Minutes 04-28-2014

Minutes 04-15-2014

Minutes 03-19-2014

Minutes of 1/02 (Including Recommened Charter Admendments)

MINUTES OF COLCHESTER GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

COLCHESTER POLICE STATION CONFERENCE ROOM

835 BLAKELY ROAD
COLCHESTER, VT

January 2 , 2014 @ 7:00 p.m.

Present:  Jacob Hemmerick, Pam Loranger, Bud Meyers,  Mickey Palmer, Curt Taylor,  Pamela Lawrence Dimson via tele-conference

Absent: David Usher

Note : for the purposes of clarity,  Pam Loranger will be identified as Pam and Pamela Laurence-Dimson will be identified as Pamela

1.  Jacob Hemmerick called the meeting to order at 7PM

2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

            The Agenda was approved without discussion

3.  Administrative Business Updates

     Jacob has established communication via Front Porch Forum for all neighborhoods.

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

            The minutes of December 19, 2013  were tabled until January 16,  2014  

However,  the meeting may be reviewed via LCATV tapes.  

  5.  PUBLIC COMMENT

     None

 6.  BUSINESS ITEMS

   A.  Fire District White Paper

        Tabled until January 16, 2014

    B.  Section-by-Section Review of the Charter

         By consensus changes were made to the Charter:

            103-a, 103-b, 103-c, 103-d, (see also 103-e & f) 104, 104-1, 104-2, 104-5, 104-6.

The Governance Committee's Contacts, Charge, Agendas and Minutes are available online at http://colchestergovernance.blogspot.com.  Curt has provided a spread sheet to capture the above changes.

7.  Review Upcoming Meetings & Agenda Items

     01/016/2014  Present language and incorporate white paper regarding Fire District Consolidation. Resume Charter review.

     02/06/2014

     02/20/2014

8.  ADJOURNMENT

Having no further business to conduct, Mickey MOVED  to adjourn.  Curt  SECONDED the MOTION  UNANIMOUS  consent.  Meeting adjourned at 8:59PM.

MARKUP OF RECOMMENDED CHARTER AMENDMENTS:

CHAPTER 1. POWERS OF THE TOWN

Sec. 101. Corporate existence retained.

The area within the current boundaries of the Town of Colchester shall continue to be a municipal corporation by the name of the Town of Colchester.

The inhabitants of the Town of Colchester, within the corporate limits now established, shall continue to be a municipal corporation by the name of the Town of Colchester.

Sec. 102. General law; application.

Except when changed or modified by this Charter, or by any lawful regulation or ordinance of the Town of Colchester, all of the statutes of the state relating to municipalities shall apply to the Town of Colchester.

Sec. 103. Powers of the town.

         (a)        The Ttown shall have all the powers granted to towns by the constitution and laws of the state together with all the implied powers necessary to carry into execution the powers granted; it may enact ordinances consistent with the constitution and laws of the State of Vermont or with this Charter, and impose penalties for violations thereof not in excess of a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) together with the costs of prosecution, or imprisonment for not more than sixty (60) days or both.

         (b)        The Town of Colchester may adopt, amend, enforce and repeal ordinances relating to any aspect of municipal concern for the peace, order, health, safety, comfort, protection, morality and general welfare of the town and of its citizens.

         (c)        The Ttown may acquire real property within its corporate limits for any Ttown purpose, in fee simple or any lesser interest or estate by purchase, gift, devise, lease or condemnation, or without its corporate limits by purchase, gift, devise,  lease, with approval of the voters, consistent with the constitution and laws of the State of Vermont, and may sell, lease, mortgage, hold, manage and control such property as its interests may require.

(d)     By approval of the town voters, the Town may acquire real property without its corporate limits for any town purpose, in fee simple or any lesser interest or estate by purchase, gift, devise, or lease consistent with the constitution and laws of the State of Vermont, and may sell, lease, mortgage, hold, manage and control such property as its interests may require

         (de)       In this Charter no mention of a particular power shall be construed to be exclusive or to restrict the scope of the powers which the town would have if the particular power were not mentioned.

         (ef)        The Ttown may merge with political subdivisions within its boundary according to state statute.  after approval of the voters in elections to be held by both the town and political subdivision involved.

Sec. 104. Additional powers.

