Wicomico Neighborhood Congress

GENERAL MEETING
March 23, 2010
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore Office
East Park Professional Center Building, Suite # 401
East Park Drive off Belmont Avenue, Salisbury, MD

WNC OFFICERS
Chair Cindy Pilchard
Vice Chair Mike Pretl
Secretary Mary Jane Marine
Treasurer Lena Wallop

WNC COMMITTEES: (1) Community Concerns - Joe Austin, Dot Truitt, John Bonas Dexter Lunsford & Richard Widdowson; (2) Convention and Forums - Jim Ireton & Lena Wallop; (3) Recruitment and Membership - Chairman Cindy Pilchard & Vice Chair Mike Pretl; and, (4) Website - Kurt Drechsler and Terry Potterton.

I. PRESENT: John Bonas (Meadowbrook), Kurt Drechsler (Harbor Pointe), Janice Hughes (Delmar), Dexter G. Lunsford (Sleepy Hollow), Mary Jane Marine (Sharptown), Cindy Pilchard ( Schumaker Woods), Terry Potterton (Wolfe Creek), Mike Pretl (Riverton) and Lena Wallop (West Side). ________________________________________________________________________

II. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Cindy Pilchard called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM.
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III. MINUTES: By motion Mike Pretl seconded by Kurt Drechsler and carried, the minutes of February 23, 2010 were approved as distributed. ________________________________________________________________________

IV. TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer Lena Wallop reported a check book balance of $807.32. She said that $55.00 has been received today for dues bringing the total to $862.32. She expects to write a $190.00 check as the filing fees for 501 (c) 3 papers subject to the by-laws being approved under New Business this evening.
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V. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
1. Report/Update - Community Concerns Committee (Austin, Truitt, Bonas, Lunsford & Widdowson). John Bonas and Dexter Lunsford reported there had been a mix-up concerning the meeting date and a new date will be scheduled in the near future

2. Web-site Update - Terry Potterton and Kurt Drechsler said they have been in contact with Donna Rush. All minutes have been posted on the website. They are trying to arrange PAC 14 videos of various WNC events to be shown on the website. This could involve a fee for Donna to convert the format. It was agreed by those present that if the fee were minimal the Chairman and Treasurer could handle the matter and if the cost were excessive they would seek the Board's approval for the expense. Additional photos are needed for the website. Please email them to Kurt Drechsler at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

3. 1ST Annual WNC Dinner and presentation @ SU. It was decided that this would be tabled for discussion at a later date.

4. Smart Growth Day at SU: It was noted that Chairman Pilchard and Vice Chair Pretl will take part in this seminar. No specifics concerning topics have been decided at this time.

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VI. NEW BUSINESS:

1. Follow-up meeting HOA Workshop - Vice Chair Pretl said that 75 persons attended the workshop. Kurt Drechsler led the discussion. It was beneficial to share ideas. Three or four similar workshops a year would be adequate.

Vice Chair Pretl reported that it might be a good idea to consider having Attorney Nicole Green on retainer for as many HOA that would like to participate as it would be cost effective for her to represent several associations at one time having the same issues.

The group then discussed the same principal of cost effectiveness with HOA joining together to collective hire an account, insurance agent, landscaper, security company and perhaps electricity sales.

It was suggested WNC could hold a workshop on such services and invite vendors to participate. It was also suggested that a vendor might want to advertise on the WNC website with the fee going to Donna Rush with a possible commission for the WNC as a means to raise money.

2. Metro Core Community Watch Meeting - Chairman Pilchard reported that there were 25 persons at the meeting not including Sheriff Lewis, Deputy Tim Robinson and Officer Webb. Ten additional groups had signed up to participate and three more groups were pending.

It was noted that with the crime situation in our area it would have been nice to have had more persons attending the workshop including local government officials.

3. Nominating Committee - Chairman Pilchard and Vice Chairman Pretl will have a slate of officers, executive committee and board of directors available in September or October in time for the 1st Annual WNC Dinner.

4. Government Filings: Vice Chairman Pretl explained the background concerning the WNC initial attempt at by-laws and incorporating. He said generally concerns arise when there are issues with controversial matters or substantial amounts of money, neither of which was applicable to the WNC.

Chairman Pilchard had previously emailed draft by-laws prepared by Attorney Mike Pretl to all members of the WNC. The group discussed the proposed by-laws and questioned him specifically about the types of membership, lobbying, prohibiting support of a specific political candidate, taking positions on certain issues, and what would constitute a quorum. It was noted that tax exempt status would allow the WNC to apply for grants and one could be available now through the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore.

By motion of Terry Potterton, seconded by Kurt Drechsler and carried unanimously, the WNC adopted the by-laws as distributed and instructed Vice Chairman Pretl to move forward with the process. He said it would take 3 to 6 months for the WNC to become incorporated and that the by-laws could be changed at anytime.

4. Position on Location of the Library: Chairman Pilchard advised that we have been asked by the Greater Salisbury Committee to take a position on whether or not the proposed new Wicomico County Free Library building should continue to be located downtown Salisbury or built elsewhere farther away from its current location maybe outside the city limits in a more rural setting..

Vice Chairman Pretl read extracts from the Greater Salisbury Committee's position as to why it should remain downtown. Chairman Pilchard read part of a letter concerning Washington County's position on the same matter.

After much discussion of the pros and cons of the issue, with motion by Mike Pretl seconded by Mary Jane Marine to support the location of the new library in the Salisbury down town area, six of those present voted yea, one nay vote was cast and one person abstained. Chairman Pilchard to prepare a letter setting forth the WNC's position as voted accordingly.

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VII. MOVING FORWARD: Vice President Pretl advised that accountant John Stern would be a special guest at our next meeting. Lena Wallop said she has opened a consignment shop "Serenity's Unique Boutique" beside the Town Chef in downtown Salisbury.

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VIII. ADJOURNMENT: By motion of Mary Jane Marine, seconded by Mike Pretl and carried, the general meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM.
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IX. NEXT MEETING: The next general meeting will be held on April 27, 2010 (fourth Tuesday) at the Community Foundation office at 6:30 PM unless notified otherwise.

Secretary,
Mary Jane Marine