Minutes of Board 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: July 7, 2008
Occasion: Board Meeting
Called to Order: 7.19PM
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Quorum
Board meeting was called to order with Board quorum but not Community quorum present.
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Agenda
Agenda was approved as posted.
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Approval of Minutes
Approval of Minutes from June General meeting deferred to August.
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Secretary’s Report
No report available
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Treasurer’s Report
Reviewed revised financial statement. Discussion emphasized fuel and electrical prices, pull tab earnings, receipt of rental check from Iditarod. Noted lack of control over heating system is a growing issue.
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Vice Chair’s Report
- Announced upgrades to electrical system in process by the borough. Generator installation in near future. The upgrade should cut costs almost in half for lighting and increase the light intensity.
- Communication continuing with Borough staff over the uncontrollable heating system.
- Requests continued attention on clean up after events by event planners.
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Chair’s Report
- Received Save the Date notice from Dave Hanson, Economic Development office of the Borough (He recommends the quality of these courses.) Center of Economic Development at UAA, Anchorage Oct 13-16, 08 Basic Economic Development; Oct 9-10, 08 Economic Development Strategic Planning. Call Linda Ketchum, 786-5415 for more info.
- Letter received from Senior Club, Inc inviting us to the ground breaking ceremony for the new senior housing project. Unfortunately it was in the in-box too long and could not be posted. A thank you letter will be sent.
- Mark Neuman called with two updates. He and others in state government are working on the fish escapement issues and trying to come up with win-win solutions. Anyone using wood heat can call his office, 376-2679, for personal use cutting areas.
- July 15 is next comp planning meeting. Excellent info presented and used by group to guide their work. Assembly meeting same evening.
- Most of the issues regarding the electrical system audit done in April 2006 by Dukes Electric, are now resolved or have made substantial progress.
- The July 4th events were Wonderful. More than 400 people, 18 floats in the parade, a number of runners in the WHO sponsored 4 mi run, a number of pets in the WDMA sponsored costumed pet show which made the Channel 2 News, lots of good food and fun. Darrel Godbee won the Antique car category and the Methodist Church won for best float. About 310 burgers, and about 190 hotdogs were eaten. Costs were up: about $200 for added the state of Alaska as additional insured, $100 for the traffic control plan and supervision, $100 for the permit itself. Suggestions for next year include: all entries can be judged as floats; have 1st and 2nd prizes for the floats, and add a Peoples Choice for the cars with a paper way to vote. All entries should pull into parking lot. Add a couple of signs in parking lot to guide entries/floats. Feedback from Doris Coy, traffic control, is to add cones with streamers along the bike path route. Need to coordinate routes of runners and parade unless time changes for run.
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Assembly Rep Report
No report available.
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Carnival Report
Much of the groundwork already completed. Confirming major events have leaders. Taking most of summer off from meetings. Trying to work with event leaders more autonomous and coming together for advice/reports.
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Trails Report
Thanks to WACO for SNOTRAC grant support letter. Hoping to receive $15,000 over 2 year period. Early work on pedestrian trail development in Willow. Seeking input to create a master plan. Looking for engineering company with this expertise. Beginning to identify potential funding sources eg MatSu Health Foundation; Rasmusson. Please get your ideas about any part of this process/trail development to Steve Charles and other members of the Trails committee.
MOTION: Mary Shreves moved to write a letter for WACO to write a support letter for the development of the master plan, seconded.
VOTE: Motion passed with no objection.
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CERT
No report available.
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Railroad Corridor
Received letter from Senator Ted Stevens thanking us for the communication about the community’s concerns with the rail spur coming thru Willow. He has contacted the Surface Transportation Board to ensure that our comments receive appropriate attention.
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Community Enrichment
- Children’s Ballet classes continue for a couple more weeks.
- Exercise group remains active.
- Bridge lessons are available.
- Anyone with an idea to develop is invited to contact either Shirley Wakeman or Pat Madigan.
- Wonderful Brunch with 40+ in attendance. Next tentatively scheduled for 7/27!!
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Unfinished Business
ML&P and MEA Corridor Update.
Houston has passed the proposed Joint Resolution that basically asks ML&P and MEA to work out a way to use the same poles for both local service (MEA) and long distance bulk electrical transfer to subsidize Fairbanks and other points north (ML&P).
MOTION: Motion made, seconded and postponed to accept and join the resolution with Houston to the August meeting. Request made to ask Houston City Council to remove language about lines underground. Information needed especially about the financial implications of both options. It is particularly noted that those most likely to be affected have not offered their opinion about this. All in attendance asked to talk about this with friends and neighbors and see if we can get broader community input and involvement.
VOTE: Postponed
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New Business
Report on Energy Roundtable Discussion.
Senator Charlie Huggins has convened a roundtable of local Council and Senior organizations leaders and will reconvene this group end of July/early August. Goal is to share info and receive ideas back to end up with a statewide menu of energy saving/energy production programs. Requested methods desired for this communication process. Display of info with idea collection box to be set up in WCC.
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Area Rep Reports
South-East.
Mary Shreves will follow up with DOT about the sloughing hillside along the Parks between Newmans and Holmes. This has been addressed before but it is not resolved. Suggest an email brunch reminder.
No Reports.
No reports were made for the other Areas.
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Local Organization Reports
Emergency Services.
Big fire at mile 80 that had advanced into the woods. Able to use new brush cutting combination water, foam and air machine with great success. Much less water needed.
Garden Club.
Annual Willow Garden Tour scheduled for July 19. Be in the parking lot by 9:30AM and bring a box lunch for yourself.
Library Association.
Summer reading program is going well. Free Bugs related play being produced and playing July 19th at 7PM. Flyers are out. Nicole has added more computers to the library, enhanced the wifi access in the hallway, and added a public use scanner in the library. Quite a number of community members are using the wifi 24/7 in the parking lot.
Lions.
Have done a couple of fund raisers in the community for a local woman recovering from a serious accident. Always looking for new members, service organization with local commitment.
WDMA.
Had a lot of fun and happy to be with the Costume Pet show at the July 4th events. Also, a new website is under construction, please be patient and check frequently: [http://www.WillowDogMushers.com/] . Mini dog mushing symposium being developed for the fall. More info to follow.
WHO.
Health Fair from spring had 170 attendees despite the bad weather and roads. Developing plans to begin a Willow Market Day. Need ideas and workers. Extension Service will provide classes; and Master Gardeners services are also available. With ideas or eagerness to help contact Nina Davidson 495-1112.
Other Organizations.
No reports from the Chamber of Commerce, PTA, Road Service, Seniors, SheMonSun or 4H.
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Announcements
- Comp planning meeting 7/15, 6:30. Will return to regularly scheduled 1st Thursday of the month in August.
- Getting the gravel leveled in the area in front of the WHWM building, PFC is pursuing.
- Moose Dropping Festival coming up in Talkeetna.
- July 12 Methodist Church has a fund raising yard sale for the new rectory they have planned.
- July 18-19 Catholic Church is have a fundraising yard sale.
Next Meeting: August 4, 2008 at 7pm
Adjourned: Circa 9:15
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Communications Committee
Mary Lou Frahm, Secretary, WACO
Phone: 3674 Email: sec@waco-ak.org
Claire Fitzgaireld
