Antrim Creek Natural Area
Robert McLeod, Chairman
Gale Murphy		Mary Kay McDuffie		Gary Strange	Carl Veenstra
December 1, 2003
Minutes
Banks Township Hall
ACNA Commission Members Present:			Robert McLeod, Gale Murphy, Carl Veenstra and Mary Kay McDuffie
Members Absent:			Gary Strange
Staff Present:			Howard Yamaguchi, Associate Planner
Others Present:			Jacob Veenstra
1. Call to Order
	The Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Robert McLeod.
2. Approval of Minutes
	Motion by Mary Kay McDuffie, supported by Gale Murphy, to approve the minutes of the July 28, 2003, meeting. Motion carried – unanimous.
3. Wildlife Habitat Project
	Carl Veenstra informed the ACNA Commission that Ellsworth High School is very interested in participating, but will not be able to start immediately. They are currently setting up an environmental curriculum. Carl may start something on his own this year.
4. Bridge and Boardwalk
	Howard updated the Commission with information from Traver Wood. Traver has finally been contacted by Robert T Cole Inc., and a site foreman will be visiting the site “soon.” No information on when repairs will take place, or who will pay, is yet available.
5. Police Patrol
	Howard noted that the Sheriff’s Department was not able to find any record of complaints about golf carts on the beach. They did, however, have records of a deputy responding to complaints about golf carts on the public road outside ACNA.
	Howard also informed the Commission that the matter of enforcement of the dog ordinance at ACNA has been referred to the County Prosecutor. Bob McLeod noted that he will also discuss this with the prosecutor at the next Administration Committee meeting.
6. Threatened Plant Species
	Howard explained that the professors at Oral Roberts University and University of Wisconsin who teach at Au Sable during the summers have the Pitcher Thistle recovery document. We have yet to hear from them about summer plans for their students. Howard continues to contact them.
7. Information Arbor and Display
	The Committee viewed the draft map of the display. Howard explained that the final version would include some translations of Native American names, as well as an explanation of the items shown in the map legend. The Coordinator/Planner office will receive a cost estimate for the mounting frame tomorrow. The map will be mounted using tamper-proof screws. Pete Garwood expects the total cost, including Fen’s Rim cost, to come in just under the grant amount.
8. Grant Follow-up
	Bob McLeod directed Howard Yamaguchi to instruct the Antrim Conservation District to pursue grant opportunities for the educational displays.
9. Next Meeting Date
	The next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on March 1, 2004, at the Ellsworth Township Hall.
10. Communications and Member Comment
	Carl Veenstra noted that the recent high winds have blown a lot of tree branches and such across most of the trails at ACNA. Much cleanup work is required immediately. The Conservation District may be asked if they could provide some assistance here. Carl was asked to call Howard’s office with information what the priority needs may be.
	Mary Kay McDuffie informed the Commission that a graduate student may be available to do further archeological work for her degree at ACNA, at the oldest site. Carl Veenstra discussed his conversations with a person who is an acquaintance of the owner of the old school house. The school house, if available, could be a base for the archeological studies.
Meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
	Next meeting of the ACNA Commission will be on March 1, 2004, at 7:00 p.m., Banks Township Hall, Ellsworth