Annual Meeting
September 20,
2024
Minutes
Present:Mike Crowell, Karen Crowell, Kent
Richmond, Dorothy Richmond, Phil Peterson, Sheree Peterson, Tim Hartnett, Kitty
Hartnett, Bev Jensch, Spencer Robnik, Judith Robnik, Dean Rau, Tom Frizzell,
Cynthia Stokvis, Bill Bussey, Nancy Bussey, Art Ode, Joan Ode, Pat Olson, Shari
Eggleson, Mark Eggleson, Bob Bruce, Steve Sandstrom, Nancy Sandstrom, Shannon
Swanstrom, Ruth Oppedahl.
1. Welcome. Steve Sandstrom called
the annual meeting to order.
2. Conservation Update.
Ruth Oppedahl reported on the activities in the past year.
· Brownstone
Trail - Three additional easements have been secured on the Brownstone Trail
thanks to Bill Busseys work. Another major washout and other
drainage problems plague the area in front of Johnsons house and the Wild
Rice restaurant. About $5000 has been raised to make the repairs based on
an estimate by Randy Erickson of CW Trucking. Gary Connell has been
coordinating the repairs and the goal is to get these two areas fixed, as well
as the grading of the entrance, this fall.
· Lake
Superior Land Trust Partnership The BRC is a founding member of this
partnership of land trusts around the lake. So far, the partnership has
secured funding to do three site conservation workshops, cover travel expenses,
and coordination by the Land Trust Alliance. In the future, BRC hopes to
receive a pass-thru grant to hire an additional staff person for membership and
outreach activities.
· Farmland
Preservation. The Town of Bayfields Farmland Preservation Program
is administered by the BRC. In 2024 the Town contributed $15,000 and BTC
used a LTA grant to fund the administration costs of about $31,000. The
first round of applications is almost complete with the result being two
farms/orchards permanently preserved as farmland by the end of the year.
It is impossible to predict how many growers may apply to the program in 2024,
so we dont know the workload and funds needed. BRC will look again
for any grant funds that may apply towards the administration costs, and
request $15,000 again from the Town of Bayfield.
3) Financial
report. Ruth Oppedahl reported for treasurer Ernie Korpela who was out
due to family emergency.
The 2024 nine-month profit and loss
statement shows income of $60,055 and expenses of $46,297. The balance
statement shows $40,090 in the checking account, with about $10,000 of that for
restricted projects (Brownstone Trail and Farmland admin.)
BRC has a
$19,809 in the conservation easement endowment, a fund whose principal is
restricted for legal defense of any easements BRC holds.
BRC has $7,003
in investments (EMC, Intel, Wells Fargo and GE) which will be sold when the
values recover. This account may be the kernel of an endowment fund for
the organization.
The 2024 draft budget shows projected income of
$49,250 (not including farmland admin.) and expense of $53,269. We will
need to increase income or cut expenses to make up the $4,000 difference.
Nancy Bussey noted the importance of recruiting new members to support the 2024
budget. For 2024, 100% of the income is from membership
contributions.
4) Business.
· 2002
Minutes. Motion by Bill Bussey, second by Mike Crowell to approve the
September 28, 2024 BRC annual meeting minutes. Motion carried
unanimously.
· Re-stated
bylaws. Motion by Bill Bussey and second by Phil Peterson to adopt the
re-stated bylaws. Discussion clarifying that a general member is one who
has not made a financial contribution in the current year. Motion carried
unanimously.
· Board
nominations. Motion by Bill Bussey and second by Kitty Hartnett to
nominate Art Ode for the board of directors. Motion by Nancy Bussey and
second by Phil Peterson to nominate Nancy Sandstrom to the board of
directors. Motion amended to nominate Art Ode, Nancy Sandstrom, Nan Fey
and Ernie Korpela to the board of directors. Motion carried
unanimously.
5) Suggestions and input.
· Kent
Richmond suggested BRC move ahead with the Brownstone Trail entrance
improvements.
· Dean Rau
recommended that the stand of white pines near the south end of the Trail near
Sanitarium Rd be protected within a trail easement.
· Tim
Hartnett requested that the trail uphill of the soccer field on the Citys
120 acres be repaired.
· Phil
Peterson suggested that it is time to focus on trails on the Peterson Preserve,
now that as much debris as possible has been removed. Anyone interested
in trail work should send their email address to Phil
(water@cheqnet.net).
· Nancy
Bussey suggested that its time to do a mass mailing to recruit new
members. Membership needs a more pro-active approach using marina lists
etc. She volunteered to sit on a committee to do this.
With no
further business to conduct, Kent Richmond made a motion to adjourn.
Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted by Ruth Oppedahl.
9/22/2003.