I'm just glad. >> Yeah, totally. That was not on my agenda. I was uh >> doing >> sucky part is they took all the trees out. I lost all my shade.
procedures right in front of the fire department there in a second. >> Oh yeah. >> Yeah. >> They had a bunch of heat related. >> I'll probably just forget that >> every speaker. >> Does everybody have your mics on? push
the button down and uh Mr. Chair. >> All right. Good evening. Today is July 13th. It's 7:15 p.m. This is the Lonzo Foners Day Committee meeting. I call this meeting to order.
Stand and say the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> All right, roll call. >> Uh, Mr. Mike Harding >> here. >> Uh, Mr. Seth Peterson >> here. >> And Josh Hillen here. >> And, uh, Council Member Miller >> here. All right. Approval of agenda.
Any additions, deletions, or corrections? Can I get a motion to approve agenda? >> Motion. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> All right. Approval of minutes.
Any additions, deletions, corrections there? >> Can I get a motion? >> All motion. >> I'll second. >> All in favor? >> I consider approval of the June 2026 financial report and monthly bills.
>> Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair, and good evening, Founders Day Committee. Uh, June 2026 had an ending cash balance of $15,186.72. In June 2026, three donations were received. The Lawndale Community
Foundation in the amount of $1,500, an anonymous donation of a hundred, and Minnesota Valley Electric Company, $500. Uh, three invoices submitted for payment in June. Uh, this was to Sharon Cartwway
for the wagon rides. And then Len Schmidt of the living historian. And by the way, I just want to say thank you to our city administrator uh Joel Ericson for turning that around uh to paying both of the vendors on site at the event. And then uh Campbell and Kudson
Law uh their fee their in the amount of $323. Revenue and expenses should be consistent with the goals and objectives of the founders day committee. Alternatives. Do not approve the June 2026 financial report, revenue, expenses, balance sheets, and monthly
bills. And your pocket or packet uh is a revenue and expenditure forms and the copies of the invoices for the event. So, Mr. Chair, if there's not any questions, I'm seeking a motion to approve the June 2026 financial founders
a committee financial report. >> A motion. >> Um, I just want to make one quick comment about the legal fees just so that everybody is aware what those are for. Um, it was to consult with our city attorney about making a donation to a private business for the band. So, I
just want that on record um so that in the future we know what the rules are for sure and um hopefully we won't need to consult with the attorney because it as you can see it was expensive and we did not budget for something like that. >> No, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt
you. >> No, that's good. Thank you for clarifying that. Yeah. >> So, Mr. Chair, I'm seeking a motion. >> Motion. I'll >> second the motion. >> All in favor? I >> I >> All right. Um public hearings. There are
no public hearings tonight. Um presentation of citizen petitions and comments. There is nobody here. And there approval of the consent agenda. Uh none needed tonight. So we're
on to old business. Committee member assignments. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh the following members have been assigned to the positions below and are requested to provide a postfounders fest event update. So uh fundraiser uh chair
Warluck is not here tonight. Uh so Mr. Chair, you want to take this one? >> Yeah, really not much to add. Um obviously we just wrapped up the event. So now we're going to be um going for donations for the 2027
um event. So, um I know I had a a business reach out to me late, like a week before um our event this year. Um they got my email and responded pretty late. So, I was like, I we can't recognize you this year, but
I'll reach out to you in a couple months here once we start back up fundraising for next year. So, already potential there. And of course, I'll reach out to all those that donated for this year's event. So looking forward to hopefully raising even more funds this year so we
can do even more things. So >> and then uh Mr. Chair and the committee uh do we have an idea when we would like to start fundraising again? >> Open that want to open that up for discussion. Yeah,
>> I would recommend um now like starting anytime now um over the next you know 3 to four months so that we can get things solidified but um I would like to discuss with you guys from the council perspective. I did mention at our last
council meeting last week that I would love to budget for this event um because it was such a great success and I see things just getting better and better each year and in 2028 Lndale will be celebrating its 125th anniversary. So I'd like to continue the event for sure,
