Broad River Watershed Association Board Meeting

September 9, 2009

Present at Meeting: Sam Linhart, Jean Smith, Michael Moody, Victor Johnson, Pat Kelly, Paul Webb, Debbie Lester, Robbie Griffith, Bud Freeman, Jeff Pentz

Robbie conducted the meeting in Mary’s absence. Bud said Mary was in an environmental conference on the west coast.

Robbie reminded the group that the BRWA Annual meeting is on Sept. 19 and would start for board members at 8:30. Breakfast at 9:00, board meeting at 10:00 and Frank Carl will speak at 11:00. Lunch will be at 12:00. Mary has caterer lined up. Victor has invited Bruce Azevado who is our GA Water Council representative.

Robbie reminded the group that the Fall Float would be on Oct. 10. Mike at Camp Kiwanis donated the outdoor pavilion for wine and cheese after the float with access to rest rooms and showers. Jeff Pentz also offered his picnic pavilion just below the Outpost. He will double check with Cathy and let everyone know for sure in a day or two. Details will be finalized at annual meeting. We will meet at 12:00 at the take out.

Pat reported that Rebecca Haynie has agreed to serve on the board. Pat will ask her for a bio that can be handed out at the meeting.

Pat Kelly presented the Aug. Board Meeting minutes. Victor moved to approve the Aug. minutes with one correction. Motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Victor presented financial statements for July and Aug. Paul made a motion to approve both July and August financial statements. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously.

Jean reported that the number of members that are reported in the annual report is 67 for this year down from 75 last year. We have been losing approx. 20% for the last several years.

Jean also reported an email from a college student that requested more information about the conflict of property owners and river floaters. Jean has forwarded the email to Mary. Robbie said that if she wanted individual opinions from the board members that was fine, but BRWA is not involved as an organization.

Robbie has received the check for the Purvis Woods hunting lease from the hunters.

Robbie reported that the professor in Wyoming who has land in Banks County will be in the area on Oct. 20. He has agreed to meet with Robbie at that time to discuss a conservation easement again.

Robbie has sent Melissa Tufts an email thanking her for the excellent newsletter. Sam said he had sent her a note also thanking her. All board members agreed that the newsletter was excellently done.

Sam reported that the monitoring below the treatments plants is on hold until a new chairman for the Watershed committee is on board.

Pat has followed up with Mary Gazaway about the next step in the Ecoli Monitoring. She sent Pat the Implementation Plan Extended Revision which is a long document outlining the steps in the next phase. It is a little hard to understand exactly what will be expected from BRWA. Mary has agreed to come to the Oct. board meeting and explain how the next phase will work and BRWA’s role. Pat has asked her to come a little early at 6:30 Oct. 14. Pat said she would email both the Ecoli project summary letter and the extended revision to the board.

Bob Keller of the GA Mountain Land Trust has contacted BRWA about a donated tract of land that is in Habersham County. He wants BRWA to join with the GA Mountain Land Trust and the Soque Watershed Assoc. on this piece of property. It is on Hwy. 368 and could be good publicity and a chance for partnering with another Association and Land Trust. Robbie has agreed to go look at the property.

Jeff reported that Eric is still working on getting pdfs and Pay Pal on the website. No progress has been made since the Aug. meeting. Jeff will follow up. Jeff said he thought that Pay Pal would make it much easier for folks to join and donate money and should take priority over getting pdfs on the website.

Robbie brought up the LTA conservation defense insurance. Robbie said that Dudley was in favor and Bud said that Mary was in favor of acquiring the insurance. After some discussion Victor moved to invest $250 in the Land Trust Alliance conservation defense insurance. The motion was seconded, discussed then passed unanimously.

Robbie said the nominating committee met and wanted one new person on the board. Rebecca Haynie has agreed to serve and, if voted in, then the board would be complete.