Meeting Minutes July 8, 2012

JPTolson · 12-04-2012, 09:26 PM

Trumbull Canoe Trails
Meeting Minutes
Sunday, July 8, 2012

FINAL
Approved by voice vote of members present at meeting on 12/02/12

Call to Order

Club president Mike Danko, called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. at Canoe City MetroPark in Leavittsburg, Ohio, with approximately 45 members and guests in attendance during the annual club picnic.

Treasurer’s Report

Club treasurer Patty Allen reported the income, expenses, and balance for the club checking and saving accounts. Contact Patty Allen for information on specific dollar amounts of income, expenses, and account balances.

Patty reported that work to complete the forms to re-instate the club’s tax exempt status is in process and should be completed by the end of August. It will cost the club $100 to file the form.

Bob Kolenich moved to accept the treasurer’s report; Harvey Feenstra seconded the motion. The club members present voted to accept the motion.

Secretary’s Minutes

Club secretary John Paul Tolson read the minutes (reading dedicated to Mary Kane) of the previous club meeting on February 19, 2012. The members present voted to approve the minutes as read.

Old Business

1. Club Newsletter
The club has been unable to contact its newsletter editor, Tom Delo. Consequently, club president, Mike Danko, put together the July issue of the newsletter and sent it to all club members with email. However, Mike does not currently have a printer to enable him to send a hard copy of the newsletter to those who wish to receive it through the U.S. Postal Service. Patty Allen indicated that about 12 members do not have email. A sign-up sheet was circulated for any member, with or without email, who wished to receive the paper edition to provide their mailing address. Mike will try to find someone with a printer so that future newsletters can be printed and mailed to those who wish to receive paper copies of the newsletter. Betka Axe indicated she may be able to print enough copies to cover the mailing. Mike reminded everyone that the last Monday of the month is the deadline to submit material for the next month’s newsletter.

2. Mahoning River
Club president Mike Danko announced that the Mahoning River between Foster Park and Packard Park has been designated a state water trail. With this designation, Mike emphasized that it will be important for the club to keep the trail open and passable for canoes and kayaks. Turnout for the work trips on June 23 and 24 was sparse, and the club will need to step up with increased participation on future work trips. Mike cited club members Jonathan Burrows, Matt Brady, Tom Smith, Ed Rigby, and John Paul Tolson in addition to himself and Trumbull MetroParks’ staffer Zack Svette, who came out one or both days to help clear obstructions. Mike also noted that the Ohio Turnpike Commission donated land to Trumbull County approximately midway along the water trail that the county plans to develop as a park for camping along the river.

Club trustee, Preston Foster, noted that he kept much of the upper Mahoning clear of obstructions for 25 years. He gave a brief tutorial on the art of cutting out deadfalls, such as removing small sections of trees two feet at a time rather than large sections all at once. Tom Smith, before becoming aware of the club, had been trying to figure out what could be done to keep the river free of obstructions. He was interested in bringing in winches, ropes, and cabling to remove trees from the river, but others noted that this can’t be done without permission of private property owners.

Harvey Feenstra inquired whether a water trail designation might be considered for Mosquito Creek, a tributary of the Mahoning. Mike indicated that work associated with the Mahoning’s recent water trail designation in Trumbull County and exploring what might be possible to improve the river through Youngstown and Mahoning County were higher priorities at this time.

Mike raised the issue of replacing the bow saw that JP Tolson lost to the river gods on the June 23 work trip. JP appreciated the gesture, but declined the offer.

Mike mentioned that Canoe and Kayak Magazine may come to paddle with the club and do a story on the Mahoning River if it is selected from among other places under consideration by the magazine.

3. Tax-exempt Status
Preston Foster addressed the meeting on the advantages and importance of re-instating the club’s tax-exempt status. The tax-exempt status isolates the club’s volunteers and officers from lawsuits and civil actions according to Preston. Allowing it to lapse opens the door opens the door to those actions. Club treasurer Patty Allen indicated that she is working on completing the forms necessary to apply for re-instatement and expects to have them completed and filed by the end of August.

4. Shenango River Watchers
Ed Rigby inquired about the status of the organizational membership in the Shenango River Watchers, approved at the last club meeting in February. Dues for that membership have not yet been paid according to treasurer Patty Allen.

