Foundation and the Central PA Chamber of Commerce about
working under their 501(c)(3) to create a Friends of LARA group. Eric said
that there had been a second recent discussion with the YMCA, but about
‘renting’ space or further collaborating with the YMCA, as Kevin clarified
during Eric’s presentation. Eric added that Bonnie Wassmer from the YMCA,
said that they would wait to move forward with the Friends of LARA group
idea until the question about further collaborations between LARA and YMCA
were addressed. There was more discussion about setting up our own
501(c)(3) in which we would be our own non-profit. Eric will contact Barb
Martin about what is involved and she will be asked to come to a meeting to
discuss the pros and cons of setting up a 501(c)(3). Tom made a motion to
enter into further discussions with 1st Community Foundation to use their
501(c)(3) to set up a Friends of LARA group; Jim seconded. The motion
carried unanimously. Eric was instructed to draft a formal request to the
Foundation to set up this Friends of LARA group.
? Eric also reported on other grant possibilities, including DCED. His consulting
business has information on a variety of foundations and grants, and notified
the board that a local business has verbally committed to fund the final
section of the pavilion in the amount of about $4000. More information and
final confirmation forthcoming. Eric also mentioned a possible $150,000
federal grant opportunity for youth mentoring, but a 501(c)(3) is required.
7. Capital Projects
? Railroad equipment: LARA has received two bids from two different entities for
payment for the crossing signals that LARA would like to sell to raise cash. Kevin
feels the bids were low, and recommended that the board reject the bids (15
invitations to bid were sent out) and re-bid the project again. Sam moved and Keri
seconded that we reject the bids. The motion carried unanimously.
8. New Business:
? Tom asked about how to handle the line of credit with Sovereign Bank. He
had talked with both East Buffalo Township and Lewisburg Borough about
their payments to LARA. Both would have to vote on forwarding money to
LARA at future meetings. Jim mentioned that we should investigate changing
banks to West Milton, a local bank instead of Sovereign. Keri asked Tom why
he had not reviewed his intentions to talk to the municipalities with the board
for discussion and approval prior to he and Kevin doing so, which was a
continuation of emails that had been exchanged between board meetings.
Tom said that he figured in his role as Chairman that he would do some leg
work to see what was feasible in advance. Mark Huber added that he feels
that to engage the board in the discussion before action is taken is
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appropriate given the fiscal responsibility of the board. A suggestion was
made to have Tom draft a document to be presented to the board by May 2
or 3rd for review, addressed to Lewisburg Boro and East Buffalo Township
listing the options that were available to LARA including, defaulting on the
loan, having LARA sign over the Meridian easement to the municipalities in
exchange for an advancement of funds to LARA to pay off the Sovereign
Bank loan, among other options.
? Mark moved and Jim seconded a motion to approve the drafting of the abovereferenced
document that will then be presented to the supporting
municipalities at upcoming meetings. The motion carried unanimously.
? Mark asked if it would benefit LARA to hire a person to negotiate with the
bank.
? After some discussion, it was agreed that the board should be sent updates
regarding the financial situation via e-mail regarding the request of the
municipalities so that the board is kept informed.
? Because so much time was/will be needed to discuss the Sovereign Bank
issue, Mark requested that the agendas for monthly meetings be focused on
the business at hand and that special sessions be used for presentations
such as Shawn’s presentation on the history of LARA, a presentation that all
Board members found interesting and valuable to understanding how LARA
has evolved. Keri suggested an 8 a.m. start time at the May meeting to
review the next installment of Shawn’s presentation. The board agreed to
that earlier start time.
? Kevin reminded the board about the upcoming Lewisburg Arts Festival booth
where railroad ties would be sold as a fundraiser. When asked if she and
others could work the booth, Keri said that no one from the LARA office had
been in contact with her. When Kevin asked Sam if she was ready for
helping to set up the tent on the day of the Festival, Sam said that no one
from the LARA office was able to help her facilitate that.
9. Adjournment:
? Meeting adjourned at 10:52 a.m.
Next Meeting is scheduled for May 26 @ 8:00 AM at the EBT Building. Shawn McLaughlin
will give his presentation first prior to the 8:30 AM start of the regular board meeting.
Submitted by:
Keri Albright, Board Secretary
Minutes transcribed by Alista Lebo |
There are currently no minutes available.
