Full Council 2nd Qtr Meeting Minutes
July 20, 2017 - 10:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Richland Co. UW Extension, East Hall Rm 713
1000 Hwy 14 West, Richland Center, WI
Members Present: Pete Flesch (Crawford), Patrick Dayton (La Crosse), John Dietz (Sauk), Betty Grotophorst (Green), Bill Grover (Iowa), Gene Hausner (Sauk), Dale Hood (Grant), Dennis Kirschbaum (Crawford), Linda Lynch (Iowa), Angie Wright (Grant), Leon Wolfe (Lafayette).
Staff Members Present: Robert Bauer, Brandon Bleuer, Tyler Dvorak, Don Barrette, Wendy Warren.
Guests Present: Marci Hess
Call to Order/Introductions - Gene Hausner, President, called the meeting to order and asked everybody to introduce themselves.
Agenda Additions/Approval -
Motion to approve agenda as presented by Wolfe, 2nd by Flesch, motion approved.
Minutes of April 14, 2017 Approval –
Motion to approve 1st Quarter Full Council minutes of April 14, 2017 by Grover, 2nd by Hood, motion passed.
Approval of Financial Statement – Council members reviewed and discussed the financial statement, midyear budget report, and status of fundraising efforts to date as presented by Warren. Warren also reviewed the fundraising efforts to date. Lynch asked if there was a set structure for sponsorships published so that sponsors could be approached with a standard list of options. Warren agreed that it would be a good tool to have.
Motion by Grover, 2nd by Wolfe to approve the financial statement and ask the Finance Committee to bring recommendations to the Council for preferred reports of financials. Motion passed.
Executive Committee Report – Vice President, Bill Grover gave the report of the Executive Committee and noted that they had discussed amendment of the By-laws to conform with WDNR requirements for receiving grants as a Qualified Nonprofit Conservation Organization or as a River Planning Organization. Members were informed that our By-laws must state that “A primary purpose is the acquisition of property for conservation purposes and a primary purpose is the prevention and control of aquatic invasive species. For River planning: annual membership fee of <$50 and all members vote.
Motion by Dayton to accept the By-laws amendments as written in the example (Article I, items F and G) presented by Warren and not to change by-laws to fit the requirements of the River Planning Organization, 2nd by Wright, motion passed.
Grover also discussed a potential landownership offer of property in Kieler, WI by Mr. Frank Keiler. Members agreed that a subcommittee should explore the potential pros and cons of such an endeavor and report back to the Council. Warren agreed to pull together a subcommittee to investigate. Hood agreed to serve on the subcommittee. Warren will ask Schindler to assist. Dayton suggested we invite others to attend when we visit the property. Flesch stated he may be available, depending on the date. Staff member Bleuer listed a number of property uses that he had come up with after visiting the property and making a quick assessment. He summarized that the best use would be for forestry and invasive species management demonstrations, with perhaps some small plots of prairie restoration.
Program Committee Report – Grover reported on the highlights of the Program Committee meeting held earlier in the quarter. Warren noted that two areas were recommended for exploration including Arts and Youth. Dietz suggested we contact the Wormfarm Institute in Reedsburg as they would like to be more involved with Ag and they are already involved with the Arts. Perhaps there could be a useful partnership. Warren will inquire about their interest in partnering.
Executive Director's Report – Warren announced that WDNR Aquatic Invasive Species – North & South grants had been awarded a month after they were declined. Also, the Weed Mgmt Area Grant has been awarded, but amount is yet unknown. Warren also noted that she is assisting with grant writing projects for Grant, Richland, Sauk and Lafayette Counties who had earned the incentive as a result of paying the maximum amount of membership fees for 2017. She noted that it was difficult as many counties did not have projects in mind. Wright noted that a Project Request Sheet was in use at one time and should be dug up for this purpose. Warren will look for that form for the next round of projects next year.
Board Members Closed Session - Motion to convene into closed session by Hausner, 2nd by Grover. During closed session members discussed the purpose of a closed session, evaluation results of the Executive Director, and financial statements that board of directors should review.
Motion to reconvene into open session by Hausner, 2nd by Hood.
Adjourn - Motion to adjourn the board meeting, Lynch, 2nd by Dietz.
Post Meeting Action Items –
- Warren to propose a set structure for sponsorships at the next Finance Meeting
- Warren will pull together a sub-committee to explore the Keiler Property proposal
- Warren will inquire about the Worm Farm Institute interest in partnering on an Ag and Arts project.
- Project Request Sheet should be found and used for grant writing projects for next year.