Present: Walt, Nicole, Bob, Mark, Pam, Dave
Jackie continues on as Treasurer. We viewed current checkbook and most recent bank statement around showing an expenditure of $250 to Surfrider for RAP – Rise Against Plastics.
Pam said she had a request in to Christian Snyder to Surfrider HQ for a new membership list.
Blue Water Task Force – Walt announced that Blue Water testing is complete for the year
Coastal Access GP– Dave talked about the new path through the old GP mill site, path goes from the Trestle bridge to Soldier Bay.
Bob talked about the holding pond dam and pollutants on the GP mill site.
Coastal Access Hardy Creek – Dave said threatening notes are being found on vehicles. Walt explained that there is a caretaker in the house above Hardy Creek who may be responsible.
An alternate route along the rocks was discussed. Bob suggested getting a GPS and marking a legal trail. Dave offered to contact Cal Trans to obtain State right-of-way info.
Navy Testing – Nicole said her appointment with Zack Smith had not happened and that the Navy has to re-draft its proposal and publicize it.
Website – Nicole reported that one topic from the September 2014 conference was for chapters’ websites to migrate to the Surfrider hosted website template. Pros – widgets for water testing, etc. Cons - ?
Walt had talked with Andy about his being the gatekeeper of our chapter website. Nicole has no control over some of the existing hard-coded website. Walt explained to the meeting about the progression of the website from Eric to Andy.
Nicole would like to migrate to the Surfrider template. Walt agreed that it would look more professional.
A move to change our website to the Surfrider website was approved.
New Business - $250 Donation to Ban the Bag
Conference update – Nicole got an update from regional director Sarah Damron. Surfrider wants to know if we would like more connection among the North Coast chapters. Suggestion was made for a North Coast forum on the ChapterNet. Sarah also wanted to hear our interest in a quarterly conference call. We unanimously decided that neither the ChapterNet forum nor the conference call is necessary. Bob suggested requesting a quarterly report from National or Regional that could sum up current activity on the North Coast.
Surfrider also wanted to know if North Coast chapters want our own Chapter Advisory Council Representative for Northern CA or if we are fine with the current representation including Central CA. We decided unanimously that we are fine the way it is.
Nicole said that Surfrider is urging a bigger push for more local chapter membership. National wants local chapters to update membership lists and stay current.
Pam is to verify membership preferences as to location for the Mendocino chapter and to find out if Surfrider transfers membership when people move here.
Mercury – Dave says according to Cal State Water Resources tests for mercury in fish shows very high levels – especially rock fish and albacore. He talked about his fishing friends having mercury poisoning from eating fish. He would like Surfrider to champion mercury awareness and awareness around the Fukushima radiation releases. It was suggested that Nicole put any scientific info found about these subjects onto the website.
Walt announced his resignation from the Board effective 12-13-14, which was reluctantly accepted. Gratitude was expressed for his many years of service since the inception of the chapter. The position is now open for nominations.