In addition to powers otherwise conferred upon it by law, the Ttown is authorized:

         (1)        To adopt and enforce ordinances relating to making and installing local improvements including curbs, sidewalks, storm drains and water and sanitary waste systems; apportioning part of the expense of such improvements against property owners who benefit thereby; providing for the collection of such assessments and penalties for nonpayment; provided, however:

                     (A)       That in absence of an ordinance no assessment shall be made by the selectmenboard until they have received a petition in writing from fifty (50) percent of the owners of property fronting on such local improvements as proposed. Upon receiving such petition, the selectmen may order the proposed improvements to be made.

                     (B)       That no assessment shall be made in excess of the actual benefit to the land so assessed as determined by the selectmen after notice to and hearing of the owners of the property assessed.

                     (C)       That the total assessment made on account of any such improvements shall not exceed fifty (50) percent of the cost of such improvement and the remaining cost of such improvement shall be borne by the town.

         (2)        To adopt and enforce ordinances requiring the installation of curbs, sidewalks and storm drains, where applicable, in a manner specified by the town as a condition precedent to the issuance of a building permit.

         (3)        To adopt and enforce ordinances regulating signs and billboards.

         (4)        To adopt and enforce police ordinances regulating the parking, operation and speed of motor vehicles upon town and state aid streets and highways; to adopt police ordinances regulating the use of firearms, air rifles and devices having a capacity to inflict personal injury; to adopt and enforce police ordinances prohibiting the use of firearms, air rifles and devices having a capacity to inflict personal injury in specified areas, but only with approval of the voters.

         (5)        To adopt and enforce ordinances relating to regulation, licensing or prohibition of the storage and accumulation of garbage, ashes, rubbish, refuse and waste materials.

         (6)        To create and maintain a police department.

Minutes of 12/05

    

MINUTES OF COLCHESTER GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

COLCHESTER POLICE STATION CONFERENCE ROOM

835 BLAKELY ROAD
COLCHESTER, VT

December 5 , 2013 @ 7:00 p.m.

Present:  Jacob Hemmerick, Pam Loranger, Bud Meyers,  Mickey Palmer, Curt Taylor,  David Usher

Absent: Pamela Laurence-Dimson

Note : for the purposes of clarity,  Pam Loranger will be identified as Pam and Pamela Laurence-Dimson will be identified as Pamela

1.  Jacob Hemmerick called the meeting to order at 7PM

2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

            The Agenda was approved without discussion

3.  Administrative Business Updates

    -Conference Calling Instructions ....reviewed

    -Communication: FPF, Spotlight, etc  ...Jacob to get access  to FPF townwide

    - Meeting Room on 12/19   Pam to confirm

4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

            David Usher   MOVED to approve  the minutes of  November 21, 2013.   

            Bud Meyers  SECONDED the MOTION.

            Correction made to the minutes to include Curt Taylor as attending.

            MOTION approved UNANIMOUSLY with correction.

     In accordance with new procedure the LCATV tapes will serve as record of the meeting unless a formal action is taken. 

5.  PUBLIC COMMENT

     None

           

      6.  BUSINESS ITEMS

     a.  The Final Review of the Selectboard update for 12/10 meeting. 

         ACTION: David Usher MOVED to approve the Selectboard update as edited.  Mickey Palmer    SECONDED.  MOTION approved UNANIMOUSLY.

          The full text may be found on our blog:  http://colchestergovernance.blogspot.com/

   

   b.  Fire District Consolidation Recommendation

          The following Recommendation was reviewed by the Committee.  Curt submitted an alternate recommendation.   However, the committee agreed to incorporate language from Curt's submission into the one on the table.

          ACTION:  Pam MOVED to accept the recommendations for purposes of discussion.  David Usher SECONDED.

Fire District Recommendations (Original)

Water services are an integral part of Town planning. Industry and most citizens understand that providing adequate clean water is a legitimate municipal service. The whole Town benefits from an efficient, well maintained water supply infrastructure. Current water customers can depend on a safe, adequate, cost effective supply. Planning and managing the Town’s growth can be accomplished with common citizen participation forums, coordination of Town departments and resources, and established checks and balances. If the Town of Colchester were starting from scratch the Governance Committee would recommend a single Fire District created by the Selectboard and managed by the Town’s Department of Public Works.

