March 11, 2008; 8:30 am, Wakota CAER Office
Attendees: Mike Thompson, Bill Freischel, Jayshree Desai, Cami Pederson, Paul Schultz, Emily White, Mike Pliml, Pete Herpst, Kim Woldengen
Meeting Called to Order — Mike Thompson
- Mike Thompson called the meeting to order.
Approval of February Minutes — Mike Thompson
- Emily White motioned to approve the February minutes, seconded by Bill Freischel, motion passed.
Old Business
- Web Site Management — Mike Pliml - Last week the website registration was transferred to the new company. The website link was sent to all Board Members, please take a look and submit suggestions and updates to Mike Pliml. Discussion on what agencies, other CAER groups, etc. we should have links to. It was decided that it would be beneficial to have links to regulatory agencies, the State Duty Officer and a list of fire departments. We will need to update the permissions to have these links. The Wakota CAER office will send the following to be posited on the website: January through March agendas and meeting minutes; membership list, Board of Director lists and bios, pictures and bios of upcoming speakers. Mike will again send the link to all board members to take a look at the new website.
- Appointment to Vacant Board Position — Mike Thompson – there are now two vacancies on the board for Bill Whillock and Hans Neve. Deb Huberty from BP Pipeline was suggested, Mike will contact her.
- May Luncheon – Programs and Guest List – Emily White and Mike Thompson - add the police chiefs from the area communities to the guest list, also Minneapolis & St. Paul Fire departments and the Washington and Dakota County Sheriffs. The invitees include community leaders, elected officials and management of member companies. The luncheon invitations will be distributed at the next meeting and then mailed out, by email to members and by mail to the guest list. If you have a name, organization or company to add to the guest list please send it to the Wakota CAER office. There will be a board meeting after the luncheon to firm up the Boom School.
- Annual Awards – Mike Thompson – will give out the same awards as last year – Huck Finn Award, Global Outreach Award, and Significant Contributor Award. Nominations will open at the next meeting on April 8th and close on April 17th. Ballots will be mailed on April 21st, voting will close April 30th and the awardees will be announced at the luncheon on May 13th.
- Board Roster – Mike Thompson – roster was routed for corrections, will need to be updated when the board vacancies are filled.
New Business
- Annual Charitable Organization Report – Colleen Stelmach: have contacted the accounting firm that performed the work last year. Engagement letter was signed by Mike Thompson and it will be mailed to the accountant to begin the work.
- Wakota CAER Booth at 43rd Annual Governor's Emergency Management Conference – Mike Thompson – the worker schedule is set and the items for the booth will be picked up at the office today.
Committee Reports
- Community Awareness - Kim Woldengen – Kim is working on an article for the Fire Chief magazine. A Press Release will be sent out after the luncheon. There was discussion on whether Wakota CAER should purchase a camera.
- Planning Committee – Pete Herpst: speakers are set for April meeting, the May luncheon, and the July, August and November meetings. It was suggested to schedule a speaker about the incident in Prescott, WI for June. Other suggestions – coal dust explosion in Stillwater. Tours – the high bridge electrical plant is not yet ready for a tour, other suggestions – State Duty Officer and Dakota 911 center. It was decided for the August River Cruise we will use the same company and hopefully this year we can go up the river into Minneapolis.
- Training – Exercise Committee - vacant:
- Boom School – MPCA is committed to still supporting the Boom School but will not run it. Hans Neve had discussed dates with Pat Flowers, the Coast Guard and Steve Kennedy. Paul Schultz will contact to firm up dates.
Announcements
- NONE
Meeting Adjourned — Mike Thompson
- Jayshree Desai motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Pete Herpst, motion passed. Next meeting is Tuesday, April 8th