Harbor Area Regional Board of Resources

September 26, 2007

Draft Minutes

 Friendship Township Hall 

Attendance 

PRESENT: Dale Scott, Denise Simon, Bill Dohm, Michael Esposito, Bill Wiechmann, Dale LaBrie, Bob Sandford, Joey Arbaugh, Greg Voelker, John Foster, Tom Bailey, Gail Gruenwald, Fred Hoffmann, Charles O’Neill, Maureen Nicholson, Tom Gallagher, Jim Bartlett, Kathryn Breighner, Joan Fenton, Doug Fuller, Mary Ellen Hughes, Charlie MacInnis, Paul Mooradian, Rob Mossburg, Gene Reck.

ABSENT: Howard Wood, Nan Hogan, Jean Jardine, Al Dika, Diana Call, Tom Shier, Margie FitzSimons, John Foster, Rob Furhman, Dave Larson, Ray Kiogma, Dave Slifka, Justin Bassett, Dan Branson, David Buzzelli, Jack Deegan, Kathy Erber, Neal McCue, Doug Tayler. 

Also present: Danna Widmar, Executive Director, Preston McGregor, staff assistant. 

Chairperson Denise Simon called the meeting to order at 8 a.m.

Minutes 

The minutes of the previous meeting, June 6, 2007, were approved with a motion by Joey Arbaugh, seconded by Jim Bartlett. Motion carried. 

Financial Report 

Treasurer Michael Esposito presented the financial report for the year through the end of August.  Esposito is pleased with the financial progress for the year and reported that the organization is on target for the remainder of the year with expenses and still have a fundraising letter to go out. Tom Gallagher moved, with a second by Mary Ellen Hughes, to approve the financial report. Motion carried. 

Executive Committee

Jim Bartlett moved, with a second by Dale Scott, to approve the reelection of board members Dan Branson, Mary Ellen Hughes, and Al Dika to the executive committee. Motion carried. 

M-119 Trail 

Wilcox Engineering is working on survey work on M-119. With the surveyors present, several property owners have called about easements. There is still the potential for 4-5 more easements. It might be possible to do a walk-through with the neighbors to show them what the trail will look like. Public meetings are scheduled for later this fall and property owners will be invited.

Recreation 

Only Cross Village remains to approve the recreation plan and they may consider it in October.

Safe Routes to School-SR2S 

Carolyn Sandford has offered to chair this committee. All of the school buildings have signed off on the concept. Parent input has not yet been received. The state requires a team be assembled, applications prepared for each school, an onsite assessment, attitude assessment, publicity, and action plan preparation. The project is continuing with the hope of federal funding. HARBOR, Inc.’s multi jurisdictional make up is an asset as many areas do not have the ongoing work with the various jurisdictions needed for this project.

Open Space 

Danna presented a written overview of this project in the board packets. A purchase Development Rights (PDR) program was discussed. A county program would allow individual agricultural land owners to apply for state funds to preserve land. Two or more townships can work together in a program allowing land owners to apply through them to the state. Individual townships can adopt programs but without cooperative agreements with other townships or the county, property owners would not have as strong a chance to compete for funds.

High Speed Internet 

Gene Reck will attend a regional broadband internet meeting in Gaylord, October 1.

The committee has a job description and goals in front of them.

Open Forum 

Discussion took place regarding the tunnel of trees bridge project, maintenance of bike trails, the new business venture of Sovereign Deed in Pellston, and revisiting the build out study so that it us updated every five years.

The meeting was adjourned at 9 a.m.