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December LARA Board Meeting Minutes
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East Buffalo Township Building, Basement |
Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority
Board Meeting Minutes for December 16, 2010
Location: East Buffalo Township Building
Present: Trey Casimir (Chairman), Tom Zorn (Vice Chair), Jim Buck, Matthew Hoffman, Ed Loftus, Sam Pearson, Mark Huber, Keri Albright (Secretary), Kevin Drewencki (Executive Director), Deb Boyer (Admin. Assist), Amanda Nichols (Rec. Assistant.) & Alista Lebo (Receptionist)
The minutes herein are a draft copy and have been distributed as a pre-release, and do not become an official document until the board approves the contents. Corrections can be sent to Alista Lebo, LARA Americor Recreation Assistant at reception@golara.org. Corrections may or may not be included in the final version sent prior to the next meeting.
The minutes will generally reflect motions. However, requests by one or more board members or attendees for statements and or comments to be considered as part of the record may also be included. Other comments may be entered into the minutes as deemed by the Secretary.
1. Called to Order:
• T. Casimir called meeting to order at 7:02pm
2. Public Comments:
• None
3. Consent Agenda:
• Keri Albright requested that Consent Agenda be changed to title of “Approval of Minutes” as the other elements of the Consent Agenda have not become other Agenda items.
4. Action Items Approved by Executive Committee between regular meetings:
• None
5. Director’s Report:
• Phase II West End of St Mary St Park Expansion is near completion, it will be inspected Monday, December 20, 2010 by Don Bower, Mid Penn Engineering & ED.
• DCNR final payment will come after completion.
6. Financial Report:
• A suggestion was made to add the quarterly financial statement review to the agenda as appropriate for February‘s meeting.
7. Capital Campaign Committee:
• Board discussed and would like to see new ads for the BVRT Campaign and LARA Annual Fund Drive on the webpage.
8. Capital Projects:
• Mark Huber would like to see a summary of currant projects with a brief financial breakdown. Kevin will provide this update at a future meeting
• Rail Trail received a partial grant payment of $130,000.00 from DCNR. LARA to date has paid Larson Design $305,000.00. Currently LARA still owes $5,200.00 which will be paid as part of the final payment. Currently, $45,000 remain from DCNR to pay Larson Design group for final design items (example: parking lot @ Ritz Craft etc) and to answer questions during construction.
• Sam Pearson would like to see a plan for parking midpoint of trail at Vicksburg. Kevin will pursue this suggestion for a future meeting.
• New BVRT Construction Oversight committee was established, committee is made up of Mark Huber and Same Pearson.
• Update in EBT Building; Tom Zorn stated that they are looking into several options such as; empty building beside West Milton Bank and empty corner lot along the Trail that has 7 ½ acres.
• East Buffalo Township Building Update is to be moved to Directors Report at the request of Mark Huber as it has little to do with the LARA operations except as it relates to when the LARA office may move.
9. Programs/Operations Reports:
• Amanda stated that Faith Lutheran Church was on board with providing space for classes. Mark Huber wanted to know the insurance liability deductible on using other facilities other than LARA’s. Kevin will provide this feedback at a future meeting.
• Leisure Guides will be picked up on Friday, December 18, 2010 and be distributed on that Friday into Monday.
• LARA Ice Rink will be opened early this season on Friday, December 17, 2010 to allow a few hours of enjoyment over the Holiday Season.
• Jim Buck commented that he was pleased with the increase in revenue from recreation programs. He complimented Katie Davis, Recreation Coordinator on her good work.
10. Old business:
• Keri Albright set up meeting between the staff leaders and board representatives of YMCA, Donald Heiter Community Center and LARA for early January 2011 to discuss potential areas of collaboration, to update each other on what is going on with their organizations, etc.
11. New Business:
• The approved 2011 Budget included a line item for Board Giving. Keri Albright questioned the reasoning. It was suggested that the monthly financials will include a tracking of the collective values of Board member donations because it is believed that Board members should financially support LARA. Keri suggested that all board members likely support the organization as much as they can and disagreed with the premise of this line item. She also offered that it is very likely that the Donation Director system can produce a report that defines what exactly is contributed by each board member if information is input correctly, with a level of detail that properly demographizes the board members. Keri asked that Deb Boyer look into that report to present at the next board meeting to demonstrate the reporting capabilities of Donation Director.
12. 2011 Budget Discussion / Approval:
• Ed Loftus presented the 2011 operational budget for review and approval by the Board
• He addressed the fact the LARA Board needs to increase the revenue from fundraising to help offset expenses and that this should be a major focus of the board in 2011.
• Tom Zorn commended to Kevin, Deb, Katie and Ed for working so hard on Budget.
