Audio file of March 11th Meeting in mp3 format

Thursday, February 11, 2010

The Lazy Mountain Community Council general meeting at Lazy Mountain Bible Church was called to order at 6:30 pm by Lorri Van Diest. Board members present were Tom Harmon, Lorri Van Diest, Gerald DeVilbiss, Jay Van Diest, and Karen Lopez. About 28 general members were present and a quorum was established, as 10 Community Council Members constitute a quorum.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Michael moved to approve agenda. Pat Larrabee seconded. Discussion: Alex Strawn asked to include the MSB tower ordinance for discussion under new business. Motion approved with change.

Approval of January 14, 2010 Minutes: Michael moved to approve the minutes and Pat Larrabee seconded. The motion passed.

Recognition was made by Lorri to Ray and Kristi for making the new LMCC meeting sign. It is a reflective metal sign and is very visible at the intersection of Clark-Wolverine and Strawn Dr. Michael Miller was also recognized for his work on the LMCC website and research and purchase of recorder for the meetings.

Finance report: Michael says we have 202.01 in checking and 335.31 in savings. $120 will be given to the Lazy Mountain Bible Church as a thank you/donation for the use of the building for meetings in 2009.

Discussion: review of voting article in the LMCC bylaws. Bylaw change from voting at the October 2009 annual meeting: Article 5 section D addition to read, “secret ballot voting may also be used.” When an issue for voting arises during meetings a member may request secret balloting. Voting for that issue will then be by secret ballot (paper and pen/pencil) and not by raising hands.

Discussion: Article 12 section C regarding agenda for meetings. Items on agenda will have a designation for voting or discussion. In an attempt to communicate clearly with the community the agenda that is posted 7 days in advance on the website will show what is to be voted on at the meeting. Items not on the posted agenda may be added for discussion but not for voting. The new item may then be added to the next month’s agenda for voting if needed. If a member has an item they wish to have included in the agenda they may contact Lorri at 775-0223 or by email which is posted on the website. At the end of each meeting will be a time for members to add an item to the next month’s agenda. Lorri stated she would like to keep the meetings to one hour if possible.

Road service report: Pat Larrabee said the amount used in January for road service was $5644. The optional maintenance account has $66,66760. Available balance as of Feb 3 for RSA in our area so far is $126,587 which is higher than the last few years’ average of around $98,000. Pat attends the general RSA supervisors meeting on the third Thursday of each month in Wasilla. Pat says there are some bridge issues currently in the MSB and the RSA sent a letter to John Duffy requesting funding for bridge improvements.

Spud report: Lorri talked with Eileen Probasco at the Borough to get an update on the SPUD process. No draft yet for public review. There may be a meeting of the SPUD committee near the end of February. When the date is known it will be posted on the website. MSB guidelines for the SPUD process are posted online also. There will be plenty of time for community to make comments and give input.

MSB communications: Lorri again presented the very large notebook from the Borough on the Natural Resource Management Units Plan (NMRU). She said people from the community can read the plan on the Borough website under the Community Development tab, select Land Management then Asset Management Plans. The comment period ends on March 15, 2010. About 540 acres near Wolverine Lake is included in this plan.

Discussed the community council acquiring a mailing address. Lorri will look into different options available.

Subdivision Review: Part of the Boroughs procedure for subdivision of land is for community councils to review the land survey and provide comments if any are made. We reviewed ‘Millers Place’ which is a 10 acre parcel being split into two parcels. No comments were made. We also reviewed ‘Backdoor Acres’ which is a 10 acre parcel being split into two parcels. No comments were made.

Discussed the new Tower Ordinance the borough has been working on for about 2 years. Alex Strawn participated in and led much of the process along with others in our community. Comments on the ordinance may be made until February 24th. Some of the main items pointed out were the amount and height of towers in the Borough. The ordinance encourages co-location of towers i.e. more than one company or user for each tower.

Jim Sykes asked to have revenue sharing added to the March agenda.

Spring clean up planning added to the March agenda also.

