1000 Islands Environmental Center Committee Meeting Minutes – October 20, 2016

Committee Chairman Gadow called the regular meeting of the 1000 Islands Environmental Center Committee to order at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 20, 2016.

Members Present:    Driessen, Gadow, Landreman, McSorley, and Van Berkel

Absent & Excused:    Gertz, Kalupa, McGinnis, Nowak and Van Rossum

Also Present:    Kenney and Friends’ President Werschem

Minutes of the September 15, 2016 meeting were approved by McSorley. Seconded by Driessen. Carried.

Financial Report – No report.

Correspondence – A letter from the Appleton Public Library was received thanking the Center for the involvement in their summer reading program. Information from Mead & Hunt was made available regarding the new license for the Kaukauna City Plant Hydroelectric project. Driessen made a motion to accept and place on file the correspondence. McSorley seconded. Carried.

Report from the Friends of 1000 Islands – Werschem reported on the Friends’ August meeting where Nowak was present and gave an overview of projects taking place at the Center. The Friends’ Committee voted to contribute the funds to develop and purchase the items needed to complete the Hydro displays in the Fox River Room. The Friends have agreed to contribute $6,000 to the Center’s 2017 budget for the summer intern wages and bird seed. The Friends’ will be nominating Orlando and Janice Jansen for the 2017 Kaukauna Lifetime Achievement Volunteer award. The 2017 art fair will be held with some changes to take place. They will no longer require the artist to display only nature related items. The name of the event will also be changing.

Naturalist’s Report – McSorely informed the committee that a grant of $1,000 was received from the C.D. Besadny Conservation Grant Program. The issue of the false security alarms at the building were discussed. This item will be added to the agenda for the November committee meeting.

Adm/Fin. Report – The 2017 proposed budget was discussed. Outagamie County has approved the contribution of $10,000 again for the Center’s operating budget. Kenney and Nowak met with the Mayor and city finance director to go over the proposed budget. The City Council will change and/or approve the City of Kaukauna 2017 Budget at their November meeting. The draft of a donation form was discussed. McSorley made a motion to accept and use for future donations the recommended donation form. Driessen seconded. Carried.

Education – McSorley reported on the Eagle Days event. The program and days event planning is going well.

Building and Grounds – Gadow informed the committee that the two new concrete bridges in the upper woods are in place. Pictures of bridges and their placement by Ray Haen and Dawes Crane were shown. The entire procedure went seamlessly other than a lightning storm.

The condition of the trails in the upper woods were discussed. Driessen would like the trail work to continue and be completed by Jerry Palmer. It was recommended that an estimate on the cost of completing this project be acquired from Mr. Palmer. The color coding of the trails be made as per the trail map states should be completed as well.

The 2016/2017 Deer Hunt plans are made. The application packets are available in the Center office and advertising is being done.

No action was taken regarding the maintenance needs list given to the City of Kaukauna Public Works Department. This item will be placed on the November agenda.

Old Business – No Report.

New Business – No Report.

Good of the Center – The Friends’ of 1000 Islands Committee has decided not the have a float in the Kaukauna Christmas Parade this year.

McSorley informed the committee that he has paid for and renewed the license for the Center’s web-site domain name for another three years.

There being no further business, McSorley moved to adjourn. Seconded by Van Berkel. Carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

Sally Kenney

Secretary