you know, through that to celebrate but um I want to make sure that you guys are on board with trying to get it budgeted for within the council. We do have a meeting tomorrow night that I can bring it up at. And then um for budget number, I was wanting to shoot a little bit high like 25,000 because that would cover the
cost of fireworks, the incidentals such as portaotties, um any like additional trash and recycling bins, any additional little um vendor things that we had like amenity type things. And I have a lot of ideas for other amenities, but that
could also come into play with um donors could fund like specific amenity events. Like I really want to get pig racing, but I haven't been able to find racing pigs anywhere near us. But like just fun little things to like really think outside the box. But if you guys are on
board with um I want to know what your thoughts on like a dollar amount, what I can bring to council. >> Excellent. Yeah, I think 25,000 is a good number. Um, obviously more than will be raised this year, but we want to do more moving forward. So, I think that's a really
good number to try to hit. Okay. >> My comments would be just as far as where to start. Um, I I would say uh I wouldn't start too early. Mhm. >> I mean, we want to be close enough to the event so people see results for what
they're donating for. If they give next month and they have to wait until next July, I think we would lose some momentum. Um, I realize whoever is doing the actual business calling that falls onto. So Josh, you'd be better at saying
what's kind of the break point. I also think, sorry to interrupt, um, as far as tax write offs, you know, so that people, let's say they want to donate something before your end, it'd be good to just at least start getting the earworms out there so that people are
aware because maybe somebody wants to write off 500 bucks or a,000 bucks or whatever toward a donation. So, just to like start the process, not meaning we have to secure all the funds, but I definitely want to be >> more advanced in the process next year
because with ordering the banners, like I got them in time and stuff like that, but I just it it got down to crunch time and just in case there was an error or something happened, there was like no room for error, you know what I mean? So, I would like to have all donors
finalized like by May, like maybe miday this year instead of beginning of June or whatever. >> I don't next year, right? >> Yeah. Yeah. For next year. Sorry. You know. >> No, no, that makes a lot of sense. That's a really great point. Um,
what are your thoughts, Josh? I think I mean I think it's it's it's a tough balance because you want to you know contact them now kind of just because they just saw what happened so it's like fresh in their minds um but also you want to let it
>> you want to give them some time like not just a week or two after it just happened. So, I think maybe starting in >> September the yeah, I was saving like a month or two. Um, at least just working it up. We don't need to >> we don't need to press them for donations right away, but just at least
plant the seed >> um that it's coming and and we're going to be looking for donations this fall for sure. So yeah, I don't think it hurts to to start at least planting the seed with some people or some businesses early >> cuz then they can also budget for it too
if they're in their own budgeting process >> instead of just springing it on them. >> Anyways, sorry that's my two cents. >> Yeah. No, that sounds good. So September, you think? >> Yeah, I think that September. So, the
key takeaways from this discussion for fundraising is that uh the founders day committee is making a recommendation to the city council for um budget request of $25,000. Then also to uh start fundraising um in
September or after the September meeting. >> Does that work for everybody? >> Yep. Sure. >> Okay. And with that, we should really start at thinking about those sponsorship levels because like we had talked about doing like stars and stripes and you know
different levels to hit that those bigger gaps that we're missing and then trying to get those under $500 as well. So if we get a good plan in place so that we be prepared to discuss it so that we can come up with that marketing material ahead of time and not kind of
be scrambling to throw stuff together. I think that would be the best. >> Yeah, I think that should be one of our top priorities in the next two months for sure is like dialing that in what those amounts are going to be like because that's the most important thing is getting those donation levels done
right away so we can start that fundraising and we'll have plenty of time to to pull together activities um since we have an even earlier start this year compared to this past year starting in October. So >> yeah, >> I mean it seems again like you two were
kind of the forefront of that. So you would have a better feel because you got immediate feedback talking to people. So is that something that you can pull together between the two of you or do you have any thoughts?
