Newsletter

Dane County Council of Snowmobile Clubs
Meeting Minutes from:
Thursday, January 31st, 2008
Dorf Haus, Roxbury, WI

President, Paul Statz called the meeting to order at 8:03 pm. Vice President, Marc Davis conducted Roll Call, 15 of 20 clubs present.

• Secretary’s report, Dick Bidinger. January’s 08 minutes read. Correction, 1.) The Dane County Highway Dept asked us to watch for dragging snow across roadways when grooming, not the DNR as reported. No other corrections. (mta) Chuck Dallman (sd) Mark Stephens
• Treasurer’s Report, Elaine Meinholz read report. Balance $ 3,855.05. (mta) Chuck Dallman (sd) Chris Haugen.

AWSC

Sam Landes, AWSC reported:

• AWSC Directors met two weeks ago, following topics were discussed.
  a. The Sentry Insurance Rebate program, no real issues or objections, should be OK to proceed with interested local clubs. DCCSC maintains a long standing relationship with Liberty Mutual, reluctant or cautious to change at this point. Does Liberty Mutual offer a rebate program?
  b. Registration Programs, Vintage Snowmobile Registration costs, could they be one time, or reduced? If so, what is the significance of revenue lost? Unknown, ongoing research.
  c. AWSC 39th Annual Convention March 14th, 15th, 16th, Plaza Hotel & Suites,Wausau, WI. Voting of all Officers, Candidates are: President, Tom Chwala, Bill Schumann. Vice President, Bill Pfaff, Doug Johnson. Secretary, Darlene Krentz. Treasurer, wide open.
  d. AWSC’s Youth Committee will have a full schedule and activities planned for building membership at the AWSC convention. Questions and for more information contact Chad Landes, via Sam Landes.
  e. AWSC membership is down from previous years, total membership remains under 18,000 members. Dane County membership is up.
• AWSC’s office move, Appleton to DeForest will occur shortly after the Annual Convention. Currently looking for an Office Manager, more details in the current issue of WSN.
• Lake States Resource Alliance working with Travel Management Rules, current plans closes too many roads. US House Member Tammy Baldwin voted in favor of closing Yellowstone to snowmobiles. Much discussion followed.
• Bill Schumann & Tom Chwala attended the Iraqi War Veterans Thank You Ride in Eagle River. Many of our WI veterans participated in a great ride and a fun day.
• Uniform Insurance Classifications for groomers continues. Current issues are, grooming just for your club, vs., also grooming for other clubs. Commercial or Private grooming ratings?
• AWSC’s Membership Concerns, Pete Schneider Magazine Committee Chair, Doug Johnson Membership Chair considering a new Marketing Committee specific to building existing membership.
• Non-Resident trail permits, $ 18.00 to $ 35.00 nearing approval.
• CAP update. New York State CAP system running well, however, their snowmobile registration is tied to their D.O.T. WI’s registration is tied to DNR. Within DNR, vehicle registration with multiple or differing fees present many problems with logistics, tracking, etc. WI’s CAP is progressing, however, please remain patient.
• December Deer Hunt, ongoing problems and discussions.
• Amery to Dresser Multi Use Trail, lawsuit was lost, now closed to snowmobiling. Ruling does not affect any other WI trail system.
• Badger Trail. A “counter” was placed on that trail this past Dec., 5,200 snowmobiles passed through that counter, which was a wonderfully surprising number. Much higher than anyone expected, perfect proof that snowmobiling does enhance and improve local economies
• WI River Trail, Middleton to Mazo. Ongoing discussions, looks like Kathleen Falk will continue her support.
• CRP problems with a Mt.Vernon land owner, not actually a problem if proper paperwork is filed in advance. Land Owner must register that land accordingly.
• A General Heads Up. Within all DCCSC activities and or problems, if any issue needs to be addressed by the AWSC, when speaking with appropriates parties, make sure Sam Landes and Paul Statz are also aware of those issues.

