November 21, 2002
Mahoney State Park
Ron Hull called meeting to order at 9:10 a.m.
A list of attendees is attached.
Leroy Stokes moved, seconded by Gary Moulton to approve the minutes of the October 2002 Commission meeting.
Ron Hull introduced Paula Rhian.
Point of order was offered by Gary Moulton, movement still on floor.
A roll call vote was taken. Voting aye: Hull, Wehrbein, Johnson, Curran, Moulton, Slader, Sommer, Stearns, Stokes, and Williams. Absent, not voting: gaiashkibos, Mitchell, Ruth. Motion carried.
Dan Curran spoke about Rhian’s background. Rhian introduced herself and briefly covered her financial, management, and artistic background.
Hull gave the Chairman’s and Executive Committee Reports – Hull told how much work Ruth has been doing on behalf of commission and wanted to make a public record of the commission’s appreciation. Reported that it has been determined the executive committee will have meeting with the governor the week of Dec. 23-27 and present him a copy of the Report of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission that has been finalized and was included in the packets. Ruth and Hull have been talking to Congressman Bereuter’s office to set up a meeting with him as well. He stated that the need to find someone to fundraise was the purpose for the meeting with Congressman Bereuter and that the congressman would assist the commission in designating and recruiting that person. The goal is for the meeting to occur between the 16th and 24th of December. Hull also reported there will be a meeting with the highway department in February on an undetermined date. Hull stated that most of his week had been spent working on the Glass contract. Hull reported the contract had been signed by all parties concerned on Wednesday November 20 and was now on its way to New York. He stated copies would be on file and available to be looked at by commission at any time he then went on to inform of the two grant applications being prepared.
Dr. Rudi Mitchell arrived at 9:20AM.
Floor was given to Swenson who proceeded to explain that one would be from the Commission and one from the Friends group. The application from the commission is to focus on the actual production of the play and music for the signature event and the Friends grant will focus on the daytime educational activities. The reasoning behind this was the fact that more match is readily available to the Commission than is available to the Friends group.
Dr. Rodney Miller asked about corporate sponsorships. Specifically, does the commission have a list of possible elements of the events that sponsors could put their name on?
Hull replied that the meeting with Elwell on Monday would cover that issue.
Swenson stated that the challenge is, without brick and mortar, to find something to sell to a sponsor. Williams brought up the fact that Gutman’s report covered some of that, such as strategies and more specific divisions. Dr. Miller stated that no one will fund everything, they want a part that they can lay claim to.
Slader brought up the point that we need to know what the area can handle before we try to sell sponsorships. Swenson replied that he is waiting on a report from the Corps of Engineers to address that. Slader mentioned that we have 25 acres and need to figure out how to best utilize it.
Johnson asked what role is the signature committee playing in these decisions? Swenson replied that they are playing a very active role.
Hull reported that there was a meeting with Elwell on Monday the 17th where Elwell relayed that 31 applications had come in from prospective playwrights, one of which is Native American. There will be further screening to narrow down the choices. (Upon review, Hull has discovered that the number of submissions is around half a dozen) Slader asked when payment is due. Hull replied that payment is due now and is in process. Slader inquired when the next payment is due after the current one. Hull stated it would be due in five months. Hull mentioned that we haven’t committed any dollars that we do not currently have available.
Williams asked who is applying for the grants. Swenson answered that the Friends of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission are applying for daytime activities related to the signature event and that the Commission itself is applying for production costs for the Signature Event. Moulton queried if we were competing against ourselves. Williams suggested that we have to distinguish between the signature event and supporting events. Moulton concurred that we should show other activities outside of the signature event.
Williams mentioned that we had mentioned a grant program for communities, which would probably not work with the grant from the Park Service. They don’t do much with regranting.
Executive Director’s Report – Swenson
Handed out copies of the Corp of Engineers Map of the Lower Missouri River and stated that he wished if went farther north. Moulton mentioned he had talked to the author of the map and that the author is not interested in going further.
Swenson reported that he and Slader have met with a landowner near the site, the Shaners. He has begun a proposal to rent 100 acres of their land for $150 an acre for two crop seasons. The landowner to the east wants to meet with Swenson and Slader to hear the proposal. Swenson discover that the Fish and Wildlife Department has 120 acres about a block from the site. He mentioned this could be a back up for parking or bus parking. In his proposal he has included the option to hay the land and harvest it.
Swenson said that the county has started renovations in the ditch by Ft. Atkinson. The commission has to purchase tubes, which the county will install for free. He got three bids and would like to proceed with this. The lowest bid was for about $2000 for the 2 tubes to broaden the access points. With labor the total cost will be close to $4000. Wehrbein moved to approve the costs. Seconded by Slader. Stokes questioned if there would be fencing or rails installed. Swenson stated that Game and Parks might put in fences. A roll call vote was taken. Voting aye: Hull, Wehrbein, Curran, Moulton, Sommer, Johnson, Stearns, Stokes, Mitchell and Williams. Abstaining: Slader Absent, not voting: gaiashkibos, Ruth. Motion carried.
Swenson reported that Slader has been clearing trees on the site. They have walked the connecting trails and noted some site improvement points.
Swenson would like to draft a contract for soda sales. Moulton moved to give Swenson permission to investigate soda contracts, seconded by Stokes. A roll call vote was taker. Voting aye: Hull, Wehrbein, Curran, Moulton, Sommer, Stearns, Stokes, Slader, Mitchell and Williams. Absent, not voting: gaiashkibos, Ruth. Motion carried. Vic Gutman commented that Pepsi no longer gives a monetary donation but does a commission on sales whereas Coke will give a monetary donation as well as a commission on sales.
