August 2001

August 23, 2001

The Board of Directors of Triangle Greenways Council met for its regular monthly meeting on August 23, 2001, in the offices of Triangle J Council of Governments. Robert Harper presided. Other Board members present were Sig Hutchinson, Jeff Brewer, Barb Oslund, Brian Beatty, Bill Bussey, Allen de Hart, Ben Hitchins, Wendy Olson, Dean Kanipe, and Kristine Olka. Also attending were Bill Flournoy, Charles Dobbin, and Larkin Kirkman.

Minutes of the June 28, 2001, Board meeting were approved.

Robert called attention to publicity that the Council had received: an article about Bill Flournoy, an article about Sig Hutchinson, and work that Robert was doing on a transportation grid for 2025.

Robert reported on talking with David Carter and recognizing that we are quoted in the St. Louis master plan. He reported also that Sig attended a Chamber of Commerce planning retreat yesterday.

Robert himself had attended a luncheon with General Anderson and Col. Deloy of the Corps of Engineers, yesterday, where Robert had made a presentation on the Council. Robert reported that Col. Deloy (from the Wilmington office of the Corps) had expressed a desire for the Corps to help the Council and a desire to meet with us.

Nominations Committee:
Robert announced that he had appointed Dan Jewell to serve as chair of the Nominations Committee. He asked for volunteers and then named Wendy Olson, Allen de Hart, Barb Oslund, and Dean Kanipe to the committee.

Treasurer’s Report:
Allen asked for a Treasurer’s report. There was none. Robert stated that at the Board meeting two months ago we had specifically asked for a Treasurer’s report and the Treasurer was present. Allen expressed his concern that our reporting was overdue on various grants received from State Parks and that he has asked Darryl McBane to identify which reports are still failing. Robert appointed Allen to serve as an ad hoc committee to clear up these reports. Robert also expressed his concern that, if we are into land trust we must have an accounting system to support this.

Robert asked that the Board address the proposals he had made about reorganization of the Board. There was discussion:

Sig stated he was happy with Robert’s suggestions but proposed another option: That he was open to being nominated to serve again as president. In that case he would follow a format similar to when he was last president, using a large Board and a sharing approach. He would make his focus putting trails on the ground.

Allen proposed keeping the larger Board and breaking into committees. He would give attention to the interests of equestrians. He would emphasize finding land and called attention to Mechlenburg County as a model. He also mentioned greenways that are waterways.

Wendy asked about the availability of a roster of members, and also about the use of the chair.

Allen said we are not as active as we could be.

Robert spoke of his dream that people would know of the Council and of his frustration in trying to find the passion to get the work done.

Sig described the charette, talked of raising $35,000, talked of discovering the city’s small area plan and finding the pedestrian component left out. Sig said he had asked Chuck Flink to draw up a plan.

Robert stated his expectation that Flink would make up a plan, that he would then inform us of the plan , and we than would advocate for it.

Ben stated that the group may want to talk of expectations, a common understanding, and the need to communicate that to new Board members. One good expectation might be functioning subcommittees, committees with a recruiting mechanism, a subcommittee that is always thinking of how to involve people.

Robert stated that he has worked at an executive level, not using committees; that it is two dimensional.

Bill Bussey stated that we have a committee structure; that we have one active committee; and that that committee was lambasted when it reported. He suggested that we keep the structure the way it is now and have reports from Board members.

Robert stated that the Land Trust Committee had done well with a good leader. He stated that that committee functions perfectly. He stated that when he tries to get other people to claim a role it does not happen.

Bill Bussey stated his desire to work on the quarry committee.

Allen stated he felt we needed to have committees with assigned heads and that the committees should feel the executive committee is supporting them.

Robert agreed we need committees that give regular reports.

Allen began a report on the situation in Franklin County.

Ben asked that Board members state what are reasonable expectations.

Brian stated it is reasonable for everyone to serve on committees and that the trails committee could have many subdivisions. Each committee could be expected to report at every meeting.

Barb found an appeal for come committees more than others and felt that shrinking the Board would not help.

Robert stated he wanted Board members to take responsibility.

Dean pointed out that Sig and Robert interact dynamically.

Sig advocated a simpler way: At the annual planning meeting identify what our passions are and collectively work on that passion. He suggested the meeting was a time of sharing.

Robert stated he wanted to emphasize the Triangle Greenways Council.

Sig stated he would discuss the passion; the structure would be minimal.

Wendy stated she felt we need to preserve corridors. We have to think of what the place will look like 50 years from now.

At this point discussion of reorganization was tabled.

Larkin suggested that Robert name the chairmen and membership of the existing committees. Robert stated he would do so.

Jeff stated he would like to have an agenda. He stated he would also like to have weekly [monthly ?] reports of what is going on. He stated he would like to work on Falls Lake and also on National Trails Day.

Kristine is maintaining a database of members.

Jeff stated he felt we have to be out there with our hands dirty. Other sentiments expressed were that “we have to be action people in more ways than just verbal”; that there are people waiting to be organized; that Eno people should be involved; that we should keep NC Trails Committee happy; that we could attend their meetings.

Land Trust:
Wendy stated that the Land Trust Committee needs an approval. She passed out a sheet labeled “Mini Grants: Approved Policy for Mini-Grants for Pre-Acquisition Costs.” She stated that the Committee is considering two properties along or near Walnut Creek and would be looking to obtaining a mini-grant for pre-acquisition costs. She pointed out that if the lands should be offered we would have expenses for work that preceded acquisition. Bill Flournoy stated there would be professional fees, possibly as much as $5,000, which we would have to find a way to cover. Dean moved and Bill Bussey seconded that we approve seeking mini-grants to cover these professional pre-acquisition costs. This motion passed with only Sig dissenting.

Newsletter: Kristine stated that Don Belk asks for contribution of material for the next newsletter.

Wendy stated she was aware of some activity on Duke Energy property in Orange County, pertaining to connections.

Ben pointed out that this is his last meeting as a member of the Board and that this requires that we make arrangements either for a different meeting place or to continue to work with Triangle J to meet in this location. He stated we must have a staff person present or, in the alternative, add Triangle J to our insurance policy. He indicated that for the short run we could make an arrangement like we have done before, namely, enter into a short term understanding. Robert stated he would get in touch with Ben and clear this matter up.

There was applause for Ben.

The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m. But not without additional comments and announcements: Robert will get an agenda out ten day before the meeting and Robert will send an e-mail for appointments for committees. There is a public meeting on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. in Pittsboro on the plans for the ATT in Chatham County.

Respectfully submitted,

Larkin Kirkman
Secretary