DRAFT
HARBOR AREA REGIONAL BOARD OF RESOURCES, INC.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 1, 2006; 8:00 A.M.
WEST TRAVERSE TOWNSHIP HALL

Welcome / Attendance:

Present: Nan Hogan, Denise Simon, Bill Dohm, Tom Gallagher, Bill Wiechmann, Bob Sandford, Joey Arbaugh, Greg Voelker, John Foster, Tom Bailey, Gail Gruenwald, Joan Fenton, Dave Larson, Ray Kiogima, David Jones, Kathy Lott, Michael Esposito, Sandy Baker, Dan Branson, Kathie Breighner, Jack Deegan, Kathy Erber, Doug Fuller, Mary Ellen Hughes, Rob Mossburg, Betrina Snively
Absent: Howard Wood, Dale Scott, Jean Jardine, Al Dika, Diana Call, Dale Labrie, Tom Shier, Brentt Michalek, Henry Singer, Charles O’Neill, Gary Morse, Jim Bartlett, Ross Blumke, Dave Buzzelli, Neal McCue, Michael McElroy, George Menzi, Doug Tayler
Staff: Danna Widmar, Preston McGregor

The meeting was called to order at 8:05 a.m. by President Tom Gallagher. Members had been emailed an agenda, minutes, and committee and financial reports.

Minutes
Voelker moved, seconded by Wiechmann approval of the minutes of the 8/31 annual meeting and board of directors meeting. Motion carried.

Financial Report
Kathy Erber presented a short synopsis of the financial report (detailed reporting appeared in the printed financial statements). In 2005, HARBOR Inc. had receipts of $88,805, 72 percent of what was projected in the 2005 budget. The organization ended the year below budget in expenditures. Expenditures over receipts was approximately ($8,000). Hughes moved, with a second by Bailey, to approve the financial report. Motion carried.

Budget
The 2006 budget was presented. The budget for the year is slightly less than 2005. Voelker moved, seconded by Dohm, to approve the budget. Motion carried.

Bylaws
Several changes to the bylaws were recommended by the Executive Committee. Simon asked questions about the intent of the proxy as it relates to quorums. Discussion followed. Arbaugh moved, with a second by Voelker, to adopt the changes as proposed. Motion carried.

Strategic Plan
The 2006 Strategic Plan was presented for approval. The mission statement and special initiatives were unchanged. There are proposed changes to the action items. Baker moved, seconded by Branson, to adopt the strategic plan. Motion carried.

Executive Director’s Report
Board members had been emailed reports on the recreation, trails and open space project, the recent community-wide recreation meeting, and the MI Dept of Trans. M-119 grant.

Danna reported on the approval by the Dept of Transportation for nearly $1 million to complete in 2008 the 3-mile bike path into Harbor Springs. Design will occur this year. Dohm commented that without the work of Danna and HARBOR Inc. that Little Traverse Township could not have completed the steps needed to receive this funding.

Discussion took place on projects and direction for 2006. The build out study done previously should be computerized showing the zoning and building changes that have taken place. This would help the community monitor changes that impact future build out and could project impact of certain changes in zoning, preservation or development in the future. Widmar will pursue funding to complete this.

The recreation plan project has brought to the table representatives from the seven jurisdictions—five officially and two unofficially. Comment was made that five years ago, getting these jurisdictions to meet at the same table even once, let alone on an ongoing basis, would have been a challenge and that HARBOR Inc. has brought the group together. The partnership for change grant is providing services toward certain end results and the recreation committee is working in that direction. So far in the grant, an analysis has been done of recreational facilities. Discussion has occurred about working together to fill the gap in facilities (primarily trails identified so far). Open space and waterfront will be examined more closely. A community meeting held on February 1st confirmed that few additional facilities are needed for organized recreation, but that coordination and communication is desirable. Some indoor facility desires were identified that are being addressed by other organizations. Additionally, the community schools concept was discussed at the meeting and additional information was requested.

Some discussion took place on the DEQ grant. The grant is for purchase of development rights and mapping of lands to be preserved and lands to be developed. The grant will involve review of existing zoning ordinances. The concept of development transfer rights (a technique authorized by state law within a zoning jurisdiction) was discussed and how to work on the concept of transferring development rights between zoning jurisdictions. Comment was made that HARBOR Inc was formed because the original visioning group wanted to preserve what we have and that open space is part of that.

The meeting was adjourned at 9 a.m.

______________________________ ____________________________
Kathie Breighner, Secretary Dated