20/20 Cold Spring Vision Team

COLD SPRING 20/20 ACTION TEAM
Steering Committee Meeting
December 13, 2005
Approved 1.10.2006


Present: Carrie Tripp, Ken Wendinger, Mark Grelson, Nadine Schnettler, Betty Johnson, Duane Kuss, Rita Hennen, Mike Scharenbroich (Intern), Kay Cook. Brigetta Klemek and Larry Lahr joined us.

Duane opened the meeting with a presentation for PR.

Minutes of the November 8, 2005 were reviewed with one correction:
Committee update #3 should be "Land Use" committee not "Design Standards"

Mark moved acceptance of the minutes as corrected; Ken seconded; motion carried.

Mark said the Community Band will be meeting 12/17 at 7:30 with the Maennerchor.

Treasurer Report for November 8th was (0.58); for December 13th ($6.74). Mark moved acceptance of report; Nadine seconded; motion carried.

The $60.60 for rain garden needed approval for Design Research Fee; City has budgeted $25,000. Ken moved; Nadine seconded; motion carried.

Ken will be gone January and February so we will need to contact Kris one day in advance for reports for those meetings.

Intern Opportunities:

1. Mike Scharenbroich is a St John's University student who will be working with us from January 16, 2006 to May 5, 2006 20 hours a week under the MN Sustainability Project. Mike's interested in people connections, seeing progress made, and building personal professional skills.
2. Prestated involvement with 20/20 were getting the commotion back in motion; mediating relationship building with Wakefield Township and the City of Cold Spring; obtain information on school levy issues; and focus communications between 20/20 committees in community.
3. Ideas to facilitate 1 and 2 above included: help refocus our efforts on goals on table now; look for new energy/blood; get third party evaluations by tracking and evaluating events; document volunteers/clients for Cold Spring connection; address diversity issues through potential of Farmers Market and Chamber Expo.
4. Concern expressed to focus on what we currently have on the table prior to looking for new items.
5. Brigetta will act as Coordinator with Mike.


New Library & 20/20 role:

The involvement of 20/20 with the new library was discussed. Betty says this could be directly related to our relationship with Wakefield Township because their residents make up "Friends of the Library" committee. It was decided that the best place for this topic would be with the Arts and Culture Task Force. Mark said he would talk with President of Library Committee (Pat) and report back.

Chamber Expo and 20/20 free breakfast update:

The "Business & Community Showcase" will be held March 18 at the High School. Jim EInyck from the Chamber and Rita are working on it. Ken and Nadine will work with the breakfast.

Project Updates:

Rain Garden; We are getting a great deal of help from Stearns County through the Soil & Water Conservation District. Kay proposed writing a request to Stearns County Water Advisory Committee to request funds. Motion made by Ken; seconded by Mark; motion carried with one nay. Kay will forward for approval prior to sending in.
Land Use Plan; Waiting for City action with the transportation plan. It will be adopted at the next city council meeting.
Design Standards; No report
Lookout Park; This topic is beyond our control and will be removed from the agenda until/if MNDot and City come to agreement.
Trails & Paths; We will stick with the City.
The ROCORI trail group is being well attended, Joe Chovan has been attending from Natural Resource Committee of 20/20. City has allocated half the cost of feasibility study ($6,400) to see if we can use the railroad path. Federal grant application is due in January; State in February.
Website; Is at a standstill without funds.
Administration; Funding in limbo. We are looking to Mike for help here.

Reminder to all regarding our project discussions written or verbal: Always make the Initiative Foundation and Healthy Community Partnership as partners in all we do.

Committee Updates:

Arts & Culture: Mark provided information on CAPP Committee are looking to expand but is not unified or connected. Leslie Schumacher will be attending their next meeting (raising visibility). Promoted YAM JAM to promote Arts Guild.
Land Use: Nothing new.
Design Standards: Cold Spring granite sign located and there is desire for 3 more to include all entry points. Larry reported the community electronic sign is funded and should be up end of January.
Natural Resources: Original committee has dissolved and Kay has sent out letters to those who have expressed interest.
Social Action: Leaflets have been left at the Senior Center; Jan Luthens is on the Rural MN Project Board of Faith in Action. Ken requested focus more on diversity than on library issues. We need to take tape to non-profits.
Tourism: Duane is meeting with the paper regarding Chain of Lakes publication. More at next meeting.

Other:

1. Brewery and Jaycees have a chili bowl off on January 28 as a fund raiser at their distribution center. Larry is willing to pitch us as a non-profit in need of funds to the Jaycees.
2. Carrie will be at the February meeting.
3. Pictures were taken with plaques from the Initiative Foundation for publicity.
4. Carrie had the name of a potential granter (name like 'Kresege').
5. Mike's email is MMSCHARENBROICH@Gmail.com

# posted by Duane Kuss @ 9:24 AM