Keep Rt. 161 Beautiful

Minutes - June 28th Meeting

Meeting Minutes

KEEP ROUTE 161 BEAUTIFUL
June 28, 2000 – 7:30 a.m. – Outback Steakhouse


Attendees: Dave Cooper, Joe McCullough, Chuck Wolfe, Steve Thompson, George Schmidt & Brian Kirk.

I. Discussion on Fundraisers

Chuck Wolfe reported that Big Bear is going to donate $1,000.00 and that they offered to host a community festival in their new parking lot. They offered to help out with trucks or catering if needed. They are open to do whatever they can for the neighborhood.

Steve reported that he had a verbal commitment from Kroger for $1,000.00. The packet of information is in the right person’s hands.

So far we have raised and have in-hand $3,000.00. Outback has paid for two mowings for a total of $2,030.00. That gives us a total of $5,030.00. Brian said he would cut the grass once for free. We will count that as a $1,015.00 donation for a total of $6,045.00.

George reported the banks are saying no. He will put out a letter trying to get something for 2001. Dave said he is in contact with First Star. Joe has contacted the VP for National City. Somebody is contacting Key Bank.

Joe McCullough offered to put together a fundraiser. He would provide a dinner for 200 at a location we would pick. Steve is going to run this through NCC. We could charge $15.00 per meal and all the money would go to the Rt. 161 landscaping.

II. Landscaping Boxes

Brian Kirk from Kirk’s Lawn and Landscaping is going to oversee the project to fix the timbers, edge around the boxes, take out all the dead vegetation, and mulch. In addition during this phase of the project we will remove all dead and damaged trees and plant NCC furnished trees. We agreed to pay $4,000.00 to Kirk’s to coordinate the volunteer effort and provide the heavy equipment for this huge undertaking. We have volunteers from the community that will take care of planting and caring for 15 boxes. We are in the process of advertising for 7 more volunteers. We estimate that between the volunteer efforts of the residents and businesses there will be over 1,000 hours worth of work. If we figure $10.00 per hour that will total $10,000.00 in volunteer time.

We will offer to each caretaker up to $100.00 for the purchase of flowers for the box.

Steve will go to NCC with a proposal to give beautification awards to the three best looking boxes. The winners would conceivably receive $200.00 for first prize, $100.00 for second prize and $50.00 for third prize. These could be Oakland Nursery gift certificates.

Brian Kirk’s – Kirk’s Lawn and Landscaping – Shop Telephone Number - 755-9859.

George suggested that a name plate be placed on the timber with the name of the family/business that is caring for that box. George will get to Steve a map showing which boxes are being taken care of by whom.

Some suggestions for groups: Forest Park Veterinary, Boy Scouts, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Kiwanis, Rotary, Sertoma.

III. Roadside Rainbows

Chuck Wolfe suggested that we set this up. Businesses, organizations and NCC could sign up to police a one-mile area. George gave Steve the information and he will copy it to Chuck. Chuck will get it started. Each rainbow group must do their area a minimum of four times a year. We would need six groups minimum. We would encourage groups to do it more often. The State will post signs along the road giving credit.

IV. Publicity

Steve will bring up at July 6th NCC meeting the possibility of all the associations putting into their newsletters an article written by George about landscaping on Rt. 161 on a regular basis.

Chuck is writing a letter to the businesses that Steve will mail.

V. Next Meeting

The next meeting will be on Wednesday, July 26th - 7:30 a.m. - Outback Steakhouse.


George Schmidt