AKCA Minutes of November 10, 2006

 

Officers Present:                                  Directors Present:                                               Guests:

Chair: Larry Leverett                   Kelly Houston (Inland)                    Galen Hansen, M.D.

Vice Chair:                                              Bob Finnegan                                                 

Secretary:  Carole Elliott                      Joan Finnegan

CFO:  Doug Dahl                                    Bill Thompson (San Diego)                                                                    

                                                                Burt Ballou                                               

Board Highlights:

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The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Larry Leverett @ 7:07 pm.  

 

v       MINUTES:  Motion:  To approve the minutes of October 13th.  Motion by Joan, 2nd by Burt.  Approved.

 

v       OCTOBER FINANCIAL STATEMENT/FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Doug reported that our investment fund gained $4475 in Sept.  He went over vendors who were in arrears for

KOI USA.  Bill Thompson has created the form for future use by Board members who borrow books.  Sales

by bookstore in Calif. require 7.75% sales tax to be collected.  The books need to be sold for retail unless

more than 5 of a book are sold.  Clubs do not get a discount unless they buy 5 or more of a book.  Clubs do

not get books on consignment; they must pay up front.  Because Doug held the books so long trying to close

 out the Seminar, we missed the deadline for filing our taxes and also the deadline for requesting an extension

to file so KOI USA Inc. will pay late penalties.  How much depends on how fast Joseph and Michael can

complete their work.  As of 10/20, Joseph was basically complete with the Annual Report and he requested

that Doug send him copies of bank statements, By-laws and Articles of Incorporation.  Joseph suggests

AKCA should have given KOI USA Inc. cash to cover the unearned subscription liability and recommends

KOI USA Inc. consider that amount a donation to AKCA for last year if our taxes will support that high of a

donation.  He suggests KOI USA Inc. continue to pay back the loan from AKCA. 

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

v     SCIENTIFIC:   Burt presented Spike’s KHA report.  Spike’s committee has completed most of their goals for October.    

 

v     KHV Project:  Burt presented Spike’s report.  Stated that they rejected Dr. Kotler’s proposal (from Israel).  Will decide on Porter’s proposal by Nov. 13th.  They hope to complete the Project KHV awareness campaign Poster/Flyer for distribution by 11/30-06.  The Project KHV Overhead Budget needed to be revised from $3,000 to $3900 because of the increased costs of review stipends.  Motion:  To increase the Project KHV overhead budget to $3900.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Bill.  Approved. 

 

v       PUBLICATION:    Joan presented the report.  Stated that they were late in filing fees on taxes; discussion of transfer of funds.  Will be looking into upgrading the mailing envelopes.  Also looking into the program for PCS where subscribers can change their address.  Would be $150 plus a small fee.  Tom will look at the protection for the subscribers.  In regards to marketing, they are looking for possible rep to distribute magazines to stores/koi dealers.

 

 

v      MEMBERSHIP:  Doug reported that we lost 8 clubs; now have 101 clubs in good standing.   He received an application from North Idaho Koi Keepers.  They have 14 member families.  Motion:  To accept North Idaho Koi Keepers as an AKCA member club.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Joan.  Approved.

 

v      JUDGING:  Bob reported that they are doing a lot of shows.  The committee is a good group that is basically running itself. 

 

v       SPEAKER’S GRANT:  NR

 

v      GUIDES:   Burt reported that he is working on the filter guide; still waiting on more info from 3 dealers.

 

v      INSURANCE:  NR

 

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SEMINAR REPORTS:

 

v      2007 Phoenix, Ariz.  Seminar:  Joan reported that Robbie emailed her; still need article for KOI USA.  Joan is working on getting donations for the Seminar.

 

v      2008 Jacksonville, Fla. Seminar:  Burt reported that they have a tentative design for the logo and theme.  They are working on speakers/topics; Jan Davis Brown is the Seminar Chairperson. 