Helen Munoz said a meeting was scheduled for Feb 16 at the Red Beet in Palmer to discuss the downtown Palmer roads.

Pat moved to adjourn and Michael seconded.

Meeting adjourned

The Lazy Mountain Community Council general meeting at Lazy Mountain Bible Church was called to order at 6:30 pm by Lorri Van Diest. Board members present were Mimi Peabody, Tom Harmon, Lorri Van Diest, Gerald DeVilbiss, Jay Van Diest, and Karen Lopez. About 25 general members were present and a quorum was established, as 10 Community Council Members constitute a quorum.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of November 12, 2009 Minutes: David Holladay moved to approve the minutes and Pat Larrabee seconded. The motion passed.

Road service report: Pat Larrabee said they did not have a roads meeting in December. The phone number to call for complaints on road work is 745-9816. Some work they would like to see done is raising the road bed of Slumber Road. Sometime in the future Lazy Lady Lane may need to be re-aligned to be placed within the road easement. The intersection of Shawn Drive and Clark-Wolverine could use improvement as well.

Financial Report: Michael was unable to attend this meeting.

Spud report: David Hale gave an update on the Spud process. Discussed getting a current draft on the website so the community is aware of what it contains and can comment. Some understood that the comment period would be ending on January 15, 2010. There was some confusion as to when the comment period was and if the current draft could be posted. The Borough attorney needs to review the document before it is sent back to the community for review apparently. David Holladay moved to extend the Spud Committee member comment time for an additional 3 weeks after we receive the final draft back from the Borough attorney. Jim Sykes seconded. Motion passed. Lorri said she would contact the borough about the extension the next day, January 15.

Michael was able to purchase a tape recorder for the council and it will be available for the February meeting.

MSB communications: Lorri presented the very large notebook from the Borough on the Natural Resource Management Units Plan. She said people from the community can read the plan on the Borough website under the Community Development tab, select Land Management then Asset Management Plans. The comment period ends on March 15, 2010. Lynn Woods commented that the work on this plan started 2 years ago. Carl Clark said he read through a copy at the Palmer Library and that it looks like the unit in our area is 540 acres near Wolverine Lake.

Helen Munoz said there will be a meeting in downtown Palmer on Feb 4 to discuss the alternatives to making one- way streets through downtown. She said it will affect everyone in the area.

Jim Sykes suggested the council acquire a post office box to facilitate mail delivery when council members change. Jim asked for clarification on the resolution sent to the Borough regarding Ken Klunder being appointed to the planning commission. Lynn Fuller moved we reiterate our support for the resolution. Karen Lopez seconded. Motion passed.

Discussed agenda items for next months meeting.

Jim Sykes moved we adjourn.

Treasurer Michael Miller called this Lazy Mountain Community Council Board meeting to order at Lazy Mountain Bible Church at 6:05 pm. Board members Michael Miller, Tom Harmon, Mimi Peabody, Pat Larrabee, Paul Morley and Karen Lopez were present. A quorum was established because at least 4 members present.

Absentee Ballot Counting:

Michael Miller, Tom Harmon, and Karen Lopez verified signatures of absentee ballots.

Michael Miller, Tom Harmon, and Karen Lopez counted absentee ballots.
Board Election Results:
4 top votes:
Lorri Van Diest: 55
Jay Van Diest: 55
Gerald Devilbiss: 43
Mimi Peabody: 38

Remaining votes:
Jim Sykes: 35
Pat Larrabee: 31
Paul Morley: 22
Larry Devilbiss: 12
David Hale: 6
David Hayes: 1
Matt Speckles: 1

Bylaw Amendment results:
1. Article 3. Purpose. Yes votes: 27; No votes:49: Amendment failed
2. Article 5. Voting. Yes votes: 66; No votes: 12: Amendment passed.
Article 5. sec D. shall now read: Voting on other matters considered by the council may be by show of hands if such a vote will permit accurate counting of votes. Secret ballot voting may also be used. Each general member present is entitled to one vote.
3. Article 8. Council Organization. Yes votes: 33; No votes: 42. Amendment failed

