WV Flatwater Trail Commission May 7, 2024
Summary
TLDRThe Flatwater Trail Commission held a meeting on May 7th, welcoming members and discussing plans for a conference, potential grant applications, and funding challenges. They also touched on the West Virginia REI funds, Recreation Trail grant program, and the need for a strategic fundraising plan. The next meeting is set for July 25th, 2024.
Takeaways
- 📅 The meeting of the Flatwater Trail Commission was called to order on May 7th, 2024, at 6 pm.
- 👋 Introductions were made, including a new member, Corey Lily, who works in outdoor community development.
- 🙋♂️ Board members and attendees were acknowledged, with some apologies for absences due to recent events.
- 🔍 A review of the February 1st, 2024, meeting minutes was conducted, with a motion to approve them made and seconded.
- 🗓️ A discussion about the next Flatwater Trail Commission conference was initiated, with a potential date in July or later in the year suggested.
- 🌟 The importance of securing additional funding for the commission was highlighted, as it currently operates without a budget.
- 💡 Ideas for potential grant applications were discussed, with Corey offering to explore opportunities and facilitate a strategic fundraising plan.
- 🏞️ State parks like Hawks Nest and Chief Logan were considered as possible locations for the next Flatwater Trail Commission conference.
- 💰 The West Virginia REI funds and Recreational Economies Initiative were mentioned as potential sources for grants.
- 🚣♀️ Information about the West Department highways Recreation Trail grant program was shared, encouraging Flatwater Trails to apply before the deadline.
- 📝 An update on the Department of Highways signage efforts for Flatwater Trails was mentioned, with ongoing work to develop a Statewide approved sign program.
Q & A
What is the purpose of the Flatwater Trail Commission meeting?
-The purpose of the meeting is to conduct official business of the Flatwater Trail Commission, including introductions of commission members, discussing ongoing projects, planning future events, and addressing funding and development issues related to the Flatwater Trails.
Who is Corey Lily and what is his role in the commission?
-Corey Lily is a new member of the Flatwater Trail Commission. He works as the manager of outdoor community development for the Brad Smith Outdoor Economic Development Collaborative, helping organizations across the state to leverage outdoor assets for community economic development.
What is the significance of the annual Flatwater Trail Commission conference?
-The annual conference is significant as it provides an opportunity for the commission to meet with regulators, supporters, and influential individuals related to the Flatwater Trail. It is a platform for discussing and strategizing the development and management of the trails.
What is the current status of the Flatwater Trail Commission's funding?
-The Flatwater Trail Commission currently lacks official funding. Despite previous attempts to secure legislative support and budget entries, these efforts have been unsuccessful, leaving the commission without a dedicated financial resource.
What is the role of the West Virginia REI funds in relation to the commission?
-The West Virginia REI funds, specifically the Recreational Economies Initiative, could potentially provide grant funding for the commission. These funds support both private sector and nonprofit organizations looking to leverage the outdoor economy.
What is the significance of the Recreation Trail grant program for the Flatwater Trails?
-The Recreation Trail grant program is significant as it offers financial support for the development and maintenance of the Flatwater Trails. The program requires a 20% match, which is considered liberal in terms of how it can be fulfilled.
What is the next scheduled meeting date for the Flatwater Trail Commission?
-The next scheduled meeting date for the Flatwater Trail Commission is July 25th, 2024.
What is the current challenge regarding the signage for Flatwater Trail boat launches?
-The challenge is to develop a Statewide approved kayak and boat launch sign program for the Flatwater Trails that the Department of Highways can accept. This involves navigating bureaucratic processes to create an acceptable design for the signs.
What is the role of the DNR in relation to the Flatwater Trail Commission?
-The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) acts as the administrative body for the Flatwater Trail Commission. They provide support and are expected to assist with grant management and other administrative tasks, despite the commission lacking its own staff.
What is the importance of the community involvement in maintaining the Flatwater Trails, as exemplified by the Fairmont flotilla?