But Colchester is not starting from scratch. We must deal with Colchester’s water issues as they are today: three separate Fire Districts within the Town limits, one outside the Town limits (Essex) and two separate water sources (Champlain Water District and Burlington).

The Committee has identified five significant problems with the current water supply system.

1) Customer/Developer Confusion: Most customers do not understand how their water is provided. Potential developers find themselves dealing with several entities (State, Town and Fire District).

2) Crisis resolution: When a crisis occurs (water main break) customers and citizens do not know who to call. Several entities (Town, Fire District and water provider) may be involved.

3) Roadblocks to Town Planning: Coordination of infrastructure development is inhibited by the number of players involved.

4) Sewer allotment billing inefficiencies: Collecting fees for payment of the Town’s sewer allotments involves contacting and processing information from several water districts.

5) Variation in Engineering By-Laws: Each Fire District has its own set of by-laws with specifications to be following in the installation and maintenance of infrastructure and what is expected of water customers. These can, and do, vary. In addition, the Town has building specifications that can come in conflict with the Fire Districts’ by-laws.

Potential Governance Committee Recommendations to the Selectboard

1) Consolidation of the three Fire Districts: Easily stated, but hard to implement. Fire Districts are distinct municipalities responsible to their customers and voters. The Town cannot force consolidation of Fire Districts. It can, however, encourage it and provide the forum and council needed to bring it about. This recommendation leaves the implementation up to the Selectboard. The Governance Committee states only that in terms of effective and efficient governance it would be best to have a single consolidated Fire District under the auspices of the Director of Public Works. The Selectboard should proceed with plans to make that happen.

2) Improve Communication and leave the Fire Districts alone: Several of the five problems mentioned above are the result of poor communication. Citizen and developer knowledge and crisis management could be improved by a concerted effort to make the current structure more transparent and by developing a set of agreed upon and written standard operating procedures.

3) Cooperation, Coordination and Consolidation: Much of the current controversy is the result of past disputes. A flurry of angry phone calls by citizens to someone who can only pass on that anger to another entity results in enmity that survives long after the crisis has been resolved. The Selectboard should help establish a means for cooperation by contributing funds to the maintenance of an independent employment position with the responsibility of coordinating Fire District issues. The position would also be financed by funds from each Fire District, CWD, and the Town (and perhaps the Town of Essex and the City of Burlington). The person in such a position would attend all Prudential Board meetings, and inform the Selectboard, and Director of Public Works. Such a position would also be the primary contact for all citizen inquiries and would consult with developers regarding permits. In addition each Fire District will send a Board member to meet periodically and jointly with this person to discuss and resolve contentious issues. The goal of such meetings will be to develop procedures for crisis management and reconcile differences between the by-laws of all Colchester Fire Districts. The long term goal of this recommendation is either the consolidation of the Fire Districts or the development of a working management procedure under the current structure.

Curt Taylor's submission December 5, 2013

the Governance Committee recommends that the Town of Colchester support and pursue consolidation of the Fire Districts' water provision function under the auspices of the Town's Department of Public Works.

This recommendation addresses serious problems inherent in the current, fragmented governance structure whereby fire jurisdictions have authority over water-related infrastructure and provisions within defined geographic areas in Colchester: Fire District 1, Fire District 2, Fire District 3, the Champlain Water District and the Town of Essex. 

This structure inhibits efficient planning of Colchester's future.  Decisions regarding the growth and development of the town should be vested in the Town's Selectboard subject to legally mandated public review processes.  Because water infrastructure is an important factor influencing both Colchester's natural environment and population growth, decision regarding the maintenance and development of water infrastructure should rest  with he Selectboard.  The Fire Districts, each with their own elected bodies, are not necessarily responsive to the needs of the whole Town and not coordinate with policy decisions made by the population in general as manifest in the decisions of the Selectboard and its public review process.  In addition, the implementation of Town policy is made inefficient by the number of players involved and the degree to which they wish to cooperate. 

The Governance Committee is fully aware of the valuable service each Fire District has provided the Town and values the civic commitment of their employees and Prudential Committees.  The Committee is also aware of the disruption this recommendation with cause in the lives on many of Colchester's most dedicated citizens.  But the Town of Colchester has outgrown the current water management infrastructure and needs a more responsive and efficient approach. This recommendation hope to initiate the development of that approach.