• Katie Davis will be exploring the possibilities of online sponsorships to help with the costs of webpage fees.
• In response to Jim Buck and Keri Albright questioning the nature of the salary line item in the 2011 budget being double digit percentages over the 2010 actual, Ed and Kevin responded that they have budgeted for potential increases for the staff as well as a cushion so that Deb Boyer’s hours may be increased in 2011. Any increases in wages must be approved by the board.
• Tom Zorn made a motion to approve the 2011 operating budget; motion seconded by Mark Huber. Trey Casimir, Tom Zorn, Jim Buck, Matthew Hoffman, Ed Loftus, Sam Pearson, and Mark Huber voted to approve the 2011 Budget; Keri Albright opposed the approval of the 2011 Budget.
*NOTE: 7:30pm – No Quorum – Ed Loftus had to dismiss early – no board action was taken following his departure.
13. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned @ 8:15 pm
Next Meeting is scheduled for January 27 @ 8:30 a.m. at the EBT Building
Submitted by:
Keri Albright, Board Secretary
Minutes transcribed by Alista Lebo |
There are currently no minutes available.
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February LARA Board Meeting Minutes
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East Buffalo Township Building, Basement |
Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority
Board Meeting Minutes for February 24, 2011
Location: East Buffalo Township Building
Present: Tom Zorn (Chair), Jim Buck, Matthew Hoffman, Ed Loftus, Sam Pearson, Mark Huber, Keri Albright (Secretary), Ed Loftus (Treasurer), Pete Bergonia, Kevin Drewencki (Executive Director), Deb Boyer (Admin. Assist), Katie Davis (Rec. Coordinator), Amanda Nichols (Rec. Assistant.) & Alista Lebo (Receptionist)
The minutes herein are a draft copy and have been distributed as a pre-release, and do not become an official document until the board approves the contents. Corrections can be sent to Debb Boyer at debb@golara.org. Corrections may or may not be included in the final version sent prior to the next meeting.
The minutes will generally reflect motions. However, requests by one or more board members or attendees for statements and or comments to be considered as part of the record may also be included. Other comments may be entered into the minutes as deemed by the Secretary.
1. Called to Order:
• T. Zorn called meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
2. Reorganization of the Board:
• Nominations for Board chair: Jim Buck nominated Tom Zorn, Peter Begonia seconded the nomination. The motion carried.
• Nominations for Vice Chair: Tom Zorn nominated Peter Bergonia, Jim Buck seconded the nomination. The motion carried.
• Parliamentary Procedures: Tom Zorn moved to accept adopting Roberts Rules for meetings and to amend the bylaws to include statement about Roberts Rules. The motion carried. Keri Albright asked if we need to post a 30-day notice when any rules or changes are made because it’s in the bylaws. No one knew the answer for sure.
3. Public Comments from Visitors:
• Chad Smith and HRG Engineer: this was rescheduled for next month.
• Eric Grimes—Grant updates and 501(c)(3) status: see handout. Eric will check with Barb Martin about what is needed to set up a 501(c)(3). Keri suggested LARA partner with YWMC to use their 501(c)(3) status. Tom moved that Eric investigate the 501(c)(3) and the possibility of partnering with YMCA.
• Martin Liebhardt: Jim Buck moved to execute the agreement to place two monitoring wells on LARA/BVRT. The map from Larson Design Group will be used as a site/location map for the monitoring wells.
• Hank Baylor introduced the EBT intern, Blair Allen from West Chester, PA.
4. Consent Agenda:
• Keri Albright mentioned again that it was decided last year that this agenda bullet item was to be renamed ‘Approval of Minutes;’ Tom Zorn and Kevin agreed, and that it will be changed going forward
• Jim Buck made a motion to approve the January 2011 minutes; Ed Loftus seconded the motion. Motion carried.
• There were no action items between regular meetings from the Executive Committee to review
5. Financial Report: see handouts
• Balance Sheet: Ed Loftus moved to accept the 2010 4th quarter report; Tom Zorn seconded. The motion carried. Ed also mentioned that his term as treasurer was supposed to be temporary. No further action was taken on this matter.
• Monthly Profit and Loss: see financial report
• BVRT Report—Keri wanted to know where the money is being spent from contributions for the Rail Trail, and what the status is for the need for the capital campaign for the Rail Trail to continue. Discussion to continue at a later date.
