Buena Vista Sportsman’s Club Monthly Meeting Minutes – December 10th, 2025

Officers’ Present: Jim DePetro (President), Art Grover (Vice President), Kristin Huston (Treasurer), Rex Roberson (Secretary), Doug Dreier (Exec Officer)

Officers Absent: NA

Members Present: Mitch Williams, Brad Kavanagh, Jake Farber (Youth Shotgun Chair), Preston Ellis (Shotgun League Chair), Matt Harutun, Joe Devenney, Gary Young, Skip Penhall, Brad Nelson, Darren Zabloudil, Jerry Steinhauer, Andrew Rice, Lindsey Tanner

New Members & Visitors Present: None

Meeting Called to Order: 7:00
Pledge of Allegiance
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: Approved

Treasurer’s Report: Passed

  • Total Cash Assets: $50,048.67

  • Total Inventory: $8,321.00

  • Nov Income: $2,607.59

  • Nov Expenses: $5,645.17

  • Nov Net Income: (-$3,037.58)

  • YTD Income: $67,576.00

  • YTD Expenses: $68,146.72

  • YTD   Net Income: (-$570.72)

Membership Report

  • Total Members: 241

  • New Members Reviewed and Approved: Russ Bircher, Mike Nelson, Thomas Turner

Trap Report

  • Trap Shoot Reports

    • Weekly Trap shoot start time – Will be changed to an 11am start time in November.

    • Wednesday Trap Shoot suspended until March 2026 due to weather and attendance.

Youth Trap Report

  • Jake is working on a grant that would be awarded to the Young Guns that could then be used for facilities improvements for the club where the youth team shoots.

Rifle Report

  • Range Closed / People Downrange Signage – We will be getting a sign made on a sandwich board that will be placed on the rifle range when people are downrange.

  • Additional Steel for Rifle Range – Jake Farber has donated a 12’ gong to be installed at 240 yards on the rifle range. Rex will work on getting that installed.

Rimfire Report

  • Continuing to hold rimfire shoots during the winter.

  • Next shoot is Sunday, Dec 21st. Sight in at 9am, and the match starts at 10am.

  • Interested shooters can join email list by emailing Mitch Williams at: bvrimfire@yahoo.com

Pistol Report

  • Nothing to report

Old Business

  •  Grant Update:

    • The club has been awarded the grant to rebuild trap house 3. Jake and Erik are looking into the purchase of a premade fiberglass structure that will be used instead of concrete. Once this has been purchased we will remove the thrower from trap 3, demo the existing structure, place the new structure and reinstall the trap thrower.

      • To satisfy the grant funding requirements we will be looking for a large number of volunteers to help with this effort. Please be prepared to help when called upon.  

    • To ensure eligibility for future grants, we need to increase and show public engagement through events like ATA shoots, youth programs, and open competitions.

      • The weekly trap shoots are listed in the Chaffee County Times and Mountain Mail events section.

    • Discussion centered on the future of our trap stations, specifically whether to repair Trap 3 in its existing location or install a new station west of Trap 1 to support future expansion. The group generally favored repairing Trap 3, citing the additional time, funding and having to have the ATA recertify the field for future ATA competitions for a new installation. However, the matter was not definitively resolved, and a formal decision was never reached. Separately, a motion by Matt H. was passed to form a Shotgun Committee tasked with making decisions regarding shotgun field improvements. The committee members include Prestin Ellis, Jake Farber, Erik Phillips, Brad Kavanagh, Art Grover, and Jerry Steinhauer. They will meet and present their recommendation by the February meeting.

  • Clubhouse   Porch Covering:

    • Updated estimate: $1,100–$1,300

    • Motion approved (11–0), pending city approval (required by lease).

    • Rex and Jake met with the City and they want engineered drawings and a permit to be pulled to build.

    • No new updates

  • 5-Stand   Enclosures:

    • Proposal to build 6 enclosures for 5-stand machines.

    • Cost: ~$900 each / $5,400 total

    • Design: Cement pad + steel lockable cover, forklift   movable

    • Motion passed unanimously to proceed.

