Annual Meeting September 13, 2014
The meeting was called to order at 10:15 AM at the Ocean Shores Lion’s Club Building, 832 Ocean Shores Blvd. NW, by President Lee Schuster.
Current Board Members present were Lee Schuster, Al Gamble, Max Everett, Grant Shaffer, John Buff, Bill Seaton, Gene Gratzer, and Lois Schuster, Secretary-Treasurer. Board Member Bob Rhoades was absent due to family matters. The meeting was started with the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Lee Schuster advised that the order of business would be reversed, with guest presentations coming first due to special needs of some of the presenters to leave for other engagements. The business meeting would come after all presentations.
President Lee Schuster then introduced invited guests - Mayor Dingler; Angelo Bruscas, Editor of Northcoast News; (introduced upon his arrival) Doug Dorling, Northwest Eco-Systems; Fish and Wildlife biologists Steve Caromile, Ken Behen, and Curt Holt (recognized after arrival by Caromile); and Tom Kimsey, Advisory Board President. Guest who were invited to attend, but could not, were identified as Steve Franks, Satsop Springs hatchery; and Lee Bunnell, Coastal Bass Club.
President Schuster also introduced the Board Members as follows: Max Everett, Position 1 – Provider of Cookies; Gene Gratzer, Position 2 – Canal Park Project Manager; Lee Schuster, Position 3; Lois Schuster, Position 4 – Secretary-Treasurer; Bob Rhoades, Position 5 – Historian; Grant Shaffer, Position 6 – Boat Project Manager; Bill Seaton, Position 7 – Water Sampling Project Manager; John Buff, Position 8- Fishery Project Manager; Al Gamble, Position 9 – Retiring.
Lee then opened the public meeting at 10:25 AM
Doug Dorling, Head Aquatic Biologist, Northwest Aquatic Eco-Systems, presented maps and other information regarding the system and method he is using with his current survey of aquatic weeds. He explained that the system and method is far superior to past systems and will facilitate detailed tracking of aquatic weed populations over time. That is, with the new method and equipment it will be possible to measure the effect of treatment and control.
Steve Caromile, Fish Biologist, Warm Water Program, and Kenny Behen, Fish Biologist, State Department of Fish & Wildlife, presented information with regard to their survey of fish found in Duck Lake. A report of their findings will be available following their follow-up sampling in a few weeks. In summary, their data shows a severe increase in the Perch population, and decreases in the Largemouth, Bluegill, and Black Crappie populations. Fish of most species are of smaller size than what was found in prior surveys, and smaller generally than what is considered average for a given age.
Tom Kimsey and Ernie Nelson presented information regarding the work of the Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways Advisory Board. Their presentation covered the fundraising activities ‘Name the Canal’, and waterfront address signs. Information was also provided regarding removal of trees, aquatic weeds, and the possibility of muck removal. Their presentation marked the end of the public meeting
At the conclusion of the public meeting, Lee opened the Business Meeting of the Ocean Shores Fresh Waterways Corporation (OSFWC). Guests and attendees were invited to stay for the meeting. President Schuster presented Minutes of Annual Meeting held September 14, 2013. After discussion, Bob Howe moved to approve the Minutes, and Tom Kimzey seconded the motion. A vote to accept the Minutes was unanimous.
Treasurer Lois Schuster reported that the balance of the OSFWC checking account is $2,659.77, and there are no outstanding bills.
Lee reported that there were two open problems identified at the 2013 meeting that had been solved:
1) There was a need to find storage for boxes of old files of the OSFWC. Grant Shaffer worked with the North Beach Singers who agreed to allow OSFWC to store the boxes of files in their storage space. Grant Shaffer will have access to the files any time they are needed.
2) Mayor Dingler has agreed that the OSFWC could store two workboats in the City’s Public Works yard. Access to the boats must be during the hours of business of the Public Works facility.
New Business – Election of Officers --- Position No. 4, Secretary-Treasurer, was vacated by Al Lizakowski because he is a Snow Bird and spends the winter down south. That position was filled by Lois Schuster in November, 2013 and was approved by the Board of Directors. The appointment must be approved by the general membership. A vote was taken and the appointment was approved unanimously. Position No. 7 was up for re-election. Bill Seaton wished to retain his seat on the Board. Position No. 8 was up for re-election. John Buff wished to retain his seat on the Board. Position No. 9 – Al Gamble wished to retire after 16 years of service on the Board. Dan Bricker had agreed to be a candidate to fill that position. (To accommodate Al’s need to serve at the PAWS facility, Lee had earlier recognized Al for his service which included stints as Secretary, President, Project Manager for the Grass Carp Plant, etc. He received a rousing round of applause as he left for the PAWS facility.) Lee asked if anyone wished to self-nominate or nominate someone else for any of these three positions? Hearing no other nominations, President Schuster called for a voice vote to accept Bill Seaton, John Buff and Dan Bricker for these positions. The vote was unanimous.
There being no further business to come before the Board, Lois Schuster moved to close the meeting, and Max Everett seconded the motion. The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 PM.
Folks who participated in the Name The Canal auctions are seeing the outcome of their bids!
The first of its kind. Ever.
