Friends of Dicken Woods General Assembly
DRAFT Minutes for the Wednesday, May 17, 2006 meeting at Dicken Elementary School
Attending were Brian Cressman, Jack Eaton, Kay Holsinger, Stephanie
Hunter, Tom Ivacko, Naela Jenkins, Debbie Johnson, Amanda Koeller,
Harvey Mieske, Rayelene Mieske, Deb Norbotten, Bob Palmer, Linda Pickl,
Erica Uramkin (NAP), Leslie Westbury, Rich Westbury, and Doug Wood
Tom Ivacko chaired the meeting and opened proceedings at 7:00p.m.
Minutes were accepted from the 3/29/06 meeting.
Budget Report
Deb Norbotten reported that the organization currently has $4092.79 in
the bank. She said that the increase since our March meeting was due to
the Max & Erma's fundraiser, and a large donation from Donald
McNair, the Eagle Scout whose project was the new DW footbridge last
fall.
Vote on Officer Positions
Tom asked if there were any other nominations for the upcoming officer
positions, and there were none. Naela Jenkins then listed the slate for
the 2006-2007 year, as the following: Tom Ivacko as President, Bob
Palmer as Co-Vice-President, Jack Eaton as Co-Vice-President, Deb
Norbotten as Treasurer, and Amanda Koeller as Secretary.
The slate was unanimously voted in. At that time, Tom congratulated
everyone and thanked Naela for all of her past work on the Board. He
also thanked Jack Eaton for taking on the Co-VP position.
Grant Activities
Stephanie Hunter reported that the 2nd graders are planting their
wildflower garden on June 5th and that they have completed their quilt
which has as its theme the trees of Dicken Woods.
New Business
Stephanie Hunter noted that about $112 will be required to cover
purchase of plants and related supplies for work in the woods.
Following discussion, Jack Eaton made a motion to approve up to $130 in
such expenses. Harvey Mieske seconded the motion, and it was approved
unanimously.
Fundraising
Naela Jenkins reported that the Max & Erma's Fundraiser that was
held on April 26th
raised $357 and was a huge success. She thanked Bob Palmer and Jack
Eaton for providing printing. She will post a paragraph in the Dicken
Data Newsletter that will thank the parents for attending, and let them
know that the proceeds will be used for next fall's Dicken School grant
program.
Tom suggested that we keep this fundraiser an annual event, and advertise by passing out flyers at the 2007 Candle Light Walk.
City Tree Planting Program
Tom stated that he had been in contact with Mary Anne Jaeger, and she
agreed that it would be very helpful if we could help with the
replanting of trees on school property. She said that it would be
approved through both her and the Ann Arbor Public School
administration. The city is now investigating to see whether trees
would be approved for the school grounds.
Doug Wood stated that he spoke with Jason Frenzel from NAP, and they
will also help with the replanting of trees throughout Dicken Woods. He
said that NAP will provide all of the necessary materials, including
the trees, if we provide the labor. Doug said that he will work with
Jason Frenzel and NAP to get this replanting project started.
Harvey Mieske suggested that we get large enough trees, so that the kids
don't destroy them. Naela suggested an adopt-a-tree program so that we
could teach the kids to care for them.
Woods and Maintenance
Doug Wood stated that the goals for the April 29th clean-up day were all
met, and Erika with NAP concurred. Doug said that the area was cleared
for the grant program's flower garden, fallen trees were moved off of
pathways, signs were redistributed and the guard rail was removed. Tom
thanked Doug for all of his hard work, and for being persistent with the
guard rail situation.
Master Plan Review
Doug Wood stated that he sent a copy of the Master Plan to Jason Frenzel
with NAP, who reviewed it and sent back comments which are being
incorporated. Doug then reviewed the 1 year objectives from the Plan,
noting that we are on track, and already meeting our goals.
He also covered some of the things we will continue working on over the summer, which will include:
- Coordinating with the City Parks Department, to determine various
details on the signage - Tom Ivacko agreed to follow up on this.
- Working with Scout Troops for building projects.
- Closing off a non-sanctioned trail that goes back by Stephen Terrace.
- Moving plants and tilling an area with black eyed susan's - Inga and Lara are working on this.
Doug stated that he is sure, that with the help from the Scouts, City
of Ann Arbor, and NAP, that we should have no problem meeting and
exceeding our goals.
Tom suggested that we consider the possibility of seating that is
more permanent in the woods, in place of the log seats as they
deteriorate down the road. In regard to working with the city on
signage, he said that we are unique in that we are close to the highest
point in the City of Ann Arbor. He thought one option would be to have
signs that educate on the effect of pollution and the flow of water from
this high point down through Allens and Mallets Creeks, to the Huron
River.
Tom suggested that we incorporate into the plan a detailed sketch of
the woods, to show the various areas that are referred to throughout the
plan. Doug said that Lara with NAP has an aerial map, and she is
working on an electronic sketch of the Woods. She wants to work with
us, to determine what we plant and track it.
Doug said that September 30th is the NAP Fall Cleanup day for Dicken
Woods. General Fall cleanups will be Saturdays starting around
September 1st, and going until it gets too cold.
Tom thanked Doug for all of his work on the Master Plan. Doug said
that he is still fine-tuning some things, and that if anyone has any
suggestions he will still edit and send out revisions.
Funding
Tom suggested that, given our successful fundraising efforts, we
increase the Grant Funding program from $1000.00 to $1500.00, for next
fall. Leslie Westbury moved that $1500.00 on grant programs be allowed
this year, Tom Ivacko seconded the motion, and the group voted
unanimously in favor.
Stephanie Hunter suggested that we should consider managing the grant
funds in the future ourselves, and do the associated purchasing
ourselves, rather than sending the funds through the school and their
purchase order system. That system is slow and cumbersome.
New Business
Doug introduced Erika with NAP, who is writing a conservation newsletter
on Friends of Dicken Woods. Erika said that she thought our group was
unique, and that she would like to promote it as a model for other
groups. She said that she will forward questionnaires to the steering
committee to get input for her article. She also said that she will
give us the results of the questionnaires when she is finished, so that
we might use it for future gatherings.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
Minutes by Amanda Koeller and Tom Ivacko