March 2009 Minutes

Friends of Sugar Creek
March Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
3/3/09

Members in Attendance: Zach Cain, Matt Williams, Doug Calisch, Doug Miller, Marc Hudson, Jim Suren

Planning and Zoning / League of Women Voters

Zach was asked by LMV if FSC would sponsor an informational meeting with local officials to discuss a planning and zoning ordinance for Montgomery County. Sponsorship of the informational meeting does not entail support for an ordinance—LMV mostly wants another local organization to take part in the discussion. The board voted to sponsor the meeting under these conditions.

A discussion P&Z’s potential effects on Sugar Creek ensued. The Sugar Creek Advisory Board currently oversees a Sugar Creek zone within the county. While the regulations and recommendations advanced by this board are generally recognized and followed, they legally have “no teeth.” A county-wide planning and zoning ordinance could give jurisdiction to the county to better protect the creek, its floodplain, and its tributaries. For example, county planning and zoning could stop a CAFO from opening near the Creek.
FSC may want to publicly support P&Z pending further discussion and specifications.

Bachner Reserve / Site Dedication and Workday

Doug Calisch was contacted by Pat Galloway, Mike Bachner’s widow, about installing a stone memorial to Mike at the new reserve. Pat engraves tones professionally and would provide her labor for free. She is seeking donations for the materials. Jim Amidon and Steve Charles (Wabash College) have suggested that they can help find funding for this venture. Doug will discuss placement details with Gus Nyberg from NICHES.

Several volunteers are lined up for Saturday. Groups pledging volunteers include Wabash College (Students for Sustainability, APO, greater community), St. John’s Episcopal Church youth, Indiana Smallmouth Alliance, and cub scouts.

Lafayette Ave. Bridge

The board discussed construction on the Lafayette Ave. Bridge. Dean Ford sent an email to the board with photographs of a “wet road” constructed underneath the bridge, as well as sever bank disturbance from machinery. Zach talked with Steve Yeager and Mark Bonwell about the project. The bridge was in danger of washing out during the February flooding. This construction shored up the piers in an attempt to stabilize the bridge. The surface will also be redecked. Permits have apparently been issued for this work, though it remains unclear if the wet road will be removed and how long the work will take. Matt Williams will check the permits—it is Bridge 512 under official documentation.

Fundraising Drive

Nathan distributed the bad address list. About 50 of the original 375+ addresses are still bad. Nathan will send the list to the board for one last check. Nathan will send the fundraising letters within the next two weeks. The board discussed the importance of following up on the letters with personal phone calls. These calls will be limited to personal contacts instead of dividing the list and calling everyone.

Newsletter

Nathan currently plans newsletter pieces on the following subjects: Wetlands, Bachner Reserve, Annual Meeting, Interpretive Sign, Fundraising Drive. Doug Calisch suggested that an article be written about Allee Woods. AW is a property owned by Wabash College that was recently given a new nature preserve designation.

Lawn and Garden Show

FSC will have a booth at the Mont. County Lawn and Garden show at the end of March. Dates for the show are March 27 (Fri.) from 3 PM to 8 PM and March 28 (Sat.) from 8 AM to 3 PM. Volunteers are needed. Nathan will order rain barrels for a demonstration and giveaway.

Interpretive Sign

Nathan reported that he was contacted by Interpretive Graphics with a final quote. The price given is slightly higher than budgeted, but costs may be cut if FSC buys posts from a different supplier.

Budget

Nathan distributed the budget that was created at the February board meeting. The board iterated the importance of fundraising to produce a balanced budget. Board voted in favor of accepting the budget.

Stormwater Board

Nathan reported his experience from attending the February meeting of the Crawfordsville storm water board.

Misc.

Nathan will be giving a presentation to an environmental economics class at Wabash on March 23. He will also be canoeing or taking some other field trip with the class on March 25. Nathan will also give a presentation at the next Friends of Big Pine Meeting on April 2.

Gus Nyberg will help complete an ecological assessment for the Sugar Creek Nature Park on Wednesday, March 4.

Nathan has talked with Linda Schmidt, a watershed specialist from IDEM, about pursuing a 319. Further work on this goal is pending another meeting with Sugar Creek landholders about a Lake and River Enhancement grant.

Dutifully submitted by Nathan Mullendore.