April 2003

April 28, 2003

The Board of Directors of Triangle Greenways Council met for its regular meeting in the offices of Triangle J Council of Governments on April 28, 2003. Barb Oslund presided. Other Board members attending were Wendy Olson, Bill Flournoy, Dan Jewell, Leslie Kennedy, Bill Hamilton, Judy Weseman, Dean Kanipe, Jeff Brewer, Don Belk, and Bill Bussey. Also attending was Larkin Kirkman.

The meeting began at 7:05 p.m. with agreement on the agenda. Barb announced that Lorraine Price has resigned from the Board. Notice was called to articles on Jeff and the Mountains to the Sea and also on the canoe trail possibilities at Falls. Alan de Hart is attending a meeting today in Asheville. Don Belk tries to keep track of appropriate articles.

Minutes for the February 24, 2003, meeting, the March 24, 2003, retreat, and the Executive Committee meeting were approved with the one correction that “God Park” should read “Gold Park,”

Treasurer’s report: Money was collected for the retreat. Our current balance is $19, 971.94. Bill Flournoy suggested that the Crabtree Endowment Gift should be shown as a subcategory of the Sam Wiley Memorial Fund. We do not accrue interest at this time.

Motion: Dan moved that the report be approved as submitted, that there be a change in the location of the gift, and that the treasurer explore and interest-bearing placement of funds.

Jeff pointed out that t-shirts will be given out to volunteers at Trails Day. He asked that we contribute $250.00 toward these shirts. He has collected some $900.00 for them. This was approved. Jeff said there would be 11 worksites and the shirts would be divided among them.

Barb reported that Bill Bussey and she were to contact persons to see if they would serve on a Strategic Planning Committee, with the aim of having a plan by the Annual Meeting. She has already identified three volunteers, Robert Hinson, Julian Prosser, and Judy Weseman. Other contacts are yet to be made. Leslie suggested that we have regular reports from that committee.

Committee reports:

Land Trust Committee: The Committee’s submission was give to everyone. The Morris Tract met the criteria. The tract is on both sides of Walnut Creek (see map). It is recommended that we pursue negotiation, consider the results of a phase I, as for transaction costs and seek $2500.00. It was suggested that we also seek for the donor to pay taxes for the entire year as part of the transaction costs. The plan is to role the tract over.

Motion: It was moved by Bill Flournoy and seconded by Judy that we accept the recommendation of the Committee with the stipulation that transaction costs include taxes for the entire year. This was passed

The Committee presented information also on a Rich Benton tract or tracts. This land has been divided by highway right of way. The DOT wants to take mitigation credits for wetlands. There was discussion and Bill F. stated he would want to do the Benton tract and the DOT involvement together and ask for an easement under the bridge.

Motion: Bill Bussey and Dean moved that we accept the Committee’s recommendation on the Benton and DOT land. This was passed.

There was discussion of wetland mitigation. Bill F. stated that he expects there will be a large investment in mitigation land in the next few years and he expects that DOT will role out its accumulations to others. He proposed that we be alert to possibilities in this area of activity. He showed maps of two tracts in the Lake Wheeler area and suggested there will be other sites in Wake County. Bill is already working with DOT and wants DOT to understand greenway needs. Others are also negotiating with DOT.

Motion: Bill Bussey and Don Belk moved that we authorize the Committee to pursue these contacts with DOT. This passed.

The Committee also reported on Wake taxes, on working with Al Capehart, on the Whitewater Training area on the Neuse.

Report on the Retreat: Barb reported that the Executive Committee is functioning, that she is trying to set up a Strategic Planning Committee,, and that she is looking toward setting up other committees, involving the Board in the committees. She asked each to identify one’s special interests.

Report on website: Dean reported that Earthlink has not released the name and that the domain registration expires in one month.
Motion: Dan and Don moved that we approve registration of Triangle Greenways Council.org. This passed.

There was also discussion of retaining control of Triangle Greenways Council.con.

Leslie announced she attended a Partnerships in Conservation conference and found it good, working on new business strategies to make viable solutions.

The meeting adjourned at 9:04 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Larkin Kirkman
Secretary