 

v       2009 San Diego, CA:  Galen Hansen, M.D. presented a two proposals from the San Diego Koi Club.  1st, they would like to move the date of the Seminar to coincide with President’s weekend and 2nd, they would like to hold a koi show a the Saturday of the Seminar.  The koi show would be used as the Judging Seminar.  They felt that both proposals would add a boost to the Seminar and attendance.  They discussed charging a $5 (proposed) fee for the public to attend the vendor area/koi show.  Much discussion followed.  They would do advertising to promote the Seminar.  Felt the time change would appeal to those from the Midwest and Eastern states as the weather is mild that time of year (nice change from snow, etc.)  They felt that a koi show would not take away the help from the Seminar; felt that they could run it with 12-14 people.  There was concern expressed about fish being there too long.  Motion:  To change the date of the 2009 Seminar to the President’s Day weekend in February along with holding a one day koi show; this would be done on a trial basis.  Motion by Joan, 2nd by Kelly.  Approved, 1 abstained.

 

REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTS:

 

q       Written report submitted by Doug:  The newsletter for Central Calif. KC reports several club members traveled to the Las Vegas Koi Show recently to provide support.  The Central Calif. Koi Show was improved with more entries and better quality koi.  Bob & Joan Finnegan did a great job as Judges.  Nov. 4th club members will support the Shenzen Garden Autumn Festival.  Dawn Webster, of Dai Ichi KC, reports club members met at a pub recently for a social meeting with no business.  They are busy planning for the annual Christmas dinner.  Becky Maier, of Enchanted K&WGC, reports the club is inactive at present but only a couple members are making things happen for the club.  Sue Boydstun, of Idaho WGS, reports the club is going into winter dormancy.  The club plans to host a wet lab in May.  Bob Sievert, of Las Vegas KC, reports a new AKCA Dir/Rep for that club.  Ardis Black, of Lone Star ZNA KC, reports they had a fantastic meeting in October with David Jones, KHA from Dallas, give a Powerpoint presentation on latest KHV updates and proper quarantine procedures.  David Hester, of Mid Atlantic KC, provided some very good pros and cons for moving the 2009 AKCA Seminar in San Diego in February.  The newsletter for Michigan K&PC-SE reports it is time to watch the pond water temp and adjust your feeding of koi accordingly.  Club members held an all day 2007 planning retreat recently at a member’s cottage, including a brain storming session and lots of good food.  The club end of the year social will be held Nov. 4th at a local restaurant.  Club members approved a donation of $300 to Koi KHV Research and also to the Freedom Works of Highland Michigan.  The 2007 club Pond Tour will be held in the Rochester area.  The Ponds Place and Wieglands Nursery will co-sponsor the Pond Tour with the club.  The club is checking into local charities in the area to donate Pond Tour proceeds in exchange for more publicity.  A club member shared his experience with sick fish, repairing a leaking pond and a very instructive wet lab at the AKCA Seminar in Buffalo.  Don Krantz, of Nashville Pond Society, reports he will step down as the club AKCA Dir/Rep.  Club President Mike Reddrick has asked what this position entails so he can get a replacement (Doug sent him the responsibilities of the club AKCA Dir/Rep)  (Any club who wishes this info can email your request to Doug Dahl @ judgedahl@hotmail.com and he will send it to you).  Melinda Christopher, of Olympic K,G&WGC, suggested moving the 2009 AKCA Seminar to February; it will separate it in time from the Portland Koi Show and allow those folks to attend the Seminar.  The end of the year is election of club officers; time to plan the Christmas party.  Geoffrey Huntley, of Piedmont K&WGS, reports the Koi Show in Charlotte seems to have been another successful production with 175 fish entered.  The show included a wet lab led by Dr. Vicki Vaughn and Dr. Karen Roberts who sewed a split fin closed on a show fish damaged by transport.  30 vendors attended the trade show.  Other Seminars included using chemicals in your pond, starting and maintaining a pond, breeding fish and a spray on liner demo.  Next year will be the 10th Annual Koi Show for the club.  Timothy Czech, of Pioneer Valley WG&KC, reports Roc Goudreau will take over as the club AKCA Dir/Rep in 2007 after Timothy doing that job for 4 years.  The last club meeting will be in November with the next meeting in March.  This club is preparing a proposal to submit to the AKCA Board for the club