6. Director’s Report: see handout
7. Capital Campaign Committee: No report
8. Capital Projects:
• BVRT Update: see handout
• Phase II Update: see handout. All necessary forms have been submitted for final payment. Plans for Ribbon Cutting ceremony for Phase II underway.
9. Programs/Operations Report—see handout.
• Ice Rink Update: see handout
• Management 101, Bucknell: this is not happening this year.
• Pool Card Swipe System: Ed Loftus will donate $600 contingent upon LARA getting back $500 in labor savings. Mark Huber moved to purchase the Pool Card Swipe system presented. Jim Buck seconded. The motion carried.
11. New Business:
• Sovereign Bank update: the bank wants LARA to start paying on principle on our line of credit.
• Fundraising Event: see handout. Alista presented the idea of a fundraising event with her relative who is an Elvis impersonator; Jim Buck volunteered to work with Alista on developing this idea.
12. Executive Session:
• Nothing to report
13. Adjournment:
• Peter Bergonia moved to adjourn at 10:10; the motion to adjourn carried.
Next Meeting is scheduled for March 24 @ 8:30 a.m. at the EBT Building
Submitted by:
Keri Albright, Board Secretary
Minutes transcribed by Debb Boyer |
There are currently no minutes available.
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January LARA Board Meeting Minutes
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East Buffalo Township Building, Basement |
Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority
Board Meeting Minutes for January 27, 2011
Location: East Buffalo Township Building
Present: Trey Casimir (Chairman), Tom Zorn (Vice Chair), Jim Buck, Matthew Hoffman, Ed Loftus, Sam Pearson, Mark Huber, Keri Albright (Secretary), Ed Loftus (Treasurer), Dennis Hummer, Pete Bergonia, Kevin Drewencki (Executive Director), Deb Boyer (Admin. Assist), Katie David (Rec. Coordinator), Amanda Nichols (Rec. Assistant.) & Alista Lebo (Receptionist)
The minutes herein are a draft copy and have been distributed as a pre-release, and do not become an official document until the board approves the contents. Corrections can be sent to Debb Boyer at debb@golara.org. Corrections may or may not be included in the final version sent prior to the next meeting.
The minutes will generally reflect motions. However, requests by one or more board members or attendees for statements and or comments to be considered as part of the record may also be included. Other comments may be entered into the minutes as deemed by the Secretary.
1. Called to Order:
• T. Casimir called meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
2. Public Comments:
• Martin Liebhardt of Sunoco attended the meeting to review the monitoring wells that DEP would like to install on LARA property. Trey asked for Kevin to ask Larson to meet with Sunoco on this issue.
3. Approval of Minutes:
• Minutes of the December 16, 2010 meeting: a motion was made by Jim Buck, seconded by Mark Huber to approve the December minutes as corrected; the motion carried.
4. Action Items Approved by Executive Committee between regular meetings:
• The discussion of the Executive Director’s Performance Review will be held in Executive Session following the meeting.
5. Financial Report:
Ed noted corrections to the financial reports. He will have a work session with Doug Parker 1/28/11.
• Balance Sheet: the balance sheet will need correcting. Information was lost with the installation of the new 2011 QuickBooks update. Deb will work with Doug to get completed.
• Monthly Profit and Loss—see corrected handout (attached to minutes). The 2011 budget needs to be by month according to the 2010 actual numbers.
• BVRT Report—see handout attached. BVRT expenses paid out of BVRT fund are reimbursed to LARA for expenses paid for BVRT.
• Donation Director Reports—see handout.
6. Director’s Report:
• DCNR performed final inspection for the St. Mary Street Recreation Area Phase II and found the new construction to be in full compliance with DCNR guidelines. See attached letter.
7. Capital Campaign Committee:
• No report. Trey will direct more effort to this once he steps down as chair
8. Capital Projects:
• BVRT Update: Agreement with McTish, Kunkel & Associates ready for Director to sign. Kevin recommended that the Board Chair sign. Jim Buck asked if there has been a notice to proceed and noted that Eastern Industries does know they are awarded the project.
• Phase II Update: DCNR final inspection completed
• EBT Building Update: Tom reported that there are issues that deter progress on a new building. This should be removed from future agendas unless it involves LARA
9. Programs/Operations Report—see handout.
• Ice Rink Update: suggested that we have a “skate exchange” sponsored by LARA. Also discussed Ice Rink memberships. Proposed hockey rules have been proposed and handed out. These will be made available at the Rink
• 2011 Pool Rates: Ed Loftus made a motion to approve the Pool Rates as presented by Rec Coordinator with further report to be presented at a later meeting. The motion was amended to include deadline for earlier date for Membership Passes in Mid-April. Rates were approved at: $140 for individuals, $280 for families and $85 for seniors and nannies. Also the non-resident rate will be lower to reflect only 30% more than resident rate. The motion carried. Second??? Regarding party rates, Keri Albright asked what other community pools do regarding food policy. Ed Loftus recommended that we drive more revenue through the concession. The LRA staff was directed to bring a report back to the board in two months with recommendations on how to raise more revenue.