4. Incorporation of Lazy Mountain Community Council
Yes votes: 25; No votes 54: The proposal failed.

Chairman Jim Sykes called this Lazy Mountain Community Council general meeting at Lazy Mountain Bible Church to order at 6:38 pm. Board members present were Jim Sykes, Mimi Peabody, Tom Harmon, Karen Lopez, Michael Miller, Pat Larrabee, and Paul Morley. About 60 general members were present and a quorum was established, as 10 Community Council Members constitute a quorum.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. Followed by the approval of the agenda with the following changes: move Capital Projects Report after the financial report, add SPUD report and Firewise report.

Approval of September 10, 2009 Minutes: Larry Devilbiss moved to approve the 9/10/09 minutes and Michael Miller seconded the motion, the motion passed without objection.

Financial Report: There is $228.50 in checking and $274.03 in savings.

Capital Projects Report: Jim reported most residents were interested in using revenue sharing funding for fire protection if LMCC chose incorporation. Priority projects according to fire staff and volunteers include; a dry hydrant for Wolverine Creek and replacement of 10 fire back packs.

Summary of Annual Meeting Business: The 2009 election involved the election of 4 board members, 4 bylaw amendments and voting whether or not to incorporate.
Bylaw amendments: 1) LMCC purpose change: to provide a place to resolve community problems, 2) A provision to allow for secret ballot voting, 3) LMCC board has fiduciary responsibility, 4) Incorporation change. Jim described the incorporation item that has been discussed at each LMCC meeting since March 2009. The purpose of incorporating will be to access state revenue sharing funds in the amount of $20,000 t improve our community. Larry Devilbiss thought it should be debated during presentation of bylaw amendments and incorporation, Jim agreed and will further the discussion under that agenda item.

Board Member Nominating Committee Report/ Nominations for Board Members: Larry Devilbiss nominated Gerald Devilbiss; Gerald nominated Jay Van Deist, a general member nominated Laurie Van Deist. Tom Harmon moved to close nominations, Larry seconded and nominations were closed.

Hear from Nominees why they would like to serve:

Laurie Van Deist: Wants to be on board and knows parliamentary procedures,
Paul Morley: Is Objective and thinks he is a good representative
Mimi: Cares about the community and enjoys working with diverse interests.
Pat Larrabee: Is the Roads guy, resolve issues that
Jay Van Deist: Has Lived on Lazy for a long time, likes the way the Mountain is and has come to the meetings consistently.
Gerald Devilbiss: Wants to serve again and do his civic duty and keep it free from government intervention and harassment
Jim Sykes: Has enjoyed serving on the board, the comp plan, and closer cooperation.

Presentation of Bylaw Amendments/ Incorporation Proposal: David Holladay thanked Jim and others for their hard work, discussed benefits of incorporation. Larry had concerns with the board being liable for cost overruns, etc. Jim explained that the process limits cost overruns.

Pat Larrabee moved to extend the meeting to 9pm, it was seconded, and the motion passed.

Karl Clark moved to make an amendment to the article 4; Chris recommended changing the bylaw to read: LMCC incorporates for the sole purpose of obtaining funding. Larry made a motion to vote openly with yah or nay for incorporation because he thinks the secret ballot trashes Robert’s Rules by not allowing for discussion on the issue. Jim explained LMCC members brought changes to the September meeting and we can still make amendments tonight. Jim further explained that LMCC has approved secret ballot voting and LMCC has followed bylaws in creating the ballot. Much discussion on the matter followed including discussion about dealing with amendments to items that have already been placed on absentee ballots. Chris withdrew his amendment to Article 4 because it would conflict with wording on absentee ballots. A motion was made to hand out the ballots, the motion was seconded and the ballots were distributed.

Counting of Ballots during the following reports and other business:

Summary of Projects if Incorporation is Approved: Jim relayed that the community and fire service volunteers and staff recommended projects include: new fire backpacks and a possible dry hydrant at Wolverine Creek. David Holladay discussed putting “No hunting Signs” on private land.