>> I am totally on board with supporting whatever needs to happen and talking to whoever. I do want Sophie's input for sure and see where she's at with everything. I'm bummed that she can't be here tonight, but um just so that we're having these kind of high level
discussions and then next month hopefully we can really sort through more of the details so that in September we can really be ready to rock with >> Yeah, because I know we should have a goal to uh definitely decrease email communication and conduct the official
business here at our meetings. And now that we are allowing ourselves, we have a full year. Um, I think that should be one of our strategies. >> I second that. >> Yes, me too. >> Thank you. >> Because it just gets to be too much back and forth and like
>> what's happening. >> And just to that end, that's kind of my thinking is I I trust you guys. You were really at the forefront of that and I completely agree with including Sophie in that. It would be great if next meeting you
could just say this is kind of our recommendation in my mind anyways. >> Yeah, >> that these are kind of the levels and >> that seems to make a lot of sense. But >> yeah, perfect. >> Yeah, I definitely like to stay away from the emails. A lot of stuff got lost
because I get so much spam and I missed like four emails. >> Yeah. And I we the time crunch thing, you know, as things were getting close down to the wire and >> it was hard. But now we learned a lot, I think, from this whole event and as a
committee and a group and I think um just going forward it's going to be nothing but up. So >> yeah. >> Yeah, it's going to be great. >> All right. Uh fireworks. Uh council member, do you want to give the update on the fireworks? >> Yeah. So, um I did reach out to Corey
just to tell him from Res Pyro that everybody that I've talked to loved the show. Thought it was amazing. So, I just um since I had initially talked to him like many months ago, I wanted to again touch base with him because I know he's been talking to Joel mostly and Sophie
um but I didn't want him to think I just like ditched for whatever reason. So, he said that guys had a lot of fun setting it up. I had a great night putting on the show. So, um, he has us on the books for July 3rd next year, too. Um, we don't need to do anything with payments
or anything at this time, but I was really happy with the quality of the show. The length of the show was perfect. I thought, um, and so I want to hear also your guys' feedback, too, and what you heard from people. >> I heard a lot of good stuff. Everybody
was really happy. Um, at first they somebody was shooting off at their house and we thought that was it and then everybody realized we were facing the wrong direction cuz I'm like, "Hold it. Church Park is that way. That's definitely not us."
>> Yeah. >> So that was actually kind of funny cuz everybody was facing towards that house. >> Oh, funny. >> And then all of a sudden fireworks shot off to our left and everybody went, "Oh. So yeah, the timing couldn't have been better for that. It was actually kind of
humorous. So >> that's awesome. >> But um yeah, the fireworks I everybody loved it. I mean, I was right next to the stage. I was on the wrong side of the stage, but there was a big group on the left. So, um I know I had mentioned
maybe we should have moved that fence back a little bit more to let more people on that side. Okay. >> That were that were at rail >> watching. to know >> cuz we got a good view on the left >> on the right it was just the tree.
>> Just to confirm though uh next year 2027 July 3rd is a Saturday. >> Saturday got it. >> Which honestly that's going to be a lot better for the fireworks. I think >> Friday was just a time constraint. A lot of people trying to get home from work
and you know people that need to leave the next morning. And I did talk to Mayor Tom about keeping the event on July 3rd. Um he was in agreement with it. And um the main reason I like July 3rd is because then we know people have July 4th off and so
they can come out that night. A lot of times people on July 4th they have to go to work possibly on the 5th unless it happens to fall on a weekend or something but even then. Um and also as far as getting the fireworks secured, it's a lot of cities like Shakipi, Bloomington, um New Prague, there were
several that did it on the third also. And so I think it's great because then it gives people the opportunity on the fourth to go do their thing at their cabin or lake or in their neighborhoods, whatever they want to do. >> So I just wanted to throw that in there.
>> All right. So key takeaway here um for the minutes is to we reserved it uh the fireworks display for Saturday, July 3rd, 2027. >> We just need to make sure with peepers if it's okay still to utilize um their
space >> and um I want to make sure they know how appreciative we are of them letting us invade their land. And I know it wasn't always convenient and so we really appreciate it. Thank you.
>> Uh historical event activities. Um Seth, you want to take this one or lead us off here? >> Sure. I I only got to be in there for probably 20 30 minutes throughout the day, but I thought it was fantastic. Um I think we counted
um close to 100 signatures. Did anybody do a final count of that in the book? Uh, it was a lot and I watched a lot of people walk by and not sign anything. So, >> honestly, I I was surprised, but that seemed to be like one of the stars of
that segment of the day. People really got into that. So, and obviously super appreciative of Steve taking the lead on that and he did a fantastic job. So, I just I thought it went really well.