• Summer job vacancies/descriptions: Katie is working on these for summer staff.
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10. Old business:
• Meeting with YMCA, DHCC and LARA: update by Trey Casimir. They will continue discussions as needed. Trey asked the board if they want SEDA-COG to participate because of the CDBG connections. Kevin will call about this.
11. New Business:
• 2011 Board meeting dates: Tom Zorn moved that all board meetings begin at 8:30 a.m., the fourth Thursday of each month (with November and December meetings to be held on the third Thursday. Meetings will continue to be held at the EBT Building. Ed Loftus seconded; the motion carried. The new schedule will be e-mailed to all board members.
•
12. Executive Session:
• Trey called an Executive Session at 10:15 a.m. The Executive Director was directed to stay for this meeting.
13. Resignation from Board: Keri Albright moved to accept Trey’s resignation as submitted. Jim Buck seconded; the motion carried. According to the bylaws, an election for a new chair will be held.
13. Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned @ _____?
Next Meeting is scheduled for February 24 @ 8:30 a.m. at the EBT Building
Submitted by:
Keri Albright, Board Secretary
Minutes transcribed by Debb Boyer |
There are currently no minutes available.
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March LARA Board Meeting Minutes
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East Buffalo Township Building, Basement |
Lewisburg Area Recreation Authority
Board Meeting Minutes for March 24, 2011
Location: East Buffalo Township Building
Present: Tom Zorn (Chair), Jim Buck, Matthew Hoffman, Sam Pearson, Mark Huber, Keri Albright (Secretary), Pete Bergonia, Dennis Hummer, Kevin Drewencki (Executive Director), Deb Boyer (Admin. Assist), Katie Davis (Rec. Coordinator), Amanda Nichols (Rec. Assistant.)
The minutes herein are a draft copy and have been distributed as a pre-release, and do not become an official document until the board approves the contents. Corrections can be sent to Debb Boyer at debb@golara.org. Corrections may or may not be included in the final version sent prior to the next meeting.
The minutes will generally reflect motions. However, requests by one or more board members or attendees for statements and or comments to be considered as part of the record may also be included. Other comments may be entered into the minutes as deemed by the Secretary.
1. Called to Order:
• T. Zorn called meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.
2. Public Comments from Visitors:
• Chad Smith and HRG Engineer: The Borough is interested in acquiring a permanent easement from LARA on what was railroad property adjacent to Green Alley, between North Seventh and North Eighth Streets, respectively. Chad reported that the 20 ft access easement would be maintained by the borough. Keri moved and Jim seconded a motion that we coordinate with the municipality about the easement. The motion carried.
• Steve Young, Sovereign Bank: Steve proposed an agreement for our line of credit with Sovereign Bank. He recommended a modifying line of credit (UCC1 financial statement) for LARA. Instead of interest only, principal payment is now required. This plan would require a $350 additional payment making our monthly payment $1000. Tom reported that the money from the Meridian easement payment would probably not be paid until the end of this year or the middle of next year. Steve said there was no problem with that deadline. Steve said that we need to make a decision before the next meeting; Tom said that the Executive Committee could take action before the next meeting in April. Tom and Kevin will review this issue with the LARA attorney and will take action as soon as possible. As one who has helped to organize fundraising efforts for LARA, Keri reminded the board to be as supportive financially as each can be of LARA.
3. Approval of Minutes: A correction was made to Peter Bergonia’s name. Jim moved and Pete seconded motion to approve the February 24, 2011 meeting minutes. The motion carried.
4. Financial Report:
• Balance Sheet: see handout
• Monthly Profit and Loss: Kevin reported that the pool revenue is up because the Heiter Center payment came in. Ice rink revenue is also up this year. Gym revenue is up because we are getting revenue this year for bookings from late last year. On the expense side the only increase was Katie’s IRA payment. We currently have a $10,000 in the black but once we are done with pool and summer sign-ups the income will decrease.
• Donation Director Reports—see handout.
