FRIENDS OF JACKSON COUNTY CONSERVATION QUARTERLY MEETING TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2014

Friends of Jackson County Conservation met on Tuesday, April 8, 2014. Board of Director’s meeting began at 6:00 p.m. with a potluck meal at 6:30 p.m. and the general meeting at 7:00 p.m. Board members that attended the 6:00 p.m. meeting were: Jessica Wagner, JoEllen Langerman, Kathy Atkinson, Chris Cornelius and Wendy Hainstock. Friends’ members that attended the regular meeting were: John & Barb McCray, Mary Hayward, Bill & Wendy Hainstock, Jessica Wagner, Chris Cornelius, JoEllen Langerman, Karen Manning, Jeanne Hoesley, Kathy Atkinson, Ann Burns, Jennifer Meyer and Pam True.

Chair Langerman called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. and asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the January 14th meeting. Jennifer Meyer made the motion to approve the January 14th meeting minutes as presented. Mary Hayward seconded the motion and was passed by unanimous vote.

Wendy Hainstock presented the treasurer’ report: Endowment Fund as of March 28, 2014 $29,912.38 Savings $11,311.95 Checking $27,531.51 Committed Funds: HOM $10,186.82 Watershed Mural $ 2,000.00 Summer Intern $ 1,500.00 Outdoor Safari $ 525.00 Youth Corp Project $ 3,002.61 Remaining balance of committed funds $12,697.95

Mary Hayward asked why some of the money from the checking account has not been moved into the savings account to at least earn interest, since it is not being spent on any designated projects? Jessica Wagner suggested that the treasurer could do an internal transaction and move at least $18,000 from checking to the saving account. Should a project come up the Friends could always move the funds back into checking.

JoEllen Langerman addressed visitor Jessica Hingtgen, Maquoketa Middle School 7th Grade Science Instructor and Rachel Vorbeck, Seventh grade student. Hingtgen and Vorbeck attended tonight’s meeting to discuss an upcoming seventh grade field trip to Isle Royale in Lake Superior. The field trip is scheduled for May 13-19. Renewable World Foundation will be assisting with camping essentials, but does not cover student cost of $40.00 per student. All money raised will go toward student transportation and food expense. A motion was made by Kathy Atkinson to donate $1,000 ($500 from bus grant funds and $500 from general funds) to the Maquoketa Middle School 7th Grade students to help finance the trip to Isle Royale. Mary Hayward seconded the motion and was passed by unanimous vote of the board.

Committee Reports Memberships –Mary Hayward reported that she and Mary Mether volunteered to gather information and conduct an audit of the Friends financial records and reports. After reviewing the financial records for calendar year 2013 the following observations were reported. Financial records were in good order and monthly statements reconciled with the checkbook. All receipts were available for review and communication and documentation between bookkeeper and treasurer were in good standing. For future consideration it was suggested that two people count and document all cash revenue and an audit be done yearly on a calendar or fiscal year. Membership committee will be meeting Tuesday, April 15, 2014. Alice Gilmore will be replacing Bel Tubbs. The committee will be looking at redesigning the membership brochure. It is the consensus that the mass mailing that was completed by JCCB’s summer intern, Ashley Quinlin was a huge success and suggested that another mailing be done this year to try and increase the number of memberships.

Gift Shop – Wendy Hainstock reported that the gift shop has been stocked for the summer season. Approximately $1,300 was spent to replenish popular items and a few new items. Income since the January meeting was $433.00

Programs/Events – Wagner reported on the following programs and events: Great Give Day – a 24 hour online National giving event scheduled for May 6, 2014 from 12 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. The Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is partnering with its endowed nonprofit partners (businesses and community members) to raise as much money as possible for local nonprofits. Wagner attended a meeting at the Maquoketa Library to learn more about this new fundraising event for nonprofits. All monetary gifts go directly to nonprofits, which are amplified by local and national match dollars. It is a new opportunity to raise funds for nonprofits for our community. To participate in this new fundraising event and support your favorite nonprofits access the website www.GreatGiveDay.org on May 6, 2014. Bill Hainstock suggested that the annual $1,000 commitment to the Friends endowment go toward this giving event. Earth Day Celebration–Postcards have been sent out to all Friends members/volunteers notifying them of the upcoming Earth Day Celebration event (volunteer appreciation) scheduled on Tuesday, April 22 nd from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. here at the Hurstville Interpretive Center. The Jackson County Conservation Board and staff members truly want to express our appreciation to all the volunteers for the wonderful job they have done and continue to do for JCCB. This event will be funded by a Toyota Grant that JCCB received to provide a spectacular meal/event to show our appreciation. JCCB staff urges all members/volunteers to attend this event and receive the recognition you rightfully deserve. Volunteer Opportunities–Wagner informed the board that there are some positions available on a couple of committees. Bus Grant Committee has 2 seats to fill. Wagner received one bus grant application this spring from Bellevue/Maquette and that grant was approved by Ben Wagner and Clayton Pederson. With that being said there is plenty of money remaining in that fund to be used for Maquoketa Middle School Isle Royale field trip. Soup supper update–JoEllen Langerman thanked those in attendance and all other volunteers for volunteering their time, monetary or item donations and/or food for the soup supper event. Wagner informed the board that the soup supper raised $1,175, plus $120 of silent auction items that still need to be picked up. A total of $263 from silent auction, $30 in memberships, $8 for gift shop, $237 in monetary donations and $637 in meal ticket sales (120 door and 20 advance tickets). Ticket sales were up by approximately 25 from last year’s event.

