Nebraska Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission
Approved - Meeting Minutes
September 21, 2006 Mahoney State Park Peter Kiewit Lodge—Cedar Room
Commissioners in attendance: Ron Hull, Jeanene Wehrbein, Christian Hornbaker, Larry Ruth, John Slader and Mike Smith. Commissioners not in attendance: Judi Gaiashkibos, Gary Moulton, Judith Johnson, Richard Williams and Roy Smith
Staff in attendance: Jim Swenson. Staff not in attendance: Kim Bastemeyer, Sue Sitzmann
Special Guests/Advisors in attendance: Vic Gutman, Carly Barth, Erv Friesen and Bat Shunatona.
A quorum was satisfied.
Chairman Ron Hull called the meeting to order at 9:20 a.m. Hull asked a motion to approve the minutes from the August 2006 meeting. Larry Ruth moved to approve the minutes and Christian Hornbaker seconded. Unanimous voice approval.
Chairman’s Report:
Three Farewell Events
Hull welcomed everyone in attendance and stated that we had just completed 3 excellent events in conjunction with the Journey Home bicentennial commemoration, and expressed gratitude for all the support the Commission received. Hull stressed that the success was realized because of the cooperative partnerships between state agencies, National Park Service, the private sector and numerous volunteers, and our paid event planner. He then introduced Vic Gutman and asked him to summarize the Omaha event.
Vic agreed that the event was a great success and stated that while he does have some attendance figures for Omaha venues he is still waiting for others to submit theirs; he will provide that to the Commission when complete and as part of the final report. Vic felt that utilizing the Holland Performing Arts Center due to the weather was a wise move and that over 700 people attended, which he indicated is a good crowd. Hull indicated that he had received many positive comments, including one from an elderly lady who told him that she would never have been able to attend an event at the Holland Center due to limited means, and then thanked him for hosting the event there free of charge.
Vic indicated that Thank You cards should and will be sent to the Omaha Parks Department, Brook Bench and the Fireworks contractor for their willingness to waive their fees after the outdoor event was cancelled and moved indoors.
Vic Gutman and Carly Barth, representing Vic Gutman and Associates (VGA), reported that the Friday educational events at Joslyn and Henry Doorly Zoo were attended by between 2,400 and 2,500 students. When combined with school programs at Ponca State Park (324 students) and Nebraska City (300+ students) we served over 3,000 students as a part of the Commissions educational outreach effort.
Vic commended Ernie Ricehill for his successful efforts in developing and producing the Native American Art Show at the Nebraska Arts Council Building. This too was a success and will be displayed at various locations in Nebraska after leaving the Arts Council.
Swenson asked Gutman if all of the bills and invoices had been collected for event expenses. Vic stated that most have but they are still waiting on a few. Swenson then asked Commissioner Hornbaker who should be involved in the billing process in Kim Bastemeyer’s absence. Hornbaker indicated that Neoma Parks and Jennifer Long of his office would be the liaisons for billing issues.
Swenson commented that the marketing campaign initiated by VGA had been successful as he did recognize people that attended all three of the commemorative events. Hull stated that the press coverage of the events was also good.
Hull invited Erv Friesen to comment about Nebraska City. Erv provided a summary handout of the events conducted during the final weekend and thanked the Commission for the financial support that made it all possible. By his estimates 1,982 people actually participated in Lewis and Clark related events, in addition to countless others that were exposed to programming during the Applejack Festivities taking place during the weekend.
Hull invited Swenson to speak about the events at Ponca State Park. Swenson provided details of the History Conference, school program for 4th graders, Corps II and the Labor Day weekend Lewis & Clark events. Swenson described the series of events as a great success. The History Conference, which will become a regular event at the park, was well attended with approximately 75 registrations. Commissioners Hull, Smith, Slader, Ruth and Wehrbein expressed positive thoughts about the event and the quality of the program. Smith and Slader commented that efforts to secure papers or records of these conferences should be made in the future. Swenson stated that approximately 324 students attended the Lewis & Clark/Missouri River educational day programming on Sept 1. This number exceeded the goal of 250 students, many positive comments were returned by teachers. Swenson stated that the weekend events went very well and attendance meet with expectations. Some programs exceeded capacity; i.e. Captain Lewis’s walking stick, wilderness survival, muzzle-loader rifle firing. The Corps II programming went well, some programs, especially the early morning ones, received marginal attendance while others drew large attendance. Swenson commented that the funding provided by the Lewis & Clark Commission to sponsor park entry permits helped boost attendance and many people expressed their gratitude for this. The National Park Service was very pleased with park staff for their hospitality; Trail Supt. Steve Adams shared this as did others involved with the exhibit. Swenson stated that he is inquiring with the National Park Service about assuming ownership for portions of the Corps II exhibit once it is decommissioned, to be utilized for programming at Ponca.
Hull commended Game and Parks and the Ponca staff for their good work at making the weekend a success.
Legacy Work/Financial Update
Hull then spoke about the need to turn the Commissions focus towards legacy work. He gave a budget status report but indicated that there are still a few outstanding bills. At this time it appears that there will be some remaining funds available for legacy projects. Hull stated that a possible project could be building an educational curriculum/learning trunk out of the bicentennial archival materials and provide this as a tool for schools to utilize.
Mike Smith indicated that the Nebraska State Historical Society is currently working on a program to develop materials for schools and that Ron’s suggestion would match that effort well. All in attendance agreed that the educational programming should be designed for 4th or 5th grade students.
Vic Gutman suggested that the Commission should attempt to provide funding for ongoing educational programs from the remaining budget. He further suggested that the funds could underwrite school field trip expenses.
