April 5th –@ the Museum

Call to Order 6:35pm

In attendance: Jeff Hulsmann, Nicole Currier, Laurie Caves, Stan Benton, Tim Caves, Jeanine Engle, Chris Cummins, Linda Vier, Cindy Graff, Jason Phillips, Nikki McDonald,

Laurie welcomed and introduced Aquarious Workman, to the team.  He will be helping Jason with all things Website and design.

Treasurers Report –Nicole handed out a hard copy of the current account balances.  She is using a new software and the layout has changed slightly.

Business: 

• Legal: Although there are no current legal problems, it’s impossible not to notice the depleting water level of the lake. Chris would like to develop a plan to work with the Railroad to open the waterway.  If we could negotiate a culvert under the tracks, we could retain a holding area to offset evaporation percentages. He would like to make a connection with the State to join in this plan
• Insurance (due 7/1) Jeff presented we will be receiving a bill for our Limited Liab insurance July 1.  It covers all our events, largest one being the Festival on the Fourth. Policy usually renews at a cost of $1500- $2000 a year. Jeff will work out any other details and all agreed to pay for this renewal.
• Power: Tim has been talking with Dawn at the Town office and with Core.  The Town is aware the bid was incomplete, and they are prepared to take care of what ever it takes to bring the power down the pole.  The work is expected to begin in the next couple of weeks.
• Lights on the bridge: Tim reported we need the power in before we can discuss a lighting plan, and determine what the cost will be for lights to the bridge and on the bridge. He is taking a wait and see before determining a plan. He proposed we should consider temporary solar lights across the top of the bridge to low light a path until an official electrical lighting plan is priced out and is presented to ATL.
• Landscaping update: To respect the time of all ATL members, we have notified Parks that any request for funding be provided in writing to the group and will be discussed at the meeting.  Reid Wieck’s turned in 3 pricing bids for landscape on the East side of the bridge.  His notes said all 3 were for the same scope of work and each had a start date from early summer to late summer. His paperwork presented 3 “blind” bids.   Bid #1 was $ 31,251   Bid #2 was $49,731, and Bid #3 was $66,103.  After a lengthy discussion we agreed to Bid #1 for $31,251. Contingent on seeing the “actual bid” with the full scope of work before we would agree to pay for the landscape project.
• MOU: Chris revised the outstanding MOU that had not been signed by the ToPL and sent it to our group for approval. Nicole had a minor concern with some of the financial wording and she agreed to get her thoughts back to Chris and he will send in the MOU to the ToPL immediately afterward.
• BOT Lake Presentation (May 11^th) ATL Board: Linda, Janine, Jason and Jeff had a wonderful presentation at the Historical society event in late February.  Unfortunately, they were not able to have it recorded live. Due to the positive feed back from the presentation from all who attended, the BOT has asked ATL for a repeat performance at the May 11 BOT. We will push out more info and invites to attend on our web site and Next Door, as we get closer to the date.
• Banner: Jeff is working with someone from the area on getting the banner in a vector format so we can go to print.  There is a problem with the QR code and Aquarious offered to fix the file and get it in the correct format. We would like to display one of our banners at every event.
• Train art – Moving forward we would like to get this completed.  We have an inquiry for a caboose and need to follow up to get it ordered.  Jason suggested we have more fliers printed, we can add them to the web site and hand out at the BOT presentation as well as at the upcoming dance. Cathy Wilcox was assigned to order the fliers Nicole offered to help as well.
• Website : Jason has recently joined forces with Aquarious to add new features to the ATL website. It will be the host site for the Festival on the Fourth and needs sone upgrades to do it best.  Jason suggested we upgrade to Elementor Pro which runs around $60 a year and will give us some of the features we need, Aquarious suggest a second add on around $40 a year could be a game changer on attaching our updates to push out in social media and emails. Everyone agreed to move forward with the upgrades.  Jason and Aquarious will work on the website.
• Facebook / email: Jason had given access to Laurie and Cathy, but Cathy had agreed to manage the site for the Dance and the Festival when the events were ready for push out.  Aquarious said he can help loop these and the website together. 
• Palmer Lake / Reservoir Water Levels: Linda had walked up to the reservoirs from Nov-Feb the wells were way down. We had received 8.27 of water each month to our lake in Jan, Feb, March, but will not be receiving any in April. It is dismal, We need snow or rain!
• Water Report Linda had emailed the group a copy of the water report with the same findings.
• Staff Gauge: Chris reported he is working with Wayne Russert on a “ghost Rail” one being the staff gauge the other artistically making the project look like a ghost rail.  Wayne has identified the rails and materials in southern Colorado and is working a bid of what it will cost to purchase transport and install.  Chris noted with the water levels down this is a great time to get this project start. We will wait to hear more from Wayne in the coming weeks.
• Fireworks – Festival on the Fourth: Tim (chairman) reported plans are going as expected. We have passed through ToPL and Police and Fire, and will have formal approval at the next BOT.  He is gathering sponsors and close to landing a presenting sponsor for this year’s festival. Should know in the next week. The subcommittees have been formed and everyone is working on their individual responsibilities.
• Red, Wine, and Blue BBQ & Dance: Laurie (FUN Raiser chair) reported plans are going as expected. We have passed through ToPL and Police and Fire, and will have formal approval at the next BOT.  The FUN Raiser team met prior to ATL and details were discussed.  This event will run like the Valentines dance, although we will utilize the Town Hall and the Village green.  Using the new picnic table for outdoor dining at the event.  Tickets will go on sale through Ticket Stripe through the ATL website and all are encouraged to attend.
• Expenses / reimbursements:  Jeff and Nicole suggested it is best for them to hold the check book and debit card and when in need of a reimbursement from ATL that all receipts be “clean” no personal items on the recpt. A purchase limit of $250 was set for purchases without board approval, anything above must have board approval prior to purchasing. Laurie suggested for the 2 upcoming events the Red Wine and Blue BBQ and the Festival on the Fourth, it may be easiest for both events to start with a bank/seed money and reconcile at the end of the event.

