Sierra Club, Atlantic Chapter, Niagara Group
Minutes of Monthly Meeting of the Executive Committee
December 20, 2004

Jane Jontz, Chairperson, Presiding- called to Order at 7:00 pm
Location, Williamsville United Methodist Church

Attendees
Steve Burns, Larry Beahan, Megan McMorrow, Joe Gardella, Paul Maine, Jane Jontz, Genevieve Robins, Mike Stroh, Charles Lamb, Richard Lippes, Jane Sheldon

Business Reports

1. Secretary
S. Burns recording minutes.

2. Treasurer Report:
S. Burns reported the Sierra Club balance of $549.07 and the Sierra Club Foundation balance of $8470.94. National strategy to promote local use of Foundation funds was more evident in the split of the national dues subvention. The "top 10" uses of Foundation funds across the Club was to be determined for consideration of local options.

3. Membership Report:
G. Robins reported that the November month end membership count was 2455.

4. Election of Officers:
Group election results: All ExCom candidates (Larry Beahan, Robert Ciesielski, Liz Kaszubski, Art Klein, Paul Maine, Genevieve Robins, Ginger Ursitti) were to be considered elected in light of continuing ExCom member Jim Hufnagel's departure from the Group.

- Chairperson: Jane Jontz

- Vice Chair: Art Klein

- Treasurer: Steve Burns

- Secretary: Tabled

- Outings: Mike Stroh would report to the next meeting re: Outings Chair training requirements

5. Hickory Woods:
Joe Gardella reported that there was no evident progress in the efforts to resolve the homeowners concerns. Three options seemed possible: Pay the residents to move; pay the residents for their loss of equity; remediate the contamination. There is an apparent discrepancy between DEC and the city regarding the potential scope of the city's options for clean up. Following discussion a motion was made and seconded to authorize Joe Gardella to compose a letter to Mayor Masiello urging that he renew his commitment to resolving the problem by appointing new staff to pursue a resolution, to be sent over the Chairperson's signature. The motion was approved with Richard Lippes abstaining.

6. Niagara Power Relicensing:
Larry Beahan summarized the status of the relicensing process. He had conveyed the Group's formal support for the Niagara Relicensing Environmental Coalition (NREC) platform pursuant to his prior distribution of the platform and survey of the ExCom via the listserv. Larry was authorized to invite FBNR Executive Director Julie O'Neill to attend the January meeting to discuss ways for the Group to support the NREC's Niagara Greenway Campaign.

7. Trailblazer:
Charles Lamb reported that the January Trailblazer was at the printer.

8. Toxics:
Joe Gardella (or was it Richard?) reported that Joe had been recommended for Chairperson of the Atlantic Chapter Toxics Committee. The recommendation was to be reviewed for action by the Chapter ExCom at its January meeting.
Joe reported that a very positive direction had emerged, due substantially to effective neighborhood grass roots efforts, in the prospects for Superfund clean up of the 858 East Ferry site.
Charles Lamb summarized his concerns about the apparent intention of Governor Pataki to side step any direct involvement in the CWM issue.

9. Blake Reeves Award:
A motion was made, seconded and approved to recognize Julie O'Neill with the second annual Blake Reeves award. Jane Jontz is to coordinate purchase of the award with Ginger Ursitti, who handled the purchase last year. Details were to be determined as to whether the award would be presented during Julie's visit at the January meeting (above) or at the February dinner.

10. Strategic Planning Meeting:
Jane Jontz reported that plans are holding for the session, with the Friday night potluck portion to convene at her home on April 15, followed by the Saturday session (April 16) at Stella Niagara.

11. Buffalo Municipal "Green Purchasing" Resolution:
Joe Gardella reported that he was scheduled to speak on behalf of the "Green Purchasing" resolution at the Buffalo City Council meeting on December 21.

12. Next Meeting and Adjournment:
The January meeting would return to the normal, fourth-Tuesday schedule. The meeting adjourned close enough to 9:00 PM.