HARBOR AREA REGIONAL BOARD OF RESOURCES, INC.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING
FRIDAY October 25, 2005; 12:00 P.M.
City of Harbor Springs City Council Chambers

Welcome/Attendance
Present:Branson, Breighner, Dika, Esposito, Gallagher, Hughes
Absent: Erber, Simon
The meeting was called to order by Tom Gallagher at 12:05PM. Executive Director Danna Widmar and assistant Preston McGregor were present.

Minutes

Kathie Breighner moved to accept minutes from August 26, 2005 and September 13, 2005. Branson seconded the motion. Motion Carried

Financials

Receipts in 2005 are down from 2004 due to loss of some initial start-up funds from a few key sources. Receipts less disbursements are currently ($13,000). This has improved from the September 2005 statement due to receipts in October. Year end fund raising will be important to bridge this gap. Dika moved to accept September Financials as presented; seconded by Mary Ellen. Motion Carried

Bike Trail

Widmar reported that there are 59 parcels from Pleasantview to City of Harbor Springs where bike path is planned. Nineteen parcels had adequate right-of-way and easements were not needed. Twenty parcels have signed easements or will be signed pending final review in the next weeks. November 30th is the selection date for MDOT enhancement funds. The preliminary review came back with two questions: wetlands by Weque golf course and matching fund amount. The average local contribution on Enhancement projects is 37%, this project has 20% from the local MDOT office. If counted as match, the donated easements are estimated at 15-20%. Widmar is meeting with the real estate division of MDOT on Thursday. She also reported that there will be newspaper articles concerning these easements as a final push. It was suggested that concerned citizens call their representatives.

Recreation Plan

There has been good attendance at the two meetings thus far from the five communities participating. So far, the key things have been trails, waterfront access and maintenance of existing facilities. Gallagher asked and Branson responded that other joint coordinated efforts include Harbor Springs Airport Authority, H.S. Fire Department and Emmet Ambulance. Dika urged HARBOR, Inc to emphasize that one of the most important values of our work is the convening of various groups to allow the overall community to come up with better solutions and services. Gallagher will write a letter from the chairman in the next newsletter which is expected at the end of November.

By-Laws

The following By-Law Sections were reviewed and discussed as follows:

Article I, Section 2: Change physical address to 210 Main St., 4D, Harbor Springs, MI 49740.
Article III, Section 1: there is no application for membership. Policy is that everyone who lives or owns in the area is a member. This is still desired for broad participation, but Article III, Section 6 should be reviewed with Ramer as it relates to Quorums.
Article IV, Section 2: Although a by-law change is not needed, consideration could be given to a policy that considers appointed positions if new associations are created.
Article IV, Section 4: It is believed this section was intended to refer to the Powers and Duties of the Board of Director, collectively, not individually and therefore “Board of” should probably be added throughout the section.
Article IV, Section 9: Quorum: Recommend a change to a number, such as 15 members of the Board of Directors which corresponds with approximately a third.
Article V, Section 1: The terms for the Executive Committee were amended 9-1-04 and should be updated. The reference to 1% of total assets that the Executive Committee can spend is difficult on everyday decisions. Widmar will discuss this section with legal council.

It was recommended that Widmar discuss all sections with Ramer and come back with recommended amendments.

Dika moved adjournment, Branson seconded. Motion Carried

Meeting was adjourned at 1:00PM.