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q       to host the 2010 AKCA Seminar in Massachusetts.  Karen Pattist has agreed to be the Seminar Chairperson if AKCA approves this selection to be made next June.  Kristine Jones, of Salt Lake KC, reports the club is wrapping up the year with the annual awards banquet at a local restaurant next week.  One award is for the Best/Worst Koi story for the year.  Sheb Masters, of The Great Smoky Mountain KC&PS, reports the club is dormant Nov. & Dec. but club members did discuss winterizing at a recent meeting.  The club plans to do some advertising to increase club membership.  Dick Emerick, of Upper Midwest KC, reports he thinks it would be great to leave Minnesota in February to attend an AKCA Seminar in San Diego in 2009.  The club held its last meeting of the year at Koi Acres, a local koi dealer.  The topic of discussion was winterizing your pond and viewing the extensive quarantine tank set up at the koi dealers facility.  The club made a 3 year agreement with a local nursery to hold a koi show August 4/5, 2007 with the nursery providing the site and advertising money.  Several club members have just returned from a buying trip to Japan so the next meeting will discuss the trip.  David Yee, of Valley of the Sun KC, reports the first club meeting after the summer break was held in September at the Embassy Suites Hotel.  The meeting topic was Pond Supplies updates for the Phoenix area by Robert Lang.  The club also supported the Maricopa County/Phoenix Home show Sept. 22-24 and is busy planning the 2007 events.  Mary Oxman, of Ventura KC, reports the club wants to thank club KHA Pam Silverman for helping club members with sick fish.  This club is robust with 50 members attending the October club meeting at the pond of Eric Howes (see KOI USA Nov/Dec issue for a description of this wonderful pond).  The club was honored to have AKCA Chairman Larry Leverett and his wife, Debby, attend this meeting to discuss the many ways AKCA benefits and enriches the koi keeping hobby.  Larry also shared his club Inland Koi Society successes.  Doug tried to contact the following clubs with no response:  Austin Pond Society; Blue Water Pond Club; First Coast K&WGC; Las Pampas K&WGS; Middle Georgia WGC; Moto Kara Koi Kai; Rhode Island & Massachusetts KC; Tulsa KS; and Triad K&WGS.

 

q       Written report submitted by Bob:  So Cal Koi Club had their November meeting at Eastern Nishikigoi where there will be a discussion about purchasing young koi.  One club member won a beautiful $150 Utsuri.  For their annual Xmas party, they will meet at Marie Callender’s for a Champagne Brunch; will have a Chinese gift exchange.  Great Ponds & Koi Society of West Michigan is closed for the winter.  Charles Phelps, of Greater Louisville K&GFS, said that everything is OK.  The same officers from last year will serve another year; will have their annual Xmas party next meeting.  Lester Berkow, of Tropical K&WGS, said the club is going to the koi show in Naples, Fl on Nov. 18/19.  Joan & Bob will be the judges.  Norm Call, of Oregon K&WGS, said the meeting this month is at Norm’s home.  Larry Christensen, of Northwest K&GFC- ZNA Northwest Chapter, said that their club voted in new officers; will have their Xmas party next month and start planning their next koi show.  Lyly Gills, of Sierra KC, said they are down for the winter.   Jan Davis Brown, of North Florida KC, said that they will have a large koi show Nov. 18/19th; Burt Ballou will be judging.  Bob tried but was unable to reach Indiana Koi & Water Gardens and West Tennessee Pond Society.

 

