FRWC Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

FRWC Executive Committee Meeting Minutes March 21st, 2003

Executive Committee Members in attendance: Darren Bagley-MSU Extension Genesee County, Linda Berker-Sierra Club, Jay Blair-Natural Resource Conservation Service, Susanne Kubic- Genesee County Drain Commissioner's Office

Executive Committee Members not in attendance: Harry Blecker-Center for Applied Environmental Research, Stef Diana-Mott Community College, Stacey Fejes-General Motors,

Others in attendance: Glenn LeFeber-Flint River Watershed Coalition Executive Director, Hilda McShane -Genesee County Parks and Recreation, MaryAnn Nutt-Flint River Watershed Coalition Program Coordinator,

I. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Memberships: Mary Ann Knutt led this discussion. Last year's membership was approximately 38 at the time at which Glenn Lefeber was hired. Membership now is approximately 90 members and our goal is to double that by the end of the year. Mary Ann passed out a membership list including member donations for membership collated by category of membership. This will be distributed to board members only at the next board meeting. Mary Ann will also promulgate and distribute a sponsors list to outline all sponsors' donations in 2002 and distribute that as well. Corporate partnerships were also discussed. Motion by Sue Kubic, seconded by Jay Blair that the Executive Committee recommend to the board that each board member commit to a board membership fund raising goal and then communicate their personal target to Mary Ann. The Motion passed unanimously. The Executive Committee contemplates that each board member's target would be reached through donations, recruiting or a combination of both. B. Bylaws - Sue Kubic and Olaf Karlstrom have been working diligently to revise the Bylaws and an updated version of the Bylaws was reviewed by the Executive Committee and discussed. Discussion included a description of the "Coalition" vs. "Counsel" Status. Glenn was directed by Darren to check with Jack Minore on the issue of the legality of Municipal Memberships because Municipalities have claimed that they cannot be members of a "non-profit organization". The Bylaws will be posted via the web and the goal of the Bylaws Committee is to have a vote on a final version at the full board meeting in April 2003. C. Watershed short course meeting - Darren, Glenn and Sue have developed guidelines and dates for the Watershed Short Course this fall. The course will be held on successive Thursdays, September 4th through October 9th from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Darren's office. The charge will be $75.00 for members and $100 for non-members. D. River Clean Up - Mary Ann is coordinating the river clean up and seems to have this well in hand. Mary Ann passed out summary sheets for each of the six (6) clean up sites this year. It is possible that a 7th Hunters Creek site may be added. E. Lapeer Issues Committee - Darren Bagley provided a presentation on the Flint River Watershed Coalition at the first organizational meeting of the Lapeer Issues Committee which was held at the Lapeer County Health Department, Tuesday night, March 18th at 7:00 p.m. From 20 to 25 people attended and the meeting was very positive with most attendees wishing to serve on the committee. The first formal committee meeting was set for April 1st at 6:30 p.m. at the Health Department building in Lapeer or at the Annex Building across from the Lapeer County Circuit Courthouse depending upon room availability. Marian Listwak is the chairperson.

II. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Green ways

Glenn LeFeber and Harry Blecker have obtained a $150,000 grant from the Ruth Mott Foundation for the Green Ways Project which will include development of a green ways proposal document through garnering of information already compiled by various organizations, hosting of a number of public meetings throughout the watershed and other public participation. A website will also be developed and established and a number of other functions performed. Glenn anticipates another $75,000 grant for the project may be garnered.

B. Environmental Policy Committee The Executive Committee recommends the creation of an Environmental Policy Committee which is not a standing committee and which would include one member from Lapeer, Oakland and Genesee Counties. The committee would be created by appointment by Darren of its initial membership. We suggested that Linda Berker be the initial member from Lapeer County and that Fred Townsend be the initial member from Oakland County.

C. Endowment Fund Motion by Linda Berker, seconded by Sue Kubic to request that the finance committee generate and evaluate a proposal to earmark a certain percentage of the yearly gross income of the FRWC for long term investment with the long term goal of the creation of an Endowment Fund. Motion passed unanimously.

D. Michigan River Network In conjunction with Glenn's negotiations, the annual meeting for the Michigan River Network Association will be held in Flint on the University of Michigan Campus on October 24 - 25th.

