MINUTES

NOTICe Board of Directors

NOTICe

Monday, June 13, 2011

Portner’s Landing Community Room

Present: Sally Ann Greer, Ginny Hines Parry, Ernie Lehmann, Greg Ogden, Tom Soapes, Christa Watters, Roger Waud

President Sally Ann Greer called the meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.

1. I.Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Tom Soapes reported a current bank balance of $6982.59. The board unanimously approved payment of an invoice from Lydian Media in the amount of $756.90 for Web site development and one full year of Web hosting. The total reflects a 15% discount for our nonprofit status.

1. II.Membership: Tom reported 103 current paid up members.

1. The minutes of the May 10, 2011 board meeting were unanimously approved. The minutes of the May 19 Membership Meeting must be approved at the next general membership meeting. Board members had no corrections to make.

1. Current Issues

1. A.Waterfront: The Waterfront Plan was approved by the Planning Commission. City Council will likely defer its decision on the Plan until September because of the continued opposition by Old Town Civic and others to certain aspects of the development.
2. B.Harris Teeter: The Planning Commission approved the Harris Teeter Development with a changed location for the loading dock – from Pitt Street to St. Asaph Street. City Council is scheduled to vote on the project on Saturday, June 25.
3. C.Mirant/GenOn Power Plant: Roger reported on the recent Mirant Community Monitoring Group meeting. He said the bidders on the Phase II project have been narrowed to two firms. Virginia Department of Environmental Quality must approve the final plans, then the bid will be let and plans will proceed. City staff estimates the first baghouse will be installed in fall 2012, the second in spring 2013, and the third one in fall 2013, with some possibility that the second and third ones might be installed at the same time in spring 2013 if all goes well with the first installation. Staff explained that one reason the planning process has taken so long is that in this very old plant, engineers needed to be certain that the systems would sustain the stronger air pressure the baghouses would require.

1.      Ernie reported that Sierra Club is still focused on making this plant the first success story in its campaign to close down Big Coal and eliminate coal-powered power plants. They are using water pollution and fish-kill statistics to further their campaign. He reported on the mercury testing project Sierra had conducted on hair samples of local citizens. Possible upcoming revisions by EPA to sulfur dioxide and mercury emissions limits would likely put further economic pressures on this plant.
2. D.Web site: Greg reported that he still needed bio information from several board members, as well as some photos. Sally Ann said she’d like to continue the President’s Corner and will soon provide new input. Greg advised all board members to visit and study the site and report back to him on their opinions of it, and any needed changes.

1. Old Business:NOTICe By-laws: The Board discussed Tom’s revision, and also discussed the issue of whether NOTICe, as a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit is allowed to take positions. We had some discussion about how proactive NOTICe can be on issues before our local legislative bodies. Tom read the definition of a 501 (c) 3, in which it seems the line is clearly drawn between educating our members and other residents about issues, which is permitted -- and engaging in lobbying or advocacy, which is not permitted. Tom and Sally Ann will meet further to refine the new document prior to presenting it to the membership at large at our next general meeting.

1. VI.New Business: Newsletter: We discussed the July-August issue of Take Notice, which is due in early July. The following topics were assigned: Ernie will write about the power plant; Roger will write about the Waterfront Plan; Tom will write a piece about the origin of the name of St. Asaph Street; Greg will write about the Web site; and Christa will add a brief update on the Harris Teeter Plan.

1. VII.The meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Christa Watters, Secretary

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