Ester Community Association
P.O. Box 14 • Ester, Alaska • 99725

Spring General Membership Meeting Minutes, April 23, 2006

Meeting was convened at 4:07 pm

There was concern that there were not enough members present for a quorum, but the by-laws were consulted; since 5 members are needed for a quorum, and there were more than 5 members present, the meeting proceeded. Topic of lack of signs at post office was raised, and Charlie Gallagher offered to be in charge of signs unless other event organizers posted them themselves. These will be simple computer-generated notices.

Minutes of the fall meeting were read and accepted. Secretary apologized that minutes of the fall meeting did not get e-mailed to members present at the meeting; they never even were typed up. She will summarize what people committed to and forward that information in the absence of the complete minutes.

Financial report was read and accepted.

Park committee report. Mark was absent, so it was planned that clean-up of the park would be the same day as the highway clean-up, May 13. There are funds left from the grant which must be committed, so it was decided that park plans will be set on May 13 during the hot dog/hamburger luncheon cook-out at the park.

Well and cemetery report. None. Concern was expressed that we are selling water to people we don’t know and they need to be aware of the water test results. Mike Musick will talk to Craig about posting the water test results at the well for information of users. At a minimum, a DEC certificate that “This well meets state standards” and dated.

Trails report. Geoff Orth. Two signs are needed--one telling trail users to slow down at the top of the village, and another with directions near Mark Simpson’s house. A grant has been applied for to acquire more trail user yield signs. DNR is moving of the situation with Jeff Weltzin’s birch tap equipment, which still needs to be removed. According to the FNSB comprehensive trail plan, the Equinox and Eva Creek trails are for nonmotorized use only, but portions of these are actually roads. He will bring this up with the FNSB Trails committee. Alaska Trails conference would like ECA Trails committee to join them and exchange information. A new sign is up at the top of Ester Dome.

Library/Lollapalooza report. $16,000 was exchanged with Rick Winther on April 21, 2006, for purchase of new land for library. $8,100 is still owed. The lots may need a survey, Frank will get the title and land description to Secretary/Treasurer when it is completed, so it can be placed in nonprofit status. Concern was expressed on whether we had title insurance, and if it was worth getting anyway.

Web site report. None.

Parks Highway Bike Trail report. No new information. Tim Wooster at DOT/PF was our contact. His phone # is 451-2288,and it was agreed Mindy Gallagher would contact him to check on status of trail.

Hall rental report, Lois Sala. Lois is concerned about liability issues, and checked into liability insurance. She found it would be prohibitively expensive, and is concerned about who would be liable if someone were injured, say on the icy walkway up to the hall. She is only willing to be in charge of rentals from May – September. On the topic of liability, the new library property will also carry concerns, and it was suggested we could get insurance for the 3 community properties (well, hall, and library) for about $2000/year. Frank suggested a cabin could be built on library property, and rented to a caretaker. Rent could be used to cover liability insurance. There was concern about what zoning there is on the library property, and whether a cabin could be built there. Charlie Gallagher proposed that this should go under “old business” at the fall meeting, at which time we will decide the status of rental of Hartung Hall for the winter. Frank offered that he would take over rentals for the winter. Lois has created a new form for rentals, and it was suggested a liability waiver could be included on the form, although enforcement might be problematic. Ritchie Musick volunteered that she would be attending a meeting regarding liability concerns for non-profit board members, and would report back at the fall meeting.

The last time the oil tank was dipped, it was under half full. Given that oil prices don’t seem to be headed down, it was decided we need to look at having the tank filled. Furnace has also not been serviced in at least 5 years. Frank will call around and see about having furnace serviced and tank filled.

Land Use Planning Committee, Cecile Lardon. Plans had been made last fall to create an Ester Land Use Plan, but this did not happen. Cecile said she could facilitate a planning meeting, but she needs someone to work with her, she doesn’t have time right now to run the entire planning process. Cecile and others could create choices for presentation to the general membership. Mike Musick offered to work with her, and she will contact Bruce Jamieson to see if he is available and willing to work on this.

Chili Feed, Frank Therrell. Chili feed was held March 26, and raised over $600, despite the conflict in date with the Library Lollapalooza.

Easter Egg hunt, Mindy Gallagher reported there were 34 egg-hunters. Jackie Stormer took on this event, with help from Mindy.

Clean-up Day, May 13. See park report. Charlie will post signs, and will talk with Mark Simpson about food. If acceptable with Mark, park plans will be discussed over lunch after highway and park clean-up.

Garage Sale. Date unknown. Mindy will contact Ray Hadley and find out what the date is.

July 4 planning. Janet Thompson and Amy Luick can set a date at their convenience to plan for July 4 festivities.

Outhouse concerns. Nancy Therrell expressed concern that someone had defecated on the top of the styrofoam outhouse seat. Frank and Hans will fix this/clean up/ put in new Styrofoam. Columbo and Nancy will continue as trash czars at the park and will keep a check on the outhouse.

Block of Ice report, Charlie Gallagher. Charlie called Andy O’Grady on Dec. 15, and Andy had quit as coordinator for the Ice Festival. The new ice person said he’d charge $275 for a block of ice, plus you transport it yourself. Next fall, Charlie will check again, and if it’s still as expensive, we will scrap this idea.

Meeting was adjourned at 5:30