>> Yeah. And at the event, um I was with Joel and Josh and Seth and we're talking about should we push the start time back >> instead of at 3:00. Would we be interested in doing starting it at 5?
>> I'm open to that. Like a 5 to 8 type of thing. >> Um Joshua and Seth, what what's your thoughts here? Um, well, let's see. This year it was 3 to seven. >> Yeah. >> And I really think two hours was
probably enough. Like the last couple hours seemed like it was >> a little slow. >> Yeah. It seemed like everyone was there initially for the opening ceremony. Everyone rushed in the schoolhouse, viewed the farmers market, checked out the kids' activities, and then they were
like, "All right, let's go to the soccer field now." Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Um and check out the food trucks and everything. >> So, it seemed like it was definitely like everyone at the schoolhouse, then once everyone did all the activities there, they went right over to Trishka Park and then they then didn't come back cuz they didn't really have a reason to.
>> Right. >> Um so, I think two hours would be fine. Um >> 5 to seven. >> Yeah. And my only addition to that is maybe leave a window before the kids activities because a lot of people went
straight into the school and did that first. Um so maybe if we um scheduled the kids activities a half an hour after the speech or whatever we decide to do for the kickoff. Um and then even be
maybe be if we're going to do group activities for the kids stuff. um have a more bulleted schedule for that even. >> Mhm. >> Um and again, we were doing all of that with fairly short notice. So, I thought
it went really well, but I think uh if we were more concise and specific about that, that probably would make those more fun, too. So, >> what do you think? >> Yeah, I think more like single kid
activities next year. A lot of the stuff was like group games, uh, which worked to some extent. Um, I think next year a, um, a dunk tank would be a huge hit there. >> I think that would be awesome.
>> Would have been perfect this year >> for the hot weather. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Um, also I think just having like a food truck or two at the schoolhouse would be really nice because I remember talking to Seth like it was really hot out there
and it was like full sun in the yard like pretty much the whole time. So >> like an ice cream truck or cona ice would have would have done really well there um and given people a reason to stop back or something. So, >> and part one of the things that I know
um Sophie and I talked about and then a vendor had mentioned too like that they were once that they're set up that they're like set up so they didn't want to have to move to a different location and since we didn't have seating or you know like a place that's why Trisha
worked out really well with the pavilion because it was a tables and grassy area for people to just kind of hang out and eat or whatever. So, if we do a couple food trucks or one food truck or whatever we do at the schoolhouse, we just have to be mindful of like what other supplies are we going to need to
provide some seating, extra garbage cans, you know, things like that. >> And I think you can for extra seating and tables, you might be able to talk to the fire department. They might be able to help with that. Mhm. >> I just noticed when we brought up the
whole dunk tank thing, you know, Cory looked right at Joel. So, I thought he was going to volunteer into the dunk. >> I think he's done that maybe two times in his uh tenure here. So, >> well, we just have to make sure that city employees aren't allowed to
participate >> or donations to like whoever can raise the most funds. You can pick something. >> That would actually be a good idea. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Do like, you know, celebrity dunks. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. Totally.
>> You know, we could try to get Tom involved. You know, dunk the mayor, >> dunk city council, dunk, you know, >> a police officer, you know, somebody that would >> bring people in to donate. And whoever makes the most donations gets to
volunteer somebody else for their spot. >> Yep. >> Perfect. That would be kind of That would be fun. >> I agree. >> I like it. >> All right. Uh Mr. Mike, you want to um touch base on a real 19 barn grill?
>> Yes. Um we had the bags tournament. Um it went really well. I expected 8 to 10. We ended up with 16. Um it ran from 5 until about 15 minutes before the band
started. So, the timing was perfect. Um, next year though, I think I'm going to change it up from singles to doubles. And, um, the band was perfect. They timed shut down right before, you know,
the fireworks went off. It went quite well. I think everything went pretty smooth there. >> Was uh, Jason happy with the event? As far as I know, I have heard no complaints from anybody at Rail. They
had a really nice crowd. A lot of people there. They were uh having a good time. Everybody was dancing. >> Good. >> Um I danced for about 30 minutes and then I sat down. My feet were hurting. That black top was hot. >> Mhm.
