PIPE Meeting Minutes

11/17/2016

Members Present: Malia Morrison (RPC), Mary Reno (Jackson), Renee Schalmo (Perry), Mayor Kathy Almasy (East Canton), Becca O’Neill (SWCD), Andrea Lee (Alliance), Linda Teis (North Canton), Sean Moriarty (Plain), and Jonelle Melnichenko (RPC)

Morrison opened the meeting at 9:00 am, and welcomed all of the attendees. With there being no public present, she moved to item 3 on the agenda (Updates).

Morrison noted that the cleanup that had been planned did not take place. They are currently aiming for the Spring or Summer of 2017, getting help from Mia at NEFCO. Morrison moved to item number 5 on the agenda (Other Business- activities for 2017).

Morrison discussed the activities that are on the horizon for 2017 including, the Home and Garden Show, the radio ad, the billboard contest, and the cleanup day. Morrison expressed wanting to hold more workshops for the public in the upcoming year as well. A workshop was held in previous years and was well attended, but would like to hold another workshop focusing on educating the public. Moriarty stated that SWCD was holding a workshop at North Canton Civic Center on November 18, 2016 at 2:00pm for MS4 Storm Water Management, but was for the municipalities, not necessarily for the public.

O’Neill explained her position with SWCD and her involvement with the schools. She has been able to have presentations for all of the 5th graders in Northwest Local Schools, and all of the 2nd graders in Alliance City Schools. Morrison informed O’Neill that PIPE didn’t have much success getting cooperation from the schools. Almasy noted that it was difficult due to the curriculum and agenda being set for the teachers for the year, which doesn’t provide them much time for improvisation.

O’Neill attended the LEAD teacher meetings at R.G. Drage Career Center to promote storm water lessons she could present to the classroom. O’Neill told the committee that she could send information regarding what she has done this year to educate about storm water and what is planned for next year. She can send any materials she uses for the presentations as well. The committee members all expressed interest in being involved with the schools, and would like to attend any presentations if it is possible. O’Neill also discussed the schools’ focus on STEM projects, which could possibly be something PIPE could look into for future projects. Morrison noted that the STEM focus could also be a workshop.

Morrison then moved on to the 4th item on the agenda, Themes. Moriarty mentioned a possible theme could be Storm Water Warriors, having Clawd dress as a warrior. Almasy suggested having Clawd as a wizard. Teis suggested either having Clawd as a scuba diver and focus on Project WET, or Clawd as a professor focusing on the difference between sanitary sewers and storm water drains (circles and squares).

Reno stated that in the new Storm Water Management Plans they request 5 themes and was not sure if they needed to be all new themes or if they could be themes used in the past. The committee determined that listing the past themes used should be acceptable. Morrison asked if you put down a theme, do you have to use it. The committee was not sure.

O’Neill asked what type of workshops the committee has done, or was interested in doing. The committee has only covered minimal information, generally what you can do around the house to protect storm water. O’Neill discussed the different variety of workshops SWCD has held related to storm water for homeowners, including seminars about making and selling rain barrels, making compost gardens, and making raingardens . O’Neill also discussed the SWCD’s interest in providing field trips for students to educate them on storm water, but cannot due to monetary constraints. O’Neill mentioned holding fundraisers to earn money through a farm to plate luncheon and a golf outing and/or the possibility of having a grant for the students for the field trip.

O’Neill asked the committee if any of the schools received the 21st Century Grants which provides educational support for students during non-school hours. O’Neill suggested implementing some of the information and activities from PIPE (coloring contest, billboard contest, etc.) be distributed to these programs. Ties noted that the YMCAs typically have after school programs and the materials could be sent there too.

Morrison brought up the theme for 2017 stating that the theme needs to be decided as soon as possible because it is incorporated in the radio ad, billboards, and brochures. Therefore, she would like to have it decided before the schools are off for their Holiday Break. The committee agreed to use the theme “Circles and Squares”, having Clawd dress as a professor.

O’Neill asked the committee if they gave any prizes away for the billboard contest winners. The committee said they typically give the winners gift cards. There are 4 winners, they each get two billboards to display their drawing. O’Neill suggested having a video contest with vines for the children as well. Melnichenko suggested having the billboard winners and their billboards displayed in a parade. Almasy suggested either the Pro Football Hall of Fame Parade, or the Junior Parade the week before. The committee discussed the possibility of obtaining a float for the parade, perhaps from environmental groups, landscape companies, and/or local farmers. The committee talked about getting funding from local businesses through various community grants. If a float wasn’t feasible, the committee discussed the idea of having the winners walk in the parade with their family and/or friends, holding their billboard as a banner, possibly getting financial assistance from local sign companies. Either a cooler could be pulled behind them, or a gator could follow the banner with refreshments for those who are walking. Morrison said she would call the Chamber for more information regarding the parade.

Morrison asked O’Neill to send her materials related to her “Circles and Squares” presentation.

Moriarty mentioned incorporating open systems for storm water versus closed systems for sanitary sewers.

Lee suggested having on the front of the brochure Clawd wearing a lab coat with a pointer stick and having the slogan “Clawd asks where? Circle or square?” The committee seemed to be in agreement with her suggestion.

There was no further business and the meeting adjourned at 10:30.

Respectfully submitted,

Jonelle Melnichenko