Star Prairie Land Preservation Trust – March 9^th, 2009 Meeting Minutes

Suzanna’s in New Richmond

     The March Meeting of the SPLPT was called to order at 4:00 pm by President Beth Wood.   

     Board members present were Pete Kling, Mike Reiter, Mike Kelly, Stu Nelson, Ron Siler, Beth Wood, Dan Davison, Trish Moberg and Consultant Cheryl Clemens.

     The January 2009 treasurer’s report was approved as read while the secretary’s report was approved as disseminated via e-mail.

1. Stu provided an overview of a two year water quality study being implemented on the Cedar Lake beginning this spring. It is collaborative effort of the DNR, Lake District and Army Corp of Engineers along with several other partners including the SPLPT. There is a meeting scheduled on April 11^th to lay out the total project. Invitations to this meeting will be sent out to residents of the Lake District, SPLPT and the SPF&GA in the form of a newsletter.

2. The 2009 budget was reviewed including actual expenditures for 2006-2008. The 2009 budget was then approved.

3. Pete provided an overview of the upcoming “Western Wisconsin Lands Workshop” to be held on March 11^th at WITC. Mike Kelly is planning on attending the event.

4. Records of the SPLPT are currently kept in a file cabinet at the Menke garage. Ron has volunteered a storage area at his business office to accommodate these files. Cheryl provided documentation of what needs to be saved and protected. Mike Kelly, Stu and Ron will meet to pull these documents together soon.

5. Strategic planning for the SPLPT was last addressed in 2006 and should be performed again to bring things up to date. A special meeting scheduled on Friday, June 12^th, starting at noon at the Menke cabin, will be held to update the plan. This update would go a long way toward certification under the Land Trust Alliance. Cheryl also mentioned that small grant applications can be made to provide funds for needed projects.

6. Pete will work with the Schottlers to arrive at a date and theme for an open house on their property set sometime in June. Signage dedication could possibly be tied into this event.

7. A January meeting was held by the property management team to get cost estimates on future improvements on the McMurtrie Preserve. Because of projected land use in the foreseeable future it was felt that the plans should be put on hold at this time and portable restroom purchase be considered. Stu will check into the availability. A motion was made and approved to allot up to $1500.00 for the purchase of two port potties and materials to provide a privacy fence around them.    

8. Warren Irle, an area resident, is interested in working with the SPLPT in setting up a conservation easement on his 40 acre parcel of land in Stanton Township east of Star Prairie. Mike Kelly will work with Warren to arrive at a rough draft agreement.

9. The 2009 New Richmond High School Service Day is scheduled for Friday, May 15^th. Stu provided Trish a list of projects on SPLPT land to be considered for that day. A group of students will be provided. A motion was made and approved to allot $100.00 to cover some of the expenses for that day.

10. A Citizen Monitoring Training session will be held on the McMurtrie property on Sunday June 14^th by Aleisha Miller.   

11. Cheryl has taken on the responsibility of finalizing the trail guides for use on the marked trails of the McMurtrie Preserve. She has been working with “Printing Plus” to complete this booklet which should be completed shortly. A copy of the draft guide was passed around.

     The next scheduled meeting of the SPLPT is Monday, May 11^th, 2009 at Suzanna’s in New Richmond. The second Monday of every other month was selected as potential meeting dates. Remaining meeting dates for 2009 include: July 13^th, September 14^th and November 9^th, 2009.  

With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 5:25 pm.

                                  Respectfully Submitted - Mike Reiter - Recorder