q       Written report submitted by Burt:  John Hathaway, of Pacific Wonderland, had a Thanksgiving potluck; elected new officers.  Also discussed upcoming Xmas party; will all bring gifts for toys for tots locally; everybody had a good time.  Joe White, of Florida East Coast K&WGS, said they had a good meeting @ a place that has a wedding chapel, house & place for receptions plus a lot of water trails & ponds; had a big turnout plus 5 or 6 new members.  Nov. meeting being moved to Dec. @ the Dunlops for Xmas party & gift exchange.  Barb Flowers, of Rocky Mountain KC, said the weather is great; Xmas party, Santa Claus & gift exchange; re-elected the past officers.   Several members of their club went to the Las Vegas club’s first koi show; great time!  It was a very successful & fun show.  Sandi Soedjono, of Dallas Koi Kichi Group, said they just got a new projector.  Dave Jones used it in his talk about PH crashes; also discussed next koi show; next month is Xmas party & Chinese gift exchange.  Linda Montgomery, of Cascade K&GFC, said they are planning their Xmas banquet & elections @ Jeff & Penny Thomas’s home.  Got some new members; talked on getting ponds ready for winter; will do an ornament (fish or pond related) exchange.  John Case, of San Francisco Bay Area KC, said their Xmas dinner/lunch is 12/3 @ Cattleman’s in Livermore; gift exchange.  Elections are on Nov. 25th; got some new members from pond tour.  They held their  pond tour in Brentwood on Oct. 14th; it was a great success with over 150 people in attendance across 6 ponds all in Brentwood.  The club also assisted the Camellia club with their annual show.  It was a tremendous show with loads of vendors, great site, and organization that makes it happen.  Carole Lee, of Santa Clara Valley K&WGC, said their last meeting was on building & designing a pond.  Xmas party is 12/10 with each person bringing a toy for tots.  They are working on a koi show in April @ Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival.  Nov. meeting will be with a photographer to teach how to photograph their ponds.  Norbun Watson, of Middle Georgia Koi Society, said the club is going to have a float in the Xmas parade.  Will have Xmas party & gift exchange; got

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q       new officers set up.  Johnny Foster, of Nature’s Coast K&WGC, said the koi show went very well.  Xmas party is 12/16.  This next week going to Gainesville show; going to the Jacksonville show in 2 weeks.  Henry Culpepper, of Orlando Area K&PC, is in Pakistan.  Rod Lawton, of ZNA Southern Koi Association, said they are getting ready for Naples koi show; all tanks sold.  Also working on the Central Florida koi show; got their website updated.  Debby Young, of Southern Arizona Koi Association, said they are getting ready for their koi show this weekend.  Jack Garner, of Koi & WGC of No. Texas, said that last month they had a speaker to bring and tell tell them about his automatic feeder for fish and other pets.  They also talked about how and if you closed down your pond.  This month they will have James Lasswell at their meeting; he is very interesting speaker that they have had before.  The December meeting will be their Christmas party.  Burt tried but was unable to reach Oklahoma Koi Club.

 

q       Written report submitted by Carole:  Jerry Woodbury, of Miami Valley WGS, said that everyone is busy preparing their ponds for the winter.  On Dec. 9th they will hold their annual Christmas Awards Dinner.  They are currently trying to line up speakers for the 2007 season.  Also, in January they are planning a trip to the Franklin Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio to view their presentation of “The Chihuly Garden of Glass.”  Jackie Allsup, of Eastern Iowa Pond Society, said that they will soon hold their last meeting of the year.  This meeting is their annual banquet and recognition meeting where they thank everybody for their volunteerism throughout the year.  They will also elect new officers for their 2007 year and break out into planning committees for next years activities.  They will not meet again until March.  Their next project will be their spring trade show which they are all looking forward to.  They want to wish everybody happy holidays!  Larry Hursh, of Genesse Valley Pond & KC, said that the current officers were re-elected for next year.  Will now have a co-treasurer; also elected 2 new pond tour co-chairmen.  December will be their Christmas Party with their Pond Jeopardy game.  They are trying to make this a significant celebration as it will be the concluding event for this their 10th year.  There will be no general meeting in January.  The Board will meet to prepare a tentative calendar of topics and events for 2007.  Bryan Bateman, of Midwest Pond & Koi Society, said their season is over for this year.  Their last event was the volunteer dinner (Nov. 11th) and which is given to all club volunteers who donate 8 or more hours of their time during the year.  Their board will meet in early December to finalize their 2007 calendar.  Carole tried but was unable to reach Amarillo Koi Society; Bakersfield K&WGS; Central Alabama K&WGS; Niagara Frontier K&PC; and, Puget Sound KC.

