Meeting Minutes - April 12, 2001
Poynette Village Hall

Attendees: Donna Balfanz, Russell Bellman, Nancy Braker, Steve Braker, Clinton Byrnes, Dan Cole, Dave Egan, Tom Flesch, Laura Hesse, Carl Hilgenberg, Bill Grogan, Mathew Jaworski, Tom Kemp, Yvette Lokotz, Steve Mueller, Theresa Plenty, George Richardson

Meeting called to order at 7:35 pm

NOTE: At 6:30, Carl Hilgenberg gave a presentation about his personal experiences with Rowan Creek over the last 50 years.

Review and Approval of Minutes from March 8, 2001. No comments.

Finance/Membership Report:
Nancy Braker reported for Allison Russell:

Checking account balance as of 4/12/01 $1,776.94

Receipts: Memberships totaling $145.00

Disbursements: Gathering Waters Conference Payment $175.00 Expense Payment (EL) $52.30 Post Office $27.20 Total $227.30

Other Certificates of Deposit $6,000.00

Membership Report: None

Annual Membership Meeting/Administration:

Nancy Braker reported that the group will be electing several new board members and there will be changes to the Bylaws at the May 10 annual membership meeting. You can obtain a copy of the bylaws at the Poynette Library, on the Website at http://www.rowancreek.org or by contacting Nancy Braker at 635-4040.

Nancy Braker reported that there will be revisions to the Articles of Incorporation and the group will be filing for 501( c) status.

Publicity:

• Theresa Plenty reported that the Friends of Rowan Creek Website is now up and running. You can find information about minutes, calendar of events and projects at http://www.rowancreek.org.
  
  
• Dave Egan reported that the newsletter will be completed at the end of April.
  
  
• Steve Mueller reported that Poynette High School art students will be completing the logo for the portable display. He said he will have all the display pieces ready for the May 19 Poynette rummage sale.

Fundraising:
Nancy Braker reported that the County Land Conservation Committee agreed to be the DNR River Protection Planning Grant applicant upon notification that all the watershed municipalities consented to the county’s involvement. Nancy Braker and others attended the Lodi, Lowville, Leeds, Arlington, Dekorra and Poynette board meetings to inform them of the watershed study and to ask them to consent in the form of a resolution to the county being a grant applicant in their meeting minutes. The Town of Dekorra dontated $1,500 and the Village of Poynette donated $1,00 towards the watershed study. The DNR will notify the County Land Conservation Committee approximately two months after the application deadline. The watershed study will begin in January 2002.

Dave Egan reported that he received a letter from the Lake Wisconsin Lion’s Club. He said this group is seeking a project and may be willing to provide work or money toward a Friends of Rowan Creek project. He will follow up with the Lion’s Club.

Tom Kemp suggested that businesses be contacted to donate money to the group. Nancy Braker suggested that a subcommittee be formed to work on fundraising. She is seeking volunteers for the committee.

Activities:

• April 22, Earth Day Creek Clean Up, 1-4 pm (April 28 raindate, 1-4 pm). Steve Mueller and Tom Flesch volunteered to organize this event.

  Steve will contact Ron Jordak to find out where his students will be cleaning on April 19 and contact the Village to find out if the garbage can be placed near the barrels in Pauquette Park.

  Theresa Plenty will write a press release in the Poynette Press.

  Russell Bellman will bring a 4-wheeler.

• May 19 Rummage Sale Days in Poynette, 7 am ­ 12 pm. Yvette Lokotz is the organizer of this event. Let Yvette know if you can make a pie or other dessert to sell at this event.
  
  
• End of May or June, Rain Garden Demonstration. Yvette Lokotz is organizer of this event. Roger Bannerman will demonstrate a rain garden. Jenny Teeter has volunteered her yard for the rain garden demonstration. You can learn more about rain gardens by going to the Friends of Rowan Creek Website at http://www.rowancreek.org

DNR Staff Report:
Russell Bellman reported that the Boy Scouts will be planting trees on Hinkson Creek April 21 and Poynette fourth and fifth graders will be mulching the Rowan Creek trail on April 27.

Meetings:

• May 10 Annual Membership meeting, 6:30 pm at the Poynette Village Hall. If you’re interested in viewing spring flowers, meet at Tom Kemp’s house at 8840 Hwy CS from 5 ­ 6 pm.
• Nancy Braker reported that there will be a potluck prior to the June 12 meeting.

Other Items:

• Tom Kemp invited three master gardener candidates to the meeting and asked if there was a project that they could do. Yvette Lokotz suggested doing a community garden in the Poynette park area near where Grant St. meets Colby St. She said there may be grants available. Nancy Braker suggested that the gardeners could map the invasive species in Rowan Creek or take on the current native plant demonstration garden or other plantings along the creek.
• Dave Egan suggested that the group pull garlic mustard around the trailhead at Hwy CS.
• Dave Egan will be organizing a Watershed Bike Route this summer. Contact Dave if you are interested in helping.

Meeting adjourned 8:40 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Theresa Plenty, secretary