Committee-Meeting-Minutes-January-17_-2019

Minutes for 1000 Islands Environmental Center Committee Meeting Held on Thursday, January 17, 2019 Members Present: Carlson, Gertz, Hietpas, McGinnis, McSorley, Pautz and VanBerkel Absent/Excused: Driessen and McGregor Also Present: Deb Nowak and Maureen Feldt The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman, Hietpas at 6:30 p.m. Quorum is present. November 2018 Meeting Minutes McGinnis made a motion to accept the November minutes as stated. Seconded by McSorley. Motion carried. Financial Report The November and December financial reports was reviewed. Feldt informed the Committee that December’s numbers are not final yet. McSorley made a motion to approve the November and December Financial Reports. Seconded by Gertz. Motion carried. Correspondence Several memorial and end of year donations have come in the last few weeks. Bud recently installed a Drop Box by the entrance for returning building keys after the renter is done locking up. Report from the Friends of 1000 Islands Annual Meeting was on Sunday, January 13th and it went well with average turn-out. The Christmas Light recycling program going well with another 800 lbs. of lights turned in. The Art Fair will be held on Sunday, May 19th. Naturalist’s Report Two grandsons of Joe Van Daalwyk have requested any unused/unwanted animal mounts that his grandfather donated to the Center. Deb has been working with them on which mounts they can remove from the Center. The grandsons are very excited to have these items back. The lion will be retained at the Center to make a connection of international animals. Our pre-school program being offered on Friday mornings filled up immediately and is going well. Stephanie is doing a fantastic job with the children. Admin/Finance Committee Memorial Endowment – Per the city attorney a CD or Bond is the only investment we can do with this money other than the passbook savings account. Deb mentioned that a Foundation could be established, giving us giving us a non-profit status for more investing and fundraising options. Golden Passbook/CD Purchase – The passbook is a holding point for the Center’s Endowment Fund. Deb is looking for approval from the Committee to purchase a CD when the balance reached a point for enough funds to purchase one. McGinnis made a motion for Deb to be able to take funds from the Golden Passbook and invest it in a CD with a higher savings percent. Seconded by Gertz. Discussion on making sure a minimum balance is kept in the Passbook Savings account and confirming that this is not an emergency fund account. After discussion, all approved and motion carried. Custom Program Development Fee – Per approval of the Admin & Finance Sub-Committee they are recommending the Committee approve the $78.00 per custom program development fee. Gertz made a motion to approve this fee. Seconded by McSorley. Motion carried. Education Augmented Reality Exhibit – The computer will be ordered through the City’s IT Dept. Will be scheduling sub-committee meeting later this month to start planning the 50th Anniversary of the Conservancy Zone. Buildings & Grounds McGinnis reviewed items that were completed this past year and the generous donation from the Kalupa family on behalf of Tom’s memorial for the new deck. A motion was made by Pautz to accept this memorial money to pay for the new deck. Seconded by McSorley. Motion carried. McGinnis also provided signage material samples and colors for the donation plaque and wording for the sign. McGinnis made a motion to accept the proposed signage material, color and wording for Tom Kalupa’s memorial plaque. Seconded by Carlson. Motion carried. McGinnis will work with the Kalupa family to complete this project. Old Business History Book – First draft is complete and Carol is working on the 2nd draft for our review. Target date for completion is in spring and will be revealed with our 50th Anniversary celebration. New Business Erosion Issue – The new landowner on the Hoersch property contacted us regarding an erosion issue on the easement. The County determined that a culvert is failing which is causing the run-off and water damage in the easement area. The County is responsible for the funding and completing the repairs necessary. The easement is necessary for the City crews to get access to cut lawn, etc. Good for the Center This past Holiday season the Center was very busy with building rentals. Next Committee Meeting Next Committee Meeting will be Thursday, February 21, 2019. There being no further business, McSorley moved to adjourn the meeting. Second by McGinnis. Motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m. Maureen Feldt Administrative Assistant