>> Oh, I bet. >> And yeah, foam shoes. Hey dudes, not a smart idea. >> Now you know for next year. Yeah, they were pretty soft at the end, but yeah, I mean, no issues. Um, one little glitch on the scoring part, but
other than that, I worked everything out on the fly, so it worked really well. >> I like having the extra space there >> where we expanded where they gated in a little bit. That was a little nicer. It gave it a lot more freedom. And where we
set the boards up, people could come out, hit the bar, go straight to the boards, and then go back and forth bags. People like to drink. >> Yeah. >> So, that worked out well. >> All right. Um, moving forward here,
Trisha Park activities. Um Josh or Council Member Miller as far as feedback goes or comments. Um >> I never really saw him so I guess I can't really speak to it. I know it was like really hot out so not many people
really wanted to play soccer which is fair. >> Um that's all I have. >> All right. I just want to say thank you again to TCU soccer club um for being there putting this on um helping to bring awareness to the club and all the
um well my son volunteered to help with the little kids and stuff like that and Darren Iverson did an amazing job uh April his wife they're they do such a good job with this stuff. So, um, from what I heard, people had a good time and it was fun, but maybe, um, I we're going
to meet probably next month as a club, uh, so I can get more direct feedback at that time. But it started out a little bit slower, but we did the younger ages first to try to not have, um, so the little kids could have a chance to play without the big kids tumbling over them.
So after we have a chance to meet, I can bring back more feedback and see if this is something that is going to want to be continued next year or if we need to figure something else out for Trishka. Since we're speaking of Trisha, I just want to bring it up. Corey and I had talked about it. Um next year,
regardless of if we have activities there or not, if people are going to be there viewing the fireworks, we really need to be having volunteers come the next day and help clean up because it was a mess. And our public works guys did an amazing job. uh cleaning it up um
and doing I did not know it was going to be that bad. Otherwise, I would have gone down and helped out too, but I didn't know. So, I think we definitely need to keep an eye on that. >> Have maybe a volunteer group come in the morning of or early that morning. Yeah, maybe we could involve some of the like
organizations like the Boy Scouts, um the FFA Kids or >> Was it like food garbage or just >> cans? Diapers. >> Just garbage. >> Diapers. >> What? >> Yeah. >> What? >> So that is disappointing because we had plenty of garbage cans around.
>> But >> yeah, Joel delivered 6 >> at 8:30 or 8:00. So, it is a little disappointing, but it is what it is with an event on that scale. People are going to be people sometimes and do things that aren't cool. So, yeah.
>> Um, >> yeah. So, it that is something we definitely need to put on the docket for next year is making sure we have >> volunteers the next day during the daylight to go help clean up. Just making sure it looks good. >> Early morning. >> Yeah. I I did on the trash side of
things, I did notice I went up there at >> probably 7:30 or 8 and at least the stuff around the building was all full. >> Mhm. >> Um so >> that's when Joel brought more cuz >> Sophie I was on my way up there and she
texted me and then I texted Joel and he got he was on it right away. Thank you for doing that. >> No problem. >> But yeah, more garbage cans. >> Maybe put them out through the field. There are some are and there were some down at the other end of the field too by the portaotties >> and people >> people just skipped them. >> Yeah,
>> that's too bad. >> Yeah. So maybe if we place a few more maybe up more by the road so that as people are walking by on the sidewalk. >> Yeah, >> I know. I I talked to a couple of the vendors. At least one of them had
completely sold out before 7 o'lock. Yeah, >> seemed like they were the few that I talked to, three or four were really happy about >> numbers they got through. So >> that's good. >> Yeah, >> I like having them up there for those points that we already talked about, but
also for that later portion because that's when people are going to start coming down to save their spot for the fireworks and, you know, be down there mingling. So I do think it's important to have fire food trucks down there. >> Yeah. before the fireworks >> and it got really dark. So, I think a
couple of them were maybe going to stay later, but then it was too dark with the no lights and stuff like that, but it was good. >> Okay. So, staff was just recommending to apply committee member feedback uh for the planning for the 2027 Lawale
Heritage Festival. Remember when we first started our our our our drive here, uh the the council approved the first year as the Founders Festival and then the second year change of name to
the Lawnill Heritage Festival. I just want to make sure that everybody is aware of that. >> I am, but I don't know if I'm on board still. >> Well, that's why I wanted to bring it up. that from the first time I said I don't know about changing the name every year because we're trying to establish
something. >> Yeah. And it just makes sense to continue the same thing like Founders Festival, Founders Fest, you know, keeping it like that. >> Um, that's just my opinion. I don't know. I want to hear from Sophie, too. But >> yeah, I 100% agree with you. I I like
having a Founders Fest still festival uh just because obviously that's what we did all year and it feels weird changing the name now because I always refer to it as that >> and uh so I would be in favor of keeping it how it is just for consistency.
