MABA Sept. 12 Minutes

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Minutes of the Regular
Malvern Area Betterment Association Meeting
September 12, 2010

The September 12, 2010 meeting of MABA was held at the Carnegie
Conference Center. Members present were Stacy Buick, Spencer Terry,
Beverly Dashner, Bonnie Pierce, Gary Jones, Amanda Rowe, Patty Beres,
Gwen & Lynn Burns, Ed & Jacque Mulholland, Greg and Cheryl Jones, Tom
Mulholland, Michelle Pardew, Lori Hunt, Mindee Sommerla, Shelby
Sommerla, and Jay Burdic.
Visitors included Lantz Powles, Shane Sayers, Melanie Wilgenbuscph,
Lisa Powles, Jeff Anderson, and a representative from Southwest Iowa
Planning Council SWIPCO.

President Means called the meeting to order at 5 PM. Minutes of the
last meeting were read and approved after the inclusion of the date of
the Omaha Foundation meeting of July 21, 2010.

Treasurer’s report by Patty Beres gave the following balances:
General fund balance $17,474.16 which still contains the $10,000 grant
funds for the Welcome Center and the money that will be used for the
business bike loop project. The special events fund contains
$1,724.75. The grant funds will be temporarily placed in a 60 day CD
until the project is underway. Bonnie P. motioned to approve the
report, Cheryl Jones seconded, all approved.

Spencer Terry gave a report on the Gateway of Chaos. Materials are
under budget to date; income to date is $1,825.00; Expenses to date
are $4,791.24. Nearly 40 volunteers will work for 1-6 nights during
the Haunt hours. Construction hours alone have accumulated 900
volunteer hours.

City Council member Lantz Powles presented information about
developing a Malvern comprehensive plan. He has met with the high
school principal about getting students involved in community
projects. He advocates doing the simple projects that are needed right
away and business community involvement. City beautification projects
need to be done soon with the possibility of RAGBRAI coming to this
area, the new highway 34 bridge project and many other opportunities
for showcasing the community. Pres. Means asked what MABA’s role in
plans could be. Powles suggested organizing a radio advertising
campaign and conducting a community survey. He discussed several
possible projects that are in consideration by the city.

Cheryl Jones reported on the upcoming En Plein Air Art Festival.
Michelle Pardew gave an update on the pancake breakfast and asked for
a few more volunteers. J.B. Dixon is in charge of the new BBQ contest
this year. Bonnie Pierce reported on the children’s activities
including a bike decorating contest for kids. The committee is
encouraging businesses to decorate the outside of their establishments
and prizes will be given. Judges are needed for this event.

Spencer T. reviewed the work done on MABA’s Strategic Plan (attached).
He asked for questions and feedback from the group after the
presentation. After a discussion of the items in the plan, Patty B.
made a motion to adopt the Plan, Mindee Sommerla seconded the motion.
There was one opposed, the remainder votes were ayes so the plan was
approved as presented.

Spencer T. gave a report on the honorary members who are advertisers
for the Gateway of Chaos: Best Finish Auto, Glenwood Dentistry, Subway
GW/RO, Turfmasters, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. They will
receive a “Welcome to MABA” letter.

Stacy M. discussed the city-wide initiative for 2010. The theme for
this year will be “Let’s Build a Fire”. The event will be held in
November for all organizations, businesses, clubs and individuals in
the Malvern area. The date for the event will be announced later.
Contacts will be made in advance of the meeting so that people are
aware of some of the ideas that will be discussed. Everyone is
encouraged to bring their own ideas to the meeting.

Means mentioned that new resident letters will go in the Welcome bags
handed out by the bank. The Welcome to Malvern brochure and a MABA
membership letter will be included.

Project updates: The bike rack project is complete and the group was
asked to stay after the meeting for a photo on Main Street for the
newspaper. The 2010 All Class Reunion committee will donate the extra
money needed for the additional cost of the project above and beyond
the $2,300 grant amount received.

The business bike loop will now be postponed until next spring due to
shortages of paint for the street.

Means reminded everyone that MABA will assist the Senior Center in
January with their pancake breakfast fundraiser.

Shane Sayers spoke about the tram ownership. Max Cupp had informed
MABA that the Glenwood Resource Center would have to loan the tram to
a city, not a non-profit like MABA. It apparently will always be owned
by GRC, but will be on loan to the City of Malvern. Agriland is
currently housing the tram, but needs to move it. Shane will check
into moving the cars to the city shed for storage.

Tom Mulholland gave an update on the possibility of Kohl’s Pharmacy
coming to Malvern. Certain things will have to be worked out before
that is possible. However, the company is looking into it.

Jeff Anderson from the Park Board spoke about the progress they are
making at Boehner Pond. Other projects are pending finding the funds
to complete such as approximately $25-30,000 for new playground
equipment for the swimming pool area. Anderson expressed appreciation
for MABA’s sending a representative to the meetings to keep
communications open and to share ideas.

With no other business, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 PM.