Swenson stated that while this is a good idea it would be difficult to do given that the funds remaining are state funds, and may not be available beyond the current biennium budget. Commissioner Ruth also indicated that this might be difficult to do with state funds.
Commissioner Slader stated that the Commission should not overlook the importance of legacy work or consider the challenge as a simple one. He indicated that it is a very involved and detailed process, citing efforts currently being carried out by Missouri, and will involve time and money to do an inventory, etc. and do so properly. Slader cited some examples of legacy needs and stated that we will need to involve our state partners along the trail.
Commissioner Hornbaker stated that we should see what other states are doing. Commissioner Slader agreed and stated that he has attended a program hosted by Missouri. Swenson added that he has been involved with this effort already as a part of his COSA membership. Swenson also stated that we should look at how the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Center can be utilized to help with legacy work, perhaps asking them to help coordinate our legacy effort as a part of their annual operations.
Hull stated that a part of the legacy work should be website continuance and maintenance. Swenson indicated that he agrees because the website could host archival information, be used as a resource for schools, could provide ongoing activity schedules, etc. Swenson indicated that perhaps the website should be incorporated into the existing websites of another agency such as State Historical Society or Tourism, or the website of the Missouri River Basin facility in Nebraska City.
Hull asked for additional comments and Swenson indicated that a company that will produce a CD of the television interviews and news reports relevant to the 2006 commemoration has approached him. This could be added to our archival records. Cost is estimated at $400.
Hull stated that this sounds like a good idea and asked for a motion to have the executive committee review the proposal and approve expenditure of funds for acquiring this information for archive. Smith, seconded by Slader, made motion. No added discussion was offered. Voting Aye: Hull, Hornbaker, Ruth, Slader, Smith, Wehrbein. Motion carried.
Hull asked Swenson if there were any other expenditure items to bring before the Commission. Swenson stated that the Commission needed to approve an expenditure to the Boy Scouts for the work that they did as a part of the Omaha event; flag ceremony, pin sales, etc. Swenson added that when the event was moved indoors the Boy Scouts were no longer required to help with seating and trash removal, therefore troop leaders indicated that they did not expect full payment of $300 as previously agreed to. Swenson suggested a payment of $200 plus the agreed to 50% of pin sale proceeds which would equate to $95, thus a total payment of $295 to the Boy Scouts.
Hull stated that this sounds appropriate and asked for a motion to approve payment to the Boy Scouts as summarized by Swenson. Motion was made by Wehrbein, seconded by Smith. No added discussion was offered. Voting Aye: Hull, Hornbaker, Ruth, Slader, Smith, Wehrbein. Motion carried.
Hull then asked the group about their thoughts for keeping the Commission active in 2007 and perhaps beyond. The Commission is scheduled to sunset on December 31, 2007. Continuation of the Commission beyond that will require direction from the Governor and legislature and a future budget for operations. Consensus of the group is that efforts should be invested towards archiving and legacy work relevant to the bicentennial, but that future event planning should not be a priority. Commissioner Ruth stated that without a clear objective for the future it might be difficult to secure approval for a future budget. General comment was that the Commissioners, and staff, have other jobs that need to be returned to. Hull stated that the Commission should challenge itself to complete its work by June 30, 2007 and then go inactive.
A 15- minute break was called at 10:30.
Reconvene at 10:45.
Executive Director’s Report:
Swenson began his report by thanking the Commission for their support of and attendance at the Ponca State Park events. Without the financial support the events would not have been possible.
Swenson informed the group that there are still a large quantity of commemorative pins remaining and offered that they be given away during future speaking engagements or presentations. Some will be maintained at various state parks for resale. Swenson will keep the pins at Game and Parks and will forward supplies as requested.
Swenson informed the group that he and John Slader would keep bicentennial archival information at Fort Atkinson and issued a call to the group for their files at the conclusion of the Commission’s term. Swenson then stated that the files would be available to the State Historical Society for review and further archiving.
Commissioner Smith stated that each Commissioner and staff member’s files should be considered valuable and submitted for storage and review.
Swenson challenged the group to consider writing a short summary of their experiences relevant to the bicentennial and their work with the Commission, and submit that summary to be included with the archives. This information would be interesting to future generations and may be helpful for future event planning. Commissioner Ruth added that this may become helpful and recalled his unsuccessful efforts to resurrect usable information from files relevant to the centennial commemoration.
Swenson invited everyone to attend the Missouri River Outdoor Expo at Ponca State Park Sept 23 and 24. Swenson also informed the group to contact him at his Game and Parks office with any questions they may have.
Other Business:
Hull invited comment from the guests in attendance.
Bat Shunatona thanked the Commission for its support of the Otoe-Missouria tribe and expressed that he would like see the Commission continue working with the tribe and maintain ongoing projects or develop new projects for language preservation, etc. Bat indicated that he would help tribal council members in Oklahoma search for the ETV tapes that were given to the tribe as a gift, but have since been misplaced. Those tapes contain historical information from tribal elders and language references.
Bat said that he would report to Chairman Harwell the details of this meeting.
Hull invited final comment from the Commissioners.
Hornbaker said that he encountered various members of the Montana Commission at a meeting in Minnesota who were impressed with the accomplishments of the Nebraska Commission during the bicentennial.
Slader added that the staff at Joslyn Museum was very pleased with the success of the commemoration in Omaha. He again stressed, and Commissioner Smith confirmed, the need to obtain papers from program presenters at the upcoming Ponca History Conferences. Making these available to the public in some manner.
There being no further comment or business for the Commission, Hull asked for a motion to adjourn. Wehrbein made motion to adjourn and Slader seconded. All in favor.
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 am. Thursday September 21, 2006
Next meeting: November 16, 2006 Platte River State Park, Mallet Lodge
Minutes recorded and prepared by Jim Swenson – Executive Director.