WHITE MOUNTAIN LAND TRUST

Minutes of August 31, 2005 meeting

Accepted as Ammended October 5

Board members present: Keith Justice, Lynn Krigbaum, Dottie Baker, Ginny Handorf, Jim Anderson, Jim Roeder

Board members absent: Norris Dodd, Sue Sitko, Richard Remmington

Also present: Gretchen Forbeck, Chamber of Commerce rep.

President Keith Justice called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM. A quorum was present. There were no minutes or treasurer’s report.

Gretchen reported that Chuck Waldo has proposed that a bit of land opposite the Pinetop Library (“the banner fence” area) be used for a visitors’ center. The town would lease the land from the school district for $1 per year and a 3,000 square ft. building would be constructed using donations, a grant, and a bond issue. The rent now paid for the Chamber of Commerce and Main Street offices would go to service the bond issue debt. The Chamber is soliciting letters of support for this project (to be included in the grant application). It was decided that a letter on our letterhead would be submitted by Keith.

The proposed bylaws changes were discussed. Regarding annual dues it was decided to change Article 4, Section 11 (b) changed to read “Annual dues for each class of membership shall be established by the Board of Directors and paid on or before June 30th. With this modification, Article 4 is added to the bylaws as shown in the appendix to these minutes. Approved by unanimous vote.

Keith reported that we have joined the Chamber of Commerce and he attended an introductory meeting on Aug. 23. Gretchen said now he should talk on the radio and TV program of the Chamber, “Business Matters,” which airs on City 4 and White Mountain Radio four times per week.

Ginny reported that she and Richard went to the Governor's Rural Development Conference in Oro Valley. It had excellent programs and sessions with department heads as speakers.

There was a discussion of steps to take in our campaign for members and donations. Sending electronically a first “sample” newsletter would cost nothing and perhaps mailing lists could be obtained from the Chamber of Commerce, the Natural Resources Working Group, the Conservation League, TRACKS, Rotary, Lions, various homeowners associations, etc. Dottie's ideas can be found in her report near the end of the meeting. It was noted that Cathy Dahnk does bulk mailings. It would be helpful, too, to have hard copies of the newsletter to give out at presentations. The outreach committee is working on improving the Power Point presentation so that presentations can be scheduled. What specifically is involved in a Conservation Easement needs highlighting, especially the tax consequences.

The appraiser is scheduled to come to Allen’s property at 3 PM on Sept. 1. Keith will also be there to represent WMLT.

Keith, Ginny and Sue went to the Natural Resources Working Group meeting. There was a presentation on the thinning of Woodland Lake Park. Other areas have also been readied for thinning by the Forest Service. There was also a presentation by Joe Papa on the biomass generating facility under development near Snowflake. Also, Jesse Abrams of NAU's Ecological Restoration Institute reported on their project, the “White Mountains Region Landscape Assessment”. This project involves extensive GIS data gathering and, eventually, public involvement to recommend ecological management strategies.

Ginny reported that the Town Council is working at the moment with the big push for the Visitors’ Center. Also, there will be an Impact Fee study which will probably be funded at the meeting September 1. She spoke of the Tejido Project. This is a group from U. of Ariz. who did a master plan for Show Low. They are architecture and landscape architecture students who work under the supervision of professors to produce a planning document for rural towns for very reasonable fees.

Ginny also reported on the 2020 meeting she had attended. A request to Town Council for a noise ordinance, urban trail concerns – especially bike lanes – and NEMO possibilities were discussed.

Richard, Norris and Sue were absent so there were no reports from their committees.

Dottie discussed her ideas for a newsletter and said she has the publishing program needed for it and is learning how to use it. She thought she should include an announcement of memberships, facts on conservation easements and appealed to the other board members for articles to include in the first edition.

Gretchen said she had spoken with a printer about membership cards and car stickers.

Jim A. has researched badges for board members to wear when making presentations, etc. There is a one time charge of $65 for digitizing our logo and then each badge will cost $7. Jim was directed to order the badges.

Next meeting date to be announced after polling members as Lynn, Ginny, Dottie and Jim R. are unable to come Sept. 28th.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM.

Minutes submitted by Lynn Krigbaum, secretary

Appendix

Amendments to the Bylaws of the

White Mountains Land Alliance

Proposed at the meeting of July 27, 2005, approved at the meeting of August 31, 2005.

Article 4

Section 11. Membership

Membership shall be open to any individual, organization, or agency (sole proprietorship, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies and the like) that are in sympathy with and will support the purpose, mission and vision of the Corporation.

  1. Classes of Memberships. The Board of Directors shall establish various classes of membership in the Corporation.

  2. Payment of Annual Dues. Annual dues for each class of membership shall be established by the Board of Directors and paid on or before June 30 of each year.

  3. Termination. The Board of Directors in its sole discretion may terminate any membership at any time, with or without cause. Membership in the Corporation is a privilege not a right. A member who fails to pay annual dues may be remove from membership until all dues are paid at which time such member shall be reinstated.

  4. Non-Transferable. Membership in the Corporation is non-transferable.

  5. No Ownership Rights. Members shall have no ownership rights or beneficial interest of any kind in the assets of the Corporation.

  6. No voting Rights. Members of the Corporation shall have no voting rights or powers.

  7. Rights and Privileges of Memberships. The rights and privileges of membership in the corporation shall be the right to attend all meetings and to receive privileges as may be granted to members by the Board of Directors from time to time.

  8. Annual Meetings. Each annual meeting of the members shall be held on the date and time and at the place designated by the Board of Directors. No notice need be given to the members of the annual meeting, although information regarding the date and place of the annual meeting shall be available in electronic format at the Corporation web site address.

Section 12. Contributors.

The individuals or business entities who contribute money, things of value or services who are not members shall be called contributors. Contributors shall be recognized as determined by the Board of Directors.