Old Business Youth Corps update–Burns provided an update on the Youth Corps program. The Friends Group allocated up to $3,500 toward the program to cover the expenses for the co-leader and Jen Meyer’s extra pay. Interviews were conducted and Cole Wentworth was hired for the co-leader position. Student applications were received from Easton Valley and Maquoketa, but none from Bellevue schools. Six applications have been approved and Jen Meyer is currently working on employee handbooks. Burns spoke to ECAP, Child Welfare State of Iowa, want to contribute under $500 toward wages and salaries, which could go toward Cole Wentworth’s wages. If Friends’ approve with this point of information Friends’ dollars could go toward the purchase of tools. ECAP would like to be involved in a bigger way next year. The group agreed that the money allocated for the Youth Corps project can be used for other things as needed. Watershed mural update–A photos / signs have been placed above the water fountains where the murals will be painted. Friends allocated $2,000 toward the project. Justin Mead will be volunteering time and material to thin set the textured walls starting next week. Once the walls have been smoothed out the artist will come in and paint the murals. Project should be completed by the end of May Passenger Pigeon exhibit–Jones and Dubuque County’s’ are currently displaying the exhibits. JCCB will have the exhibit on display July through December 2014. Safari–Friends have allocated $525 for all materials for the Safari project. Wagner informed the group that she has received the tiles and is working on assembling the booklets and she and Burns will be installing the posts when weather permits. Stream Pump–Wagner informed the group that the new stream pump has been ordered and should be here later this week.

New Business (Discussion/Action items) Baldwin Marsh Management–Burns informed the group that in 2010 JCCB received a grant from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to combat Reeds Canary Grass at Baldwin Marsh. This funding will run out by the December 2014, but the reeds canary grass will not. Hopefully with some determination experts will be able to get this under control within the next four to five years. JCCB hired professionals to do a spring burn and treat the areas with chemicals, but the Conservation Board did not budget for the project in FY 2014/2015. Burns met with Jackson County Pheasants Forever requesting a donation toward the project. Pheasant Forever has approved $1,000 toward the project providing that JCCB commit $1,000 toward the project. Since JCCB did not fund any money toward this project in the FY 2014/2015 budget Burns asked if the Friends Group would be interested in contributing funds toward this project. Burns informed the group that currently there is funding through 2014 for this project. No decisions would need to be made at this time. Burns spoke with Geraldine Bahr Lambert concerning the donation of $1,020 that she made the Friends in December 2013 and Lambert felt that this would be a very worthy project to allocate her donation toward. Kathy Atkinson made the motion to commit $1,000 toward the project. Wagner seconded the motion and was passed by unanimous vote of the group. Karen Manning made the motion to honor Geraldine Lambert’s wishes to donate $1,020 toward the Baldwin Marsh project. Barb McCray seconded the motion and was passed by unanimous vote of the board. Chris Cornelius requested that Burns get in writing Geraldine Lambert’s approval. Martin Property Bird Survey–Wagner is currently working with some students from Loras College on doing a bird survey out at the Martin Property. The cost for the project is $900 and Wagner submitted and received a grant in the amount of $500 from the Iowa Ornithologist. At this time Wagner is not requesting any funds, but wanted to inform the group that there maybe some additional surveys that may require funding. Parking lots at Martin Property–Wagner received a request from Daryl Parker, Chris Cornelius and Anne Hawks concerning funding to develop three parking lotson the Martin Property. JCCB received this wonderful donation, but there is no place for the public to park while visiting the area. JCCB does not have any funding in this year’s budget for any improvements to the property. Cornelius referred to the aerial photo and pointed out potential parking areas. Karen Manning made the motion to support Jackson County Conservation Board by allocating up to $5,000 to the Martin Property to construct parking lots. Kathy Atkinson seconded the motion passed by unanimous vote. Revision of Mission/Vision Statement–Wagner referred to a copy of the new Friends brochure and commented on the Friends Mission/Vision Statement. The Mission statement states that it is a group of interested people which was formed to support, assist and promote the Jackson County Conservation Board. Wagner stated that the statement is a little vague and wondered if a committee should consider forming a committee to examine what the Friends Group actually does and consider rewriting the mission statement. Wagner also mentioned putting together an annual report outlining projects that the Friends Group have completed or supported for the fiscal year. The report would also include expense and revenue reports. A sign-up sheet was passed around for interested members to form a committee to visit re-writing the Friends mission statement. motion was made by Jeanne Hoseley that the board be the nucleus of the committee to produce an annual report and review the mission statement and recruit additional members to thecommittee as they feel is necessary. Cornelius seconded the motion and was passed by the group.

Other Business

Elections in June–Wagner informed the group that there will be an election in June for two positions on the Friends Board. If any Friends member is interested please notify Wagner. Wendy Hainstock informed the group that Ann Burns nominated the Friends of Jackson County Conservation to the National Association of Interpretation –The Friends Group wonthe Region 5 for excellence in interpretive support with the Outdoor Makeover Project.

Adjournment Langerman called for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Pam True made the motion to adjourn the quarterly friends meeting and Jessica Wagner seconded the motion was passed by unanimous vote. Langerman adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m.