Minutes:  Discussion followed.  David Usher MOVED to table the motion.  Bud Meyers SECONDED.  MOTION approved unanimously.

c.  Charter Text Concerning the Snowplowing of Some Private Roads

At our last meeting, we discussed the appropriateness of the plowing language in the Charter.

The current language basically states that the Board shall have the power “To establish a policy whereby the Board of Selectmen may determine it to be in the public interest to plow those private roads serving two (2) or more year-round residences, which had previous to January 1, 1997 have the town providing winter road maintenance.” 

We are not aware if a prior Board ever adopted a formal policy.

There was informal agreement by the Governance Committee that the language above should be removed from the Charter and a policy should be developed by the Board. 

PLD suggested three alternatives to address the equity issue presented by this language.  The Town could address the equity issue by either: 

1) Plowing all private roads;

2) Plowing only those roads meeting specifications; or

3) Plowing no private roads. 

Discussions tabled until December 19, 2013

7.  Review Upcoming Meetings & Agenda Items

     12/19:  Selectboard Update follow-up, Form of Government

     01/02/2014

     01/16/2014

     02/06/2014

     02/20/2014

Time not permitting for discussion.

8.  ADJOURNMENT

Having no further business to conduct, Pam MOVED  to adjourn.  David  SECONDED the MOTION  UNANIMOUS  consent.  Meeting adjourned at 9:04PM.

Respectfully  submitted,

______________________________________

Pam Loranger Secretary

December 19, 2013

Draft Minutes of 11/21 Meeting

MINUTES OF COLCHESTER GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

COLCHESTER POLICE STATION CONFERENCE ROOM

835 BLAKELY ROAD
COLCHESTER, VT

November 21, 2013 @ 7:00 p.m.

Present:  Jacob Hemmerick, Pamela Laurence-Dimson,  Pam Loranger, Bud Meyers,  Mickey Palmer

Absent: David Usher

Note : for the purposes of clarity Pam Loranger will be identified as Pam and Pamela Laurence-Dimson will be identified as Pamela

Jacob Hemmerick called the meeting to order at 7PM

1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

            The Agenda was approved without discussion

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

            Mickey Palmer  MOVED to approve  the minutes of  November 14, 2013.    

            Bud Meyers  SECONDED the MOTION.

            MOTION approved UNANIMOUSLY

     In accordance with new procedure the LCATV tapes will serve as record of the meeting unless a formal action is taken. 

3.  PUBLIC COMMENT

           

4.  OTHER BUSINESS

     a.  Meeting Schedule  The new schedule for January, February and March 2015 is as follows:

          January  2 and 16,  February 6 and 20,  March 6 and 20

     b.  The Committee reviewed the Selectboard Progress Report for presenation to the Selectboard December 10, 2013.  Approval tabled until December 5, 2013

5.  ACTION ITEM

     Recommendation by the Governance Committee to the Select Board to pursue consolidation of Fire Districts.  Action tabled until December 5, 2013

     Recommendation by the Governance Committee to the Select Board to address language in Charter regarding Snow Plowing.  Action tabled until December 5, 2013.

4.  ADJOURNMENT

Having no further business to conduct, Pam MOVED  to adjourn.  Pamela  SECONDED the MOTION  UNANIMOUS consent.  Meeting adjourned at 9:00PM.

Respectfully  submitted,

______________________________________

Pam Loranger Secretary

December  2,  2013

Minutes of 8/22

MINUTES OF COLCHESTER GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

COLCHESTER POLICE STATION CONFERENCE ROOM

835 BLAKELY ROAD
COLCHESTER, VT

August 22, 2013 @ 7:00 p.m.

Present: Pamela Laurence-Dimson, Jacob Hemmerick, Pam Loranger, Bud Meyers, Mickey Palmer  Curt TwylorDavid Usher

Note : for the purposes of clarity Pam Loranger will be identified as Pam and Pamela Laurence-Dimson will be identified as Pamela

Guest:  Glen Cuttitta  Director Parks and Recreation

1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

    The Agenda was approved without discussion

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

    Minutes of August 8 were not available.  Tabled for approval until September 12, 2013.

3.  OTHER BUSINESS

    In accordance with new procedure the LCATV tapes will serve as record of the meeting unless a formal action is taken.

