The meeting was called to order at 7:06 by president Alan Wright. Present were Craig Cowles, Lynn McDonald, Lois Martin, Gail Hill, Alan Wright, Greg Smith, Phyllis Upright, and Robert English. Guests present: Jim and Betty Anglin, Harriett Savage, Linda Anglin, Bob and Barbra Severance, Bob Brown, Al Cleveland, Harry and Suzanne Bladow, Ed Hannevig, Richard Jove, Jackie Johnson, Fred & Carole Krieg, Suzie Wallace, Dick Paridee, Betty Koch, Betty Plude, Mike Pongracz, Dave Martin, Dennis and Kathy Widby, Valerie Kulesia, Joe and Shirley Horn, Jerry and Linda Van Hoomissen, Linda Woodley, Bobbie Keeler, Marlene Moreno, Shawn Stanley, Greg Robl, Larry Kruljac, Kevin Byres, Lonnie Kuleisa, Jake Thiessen, Dave Metcalf, Regina Pabo, David Zachery, Denny Jackson, John McCoy, James R. Ashford, & Mac and Rena Booth.
The minutes of the last meeting had been sent to the board by email before the meeting. Gail Hill made the motion that the minutes be approved as sent, and Phyllis Upright seconded. All approved by voice vote.
The start of the meeting was dedicated to discussion from the floor. There had been an unofficial survey sheet (passed around from door-to-door the afternoon of the 27th by a citizen’s group, not sanctioned by IAHA or known by them) which was an attempt to poll the neighborhood to gauge the approval for the proposed community center. This caused a lot of concern, which the Board sought to address fully at this meeting. The first question, by new resident Carole Krieg, had to do with this very point. Alan answered by giving a full timeline of the feasibility study process from when it started in December. The key point about what money would be used was also addressed – as had been written in the meeting minutes of October 18th (and many before that), the idea of using the taxiway money for funding construction was off the table regardless of how the feasibility study turned out.
The next point from the floor, raised by Ed Hannevig, had to do with the lack of concrete information presented in that aforementioned survey (the one passed around by a citizens group). It was reiterated that this survey was not sanctioned by the Board. The next statement, from Mike Pongracz, was accompanied by a one-page handout for the Board and a sober speech which made the case to re-evaluate what was truly needed in such a building as the Board was evaluating. Alan responded by saying Mike’s points were completely valid, and that the key point was that the taxiway money would never be touched unless the majority of the Membership directed as such. Alan said that he had made it clear every step of the way that no money would be spent until all plans were finalized.
Another point that followed, brought forth by Bob Severance, related to a ruling passed by the Board in 1982 that no money be spent on lawyers. If that ruling was ever in the By-Laws it was removed from the language sometime between then and now. Alan said that the negotiation with the ODA required legal advice, and the proper handling of that negotiation saved everyone in the airpark some money in fees.
Treasurer’s report and the Maintenance report were both “steady as she goes” – no new changes since the last meeting.
Next on the agenda: Dave Martin got up in the front of the room to read his proposal for the meeting room/hangar which included projected figures, sizes, and a timetable (including projected maintenance fees, which raised some eyebrows). Gail Hill followed that by saying that the Homeowners Association is not a non-profit organization and does pay taxes, so it is not covered by any 501-C considerations.