-Community involvement, such as the cleanup efforts by the Fairmont flotilla, is important for maintaining the quality and accessibility of the Flatwater Trails. It demonstrates local support and helps to keep the trails clean and attractive for visitors.
Outlines
😀 Opening and Introductions
The meeting of the Flatwater Trail Commission is called to order on May 7th at 6 pm. New member Corey Lily introduces himself, mentioning his role in outdoor economic development and his family's history in Raleigh County. Other members and guests are acknowledged, including John Burett and George Liszki. The chairman expresses his appreciation for the attendees and discusses the absence of Amanda due to recent personal events. The meeting's agenda includes reviewing minutes from the February 1st, 2024 meeting and discussing future plans.
📅 Planning for the Annual Conference
The chairman highlights the success of the previous year's Flatwater Trail Commission conference held at Tornado, Virginia, and expresses the desire to organize another one. The importance of location is discussed, with suggestions including state parks like Hawks Nest and Chief Logan. The chairman notes the need for a date that does not conflict with summer schedules and invites open discussion on potential locations. The next meeting is tentatively set for July 25th, but there is consideration for a mid-term date in September or October.
💰 Discussing Funding and Grants
The chairman emphasizes the need for additional funding for the Flatwater Trails Commission, which currently lacks official financial support. He discusses past attempts to secure legislative funding and the failure to do so. Corey Lily suggests developing a strategic fundraising plan and identifies potential grant opportunities such as the West Virginia REI funds. The chairman is interested in exploring these options and possibly engaging the services of an expert from the outdoor Economic Development collaborative.
🚣♂️ Flatwater Trails and Grant Opportunities
The chairman discusses the potential for Flatwater Trails to apply for grants, specifically mentioning the West Department highways Recreation Trail grant program. He notes the short window for applications and the importance of securing a letter of intent by the 22nd. The chairman also mentions the need for the DNR's support in managing grants and the possibility of consulting with them on grant administration. The discussion includes the benefits of securing grants for the various Flatwater Trails and the potential impact on their development.
📍 Department of Highway Signage Efforts
The chairman updates the group on the efforts to develop a Statewide approved signage program for kayak and boat launches, facilitated by the Department of Highways. He mentions a recent meeting with the Senate outdoor recreation committee and the ongoing work by Tim Sadaski. The chairman expects to provide input on the program soon and assures that the process, though bureaucratic, is moving forward. George Liszki shares a local initiative by the Fairmont flotilla to clean up the Opus locks, highlighting the importance of community involvement.
🏁 Adjournment and Next Meeting
The chairman proposes a motion to set the next public meeting of the Flatwater Trail Commission for July 25th, 2024, at 6 pm. The motion is seconded and approved. The chairman then moves to adjourn the May 7th meeting, which is also seconded and approved. The meeting concludes with thanks to all attendees for their contributions and a reminder to follow up on the topics discussed.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Flatwater Trail Commission
💡Meeting
💡Introductions
💡Outdoor Economic Development
💡Minutes
💡Funding
💡Grant
💡Signage
💡Department of Highways
💡Public Involvement
Highlights
The Flatwater Trail Commission meeting commenced at 6 pm on May 7th, 2024.
Commission members introduced themselves, including Corey Lily, who joined from Raleigh County and works in outdoor community development.
Corey Lily expressed his eagerness to serve on the commission and contribute to its goals.
The meeting discussed the absence of certain members and acknowledged the contributions of others like Mark Collins and Christy Baker.
A motion was made to approve the minutes of the February 1st, 2024 meeting, which was seconded and approved.
The chairman expressed his excitement about having Corey Lily on the team due to his background and statewide contacts.
The chairman suggested planning another Flatwater Trail commission conference similar to the successful one held in Tornado, Virginia.
Bill July 25th was proposed as the date for the next meeting, which was agreed upon after a brief discussion.
The chairman emphasized the need for additional funding for the Flatwater Trails Commission.
Corey Lily suggested developing a strategic fundraising plan and exploring various grant opportunities.
The possibility of applying for grants such as the West Virginia REI funds was discussed, with the potential for significant funding up to $10,000.