   Glen Cuttitta  addressed the Committee and had no written remarks to submit.

4.  OLD BUSINESS

  Questions for VLCT were reviewed.

  Vermont Open Meeting Law was discussed.

  David Usher acknowledge work completed by Curt Taylor on the Google drive documents.

  David Usher informed the committee Karen Richard has agreed to publish and distribute our Agenda to the four locations in Town that typically display all other meeting notices; Town Offices, Burnham Library, Post Office and Mazza's General Store.

  Jacob Hemmerick confirmed posting of Governance information on our blog.

5.  ADJOURNMENT

Having no further business to conduct Pam Loranger moved to adjourn.  Pamela  seconded the motion    Unanimous consent.  Meeting adjourned at 8:48 PM

Respectfully  submitted,

______________________________________

Pam Loranger Secretary

September 12,  2013

Minutes of 9/12

MINUTES OF COLCHESTER GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

COLCHESTER POLICE STATION CONFERENCE ROOM

September 12, 2013 @ 7:00 p.m.

Present: Pamela Laurence-Dimson, Jacob Hemmerick, Pam Loranger, Bud Meyers, Mickey Palmer

Curt Taylor, David Usher

Note : for the purposes of clarity Pam Loranger will be identified as Pam and Pamela Laurence-
Dimson will be identified as Pamela

1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

The Agenda was approved without discussion

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mickey made a MOTION to approve the minutes of August 8, 2013 and August 22, 2013.

Jacob seconded the motion. Curt noted a spelling error which was corrected. MOTION carried

unanimously. All prior minutes now on file with Town Clerk and tapes from LCATV purchased.

3. OTHER BUSINESS

 In accordance with new procedure the LCATV tapes will serve as record of the meeting unless a

formal action is taken.

November 12 2013 the governance Committee will meet with the Select Baord to provide an update

on our progress to date. Items to cover:

Major and Minor issues for charter change.............................................Pamela Laurence-Dimson

Activity to date.........................................................................................Pam Loranger

Approach moving forward.......................................................................David Usher

Members biographies............................................................................... Bud Meyers

Progress Report.........................................................................................Curt Taylor

Add the Select Board members responses to "Key questions for Experts" as an appendix

David Usher invite the Fire Chiefs/Water Districts to the 2nd meeting in October, October 24, 2013

Mickey Palmer to meet with Larry Waters

New Economic Development Director, Kathi Walker O'Reilly, to be invited at a later date

4. ADJOURNMENT

Having no further business to conduct Jacob moved to adjourn. Pamela seconded the motion

Unanimous consent. Meeting adjourned at 9:07 PM

Respectfully submitted,

______________________________________

Pam Loranger Secretary

October 24, 2013

Minutes of 10/10

MINUTES OF COLCHESTER GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

COLCHESTER POLICE STATION CONFERENCE ROOM

Present: Jacob Hemmerick, Pam Loranger, Bud Meyers, Mickey Palmer Curt Taylor,

Absent: Pamela Laurenc-Dimson, David Usher

Note : for the purposes of clarity Pam Loranger will be identified as Pam and Pamela Laurence-
Dimson will be identified as Pamela

Pam, as Secretary, opened the meeting in David's absence. She thanked David for serving as Chair

since May. Pam nominated Jacob Hemmerick for Chair. MOTION seconded by Mickey Palmer.

Approved UNANIMOUSLY, Pam voted Daid's proxy, with Jacob abstaining.

1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

The Agenda was approved without discussion

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Jacob made a MOTION to approve the Dawn Francis' notes and Curt Taylor's contribution

as the minutes of the meeting September 24, 2013. LCATV was not present at the meeting. Pam

seconded the motion with spelling corrections. MOTION carried unanimously.

3. OTHER BUSINESS

 In accordance with new procedure the LCATV tapes will serve as record of the meeting unless a

formal action is taken. The committee entered into discussion on how to proceed and prepare for an

upcoming meeting scheduled for November 12, 2013 with the Select Board.

4. ADJOURNMENT

Having no further business to conduct, Pam moved to adjourn. Jacob seconded the motion

Unanimous consent. Meeting adjourned at 8:49PM.