 

q       Written report submitted by Larry:  Ron Carter, of Prairieland K&PS, said they held their officer election.  Mark Schatsick is now the President and Nora Heruth is the Secretary; VP remains Sheldoln Bevard and the Treasurer remains Jean Clarke.  Their meeting this month will be on the 18th and will be their annual banquet.  The next meeting after that will be in February.  Darlene Jennings, of Mid-Michigan Pond & WGC, said they will be having their Christmas party on Dec. 6th.  They won’t meet till March.  Shelly Klinger, of Central Illinois Water Gardeners, said their club is laying low for the next two months, but members are busy trying to get their ponds shut down.  Joan Woelfel, of St. Louis Water Gardening Society, said they had their last regular meeting of the year in October.  Joe Summer, Manager of Best of Nature stores, gave an excellent, active and humorous talk on the steps needed to close down your pond for the winter.  He discussed five areas of Fall and Winter Pond Care, and provided handouts that they followed along with.  They covered plants, nets, pumps/filters, ice and fish.  He had members of the audience involved in “netting” an area of the floor (representing a pond) and holding down the four corners of the various types of covers while he described the pros and cons of each type.  They put on a good show, with the center poles falling over, and other typical/amusing aspects of the job.

 

q       Written report submitted by Phil Hunter:  James Slider, of the Capital Area K&WGC, reports that the October meeting was held at Preuss Pets in Old Town Lansing.  The new store was filled with indoor and outdoor interest for pond and fish lovers.  The November meeting at the Delta Township Hall will be the “Fall Finale” which will wrap up the 2006 pond season.  The meeting will feature a tribute to the taste and sounds of Italy.  Tess Little, of the Dayton K&GFC, reports that the October meeting was held at the home of Brad & Jacqui Boy.  The club voted on the AKCA Koi of the Year.  A 27” Showa owned by Scott & Joni Kendall was selected over nine other very fine entries.  After the voting the club had an educational session and discussion on all of the different types of koi that were entered in the contest.  The membership also discussed how to winterize and cover the pond for the upcoming cold weather.  Don Hellard, of the Gainesville Koi, Goldfish & WGC, reports that the club will have its Fall Young Koi Show on November 12th, and the club has been very busy preparing for the show.  Claudia McGowan, of the Inland Empire WG&KS, reports that club held its election in October.  Installation of officers will be in November.  Honorary awards announced were:  AKCA Koi Person of the Year – Margie Luce; PNKCA Ed Fujimoto

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q       Inspirational Award – Jim Elms; Ray Jordan Memorial Award – Helen Dionne.  AKCA Rep for 2007 will again be Ralph McGowan.  Several members of the club traveled to Quality Koi for the annual mud pond draining.  Judith Minor Roberts, of the Mountaineer K&WGS, reports that the club is on hiatus until spring, with the exception of the upcoming Christmas party in December.  Linda Siler, of the Springfield WGS, reports that the October meeting was held at the home of Rob and Shelly Richards.  While the weather was cold, the program by Michael Fessenden on plants that provide fall color in the garden was very entertaining.  The November meeting will be indoors at St. Johns Cancer Center.  Oscar Cross, owner & operator of Hill Top Farms will give the program on Christmas house plants, and how to care for them.  The club will also

elect three new board members at the meeting.  Clubs with no report this month are:  Shasta Koi & Water

 Garden Club.

 

q       Written report submitted by Joyce Glenn:  Leroy Taba, of Hawaii Goldfish & Carp Society, reported that this next meeting they will have nominations for the next set of officers.  At their Christmas dinner they will hold their elections.  Michael Anderson, of Atlanta KC, reported they had a new venue for their show in Coastal Pond Supply in Tucker, GA. Suburb of Atlanta.  It was so successful, they are planning to return next fall.  Carl Forss, of Keirin Koi, and Vickie Vaughn are planning a ikeage (or fish harvest).  AKCA members from North & South Carolina are planning to attend.  They are expecting to see fish from Mr. Kiyoshi Kase who developed kikokuryu and the ginga.  They will also feature a large selection from other Japanese breeders.  Rod MacNeil, of Charleston Showa Club, reported they had a large contingent go to the Charlotte NC show last weekend.  Bob Waag, of Florida West Coast, said the Christmas Party is Dec. 3rd.  Their trip to bamboo garden last month was a huge success.  Pond of the month this November belongs to Wayne Goldback and Eston Gilles in Sarasota.  This is a new feature in their newsletter.  Bob Bosek, of Washington K&WG, reported the club elected new officers.  There are a couple of offices that still need filling, so he will give us a full report next time.  Dave Peebler, of Koi Club of Kansas, reported they had a great meeting at the home of Robert & Lisa Francis last month.  Everyone marveled at Robert’s latest additions and modifications to his koi pond.  Their People’s Choice Photo Competition was fun.  They had nine entries.  First place went to Brett Brinegar.  Each winner was given a beautiful hand painted glass light (koi motif).  Everyone enjoyed the competition.  Robert presented a DVD about the AKCA trip to Buffalo, New York.  The DVD featured the convention site, vendors, banquet, pond tour, Niagara Falls and other places of interest.  The music he chose for background really set the mood for the DVD.