    • Purpose: Expand club use and add additional disciplines, especially for youth shooters.

    • Jake is doing some last due diligence to ensure we have the best design we can.

    • Jake and Erik have found a source for prebuilt enclosures. They are getting pricing and availability.  

    • The 5-Stand houses have been located and we have received an invoice, Erik has a plan for delivery. 

    • We need to come up with a plan to add solar power chargers for the batteries. If you have any experience and would like to help, please contact Jake Farber. 970-471-2369

    • Six enclosers have been delivered.

    • 5 Stand fees were voted on and approved to be $10/ round going forward

  • Trap Field Expansion:

    • Plot plans of trap field confirm space for additional trap/skeet fields.

    • We will need an updated lease with longer / irrevocable terms to justify expense of expansion. 

    • Contact Jake Farber if interested. 970-471-2369

    • Jake presented the proposal to the Board of Trustees and is waiting for a follow up meeting.

    • The 5-year plan for the city report and municipality grant will need review and additions. We might need to form a committee for the reintroduction for the city. 

    • It has also been highly recommended by a couple of board of trustees’ members that BVSC tries to get representation onto the Buena Vista Recreation Advisory Board to represent BVSC’s interests. https://buenavistaco.gov/2153/Recreation-Advisory-Board

  • Turkey Shoot

    • Turnout was lower than expected and the cost of the prizes was higher than what was collected. The club lost money of this years event.

  • Bylaw Change: Article XII

    • ARTICLE XII: Amendments
      Amendments to these by laws may be made only by a two thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present at two consecutive regular meetings. All members are to be notified by mail / or email regarding the proposed amendments at least fifteen (15) days prior to the first meeting. Where additional approval is required by an affiliated organization the amendments shall not become effective until such approval is given, unless the national organization fails to notify the club within sixty (60) days after receipt of the amendment by the national organization by registered mail. Failure to notify the club in the time frame allotted shall constitute approval.

NEW LANGUAGE

  • Any proposed amendment that is presented to the membership for a vote and does not pass may not be reintroduced, in whole or in substantial part, for consideration for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of the initial vote.

    This was approved to proceed at the November meeting. There will be a vote on this bylaw change at the December and January meetings. If you want to vote on this you must attend the meeting in person.

    The first vote held at the December 10th, 2025 meeting and passed unanimously. The 2nd and final vote will be held at our January 7th, 2026 meeting.

 

New Business

  • Meeting Minute Review:

    • Brad K, made a motion to have the meeting minutes read, discussed and approved at each meeting, Jerry second. Motion passed. Minutes will be reviewed and discussed at meetings

  •  2026 Board Member Nominations

    • Jim nominated Rex for Secretary

    • Rex nominated Jim for President

    • Jim nominated Matt Harutun for Treasurer

    • Jim nominated Art Grover for Vice President

    • Jim nominated Doug Dreier for Executive Officer

      If anyone is interested in running for an officer role, please come to the January meeting and announce your interest in the position.

  •  2026 Chair Positions

    • Preston Ellis – Shotgun League Chair

    • Erik Phillips – Shotgun ATA Chair

    • Jake Farber – Shotgun Youth Chair

    • Rex Roberson – Pistol & Rifle Chair

      If anyone is interested in filling a Chair role, please come to the January meeting and announce your interest in the position.

 

  •  Proposed Membership Dues Increase:

    • We will be proposing a membership increase at the January 7th, 2026 meeting.

    • Membership fees should cover the club’s basic expenses, and we have been running at a loss for the last four+ years. This was discussed at the December 10th meeting with all of the attendees supporting the increase. The increase is being driven by higher insurance and utility costs.

    • The proposed membership fees for 2026 and future years will be as follows:

      • $60 for an individual membership

      • $90 for a family membership

      • The proposed increase to take place on March 1st, 2026. Those renewing prior to March 1 will be grandfathered in under the 2025 rates.

      • The rate for new memberships would take effect immediately after approval.

    • If you would like to voice your opinion and vote on this issue please attend our Jan 7th, 2026 meeting.

Meeting Adjourned: 8:12

Rex Roberson - BVSC Secretary