Road Service Area Report/ Construction Update: Pat discussed road projects which include 2 parts: 1)$5564.96 spent to contractor to maintain roads, Shawn O’Neil is new operations and maintenance director 2) Need 5 roads for RSA CIP list. Work is ongoing to get MSB roads up to paving standards. LMCC road priority suggestions: Koppenburg extension. Other roads were discussed: Go Away is not a maintained MSB road, but work is being done to find a method to bring up sub standard roads. Robin Lane has been worked on for the last three years. Aurora is mostly in the Butte.

Firewise Report: Proposal for fire wise will be available soon.

SPUD Committee Status Report: Michael reported the progress, SPUD committee used the Sutton spud as a template; it addresses radio towers and other businesses that will generate a lot of traffic. Comments will be asked for and they are needed. Paul said a few tweaks are being made for final language and the public notification will be extended to 60 days.

Preliminary Election Results Announced:
Jay Van Deist, Lorrie Van Deist, Gerald Devilbiss, and Mimi Peabody received the most votes.
LMCC incorporation failed.
Final and official election results of the board, bylaw amendments, and incorporation status will be reported at the November 12, 2009 meeting after absentee ballots are counted.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:57 pm without objection.

• Introductions were conducted and the MSB planning policy was discussed.

• The following documents were passed out in the packet, and discussed:
• Community Council map, and list of associated plans and SpUDS
• PC Resolution 09-14 Plan/SpUD Process
• List of planning team members
• Samples of other SpUDs

• The pending zoning code update was explained and discussed.

• Borough minimum meeting notification requirements were explained and the following additional notification methods were suggested:
• Use “sandwich” sign board on Clark Wolverine Road, and possibly at Robin Lane, and Smith Road. Eileen will make signs and laminate, and Will Peabody will mount the signage on the boards.
• Establish group e-mail list.
• Post meeting notices, agendas and meeting notes on LMCC website.
• Do one area wide mailing. Eileen will confirm funding for this.

• The suggested meeting date/time/location is: Last Wednesday of each month, 6 to 8 p.m. at the LM Bible Church. Michael Miller will confirm availability of a room at the church for this time. The following were elected/volunteered:
• Chair – Michael Miller
• Co-Chair – Paul Scott
• Secretary/Scribe – Chris Wittington/Evans

• The following list of topics of interest was brainstormed:
• Towers/tall structures
• Residential Treatment facilities
• Sewage treatment
• Clark-Wolverine Road
• Power line/intertie
• Density – as it relates to availability of water and sewer
• Subdividing – lot sizes
• Animals
• Commercial development along the highway

• Eileen informed the team that she may not be able to have a borough staff member at each meeting. They agreed to facilitate and proceed on their own if necessary, as long as the meetings are properly noticed through the borough, and meeting records were maintained.

• Adjourned: 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Chairman Jim Sykes called this Lazy Mountain Community Council general meeting at Lazy Mountain Bible Church to order at 6:30 pm.  Approval of the agenda followed the Pledge of Allegiance.

Pat Larabee moved to approve the March 2009 minutes and Michael Miller seconded, the motion passed without objection. 

Financial Report: $274.30 in checking and $143.02 in savings.

SPUD committee status report: Jim reported that the MSB Planning Commission and MSB Assembly voted 7 to 0 to process LMCC’s request that the SPUD planning to forward.  Notices have been mailed to the SPUD planning committee.  A meeting is being scheduled for the end of May.

Road Service Area Report and Construction Update:  Pat Larabee reported that contracts in March were $ 8816.62 most complaints were from front side of the Mountain. Pat reported two Road Service Area Advisors are currently needed; Pat is the only one. Helen Munoz mentioned she might consider applying.