Gail also spoke up about the community center issue being divisive, and made the motion that it be tabled until after the December general meeting in order to promote neighborhood harmony. She also said that the current feasibility study be tabled until after a new Board convenes in 2005. Lois made an alternate proposal to have an “advisory” vote on the hangar/community center taken this December (2004) so it will be clear whether it's worth the committee's time to research the matter further. Gail dropped her original motion, and then made an amended proposal that the community center matter be tabled until 2005 and an advisory vote be taken in December. Greg Smith seconded. In discussion, Alan reiterated that this proposal has never been a favorite of his but he was pursuing it because he was directed to. Lynn spoke up about the maintenance equipment which still needs a place to be kept, that one of the original reasons for this building was to keep this equipment out of the weather, and even a small building which would house those things still requires huge sums of money. He further stated that if someone wanted to volunteer space to keep the maintenance equipment that it would be welcomed. Craig chimed in that there is more equipment all the time and it has to go someplace. Phyllis asked that if there was someone had space and was willing to rent it, and the Board paid that rent, would that be a legitimate expense. There seemed to be some agreement on that point. Alan suggested that this be made a second proposal and that we refocus on the motion currently on the table. All approved Gail’s amended motion by voice vote, so this building feasibility study will be tabled until 2005 and an advisory vote taken at the December general meeting. The next issue, renting space for the maintenance equipment, was next to discuss. Phyllis Upright said space was available in her hangar for this purpose. Craig said he wanted to talk it over with Lynn and see what the options were, and then present a report to the Board at the next meeting. Greg Smith proposed making this a public matter so that no perceived conflict of interest would be read into this space rental. This was greeted positively, so Alan asked about what kind of language should be on this document. Lois suggested a one-page flyer which would explain the need and who to contact. She further stated that there would be no need to provide space for a contrary opinion since this would be an advisory vote by the membership.
Next on the agenda was the Oregon statutes that Mr. Van Hoomissen brought to the Board’s attention at the last meeting, which related to public posting of meeting times and other matters. Alan went over these in order to find out where the Board might not currently be compliance with existing law. The first point had to do with the statute having to do with reserve accounts – our having set up a separate account for the ingress/egress fee was exactly the right thing to do. After reading this through for a while, Phyllis asked if this document could be emailed to the Board members and digested individually. Alan said he would do that. Publicizing the meetings effectively was the next issue – three avenues were discussed: a web page, a posting at the FBO gas pumps, and contacting the block heralds. Robert said he was already being the web host for the ISAS web site and it would be easy to include the IAHA under the heading of that web site. Phyllis said she could run the flyer out to the FBO bulletin board. The last article had to do with the percentage of attendance at meetings, and the consensus was that the year-end meetings with the votes representing most of the membership fulfilled this requirement.
Vice president Gary was not able to be present this evening, so Alan undertook the discussion on the next point of the agenda – the line of responsibility and/or authority regarding the drainage ditch. Craig spoke up saying that he and Lynn took on the responsibility to clear it out and regularly assumed they had the full right to do so. Sometimes they run into problems with property owners who believe the ditch is on their property entirely and that the maintenance crew is trespassing. The bottom line for the maintenance crew is to keep the water flowing so that the taxiway does not get undermined and weakened by floodwaters. The discussion which followed on these points related to the fact that IAHA has no authority and no responsibility toward the ditches that are on private property. The prevention of flooding, which could damage the taxiways, is the primary responsibility toward the good of the community. The existing CC&Rs require the property owner to maintain the drainage. The policy of IAHA will be to stay off lots where people complain, two in particular. Alan’s next point had to do with spraying in the waterway, which is designed to kill grass in advance so that the ditch stays clean – the possible downstream pollution is a problematic issue. Alan asked Craig to look into which poisons might be less problematic in this regard – he added that the maintenance crew was doing the right thing by being proactive in keeping the ditch clean. The next point had to do with some criticism received that the maintenance needed to be paid for by those who are the recipients of this free service. Alan asked if there were any lots being mowed with IAHA equipment that weren’t being paid for. Lynn said that he had mowed some lots for a fee with his own equipment. The problematic areas are around the rented hangars, though there’s been no complaints from most people as it helps to keep the neighborhood looking good.
Next item was the report received from the lawyer about the ODA lobbying proposal (see minutes of the previous meeting). The appearance of this report is a bit too close to the General Membership meeting in December to digest fully, so the motion on whether to accept this or not was tabled until 2005.
There was no new business, so the meeting was adjourned at 9:27 PM. The next meeting was to be in the middle of November, before the General Meeting, so that the ballots can be written up and mailed.
Respectfully submitted by Robert English, secretary.