Respectfully submitted,

______________________________________

Pam Loranger Secretary

October 24, 2013

Minutes of 10/24

MINUTES OF COLCHESTER GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

COLCHESTER POLICE STATION CONFERENCE ROOM

Present: Jacob Hemmerick, Pamela Laurence-Dimson, Pam Loranger, Mickey Palmer , David

Absent: Bud Meyers

Note : for the purposes of clarity Pam Loranger will be identified as Pam and Pamela Laurence-
Dimson will be identified as Pamela

Jacob Hemmerick called the meeting to order at 7PM

1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

The Agenda was approved without discussion

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Pam Loranger MOVED to approve the MINUTES of September 12, and October 10,2013

 Mickey Palmer SECONDED the MOTION.

 MOTION approved UNANIMOUSLY

3. PUBLIC COMMENT

 David Cohen of 21 North Beach Road commented on installation of water service for his

4. OTHER BUSINESS

 In accordance with new procedure the LCATV tapes will serve as record of the meeting unless a

formal action is taken.

 The Committee entertained comments from the 6 Fire and Water Districts who serve the Town.

Fire District #1 represented by Father Joseph McLaughlin and Jerry Flanagan

Fire District #2 represented by Dick Desautels and Jack McSweeney (Water) and David

 Fire Chief David Scibek

Fire District #3 represented by Jay Reidinger and Joyce Sweeney

 Fire Chief Michael Chmielewski

Champlain Water District represented by Jim Fay and John Tomeci

4. ADJOURNMENT

Having no further business to conduct, Pam moved to adjourn. Jacob seconded the motion

Unanimous consent. Meeting adjourned at 9:01PM.

Respectfully submitted,

______________________________________

Pam Loranger Secretary

Minutes of 11/14

MINUTES OF COLCHESTER GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

COLCHESTER POLICE STATION CONFERENCE ROOM

November 14, 2013 @ 7:00 p.m.

Present: Jacob Hemmerick, Pamela Laurence-Dimson, Pam Loranger, Bud Meyers, Mickey

Absent: David Usher

Note : for the purposes of clarity Pam Loranger will be identified as Pam and Pamela Laurence-
Dimson will be identified as Pamela

Jacob Hemmerick called the meeting to order at 7PM

1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

The Agenda was approved without discussion

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Pam Loranger MOVED to approve the minutes of October 24, 2013.

 Mickey Palmer SECONDED the MOTION.

 MOTION approved UNANIMOUSLY

3. PUBLIC COMMENT

4. OTHER BUSINESS

 In accordance with new procedure the LCATV tapes will serve as record of the meeting unless a

formal action is taken.

5. ACTION ITEM

After discussion regarding appellation of Colchester to remain TOWN as opposed to City, Pamela

MOVED the Town of Colchester remain as TOWN. Mickey SECONDED. MOTION approved

unanimously.

4. ADJOURNMENT

Having no further business to conduct, Pam MOVED to adjourn. Pamela SECONDED the

MOTION UNANIMOUS consent. Meeting adjourned at 9:01PM.

Respectfully submitted,

______________________________________

Pam Loranger Secretary

November 21, 2013

July 25th Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF COLCHESTER GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

COLCHESTER POLICE STATION CONFERENCE ROOM

835 BLAKELY ROAD
COLCHESTER, VT

July 25, 2013 @ 7:00 p.m.

Present: Pamela Laurence-Dimson, Jacob Hemmerick, Pam Loranger, Bud Myers, Mickey Palmer  David Usher

Note : for the purposes of clarity Pam Loranger will be identified as Pam and Pamela Laurence-Dimson will be identified as Pamela

Absent; Curt Taylor

Guests:  Stephen Wirls , Poltitical Science Professor Rhodes College, Memphis  Tennessee

1. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

            The Agenda was approved without discussion

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

            Bud made a MOTION  to approve the minutes of June 27, 2013 and July 11, 2013.  Jacob seconded the motion.  MOTION carried unanimously.

3.  OTHER BUSINESS

     In accordance with new procedure the LCATV tapes will serve as record of the meeting unless a formal action is taken. 

Steve Wirls offered observations on Governance and Charter Changes.

4.  ADJOURNMENT

Having no further business to conduct Jacob moved to adjourn.  Pamela  seconded the motion

Unanimous consent.  Meeting adjourned at 9:12 PM

Respectfully  submitted,

______________________________________

Pam Loranger Secretary