The chairman expressed a desire to allocate grant funding to each of the 16 members of the state's Flatwater Trails to support their efforts.
The meeting discussed the lack of staff and administrative support for the commission, highlighting the need for external assistance.
The chairman informed the members about the availability of the West Department highways Recreation Trail grant program for Flatwater Trails.
John Burett shared the success of the Elk River group in securing grants and encouraged other Flatwater Trails to apply.
Amanda Pitzer was expected to update on the department of highway signage efforts but was absent; however, progress is being made on a Statewide sign program.
George highlighted the efforts of local groups like the Fairmont flotilla in maintaining and cleaning up boat launch areas.
A motion was made and seconded to set the next public meeting of the Flatwater Trail Commission for July 25th, 2024, at 6 pm, which was approved.
The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, which was seconded and approved, ending the May 7th Flatwater Trail Commission meeting.
Transcripts
all
right all right now uh I want to call
this meeting to
order uh we want to welcome everyone to
the public uh Flatwater Trail commission
meeting which is now called to order at
6 pm on this 7th day of May the 24th
thanks for joining
us um as a matter of introductions uh
the Flatwater Trail Commission members
will introduce themselves so starting
with Corey introduce yourself please and
then we want to hear a little bit about
you absolutely thank you all for having
me and uh I look forward to serving on
this commission my name is Corey Lily I
am uh my family's the lily family from
Raleigh County and we've been there for
quite some time but now I my permanent
residence is is in F County where I
reside and uh um I work for the Brad
nise Smith outdoor Economic Development
collaborative as the manager of outdoor
Community Development so I helped many
organizations across the state help
build their capacity and help them
strategize to Leverage The Outdoor
assets that are close to them in the
best ways possible for uh impacting
their community in Economic
Development that's a bit about my role
and I look forward to serving and
providing uh Insight towards uh this
commission's goals as well we're pleased
to add you to our team thank
you all right the next next board member
to speak
up
John John burett representing Mingo
County West
Virginia and George liszki from uh Maran
County George always good to have
you um Amanda is under the weather she
just went through her wonderful weekend
up there she deserves a rest but we're
sorry she's not here
tonight um we have I think that's all of
our attendees
tonight we have other invited guests and
I want to thank and Mark Collins chief
of danr Chief Administration for all the
help he gives uh to this organization
and Christy Baker of course uh does all
of our leg work for us through the week
and we sure appreciate Christy
Baker I'd like to begin the the meeting
by asking if there are any corrections
to the February 1st 2024 meetings and
let me
interrupt uh where our script
basically provides
Amanda's approval uh George if you would
take over that position and would and do
that for
us
okay all right
um are there any corrections um if
not could I have a move to approve the
minuts I move to approve the minutes
there's been a motion uh to approve the
minutes do I hear a
second you I can second the motion
all right it's been moved in second to
approve the February 1st 2024 meeting
minutes all those in favor signify by
saying I those opposed by saying no I I
I the motion
carries okay as
chairman and you all please uh keep in
mind this is this is my last year in
this
position and uh if I digress a little
bit in my conversation forgive me but
U first you know Corey Lily is is a our
new member and I'm just so tickled to
have somebody with his background and
experience and his Statewide contacts
and all uh his brief introduction there
is brief because his resume is lengthy
and he's he's a very comp young man so
we're we're tickled to have
youate yeah but we're glad to have you
and be careful we'll we'll load you up
with jobs to
do next I'd like to talk about you know
we had the our annual uh get together
our Flatwater Trail commission
conference La last year I think it was
in at the co River group's headquarters
in tornado
Virginia and I'd love to do and plan
ahead to do another one this year that
one was so successful because we had we
had an opportunity to sit down with The
Regulators the the supporters and people
who were influential on Flatwater Trail
Statewide and I think it was just
extremely uh important that we do that
again this year and uh to to look at it
um location is location location is
important and I'd like a l open
discussion with regard to where we might
look at uh organizing our thing and I
don't have the date for our next
schedule meeting but it would probably
coincide with that next scheduled
meeting um again we had a that tornado
last year other areas I think U I think
