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: October 2, 2006
Occasion: General Meeting
Called to Order: 7:10pm
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Quorum
There was a quorum present for a general meeting
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Agenda
The agenda was adopted as is.
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Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the general meeting held on September 11, 2006 were approved.
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Guest Speaker
Murph O’Brien (MSB Planning Director) gave a short overview of the Community Planning process and then took questions:
- Planning a three stage process—
- Boro-wide Comp Plan setting out broad goals. Decision in 80′s required planning to by carried out by local communities (of which 27 are recognized by MSB);
- Local communities (if they desire) prepare a vision statement of how they would like their community to look in twenty years time (Comprehensive Plan);
- If the local community then desires, regulations covering a Special Land Use District (SPUD) can then be passed (in effect, enforcing some particlar part(s) of the Comp. Plan).
- The Borough seeks to assist the planning process with either staff or consultant support to the community;
- The local planning team should be made up of as wide a cross section of local interests as possible. Applications are made to the Planning Commission who then approve membership of the local team (none refused in Mr. O’Brien’s experience);
- Planning Team prepare plan through an iterative process. All meetings are publicized, are public and solicit public input. Local council approves prior to plan being passed to Planning Commission;
- WACO bylaws allow voting on such a plan by any resident or property owner (voting at a Borough election would not be possible under current bylaws).
- In only one case has the Assembly changed a plan (or SPUD, in Mr. O’Brien’s experience) if that plan conforms to code. This was a case where regulations were imposed on the vision—the regulation was removed and may be inserted in a future Special Land Use District.
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Secretary’s Report
- The agenda for meetings is now posted on the website, www.waco-ak.org
- October 24th 7pm at the Community Center will be the kickoff meeting for the DOT Airplane Noise Study for Willow Lake.
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Treasurer’s Report
- The report for September was presented.
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Vice-Chair’s Report
- The Willow Library Janitorial contract with Rich and Dee Pralle was terminated.
- We have a new caretaker: Dave Norman.
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South East Area Rep Report
Mary Shreves:
- Read a letter from Jim Huston questioning the legality of the Board meeting on September 22nd, when it was voted 6:2 to terminate the Willow Library Janitorial contract with Rich and Dee Pralle.
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South West Area Rep Report
Val Schachle:
- Received four (4) phone calls regarding dismissal of Rich and Dee Pralle. Three were displeased and one was in agreement.
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North East Area Rep Report
Kel Jacobs:
- Read three (3) letters from Rich Pralle:
- The first questioned DEC’s decision that the sink on the prep counter could be used as a hand washing sink.
- The second objected to the letter written by the Chair to the Willow Area Seniors regarding the cleanliness of WACO equipment used for the Community Lunch.
- The third requested the balance of the amount left on the Willow Library Janitorial Contract.
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Carnival
Linda Oxley:
- Octoberfest dinner is October 21st at 6pm. Tickets are $7 for adults and $2 for children. The drawing for the money raffle will be at 7pm. Tickets for raffle are $50, only 200 will be sold and there are 12 cash prizes. Walter Adolphs is the cook in charge of the dinner.
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Trails
Steve Charles:
- The committee has requested $10,000 from the Grooming Pool. $7,000 for grooming the West Gateway trails and $3,000 for grooming the Nancy Lake Recreation Area. The Grooming Pool is the money that comes from snow machine registration fees.
- The logging sale in the Willer-Kash area is going ahead. The comment period on this ends on October 11th. WACO will reiterate their opposition to this sale.
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Willow 2020 Committee
Erv Dedeker:
- Willow 2020 was formed a year ago to educate th over 100 people attending. There were 12 people to present different aspects of planning.
- Willow is growing very fast. If the road from Port McKenzie goes in and/or the prison is built at Houston, it will grow even faster.
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Chamber of Commerce
Doyle Holmes:
- Thursday week the Chamber is having a dinner meeting at the Willow Trading Post.
- November 2 7pm - History Night. Please bring old photos, newspaper articles etc.
- The Chamber supports Jim Huston’s position concerning the Board meeting of September 22nd.
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Emergency Services
Derral Godbee:
- There were two fires, one in Willow and on on Hatcher Pass. In Willow the garage burnt but the house was saved.
- There is a new class starting this month, we need more volunteers.
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Library Association
Claire Fitzgaireld:
- Thank you to all the volunteers for the summer reading program.
- Thank you to the Garden Club for taking care of the Library garden.
- October 20th Teen Mystery Night.
- November 7th 8am Backdoor Breakfast Club. The Wedding
- Thank you to Wade and Trisha Peterson for donating a new book drop box.
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Lions
Lynn Phillips:
- Calendar is being printed and will be mailed near Christmas.
- Skate night was a great success.
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Roads
Jim Norcross:
- Mil rate increase for Willow Roads Area is on the ballot tomorrow, October 3rd. (This would put the rate back to what it was last year). The money is needed because the cost of the contracts for Road Service increases every year.
- Last meeting was rescheduled to Thursday 5th October at 4pm at Willow Haven.
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She-Mon-Sun
Bobbie Lewis:
- She-Mon-Sun is a homemakers group that has been in existence for 40 years.
- It stands for Sheep Creek, Montana Creek and Sunshine.
- We gave over $3,000 to three students in Willow for higher education.
- The group supports Jim Huston’s position concerning the Board meeting of September 22nd.
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Willow Dog Mushers Association
Erin McLarnon:
- Be aware that fall training has begun and dog teams will be running along side the roads.
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Unfinished Business
Comprehensive Plan.
The following was brought forward from the previous meeting.
MOTION: Mary Shreves moved that WACO write a letter to MSB Planning Dept. asking them to help us begin the process of developing a comprehensive plan for the Willow area. Motion was seconded.
AMENDMENT: Ed McCain moved that the motion be amended to add Any changes made by the MSB Planning Commission or Assembly must be approved by the Willow community. Motion was seconded.
VOTE: The amendment passed with 192 for and 104 against.
VOTE: The amended motion passed with 146 for and 142 against.
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Announcements
Laurie Courtney.
Crafts Fair is November 18th. Of 60 vendors, 40 are returning and there is a waiting list of new vendors.
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Persons to be heard
Jim Huston.
Objected to the vote taken at the September 22nd board meeting, that removed Rich and Dee Pralle from the Willow Library contract and requested a new vote.
Slade Avalon.
Asked why there was not more done for the children of Willow.
Next Meeting: November 7, 2006 at 7pm
Adjourned: 9:20pm
Communications Committee
Sue Morgan, Secretary, WACO
Phone: 1784 Email: sec@waco-ak.org
Claire Fitzgaireld
