Minutes of General Meeting
These pages are generated automatically from the original text of the various minutes. It is possible that they contain errors (probably words or sentances omitted) or formatting mistakes. The definitive text is the downloadable pdf file.
Date: August 4, 2008
Occasion: General Meeting
Called to Order: 7.07PM
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Quorum
There was a quorum present for a general meeting.
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Agenda
Agenda was approved as posted.
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Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the General Meetings of May 5th., and June 2nd., and the Board Meeting of July 7th., were approved.
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Board Members in Attendance
Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, NW, SW, SE Area Reps., Library, Seniors, WDMA.
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Board Members Excused
Secretary, ES, NE
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Guest Speakers
April Moore—
- introduced herself as a candidate for State House District 15.
James Strandbert, Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) and Kim Robertson (Robinson?), Municipal Light and Power (ML&P) for the proposed Houston/Willow intertie corridor—
- AEA are the owners of the intertie;
- ML&P are contractors for construction of line to carry power to Fairbanks;
- existing Houston/Willow corridor identified as preferred route;
- public comment sought August 6th, Wasilla Sports Center
Discussion—
- public preference is for a single pole to carry both MEA and ML&P cables both for esthetic values and to minimize impact on landowners along corridor; do it right now;
- utilities will find tear down/rebuild an expensive option;
- improve communications (first notice received by corridor landowners last week);
MOTION: Bruno Bryner moved the motion postponed from last months meeting be moved from Unfinished Business and discussed now while guests were present. Motion was seconded.
VOTE: Motion passed with no objection.
MOTION: Erin McLarnon read the text of the Joint Motion with Houston Council (as amended) supporting construction of the new electric line from Teeland to Douglas Substations on a single set of poles (full text
attached);
Discussion—
- considered a good motion;
- uses existing corridor for project;
- single pole line ensures minimum impact to environment, property owners;
- not often Houston and Willow agree;
- what weighting will be be applied to criteria (cost/property/esthetics)?
- two months before proposal placed before AEA;
- AEA make final decision.
VOTE: Motion passed with one objection.
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Secretary’s Report
No report available
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Treasurer’s Report
Net loss for prior month greater than expected; overall outlook for remainder of year presents no cause for alarm at present.
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Vice Chair’s Report
- energy efficient lighting now installed; some work still remains to be done;
- installation of 50KW Emergency Generator expected to commence August 11th.
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Chair’s Report
- trophies for July 4th., are ready for collection and will be distributed;
- no further news on Railroad Corridor;
- will attend Assembly Meeting for allocation of unspent Community Center projects funds to WACO priorities;
- called for a Board Meeting at 6PM August 18th., to consider renewal of rental agreement with Willow Historical and Wildlife Foundation;
- believes that Scott Purkey has left the area, hence the NW Alternate seat is vacant;
- scheduled for Fall: appointment of bylaws and audit commitees.
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Assembly Rep Report
No report available.
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Carnival Report
Meeting called for August 18th., 7:00PM (sharp). Reminder: All Board Members are members of the Carnival Committee.
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Trails Report
Steve Charles—
- has received two grants for (1) maintenance of the West Gateway trail system including equipment purchase and (2) surveying the upper Haessler(enNorris system.
- will post a community survey/request for comment sheet regarding location of any potential pedestrian trails. Results will form basis of instruction to engineering firms studying trail feasibility.
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Community Enrichment
Has approached the Borough with a grant request for the new (Borough) fiscal year.
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Area Rep Reports
South-West.
George Howard noted a discrepancy between the area map posted on the web site and assignment of the various Area Representatives. Two different definitions of the areas exist (and have been published with the bylaws).
The Chair asked that existing representatives continue their duties; area definition will be referred to the Bylaws Committee.
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Local Organization Reports
Seniors.
Have broken ground for new facility on Willow Creek Parkway.
Garden Club.
Dorothea Taylor reported a successful Annual Garden Tour with higher than usual attendance.
Library Association.
Claire Fitzgaireld—
- noted the many sponsors of the Library Reading Program;
- advised that the library may be changing it’s hours in September from two evenings to three evenings each week.
WDMA.
Mini Symposium, September 6th—
- Gear Swap, 10(en12;
- Symposium, 1(en6;
- Spaghetti feed, 6:30;
- Silent Auction and Film.
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Announcements
- Thursday, August 21, 4:00PM, United Methodist Church: Cancer Survivors and Care Givers Support Group;
- Family Brunch, Sunday August 24, 11(en1PM;
- August 17 !PM: Serum Run Meeting, free pot-luck.
Next Meeting: September 8, 2008 at 7pm
Adjourned: 8:30
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Full text of Utility Corridor motion:
REVISED DRAFT 7.08
CITY OF HOUSTON, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 08-20
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON, ALASKA AND THE WILLOW AREA COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TO JOINTLY PROPOSE THE UTILITY CORRIDOR FOR ML&P FROM THE TEELAND SUBSTATION IN WASILLA TO THE DOUGLAS SUBSTATION IN WILLOW
WHEREAS, the Council for the City of Houston and the Willow Area Community Organization support the goal of stabilizing and increasing the ability of Fairbanks to receive subsidized electrical power, and
WHEREAS, we acknowledge the need for all Alaskan communities to tolerate the growth and needs of the neighboring communities as long as that growth includes respect for the impacts on all involved communities, and
WHEREAS, we recognize that the section of electric line between Teeland and Douglas substations has the least amount of carrying power of the entire system, and that an upgrade to match the rest of the line’s capacity is desired and may be needed at some time in the future, and
WHEREAS, we recognize that it is in the State’s best interest to accomplish the building of the improved line at current prices, and that partial funding has been allocated by the State for this project; and
WHEREAS, full funding for the project is not secure at this time, but may be secured in the future, and
WHEREAS, we recognize and desire that MEA will remain our local electricity provider, and that MEA has provided portage for ML&P’s electricity for the past 20 years and will continue that portage for the foreseeable future, and
WHEREAS, we acknowledge that the spacing between poles will need to decrease from 1000 feet apart to 600 feet apart which may help with the current snow loading problems, and
WHEREAS, we strongly encourage ML&P’s cooperation with MEA in providing drop off points north of Willow and MEA will cooperate in placing the new poles between Teeland and Willow, and
WHEREAS, we encourage the State to also support the growth needs of the local communities to receive electricity from MEA as the State supports other electrical utilities, and
WHEREAS, this particular project would have a significant negative impact on residents and property owners where a double line would lie within private property
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, ALASKA, AND WILLOW AREA COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION that:
We hereby jointly resolve that Municipal Light and Power (ML&P) and Matanuska Electric Association (MEA), with the support of the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA), design and build the new electric line from Teeland to Douglas Substations on a single set of poles be placed wherein ML&P and MEA manage to perpetuity the power each on one side of the poles, and that the route shall follow the existing MEA utility easement.
Communications Committee
Mary Lou Frahm, Secretary, WACO
Phone: 3674 Email: sec@waco-ak.org
Claire Fitzgaireld
