Nebraska Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission

Meeting minutes August 19, 2004 at Mahoney State Park

Commissioners in attendance: Hull, Wehrbein, Slader, Williams, Ruth, Curran, Smith, Johnson, Stokes and Moulton. Commissioners galashkibos, Sommer and Mitchell were absent. A quorum was satisfied.

Chairman Hull called the meeting to order at 9:1O AM and welcomed everyone to Mahoney State Park. Hull started off by saying that "We are not done!" He then asked that the minutes from the July meeting be approved. Wehrbein moved and Slader seconded to approve the July minutes. Approval was unanimous.

Hull stated that he is very enthusiastic about continuing the Commission through 2006 and that we want to maintain our Otoe-Missouria relationships. Hull suggested that the Commission continue to meet bi-monthly after the September meeting. September's meeting will be held in the Cedar Room at Kiewit Lodge on the 16th at 9AM. Hull reported that the executive committee is scheduled to meet with the Governor September 10th at 3PM to discuss the budget for the next biennium. Johnson moved that the Commission change to bi-monthly meetings and Williams seconded. Motion was approved unanimously. Hull went on to report that the executive committee would meet every other week. Hull stated that the Commission needs to do something in 2006 to commemorate the return trip on a smaller scale than this year's event. He stated that he would like to see some members go to Red Rock and share the ideas that we come up with for 2006 with the Tribal Council. Hull asked everyone to think of what would be a significant commemoration program. Hull stated that we will be asking for State funds and we can apply for NPS funds as well.

Williams stated that there will be money in the next budget for the Park Service grants, but they are looking at legacy projects as well as events so people can travel the trail for the next 100 years. He suggested thinking about education projects and projects that would produce a lasting legacy. Williams went on to say that a network has been built between the trail states. These states will be holding a conference call at 10AM that he and Swenson will need to leave to be part of. Their topic will be relationships along the trail. Moulton mentioned that the National Trail Heritage Foundation is an existing group we can tap into for information. Wehrbein stated that there are a lot of small towns up and down the river; maybe we should do several small things instead of one big one in 2006. Hull stated that he just wanted to plant the seed for ideas today. The dates we are concerned with in 2006 are September 1-11. Hull entreated the Commissioners to think legacy, continuing education and diversity of cultures.

Hull announced that every Commission member would receive 2 complimentary tickets to the premiere of After Lewis and Clark at the Lied Center Saturday September 8th. The Lied will be producing a special insert about the Commission and stating that this concert is a part of the Signature Event. There will be speeches at the beginning of the evening by the Secretary of State, Aaron Gawhega, Ron Hull and Chancellor Perlman. Ruth asked what was we can do to involve the Omaha community. Hull stated that he would see what we could do in working with the Orpheum for the second week's performances.

Ruth reported that according to the Legislature the Commission dissolves December 31, 2007. All Commissioners are appointed to three-year terms. The goal of the Commission is to promote the trail, not just the Signature Event.

Executive Director's Report - Swenson thanked everyone involved for making such a great event. He has heard fantastic comments with many comparisons to previous events. He stated that we were able to learn from previous events and that is why we were so successful. He reported that extra Commemorative Programs are in the state parks for resale and there are some on hand for people to take with them. He stated that he would report on the COSA call at next months meeting. Swenson reported that the St. Charles group has been a huge success in Nebraska. He did state that their plans have altered slightly, they will be pulling the keelboat out at Sioux City due to low water levels but the pirogues will continue up river. Swenson stated that the invoice for Commission logo shirts is here and to please see him to settle your bill. Swenson stated that there is a National Humanities grant that we may be a possibility for future funding. He then stated that a decision needs to be focused on the rental land by Fort Atkinson. Our lease expires on September 1. Should we maintain the road? Should keep 20 of the 50 acres? Should we approach the landowner about continuing the lease? Williams stated that this seems like a large speculation since we don't know where the event in 2006 will be held. Swenson stated that if we decided to go with Fort Atkinson again it would cost us more to put the road back on that land then it would to just continue the rental. Williams offered that there are other places to go. Moulton agreed and offered up the idea of a Hello party at Ponca State Park and a Goodbye party at Rulo. Swenson stated that it is hard to forecast this far out but did state that it is harder to fundraise for things that are farther away from the metro area.

Mark Monson stated "You did yourselves proud." He said that in lowa they are struggling with the educational side and the need to get it with people not on the river. He suggested that maybe we should look at joining forces up by Ponca/Siouxland. Wehrbein moved that we do not renew the land lease contract with Mr. Shaner. Williams seconded. A roll call vote was taken. Aye - Moulton, Curran, Johnson, Williams, Hull, Stokes, Ruth, Smith Wehrbein Nay - Slader. Absent, not voting - gaiashkibos, Mitchell, Sommer. Motion passed. Swenson stated that Turfus, a water-absorbing product, was purchased for $871 to be used in case of rain. The local high school has expressed interest in using the product if we would donate it to them. Swenson stated the restocking fee would be $125 to return the product. Stokes asked if the product was toxic. Swenson stated that he would have to look at the MSDS to ascertain that. Smith moved to return the product and save the money. Stokes seconded. Moulton asked which school was 'interested in the product. Swenson replied the Fort Calhoun High School. A roll call vote was taken. Aye - Moulton, Curran, Johnson, Williams, Hull, Stokes, Ruth, Smith Wehrbein, Slader. Absent, not voting - gaiashkibos, Mitchell, Sommer Motion passed.