in fact Mark had mentioned some areas
some um state parks that that could you
know Hostess and would be very gracious
with the room room rates and so forth
and Mark do you have anything you can
add hey real quick real quick Bill July
25th is where we're going to um we're
hoping to have our next meeting
according to the
agenda okay good good well that might
be it may be a little bit early it may
be because of the summer hours and
everybody's schedules we may want to
look at a a a midterm date possibly
sometime in September October when it's
the less when people are are less busy
on on those kind of things so we're open
we're open to ideas so if anybody's got
an idea um I think if we could figure
out a location that would suit us and I
I joted down a couple of them that uh a
really great state park is is like Hawks
Nest state parks facilities are just we
did a board meeting for the coold river
group up there a year or two ago and
it's an excellent facility and there's
so much to see for people who drive into
that area with all the new activities
that are going going on in in that
county with a new national
park that's that's one idea um the
others uh the
Logan uh what's the name of the park
over there and chief Logan yeah yeah
that that's an excellent
place and it's h it has a lot
of you know additional areas that can be
explored by visitors and it's a
and again it's hard to get a centrally
located one with as with our 16 water
Trails being as scattered as they are
but again those are just a few any any
discussion on that Ox Nest is fantastic
I like that suggestion um I I was in the
past year was at a conference there as
well and um how many attendance uh
attendees do we have typically for the
Flatwater conference we had a
substantial I'd say we had probably 20
visitors at that one last
year now I feel like Hawk would be a
good um you know it would be able to uh
host that many folks
easily it's any any
other comments on that
ideas that sounds good to me as well I
mean uh
if it's an annual thing you know we can
always get to other places in in future
years but the honks net I mean I just I
am just sold on that up there honestly
to give a pitch about it because they
were there's you know and
and since we have a really good end with
the DNR they take care of us and and
financially it's doable but then you're
you're right next door to all the all
the visit ation areas of bring your wife
or whatever it's it's a great place to
to locate at
so with with a general agreement uh by
let's let's talk on the around that and
kind of come up with a consensus and
we'll get back to all the board members
with the with more details on how and
when we are going to do that if that's I
don't think we need a
an official thing with at this point but
it's it's something we can shoot at and
again our next meetings in July we could
discuss it and finalize it at that
point okay uh let's moving on
U the
U most important thing I have personally
as the chairman of this organization is
the
need uh for additional funding for the
Flatwater trails the
commission uh the co River group has
sponsored our my organization has has
supported so much of what we've done but
but this organization does not have an
official secretary we have we have
nothing basically when the governor
appointed me as chairman of this thing
three years ago he didn't tell me he
wasn't going to give us any
money and in the meeting we had with the
uh back
Senator Mark mayard hosted for Senate
committee we talked about this in the
summer and but nobody's come up with any
source of funding we have I have been to
the legislature I used to be a lobbyist
so we met we did a hard run to get a
legislative bill that would fund us that
failed we tried to get a budget digest
entry that failed so basically we're
still an we're basically a government
agency now is what we are but we have no
funds and
so you know searching for and I think
what we could and Cory you help me on
this I think our agency could qualify
for a grant from any number of
sources and a grant that would help us
uh continue and improve and expand what
this uh organization is all about would
be a godsend for Future Leaders uh in
this
organization so uh let me Corey read
enough and about your background and all
and you know do you have any any ideas
of how and what and where we might be
able to apply for a
grant that that could help this
organization yeah so uh some some of my
initial thoughts uh are you know if we
were to apply for a grant and we were to
um approach uh a funer that we would
need to be able to show which direction
that we're going in and what is our
trajectory what are some of the goals
that we want to accomplish and have this
in a digestible form that we can pass on
to them so they can kind of read up
about uh that trajectory and plan so my
first thought would be to um bring
someone in to help facilitate a
conversation around a strategic
fundraising plan that would identify
some uh funding opportunities for us so
there there are some that I can kind of
think of off the top of my head like w