E. Performance Evaluation for Glenn The Executive Committee reviewed a 4-page self-assessment provided by Glenn and the overall assessment was positive. The Executive Committee recommends renewal of Glenn's contract and has charged Darren with discussing management skills, better communication to the board regarding CAER/FRWC projects, organizational and follow-up skills with Glenn

F. Announcements and Events Scheduled for the Spring -- Flint River Watershed Coalition and Sierra Club Nepessing Group as well as other member organizations include: March 22nd, Saturday, SCNG, First Hike of Spring, Holly Recreation Area, 10:00 a.m., Five (5) miles, Easy. M-15 to Grange Hall Road in Ortonville, West 2 miles, North on Brandt Road .3 miles. Trail head parking on left. Cindy Englemann -- 810-715-0660. -- March 29th -- FRWC/MSUE - Watershed Forum on Nature Conservancies at Michigan State Cooperative Extension Building -- March 29th - SCNG- Otter Lake Hike, 10:00 a.m., Six (6) miles. I-69 to M-15 North to Willard Road, 2.8 miles North of M-57 then East 2.6 miles, left at fork, .1 mile to trail head parking lot on left. Terry Lemmer - 810-732-9902 -- March 30th - SCNG - Hog Back Hills hike, 1:00 p.m., Five (5) miles, difficult. Meet at fishing parking lot near 12406 E. Stanley Road, 3 miles east of M-15. Gloria Bublitz, 810-664-0304 -- April 5th - SCNG -- Saturday, 10:00 a.m., Murphy Lake Hike - Six (6) miles, moderate. 4 miles east of Millington on Millington Road - Denny Crispell 989-624-5038 -- April 9th - SCNG -- meeting Mott Community College - Genesee Room, 7 p.m. presentation by Wild Ones to include discussion of urban sprawl and natural landscaping and natural landscaping techniques.

-- April 12 and 13th - SCNG -- Jordan River Pathway Early Spring Backpacking- Call Dave Mansfield - 810-658-0406 -- April 19th - Mott Community College -- April 19th - SCNG -- Otter Lake Hike - 10:00 a.m., moderate, see March 29th directions above -- April 23rd - FRWC -- Stream monitoring training on Wednesday at U of M - Flint -- April 24th - FRWC -- Stream monitoring training continued on Thursday at Formar Arboretum and Nature Preserve -- April 26th - FRWC -- Stream monitoring date - Please call Dennis Zicha or Glenn LeFeber if you haven't signed up yet, 767-6490 or 953-4954 for Dennis or 767-7373 for Glenn -- April 26th - SCNG -- Sawdust Corners Hike, 5 to 6 miles, moderate, Lapeer State Game area - I-69 to M-24 North about 7.5 miles, West on Sawdust Corners Road, .6 miles to parking lot on North side of road. Go past Road Closed sign, restaurant stop, Greg and Mary Downey, 810-664- 4917. -- April 26 through 27th - SCNG -- Shingle Mail pathway Early Spring Backpacking - call Don Persson - days 257-7441, nights 695-0516 -- April 26th - SCNG -- Annual Frog Hike - 7 p.m., moderate, no dogs allowed, state park vehicle permit required, bring food and drink for picnic at 7 p.m. before hike - frog hike begins at 8:30 p.m., bring flashlights and boots for muddy trails and gear - Hadley Road, 4 miles South of Hadley to Fox Lake Road, go West on Fox Lake Road about 1 mile to Equestrian Campground on North Side of Fox Lake Road - Fred Townsend 248-627-3587. -- May 3rd - SCNG - Arbor Day at Formar Arboretum and Nature Preserve -- May 3rd -- Saturday -- Lumberman's Monument Hike along Ausable River. Meet at Lumberman's Monument West of Oscoda 11:00 a.m. Carpooling at Clio/Vienna Road 1-75. Carpool area at 8:30 a.m. Denny Crispell 989-624-5038 -- May 3rd - Saturday - Bird Hike - 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.. An easy, leisurely walk through a variety of bird habitats learning to identify birds by sight and sound during the nesting season. Bring binoculars and bird field guides if available. Limit of 10. No dogs allowed. Fred Townsend 248-327-3587. -- May 10th - Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day - Saturday -- May 10th - 11th - Hoist Lakes Backpacking trip, moderate. Call Don Persson, 810-695-0516 -- May 14th - SCNG meeting - 7:00 p.m. - Mott Community College -- May 16th - Davison Lake Full Moon Hike and Tailgate Party -- 7:00 p.m., 4 to 5 miles, easy, Ortonville Recreation Area, bring flashlight, beverage, snacks, chairs, music, state park vehicle permit required, Cindy Engelmann, 715-0660 -- May 17th - Flint River Clean-up - at least 6 locations throughout Genesee County -- Flint River Watershed Coalition Board of Director's meetings - 8:30 a.m. - Genesee Room at Mott Community College , April 18th, June 20th, August 15th and October 17th -- Executive Committee Meetings at 8:30 a.m. Genesee Room at Mott Community College - May 16th, July 18th, September 19th and November 21st

Linda S. Berker Program Chairperson