May 2009 Minutes

Friends of Sugar Creek
May Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2009

We convened at 7 p.m. Present were board members Zach Cain, Doug Calisch, Lali Hess (and Lucy), Jim Suren, Matt Williams, and watershed projects coordinator, Nate Mullendore. Also present were a number of guests: Christie Byun, Cara and Larry Clark, Wendy Feller, Warren Perkins, Ernest Rando, Beth Swift, Paul Vasquez, and Michael and Rick Warner.

Michael Warner, a senior at CHS who has been studying the water quality of Sugar Creek, gave a very informative report on his study. He tested the water of Sugar Creek at several points between February and April (2009) for nitrates, chlorine, ammonia, and oxygen. His overall conclusion was that Sugar Creek had elevated levels of nitrates, phosphates, and ammonia, but that the Creek was not heavily polluted with these chemicals (largely the result of agricultural practices). He did not test for metals or PCBs. (The DNR tests for Mercury, etc. every two years.) We thanked Michael for his fine presentation.

The minutes of the April Meeting and the Annual (April 22nd) Meeting were approved.

We discussed the Bachner Dedication and tree-planting turn-out (4/25 and 4/26). NICHES reported that more than 200 participated in the week-end’s events with scores of people involved in the tree planting on Saturday and Sunday. It was indeed a festive week-end. Gus Nyberg, the director of NICHES, was deeply pleased.

The commemorative water bottles were, apparently, quite desirable and went like hot cakes. Some participants who wanted one didn’t get one—queries were made about making new ones, but this would prove too expensive. Mention was made of upcoming events—the fly fishing demo in June on the Tippecanoe River, the Sugar Creek float trip in June.

We discussed the May 16 clean-up: it will begin at 9 a.m. at the ball diamond. Lunches are being donated. Press releases are being prepared for the JR, the Paper, and the Sentinel. Trash collection is being done on-foot; canoes pose an insurance liability. We decided we needed to review the liability issue.

Nate reported on the fund raising effort—in response to the 350 letters sent, thirty folks have sent contributions totaling $1430. Most contributions were less than $100. Since it seemed the influx of contributions was slowing, Nate encouraged the Board members to send personal notes.

The Board approved the printing of new copies of the Sugar Creek DVD for $1120.

We still consider it a good educational tool and a way of increasing interest in our watershed.

We discussed our preparations for our booth at the Strawberry Festival (6/12-14). We decided we should develop a hand out explaining levels of chemicals in the Creek and the fish consumption advisory, so folks won’t think we’re against fishing. Nate encouraged board members to let him know soon about their availability to staff the booth during the Festival. He also described the progress being made to develop a trail at the north end of the new nature park. Vectren has already contributed about $4500 for the development of the park and may give more.

We discussed the fish consumption advisory at greater length. We agreed that there should be signs wherever a bridge crosses the creek. We also thought that signs should carry more information—a person curious about the advisory should have more information about the reasons for such an advisory. Nate would like to replace the old signs with more informative signs. Beth volunteered to help create a brochure explaining the fish advisory and Jim offered to put up new advisory signs.

In a veritable flood of approbation, the board voted Christie Byun, Wendy Feller, Beth Swift, and Paul Vasquez on to the Board of the Friends of Sugar Creek as provisional members.

The Board reviewed the budget. It was noted that we have underbudgeted for printing costs. We will need to raise more money—especially if we wish to prove that we should get the next $5000 of the (Tipmont?) grant. We should strive to raise another $3500 in grants and contributions.

Ernest Rando offered to develop an article for May for the JR, and Matt Williams agreed to write a JR article about the June float trip.

The Board discussed the process of applying for a 319 grant (under the Clean Water Act section 319). We noted the major cliff erosion along Wayne Avenue and the sorts of solutions (armoring of the bank, or “rumble strips”)—it was noted that 319 grants can be used for a variety of riparian issues. Zach agreed to call Linda Schmidt and offer his counsel.

The Board discussed various routes for the June float trip without coming to a clear consensus.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50.

--Marc Hudson, Secretary of the Board