San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance
Annual
Meeting, Minutes
02/12/2017,
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, City Park Rec Hall, San Marcos, TX
WELCOMING
COMMENTS FROM VP BILL ADAMS:
The
meeting was called to order at approximately 3:40 pm by Vice - President Bill
Adams. He introduced the board members
who were present (Mark Taylor, Sherwood Bishop, Phillip Quast, Anna Huff, Lance Jones and
Paul Murray). Bill also thanked the
Bluebonnet Lions for providing the food and beverages. He introduced various VIPs in
attendance: Mayor John Thomaides;
Council Members Jane Hughson, Lisa Prewitt and Ed Mihalkanin; PARD Board
Members Paul Murray, Bridgett Phillips and Mary Seaborne; Edwards Aquifer
Authority Board Member Pat Stroka; and Urban Forester Kelly Eby. Later in the meeting HCP Manager Melani
Howard and Keep San Marcos Beautiful Manager Amy Kirwin were also
introduced. The ongoing and supportive
work of the San Marcos River Foundation was also acknowledged.
Bill
invited everyone to eat and drink and to take a look at the posters around the
room which provided information about our budget, accomplishments, mission,
bylaws, etc.
GUEST
SPEAKER:
 | |
| Brandon Ross spoke to SMGA members |
Mark
Taylor introduced our special guest speaker Brandon Ross who works for the City
of San Antonio Parks Department. Mr.
Ross is in charge of planning and developing a linear creek-side trail system
that is currently 63 miles long and which has 45 additional miles in the
planning stage. The trail system is
funded through a special 1/8th cent sales tax which is authorized
and re-authorized by the voters from time to time. The program has been very successful and
popluar. Our membership had many
interesting questions for Mr. Ross. For
additional excellent information about similar programs, Mr. Ross recommended
the AmericanTrails.org website.
BUSINESS
MEETING
Mark
Taylor convened the business portion of our meeting at 4:35 pm. First he introduced Sherwood Bishop who
provided a financial report which indicated that our revenues in 2016 were
higher than our expenditures and that the finances of the organization were
sound.
Mark
gave a quick run-down of our accomplishments for the year of which the
Greenways and Trails Masterplan work was a highlight. Mark also told of a very generous donation to
SMGA made by David and Lane Jones in memory of Victor Ortiz. Mark introduced
the Ortiz family who were in attendance.
Mark also reported the wonderful volunteer-led walks going on in our
greenbelts and the hard work done by the volunteer trail crew.
 |
| Dick McBride (l.) is recognized as the Volunteer of the Year |
BYLAWS
CHANGES:
Mark
outlined two proposed bylaws changes and their justifications. The first expanded the size of the board from
9 to 11 members and clarified that the officers are elected by the board
members. Jane Hughson moved approval, Charlie O’Neil seconded, and it was
approved unanimously. The second bylaws
change involved clarifying meeting, agenda, and voting requirements for the
board. Amy Kirwin moved approval, Betsy
Robertson seconded, and these changes were approved unanimously.
ELECTION
OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS:
Mark
acknowledged the work of outgoing board members Bill Adams, Charlotte Wattigny
and Melissa Nicewarner Daly. Bill and
Mark served as a nominating committee for new board members. Bill introduced the following slate of new
board nominees: Anna Huff (returning for
a full term), Diane Phalen, Scott Henize, Toby Hooper, and Susan Hansen. Diane Wassenich moved approval of the entire
slate, Amy Kirwin seconded, and all nominees were approved by a unanimous vote
of the members.
 | |
| Anna Huff presented the Walking Stick to Bob Holder |
THE
WALKING STICK AWARD:
Outreach
Committee member Anna Huff presented this year’s Walking Stick award to Bob
Holder for his leadership of the San Marcos Area Trail Walkers group which now
numbers over 500 members.
VOLUNTEER
OF THE YEAR AWARD:
Outreach
committee chairman Lance Jones presented the Volunteer of the Year award to Dick
Mcbride who has thrown himself into trail work and many other volunteer
activities during the 8 years that he has been in San Marcos.
CALL
TO ACTION:
Mark
alerted members to the very important Greenways and Trails Masterplan which
will be adopted by the city this year. Please get involved in the public input
portions of this important plan. Also SMGA has many opportunities for volunteer
involvement – trail work, outreach, fundraising, etc. Please get involved, follow us on Facebook,
etc.
ADJOURNMENT:
 |
| Bluebonnet Lions once again provided the refreshments |
The
meeting was adjourned at 5:03 pm so that everyone could socialize and enjoy the
good food and drinks provided by the Bluebonnet Lions.
(Text: Stephanie Langenkamp, Photos: Anna Huff and Dyhanara Rios)