Governor’s Council Member, Law Enforcement Committee Chair

Rick Steimel reported:

• Five more fatalities, they were: Vilas County, one, speed and alcohol. Oneida County,one. Eau Claire County, two, road running. Monroe County, one, speed and alcohol. Governor’s Council will meet again in February. For more information, visit the DNR’s web site.
• Supplemental Grooming Reimbursement. Rick reminded all, that the first requirement to become eligible for supplemental grooming is, proving a county wide minimum cost of $150.00 per mile. Not individual clubs, but all clubs within that county must show grooming costs exceeding $ 150.00 per mile. If you choose not to groom as often as your neighboring clubs, you may cause ineligibility for your entire county. No supplemental grooming reimbursement for Dane County will be considered until all clubs can prove costs exceeding 150.00 per mile.
• Sam Landes commented, make sure you guys are keeping track of everything along with your hour meter.

Easter Seals

Elaine Meinholz, Easter Seals Report:

• www.eastersealswisconsin.com
• Blizzard Blast is ready to go, “are there any more raffle ticket sales?, if so, turn them in tonight.” Lots of Great Door Prizes, Texas Hold’Em, 50/50 Raffle, Pull Tabs, Cooler Raffle, Big Dice game, Euchre Tourney, Turkey Bowling, Kitty Kat Rides, Vintage Snowmobiles, Luncheon served at 5:00pm, Bon Fire at dusk, bring lawn chairs. Allis set, all is good, and we’re ready to go.
• Question: DCCSC web site, is Easter Seals shown,? Marc commented, Yes, in calendar of events and there’s a link to Easter Seals also. Considering front page exposure on DCCSC’s web site for Easter Seals next year.

UPDATES

Paul Statz, President DCCSC reported:

• Can we re-open trails for the Easter Seals event? We’ll need some snow, which is forecasted, won’t know until Saturday morning, we’ll decide then.
• Last closing and opening went well, all phone communication was done properly, great job you guys, keep it up.
• Let’s plan on trails closed for Easter Seals.
• Waubesa Sno Birds. Rumor has it, the DNR will be out in full force the day of your Radar Run, writing tickets to all participants that do not have a tether cord attached prior to running. It is DNR’s position that all “sanctioned races” require tether cords. It is our position, that of DCCSCs, that this is not a “sanctioned event” therefore, the tether law does not apply. We can further support our position if in fact anyone is ticketed for loud exhaust. If noise tickets are issued, then in fact, it is not a sanctioned event. I’m getting conflicting information through the grapevine, but please be aware, the DNR will be at your event, in full force. Ongoing discussion continued from all members, I guess will have to wait and see what happens.
• AWSC’s Summer Director’s Meeting will again be sponsored by DCCSC. July 11th, 12th, 13th. Much more info. will follow.
• The AWSC offices will be moving in the next couple of months, DCCSC has volunteered to help with the physical move. All enclosed trucks and enclosed trailers will be needed from our members, along with plenty of volunteers. We’ll keep you posted.

AWSC Youth Committee, Dane County

Chad Landes reported:

• Don’t forget, we have an entire weekend planned for new Youth Members at the upcoming AWSC Conventions. To qualify for membership, all you need is: High School, age 14-19, must have a safety certificate, member of a snowmobile club, promote membership to other qualified non members. Please contact Chad if you’re interested.

Club Announcements

• Brooklyn Sno Hornets Dance & Raffle
  March 29th, Brooklyn Community Center, Brooklyn, WI. Live Music by Rainbow Bridge. 8:30pm -12:30pm, Tickets 5:00 each, 3 for $10.00, $ 1,000.00 Grand Prize.
• CP Rider’s Annual Raffle
  April 19th, American Legion Post 245, Cross Plains, WI. Door Creek Sportsmen Club Tickets 20.00 each. 3-9:00pm, Drawing at 9pm. $ 2,000.00 Grand Prize.

Our Next Meeting:
Thursday, March 13th, 2008
Dorf Haus, Roxbury, WI
8:00 pm. General Meeting

Meeting Adjourned 9:15pm

Respectfully Submitted and subject for approval on March 13th, 2008
Dick Bidinger, DCCSC Secretary