>> My only input on that though is that if we want to have broader impact, I mean if we I mean I I only talked to two people that were one of them was from an hour out of town. Um, if we put the name Lndale in it, it might be easier to
brand if we're going to expand beyond, you know, kind of our immediate um, citizens. >> Yeah. >> So, I totally agree with you that we need to keep consistent, but if we're going to change it, now's the time to do
it one year in and then keep it. >> She'll just call it like Londale Founders Festival, >> something like that. Yeah. >> Yep. And I think all of the materials that went out, we always had the Bonsdale logo anyways. So, it just makes sense to incorporate it officially into
it as far as I'm concerned. >> And I say if we want to do the heritage thing, I would just make the heritage a, >> you know, a section of it. Mhm. >> It'd be like the schoolhouse and that, you know, you can have people do the
farmers market where they bring out their check food and >> Mhm. >> that could be part of Founders Day. >> Mhm. >> Instead of changing the name cuz it's just going to get way too confusing if the name keeps changing. >> Yeah. >> Totally.
>> Especially if this is the Founders Day committee. >> Yeah. Or the Heritage Festival. >> I know. Could you imagine every year if community days the day changed? It's like, "Hey, it's community days this year. Next year it's well, it's that community day." >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Why would you keep changing?
>> You want to bring this up? >> Yeah. >> In a in the future meeting. >> Yeah. I I think so. It just makes sense. Consistency is key, especially if we're trying to build it. And I know we did have people visiting us from surrounding towns, >> especially because they did not have
awesome fireworks like we did. So >> yeah, we had some people at Rail 19 that were from Montgomery. There was a couple from Elco. >> Yeah. >> We'll add that to an agenda. >> And then uh staff is recommending the committee to discuss upcoming 2026
events. So Founders Day committee, where do we go now? Are we incorporating additional events? Uh fall, winter, uh what is the committee thinking here? I have some ideas, but I this is I'm
just like a contributing member. Not that much. You know what I'm saying? I don't want to like take things away from people. And Sophie's not here. But I don't know. Some of my ideas were um for the schoolhouse cuz we definitely want to use that more. But um like we have
all talked about when we were there, we need to organize it better. Not that it I mean some things are just kind of spread out. And I think if we really work with Steve Oka and whoever else might have a vested interest in the building to make sure we're all on the same page because I don't want to like
detract or ruin anything that's in the works. Um but also we need to get it organized and decide what types of items are going to be stored there. Is this like a museum? What is the theme? What is the purpose? You know, and so just
kind of get these thoughts going. So maybe at next month's meeting when Sophie's here, we can talk through it on a more um deeper level. But I was thinking if we did do the schoolhouse sometime in the fall, we could promote to Lnzell Elementary. I know um like
have them come for specific day like maybe we could have a lesson happen in the actual schoolhouse. I was kind of thinking that it'd be kind of cool to maybe while we're doing the founders day, >> have a little, I don't know, a skit or
something put on where you have somebody up there pretending to be a teacher and you have a couple of students showing, you know, back when the schoolhouse was used, it was third, you know, first grade through 12 and you had kids of all ages in the same classroom. Be kind of
neat to see that. And then we could even I was thinking on the academic side, we could encourage them to like write a little paper or make a little board or something and it could be age appropriate obviously, but like a little bit of research into how old school
houses worked, you know, do a collage. >> Yeah. Like have all the stuff put together on the big board and they can just show it off. >> Yeah. and have like a little you know how in Montgomery the museum art museum you know they have the kids make stuff and put them up on the walls and display
them for a month or whatever. We could do something similar to that and decide to open certain days or hours so that people and this doesn't happen have to happen this fall. It could be next spring. It could be next next fall, you know, but these are just some like ideas for use.