LMCC Incorporation Status/ Access to Grant $ discussion:  Jim Sykes reported that we have around $20,000 to be dispensed when we incorporate from state grants being held at the borough.  We don’t currently have a project we are ready to spend the money on.   Suggestions and opinions expressed included:  The possible need insurance if we incorporate, we should keep our town hall format, concern was expressed about a board having control because the board was not voted on by the general population, the possibility of keeping the same basic structure with advisory votes carrying most of the weight through policy.  Additional discussion included ideas that it was not a big problem to incorporate, that we can do a town hall structure with a board that is more powerful board,  the idea that the current town hall structure and bylaws could come into conflict with board policy.  An example in the Fairbanks region was cited where a local community incorporated in order to meet local recreation, road and fire needs where it was run with a democratic process.  It was agreed to continue the discussion and obtain more information.  A request to the borough for a mailout  to all Lazy Mountain residents will be made in advance of the September meeting.

Tammy moved to send out a public notice in September to inform residents about a discussion and vote of incorporation at our October annual meeting and Paul seconded the motion.  Carl suggested we do the public notice for a discussion in September and a vote in October.  Lynn moved to amend the motion so that we send a public notice advertising that a discussion about incorporating will be held on the second Thursday regular community council meeting in September and we will vote on incorporating at the October annual meeting, Carl seconded the amendment and it was approved without objection. The main motion was then approved unanimously as amended.

Informational Item: Firewise Public Meeting to be held April 30 7:00 to 9:00 pm: Lynn announced that the Community Wildfire Protection Plan presentation will involve; public safety, fire prevention, fuels reduction, fire fighting capacity. 
 
Spring Clean Up: John Vinduska volunteered to organize and submit paperwork. May 16, 2009 was chosen to be the day of the cleanup. It will start at 10am there will be bags and vest and gloves and sign in sheet for areas and a pot luck afterwards.  Michael made motion to allocate $40 to contribute to the pot luck for the basics hotdogs and hamburgers, Pat seconded the motion and it passed without objections.  

Other business/informational items: John Vinduska discussed that voting the way we do has a lot of peer pressure and he proposed that we vote in secret. It was suggested that we use discretion so that some issues don’t need the secrecy.  John moved that we have the ability to have a secret vote, Tom seconded and it was approved with Karl objecting. 

Karen heard the traffic plan in Palmer was changing to a one way loop system.  Pat said this project was in the road bond that passed.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 pm.

6:30 Jim Sykes called the Lazy Mountain Community Council general meeting to order. Ten members were present, which achieved a quorum. 

Michael Miller moved to accept the agenda, seconded by Pam (Last name unknown). 

In lieu of having anyone serving as secretary, Michael Miller agreed to take notes. 

The Treasury report was given next. LMCC has 143.57 in savings and 187.30 left in checking after paying the Lazy Mountain Bible Church 120.00 as a thanks for use of their facilities. 

Pat Larabee was not present, so there was no RSA update. 

John Alexander was not present, and announced his resignation via Jim Sykes due to health reasons. His seat is open for nominations, and names are being taken. It was decided to wait until next month to allow for time in gathering nominees. The vacancy will be announced on the website. 

John Alexander would have been up for re-election this October, meaning that anyone who would take his position will be in office only until then. 

Jim Sykes opened the discussion on the potential funding the LMCC could receive. The community council has to be incorporated to be eligible to receive the funds, but Jim could find no paperwork indicating that the LMCC was incorporated. Since the LMCC does not have to have been incorporated to operate the way it has been, it seems likely that it is not. 

It was noted that if the LMCC is not incorporated, it is not insured, and board members could potentially be sued. 

Jim Sykes said he would look into seeing what it would take to get incorporated, and talk to other community councils that have been. He said that the Borough had indicated it would hold funds the LMCC is eligible for until incorporated status has been achieved. 

Ken wanted to know what other reasons there could be to get incorporated. One of the potential reasons brought up was the ability to receive grants. Ken was then interested in what would change in the structure of the community council, and who would be in power. Karen Lopez and David Holiday both noted that nothing changes outside of establishing the community council as a legal entity. 

Report on Borough Natural Gas ordinance. Mimi Peabody was not present, but had provided a written summation and some commentary on the ordinance. Commenting on the ordinance as a community council was discussed. Michael Miller was not sure it was necessary to comment unless it was of vital interest to the Lazy Mountain Area. Gary Larusso suggested a general comment of support for a resource extraction policy instead of many specific ones. 

