MINUTES

March 15, 2004

WELCOME: The White River Watchers would like to welcome Mayor Kevin Smith, Mamie Smith and John Humes (Anderson Builders Association).

Minutes:  A motion was made, seconded and carried to approve the minutes for Feb. 16, 2004

Treasurer’s Report:  As of the end of Feb., 2004 there was $9,879.81 in the account.  A motion was made, seconded and carried to accept the treasurer’s report.

June Clean Up:  Location Options

      Adopt -A- River section

      Raible Ave. to John’s place

      Dalevile to Wallbridge

      Mounds Park to Edgewater

      Between Duck Creek and Anderson

      John’s place to Perkinsville

      Daleville to Wallbridge to Mounds Park

      Mounds Park to Scatterfield

      Edgewater to Raible Ave. (Frische’s) to John’s place

We should have access to the Price property by June.  The river is generally higher in June.  Need Arial photographs.  Arial photographs are available on line at Indiana GIS initiative.

Moss Island Update:  The contractor is done picking up and removing debris.  The portion of the #2 bus of the interurban will be taken to the railroad museum in Noblesville.  Dirt has been brought in, the area will be reseeded and new trees will be planted.  We will need volunteers to plant the trees.  A 1700 ft. guard rail will be installed to prevent further illegal dumping.  For now there is a temporary line of tree stumps.  Perhaps there will be a press conference possibly in mid-summer.

White River Advisory Council Update:  More conservation easements are being negotiated.

Education Update:

      There were 18 teachers present for the Project Wet workshop at Tanglewood.  The teachers enjoyed the hands-on learning experience. 

      There was not a large turn-out at the Wilson’s Boys’ and Girls’ Club. 

      The board members need to further their educational experiences.

      Water monitoring needs to increase.

      Jodi Heaston agreed to do a macro invertebrate workshop.  There would be 2 hours in the classroom and two hours in the river.  It will be open to all.  This could be scheduled in mid-summer.

There was a motion made to cover the teachers’ meals at Tanglewood with the money not spent on materials.  After much debate a motion was passed to spend $160 for the meals.  There were 8 affirmative and 2 negative votes. A second motion was made to amend the first motion.  The second motion was seconded and after much debate the first motion was amended to spend only $100 of the unused money with the City of Anderson water utility paying the rest.  There were 7 affirmative votes and 4 negative votes to amend the first motion.

John Hume of the Anderson Builder’s Association gave a history of his organization.  The organization wants to attract more remodelers and is not just comprised of home builders.  The organization wants to increase their involvement in the community and invited the White River Watcher to their next meeting at the Edgewood Country Club. 

Honorable Mayor Kevin Smith spoke of plans for the future of Anderson.  He is looking forward to a joint effort and a new level of cooperation from the city on environmental and economic issues.  He encourages a closer relationship between the White River Watchers and the Parks Board through Dick Bevelhimer who is the head of the Parks board. 

The Mayor is looking to renew interest in the trails system.  There are two options, extend the trails eastward or extend the trails westward.  Eastward would take the trails through the Vulcan property, for which there are no plans, and on to Mounds Park.  Westward would include a greater population of possible users and would open the possibility of connecting with the Indiana State White river system.  Westward development also includes the Delaware dump.  The city is trying to find funding for an exploration study to determine the extent of contamination.  There will be a Phase I clean-up of the Prime battery Co. site.  The goal is to remove the building and open up the corridor to the east. 

There was an old corridor study done 20yrs ago under the tom McMahon administration.  This study looked at linking the river trails downtown and would include a boardwalk and wetlands.  The system was never finished.  There is no path or bridge to cross the river.  The city bought an old iron bridge which needs a support system.

The levy system in Park Place has not been replaced due to the $3 million price tag.  Perhaps the levy system could be changed and taken into Athletic Park and new wetlands created.  An expansion of the Anderson University could be incorporated.

The city is working toward cost effective solutions to the CSOs.  Connie Smith (648-6004) is the public relations person to assist with communications between the Mayor’s office and the White River Watchers.  She will help assist coordination of activities. 

An over-all goal is to reestablish more natural habitat and create a favorable identity for Anderson.