Meeting Minutes
E. Taggart called the meeting to order at 5:32pm.
E. Taggart asked to approve the past month’s meeting minutes in L. Ross’ absence. J. Toms made the motion. M. Burton seconded. Passed.
M. Wise gave the treasurer’s report in J. Rufener’s absence:
June 20, 2006 balance: $2,422.49
5K donations + $ 175.00
memberships + $ 45.00
5K donations + $ 75.00
ink recycling + $ 16.05
reimburse petty cash - $ 37.49
Balance July 18, 2006: $2,696.05
B. Hysong made motion to approve. M. Burton seconded. Passed.
OLD BUSINESS
Bylaws – E. Taggart told the group that after more research, he has decided that the last section to be added to the bylaws is not the route we’d like to go. “Indemnification of officers, volunteers etc” means that we will take responsibility for legal costs if necessary. We need a clause saying that the individual members, volunteers, officers etc are responsible for themselves. All agreed. B. Hysong said that he would ask a lawyer friend of his what the clause should include. M. Wise is to check with River Network – the group that told us to include this indemnification clause – why they use it as well as contact ODNR to ask if their lawyers could give an opinion as well. This lead to a discussion of D&O insurance and liability. C. Harsha stated that liability is such a gray area – RA’s insurance will cover us on most things but not all. We cannot afford D&O insurance.
Fun Day/5K – M. Wise told the group what is planned to date for the Fun Day/ Party in the Park: helium balloons, worm alley, displays, crafts, watershed related play/ skit, enviroscape, Turtle Spring Farm animals, popcorn machine. She asked group members to sign up to volunteer for the tent and to help with the 5K. All donations are in. The group suggested that we make a large display/ make it known that it is our 10 year anniversary. This transitioned into the next agenda item…
August Meeting – M. Wise said that she is planning the picnic type celebration after the August HRWRP meeting at 6:00. All HRWRP members will be invited. She asked members present to sign up to bring food to the picnic. C. Harsha said that the group could pay for hotdogs and hamburgers. M. Wise said that she was hoping for a larger event with dinner, displays, power point presentations, awards etc. The group agreed that we should hold such an event but it would wait until September or October to do it right. People who attend would have to pay a cover cost for dinner.
NEW BUSINESS
Project Update – M. Wise gave an update on AMD projects in the absence of ODNR personnel:
Thomas will be bid out the week of August 9 and we are still expecting a fall construction start date.
Mineral Zoar should be bid very soon still.
Fern Hill has a new engineer working on the design. A grant extension will be requested to add another year to the timeframe.
Harsha North is under construction. M. Wise stated that she had not been to the site and so could only relay information she was given: half the lower gob pile has been graded, half the clearing and grubbing has been completed, the project limits and grades have been staked, utility companies have been out to the site to evaluate line relocation. C. Harsha stated that this was all correct. Also, new engineers have been assigned to this project as well.
VISTA update – M. Wise reported that Terri Sponaugle- Schrock has completed her term. Her departing party went well. The Ginseng workshop she organized had 18 people in attendance with a profit of $60. Terri asked Maureen to tell a story about a child recognizing Terri on vacation as a Huff Run staffer. Michelle Shivley will start July 27.
Membership Drive – M. Wise reported that two businesses have responded to the membership drive. Also, as of that day, 21 members had renewed.
Correspondence – E. Taggart shared a survey from Crossroads RC&D for members to fill out, passed around the latest OSM newsletter and reported that the ODNR ARC will be Dec 5, 6 this year.
It was discussed to obtain a flag for the office and say the Pledge of Allegiance as meetings start.
A conversation about maintenance of AMD restoration project took place. The Huff Run ALM project behind M. Burton’s house has a new landowner who is mowing down all the trees that ODNR planted. B. Hysong will find the landowners’ names. Perhaps Jim Gue could talk to the new landowners about the value and importance of the trees. M. Steinmaus stated that we should talk to State Reps about the situation and urge them to give more funds to ODNR for maintenance of projects.
E. Taggart adjourned the meeting at 7:05pm
Respectfully submitted by Maureen E. Wise.