OSCEOLA VALLEY SNO-GOERS
Board of Directors: Scott Ringlien (2015), Frank Sommerfeldt (2015),
Dick Couch (2014) Bruce Johnson (2014)
President: Eric Hallen (2015)
Vice President: Al Schoenborn(2014)
Secretaries Suzanne Wente (2015)
Treasurer: Sheri Hoiby (2014)
Trail Boss West Gordy Jones (2013), Kirk Larson (2013),
Dresser trail: Roger Peterson, Bruce Johnson, Rick Leroux (2012)
Council Reps: Doug Kromrey, Greg Swanson
(Alternates: Dave Peterson, Arnold Wente, Roger Peterson)
The April 1st, 2014 meeting was brought to order by President Eric Hallen
The secretary’s report was read and approved. Treasurer’s report was read and approved.
Council Report:
Greg reported from the 3/13/14 Council meeting. The CAP Step Program passed (see handouts)
We are getting new tractors and equipment next year. The trail maintenance committee met and voted to update 6 new tractors. AWSC and Craig’s List has two tractors for sale. If they don’t sell by June, then they will be traded at Tri County Implement.
April 24th is the Groomers Banquet and will be held again at Crickets in Amery. 6:00 social hour and 7:00 Dinner.
Doug went to the AWSC meeting in Green Bay, and said that it was very successful. Talked about the CAP Step program. It was 10 years in the making and will become effective on July 1st, 2015. Everyone needs to become educated on this. It is set up to give you an opportunity to join a snowmobile club when you register your snowmobile at a reduced rate. If you join a club the cost will be $30 for a 3 year registration fee, otherwise you will pay more. You will also need to purchase a trail pass which if you are part of the AWSC it will be $10.00 per snowmobile. Non AWSC members it will cost $30 per snowmobile. You will not be able to purchase just a trail pass.
As a club, we have to make sure that our website is easily accessible, and will need to set up a PayPal account attached to it, so that they can easily register to be a club member. The clubs that have this in place will be more successful in obtaining members.
Fat tired bikes are allowed on the “State Multi- Purpose Trails” such as the Railroad beds.
The council may go after more funding for the Cedar Lake Trail.
The Trail maintenance records are due; please send them in as soon as possible.
New maps will be available this fall, and will have more links and information on them. The DNR website has a video of the basic signing trails. There were 23 deaths statewide in 2014 season. The DNR is working with the counties on Patrols for the trails and the use of throttle blocks.
The Youth Club – Andrew was not present but Doug reported that the county gave them gifts, and with the RiverBucks, they were able to raise $5,000 to bring to Green Bay AWSC meeting. There are a few of the youth that are going to Colorado to promote Youth Snowmobile Clubs there.
Trail Boss – Gordy – trail closing date is set for April 19th, providing that it is dry by then. We don’t want to make ruts, but if you are able to get out and take the signs off before then go for it. The shelter burned about 2/3 of the wood that we had out there. Do we want to cut wood now so that it can dry good, or wait until next fall again? We will table this until the May meeting and decide then. Don’t forget to record your hours and get them turned in, if you go out and do trail work.
Working on re-routing Trail 12, but found some bumps in the road. Need to talk to one more landowner to see if it will work.
Old Business:
The Tent Issue – Jason was not at the meeting to discuss this. We still need to purchase this.
We have (2) pole saws for brushing, Gordy and Doug have them, and you need to check them in and out if you use them. Try to brush as you are taking down signs.
The scholarship will be given out in May at the awards night. We should be hearing on that soon. Club members please be sure you pass the word to any graduating seniors to apply for our scholarship.
The Landowners Dinner will be held on Saturday April 12th at Pottings Bar. 6:00 Social Hour, and 7:00 Dinner will be served. Invitations to the landowners have been sent. We will be having Kentucky Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and are asking all snowmobile club members to please bring, Salads, Hotdishes, and desserts. Instead of bringing chips, could you substitute them with store bought bakery item such as cookies. We ran out of food last year, so we really count on the club members to come through for the dinner. We will see how it goes this year, but we may have to look for a bigger place to have it next year.
NEW BUSINESS:
The Thorsland’s were at the AWSC convention
Andrew gave a nice speech for the youth club at the convention
We are going to continue with the scholarship
The scholarship for the Polk County Snowmobile Council next year will be in memory of Sarah Thorsland.
Any new members, who have not gotten their club stickers and want one, should see Eric.
We have several committees that are in need of volunteers. Please sign up for a committee, by letting Suzy Wente know.
Fair Committee:
Nate brought up the Gyros again. Do we want to do them? We are always short of volunteers and need people to put in their time. This is our only fundraiser for the club each year.
Meeting was adjourned.
Our Next Meeting will be on Tues. May 6th at the Osceola Lanes
Notes taken by proxy: Julie McGuiggan for Suzy Wente
Osceola Valley Sno-Goers 