June 2004

The Board of Directors of Triangle Greenways Council met for its regular June meeting in The Healing Place at 7:00 p.m., June 28, 2004. Bill Bussey presided. Other Board members attending were Leslie Kennedy, William Breazeale, Allen de Hart, Bill Flournoy, and Don Belk. Larkin Kirkman also attended.

It was announced that Dean Kanipe, Barb Oslund, Jeff Brewer, and Bill Hamilton were expected to be absent.

Minutes of the May meeting were approved with two corrections and with special thanks to Robert Hinson for submitting them. Requests were sent to all Board members for submissions but only seven submitted. The spelling of Judy Weseman’s name was corrected.

The Treasurer’s Report was accepted. It reflected $200.00 in a memorial fund for Wendy Olson.

The president asked for reports on what is happening.

Bill Flournoy reported on a meeting of the Land Trust Alliance in Salisbury and distributed various documents including “Land Conservation: The Key to Clean and Safe Waters.”

Don is working on the next newsletter.

William has been at his daughter’s graduation at Tufts. He will facilitate a meeting with an investment person.

Leslie called attention to a stabbing in Duke Forest and raised questions of safety.

Allen is doing research for his 8th edition of his guidebook for West Virginia.

Bill Bussey reported on Chancellor’s Ridge; a user’s map for ATT; and the status in Durham of the ATT.

Committee Reports:

Land Trust Committee:

Bill Flournoy reported on handling billings for storm water fees in Raleigh. For Hymettus Woods the City will pay; for the land on Crabtree, there is no impervious surface.

He also re-capped the procedure for review by the committee of properties and reported on properties we hold, Chancellor’s Ridge, Hymettus Woods, and 75 acres on Crabtree.

He reported on four tracts the Board has approved accepting. There are two tracts held by Habitat for Humanity on or near Walnut Creek; transfer is expected before the end of the year. The DHIC tract of some 31-32 acres on Walnut Creek at Rock Quarry. Preparations are moving forward on that. The Morris tract on Walnut of Poole Road. This is not moving.

Bill has been in contact with heirs with regard to a 32 acre tract south of I-440, at New Bern. He showed slides of a visit to that tract. Sixteen acres are subject to flooding. He has told the owners that a Phase I had to be done. Bill is talking with the Museum of Natural Sciences about interest in placement of a school on the property. The Clean Water Trust Fund has all sorts of requirement: Phase I and clean-up. The situation is extremely fluid. The asking price is $1.75 million. The land is zoned commercial.

Bill asked the Board to consider his presentation as a first and second introduction to the property. The Committee recommends to the Board that it empower the Committee to continue negotiation with the owner toward development of a transaction that will be as acceptable as possible for an application to the Clean Water Trust Fund for a grant. We could offer Clean Water a conservation easement on 75 acres. Clean Water can fund environmental education. Competition for their funds is great.

On a motion by Don and second by Allen the Board authorized the Land Trust Committee to continue negotiations with the landowner and to formulate a proposal for a Clean Water Trust Fund application. This was passed unanimously.

There was discussion of a boardwalk under construction near Raleigh Boulevard, a special “Bagels on the Buckeye” monthly event of the Audubon Society, and the bridge from Meredith to the Art Museum.

A Land Trust Alliance matching grant proposal has been announced with a September 4 application date. It was recommended that the president appoint a committee to bring back a recommendation at the July meeting. William, Bill Flournoy, and Don will work on this. The grant has a $5000.00 maximum. One could collaborate with another group to access more.

Strategic Planning Committee:

There was no report. This is to be placed on the agenda for the July meeting.

The Board adjourned at 9:03 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Larkin Kirkman

Secretary