Commissioners in attendance: Hull, Wehrbein, Johnson, Williams, Mitchell, Slader, Curran, Stokes, Ruth, Sommer and gaiashkibos. Commissioners Moulton and Smith were absent. A quorum was satisfied.
Chairman Hull called the meeting to order at 9:10AM. Slader moved that the minutes from December’s meeting be approved, Williams seconded. Minutes were unanimously approved.
Chairman’s report – Hull reported that he met with new commissioner Roy Smith who will be in attendance at the February meeting. Hull stated he spoke to the Downtown Rotary Club. Hull introduced the possibility of having Dick Cavett as the emcee for the Elmwood Park event. Hull reported that the executive committee, Moulton and Jones received copies of the draft script. Hull collected the written comments and forwarded them to Jeff Elwell. February 23rd Hull, Elwell, Moulton and Jones will meet with the playwright.
Vice-Chairman’s report – Wehrbein stated that there would be a Signature Event Committee meeting following today’s meeting. Slader stated that he had pictures of the site and reported that site preparation has been continuing. Seven or eight dead cottonwoods have been removed and the grass in the parking area is doing well. They have been going in while the ground is frozen to avoid tearing up the site. Slader stated the Friends of Boyer Chute have asked to use our parking area for the start of their Fun Run in July. Wehrbein asked if they would pay a fee for its use and how many people would be involved. Slader said he did not know how many people were involved. Slader stated that Boyer Chute would be providing us with a parking site during our event. Williams asked if they clean afterward why wouldn’t we encourage this? Ruth asked if they would park on the grass. Slader said yes. Ruth said if it’s raining and they tear up the spot then what? Slader recommended not allowing its use if it rained. Ruth asked if we could condition our agreement that way. Rhian asked who would be drafting the agreement. Swenson and Slader were assigned to draft it. Slader inquired if the agreement would be between the Commission and Boyer Chute or would it be with the landowner. Ruth replied we should look at the lease and the landowner should be informed in any case.
Hull reported that copies of the Midlander of the Year insert from the Omaha World Herald featuring Gary Moulton are available from Rhian courtesy of David Hendee.
Executive Director’s Report – Swenson welcomed all the guests at this meeting. Swenson reported that he had talked with Lyn Ziggenbein about the Kiewit Foundation’s community grant program and found there haven’t been as many applications as were expected. He volunteered to post the press release on the Commission’s website to help promote this opportunity along the trail. Swenson reported that he spoke with Risk Management again but no final meeting has been set at this point. Swenson announced that Rex Amack has been named the Nebraska Director for the Take Pride in America Campaign. Swenson has been appointed to the committee involved with program to shine a light on local volunteer efforts. Swenson asked the Commission if it wants to create a commemorative program that we can sell for $3-$5 and offered that it might be good source of revenue. Attached is Swenson’s report from the St. Louis Signature Event meetings.
gaiashkibos stated that she would like more of the COTA brochures. Williams stated that she could call National Council to get more.
Swenson stated that there are action items highlighted in his report on St. Louis. He will be assigning a name to each action item.
gaiashkibos showed the Kansas Native American Handbook and stated that she would like support for the NE Commission on Indian Affairs to produce such a brochure.
Williams stated that there was a large emphasis on ceremonies and asked if we have that. Wehrbein stated that yes we have some ceremonial aspects set. Slader stated that the tribal flags are an important part of these ceremonies. Hull maintained that the military contributions of Native Americans need to be emphasized.
Mark Monson of the Iowa Commission stated that Iowa has been looking at the Native American Handbook and maybe Nebraska and Iowa could do the book together.
Coordinator’s report – Rhian reported on the status of several grants the Commission has applied for. Rhian referenced the budget report in the Commissioners folders and reported that we are on target for spending. She reported on the water safety meetings that have been held by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and included Game and Parks, Sheriff’s offices, Fire Departments, Civil Air Patrol, Army Corps of Engineers and others. Plans are going forth to be prepared for river traffic and public safety. Rhian stated that the March Commission meeting has been changed to Friday the 19th and will be held at Metro Community College. The meeting will start at 8:30AM and be followed by a period gourmet lunch provided by the students. Rhian reported that the booth would be on display in the Nebraska State Capitol building February 9-13 and at the Iowa State Capitol building for two weeks in March.
Williams reported that NPS received 190 applications this year for the Challenge Cost Share program, which is fewer than last year, but the applications are better quality. Panel reviews will be held with final approval announced by mid-March. Wehrbein asked if every signature event is having trouble raising money. Williams replied yes, people are getting local and regional support but no much national support. Wehrbein said it’s not bricks and mortar. Williams said you’re right; it’s harder to get money for administration and events.
Marketing director’s report – Emanuel thank David Hendee for all his help and stories he has written about Lewis and Clark. She handed out copies of the new Nebraska Travel Guide with a Lewis and Clark shot on the cover. Emanuel reported that tourism will be sending a staff person from the Notic visitor center to the Training Academy in Nebraska City February 15-19. Emanuel reported that she would go on a press tour the end of March with the Omaha CVB. She stated that the AP story on Lynch is still getting printed nationwide. Tourism is currently doing radio ads on Lewis and Clark.
Iowa Commission report – Mark Monson reported that the passport program was their original focus. Their Commission is going to the legislature for more funding to continue the passport program in 2005. The Commission will be hosting a coffee for the legislature in February. Monson reported that they are currently working on the mid-West Trail States symposia as well. Rhian reported that the Iowa Commission had offered to help staff the booth during the Signature Event and thanked Monson for his support.