 

q       Written report submitted by Kelly Houston:  Inland Koi Society reports that their general meeting this month will be a Thanksgiving Potluck dinner on Nov. 19th at the home of Bob & Cheryl Alkema’s in Temecula.  At this meeting they will have elections for President & VP as well as a koi art auction and renewals for membership.  Shawn McHenry, of Mystic Koi, will talk on “Behind the Scene of Koi Buying” and this will be the last general meeting of 2006 for the IKS members.

 

q       Written report submitted by Harlan Glenn:  The November meeting of the Koi Club of San Diego will be held at the home of Prapa Taylor in Valley Center and feature Chris Cleavers, of Hikari, as their guest speaker.  In Dec., Steve Drake, AKCA judge and KCSD member will discuss how to choose the right fish to take to the show.  The 20th Annual Show, February 17/18th, will offer cash prizes for the top six awards with $1000 going to the Grand Champion!  For show info see the KCSD website, www.kloiclubsandiego.org or contact Show Chairman Tom Graham or vendor Chairman Rick Gavern.  

 

q       Written report submitted by Spike Cover:  Dan Phillips, of North Carolina K&WGS, reported that since September, NCKWS had members attend and participate in the Atlanta Koi show, MAKC show and Charlotte Koi show, bringing home lots of top awards.  Officer elections for 2007 will be held at the November meeting. 

 

q       Written report submitted by Bill Thompson:  The Koi Club of Middle Tennessee will be on hiatus for the holidays.  Kay Rice reports that they would prefer attending a Southern Calif. Seminar in February.  Susan Borden, KHA, of the Placid Koi & Pond Club, will speak on anchor worm and controlling algae at their November meeting.  They would welcome a February visit to a California Seminar and say that any time of year is a good time to visit Southern California.  The Santa Clarita Koi & WGC will hold elections at their next meeting in January.  Brian Moriguchi will continue as President.  Last month they met at a local breeders where members were able to purchase fish.

 

 

 

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PROXY CALLS FOR December/January

§         Ideas for topics/speakers for upcoming Seminars as well as locations you would like to go to!

§         How do you feel about changing the date of AKCA Seminar?

 

Upcoming AKCA Annual Calendar Events for December/January

No meeting in December

AKCA financials in meeting minutes

Seminar registration packets go to past attendees

AKCA Chair appoints Nominating committee

 

OLD BUSINESS:  

q       Seminar Pins:  Burt showed renderings of pins for the Seminar attendees; 5 yr., 10 yr., and 15 yr. Consecutive attendance.  Asked opinion about pins by Roc Goudreau, the designer, and for any suggestions.  Everyone LOVED the designs.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

q       Nominating Committee:  Larry asked about whether Doug and Carole planned on running for office this coming year (yes!) and if we should get an early start in looking for candidates for Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.

q       Computer repair:  Carole had to recently have her computer repaired at a cost of under $80.  Doug stated that we didn’t need a vote to reimburse her because of the cost.

q       All Japan Show:  Galen Hansen, M.D. stated that he will be going to the All Japan Show as a representative for AKCA as will Kate McGill.  It was felt that AKCA should have a trophy to present.  Galen will contact them to let them know, ahead of time, that we would very much like to honor one of the fish at the show.  Motion:  To spend up to $300 towards an AKCA award to be presented at the All Japan Show.  Motion by Bill, 2nd by Joan.  Approved.

 

Motion:  To adjourn the meeting 9:27 p.m.  Motion by Burt, 2nd by Joan.  Approved.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Carole Elliott