Meeting Minutes - October 18, 2000
Alliant Utilities

Attendees: Russell Bellman, Jim Bernett, Nancy Braker, Steve Braker, Dan Cole, Tom Kemp, Theresa Plenty, Gary Sorenson, Dave Egan, Steve Mueller, Yvette Lokotz, Roxanne Brue, Lynn Hanson

6:30 pm Dave Egan and Nancy Braker gave a lecture called "An Introduction to the Ecology of Rowan Creek Valley."

Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm by Nancy Braker, president. Minutes were approved from the September 20 meeting.

FINANCE/MEMBERSHIP REPORT
Gary Sorenson, treasurer, reported that there are 22 members and there is $614 in the Friends bank account.

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

• Gary Sorenson handed out a draft of the first Friends brochure.
• Nancy Braker obtained permission from the Poynette Library to have the minutes of Friends meetings available in the library.
• Theresa Plenty has completed the Trout Unlimited article and it is now being proofed by Gary Sorenson and Steve Mueller. It will be submitted for the December issue of Trout Unlimited.

ITEMS FROM THE GROUP

• Nancy Braker saught consensus on the issue of an upcoming item on the Village of Poynette agenda. The Village Board is proposing to decline a trail grant from the DNR. The group discussed the possibility of asking the Village to postpone its decision or ask for a smaller project from the DNR. The group was concerned the the DNR may not consider the Village of Poynette a reliable partner in future grant opportunities. Nancy Braker agreed to represent the Friends at the next Village meeting and propose several options to the board.
• Theresa Plenty discussed two grants that the Village of Poynette and the Friends may partner with to help with stormwater problems. The grants only apply to existing stormwater problems and require the treatment of water. Treatment includes using appropriate native plants as a buffer and filter for stormwater. Theresa learned that the Village of Cross Plains has a similar situation to Poynette. They have the Black Earth Creek and it's Village has worked for the past 20 years to develop stormwater solutions and ordinances to help with stormwater problems. She reported that they are using rain gardens as one solution to keep the stormwater out of the Black Earth Creek. She will invite a group from Cross Plains to talk at an upcoming Friends meeting.
• Nancy Braker spoke with Poynette High School teachers recently and shared ideas for possible projects. The teachers will get back to Nancy and let her know what projects they are interested in.
• Nancy handed out two articles about development and streams.

DNR RIVER PLANNING GRANT

Nancy expects to hear good news about the grant soon.

Nancy developed a time line for upcoming projects and the need for committees to complete the projects. Here are some upcoming needs:

• Nancy, Gary and Dan Cole will help with making changes to the bylaws by 12/31/00.
• File for 501 (c) status 4/30/01
• Brochure needs completion by 4/30/01 - Develop a cooperative agreement with the DNR.
• Portable display, need volunteers.
• Allison Russel will develop a database for membership and grant bookkeeping.

ACTIVITIES

• Theresa reported on the native landscaping project. The first phase was preparing the soil. around nine people volunteered to dig sod. A date will be set for planting the seeds in November.
• Lynn Hanson reported on the Cultural History tour was a great success. He said there were 40 people and that the group stayed together through whole trip. There were 3 stops. Nancy and Theresa will mail out a thank you and membership form to the group that attended.
• Steve Mueller set a date for the Winter activity. It will be Saturday, February 10.

UPCOMING EVENTS

• November 5, 1 pm * Plant prairie seeds in the prairie demonstration garden
• February 10 * Cross Country Skiing and walk/hike into early evening followed by a camp fire and sing along with folk singers. Steve Mueller will organize this event.
• Spring * Co-Sponsor flower walk with Friends of MacKenzie
• Spring * Trout Discussion and shock

UPCOMING MEETINGS

• November 1 - Poynette Elementary/Middle School Library * 6:30 Meeting - Discuss watershed study with Ken Potter
• December 6 - Poynette Elementary/Middle School Library * 6:30 Meeting

Meeting concluded at 8:55 pm.

Theresa Plenty, secretary