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Anne Arundel
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Anne Arundel
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The first AAWRA meeting for year 2007 @ South County Police Headquarters was called to order by President Bob Whitcomb. Attendance: 15 individuals were present. AAWRA first 2007 meeting began with a recap from AAWRA President Bob Whitcomb of last year successes. Active lobbying with both Maryland State and Anne Arundel County seems to have paid off. All of the Waterway funds will be applied to waterway projects. The DPW of Anne Arundel County now actively meets with AAWRA quarterly and gives a report on all waterway projects. There are currently 17 active dredging projects on the AA county list. 4 projects are either completed or will be completed by the February 15th deadline. Added information; new Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold has stated that dredging projects for Anne Arundel County are on his top 5 priorities list. The next 4 years should be good for dredging projects. Vice President, Paul Rickett reported that the political surveys performed by AAWRA gave good insight and again Paul reported that all the campaigning for funds and budgeting appears to really have been the right direction soliciting for dredging projects. Treasurer Jay Phillips reported that currently 16 communities and 2 individuals are active members of AAWRA. All legal AAWRA organization documents are in order and AAWRA is in good standings. Currently, there is more than $2,000 in funds and a big thanks goes to Duvall Creek Environmental Trust for processing donations of $1,500 to AAWRA. Work is continuing on 501c4 status. Web Master Frank Pittelli reported that no new articles have been received to place on the website. There are 3 board positions are up for election at this time, currently held by Vice President Paul Rickett, Board Member and Web Master Frank Pittelli and Secretary Lisa Moore. Lisa filled a 1 year appointment because of resignation of previous secretary. Paul Rickett, Frank Pittelli and Lisa Moore all agreed to be nominated again, and a motion was made and seconded. Discussion or other nominations were asked for. None were made and all three were voted unanimously for re-election to the AAWRA board for full terms written in the by-laws. The dredging projects scheduled for 2008 all are reported on track; Locust, Broadwater and Whitehall. Parrish creek is scheduled but funded by other resources. Once the big creeks are completed it's believed that many more of the smaller projects will be dredged in a season. Even during this active dredging season, engineers are busy trying to get permits for next projects. Permit process is quite cumbersome. With the newly elected politicians taking office the AAWRA contacts for the county remain intact both at DPW and Budget offices. But at the state level the hunt for a new contact is still in the works. The loss of legislative contacts, Joan Cadden and the election of John Leopold to county executive has left a void that AAWRA needs to identify new supporters. Attempts to contact Costa, Astle, DeGrange and Ron George have been or will be made. There may be a hearing called to review permits the County may need to proceed with development of the Town Pointe DMP site. Discussion pursued as to how to help support the County's efforts for this site, which is vital to the entire the dredging program. AAWRA is scheduled to make a presentation to the Anne Arundel Delegation on February 23rd. Miscellaneous notes; Bodkin dredging material had such high quality of sand that it will be used to rebuild Bay Ridge beach that was destroyed during a storm. Parrish creek dredging is going to Idlewild DMP site. Some discussion in reference to obtaining more funding of dredging projects per year. An email will be sent to Bob Gaudette in reference to budget and also to address support for Kent Narrows project. Future meetings, possible having the actual dredging company present, possibly have Billie Penley the county Waterway improvement fund representative. Attending the Annual Meeting were: Bob Whitcomb, Saefern Jay Phillips, DCET Geoff Thomas, Admiral Heights Paul & Gloria Rickett, Broadwater Farms Lisa Moore, Deale Beach Steve Goins, Broadwater Creek Virginia Jones, Podickory Point Mike Geers, Loch Haven Christine Reinert, Poplar Point Mick Stoer, Kirwans Rhonda Harrision, Highpoint Charlie Burke, Harbor View The AAWRA Board of Directors had a short meeting after AAWRA full meeting for electing officers for 2007. A motion was made, seconded, and passed that Bob Whitcomb will serve as President, Paul Rickett as Vice President, Jay Phillips as Treasurer, and Lisa Moore as Secretary. |