making sure we get it organized, connecting with um Steve and then also Margarite at the library. I did talk to her in the past about helping to archive things because there's so many cool things that really need to be archived and that's kind of her forte and her thing that she likes to do. Um she just
did not have time to do anything. Um and she wanted to get the good scanner from Rice County. So, if we plan things out in advance and maybe invite her to come to a meeting and talk to us about it, I think that would be a good thing, too, >> because we do want to do more than just one day, you know,
>> keep things going. >> Um, I just two thoughts on that. One on the organization of the actual school. Um, I had a little bit of feedback. We should I don't know if there's if maybe Steve is the person on this, but
um moving stuff around. I think I'm new to the town. I've only been here four years, but I know that some of those items a lot of people had put time into. >> And so to come in and see them moved or not even displayed, >> I think threw some people off. I don't
think it was a a big issue, but um >> did they go in the basement to see stuff, too? >> I don't know >> because I know some of the stuff was had to be moved down there just for space, you know what I mean? that cuz we had talked about moving those display cases a different way in the building to make
it >> I don't know but yeah I think meeting up with Steve would be good to kind of see cuz I don't know that much about the history >> I don't either and I mean truly with that much stuff >> we're never going to make everybody happy but it would be great to have a point person to say hey what are the big
things >> and we'll try to keep those important um and then my other thought is if we're going to do these kind of days which I think are additional days. Um, and it would make a lot of sense to have someone like Steve
helping create meaning, you know, deeper meaning to that, like this object means this, or, you know, this is how the school happened. Then it would be great to create a budget to actually be able to pay him. >> He'd probably say, "No, I don't want to take anything." But it would sure be
nice to say, "We know your time's valuable, and >> you know, I agree." something >> definitely. >> All right. U and then I just want to note this also. I know that a comment did come in of creating a marketing
budget for next year. I'm not sure what that means. Um more or more or less just throwing an ad in the paper or getting a hold of the Lawndale >> um >> review. >> Review much earlier. Yeah,
>> it's a great idea >> because we um I don't know. I saw Colton at the event, so I was curious to see when or if anything was going to come of it. Maybe this week it'll come out. I don't know. So, it'll be kind of a fun surprise, you know, to see what comes of
it. But um yeah, Sophie had mentioned uh maybe some mailers or something like that, but I was thinking maybe we could do something on the back of the water bill like we did for the park survey because pretty much everybody gets a water bill and then you know if we just
had like a little announcement and maybe a QR code to the event page on the website so people can see like that schedule and maybe running it um in June or whatever >> of next here. >> Mhm. >> Cuz I know that didn't cost as much as
doing like a mailer cuz that is expensive. Y >> and especially with stamps going up now. >> Physical mailers. Yeah. >> Most people throw those away. They don't even read them anymore. >> But we could print out some more um I don't know, eyecatching type things to
put up around the bulletin boards around town and stuff too. I did put some up and then they were a couple days later some were gone. I'm like, "Oh, that's good. People took it." >> Mhm. But I don't >> back the back of a water bill, something like that though is especially if it's
cost effective. I mean, if we can >> pair that down. I think anything that we can do that we can make a budget for to try to promote it is great a great idea. >> I thought we free things too. You get on like the different happenings pages
>> from all the cities around. I mean, they have a post on ours. We could I posted a ton of times. I shared it out from like my council page. >> Now, do we have our own Facebook page for Founders Day? >> We don't, but that was one thing I kind of wanted to bring up cuz other cities do have a specific page for their like
main event um that's sponsored by the or hosted by the city. So, if we could get our own founders day page and that way we could use that um or founders committee page or something more generic so that we can push out like those
schoolhouse tour things or >> any contest that we want to do or involvement, you know. I think that would be great. >> Just call it founders festival events. >> Yeah. Mhm. >> Well, so maybe one of the takeaways to
this is um for this committee creating some sort of marketing head >> Mhm. >> that's pulling all those ideas together and putting action to them. >> I think a big banner to hang up on that little fence by the liquor store too
would be a big deal cuz I I always look there when I'm coming home from work and a lot of people come into town that way. So, like having a big banner there and if it's going to always be on July 3rd and it's always going to be called the Founders Festival, like we could use the same banner every year. >> Yeah. >> You don't have to put a day on it. You
just put the >> month and the day. >> Yeah. >> And that company that I got the sponsor banners, they have really good deals for big banners, too. >> With the liquor store, work with their distributors, and a lot of times those distributors will give them to you for
free. The only problem with that is then there's um liquor or beer marketed on it and I don't know if we want to do that. I don't know. I'd rather keep it more generic. So that I don't know. I do like the freess but since it's not really >> it says Bush laid on it. Is it going to be the end of the world?
