Pennsylvania Cave Conservancy Meeting Minutes for February 23, 2013 This is a summary of the minutes of the meeting. The meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm by President Pat Minnick at Mt Laurel Community Park, Harrisburg, PA The following officers were present: President P. Minnick Vice President C. Catherman Secretary G. Schock Treasurer G. Dunmire Representation was as follows: Bald Eagle Grotto JD Lewis Baltimore Grotto Craig Hindman Bucks County Grotto --- Central New Jersey Grotto Amos Mincin Commander Cody Caving Club Mike Mostardi Franklin County Grotto Pat Minnick Greater Allentown Grotto Dean Snyder Huntingdon Co. Cave Hunters --- Nittany Grotto Gary Dunmire Philadelphia Grotto Bill Schultz Seven Valleys Grotto Gretchen Schock York Grotto --- Secretary Report: The minutes from the September 2012 meeting were accepted as published in the January 2013 Breakdown. Treasurer Report: Gary Dunmire distributed a copy of the PCC financial summary. Gary indicated that there was a typographical error in the previous financial summary report. He stated that all three certificates of deposit do have the same maturity dates. That information was corrected in the latest distribution. Web Page: Dave Fricke reported that the PCC web page continues to be up and running. There has been no e-mail activity and there are no issues to report. PCC Breakfast: George and Karen Bange indicated that they will not be attending the Spring 2013 MAR field meet, therefore the paper products and coffee urns that they usually provide for the PCC breakfast will not be available. Pat Minnick and Christopher Catherman have agreed to coordinate the breakfast for the upcoming Spring MAR field meet. PCC Brochure: Anyone interested in obtaining brochures should contact George Bange. Mail: Dean Snyder reported the annual post office box fees have been paid and has requested reimbursement from the PCC. Any incoming mail has been forwarded to the appropriate parties. Christmas Cards: Karen Bange continues to manage the yearly distribution of Christmas cards to cave landowners. Contact Karen if you have a landowner you want added to the Christmas card list. T-shirts: Gary Dunmire continues to have PCC 25th anniversary T-shirts available at $15 each (approximately $17.65 with shipping). Dean Synder has older PCC shirts available for sale at $5 each. PA Cave Database: Tony Canike continues to update the database to a more current format. Tony will re-submit the list of Longest and Deepest caves to Pat Minnick, Christopher Catherman and Dave Fricke for feedback in preparation of it being published on the PCC web site. A committee consisting of Dave Fricke, Amos Mincin, Mike Mostardi and Paul Winter was formed to assist Tony in finalizing and outstanding database issues including what information qualifies for the "restricted/closed cave list". OLD BUSINESS: Project List: Dragon Cave (Berks County, PA) – Dean Synder reported that Frank Eckert is the point of contact for the cave. Relations with the cave owner continue to be good. Red Church Cave (Schuylkill County, PA) – Dean Synder stated land owner relations are positive. Dean has the key to the cave gate and is available to lead a few trips per year. Interested individuals must be NSS members. There are no plans to construct a retaining wall at this time. Merkle Cave (Berks County, PA) – Dean Snyder reported ongoing attempts are in process to contact the cave owner and gain visitor access to the cave. Cleversburg Cave (Cumberland County, PA) – The scientific study is ongoing and the water levels are being actively monitored. There is current activity to assist in resurveying the cave. Schofer Cave (Berks County, PA) – Dean Synder continues to attempt contact with the owner in order to gain access to this cave. Corker Hill and Frustration Pit (Franklin County, PA) – Amos Mincin is requesting access to complete a survey that was initiated over 5 years ago. Peiper Cave (Cumberland County) – No new issues to report. Joe Schock will be on site to monitor the cave during the upcoming 2013 NSS Convention. Anyone interested in gaining entry into Peiper Cave should ALWAYS contact the cave owners, Kim and Ed Kehs Sr., for entry permission and complete the required waivers prior to gaining entry to the cave. Dreibilbis Cave (Berks County) – Mike Mostardi reported that owner relations continue to be good and the cave is available for trips. Mike Mostardi or Bill Schultz can be contacted and will act as a trip leader when needed. J4 Cave (Centre County) – Keith Wheeland report negotiations were positive and he did not foresee any problems with gaining access from Graymont provided Nittany Grotto is able to fulfill the obligations stipulated by the agreement. These obligations include a high wall survey, liability insurance, signage and the construction of a gate. NEW BUSINESS: Spring MAR 2013: CCCC and Philly Grotto are co-hosting the Spring MAR field meet. The spring field meet will be held May 3-5, 2013 at Woodward Cave and Campground in Woodward, PA. More details and information are available at the MAR website. Fall MAR 2013: Nittany Grotto will be hosting the Fall MAR field meet on September 27-29, 2013 at Lincoln Caverns in Huntingdon, PA. Additional information and details can be found on the MAR website. PCC presence at 2013 NSS Convention: Amos Mincin has volunteered to coordinate the set-up and decorating of the PCC table at the upcoming 2013 NSS Convention in Shippensburg, PA. Due to various other obligations Amos will be fulfilling during the convention, he will be unable to man the table. PCC Tax Exempt Status: Gary Dunmire reported that the PCC's tax exempt status has been temporarily revoked. Gary is in the process of re-establishing the status which will cost $400. Randy Hurst has volunteered to assist Gary with the re-instatement. PCC Grotto Membership: In response to possible interest by Cave Hill Grotto, Karen Bange indicated that any grotto can request to join the PCC. The acceptance of any new grotto request will be voted on during a regular PCC meeting. Elections: All current officers were re-elected. Next meeting: The next meeting of the PCC will be held at the Spring MAR field meet at Woodward Cave in Woodward, PA on Sunday, May 5, 2013. Meeting time 9:30 am. The meeting was adjourned at 5:04 pm. Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Schock, Recording Secretary