July 13, 2019
Mt. Index Riversites Community Club, Inc.
Board of Directors Meeting
Board members present: Mark Bollman, Brent Corey, Lora Cox, Rebecca Davis, Kathleen EckartLove, Michelle Griffin, CJ Holmes, Gary Johnson, Don Larsen, Earl Van Buskirk, Mat Williams
Absent: Carrie Byrne, Dave MacFarlane
Owners and guests: Kristin Kosiewiecz, Dan Harrison, Gary Hubbard, Matt Moore, Jeri Moore
Call To Order: Mark Bollman called the meeting to order at 9:06.
Introduction & Announcements
July billing statements are late this month but volunteers are stuffing and mailing them today. (Thank you volunteer stuffers.)
Committee Reports and Information
Executive Committee
Executive Committee members include the corporation’s president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. Thanks to Earl for hosting a very productive meeting with Lora, Gary, and Mark. One of the topics we discussed is an exciting opportunity that might become available for access to the Canyon Falls bridge. Gary will present a motion for our consideration later on the agenda under New Business.
Budget & Finance
Earl Van Buskirk shared the preliminary June financial statement. Some postings were late this month. Following is a summary of the finances as of June 30, 2019.
Absent: Carrie Byrne, Dave MacFarlane
Owners and guests: Kristin Kosiewiecz, Dan Harrison, Gary Hubbard, Matt Moore, Jeri Moore
Call To Order: Mark Bollman called the meeting to order at 9:06.
Introduction & Announcements
July billing statements are late this month but volunteers are stuffing and mailing them today. (Thank you volunteer stuffers.)
Committee Reports and Information
Executive Committee
Executive Committee members include the corporation’s president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. Thanks to Earl for hosting a very productive meeting with Lora, Gary, and Mark. One of the topics we discussed is an exciting opportunity that might become available for access to the Canyon Falls bridge. Gary will present a motion for our consideration later on the agenda under New Business.
Budget & Finance
Earl Van Buskirk shared the preliminary June financial statement. Some postings were late this month. Following is a summary of the finances as of June 30, 2019.
The following table summarizes the preliminary June 30, 2019 financial highlights.
For more details, see MIR Financials on the MIR website.
Legal/Ethics/Bylaws
One property owner is suing MIR in small claims court saying that MIR towed a car that was on private property, not MIR property and that they are being denied access.
E-Section Roads
Dave MacFarlane is out of town but told Mark to report that Paul’s grader came again and all is well on E-Section roads.
A-Section and USFS 6020 Roads
Mat Williams reported that the road to Section A is in fairly good shape, with a few potholes. The agreement is squared away with the Forest Service.
Other Reports and Information
Brent Corey reported that the culvert on the Payton Creek Road is eroding away. It is located off the main road on the right hand side when coming from the main entrance and turning onto Payton Creek Road. He will start working on it.
No other reports.
Priority Business
Mark Bollman: “Move to approve the June meeting minutes.”
Approved:
Yes - 7
No – 0
Abstained - 3 (Brent, Don, Kathleen were absent for that meeting)
Mark Bollman: “Move to approve June Expenditures” Approved:
Yes – 10
No - 0
Abstain - 0
New Business
An opportunity has arisen that may enable MIRCC to purchase the road and land over which all of Sec E must travel to reach their properties, including the green gate. This is commonly known as the Zahler property. This opportunity has arisen because the PUD’s option to purchase the property is nearing the end of its term, and the PUD has abandoned the hydro project and so no longer needs it. Obtaining---owning--- this property would guarantee access in perpetuity to all Section E properties. If MIRCC decides to pursue this, we will need to demonstrate to the PUD that we have sufficient resources to purchase the property. Money in the bank account will need to be supplemented by loans from willing property owners. This would be essentially the same financial model as the Canyon Falls bridge financing a few years ago. MIR would pay 5% interest to private lenders over a 3 year time period.
Gary Johnson: “Move to authorize the corporation to borrow up to $175,000 at 5% interest for 3 years to pursue option to purchase real estate to secure permanent access for Canyon Falls bridge users.” Brent seconds the motion. Approved.
Yes - 10
No - 0
Abstain - 0
Gary Johnson: “Move to approve funds up to $5,000 in attorney fees, when needed, in preparation for assignment of Zahler purchase option from PUD to MIR. This would ultimately be included in the budget to purchase the option.” Seconded by Don Larsen.
Yes - 10
No 0
Abstain - 0
Discussion Topics
Bear Activity. CJ has been getting bear reports from the community about bear activity. There are apparently two bears in the community. One seems scared of people; one does not. She called Fish and Wildlife who is forwarding the information to Animal Control. Please let CJ know when and where you see bears. Bekka suggested putting this information on the website to let people know to keep their trash inside. Brent reminded everyone that bears are attracted to the smell of food and that a bear can smell a food source from miles away. Because of that it is important to keep food waste inside to deter bear activity.
