DONNER SUMMIT AREA ASSOCIATION
Board Meeting, September 1, 2005
Ice Lakes Lodge, 6:30 P.M.

Attending: President Dan Wexler, Treasurer Ron Kolbe, Secretary Pat Malberg,
Members Starr Walton, Sara Taillon and Jim Thomson

Articles of Incorporation
Rewritten articles were signed by the three officers present. Still to be signed by Carrie, as Vice-President, and given to Pat to submit to the Secretary of State.

Insurance
Carrie was to follow up on this topic.

Serene Lakes Day Report
Sara reported that DSAA was the only organization represented and giving out information. DSAA booth was a table loaned by Carrie and set up by the barbecue. Many passers-by took the brochure and one interested party gave $20.00 for membership.
Note: a sign-up sheet would have been a good addition.

This weekend is the local open-house cabin tour. Ron will post the DSAA sign and give out available flyers.

Funding/Fundraising
A. Truckee grants are currently in the application phase.
Suggested topic for DSAA to consider applying for a grant: a newsletter
Jim will look for the article written in the Sierra Sun to find out details regarding the
guidelines and time period for applying. Meanwhile, we might partner with SLPOA, as
they have offered in the past, to write articles in their newsletter, in addition to
continuing to post information on our website. Sara agreed to head up the newsletter
idea, but it will be a topic for next meeting’s agenda – may need a committee. This
might be the best medium to use to call for volunteers for any of our projects.
B. Another topic for grant application is to educate locals about forest health and
defensible space. The beetle and mistletoe are killing firs. A forester might come to
people’s lots to tag trees that should be cut. This could also be a topic for the
newsletter. The fire department will be collecting chip trimmings again this year.
C. Starr suggested that, as with other organizations, each Board member contribute
$100/year to DSAA as a measure of their commitment – this in light of the
approximate $1700 it will require each year for insurance alone. Obviously, this
would be optional, but something to think about.

Treasurer’s Report
Currently the DSAA treasury has $260, with $20 to come from Sara’s tabling during Ice Lakes Days. Ron will call those with outstanding checks to let them know that the bank account has not yet been established but as soon as it is, they will be processed.
Outstanding bills should be submitted for reimbursement, especially those accrued by Lori and Cheryl. When the Secretary of State has determined the organization’s number, Ron will open an account with Plumas Bank.

Logo Contest
Sara reported that the posting of the flyer is a work in progress, that it will be done this week at the store. The DSAA PO Box is 783, Soda Springs, 95728. Sara mentioned that if the Board members know someone who would like to contribute a logo, bring the drawing to the next meeting. The Board agreed on a deadline of November 1.

Donner Trail School
Dan reported that last week, the President of the School Board stepped down. She had been in favor of shutting the school. Dan will get an update and ask Anthea to attend our next meeting.

Meeting Invitees
Royal Gorge had been invited to this meeting, but there was no response from them. They will again be invited to future meetings.
It was suggested that the date of DSAA Board Meetings be posted on the website and at the store to encourage anyone with ideas/suggestions of topics that we might discuss to get in touch via email. Ted Owens has been contacted, but not invited to a specific meeting until we have more to report.

Lake Van Norden
There is nothing new on this topic, only rumors. Royal Gorge has completed a wide-spread survey of the area.

Next Meeting
The next Board Meeting will be on Thursday, October 6, 6:30 P.M. at Ice Lakes Lodge. Note: Dan will send minutes of our meetings to Ted Owens and Bruce Kranz, and then email the Board with any responses from them. On the next agenda will be the Newsletter and the Development Plan (discussed below).

The topic of a development plan was raised – this was the original reason for the formation of the organization and in concept, it would be good to spend some time, perhaps at the next meeting, discussing what the future of the area (from Cisco to Rainbow Bridge) should be – what should and should not happen, from our point of view.

We might start with a map of the area – this may be available from the Economic Development Plan that was studied by Nevada County. It may also be available from the Forest Service or the US Geological Service – the County is our best resource. Dan will contact Ted Owens to determine who at the county is the best contact for this information. We can let him know that we have formed a group and are now working to formulate a plan.

Mainstreet.com, and books about development may be available and a template already in place. Pat will contact Rocky Mountain Institute, which is known for helping small communities create viable development plans.

Whatever we take on needs to be a small enough project to be manageable and doable. We can’t address all of the issues covered in the development study in detail, but we may be able to respond to some of the most important issues.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 P.M. Notes submitted by Pat Malberg, Secretary.