Clear Lake Area Community Center Board Meeting Minutes
February 27, 2025
Present: Board Members - Tim Wyss, Lori DeBoer, Virginia Cahow, Doug Cahow, Wendy Schoggins, Sue Anderson, Bet Petersen, Muriel Nelson; Advisory Board Member – Ray Cress; Tenant – Jacob Blair
Call to Order: President Tim Wyss called the meeting to order at 9:30 am in the CLACC Office.
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Tim.
Secretary’s Reports: The minutes of the January 23 Annual Meeting were accepted.
Treasurer’s Report – Virginia Cahow
January Income exceeds the anticipated monthly budget:
The increased contract rental income is because many renters pay quarterly rather than monthly.
Thrift Shop receipts are above expected budget.
A memorial donation was received from the Mark Tellijohn family ($2,000) and CLACC received a $1,000 grant from the Polk-Burnett Operation Round Up.
January Expenses
Gas expenses have increased because of the winter weather.
The water/sewer (utility) bill is greater because of the boiler and also a rate increase from the village.
Electrical work was performed in the riser room and the old boiler room ($1,200).
Reserves – The available reserves were reviewed.
The Treasurer’s Report was approved as presented, subject to audit.
A motion was made by Ray to give Neil Lillie $500 for his snow removal and lawn mowing work at CLACC. Doug seconded the motion; motion carried.
Ray reminded the board that he will no longer clean the facility after April 1, 2025.
Office Management – Wendy Schoggins
All tenants are up to date on their rent.
The Quick Books contract was renewed ($80).
The 1099 for 2024 has been submitted.
Old School Thrift Shop – Sue Anderson
Thrift Shop staff continue to be curious on how Eric’s move to the old boiler room will affect their activities.
Sue suggested consideration be given for the Thrift Shop to reclaim use of the room now rented by Willows Closet should that tenant be relocated.
Tenant Talks – Jacob Blair of Mystic Shapes
Jacob and his wife Faith own Mystic Shapes, located in 309. They manufacture a wide assortment of colorful animals and other items that especially appeal to kids with their 3-D printers. They also manufacture utilitarian items from plastic. While they sell their creations at many festivals and fairs, they also maintain a storefront from their suite. Their 3rd floor location is especially suitable for attracting the young dance and ballet students who frequent the store before and after lessons. As Jacob says, it’s a terrific hangout for kids.
They have definite plans to grow their business.
Jacob and Faith want to acquire a second room at CLACC so that they can provide a ‘healthy place for people to go’. It would provide something similar to a game night.
The Blairs have teamed up with other tenants to share talents in support of each other’s business and to think about how to get more people into CLACC to shop and appreciate what’s available to the public.
Jacob participated in the Cupid Carnival by providing a game he made in his shop and manning that booth plus donating a raffle prize.
Jacob’s background is in construction, remodeling and moving. He offered his support toward several CLACC projects needing his talent.
Standing Committee Reports:
Building and Maintenance:
Asbestos Abatement – The final phase of asbestos removal is scheduled for March 22-30 when work will be done in the gym (pipe insulation removal) and floors in the hallway to the gym plus a 3rd floor room. Premier Gymnastics will be closed while this work occurs.
Ice build-up at Doug’s suite outside door- Water is coming down by the outside door to Doug’s suite and forms into thick ice; this prevents suite access via the door. Tim will work with Doug to divert the water flow to another spot.
Sunshine Fitness Walls: There are some reservations about using paneling instead of regular dry wall. Jacob has experience in drywall work and offered to evaluate the project with Wendy to determine if he could do it using sheetrock.
Electrical Upgrades – The electrical work in the old boiler room and Room 140 is underway.
Program Development –
Senior Meals: - Muriel
A Senior Luncheon is occurring today at noon in the Dining Room along with some additional activities.
Kim Borton from the Fred & Katherine Andersen Foundation will be visiting.
After lunch, a dementia specialist from ADRC will hold a class on dementia plus Bingo will be held in the CLACC Office.
Sue Ruble will provide information about the upcoming 150th Clear Lake Celebration in June.
The 2025 luncheon schedule has been set: April 24, June 12, August 28, October 23 and December 4.
Bingo - Muriel
Games will continue the 2nd Tuesday of the month and after Senior Luncheons.
There is a group of about 12 people interested in attending the activity.
Indoor Makers’ Market -Wendy
The indoor market event concluded with only one canceled this season (inclement weather).
Jess Fredericks (Room 140) coordinated the markets once again this year.
It would be helpful if vendors also made efforts to increase crowd size and encouraged other vendors to participate.
Income from table rental was equal to the costs that CLACC accrued by the markets.
Plans are to have an Indoor Winter Market again late this year.
Cupid’s Carnival (Feb.22) – Wendy
Candace Kuhl, (CanDance, Room 310) was the coordinator again this year; the event was held noon to 4 pm in the Event Center.
The carnival was well attended, although the crowd was smaller than last year.
Some receipts are outstanding. Even so, the revenue received to date is about $2,000.
Sponsors will be acknowledged in Facebook.
Auction – Wendy
At the last minute, CLACC hosted a public auction on February 2 in the Event Center that’s usually held at Raising the Bar; Raising the Bar was unable to accommodate the auction on that day.
Wendy and Ray set up several tables from thrift store inventory and made $455.85 for CLACC.
Wendy asked if CLACC would be willing to continue hosting the auctions.
The issue was tabled to next month during which time Raising the Bar’s continued interest can be assessed.
Executive/Finance
Status – 2025 Tenant Contracts
Thirteen of the 33 contracts have been returned. Seven of the 13 included documentation for their liability insurance.
Grants – Muriel
CLACC will receive a grant of $105,000 from the Hugh Andersen Foundation for HVAC upgrades.
Grant money and specified donations received in the past year totals $292,000.
Another application will be submitted to the Fred B. and Katherine C. Andersen Foundation in March. Also, the foundation chairperson is making a site visit to CLACC today.
Unfinished Business
Facility Rental for Hardship Situations -Tim
CLACC currently has no policy for the occasional request for free or discounted space to individuals undergoing hardships.
The concept of a scholarship-like process was discussed.
Wendy will develop the concept further and draft something for Tim’s review. Tim will either email it to the Board for approval or present it at the next meeting.
Moving the Old Printer Press- Tim
Jacob Blair may have a contact that can provide a creeper needed to move the press to the second floor. He will investigate and work with Tim on the project.
New Business
Earth Day Posters - Wendy
Wendy is meeting with the school on March 11 to plan this year’s Earth Day Poster activity.
As in past years, this year’s contest will have 6 winning students and their teachers. Students each receive $30 and the teachers each receive $20. Last year, the Lions and CLACC each donated $150 for the contest prize money.
Doug made a motion that CLACC donate $150 toward the contest each year (on a continuing basis). Muriel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Village Clean-Up – Tim
Tim announced that village clean-up is scheduled for April 26.
Adjournment
Muriel moved to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 am; Lori seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Next CLACC Board Meeting – March 27, 2025, 9:30 am
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