MCPHOA
Minutes
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Present: Michele Johnson, Terrell McPhee, Chris Meeker, Shelly Norr, Steve Norr, Carolyn Engerman, Lewis Galway, Judy Mincher, Ken Mears, Charles Galway Excused: George Mierisch, Kimarie Overall
Officers’ Reports:
A. President’s Report:
1. The lease agreement has been signed, the insurance conditions have been met, and our in-kind conditions have been met. Steve will report to Dennis after our fall clean-up. We still need to deal with signage and access. Signs must be approved by the city. Steve will work with the city for approval, and Ken will use baling wire to post the signs.
2. Friends can be in our back yards any time. Steve sees no reason to exclude or limit membership, so neighbors who want keys must be members in good standing.
B. Secretary’s Report:
1. Terrell has kept the records and supplied the minutes and notice of meeting. The minutes and the agendas will be posted on the blog for future reference.
2. Chris moved to accept the minutes of the April 13, 2103 meeting. The motion was seconded by Shelly. The vote was unanimous.
3. We have received our Annual Report/Renewal Notice, which is due the end of October. Terrell will renew our information on line before the due date.
C. Treasurer’s Report:
1. Chris reported that we still have over $4,000.00 in our bank account after spending $373.62 for a chain saw, $50.00 for the dumpsters, $37.70 for keys and $542.00 for insurance. Our next expenses will be signs and dumpsters, and perhaps a chipper.
Pond Maintenance:
A. 64.5 hours have been logged to date. Many members have not logged their hours on the blog. Members may enter their pond maintenance information on the blog or e-mail it to Terrell at turtleslc@yahoo.com and she will enter the information on the blog and the spreadsheet. To access the blog, go to http://millcreekpondactioncommitte.blogspot.com.
B. Lewis would like us to rent or buy a chipper so we can turn downed trees into mulch. Many members would like to use that mulch in their yards. Lewis will research chipper prices and the benefits of renting versus buying, and will report his findings to the members.
C. Judy said that some of the wire around stumps is pulling out and needs to be cut off or nailed down. Trees that were previously cut down are growing back. Can someone from the team apply stump killer? Application of stump killer should be part of the clean-up. Michele said that we need to make sure the stump killer will not pollute the environment.
D. Judy and Terrell both need help removing logs and debris from the water.
E. Charles wanted to know what to do with a fallen tree that he and Lewis cut in half. The consensus was that they could dispose of the tree just about any way they wanted.
Girl Scout Request:
A couple of Girl Scout troops have asked to use the pond to learn to kayak. Terrell thought this could satisfy part of our obligation to the city. Lewis didn’t think this would count as an educational effort. Steve will put the contract and bylaws on the password-protected part of the blog so we can clarify the issue.
Bees:
We decided to table the subject of beekeeping until a member wants to bring the issue to us. In the meantime, Chris will check with South Salt Lake to find out if we have an ordinance that addresses beekeeping.
Invasive Species and Mosquito Abatement:
A. Lewis said that our contract with the city states that we must remove non-native and invasive species. He particularly concerned with the Russian Olives and the damage they do to the Jordan River. We need to check the language in the contract, but also want Jerry’s and Lynn’s opinion on this matter. Michele suggested that we should follow the city or county storm water management plan. Michele moved to research the city’s storm water management plan, the language of best management practice related to native and non-native species, and bring the information to the next meeting. The motion was seconded by Chris and Steve. The vote was unanimous.
B. Lewis wanted us to know that we can call Mosquito Abatement if we have standing water. They will check the water, and if necessary, will add pellets that prevent mosquito larvae from maturing. There is no charge for this service.
Other Business:
The meeting was adjourned. Our next meeting and fall clean-up will be Saturday, September 28th. Chris will make arrangements for the dumpsters.
Assignments:
Steve: will report to Dennis after our fall clean-up, work with the city for approval of our signs, and put the contract and bylaws on the password-protected part of the blog.
Steve or Terrell will post the minutes and agendas on the blog.
Terrell: will renew our Annual Report information on line before the end of October.
Chris: will check with South Salt Lake to find out if we have an ordinance that addresses beekeeping and obtain dumpsters for the fall clean-up.
Michele: will research the city’s storm water management plan, the language of best management practice related to native and non-native species, and bring the information to the next meeting.
Lewis: will research chipper prices and the benefits of renting versus buying, and will report his findings to the members,
Questions from Charles: With Jerry’s answers and comments in red.
Where are copies of bylaws? The by law are interim and have been adopted and re-adopted we need to make them permanent
Is MCPHOA a Fed 501(C)-3 non-profit, or just a Utah non-profit MCPHOA is a Federal 501(c)(3) organization
Are there reasons to be a 501(C)-3 non-profit? As as 501(c)(3) organization MCPHOA is Income Tax Exempt.
Is MCPHOA a Fed 501(C)-3 non-profit, or just a Utah non-profit MCPHOA is a Federal 501(c)(3) organization
Are there reasons to be a 501(C)-3 non-profit? As as 501(c)(3) organization MCPHOA is Income Tax Exempt.
Copy of SSL city contract? I haven’t seen a copy of the executed (signed) contract. I suspect it will be sent to Steve when it is executed by the City.
Removal of dead trees (or live) on pond-property? Tree removal should probably be approved by the board and/or membership. Tree removal on the island is the responsibility of the county. Finally, there should be a bank restoration project for the pond as a whole. This is either the responsibility of the county flood control folks (along with dredging) it is their basin after all or the Army Corps of Engineers.
There is also a clean water issue. From time to time we have discussed the condition of the water flowing into the pond. Perhaps we should take a more active stand regarding the water quality and its effect on wildlife and wildlife habitat. This is or could be an Environmental Protection Agency issue.
Are we doing a community-open-event (this year)? Additional events should be scheduled. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and/or school science and biology projects.
Are we doing a community-open-event (this year)? Additional events should be scheduled. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and/or school science and biology projects.
What about the an area that has vegetation stripped off? Do we need
to re-seed it? (It was like that before MCPHOA. It technically is an
area that is in MCPHOA management. We don't really like/approve of
that happening. We're not sure what to do about it.) (We cannot(?)
lock the back-gate there.) If reseeding is necessary we should reseed with native plants. We should make a provision for locking the back gate.
What does anyone know/researched about management for migratory
water-fowl? (given that other areas(including Mill-creek), etc are
concerned about this type issue.) (No one seems to have done much
research. I suggested I'll look into that -- not sure how deep I'll
go.) Any active management of migratory water-fowl would have to be in conjunction with and with the approval of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and/or Utah Department of Natural Resources.