5. Youngstown State
Club president, Mike Danko, indicated that he was finally able to contact Mike Bowman at Youngstown State. According to Mike Danko, the university got what it wanted in joining the club for one year.

New Business

1. Trip Rescheduling
Mike Danko proposed moving the club trip to Deer Creek Reservoir, originally scheduled for July 21, to July 15 to accommodate the trip leader. Ed Rigby noted that this could be done without formal approval of the membership and the trip was so moved. JP will change the date on the club website.

2. Paddle Strokes
Ron Eels, club member and former whitewater instructor on the Youghiogheny River, will present a short training session on paddling strokes for both canoe and kayak immediately following the meeting.

3. Throw Bag Contest
Club member Jim Bozdog has organized throw bag contest, hereafter to be known as paddlers’ cornhole, immediately following the strokes training session. The contestant who can score the most points by underhand tossing a throw bag through a tire from 30 feet will win a $15 gas card. Ed Rigby won the competition.

4. New Mahoning River Group
Ed Rigby reported that on April 25th he attended a meeting of a new group that wants to improve recreational activities and address remediation on the Mahoning River from Youngstown to Struthers. The group appears to include influential people in the community and would like the club’s involvement. It is planning a river festival for October. For now, the club is simply observing. The group’s next meeting is July 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the B&O Station.

5. Club Member Wins Hero Award
Chuck Miller was recognized with a local hero award at the American Red Cross Acts of Courage Event on June 14. Chuck pulled to safety a paddler who was caught in the hydraulic of a low head dam on the Mahoning River last summer. Congratulations and way to go, Chuck!

Adjournment

At approximately 1:45, Tim Parkin moved that the meeting be adjourned. Preston Foster seconded the motion and members present approved the motion.

Minutes prepared by club secretary John Paul Tolson
First draft 07/13/12; approved by voice vote of members present at meeting on 12/02/12.
Minutes (online version only) amended on February 18, 2013, to remove dollar amounts for income, expenses, and account balances.