>> I know. But >> I mean >> some I don't know >> you know. All right. Uh great discussion. Uh Mr. Chair. Uh other business, uh the city council approved resolution 2026-43,
a resolution for the 2026 Foundersfest fireworks. Um and that included the Lawn Community Foundation of $1,500 anonymous in the amount of 100 um at the June 25th, 2026 meeting. I do
want to give an update on Fender State Committee Advisory Board applications. Uh zero have been received. a Facebook post did go out. Um, and I think Council Member Miller, you boosted or also put out a post with it.
>> So, but I'm just uh letting you know that uh no applications have been received at this time. So, if you're out and about in town and find someone interested, please send them our way. >> Maybe if you put our pictures on the >> Yeah. join this fun team.
>> Yeah. >> Just put the wine on there. It's going to keep everybody away. >> Um, my only other quick thing and then I'll be done talking yapping. But, uh, I kind of started like a checklist that of
like a timeline. So, like 12 months out, 6 to 9 or 9 to 12, 6 to 9, 6 months, 2 months, month before, week of, you know, day of, day after type of thing. Um, and I think that would be good because I like to work off checklists and then we can just kind of make sure we don't miss
anything and like timelines for contacting the paper and getting on Kche again and things like that. So, >> um, we can discuss that at another meeting with Sophie's here too, but I just wanted to throw it out so that if you guys come up with like thoughts or ideas, just jot it down so we can talk about it at the next meeting.
>> Sweet. >> I I would just second that. I think that's a great place to start. going forward is getting a big picture >> and that way we can go high level first and then fill in the details after that. So I I would advocate strongly that
that's our the the thrust of next meeting is to >> kind of iron out that highle stuff. >> Yep. Is it okay to like I have a Google doc but if I like share it with the committee is that in violation of any kind of like things or is it cuz just
>> start going back and forth saying hey that's a great idea then the next person says that's a great idea or hey I talked to this person they said that and then it just >> I just want to make sure >> from there >> yeah so like if we had a working document to put just timeline items on
um that would okay to share out. Okay. Cuz then we can discuss it in detail at the meeting. But sometimes like you might think of something and be like, I'm not going to remember that a month later. >> I super like that idea. I would just say if you're going to send it, that kind of
makes you in charge of after we work through it. >> Editing it. >> Yes. >> Yeah, that's fine with >> if you're cool with that. >> Yeah. I'm all about lists. I got lists everywhere. >> No, I love it. I love it. Hey, my wife gets to remind me to add one more thing.
But I of course want to talk to Sophie first, >> but I'm just throwing ideas out. >> I'm like you. I'll I'll literally have an idea and if I don't write it down that second, it's gone forever. >> Yep. >> But then it'll pop in your head at 3:00 a.m. >> Exactly.
>> What idea? >> All right, Mr. Chair, the next meeting is Monday, August 10th, 2026 at 7:15 p.m. And uh Mr. Chair, I'm seeking a motion to adjourn the meeting tonight. >> I'll make a motion to adjurnn.
>> I'll second. >> All right, we are adjourned. >> Sorry, it went as physical. >> Yeah. So hang on.