Harbor Area Regional Board of Resources, Inc.

                              Board of Directors Meeting

                             December 13, 2006 Minutes

                             LTBB Governmental Complex 

 Welcome/Attendance 

     PRESENT:   Dale Scott, Denise Simon, Alan Dika, Bill Dohm, Michael Esposito, Bob Sandford, Joey Arbaugh, Greg Voelker, Tom Bailey, Gail Gruenwald, Lou Kasischke, Dave Larson, Maureen Nicholson, Kathy Lott, Tom Gallagher, Kathie Breighner, Kathy Erber, Joan Fenton, Doug Fuller, Mary Ellen Hughes, Neal McCue, Rob Mossburg, Gene Reck, Betrina Snively. 

    ABSENT: Howard Wood, Nan Hogan, Jean Jardine, Bill Wiechmann, Diana Call, Dale Labrie, Tom Shier, Margie FitzSimons, John Foster, Ray Kiogima, Charles O’Neill, Steve Witte, Sandy Baker, Jim Bartlett, Ross Blumke, Dan Branson, David Buzzelli, Jack Deegan, Doug Tayler. 

       Executive Director Danna Widmar, staff assistant Preston McGregor and proposed new Board Member Paul Mooradian were also present. 

The meeting was called to order at 8 a.m. by Chairperson Denise Simon. 

Minutes The minutes of the previous meeting, Sept. 13, 2006, have one correction, the year of the financial report. Dika moved, with a second by Lott. Motion carried. 

Financial Report New treasurer Michael Esposito answered questions about the financial report. Copies of the report were distributed to board members prior to the meeting. Bailey moved, with a second by Nicholson, to approve the report. Motion carried. 

Executive Committee Structure Discussion took place regarding the executive committee. The EC recommends adding two alternate members to fill in for absent members and for the vacant position.  The EC meets every 3 weeks and occasionally, a quorum does not happen so having 2 extra people at the table would provide more opportunity for a quorum as well as more voices at the table. Reck moved, with a second by Arbaugh, to approve the additions to the EC. Motion carried. 

Budget  A preliminary budget was presented based on 2006’s budget. The 2007 budget will be modified as ’06 fundraising is completed and ’07 grants are in place. Arbaugh moved, with a second by Reck, to approve the budget. Motion carried.

Executive Director’s Reports Danna presented a summary of the recreation and open space initiative. The original visioning done in 2000 (that resulted in HARBOR, Inc.) included a need for ongoing preservation of open space and focus on recreation. Five of the seven units of government that are a part of HARBOR, Inc. received funding from Partnerships for Change for technical assistance in meeting guidelines of the MI DNR (should funding be requested of them in the future).  The working group of local officials has been meeting for more than a year and has focused on trails, open space, and an umbrella organization to manage/maintain the recreational opportunities. The trails proposal includes an easement programs, a main trails program, and a safe routes to school program. The open space resources are served well from planning jointly. The umbrella system would need to be simple and flexible enough to support the various local groups interested in recreation. The plan of the group focuses on areas where gaps exist. The HARBOR Area Recreation, Trails and Open Space Organization is recommended under PA 321 of 2000, the Recreation Authorities Act. Work will continue as the group presents the plan to the jurisdictions. 

Resolution of Support Hughes moved, with a second by Voelker, to approve a resolution of support for the West Traverse Recreation Plan. Motion carried. 

Meeting was adjourned at 9:15 a.m.  ________________________                                    ______________________________Kathie Breighner, Secretary                         Dated