WHITE MOUNTAIN LAND TRUST

Minutes of January 29, 2005 meeting

Board members present: Keith Justice, Mary Ellen Bittorf, Lynn Krigbaum, Norris Dodd, Richard Remington, Jim Roeder, Jim Anderson

Board members absent: Ginny Handorf

Members present: Dottie Baker, Gretchen Forbeck

President Keith Justice called the meeting to order at 1:40 PM. Mary Ellen had just returned from a trip and did not have the Dec. minutes, but she will e-mail them to Keith and they will be approved at the next meeting. Norris presented the Treasurer’s report indicating that our balance is $1442.85 after paying for filing for tax exempt status. We are still using the TRACKS account because we don’t have the 501(c)3 Tax ID # yet. The application has been sent in and we should soon have that number.

Norris wrote a letter for Keith's signature, to the Allens. Sue Sitko had nothing new to report on the Allen property when Keith spoke with her.

Angelo Musante declined the invitation to be considered for the board.

Dottie Baker agreed to be on the board. Mary Ellen moved and Norris seconded to add her to the board. Unanimous vote in favor so now we have 9 on board.

We have been notified that John Vuolo will be our contact person with the city of Pinetop-Lakeside.

Jim Roeder moved and Norris seconded that Jim Anderson be elected Vice President. The vote was unanimous and now we have a full complement of officers.

Outreach Committee Report: see attached list of ideas submitted by Richard Remington in collaboration with Sue Sitko.

Mary Ellen reported that the property beside Honey Bear’s has been sold. The new owner (Dean Allen) wants to use the 10 acres as a gated community. He plans to have some “open space” and Gretchen said that as a developer he could get a tax break so Mary Ellen wondered if someone else could speak with him.

Mary Ellen also reported on the Camp Tatiyee situation. The Forest Service decided not to renew the lease and the AZ Lions have tried to raise the $3 million in the past 10 years to buy it from the Forest Service, but now the price has gone up to $9 million for the 300+ acres. Mary Ellen has a friend on the Camp’s board and she told her to tell the board that we might be interested in the 12 acres which is the Mogollon Overlook. Perhaps WMLT could be involved in facilitating it as a “Gateway” park for Pinetop-Lakeside. There might be problems of maintenance and liability. Norris suggested writing a letter of interest like he did to Allens to the AZ Lions. Discussion followed and it was deemed too early for such a letter. It was suggested that a meeting be set up with a Lions representative and a Forest Service representative and the developer or realtor. Jim Anderson will get a title search to obtain the original Camp lease agreement with the Forest Service. Keith will speak with Sue Hildebrand, a State Parks person, to see if we can work out something for the overlook. Richard Remington and Keith will meet with Sharon Wallace, the Forest Service representative, to explore the situation vis-à-vis the Camp Tatiyee and Rim Overlook area.

Norris, Richard, Sue Sitko and Gretchen will meet as the information dissemination committee before the next WMLT meeting (Feb. 26) to discuss ideas for a brochure. Norris will go to High 5 to get ideas for a WMLT logo.

There was discussion regarding partnering with the Natural Resources Working Group and having a memorandum of understanding with the town of Pinetop-Lakeside, but not with Show Low at the present time.

The meeting was adjourned at 3 PM.

Action items:

1. Jim will get info on Camp Tatiyee lease.
2. Mary Ellen will send Dec. 11 meeting minutes to Keith.
3. Norris, Richard, Sue and Gretchen will meet to discuss outreach steps.
4. Norris will get logo ideas from High 5.
5. Keith will talk with State Parks.
6. Richard and Keith will meet with Forest Service.
7. Mary Ellen will see if a Lions Board member can come to our next meeting.

Next meeting Saturday, February 26, 2005 at 1:30 PM.

Minutes submitted by Lynn Krigbaum, co-secretary

Minor corrections by Keith Justice, March 2005