WHITE MOUNTAIN LAND TRUST
Minutes of October 30, 2004 meeting
Board members present: Keith Justice, Norris Dodd, Mary Ellen Bittorf, Lynn Krigbaum, and Richard Remington
Board members absent: Jim Roeder
Members present: Jim Anderson, Pam Remington, Sue Sitko, and Ginny Handorf
Acting President, Keith Justice called the meeting to order at 1:32 PM. Mary Ellen read the minutes for the October 2, 2004, meeting. They were approved as amended. Norris gave the Treasurer’s Report. There is no checkbook now as Paul and Norris were unable to meet before Paul left. There are 2 bills to pay: $503.65 to Brown & Brown Law Offices for the incorporation paperwork and $36.00 for the Post Office box. Norris will track down the checkbook and pay the bills.
Keith reported on the Special meeting called October 16th. He presented information concerning the Allen property and our proposed visit.
Since there was no quorum at the last meeting (Oct.2nd) when we reached the agenda item concerning adding to the board, the board voted unanimously voted to add Jim Anderson.
Mary Ellen reported on the Rainbow Lake property. It is in escrow until mid-November so nothing can be done in its regard until either the buyer completes escrow and purchases the property or the buyer decides that the cost ($250,000 ?) for sewer is too great or whatever else may be a problem and backs out of the sale. “We’ll have to wait and see!”
Mary Ellen moved and Norris seconded to have Keith officially be made President. Approval was unanimous.
A discussion of the need for someone to give meeting notices to the news, etc., It was decided that Gretchen Forbeck should be invited to do this job (Publicity) since she has experience and expertise in this area.
The date was discussed for the next meeting since the last Saturday of November will be during the Thanksgiving holiday. Also, the last Saturday in December is during the Christmas holiday. It was decided that a meeting for both months should be Dec. 11th at 1:30 PM in the Town Offices. The next meeting will be January 29, 2005.
Jim moved and Richard seconded that the number of board members should be raised from 7 to 9. Ginny Handorf is willing to be a board member and now that Gretchen is finishing her term on the Chamber of Commerce it is hoped that she may find it possible to join the board.
The procedures to become a 501(c)3 corporation need to be completed. Stephanie Irwin is an accountant and Keith will contact her to ask her to obtain the tax ID number.
The By-Laws, which were approved at the Oct. 2nd meeting, were formally signed by all board members present. Jim Roeder will need to sign at a later date.
Norris brought up the need to get someone from the town government/staff to be active in WMLT. We need to begin to set priorities. Ginny stated that she would be willing to meet with Rick Renzi. We should also invite Navajo County officials/staff to attend a meeting or we should make a presentation to them. Another group we should contact is the Natural Resources Working Group. “We need to get the word out that we are here and open for business.”
On November 16th there will be an AZ State Parks Grant Workshop in Flagstaff. This is for Heritage Funds grant info (Heritage Funds can be used to acquire land.) and Keith will contact town officials to attend this since only a “town entity” can apply for this kind of grant so we need to partner with them. He will also invite them to attend our meetings. Norris volunteered to draft a letter for Keith's signature.
Mary Ellen moved and Norris seconded to adjourn. (2:40 PM) Then we all drove to the Allen property and viewed the beautiful meadow and setting. Many thanks go to Sue Sitko who steered this opportunity our way and who will be shepherding the Allens (and us) through this procedure. We unanimously decided that this is an excellent beginning and may serve as an example for future conservation easements.
Minutes submitted by Lynn Krigbaum, co-secretary