Jim Sykes Sykes observed that current natural gas leases could be used as a back door to obtaining Coal Bed Methane permits. The Borough had declined to extend the date on comments, but further public participation will be possible. A general agreement was reached to monitor the issue and come back to it at the next meeting. 

SPUD report. Jim Sykes reported that the Borough was being hesitant and that there had been no movement since May. There was discussion as to whether people who applied to the SPUD committee could meet anyway, but Gary Larusso noted that would be legally invalid. The Borough has to appoint a committee, which has not technically been done yet. Jim said he would speak to planning commissioner Ken Klunder, and urged everyone to talk to the planning commission and planning department. 

No Firewise members were present, so there was no Firewise report. Jim Sykes noted that a dry summer is being predicted. 

Morris Tower update: The Morris Tower is now broadcasting full time. One nearby neighbor had reported to Jim that his FM reception was being interfered with, no one present at the meeting had any interference to report. Jim said that the station is obligated to fix any interference reported within the first year. 

Karen Lopez reported that she had gone to view the tower, but had been unable to locate it from where he had been on the road. She said that this indicated the view impact with minimal. 

Gary Larusso reported that a borough-wide tower plan was moving forward. To achieve build out of 100 foot towers, approximately 5,200 towers would have to be constructed. Tower numbers in the Borough right now are in the hundreds.

The Borough tower committee was moving towards the writing phase, and one of the choices to make was whether or not to have higher towers with lower tower density, or lower towers with higher density. Public comment is being sought. 

When the plan is completed, it will be posted on the Borough website. 

Gary Larusso mentioned that he had spoken to the appropriate people about having a topographic map of the Wolverine lake area be made. He said he will figure out a mapping corridor. A topographic map would show the feasibility of alternate routes for public access. 

The estimated cost would be $7,500. Using some of the funds the LMCC might get if it were incorporated was discussed. 

The meeting was adjourned at 7:33.

Chairman Jim Sykes called this Lazy Mountain Community Council general meeting at Lazy Mountain Bible Church to order at 6:44pm. 19 members were present and a quorum was established.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. Followed by the approval of the agenda. Pat suggested amending the agenda to reflect that no minutes were available to approve and he moved to add this item to the February meeting agenda. This was approved without objection

Treasurer Michael Miller reported that we have $258.30 and $118.07 in savings. Jim Sykes suggested the expenditure of $10 per meeting to the Lazy Mountain Bible Church to cover last year’s meetings be approved, there were no objections.

Road Service Area Report and Construction Update:
Pat Larrabee reported that contracts in December were $8, 816.00(? not sure exact amt.) due to snow removal and sanding. RSA met in November and proposed matrix to score roads for assembly CIP list not approved yet. A second RSA representative from the LMCC board is still needed.

Jim Sykes opened nominations for the vacant board position, as Willy Peabody resigned from the LMCC board at the November meeting. The board nominated Mimi Peabody to replace his term that expires in October 2009. Tom Harmon moved that nominations be closed with Mimi Peabody as the only nomination, Pat Larrabee seconded, motion passed without objection. Pat moved to approve Mimi Peabody to the LMCC board and Pam seconded to approve the motion by acclimation. The motion passed without objection.

MSB natural gas drilling ordinance: Jim Sykes opened discussion and asked the LMCC to consider providing comments on the document. Mimi provided a brief overview of the ordinance. Celeste Moore discussed requesting asking the MSB to extend deadline. Jim asked if a subcommittee wanted to form to work on comments for LMCC. Gary suggested a general consensus whether the industry should be regulated or not. Lynn Fuller moved to have Jim request the MSB to extend comment deadline so LMCC can discuss and provide comments during the February 12 meeting, Celeste seconded for extension of comment deadline until Feb 13, 2009. The motion passed without objection.

Neighborhood Watch: Jim Sykes asked if LMCC still wants to hear from Neighborhood Watch and there were no objections to inviting the presenter back.

