FOBHL
Board meeting minutes
Bighorn Federal Meeting Room
Jan 13, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Lovell
Call to order and Welcome – Bob C
Approval of Dec email minutes: Motion by Jerry Second by Ken
John Keck - BICA items
John excused Jerry Case since he was called to a new superintendents training for the week. Jerry really wanted to be in town for all of the meetings.
Reports on:
The new well bid packet is being reviewed by the Wyoming DEQ. The bid will be offered in February with a spring completion date.
The Horseshoe Bend Campground project is moving forward with a public survey currently being done regarding what camping fee if any to charge campers.
Three boat dock setups for BighornLake were presented for consideration for funding from the Wyoming Game & Fish motor boat gas tax grant money fund. These are more public courtesy docks at Horseshoe Bend, a restroom on shore at JimCreekBay (this area will receive a portion of the old Horseshoe Bend dock next spring) and a destination dock for the south flats area. This money will become available after July 1, 2009.
The ML ramp road and ramp project is moving forward with some culverts and road work already done. This project should be completed in time for next summer’s boating.
A concession details meeting is being held next Tuesday with Lisa and Mark to review their plans for the 2009 visitor season and establish the proper permits needed. Both the marina and the tour boat concessions will be expanding services for this year, to be announced at a later date.
Work is being done presently to design new modern visitor center displays for the museum area and to install improved audio/visual equipment for the auditorium.
The BICA budget is still a continuing resolution from 2008 with a maybe of a real budget some time in the coming months. It will depend on what the new president and congress decide. However the budget process at BICA will be by divisions with accountability by each on how and what it spends its money for.
Dale Kissner is the new south district ranger; he transferred in from the Grand Canyon.
Ongoing items for comment or questions:
Bob C was on a conference call meeting Jan 6 concerning the projects to submit for the WGF motor boat tax funds.
A conference call was held with stakeholders of BighornLake on winter water management January 6 as well.
Jerry Case will meet with the Greybull, Cody and Worland Chambers of Commerce in Jan/Feb.
Jerry Case and Bob C will meet with Park County Tourism in February to discuss BICA tourism offerings.
The January Bighorn Lake Water Operation Plan was released today very similar to last months with the reservoir declining about 1.2 feet of elevation per week until spring runoff begins to refill the lake.
Joe reported that the tentative ice fishing tournament for mid winter has been canceled for this ice season.
Promo plans continue for 2009 with the Cody and Powell Home shows in April and May, the 2009 BighornLake celebration on June 20, a early summer catfish tournament, and promotional advertising around the area. Due to the large crowds desiring boat rides we are looking at asking for a small donation from each rider to cover fuel expenses. Fuel expenses paid by the boat owners were several hundred dollars last year again. We feel the public will understand about helping with this large expense. It was also felt we need a display for FOBHL in the Horseshoe Marina building which Lisa was in agreement with.
Bob met with BICA professionals on January 7 to review the upcoming VIP projects. Driftwood, mulch grind more dead brush near causeway for boat access, replace worn out signs, landscaping at HSB Campground, Eagle Scout project opportunities and other projects still tentative. We will keep our members posted on these upcoming events.
The FOBHL members annual meeting will be held January 15, 2009 from 6 to 8 pm. John Keck will speak in behalf of Jerry Case followed by a photo review of 2008 and member questions. Eats will be BBQ pork sandwich, chips and dips, cole slaw, potato salad, cookies, water, and pop. The board members will serve the food for the evening. Several FOBHL members are helping cook the meat, mail out invitations, do reminder phone calls and help with setup/cleanup duties. BICA folks will assist as needed.
The next USBR Bighorn River Systems Issues Meeting will be held in Lovell January 15 from 9:30 am to 3pm. We ask all board members try to attend since two very important issues are being reported on by the COR. Sedimentation and raising the lake level by 5 feet as well as some ongoing river projects. We have invited the public to attend. Check this web site to keep updated on these meeting and for information http://www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao/yellowtail/bighorn_longterm.cfm
Review of finances for 2008:
2008 FOBHL Income and Expenditures
Membership Income:
$ 10,230
Plus many, many hours of donated time, professional services and equipment.
Expenses:
BighornLake Celebration in June $1192
$ 1192 plus several hundred dollars spent for fuel by boat owners for the free boat rides
VIP projects $5649
Maps $ 3549
South end sign and day boards $ 2100
Advertising: $3194
BighornLake Celebration $ 1184
Catfish Tournament $ 725
TV ads $ 1285
Board of Directors: $ 1167
Business and membership cards, Misc computer supplies, USBR Issues Group meeting lunch, Corporate registration for 2008.
Your Directors pay all their own expenses for telephone, travel, meals, etc.
Total Expenses: $11,202
Bank Balance as of Dec 31, 2008 - $2418
Next FOBHL board meeting Feb 10 in Powell