the West Virginia REI funds recreational
economies initiative um funds I think
they're they go up to around $10,000
they do fund private uh the private
sector who's looking to um Leverage The
Outdoor economy but they do also fund um
nonprofit organizations and I would have
to see if this is something that this
commission would be able to qualify for
as an
agency um but there you know that's just
off the top of my head but I think if we
would if we could go through
um that strategic planning effort that
there would be some things that would be
illuminated as we went through that and
uh that's something that uh the outdoor
Economic Development collaborative we
have a gentleman on our team Andy
Williamson who's f fantastic at that uh
if that was something that the group
would like for me to inquire about
that's something I certainly could um
and it's possible that he they would be
willing to um to help with that it's
just something I would have to ask a
little bit more about and and learn a
little bit more about the goals uh for
how we might look towards
funds thank you Corey I I kind of set
you up on
yeah again we have no
staff uh we have no secretarial support
we have no uh you know
people uh support other than ourselves
you're looking at our group so but we've
we've done so much and I I'd I'd love to
sit down with somebody like your guy and
and help develop that strategic plan so
that we can continue to to carry on uh
this organization but with financing we
could do so much for example I mean I'd
love to get a $100,000 Grant and be able
to allocate a certain portion of that to
each of our new 16 members of the
state's Flatwater
Trails we started with very few Trails
originally the coiv was the first
Statewide and now we have 16 and we've
nured made it and those people are
struggling every one of them every group
uh are struggling for
funding uh to to continue to to
succeed and they have none and there and
some of them are developing ways but I
think if with your help uh and and like
I say if we we could put together a a
very easily
a a proposal to show what Grant could do
if it were fed and then legally if if
the if our group or I mean if this
agency is allowed to accept grants which
I'm assuming we
are uh the DNR basically is our
administrator the DNR we'd have to talk
to them uh Mark we might be back at your
door to help us manage that Grant since
we have no secretary but if we were able
to secure a grant and then figure out
how we could spend the money legally
through this more or less cumbers
situation that we're in as far as being
a a state agency um there's got to be a
way to do this absolutely is there
someone uh that we're in contact with
that some of these questions like uh you
know about the grant Administration
piece of that um that we could that we
could consult with to to find out some
of those details
um is there a point of contacts that we
have that we we probably could find
there's no
specific uh in so many ways we're like
the DNR we have the same position as
being a DNR as a DNR has an agency we're
an
agency but we have no staff to man that
agency so anything we do like that we've
just got to reach out and it to mind
basically that the
DNR has been so supportive of us and
they were assigned by the governor to be
our landlord and basically offering you
know a minimum amount of assistance but
I think they would be more than willing
to help us figure out a way to answer
that
question this is good for me to hear and
um to understand kind of where we are
right now and and where we want to go in
the future so that's something that I
could take on you know is um inquiring a
little bit uh about you know if someone
on our team like Andy would be able to
assist in in that type of facilitation
of of a generating a plan and um then I
can also dig a little deeper into you
know where we lie uh with where our
funding opportunities are and if we were
to receive something like that what what
would it look like and so I I'll dig
into that good good that's that's
exactly what we need and just to note
out that our other Curry that's our
visitor today he's with the Elk River
folks and and uh he could you know
emphasize you know how they're dealing
with the same issues I mean Flatwater
trails are just simply U not supported
by any particular government agency
financially so they have to that which
takes me and let me move on to the fact
that the
all the Flatwater trails and I've tried
to get this message to them I use social
media primarily but all the Flatwater
Trails now are
eligible uh the to apply for the West
Department highways Recreation Trail
grant program and that Grant program's
portal is very short it just opened up
it closes on the 22nd I think it is and
but it's a I I've used it for the co
River group for
Years Mark scholar who runs the handles
those grand applications can be
contacted and and they have Oodles of
money but they've got to have people to
get a letter requesting to be in the
program by the
22nd and and then Mark can walk people
through it and after that then if you
make uh whatever they call call that