Swenson stated that he has a copy of the COSA report if anyone wants to see it. He reported that there would be a COSA reception January 18th at Monticello. COSA is doing a banner for the event and would like us to contribute $150 to them. Wehrbein moved that we donate the $150, seconded by Stearns. A roll call vote was taker. Voting aye: Hull, Wehrbein, Curran, Moulton, Sommer, Stearns, Stokes, Slader, Johnson, Mitchell and Williams. Absent, not voting: gaiashkibos, Ruth. Motion carried
Swenson informed the commission that there is a sign up sheet for working the booth at Monticello and that Rhian has the chart in her office.
Vic Gutman handed out copies of his report and asked for any needed revisions. He stated that the only thing not included in the report is a time line which is to be included later. He will need comments back in a timely manner to finish the report. Jim Swenson was selected as the receiver for all revision information. All revisions need to be to Swenson by December 10th.
Paula Rhian gave the Marketing Director report for Mary Ethel Emanuel. The postcards for the bags at Monticello are at the printer’s. Emanuel and Rhian had a meeting with Sonny Mares and Joan Ballion in Omaha. The Omaha CVB is organizing a meeting in February that will include all interested Lewis and Clark groups in the Omaha area to ensure preparedness.
Stearns asked about having more pins. Curran explained the reasoning behind not ordering more, Wehrbein concurred. Stearns spoke about using the pins like Commander’s coins.
Rhian gave the Coordinator’s report. She reported that the Nebraskaland foundation had called and is very interested in helping us to promote the Signature event. A student from Southeast High had also called and the students in the city of Lincoln voted for a Lewis and Clark holiday. The student offered her assistance if any was needed.
Rhian reported that Slader had been asked about trying get the keelboat from Onawa for the State Fair and asked for ideas on that subject. Rhian also stated that Stearns had asked about scheduling out meetings for the next 6 months. Rhian showed the letter of support she had received from the Mid-America Council of Boy Scouts.
Rhian reported on the expenditures for the month of October. She reported that she had received an email from Mark Monson asking about tribal flags to be displayed in Wichita. Matt Jones informed the commission of the location of tribal flags.
The commission then set the schedule for meetings in 2003 as follows: January 23, February 20, March 20, April 24, and May 15. Times and locations to be announced.
Curran gave a report on the new logo design proposal. Moulton asked why we were getting a new logo. Curran explained that the logo needs to be simpler, Dr. Miller concurred. Curran suggested that a committee work with an ad agency. Curran suggested sending the proposal to Snitly Carr, Bailey Laurman and Swanson Russell. He asked people to let him or Rhian know of any other companies to send the proposal to. Logo Committee will consist or Slader, Sommer, gaiashkibos, and Curran will chair.
Williams gave a report on the website. Moulton asked if we wanted contact information on the website or a link to our own respective sites. Commission decided to just have names. Stearns asked how do we protect ourselves from content that could be found on others websites that people can link to from ours. Williams said they would have a disclaimer. Williams also mentioned that the calendar would include functions for as many groups as needed. It was decided that website maintenance will need to be included in old business at every commission meeting. Swenson suggested using a system like they have at Game and Parks that lets people submit their calendar request directly to the website. Hull told Williams to go ahead and put the website up for public use.
Commissioner Round Table – Stearns asked about doing a retreat at Niobrara in May. Swenson will investigate.
Slader mentioned that Jim Morley and Dan Hunt were not able to come today. Also stated that November 26th there will be the first official showing of the maquette.
Mitchell reported that the Bicentennial is coming along well and they are looking at logistics for the time frame of August 2003 – August 2004. Mitchell suggested the commission meeting in August could be in Macy for their kick-off. Mitchell stated that 20 members of his tribe would be at Monticello in January.
Curran reported that on the logo it would be a year before it can be officially trademarked but after a weeklong search we would be able to use it with the signutre mark.
Wehrbein told everyone that the media kits were available and handed out examples.
Advisor Roundtable – Dr. Miller, Dean of Fine Arts at UNK, reported that he has the schematics of the amphitheatre they are building in Kearney for the outdoor drama set in the 1860’s they will be producing.
Bob Hastert reported that Jim Morley spoke at the Mouth of the Platte meeting and has a very effective presentation. He announced that their speaker for December will be Judi gaiashkibos.
Matt Jones announced that the Speakers Bureau, if funding is received, will be offered again next year across the state. He also suggested using speakers from within the commission and advisors for fundraising. If anyone has flyers they would like Matt to hand out he is willing to do that when he speaks. Matt reported that small promotional items work well in conjunction with workshops or speakers. ie posters, pins Jones also let Rhian know about a website that lists all the known tribal flags in the United States.
The next Commission meeting will be December 19, 2002 at Mahoney State Park in the Riverview Lodge.
The meeting adjourned at 11:31AM.
List of Attendees:
Ron Hull
Jeanene Wehrbein
Dan Curran
Gary Moultan
John Slader
Larry Sommer
Hal Stearns
Leroy Stokes
Judith Johnson
Dick Williams
Dr. Mitchell
Jim Swenson
Paula Rhian
Dr. Rodney Miller
Bob Hastert
Matt Jones
Randy Yates
Vic Gutman