Approximately 54 people attended Elma’s final Horizons meeting on June 18 at the Elma Memorial Hall. Dinner was catered by the Elma Locker.
A short review of the Horizons Program included the Study Circle’s vision of Elma as a “safe, caring and united community with opportunities and respect for all.”
Erin Ludwig, co-facilitator for the Leadership Plenty phase gave a short talk on this phase.
The Visioning Committees gave short verbal and/or written reports on their activity. The Elma Early Childhood Center obtained its 501c3 status, is operating in temporary facilities, and is planning on moving into the new addition to the Elma Charter Elementary School in August.
The Recreational Trail Committee reported it has collaborated with the Wapsi-Great Western Line Two County Committee. A Community Attraction & Tourism grant application has been submitted to the State of Iowa. Thirteen Elma residents attended the presentation meeting at Des Moines in May. Negotiations between the state and the two county committee is expected to begin in July.
The Memorial Hall Improvement Committee reported it has made significant financial strides towards its goal of $300,000. This committee has refocused its planning during the past three months to ensure its vision, mission, and proposed project are compatible.
The Busti Avenue/Main Street Committee reported its successful completion of the Elma Spring Extravaganza. The event showcased mostly home-based businesses to increase the awareness of goods and services available locally. The committee will host a fall event and then plans to transfer the responsibility to another organization so that the Busti Avenue/Main Street Committee can concentrate on its larger objective of revitalizing Elma’s business district.
The Medical Clinic Committee reported it has been in contact with the New Hampton Hospital regarding a clinic at Afton Oaks. The process continues with the next step being a survey of interest in the area for such a clinic.
The Parent/Teacher Partnership reported it has successfully organized and has held five events thus far. It is their intent to hold monthly activities. They have been successful in obtaining some funding for its programs, including the holding of a bake sale/rummage sale.
The Communications Committee reported it has been meeting every-other month with city officials to provide interaction between the city and the general community.
The meeting continued with a presentation by Brenda Ranum and Ann Mansfield of the Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative regarding this initiative that will affect Elma. They presented the process NIFF is undergoing. A question and answer session followed.
Those in attendance then discussed the allocation of the $8,500 in anticipated funds from the Northwest Area Foundation. After discussion, the consensus was the following allocation:
$3000 to the Elma Early Childhood Center
$3000 to the Elma Memorial Hall Improvement Project
$1000 to the Wapsi-Great Western Line Project
$ 500 to a Movies/Music in the Park Project. This was the second most important item during the Study Circles and but not yet been implemented.
$1000 to the Elma Medical Clinic if this initiative proceeds. If not, Elma’s community betterment group is to use these funds for a medical-related initiative.
The group also discussed the allocation of the $1000 mini-grant from the Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative. The consensus was to allocate this money as follows:
$250 to the Elma 5k Run/Walk for the purchase of locally grown or processed food for its breakfast.
$250 to the Parent/Teacher Partnership for the purchase of locally grown or processed food for its programming.
$250 to the Elma Roller Skating Program for the purchase of new roller skates.
$250 for the purchase of fitness equipment targeted for use by the elderly.
The meeting concluded with thank-yous to those that helped Elma through this process, with special thanks to our community coach, Brenda Schmitt, and our county director, Charlie Baier.