12-04-2012, 09:26 PM	#1
JPTolson Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Salem, Ohio Posts: 904 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTW/F/M Award(s): 0	Meeting Minutes July 8, 2012 Trumbull Canoe Trails Meeting Minutes Sunday, July 8, 2012 FINAL Approved by voice vote of members present at meeting on 12/02/12 Call to Order Club president Mike Danko, called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m. at Canoe City MetroPark in Leavittsburg, Ohio, with approximately 45 members and guests in attendance during the annual club picnic. Treasurer’s Report Club treasurer Patty Allen reported the income, expenses, and balance for the club checking and saving accounts. Contact Patty Allen for information on specific dollar amounts of income, expenses, and account balances. Patty reported that work to complete the forms to re-instate the club’s tax exempt status is in process and should be completed by the end of August. It will cost the club $100 to file the form. Bob Kolenich moved to accept the treasurer’s report; Harvey Feenstra seconded the motion. The club members present voted to accept the motion. Secretary’s Minutes Club secretary John Paul Tolson read the minutes (reading dedicated to Mary Kane) of the previous club meeting on February 19, 2012. The members present voted to approve the minutes as read. Old Business 1. Club Newsletter The club has been unable to contact its newsletter editor, Tom Delo. Consequently, club president, Mike Danko, put together the July issue of the newsletter and sent it to all club members with email. However, Mike does not currently have a printer to enable him to send a hard copy of the newsletter to those who wish to receive it through the U.S. Postal Service. Patty Allen indicated that about 12 members do not have email. A sign-up sheet was circulated for any member, with or without email, who wished to receive the paper edition to provide their mailing address. Mike will try to find someone with a printer so that future newsletters can be printed and mailed to those who wish to receive paper copies of the newsletter. Betka Axe indicated she may be able to print enough copies to cover the mailing. Mike reminded everyone that the last Monday of the month is the deadline to submit material for the next month’s newsletter. 2. Mahoning River Club president Mike Danko announced that the Mahoning River between Foster Park and Packard Park has been designated a state water trail. With this designation, Mike emphasized that it will be important for the club to keep the trail open and passable for canoes and kayaks. Turnout for the work trips on June 23 and 24 was sparse, and the club will need to step up with increased participation on future work trips. Mike cited club members Jonathan Burrows, Matt Brady, Tom Smith, Ed Rigby, and John Paul Tolson in addition to himself and Trumbull MetroParks’ staffer Zack Svette, who came out one or both days to help clear obstructions. Mike also noted that the Ohio Turnpike Commission donated land to Trumbull County approximately midway along the water trail that the county plans to develop as a park for camping along the river. Club trustee, Preston Foster, noted that he kept much of the upper Mahoning clear of obstructions for 25 years. He gave a brief tutorial on the art of cutting out deadfalls, such as removing small sections of trees two feet at a time rather than large sections all at once. Tom Smith, before becoming aware of the club, had been trying to figure out what could be done to keep the river free of obstructions. He was interested in bringing in winches, ropes, and cabling to remove trees from the river, but others noted that this can’t be done without permission of private property owners. Harvey Feenstra inquired whether a water trail designation might be considered for Mosquito Creek, a tributary of the Mahoning. Mike indicated that work associated with the Mahoning’s recent water trail designation in Trumbull County and exploring what might be possible to improve the river through Youngstown and Mahoning County were higher priorities at this time. Mike raised the issue of replacing the bow saw that JP Tolson lost to the river gods on the June 23 work trip. JP appreciated the gesture, but declined the offer. Mike mentioned that Canoe and Kayak Magazine may come to paddle with the club and do a story on the Mahoning River if it is selected from among other places under consideration by the magazine. 3. Tax-exempt Status Preston Foster addressed the meeting on the advantages and importance of re-instating the club’s tax-exempt status. The tax-exempt status isolates the club’s volunteers and officers from lawsuits and civil actions according to Preston. Allowing it to lapse opens the door opens the door to those actions. Club treasurer Patty Allen indicated that she is working on completing the forms necessary to apply for re-instatement and expects to have them completed and filed by the end of August. 4. Shenango River Watchers Ed Rigby inquired about the status of the organizational membership in the Shenango River Watchers, approved at the last club meeting in February. Dues for that membership have not yet been paid according to treasurer Patty Allen. 5. Youngstown State Club president, Mike Danko, indicated that he was finally able to contact Mike Bowman at Youngstown State. According to Mike Danko, the university got what it wanted in joining the club for one year. New Business 1. Trip Rescheduling Mike Danko proposed moving the club trip to Deer Creek Reservoir, originally scheduled for July 21, to July 15 to accommodate the trip leader. Ed Rigby noted that this could be done without formal approval of the membership and the trip was so moved. JP will change the date on the club website. 2. Paddle Strokes Ron Eels, club member and former whitewater instructor on the Youghiogheny River, will present a short training session on paddling strokes for both canoe and kayak immediately following the meeting. 3. Throw Bag Contest Club member Jim Bozdog has organized throw bag contest, hereafter to be known as paddlers’ cornhole, immediately following the strokes training session. The contestant who can score the most points by underhand tossing a throw bag through a tire from 30 feet will win a $15 gas card. Ed Rigby won the competition. 4. New Mahoning River Group Ed Rigby reported that on April 25th he attended a meeting of a new group that wants to improve recreational activities and address remediation on the Mahoning River from Youngstown to Struthers. The group appears to include influential people in the community and would like the club’s involvement. It is planning a river festival for October. For now, the club is simply observing. The group’s next meeting is July 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the B&O Station. 5. Club Member Wins Hero Award Chuck Miller was recognized with a local hero award at the American Red Cross Acts of Courage Event on June 14. Chuck pulled to safety a paddler who was caught in the hydraulic of a low head dam on the Mahoning River last summer. Congratulations and way to go, Chuck! Adjournment At approximately 1:45, Tim Parkin moved that the meeting be adjourned. Preston Foster seconded the motion and members present approved the motion. Minutes prepared by club secretary John Paul Tolson First draft 07/13/12; approved by voice vote of members present at meeting on 12/02/12. Minutes (online version only) amended on February 18, 2013, to remove dollar amounts for income, expenses, and account balances. Last edited by JPTolson; 02-18-2013 at 11:01 AM.