Swenson, Williams left at 9:55.

Marketing Director's report - Emanuel reported that huge amounts of print were published about the event, it was so well publicized that it became impossible to measure by the inch. Calculations were based on columns. Hull thanked Hendee, Hammel and Gottschalk for all the support the Commission received from the Omaha World Herald and went on to say that he believes it helped in our overall relations with the Otoe-Missouria tribe and to educate the public. Emanuel stated that Tourism would continue using Lewis and Clark as a part of their ad series. Lodging tax records will show us the estimated number of visitors when they come in several months from now. Hull asked the Commission to note the Governor's letter, Mouth of the Platte and other thank yous in their packets.

Coordinator Report - Rhian thank Monson for staffing the Commission booth at the event. Rhian reported that we are still currently paying bills and have two checks to write today. We are halfway through paying for things and she was pleased to report that Jeff Elwell emailed her and said that he expected the dramatization to come in $10,000 under budget. Rhian stated that she sent in the report to request grant funds to Tourism yesterday for the marketing grant. We will be receiving that $8,000 in addition to a $25,000 check from Douglas County that will be deposited to the Friends account. Hull inquired how much money we will have on hand after all the bills are paid. Rhian replied that she is expecting to have $17,854 left. That is without the extra $10,000 from UNL so potentially $27,000. Until we have received all the final hotel bills and things the numbers will go up and down a little bit. Rhian stated that we are staying right on budget and actually a little under. She reported that her goal now is to complete all the required final grant reports and then to start looking ahead to grant applications for 2006.

Commissioner Round Table - Smith asked to be sure we send a note to the Boyscouts in thanks for all their hard work. Ruth asked if there is enough money in the budget for the Otoe-Missouria to travel to attend the premier. Rhian stated that we still have $9,000 remaining in the travel line of the budget. Hull reported that the program committee has been invited to attend the Premier. Rhian stated that we should invite our donors as well.

Smith left at 10:20AM

Moulton asked where the documents are currently. Rhian reported that the Oklahoma ones are on display at the Oklahoma State Capitol today. Shunatona stated that their Governor is honoring the documents today. Moulton asked Slader if he had received copies of the documents yet to display at Fort Atkinson. Slader replied not yet but that he does have an Otoe-Missouria flag on display. Curran reported that visitation has been up and the event was great. Wehrbein reported that she attended the Mouth of the Platte meeting and heard Bat speak. She advised everyone to go the St. Charles website and see the photos of Bat and Scott Mandrell at the First Council. Pawloski mentioned that the crew journals as well as web casts are available at that site. He added that interview with Bat and John Slader is now up as well.

Stokes left at 10:30AM

Ruth announced that Hull was inducted into the NE Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame recently and dispersed some posters announcing that. Ruth stated that the executive committee will be meeting with Bat after the Commission meeting to get final numbers on the t-shirt sales and complimented Bat on coining through with such nice merchandise for the Commission.

Slader reported that we should be able to make $250-500 by selling the remaining hay bales at Fort Atkinson. He stated the documents were a tremendous draw. Slader brought copies of the Blair newspaper for viewing. Slader stated that he and Ruth attend the Macy Corps II event.

Shunatona thanked the Commission for the opportunity to come up here and looks forward to continuing for the next year or two.

Pawloski thanked the Commission for the job they have done and reported that Trail Watch members have been exploring from Indian Cave on up the trail. He stated that the local chapters of the LCTHF want to do for the National Park Service a sign for Old Baldy. It is currently a little difficult to find and negotiations need to occur between the county and the landowner.

Pawloski reported that the website has been updated and has added a link to Siouxland and the South Dakota events along with a press coverage button. He said there were a huge number of hits to the site on August 3rd and the hits are staying steady.

Diane Jensen said that Fort Calhoun is happy with the overall economic impact of the event. They are already getting return visitors. She stated that Fort Calhoun is looking into developing a pen pal relationship with the Otoe-Missouria school system. Jensen said that at the breakfast Washington County sponsored one of the Otoe-Missouria tribal members said to her that she now understands why she has such a love of trees and grass. This was a particularly moving testament to what the whole homecoming was about.

Randy Yates said, "It was an adventure!" Slader thanked Randy because the site was always clean every morning.

Wehrbein said she thought part of our success was that everything was free; people could come back more than once to take everything in.

Meeting adjourned at 10:43AM

List of Attendees

Commissioners

Ron Hull Jeanene Wehrbein Dan Curran Judy Johnson Larry Ruth John Slader Roy Smith Dick Williams Gary Moulton LeRoy Stokes

Staff

Mary Ethel Emanuel Jim Swenson Paula Rhian

Others in Attendance

Bob Pawloski (MOP/UNO)

Mark Monson (Iowa Commission)

Bat Shunatona (Otoe-Missouria)

Randy Yates (Mid-American Council BSA)

Melvin McPhall (Mid-American Council BSA)

David Hendee (Omaha World-Herald)

Diane Jensen (Washington County Historical Association)