Brule Valley Ski Club

November 2, 2003 Brule Valley Ski Club Meeting
A second fall meeting of the Brule Valley Ski Club was held at 4:30pm on November 2, 2003, at the DNR Ranger Station in Brule. Members were notified of the meeting by postcard notice.

PRESENT: Cordell and Kyla Manz, Borg Isaksen, Susie Isaksen, Dave Schulz, Dewey Fjelstad, Dorothy Hilaker, Bob Cragin, Darrell Thompson, Jim Rau, Paul Haltvick, and Bea Laakkonen.

MINUTES APPROVED: The minutes from the September 28, 2003, were reviewed and approved.

OLD BUSINESS DISCUSSED:

Headlamps --The topic of purchasing headlamps for checkout during Headlamp Ski Nights was revisited. Cordell Manz demonstrated two different LED headlamps for the group. After the presentation, it was agreed that Cord should purchase 10 Petzl Tikka headlamps.

The committee created to study the possibility of BVSC becoming a DNR Friends Group reported their findings. The committee decided that the BVSC not become a Friends group for several different reasons, but recommended that the issue could be potentially be revisited again in the future.

Construct new pole barn – Attendees discussed and officers voted on building a new pole barn for storing ski-trail grooming equipment. The committee formed on 9/28/03 will be applying for a matching grant from the DNR for a building project to construct a pull-through pole barn. Total funds for the BVSC portion shall not exceed $7000 cash or $10000 including work-in-kind.

Electric Pole and Light – A new 200A electric service with a yard light will be installed at the warming hut. The existing service was compromised when some construction activities happening nearby damaged the conductors feeding power to the warming hut. There have been sporadic problems, so this new service should alleviate these issues. The larger service panel will have enough capacity for any future warming hut improvements and for power needs at the pole barn.

NEW BUSINESS:

Club Bylaws -- Susie Isaksen raised the issue that it may be time to update, and possibly revise, the BVSC Bylaws. It is necessary to expand the club’s focus to cover the potential for the new trail system included in the Brule River State Forest Master Plan. How the club adheres to our bylaws can also potentially affect our eligibility for grants. The task of updating the bylaws will take some time, so Cordell Manz appointed a committee made up of Dewey Fjelstad and Susie Isaksen to update and revise the club bylaws. If anyone else is interested in helping, please contact Susie Isaksen at 715-372-4939. Susie and Dewey would sure appreciate your assistance.

Review of Winter Events

Headlamp Ski Nights – Every 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday at ~5:30pm, January to March

Learn to Ski Day – Sunday, January 6^th at 12:30pm

Learn to Ski Day – Sunday, February 3^rd at 12:30pm

Candlelight Ski – Saturday, February 7^th

Brule River Timber Cruise – Saturday, February 14^th

Riverview Loppet – Saturday, February 28^th

Grooming Equipment Update

Dave Schulz came to represent the Brule River State Forest at the meeting. Dave gave an update on some new grooming equipment that has been purchased by the DNR including two new Ginzu groomers and two new rollers. The DNR has taken over all of the grooming needs of the Afterhours trails, so that the club’s Tidtek groomer is no longer being fully utilized. A motion was made to sell the Tidtek to another club in need of a groomer or other interested party so that the groomer can be put to better use than sitting idle. It was left to Jim Rau to set the sale price.

Funding to originally purchase the Tidtek groomer were graciously donated by Sally Whiff, and the club wishes to extend our sincere thanks for Sally’s support of the BVSC.