Buffalo Valley Recreation Authority
Board Meeting Minutes for June 28, 2017, 5:00 pm
Location: BVRA Conference Room
In Attendance:
Directors: Sandra Cook (Chair), Peter Bergonia (Vice Chair), Matt Hoffman (Secretary), Rich Kuczawa (Treasurer), Randy Sams
Staff: Stacey Sommerfield (ED), Sarah Biddle (AmeriCorps), Marah Biddle (AmeriCorps), Bob Cravitz (Solicitor), Marilyn Brill (Recorder)
The minutes herein are a draft copy and have been distributed as a pre-release, and do not become an official document until the board approves the contents. Corrections can be sent to Marilyn Brill at . Corrections may or may not be included in the final version sent prior to the next meeting.
The minutes will generally reflect motions. However, requests by one or more board members or attendees for statements and or comments to be considered as part of the record may also be included. Other comments may be entered into the minutes as deemed by the Secretary.
1. Call to Order: Sandra called the meeting to order at 4:56 pm.
2. Introductions: none
3. Public Participation: none
4. Approval of Minutes: (attached)
Sandra noted that Bob Cravitz’s name should be added to the attendance list. Pete made a motion to approve the May board minutes as amended; the motion was seconded by Rich. The motion carried unanimously.
5. Financial Report:
· No report available for this meeting. Since the move to the new office mail and statements from the bank have not been forwarded to the office. The May report will be available at next month’s meeting.
6. Operations Report: (attached)
· Stacey reviewed the Operations Report in the board packet. The BVRA summer had a very successful so far. BVRA had a fun float designed by campers in the July 4th parade; more than 550 flyers were handed out. The transition to the new website is going well. Both Sarah and Marah are returning for a 2nd year as AmeriCorps staff, which the board and staff applauded. BVRA is in the process of hiring a new program director.
· Warming House: Nature School is fully booked for 2017, with a waiting list of 25. Summer camp is also booked. Adventure Camps are in full swing, with the popular Fairy Gardens and Gnome homes sessions being repeated. The maintenance crew has installed a new door and hot water heater making the building more energy efficient
· Pool and Park: the pool is open and going well. Bob Hammerlee and Natalie Smyth are giving tennis lessons at the Park. Three dead ash trees will be removed by the Borough and others trimmed. The parking lot will be fixed this fall by the Borough.
· Rail Trail: the Rusty Rail will submit a parking lot plan for final approval by the board; the Mifflinburg planning commission has approved their plan. Bathrooms are open in Mifflinburg. The Maintenance crew has been aided in mowing and weeding by the probation crew and Brookside Bikes which will assist in cleanup as a contribution to the Trail.
· Programming: Kickball has 7 teams and going well. Swim lessons and Mommy and Me programs both going well.
· Gym: work on the gym renovations going slower than expected. BVRA will extend the lease at the current location until September 1st.
· Upcoming events:
National Night Out August 1st (volunteers needed)
Lewisburg Triathlon: August 11-12
7. Old Business:
· Rusty Rail easement: update given during Operations Report.
· GreenSpace Center: the staff will discuss the lease contract for the gym and office with the GreenSpace management to try to work out the issues not yet settled, like internet connection, slowness of gym renovations. Randy asked whether the gym delay would impact the budget and income projections. Sandra said the budget was based on figures using the current gym location and this delay shouldn’t affect the overall budget for the gym. Rich asked if staff were planning a big PR event for the gym. Stacey said that they were planning an open house for the gym and building at a later date.
· Miller Center: Sandra said that the opening for the Miller Center is now set for July 17, with a grand opening September 9th. BVRA will have a role in the September opening.
· Website update: update given during the Operations Report.
· Bridge: Sandra related that Matt Schumacher has requested a meeting with BVRA regarding the bridge. He does understand the challenges facing BVRA concerning the bridge.
· EBT Management Agreement: BVRA still has not received a draft of this agreement which would allow BVRA to manage the football and baseball fields behind EBT building.
8. New Business:
· BVRT signage: Stacey presented a proposal for a local business to post a billboard on the Rail Trail near Giant which will have ads for other local businesses and non profits. BVRA will be paid $300/year for the sign to be on the Rail Trail. The board discussed the issue and specified that the board would want to have approval of the businesses being advertized. Randy asked if DCNR would have any issue with this; Stacey said that DCNR has no problem with moving forward with the signage. The board stipulated that the owner would be responsible for any repairs needed. Rich made a motion to approve the contract with the right to approve the list of businesses and non profits included on the signage; Randy seconded the motion. The motion carried.
· Pool update: Amy Mantush, BU track coach is working this summer as pool manager. A hole in the bottom of the pool has once again appeared. It can be repaired without having the drain the pool. Rich reported that when he went to the pool his only complaint was the sound system; everything else was great.
· Triathlon: Volunteers are needed to help staff the triathlon on August 11 and 12. The board discussed the need to evaluate the contract with Fit for Funs regarding the triathlon. BVRA has to close the pool and park for the event as well as provide staffing for the pool event. After this year the staff should review the situation and costs with Tara before planning next year’s event.
· Greening Lewisburg: Sandra encouraged board members to ‘like’ Greening Lewisburg Facebook page; the Friends of BVRT are involved in this effort. Final approval from the Department of State for the 501(c)(3) has not been received yet. On July 17 at 7 p.m. Friends of BVRT will have a meeting at the BVRA offices to answer questions from the community.
· Rich passed on information about a PA tax credit program that would provide incentives for donors to give money to tax-deductible groups such as Friends of BVRT.
· The flooring from Playworld 2 is for sale online; some interest has been shown and Sandra hopes the flooring will be sold quickly.
· BVRA received the Standard Journal’s Best in the Susquehanna Valley Readers Choice award for Best for Outdoor Recreation. Congratulations to the entire board and staff.
11: Executive Session: Rich made a motion to go into Executive Session at 5:47 p.m. Randy seconded the motion. The motion carried and the board went into Executive Session.
11: Adjournment: The board left executive session at 6:22pm. Pete made a motion to adjourn at 6:23 p.m. Matt seconded the motion.
Next Meeting – Wednesday, July26th, 2017, 8:00 am at the BVRA office conference room. Address: 815 Market Street, Room 182, Lewisburg. Use door #19 or #24 to enter the building.
Submitted by:
Matt Hoffman, Secretary
Transcribed by Marilyn Brill