White Mountains Land Trust

February 6, 2006

Minutes

Meeting was convened at 7:00pm by Keith Justice, President.  Board members present: Jim Anderson, Dottie Baker, Keith Justice, Sue Sitko, John Vuolo (ex officio).   Others present: Gretchen Forbeck,  Chuck Waldo.   Lacking a quorum the meeting was conducted as a working session.

No comments on the minutes of the meeting of January 9.

No Treasurer's report.

Committee Reports:

          Fund raising/Membership Committee:

• We discussed what sort of premiums would be offered for different levels of membership.  "Coffee table book" for high level,  other publications for lower level? Lynn, by email, suggested a pin similar to CoC Pinetop-Lakeside pin.  Jim and Anderson and Keith will work on this together. 

• Keith reported on two short videos ordered and received from LTA.   They appear to be suitable to show at recruiting/fund raiser meetings which we plan to have with various local groups.  They are in VCR format.  Keith will make copies for the presentation boxes and attempt to convert them to a DVD.

• Sue reported that the presentation boxes are ready to go.  One is kept at her office, one at the Chamber of Commerce, and one at the city offices.  They are labeled "White Mountains Land Trust" along with the place where they are located for proper return, and should be accessible during regular working hours for anyone who will be giving a presentation to a group.  Trust members are asked to re-supply the boxes with sufficient copies of handouts and brochures after use, so the next person has ample supplies for their presentation.
  
  Town Committee:

  John Vuolo described the role of the U.of A. Tejido Group next summer in community planning.  We need to look further into how this process will change our involvement with the open space inventory and planning committee originally envisioned. 
  
  Land Acquisition Committee:

• Keith reported on a letter received from Wes Clelland expressing concern about a town home development planned for the Pine Lake Meadow area at the end of Pine Lake Road.  Extensive discussion followed.  Gretchen reported that the portion of the property that was outside the town had recently been annexed.  This was really just an adjustment of the boundary since that it was the original intention that it all be in the city.  The property has already been rezoned to ??? but a detailed development plan has not yet reached the P and G Committee.  There will probably need to be a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers.   Absent endangered species and geological problems, there is probably nothing that can be done legally to save the meadow, but the developer might be convinced of the economic value of natural amenities.   The "town dump" was once in the area, and may preclude development on that portion of the property.  Involved parties need to determine where exactly that was.  Keith with assistance from Sue,  will draft a report to Wes Clelland.

• Keith reported on the Snake Ranch, near Concho.  This is a 300 acre ranch with a spring, seeps, a tule pond, an open water pond, and a malpais bluff.   Five wintering bald eagles were seen there on a recent visit.  More details are lacking at the moment.  The property is in an area subject to development, but the current owner, while amenable to sale, does not want to see the property developed.  Keith will plan to meet with the owner, and also follow up with Game and Fish. 

• Sue reported on progress with the Allen property.  She has prepared a draft conservation easement after helpful discussion with TNC easement gurus.  She described other steps that we and the Allens will have to take before the easement is finalized.  All of this must be done in a timely manner to meet IRS requirements of the time allowed between appraisal and sign off.  Examples are legal review, title search, legal survey, baseline description, etc.  Sue, Keith, and Jan Sell will meet with the Allens in Mesa on February 20 to go over all this.   The WMLT should be prepared to incur some time commitment for our own legal review, baseline reporting requirements, potential hazard assessments, and other activities to ensure due diligence. 
  
  News Letter/Publications Committee:

  Dottie reported on software problems with producing the newsletter for electronic distribution.  She will apply for a complimentary copy of Adobe Acrobat composer, based on our eleemosynary status.  We will be charged a modest application fee, to be refunded if the award is not made. 
  
  Meeting was adjourned at 8:30pm