SPUD committee status report: About 18 people signed up to participate. Nothing has happened yet formally with the borough. Gary Lorusso offered to find out the status of the SPUD committee and meetings.

Firewise Committee Update: Celeste Moore and Lynn Fuller had a meeting lasting 2 hours with borough employees and Palmer fire dept. They are still in beginning of getting fire protection program developed. They would like a community in town hall meeting to get more input from the community, perhaps in March. They are looking at access, education, and water resources. LMCC could apply for funding for water resources to help in a fire situation.

Morris Tower update: no updates.

Jim updated LMCC about community development funds of $20, 200, the priority was using the funds for a bike trail, discussed at previous meeting.

Jim provided overview of communications with LMCC.

Jim reopened discussion about community development and the idea of a community Hall was brought up. Celeste thinks is a good idea. Bike path will be very expensive and $20,000 probably would not get very far. A play park was also suggested. LMCC would be responsible for maintaining a community hall and other facilities that we might build. Jim suggested that we consider a school someday.

Jim asked if anyone else had anything they wanted to discuss. Karen Lopez mentioned a grant for the development of new commercial crops that might be interesting.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:47 pm without objection.

MINUTES

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Chairman Jim Sykes called this Lazy Mountain Community Council general meeting at Lazy Mountain Bible Church to order at 6:30 pm. Community Council Board Members Jim Sykes, Celeste Moore, Paul Morley and Shannon Rochelle and 7 general members and guests were present. As 10 Community Council Members constitute a quorum, a quorum was present. By the end of the meeting a total of 18 people present.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. The agenda approved with no objections. Next, we considered the minutes from the July meeting. Pat Larrabee moved that we approve the minutes. Helen Munoz seconded the motion which passed with a 9-0 vote. 

Since Treasurer Michael Miller was absent, Jim Sykes gave the financial report. We have approximately $200 in the bank. Jim thanked everyone for donating generously at the last few meetings.

RSA Supervisor Pat Larrabee reported that we spent $3526.65 on roads in July, and no road complaints were logged this month.

The next order of business was discussion of the SpUD process. Initiation of a SpUD for Lazy Mountain was approved by the Planning Commission at their August 4 meeting. The next step is for the borough to do a mailing to all Lazy Mountain property owners informing us of the SpUD and calling for volunteers to serve on the committee. The committee will be a group of 6-15 community members from a diverse set of backgrounds, interests and perspectives chosen by the borough from among all the volunteers.

Jim Sykes reported that Bea Adler from the Firewise Program is still interested in working with the Lazy Mountain community. Lynn Fuller stated that she and Celeste Moore and Greg Jetter have worked some with Bea, but they got very busy during the summer. Now that summer is ending. Lynn has time again to follow up with Bea to organize people and meetings to move forward with the Firewise Program. Lynn will get back in touch with Bea.

Our next order of business was the the right-of-way involved in building a road to access Wolverine Lake and the Chickaloon Village property in the area. Jim Sykes invited the DNR to send a representative to this meeting, but they were all busy this evening. They plan to send someone to our September meeting. Jim introduced a resolution stating that community members, Chickaloon Village representatives and other interested parties agreed at our July meeting that Alternative 4, the section line easement route, was preferred by many and acceptable to all as an access route, therefore this is the route the Lazy Mountain Community Council prefers.  Jim Powell moved that we pass the resolution. Celeste Moore seconded the motion, which passed 14-0. This resolution will be submitted to the borough with the approved July minutes.

Jim Sykes gave a status report on the towers in the area. Questions about the cell tower on Mark van Diest’s property on Huntley and have been resolved to the satisfaction of all but one concerned party and that one individual accepts the resolution because it is satisfactory to everyone else. Tom Harmon reported that a surveyor was working on the location for the new van Diest tower this week. Morris Communications has received another extension on their appeal of the denial of their tower on Doug and Jill Warner’s property on Helmaur Road. That extension expires September 11.