5. Director’s Report: see handout
6. Capital Campaign Committee: No report
7. Capital Projects:
• BVRT Update: Work on the brush and tree removal has started. The interpretative signs are in the final review stages by Sam. Old railroad ties revealed a small amount of arsenic present; due to cost we will keep all the ties on site instead of removing. Postcard notice was sent out to the abutters announcing the start of construction. Keri requested a press release be sent out about the start of construction and the notice sent to abutters. Jim asked about earth removal; Kevin said that it was still too wet to move at this time but was still optimistic about the October opening. We have prepared a bid package to go to Eastern Industrial to remove the railroad crossing lights. It was recommended that we try to sell these; they are in working order. Keri suggested that we have a fundraiser to sell rail trail stakes; suggestion $25 or $50 per stake. We will have a booth at the Arts Festival the end of April. Katie will look into selling rail stakes at the Festival. Keri, Mark Huber, and Jim Buck offered to work at the booth.
• Phase II Update: We received the DEP $100,000 grant contract.
8. Programs/Operations Report—see handout.
• Two new computers have been donated from Susquehanna University; one is for the pool and one for the gym. Thanks was extended to Mark Huber for his support in getting the computers operational.
• Some local sports teams are interested in renting the West End field (Phase II of the Park). The board requested information about upkeep and reseeding necessary for use. Jim suggested that LARA take over the scheduling of the EBT field so that we don’t have the double booking issue we have in the past. More discussion on this issue is forthcoming.
• Fit for Funds: Katie reported on Tara’s idea that LARA’s website serve as a portal for local nonprofits such as Relay for Life to register for events. Keri expressed concerns about calling this a “partnership”, better to call it a registration link for community events. Katie provided a hand out summarizing Tara Michaels Fit for Funds business model, and then also asked that Tara be able to use the LARA website as soon as possible to register individuals for a Jersery Shore Triathalon. Keri asked what charity would benefit from the Triathlon. No one on the LARA staff had the answer. The board directed Katie to get more information about the Jersey Shore Triathlon which Tara requested be linked with LARA so that action could be taken by the Executive Committee between board meetings.
9. Old Business: no update on the EBT building.
10. New Business:
• Tom requested that the board start using Robert’s Rules of Order for future meetings as the parliamentary procedures governing the LARA board meetings. Specific language was presented by Tom Zorn (attached). Tom moved to approve this change to the bylaws; Peter seconded. During the discussion several concerns were raised and the verbiage that would be added to the bylaws was reworded so that Roberts Rules of Order are the procedures we defer to when necessary, but that they are not the governing procedures. Keri and Mark suggested the amendment to the motion be that the Board of Directors will defer to the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order, newly revised, when applicable and when not inconsistent with the bylaws and any special rules of order the Authority may adopt. The motion carried.
• Keri asked to be updated on the activity regarding Eric Grimes pursuing a “Friends of LARA” partnership with the YMCA so that LARA could benefit from the Y’s 501c3 and the Y could benefit by partnering with LARA as well, as was directed by the Board at the February board meeting. Kevin and Tom informed the board that Eric Grimes had suggested that it was not a good idea to move ahead in discussion with the Y as they had competing interests. Keri asked why Eric was not present to inform the board of his next steps. Kevin and Tom sad that he had not been invited. Keri expressed that her initial discussion with the Y was positive and respected Eric’s opinion, but that we should still pursue some partnership to get more money flowing into LARA ASAP. Keri and Mark both asked why the staff had not informed the board of this reversal in direction prior to this point; Mark asked about what process was in place to communicate with the board between meetings on matters such as this. In the future Keri thought the board should know when the status of a board directive changes via an email, and that we not until the next board meeting to report. Tom and Kevin clarified that Eric did point out that our partnering with YMCA could be beneficial but could also mean we are competing for similar grants.
• Jim pointed out that LARA would benefit from regionalizing our activities; Kevin stated that we should investigate the possibility of becoming a county entity.
• Jim is working with Alista for the Elvis fundraiser to be held Saturday October 22nd. Venue and cost yet to be determined. Mark pointed out this date is close to the opening of the Rail Trail so we should try to coordinate the two events.
11. Executive Session:
• Nothing to report
12. Adjournment:
• Mark Huber moved to adjourn at 10:35; the motion to adjourn carried.
Next Meeting is scheduled for April 28 @ 8:30 a.m. at the EBT Building
Submitted by:
Keri Albright, Board Secretary
Minutes transcribed by Amanda Nichols |
There are currently no minutes available.
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