ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES DISCUSSED
Susan Fontaine, our Chief Administrative Officer, updated us on several fronts:
Susan has set up four separate categories for tracking funds: dues, donations to ABS, funds raised for the dog park, and funds raised for the Coates Bluff nature and history trail.
Susan asked about how to approve expenditures. It was agreed that any expenditures under $200 should be at the discretion of the executive director. Otherwise, it should be a vote of approval by the board members present at the meeting when either an individual expenditure or a budget is proposed. Alternatively, if a proposal is more pressing, it can be approved as soon as there is a majority total board members that have voted approval via email. It was noted that we should post those procedures and vote them into the by-laws.
Steph noted that we should have a working session one meeting for sugarsynch and mailchimp, and we also need to have Jennette's workshop on capacity building. She's turned it in and just needs to add some edits. {Since the meeting Jennette has sent her report to Loren, who forwarded it to all board members. Monday's meeting will focus on the report and its recommendations. Anyone's welcome, as always.}
“VELO DENDRO” CITY TREE TOUR: ROUTE PREVIEW, DONATIONS
Thursday afternoon at 6:00 will be a trial ride with Hallie Dozier, starting at Columbia Restaurant.
Organizational notes:
Volunteers for corkers will be solicited from bike shops.
Donna Curtis will be on board perhaps for supplying us with something we can plant. (It's been a tough year for trees because of the drought. Downtown it's been hard on trees, though it appears they don't mulch them with anything but rocks. We'll ask Hallie about that when she's in town.)
Marion Marks of Marks Forensics has pledged to donate 100 posters.
Matthew Linn has pledged to donate snacks, and a sag wagon for the ride, and even a light lunch after the ride.
CITY INTRASTRUCTURE NEEDS NOTED
It was noted that there appear to be water mains that need repair, and those costs weren't included in the bond. At the Woodlawn dead end south of Kings water pours into the drainage ditch from what seems to be a water main.
Steph noted that engineers at Louisiana Tech recently presented on a new technology they've developed where you can spray the inside of a pipe and it seals up like PVC. They're trying it out in Singapore and other faraway places but not Shreveport. Perhaps our city needs to ask them to try it here—we seem to be in a desperate state.
Robert mentioned that there a number of sink holes that have appeared. Brian noted one on Kings by Lex Nursery, and Susan noted on Line. Steph said there's a way you can note a pot hole that needs to be fixed on “click fix” which has been sponsored by Mayor Glover.
DUCK POND REHABILITATION NEEDED AND POSSIBLE
Daniel Gehrig talked about the potential of the company he works for (Louisiana Environmental Solutions [LES]) to help improve the duck pond along East Kings Highway. The pond is now four feet down and in that state one can see a need for an environmental rehabilitation. Such rehabilitation would take place particularly between Preston and Shreveport-Barksdale where there's more public land than further south. A task would be the removal of invasive plant and animal species and introduction of more native species. He's already communicated a bit with the Bayou Chapter of the Ozark Society and the Red River Wildlife Refuge. He's also communicated with Dr. Ed Leuck about perhaps using students as part of a service-learning project. {Daniel is a Centenary and Magnet allumn, and former student of both Loren and Robert; they beamed with pride as Danial spoke.}
Artificial fertilizers cause problems at such sites. Steph mentioned there are fines against people using chemicals on their lawns that cause problems for adjacent wetlands, but it's difficult to enforce.
The city wants it taken care of, and, coincidentally, LES has wanted to start an environmental consulting division, and this could serve both interests. A good plan for it should lead to funding, and they can eventually do some of the things necessary, perhaps even dredging. Steph noted they periodically dredge the lakes at LSU Baton Rouge. They did the last on in 04 or 06; she noted it could be a good source for research.
Robert noted there should be support for it since the city is so attached to the duck pond. Loren said he's walked with his kids from Shreveport-Barksdale to the library and was struck by how beautiful it is, but that there was no path; few people have probably had the pleasure of that walk, and yet it's right in the heart of the city, and with a range of desirable destinations on either end. It would seem to be a small task to create a gravel path.
BICYCLE COOPERATIVE UPDATE
Garrett has talked to Jason Brown (TACA member and local prosecuting attorney) about a bike coop, or, what might be at minimum a used bikes and bike parts depository. Jason has a shed next to his place that is lockable and he's open to using it as such. There was concern about security; it was noted junkies will still old bikes just for the scrap metal. We want to be able to store lots of bikes—50 or more—from people who'd donate them and which we'd use as a resource pool.
DOG WASH BENEFIT FOR THE DOG PARK A SUCCESS
Dog Park benefit raised $832 from the dog wash. It was about 60 to 70 dogs that they washed. Dogs get frisky after they get bathed, so there were a lot of dogs playing afterwards; really it was a great example of how a happy dog park functions.
They're still looking for silent auction donations (e.g., lessons for this or that, house concerts, etc.) to pair with the beer- and wine-tasting fund raiser.
MISCELANEOUS:
PRAIRE HOME COMPANION HOPES
Brian noted that we'll hear this week from Prairie Home Companion and weather they'll be coming next year—Garrison Keilor's last before retiring; Kermit Poling is handling the negotiations. If we get it, it was hoped assumed there'd be some of Leadbelly's music, and it was noted that some Saturday in October is Ledbetter's birthday when there's annually a jam at his grave site.
CENTENARY WORK STUDY TO YIELD MAPS
Steph announced that Trevor Stine will be working with us to make demographic maps, industry and commuting patterns; and it will be yet another example of service-learning project done with ABS. Steph even told Trevor that if he does well we'd write a grant to hire him as our demographic GIS mapper on staff. It was noted that there are opportunities to create an information-based culture here and that would create a need for data collectors, analysts and communicators.
TALK TO BIRD GROUP IMPETUS FOR CREATING TEMPLATE
Loren updated the group about his coming talk to the Shreveport birding group, and how he hopes to develop a talk that will describe how the Coates Bluff trail provides a model for how other trails can be developed in the city. Such trails would increase access to beautiful pieces of natural wildlife habitat scattered throughout the city. Loren will be using notes from the blog found on the Coates Bluff tab, the slide show with pictures we've developed, and, hopefully, add an abstract step by step guide, along with information on legal concerns.
EDUCATING PARISH COMMISSIONERS ON CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
Steph talked to Caddo Parish Commissioner Matthew Linn about the grant we've applied for fund the costs with setting up a conservation easement. Matthew mentioned that he wasn't familiar with conservation easements and it's likely most of the other commissioners aren't either; they could read the blog entry that Steph wrote explaining what they are; alternatively, Steph would gladly speak at a commission meeting to the same effect. {Later in the week, Loren obtained some easement templates from a contact of his at the D.C. office of Rails-to-Trails, Lindsay Martin, who happens to have family in Shreveport.}
MEETING MONDAY ON ABS CAPACITY BUILDING
As noted above, Monday's meeting on the 3rd will feature a discussion of Jennette Ginsburg's analysis of ABS needs and recommendations for capacity building. As always, all are welcome!
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