Jim Sykes shared three informational items: (1) Alaska housing energy rebates are still available, (2) Senator Huggins continues to host regular energy forums and we should all feel welcome to attend (3) August 26 is the primary election, (4) next month is the end of Lazy Mountain Community Council board terms for Shannon Rochelle, Celeste Moore and one other board member, so we will be need new board members, and (5) that would also be a good time to change our bylaws to include regular meetings during summer months.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 pm.

MINUTES

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Chairman Jim Sykes called this Lazy Mountain Community Council general meeting at Lazy Mountain Bible Church to order at 6:30 pm. Community Council Board Members Jim Sykes, Celeste Moore and Shannon Rochelle and 12 general members and guests were present. As 10 Community Council Members constitute a quorum, a quorum was present.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance. A report from Borough Assembly member Lynne Woods was added to the agenda, which was then approved with no objections. Next, we considered the minutes from the June meeting. Mark van Diest’s last name was added to the minutes, then Helen Munoz moved that we approve the amended minutes. Celeste Moore seconded the motion which passed with no objections. 

Pat Larrabee reported that we spent $7053.30 on roads in June. Pat has been working on the matrix for our CIP list. He mentioned that we will need a new RSA representative when Shannon Rochelle leaves in the fall.

The next order of business was discussion of initiating the SPUD process. Jim Sykes checked with the borough and discovered that our process to this point has been correct. The borough is low on staff right now and asked that we wait until fall to begin work on the SPUD. Jim will work with the Planning Commission to move the process to the point where we can advertise the need for members of our SPUD committee.

Lynne Woods reported that she has been working on getting money for capital improvements for borough roads. The state pays 70% and the borough pays 30%. We are behind on roadwork throughout the borough and our RSAs can’t generate enough money to pay for the needed work. The focus initially is roads that traverse multiple RSAs and have large traffic counts. The immediate need is estimated at $40 million. Lynne stated that tower-related issues are a big part of her work now as well. The borough’s tower working group is in progress and working on that. Helen Munoz asked Lynne about the regional plan and whether it will include septage. Lynne was not sure.

Steve Coleman from WH Pacific, Chickaloon Village Transportation consultants, presented information about the right-of-way issue involved in building a road to access Wolverine Lake and their property in the area, IRR Rd #1000, Wolverine Access Road. He distributed maps showing several possible routes for the road. Conversation ensued focusing on the potential use of a section line easement for access rather than use of the RS2477 easement that crosses Celeste Moore’s property. Gary Stevig and Marilyn Staggs from the Chickaloon Village, Steve Coleman and Diana Riggs from WH Pacific, Bruce Paulsen from the borough, and  the Lazy Mountain Community Council members who spoke all indicated willingness and consider pursuit of  route Alternative 4, use of the section line easements to access Chickaloon land. 

In a straw poll asking people to express a preference among the proposed routes, Alternatives, 1, 2a, 2b, and 3 all received no votes while Alternative 4 received 12 votes. Celeste Moore moved that Lazy Mountain Community Council wait until after our August meeting to reply to WH Pacific, and that we request the engineer’s report with additional information on all the route options, especially Alternative 4. Joanne Smith seconded the 

motion, which passed with no opposition. We will invite an Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) representative to our August meeting to help answer questions since much of what is happening with respect to easements seems to be dictated by the DNR..

No status report was available on the Morris Communications tower on Doug and Jill Warner’s property. 

Questions about the cell tower on Mark van Diest’s property on Huntley and have been resolved to the satisfaction of most concerned parties. Tom Harmon expressed appreciation for Lazy Mountain Community Council’s involvement and assistance.

Jim Sykes shared three informational items: (1) Alaska housing energy rebates are still available, (2) Senator Huggins’ energy forum on 6/25 focused on the cost of fuel for farmers and encouraged all to buy food locally (3) at the Alaska Energy Authority meeting the primary conversation was about linking all 6 railbelt utilities together to provide cost savings to all, (4) our August 14 meeting will be held in building #3 here at Lazy Mountain Bible Church.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:55 pm.