Minutes – January 2025

Posted byOsceola Valley SnogoersPosted inMeeting Minutes

*Meeting called to order on 1/7/25, 7:01pm at UW Wanderoos by Jim.

Secretary’s report: 

Treasurer’s report:

  • UW Wanderoos’ Hunter Party proceeds deposited into our account.
  • Moved the agreed upon funds to our Vanguard savings investment account.
  • We have 5 new Corporate Memberships.  The club is paying for UW Wanderoos’ membership due to all they do for our club.
  • Last memberships to be submitted tomorrow (1/8).  Get yours submitted if you haven’t already.  Reminder that annual memberships are good until June 30.
  • Map Boxes.  Frank constructed 10 map boxes that can be placed at local establishments to make maps available to people.  We will also put our club post cards in the boxes.  $1 donation requested for a trail map.  Discussion on whether the establishments should keep any money collected or go back to the club.  Motion made by Kirk that the club should collect the proceeds so that we know how much is coming in, then the club can decide how to use that money.  Seconded by Rhett.  Unanimous approval.  Motion passed.

Old Business:

  • Award plaque for Duane Wolter still needs to be given to him.  Kevin has it.
  • Speaker/mic.  Chris Shermach provided their speaker for use & consideration.  It is too big for what the club wants.  Kevin to order a speaker/mic from Amazon.

New Business:

  • Safari trip to Hayward was cancelled due to lack of snow.

Council Report:

  • Bridge by Luck got fixed again.
  • Stower Trail.  Court litigations still in appeals.  Polk County filed a stay to allow snowmobiles during the appeal.  No update on decision on stay.  Newspaper articles about how much has been spent on the legal process so far.  Continued appeals by opposition groups has driven the county board to keep battling to implement their previous decision.  At least one local business noted they have been asked by the county to quantify how much their business benefits from snowmobile use on the Stower Trail.
  • Gandy Dancer Trail is open to ATV use on frozen ground.
  • Signs on Sterling Trail getting some attention to prevent road vehicles on those trails.
  • AWSC meeting was held January 3-5 in Siren.
  • Push to increase AWSC business sponsorships in Polk County.
  • Current building lease agreement being negotiated & renewed.  Likely 20 year lease with 1-year notification from either party to vacate.  Council is reviewing a plan/proposal to purchase a plot in Centuria on the Gandy trail to construct a new building for long term use.
  • Surrounding Club Activities:
    • January 8, 5:00pm – Balsam Lake – Gun Bingo at Wilkins Bar & Resort, Luck.
    • February 1 – EIO – Bar Stool Races.  Barrel House, Frederic.
    • February 7, 6:00pm – Osceola – Meat Raffle at Pottsie’s, East Farmington.
    • February 22, all day – Osceola – Fun Run.  Final stop at Ken’s Keyboard at 6:00pm.  Prizes and 50/50 raffle to start at 7:00pm.
    • February 22, 9:30-11:30am – Amery – Vintage Snowmobile Show at Amery Snowmobile Club Shelter.
    • April 6 – Joelmobilers – Raffle drawing.

KAOS Youth Club:

  • Meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm at McKenzie Lanes in Centuria.
  • Served food at the Groomer Rodeo in December.
  • Still working on Medic Sled that is being donated.  Trying to coordinate with Miss Snowflake.

Committee Reports:  Reminder to all club members that committees were formed at the December 2023 club meeting to establish designated missions, leaders, contributors, and budgets for each.  This is intended to allow progress to be made within each committee without requiring votes for actions so long as the committees operate within their allotted budget and mission.  Anyone is welcome to join a committee(s) to get involved.  More help is always appreciated!  Questions can be directed to committee chairpersons.

  • Fair Revenue Committee:
    • Chair:  Cyndi Sommerfeldt
    • Mission:  Maximize fair revenue by providing food and drink to the participants of the Osceola Fair at a reasonable value.
    • Budget:  $500
    • Updates:
      • No updates.
  • Other Revenue Committee:
    • Chair:  Kate & Chris Shermach
    • Mission:  Generate additional revenue to the club to close any budget gaps that may happen.  Possible streams could include donations, raffles, poker run, clothing store, etc.
    • Budget:  $300
    • Updates:
      • Fun Run.  February 22.  All Gold & Silver sponsors confirmed.  Added Doboy’s this year in place of the Amery Vintage show. 
      • Shirts will be hi-vis yellow this year.  Frank working with New Richmond business on details.  Iron on logo on the front and single color screen print on the back listing all sponsors.
      • Get poster fliers put up at places to advertise.
      • Email sent to AWSC magazine for events listing.
  • Landowner Appreciation Committee:
    • Chair:  Donna Berg
    • Mission:  Show appreciation to our 110+ landowners for allowing our trails to cross their property.
    • Budget:  $5,000
    • Updates:
      • Date confirmed for May 4 at UW Wanderoos.
  • Scholarship / Donation Committee:
    • Chair:  Angel Olson
    • Mission:  Give back to the community by donating to worthy causes like college scholarships to our local graduating high school seniors and donating to the local food shelves, fire departments, rescue squads, etc.
    • Budget:  $1,500  (plan 2x $500 scholarships and $500 donation to food shelf)
    • Updates:
      • Meat raffle will be February 7 (Friday) at 6:30pm at Pottsie’s.
      • Scholarship committee will review applications in April.
  • Social Committee:
    • Chair:  Spencer Feldt
    • Mission:  Show appreciation to our members for all the work they do to ensure we meet the needs of our landowners, trails, and community.
    • Budget:  $750
    • Updates:
      • Club Safari trip is being canceled for Grand Pines near Haward.  Call Mandy (715-462-4006) to cancel your reservations.
      • Tentative grill out planned at our Osceola shelter for January 18.
  • Social Media Committee:
    • Chair:  Jacque Bonneprise
    • Mission:  Maintain our website, Facebook, and other platforms to ensure our by-laws, meeting minutes, activities, trail information, etc are readily available to our members and community.
    • Budget:  $25
    • Updates:
      • Club website was updated to remove old content, add some new, and posted the Fun Run information.  Check it out!
  • Trail Committee:
    • Chair:  Kevin McNutt
    • Mission:  Work closely with our landowners to ensure our trails are safe and fun for all our members and visitors.  Document all trail work in SNARS.  Collect and save land use agreements and send to the county rep.
    • Budget:  $800
    • Updates:
      • Scott:  Need someone to manage trail from Cedar Lake to Horse Creek Store.  Talk to Scott if you’re interested.
  • Finance Committee:
    • Chair:  Frank Sommerfeldt
    • Mission:  Create and oversee a budget that will be sufficient to appreciate our landowners, maintain our trails, recognize our members, and contribute to our community.
    • Budget:  $300
    • Updates:
      • In good shape.

Next Meeting: February 4, 2025 at Doboy’s at 7:00pm.

*Motion to adjourn approved at 7:51pm

Officers: President: Spencer Feldt (2025),Vice President:  Jim Berg (2026), Secretary: Kevin McNutt (2025), Treasurer: Frank Sommerfeldt (2026)

Board of Directors: Rhett Larson (2025), Cyndi Sommerfeldt (2025), Kirk Johnson (2026), Chris Shermach (2026)

Trail Bosses: West: Brad McGuiggan & Jason Raska, East: Scott Carlson, Dresser West: Arik Mahler, Dresser East: Kevin McNutt, Stower Trail: Jeff Jonas & Chris Shermach, Trail 30: Frank Sommerfeldt & Trever Everson

Council Reps: Eric Hallen, Jim Berg

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