HARBOR AREA REGIONAL BOARD OF RESOURCES, INC.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

WEDNESDAY, March 14,, 2007; 12:00 P.M.

City of Harbor Springs City Council Chambers

The meeting was called to order by Denise Simon at 12:05 pm.  Executive Director Danna Widmar and Assistant Preston McGregor were also present.

Minutes

Minutes from February 21, 2007 were presented.  Mary Ellen Hughes made motion to approve and Dan Branson seconded. Motion Carried.

Financials

January 2007 and February 2007 minutes were presented. Kathie Breighner moved to accept and Joan Fenton seconded. Motion Carried

Old Business/Updates

Internet Access Committee :

Widmar has spoken with everyone who is willing to meet to discuss Internet Access, with Pleasantview Township as our focus demonstration area.  NLEA will join in meetings, however they do not yet know how to get it done.  The issues are apparently quite complex.  The NLEA staff person, Jan Kellogg, and the NLEA committee chair will meet with Pleasantview (and others who are interested) to work on this area.  A meeting date has not yet been set due to key members being out of town.

Education:

Widmar attended the Basic Training Workshop to view another qualified instructor prior to providing the instruction.  The trainer placed a lot of emphasis on zoning for implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.  Widmar will do more study on the zoning portion and then add more emphasis on the funding aspects of implementing Comprehensive Plans when she give the session.  Overall it looks like a pretty good program to provide.

Insurance :

All of the insurance is now serviced through Fred DeWitt of Korthase Flinn who has been extremely helpful in looking at the detail of our insurance coverage.

Office Space:

The bank sent a letter requesting that we begin to look at other options for office space, with move out by September 1, 2007.  Historical Society is discussing the possibility of staying until summer 2008.  Widmar will have additional conversations with the Bank on this as well.  The Executive Committee raised the question of paying rent (rather that receiving it as donation) in the current location as another alternative.  Widmar also agreed to look at other spaces as a third option.

CD :

Widmar obtained additional information on CD rates from First Community Bank based on previous discussions.  She indicated that First Community Bank will waive fees much like Bank of Northern Michigan does.  The Executive Committee agreed that a 3 month CD should be opened with excess funds in the checking account.

Emmet Transportation Committee :

Bill Prall serves on the Emmet Transportation Committee for the comprehensive plan and has requested that a discussion of our plan with that committee.  That will be discussed at their committee meeting and he will schedule a time.  All agreed that coordination should occur as much as possible.

Petoskey Open Space Task Force:

The original members of the task force (elected officials from the Resort, Bear Creek, Petoskey, Tribe officials and LTC staff) have requested that Widmar come and discuss the joint planning work effort.  All agreed that it is desirable to share information.

New Business

Recreation, Trails and Open Space:

Readmond Township unanimously passed a support resolution.  Friendship tabled it after much discussion.

Strategic Planning :

Widmar met with Ann Chastain after the Board Meeting and received input from both Gail G. and Tom B. regarding process.  Widmar recommends that she prepare a draft revision to the strategic plan, distribute it and then meet with the overall board to discuss.  Much discussion occurred about making this an abbreviated process to get the most out of Board Members time.  Discussion also occurred about this being more of a business plan than a strategic plan.  Widmar agreed to look more closely at both format and content and make recommendations.

Board Communications :

Requests have been made for distribution of EC communications to the overall Board.  McGregor will send out an email to all board members (after EC meetings) to provide a link to the minutes posted on-line.

Meeting Schedule/Adjournment:The Executive Committee - next regular meeting will be Wednesday, April 25, 2007 at 12:00 noon, Harbor Springs City Hall. 

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