Antrim Creek Natural Area
Jerroll Drenth, Chairman
Marion Williams		Jacob Veenstra		Gary Strange	Carl Veenstra
June 12, 2007
Minutes
Antrim Creek Natural Area
ACNA Commission Members Present:			Jerroll Drenth, Jacob Veenstra, Carl Veenstra, Gary Strange, Marion Williams
Members Absent:			None
Staff Present:			Pete Garwood
Others Present:			Steve Jones, Karen Jones, and Betty Hoffmann
1.         Call to Order
	The meeting was called to order by Peter Garwood, Coordinator/Planner at 7:00 p.m.
2.         Public Comment
	None.
3.         Election of Officers
	Mr. Garwood explained that because Bob McLeod had been the chairman since the inception of the Antrim Creek Natural Area Commission but is no longer a member, we currently do not have a chairman.  Mr. Garwood ran the meeting until a chair and vice chair was elected. The following nominations for chair were made: Carl Veenstra was nominated by Gary Strange. Jerroll Drenth was nominated by Jake Veenstra. Jake Veenstra was nominated by Carl Veenstra. Motion by Jacob Veenstra, supported by Marion Williams, to close nominations.  Motion carried – unanimous. Jerroll Drenth received four votes for chair, and Carl Veenstra received one vote.  Jerroll Drenth is the new chair and it was the consensus of the Commission that Carl Veenstra be the vice chair.
4.         Meeting Dates and Times
	Motion by Jerroll Drenth, supported by Carl Veenstra, to have four meetings a year (March, June, August and October), the first Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at the Banks Township Hall.  Motion carried – unanimous. Mr. Drenth took over chairing the meeting.
5.         Review of the March 7, 2007 Minutes
	The minutes of March 7, 2007 were accepted.
6.         Trail Markers
	Mr. Carl Veenstra indicated the new route on the Trillium Ridge Trail (trail on the upper bluff south of the North entrance) has not been marked with a trail marker.  Mr. Garwood will check to see if there are extra trail markers at the County Building and contact Carl Veenstra with the answer.  Mr. Garwood will also talk to the crew at Barnes Park to have them maintain the new route.
7.         Animal Habitat
	Mr. Carl Veenstra informed the Commission that at the last meeting there was discussion about doing vegetation planting under the power lines on the south part of the ACNA property that would attract various wildlife and keep the power company from tearing up the land.  Mr. Garwood reported that seed for a wild flower and other vegetation mix could be purchased through the Antrim Conservation District and that the Conservation District employees would be willing to assist Mr. Veenstra with the planting of the vegetative mix. Motion by Jacob Veenstra, supported by Marion Williams, to purchase the seed and fuel (for machinery) and authorize Carl Veenstra to work with the Conservation District to disc and plant under the power lines at the ACNA for a cost not to exceed $800 (the dollars are in the ACNA budget).   Motion carried – unanimous.
8.         Coastal Management Grant
	Mr. Garwood informed the Committee that he will be meeting with a Coastal Management Grant staff next week at the ACNA to conduct a walk through at the site and answer any questions on the project for which we have applied for grant funding.  We should know if the grant application is successful by August.
9.         Metal Detectors
	Mr. Garwood indicated his office has had inquiries into the use of metal detectors at the ACNA.  Mr. Garwood indicated his office could provide a draft “Metal Detector Use Policy” for the next meeting on August 1, 2007.
10.       ACNA Brochures
	The Coordinator/Planner Office staff will bring copies of the old brochure for the ACNA to the next meeting.
11.       Budget
	The Commission reviewed the 2008 budget request for the Antrim Creek Natural Area and made some revisions.
12.        Member Comment
	None.
Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
The next Antrim Creek Natural Area Commission meeting is scheduled for August 1, 2007, 7:00 p.m. at Banks Township Hall