Commissioner Round Table – Johnson stated that it was time to put to rest the marketing opportunity. The $5000 for maintaining the website listed in the Svec proposal could be portioned into the cost of goods sold but they would have to be guaranteed that money. Swenson stated that another obstacle is having inventory as a state agency. Curran asked where we would get the $5000 plus the money to purchase inventory. He went on to point out that there would have to be a very large percentage of goods sold before we would even break even. Stokes stated that without a marketing survey he doesn’t feel comfortable spending that kind of money. Swenson stated that he wasn’t sure we could even make a contract including in the cost in the product price. Johnson announced that Wayne received a Humanities Council grant and the July 10 will be Lewis and Cluck – Eggsploring Wayne America. Ruth asked if she felt our marketing of items is at a halt. Johnson said yes. Ruth asked if we should go with the National Products via Diane Norton. Swenson will get in touch with Norton.
Slader reported that he would be giving a program to the Sertoma Club in Schuyler this week.
gaiashkibos reported that the Ponca tribe has moved their Powwow to September 3-5, 2004. She announced that Curtis Zunigha has been hired to emcee the All Nations Veteran Powwow.
Mitchell stated that the Osages had been reluctant to be involved with the St. Louis meeting and ceremony. He stated that he was glad to see Bat and wished he had more input. Mitchell stated that he had serious concerns to express at the Signature event Committee meeting.
Swenson reported that Corps II would be scheduling meetings in host communities. He stated that he invited Amy Mossett to the February 26th meeting at Mahoney State Park.
Sommer reported that it looks like we will be able to borrow the documents from the Oklahoma Historical Society and have them on display at Fort Atkinson during the Signature Event. There is a letter written to the Lakota and one in French. The Historical Society will provide conservation of the documents in exchange for the right to display them. Ruth stated that we need to assure the tribe that the documents are revered and used in a respectful manner. He went on to say that this is a wonderful opportunity to display artifact from the expedition. Shunatona announced that one of the letters was given to the Oklahoma Historical Society by his grandparents in the 1920’s.
Stokes announced that February is Black History Month and that it is a great opportunity to highlight York and his contributions to the Expedition. Stokes presented the Commission and audience with a 2004 Soils Planner depicting Lewis and Clark Bicentennial soil paintings. Copies are available on a first come first serve basis. Ruth pointed out that Stokes is the head of the NAACP and was recently honored in the Capitol Rotunda for his contributions.
Event Planner Report – Gutman reported that things are moving along, contracts are out to most of the performers. He announced that there wouldn’t be any site plans released until all performers and vendors are booked. Gutman pointed out that we are saving money on lights at Elmwood Park ending the evening by 9PM. Wehrbein asked what happens if it’s cloudy? He replied that basic lighting would be there just no the big gels. Gutman reported that he has been working on marketing the event. Channel 7 has offered $215,000 worth of promotions and Waite Media $55,000. We have $78,000 cash marketing campaign, which includes two inserts in the Omaha World Herald. Gutman reported that his office is working with a local artist for a specialized logo to differentiate between the Corps of Discovery Festival at Fort Atkinson and the First Tribal Council at Elmwood Park. He stated that shuttle planning is underway and it would work better to work with shuttle companies who will charge and let them run the program along routes we can suggest. Swenson gave him a copy of the St. Louis meeting notes and asked him to be sensitive to Native American concerns.
Hull reported that Philip Glass is working on the concerto and Barnes will see the score in April.
gaiashkibos announced that R. Carlos Nakai would participate at the All Nations Veterans Powwow.
Hull announced that Moulton has agreed to read Jefferson’s letter to Congress at the event.
Wehrbein expressed concern about the media, are we sure that they will have authentic material. Gutman replied that his office is working on a press and calendar releases.
Special Advisor Roundtable – Hastert reported that Nancy Hoch was the speaker at Mouth of the Platte Tuesday night and Vic Gutman will be the February speaker. The president of Trail Heritage Foundation will speak in March and Susan Knight, ICON sculpture artist will be speaking in April. He reported that FunTours is doing a trip from Omaha to Bismarck for the Trail Heritage Foundation meeting in August.
Yates reported that the Mid-America Council met last Saturday and he has met with Gutman. He announced the Boy scouts have a program for the St. Louis Signature Event in March. Yates reported that the district has special patches for camp-a-rees and this summer’s theme is Lewis and Clark. He stated that there is interest in having a special patch for Signature Event volunteers.
Brent Kalimakarian of FunTours reported they are sponsoring two one-day event tours of 5 buses each and requested seating for Elmwood Park. Williams asked if their customers are regional. Brent replied that the one-day tour customers are local while the trail Heritage Foundation tour has people from all over the country. He also reported that they will be doing three other tours not during the signature event but would like to include our program in the information that goes out to people prior to the tour.
Mr. gaiashkibos stated that he is working with veteran on a pictorial book and with Patty Lowe on a PBS special. He admonished the commission to utilize their Native American advisors, Dr. Mitchell and Judi gaiashkibos, more.
Meeting adjourned at 11:29AM
Attendance List
Commissioners
Leroy Stokes
Dick Williams
Larry Sommer
Dan Curran
Jeanene Wehrbein
Ron Hull
Larry Ruth
Dr. Rudi Mitchell
Judi gaiashkibos
John Slader
Judy Johnson
Staff
Jim Swenson
Mary Ethel Emanuel
Paula Rhian
Mark Monson – Iowa Commission
Jeanne LeBron – Leo A Daly
Melissa Scaturro – AMI Environmental
Bob Hastert – Mouth of the Platte
David Hendee – Omaha World Herald
Randy Yates – Mid-America Council Boy Scouts of America
Brent Kalemkearian – Fun Tours
Art Nicolai – Fun Tours
Glennis Nicolai – visitor