Kristin’s fence. Kristin would like compensation for removing her fence at MIRCC’s request because it was perceived to be encroaching on the MIR private road. Over the past few months, Sec A members have met and decided that the most prudent thing to do is to obtain another survey since there seems to be encroachment on the main road by private property owners around the entrance to Sec A. Obtaining another survey which encompasses most of the entry area will not only validate Kristin’s survey, but it will also locate legal boundaries around the entrance. When cars are parked on the MIR right-of-way, they can be towed, but we have to know the legal boundary line. At the entrance to Sec A, the right-of-way is 66’ wide. Brent added that there are no easement areas in MIRCC. There is the MIR road and then the property owners’ road, without a buffer zone. Survey markers will show where that boundary is. We have determined the area to be surveyed and will get a survey done. The surveyor’s estimated waiting time is 5 weeks.
Closing Remarks
Due to the Index Arts Festival occurring when we would normally meet, there will be no meeting in August. The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 9 AM.
Adjournment: Mark Bollman adjourned the meeting at 9:49.
Submitted by Lora Cox
Legal/Ethics/Bylaws
One property owner is suing MIR in small claims court saying that MIR towed a car that was on private property, not MIR property and that they are being denied access.
E-Section Roads
Dave MacFarlane is out of town but told Mark to report that Paul’s grader came again and all is well on E-Section roads.
A-Section and USFS 6020 Roads
Mat Williams reported that the road to Section A is in fairly good shape, with a few potholes. The agreement is squared away with the Forest Service.
Other Reports and Information
Brent Corey reported that the culvert on the Payton Creek Road is eroding away. It is located off the main road on the right hand side when coming from the main entrance and turning onto Payton Creek Road. He will start working on it.
No other reports.
Priority Business
Mark Bollman: “Move to approve the June meeting minutes.”
Approved:
Yes - 7
No – 0
Abstained - 3 (Brent, Don, Kathleen were absent for that meeting)
Mark Bollman: “Move to approve June Expenditures” Approved:
Yes – 10
No - 0
Abstain - 0
New Business
An opportunity has arisen that may enable MIRCC to purchase the road and land over which all of Sec E must travel to reach their properties, including the green gate. This is commonly known as the Zahler property. This opportunity has arisen because the PUD’s option to purchase the property is nearing the end of its term, and the PUD has abandoned the hydro project and so no longer needs it. Obtaining---owning--- this property would guarantee access in perpetuity to all Section E properties. If MIRCC decides to pursue this, we will need to demonstrate to the PUD that we have sufficient resources to purchase the property. Money in the bank account will need to be supplemented by loans from willing property owners. This would be essentially the same financial model as the Canyon Falls bridge financing a few years ago. MIR would pay 5% interest to private lenders over a 3 year time period.
Gary Johnson: “Move to authorize the corporation to borrow up to $175,000 at 5% interest for 3 years to pursue option to purchase real estate to secure permanent access for Canyon Falls bridge users.” Brent seconds the motion. Approved.
Yes - 10
No - 0
Abstain - 0
Gary Johnson: “Move to approve funds up to $5,000 in attorney fees, when needed, in preparation for assignment of Zahler purchase option from PUD to MIR. This would ultimately be included in the budget to purchase the option.” Seconded by Don Larsen.
Yes - 10
No 0
Abstain - 0
Discussion Topics
Bear Activity. CJ has been getting bear reports from the community about bear activity. There are apparently two bears in the community. One seems scared of people; one does not. She called Fish and Wildlife who is forwarding the information to Animal Control. Please let CJ know when and where you see bears. Bekka suggested putting this information on the website to let people know to keep their trash inside. Brent reminded everyone that bears are attracted to the smell of food and that a bear can smell a food source from miles away. Because of that it is important to keep food waste inside to deter bear activity.
Kristin’s fence. Kristin would like compensation for removing her fence at MIRCC’s request because it was perceived to be encroaching on the MIR private road. Over the past few months, Sec A members have met and decided that the most prudent thing to do is to obtain another survey since there seems to be encroachment on the main road by private property owners around the entrance to Sec A. Obtaining another survey which encompasses most of the entry area will not only validate Kristin’s survey, but it will also locate legal boundaries around the entrance. When cars are parked on the MIR right-of-way, they can be towed, but we have to know the legal boundary line. At the entrance to Sec A, the right-of-way is 66’ wide. Brent added that there are no easement areas in MIRCC. There is the MIR road and then the property owners’ road, without a buffer zone. Survey markers will show where that boundary is. We have determined the area to be surveyed and will get a survey done. The surveyor’s estimated waiting time is 5 weeks.
Closing Remarks
Due to the Index Arts Festival occurring when we would normally meet, there will be no meeting in August. The next meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 14, 2019 at 9 AM.
Adjournment: Mark Bollman adjourned the meeting at 9:49.
Submitted by Lora Cox