TIMBERON DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, INC. MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 10, 2013 Attendance: Everett Putney, Rick Merrick, Nan Thorell, Fran Trendler, Jerry Epkea, Sally Watkins, Jane Huisingh, Joe Watkins, Kent Huisingh and Jackie Fioretti by conference call. The meeting was called to order by President, Everett Putney at approximately 10:00 am. The pledge of allegiance was given by all and a prayer was offered by Everett Putney. Everett asked if anyone would like the minutes to the January, 2013 meeting be read? Kent Huisingh made a motion for the Secretary’s minutes to be accepted as submitted. Jane Huisingh seconded the motion and it was approved. Fran Trendler gave the Treasurer’s report. Rick Merrick made a motion to accept the Treasurer’s report. Sally Watkins seconded the motion and it was approved. Fran Trendler gave the Bills report which totaled $873.62. Sally Watkins made a motion to pay our bills which was seconded by Jane Huisingh and it passed. Old Business: Rick Merrick gave a report on the new office. A new sign has been installed outside and a museum counter has been added. He thanked Everett Putney and Jackie Fioretti for donating the window blinds, the computers and window monitor. Two meetings have been held at the new office as follows: Timberon Farmer Market and Timberon Blues Festival Meeting. After discussion, Nan Thorell made a motion for Rick Merick to spend up to $250.00 for Welcome Center supplies and items to sell. The motion was seconded by Joe Watkins and it was approved. Harvey English Jr. has added two new face book sites. Rick advised the office is achieving its preliminary goals. Rick Merrick gave a report on the Otero Planning Group meeting held in Cloudcroft at the Forest Service Building on January 23rd which he, Everett Putney and Jackie Fioretti attended. This meeting is for all of the agencies in Otero County (Otero County, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fire Departments etc.) to meet and share information about what is going on in the county. Rick Merrick advised the second meeting of the Farmer’s Market was held yesterday. It was proposed for TDC (Timberon Development Council, Inc.) to form a Sub Committee called the Timberon Farmer’s Market and TDC will apply to become a part of the New Mexico Farmer Market Association (0-19 $25.00), apply for insurance (19 @ $6.50 per member or $123.50) and apply for a permit to sell starter plants ($75.00). A motion was made by Kent Huisingh for TDC to form a Sub Committee called “Timberon Farmer’s Market” and spend the $223.50 required to make it happen. Jerry Epkea seconded the motion and it was approved. TDC will be required to submit an annual report to the New Mexico Farmer’s Market Association and will establish a separate line item to track this in the financial report. There will be a $40.00 annual membership fee to participate or $4.00 per week for those who wish to participate on a part time basis. Rick thanked Everett Putney and Jackie Fioretti for offering their lots on Sacramento to set this up. Harvey English Jr. is the Market Manager. The anticipated start date is Memorial weekend and will be held every Saturday at 1:00 pm. The next meeting is scheduled for March 01, 2013. Rick Merrick advised there is nothing new to report for the Timberon Blues Festival. The next meeting is scheduled for February 21st at 10:00 am. He reported he has spoken to Bill Brown who is coordinating the Fly-In event. Bill has contacted the New Mexico Pilot Association and they have scheduled the annual Fly-In for May 17, 18, & 19, 2013. There are new pilots who are interested in attending. Everett Putney advised it will be held at the Red Barn. Page 2 Rick Merrick reported on the Block Thinning which will start in March. Fran Trendler reported on the $2,500.00 Medical Assistant Grant that TDC will apply for to Otero County Electric. This grant will provide glasses and prescription medicine to those who qualify. Rick Merrick advised no further action will be taken by TDC to pursue a Timberon Independent Coop. Rick Merrick thanked Nan Thorell for her work on the TDC.org web site. We now have a traffic report that will tell us how many hits we are receiving on the site. New Business: Everett Putney advised TDC is looking for temporary help for the office. It is a contract position and the pay is $8.00 per hour. The office is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Rick Merrick made a motion for TDC to hire a temporary contract person for the Timberon Office/ Welcome Center on a contract basis at $8.00 per hour under the guidelines of the Timberon Development Council. Sally Watkins seconded the motion and it was approved. Rick Merrick advised TDC has been looking into a Weather Web Cam. Jerry Epkea put together a great report on the weather web cam. It would be installed on the same post as the weather station. There would be a one time charge of $745.00 to provide this. It would provide weather and road conditions. A fund will be set up to receive donations for this project. If you would like to donate, we are a 501c3 and your donation is tax deductible. There was discussion to sponsor a spaghetti dinner to raise money or provide local advertising on the web cam. After discussion, Rick Merrick made a motion for TDC to sponsor a fund raiser to pay for it. Kent Huisingh seconded the motion and it was approved. Everett Putney advised he has been looking into insurance for TDC. Paper work has been submitted for Business Insurance, Liability, and Renters Insurance. We are now waiting on the bids. This would also cover our events. Rick Merrick along with Everett Putney and Jackie Fioretti attended the SCMRC&D (South Central Montain Resource Conservation & Development) meeting on January 24, 2013 in Ruidoso, New Mexico. We have received our annual membership bill for $100.00. Jackie Fioretti mentioned it is very important that we continue this membership. In the past they helped us apply for our 501c3, they supported us through State Forestry Grants and they support Otero County and Lincoln county projects. They are a good source for knowledgeable contacts. Everett Putney advised they are the most active and knowledgeable RC&D in New Mexico. Rick advised our BLM Grant will be written by Mike Caggiano who works for SCMRC&D. Mike also helps us with our block thinning program. Rick Merrick made a motion to pay our membership dues of $100.00. Fran Trendler seconded the motion and it was approved. Rick Merrick advised he received a telephone call from Benny Steagall with Ft. Bliss Aviation. Benny would like to bring helicopters to Timberon the end of April and talk about the increase in traffic. This is a public outreach program and the Timberon Fire Department will join TDC in hosting this meeting at the Fire Department. Rick also advised there has been a request to provide a shooting range in Timberon T-17. Rick is looking into this and checking with Federal Forestry for thoughts and regulations on this. Jane Huisingh made a motion to adjourn and Sally Watkins seconded the motion and it passed. The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:10 am. The next meeting will be at 10:00 am on March 09, 2013 in the Community Lodge. These are open meetings and everyone is invited to attend. Respectfully submitted, Jackie Fioretti