Jeff and Nicole agreed , they will look over the budget.

• Dance Lessons: Laurie reported dance lessons were birthed from the valentine’s dance when attendees requested formal lessons.  We have a professional instructor holding lessons under the FUN Raiser/ATL umbrella at town hall every other Monday.  There is roughly a group of 15-20 couples taking lessons and they will likely be ticket purchasers of the next dance. This is a zero-sum gain for ATL but a wonderful community builder and exposure for the FUN Raiser/ATLgroup and future dances. All proceeds from this dance will go to sponsoring the Festival on the Forth event.
• Grants? Pickle ball courts: Jeff presented there is a T-Mobile grant for $50,000 that is available quarterly. Tim and Jeff had spoke about the growing interest in Pickleball and pickleball leagues. Tim thinks there is a perfect spot on the west side of the bridge for 6 courts that could be rented out by the hour. They would be a large draw and would bring people to our town who would likely shop and eat and leave, All were in agreement to pursue a bid on the cost of such courts and regroup when we have some numbers
• TRY – are we doing this:  Jeff would like to do this again this year and will try to put a committee together. Reporting back at the next meeting.
• .5 (yes, point 5) K date / sponsors:  yes, we are doing this, no date yet. We are waiting on the Bronco schedule likely Early Oct. Would like suggestions and help with sponsor and developing a Presenting Sponsorship that is desirable.
• Taste of Palmer Lake August 26^th / Chautauqua: Jeff -proceeds from this event will go toward town Christmas lights, Janine is working with the Historical society to have a Chautauqua reenactment on the same day at the village Green
• Troll:  Jeff- we have a $10,000 budget and need an all call to artists. Nicole will reach out to her Art’s council for possible applicants. May want to add this to the web site.
• Sponsors needed for all events Jeff- looking for sponsor level and presenting sponsor incentives and ideas for all future events.

Non Agenda item: Jeff presented we have held a fairly informal stance on our meeting and our board, but he would like to expand from an executive board of Chris, Jeff , Nicole,  and Laurie  to a board that all other ATL working members would be considered “at large” board members, and have the same voting privileges.   All agreed.

Meeting adjourned 8:30