Hcda Monthly Meeting

HCDA MONTHLY MEETING March 19, 2015

ATTENDEES at Sunnyside: John Ritenaur, Dan Warther, Tod Carper, Russ Volkert, Kathy Thomas, Jim Gill, John Little, Sarah Little, Bill Fritz, Sandy Zorzi, Brian Ice, Jason Ricker, Diane Lautenschleger, Rachel Woods, Howard Dugger, Kyle Valentini & Chet Miller-Eshleman.

Sandy opened the meeting with prayer. Howard advised the group that the treasurer report & February newsletter are available online (www.canaldover.org).

Howard welcomed everyone to the annual meeting and gave an overview of the two items that would be up for consideration later in the meeting. He also gave an opportunity to those that had not already renewed their membership to do so which will allow them to vote on the items that will be considered.

Russ gave an update on the new bike & hike route. The signs are in and Russ is working with the city services office to find a suitable time to get the signs installed.

Howard gave an update on the ongoing grant efforts. The CVB received over $30,000 in requests for their Grant Assistance Program of which they had $15,000 available. Howard was happy to report that the CVB awarded both HCDA applications in their entire amounts. $750 was awarded for historic signs that will be placed along the bike & hike route. Mary Jo received $1,750 for promotional efforts with the canoe & kayak race.

Howard also updated the group on a new opportunity that the HCDA is pursuing. Frontier Communication has a “Americas Best Communities” contest that will award money to finalists to help their communities create a long-term revitalization and development plan. The online application is due March 25. The contest is expected to be highly competitive and the first cut will be announced at the end of April. The first 50 quarter-finalists will receive $35,000 with a $15,000 matching fund obligation, to define and develop their visions. From there, 15 semi-finalists will receive all-expense paid trip to attend a summit where finalists will be announced. Up to 8 finalists will receive; $100,000 to bring their plans to life and share their stories along the way. Three grand prize winners will be named America’s Best Communities. First place will receive $3 million, second place $2 million and third will receive $1 million.

Rachel Woods gave an update on the upcoming riverfront cleanup. She also distributed flyers to the group so that we can put them up around town. Huff Run Watershed and Rural Action are sending out press releases to the papers and radio stations to promote the event as well. The cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, April 4 from 10 am to noon. We will meet in the parking lot on E. Broadway across from Dover’s electric plan. We’re targeting a one-mile section of the river (both sides). Rachel asked for volunteers to bring gloves, walking sicks and rubber boots. Russ volunteered to provide a box of nitro gloves.

Russ updated the group on our new Safety Whistle initiative. This is a new program that will donate whistles to kids in Dover to help bring an additional level of safety and security to our community. The HCDA is going to team up with the Dover Exchange Club and the goal is for this to become a an ongoing project for our organizations. Russ sourced a vendor that can provide a whistle (with logo) and lanyard for under $3.50 per unit.

Next the group moved to other ongoing and upcoming activities. Russ updated the group on The Spirit of Dover statue effort. Mr. Bolick donated several beautifully metal etched plates of locomotives that he created. Russ is working with Dan to get them framed with the goal of trying to sell them or auction them off as a fundraiser for the redesign of the statue. Next up was the annual meeting part of the program. Howard reminded the group that prior to the meeting the information that we were about to discuss was made available via emails and on the HCDA website. There were two items up for discussion and consideration. Roy Crawford identified several areas in the Code of Regulations that were outdated and inconsistent with the direction and focus of the HCDA. The spent a lot of time (with input from Diane, Howard and the Trustees) updating the document. The changes were submitted for vote. Sandy made a motion to hold a vote and Dan seconded. The motion carried and the next step will be to submit the revised Code of Regulations with the Secretary of State. The next item up for discussion was the election of the Trustees. Members were asked to consider the following names: Howard Dugger, Roy Crawford, Mary Joe Monte-Kaser, Russ Volkert, Kathy Thomas, Dan Warther, John Ritenaur, Brian Ice and Sandy Zorzi. Howard asked for a motion, Dan Warther made a motion and Kathy Thomas seconded it. The motion carried and the new Trustees were elected. Howard took a moment to acknowledge and thank Tod Carper for his commitment to the HCDA (over a decade of service). The group applauded and thanked Tod for his service, dedication to HCDA and Dover. Howard called for a motion to end the meeting. Sandy gave a motion and Kathy seconded and the motion carried. Upcoming Calendar: -River Cleanup – April 4th 10 – 12 PM. -Monthly Meeting – April 16, 2015. Speaker Fred Miller, Tuscarawas County Historical Society. -Monthly Meeting – May 21, 2015. Speaker TBD. -Canal Dover Festival – May 22 through 24, 2015. -Monthly Meeting – June 18, 2015. Speaker TBD. -5th Annual Tuscarawas River Canoe & Kayak Race – July 11th.