•Fiscal Year Change

•2008 Contributors

•Board Meeting Minutes

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Contact Information:

•Phone: 540-674-0166

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•Email: darla113@verizon.net

Fiscal Year Change
We have changed our fiscal year. Up until 2009 our fiscal year has been from July 1 to June 30. Starting in 2009, our fiscal year will be a calendar year. We originally established our fiscal year to be in-sync with Pulaski County's because we work so closely with the County. The fiscal year of July 1 to June 30 makes sense for the County because its business cycle matches one of the county's biggest undertakings, managing the school system.

But for FOCL it didn't always make sense. Our business cycle is centered around a calendar year's water season and those things that take place around the lake during that water season. So in the past our fiscal year split the water season in half and made referring to the clean up budget or clean up performance difficult because we were talking about half of a summer and not the whole water season. Also tracking your contributions---which we greatly appreciate!--was a little more complex...was your contribution made in the first half of 2008 (fiscal year 2008) or the second half of 2008 (fiscal year 2009)?

We have implemented this change by using a short 6 month year for the second half of 2008 and are now going forward with a full calendar year as fiscal year for 2009. We think this will help make more sense in reporting to you about the tasks we undertake to care for Claytor Lake and hope you'll like the change.

And don't forget your membership for 2009...the 2009 water season is upon us!

FRIENDS OF CLAYTOR LAKE • Board Meeting Minutes • March 12, 2009

Present:  Darla Jennings, Ronnie Powers, Jackson Beamer, Bill Cunningham, Larry Moore, Mary Rhoades, John Johnson, Ranny Akers, Carol Brandt, Dean Jackson, John Toothaker, Mike Spraker, Shawn Utt, Pete Huber, Larry Bandolin, Laura Bullard

Carol Brandt, Assist. Professor in the School of Education at VT, introduced herself and expressed her interest in observing how FOCL collects and uses water quality data.  Her interest is in how people are involved by organizations in environmental monitoring.  The Board was receptive to her participation. 

Minutes for February 12, 2009 were approved as written with the addition of Jackson Beamer to list of those present at the meeting.

Organizational Development:  Dean Jackson announced that the next meeting to work on Contributor Appreciation Day is March 20 at 6:30 p.m. at MK’s.  Chris Meade has almost completed the grant application requesting $1500 from the Community Foundation for Appreciation Day.  Chris’ goal for this year is to find more grants for FOCL.  Dave Stevenson announced that the website was recently down due to Pulaski Networks going out of business; the website has been switched to SiteStar, which might result in an increased fee.  FOCL has been invited to have the Ms.Pulaski in Pulaski’s July 4 parade; motion was passed to participate.  FOCL has also been invited to have a booth at Pulaski Co. Chamber’s Business Expo May 14 and 15 at the Bob White Building; cost will be $250.  There was general agreement that it would provide good exposure for FOCL; motion was passed to participate.  Further plans will be made as to Board representation, drawings and give-away items, and the regular Board meeting May 13, which coincides with an opening event of the Expo.

Financial Resources:  Darla requested and received permission to have copies made of safety cards and information booklets in preparation for summer; John Toothaker will email current information booklet to Board members for updating.  Philip Martin will charge $300 for additional financials needed to change to 12/30/08 year end.  Expense report was accepted as written.  General Fund:  $9,461.07.

Environmental Resources:  Draft letter informing stakeholders that AEP is proposing changes as part of relicensure was distributed to the Board.  Ensuing discussion centered on FOCL’s role in conducting a public meeting.  Consensus was that FOCL is not in a position to conduct such a meeting without AEP and FERC participation, and the letter was accepted as written with emails going in advance to Teresa Rogers (AEP) and John Smith (FERC), offering to facilitate a meeting if they would attend.  The letters will be sent to approximately 2300 stakeholders March 23.

Aquatic Resources Restoration:  The Corps is waiting on funding to finalize the Feasibility Study. Pete Huber asked if AEP’s financial assistance with the project could be included as a condition of licensure.  There was uncertainty as to whether that was possible.  A letter to Pulaski Co regarding slope will be the next letter to be prepared by the Committee.

The meeting was adjourned.