Minutes of the April 8, 2009
Meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Friends of Scandia Parks and Trails
The meeting was called to order at 7pm by board president Tom Triplett. In addition to Triplett, members attending were Mike Harnetty, Karen Schik, Carol Seefeldt, Michele McNulty, Matt Rasmussen, and Mike White. Judy Rydeen, a member of the Friends attended as a guest. Board members absent were Rich Burton, Tom Krinke and Stephen Ledo.
A quorum of at least five members was present.
The agenda was approved as proposed with the addition of an activity priority to be described by Judy. The minutes of the February 17 meeting were approved.
Discussion occurred regarding the Friends' committees. Karen and others proposed that Friends' committees not meet until the board was more firmly established. The consensus was that the full board rather than committees should discuss and decide on all issues during the first few months of the Friends' existence. All members agreed.
The board next discussed the board membership. Pursuant to the discussion at the last meeting, Triplett invited Christina de Sobrino and Tom Krinke to join the board. Krinke accepted the invitation after noting that his schedule was very busy and that he would likely not be able to attend all meetings. De Sobrino regretfully declined the invitation based on her busy schedule. She did indicate that she would encourage her Girl Scout troop to help with Friends' activities.
To fill a remaining vacancy, Judy Rydeen was then nominated. Several board members noted Judy's long history of service to the community in many capacities and her vast knowledge of history about parks and trails issues. Judy was nominated and unanimously elected as a member of the Friends' board of directors.
Triplett noted that the agreed regular meeting date for the Friends' board is the fourth Monday of the month at 7pm at the Scandia Community Center. The next meeting will therefore be on April 27. However, several members said they would not be able to attend on that date. Triplett said he will contact all the members re their availability. If a strong quorum will not be present, the meeting will be rescheduled.
Triplett noted that the Friends are incorporated as a Minnesota nonprofit corporation. He reiterated his recommendation from the prior board meeting that the Friends continue to use Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota as the fiscal agent of the Friends. This will eliminate the immediate need for the Friends to go through the many steps of seeking its own IRS 501c3 status. He did note that the Friends will need its own 501c3 status if the Friends seek to own property or otherwise engage in major new activities. Members indicated their acceptance of this general strategy.
Triplett gave a financial report in the absence of board treasurer Rich Burton. As of this date, the Friends have $1643.34 on deposit with the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, with $50 yet to be deposited. This represents the contributions of about 60 households in Scandia. Several have contributed substantially more than the $20 minimum dues per household. There are three outstanding bills relating to the Friends: $128.10 for the Friends banner, $70.00 for the registration with the Mn Secretary of State, and $311.03 for the 1000 brochures printed for marketing purposes. Tom paid them all and requested reimbursement for the registration and brochures totaling $381.30. Tom indicated that he will make a personal contribution of $128.10 for the banner to the Friends. Based upon the vote at the prior Friends board meeting, Tom said that he will request Treasurer Burton to request reimbursement for Triplett for the $381.03 for the brochures and the filing. With the payment to Triplett, plus the yet-to-be-deposited check of $50 to the Friends, the balance will be approximately $1312.31.
The members next discussed activity priorities. Members categorized the priorities into three general groupings:
- Activities that the Friends support, that are appropriate activities for the city, and that the Friends will give notice to our members about
- Activities that are highest priorities for the Friends and that the Friends will consider financial and volunteer activities for
- Activities that are important for the long-term development for Scandia and that the Friends will "shelve" for later discussion and possible action.
Based upon these priorities the members agreed on the following:
- Notice will be given to members regarding the April 25 clean-up of metal in Wind in the Pines (WIP) to coincide with the city's Heavy Metal Days, and the birding hike in WIP on May 16 at 7am. Both events are co-sponsored by the Scandia Park and Rec committee.
- Other activities in WIP to be discussed at the Friends' next board meeting including trail construction and sign installation. Stephen will encourage support from other Boy Scouts for this work. It is hoped that Christina will gather Girl Scouts to work on the cleanup of the city's boat landings sometime this spring.
- Other activities discussed were the Gateway Trail and other land protection efforts related to the County Land and Water Legacy program. The role of the Friends for these efforts was not determined but will be discussed at future meetings.
- A proposal was made to consider the city property at Olinda and 205th where the house will be burned as a potential future picnic area. It was decided this idea should be presented to the Park and Rec committee for their consideration.
- Judy noted that WIP may be a burial ground for Native American peoples. Michelle offered to try to find out about this and report back.
- Tom and Stephen will explore other Eagle Scout project possibilities in the city. It was suggested that Lilleskogen Park development might be one such project area.
The meeting adjourned at 9 pm.
Respectfully submitted by Tom Triplett and Karen Schik
In the absence of Stephen Ledo, Secretary