letter you have to get into by the 20th
letter of intent they call it then from
that point if you if then you you have
an opportunity for thousands of dollars
of money grants with only really a 20%
match and and their match is very
liberal the way you can match it so
anyway
it's it's it's a very
important information to get out to the
public is that that portal is open that
money is
available and I'll tell you the Cold
River group goes after it every time
they get a chance because it is a a
wonderful opportunity for Flatwater
trails that that window is uh was May
1st until May 15th for the uh intent to
apply and then the uh if you're approved
for intent to apply the application is
due I believe it's June 26 but you might
want to check that and make sure yeah
yeah thank you John I mean they I know
we've already got ours in for the co
River group and again I don't have the
contact information but we can share
that with anybody and you obviously are
into it that's on it's on my screen
behind what I'm doing now well great I
mean go for it D because we've been
using it for 10 years and it really they
are so accommodating you know you've got
to follow all the rules but it's a it's
a grant made to order for Blackwater
Trails we received
$53,000 this past
year yeah well that's that's an example
that everybody needs to hear there thank
you okay and the last H topic I have
today moving on is Amanda Pitzer was
going to give us an update on department
of highway
signage efforts and uh she's not with us
tonight but I can tell you uh we have
been since we had the meeting with the
Senate U Back in the winter we had a
meeting with the
Senate outdoor recreation um committee
headed up by Mark Maynard we had a all
of us testified and Tim
sadasi who is in charge of U of that
area of signage uh for the state took
that on and he is working
on a developing a Statewide approved
uh kayak boat launch Flatwater Trail
boat launch sign program that they could
accept and that's that's a I expect to
be able to to provide some input on that
fairly soon from
sadoski and it's like any agency state
agency it's a cumbers thing and he has a
lot of Hoops to jump through to come up
with something that's acceptable to
become a Statewide
uh boat launch or however they we word
that
sign and I think I I'm sure Amanda has a
lot of interest in it also but but it is
working and I think we'll have something
to report back to all the Flatwater
Trails fairly
soon so that's with that said
um and anybody has any other comments
while we got this
open thing going
um this is George hey um I noticed to
our our Fairmont flotilla it's it's not
a um it's you know it's just a group
that get together and here recently you
know you see a lot of stuff on Facebook
they went to Opus kidby opisy and
cleaned out a lot of trash from the
locks therea you know it's only open
whenever we're having a fishing
tournament in Fairmont which is just
about four times a year but they did a
lot of clean up there I I was glad to
see see that and you know um I know in
Maran County we have a lot of little you
know a lot of our towns have put in uh
little air boat launch areas or or you
know um kayak launch areas you know it'
be nice to have a sign you know to let
them know that there is a is a sign that
they can get out to get so that'll
that'll be some good information that we
we get here in the future thank you
George and and we'll keep we'll try to
keep everybody up to speed on that
because we all need that the state needs
it and it's just a matter of of getting
the department highways to accept and
and help us develop something that they
approve of
so well thank you George any other
comments we'll move
on uh from this point uh the next order
of business is to set a date for our
next
meeting um and is there a motion to set
a date for the next public meeting flat
Flatwater Trail commission to be held on
July the 25th 2024 at
6m I move that the next public meeting
of the Flatwater Trail commission be
held on July 25th 2024 at
6m all right the motion's been made is
there a second this motion I'll second
the
motion thank you it's been moved in
second to approve the date of the next
public public meeting of Flatwater Trail
commission be held on July the 25th 2024
at 6: p.m. all those in favor signify by
saying I or o oppos signify by saying no
I
I we have all
eyes got
it okay uh if there's no uh
no one oppos uh motion
pass all right um is there any new or
old business to come before this
meeting if not do I hear a motion to
adjourn I move to adjourn the May 7th
Flatwater Trail commission
meeting do I hear a
second anyone
I'll second that motion okay a motion's
been made second in favor of adjourning
May the 7th 224 Flatwater Trail
commission all those in favor signify by
saying
I the motion carries and the meeting is
adjourned thanks everybody for being
here and all your contributions we'll
try to
communicate uh in the mean time to
follow up on all the all the things that
were brought up in this meeting
appreciate everybody good night thank
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