Meeting Minutes

 
Date: January 23, 2022
Location:Lions Hall Algonac

Officers
President                Randy Kling                                          Present
Vice-President        Kody Orbzut                                       Present
Treasurer                 Craig Woodhouse                              Absent
Rec Sec                   open                                                    Absent                
Mem Sec                 Tim Sittaro                                         Present                                                                                                                  DNR                        John Darling                                        Present
CWAC                     Ken Martin                                           Present
Merch coordinator   Sharon Shippell                               Present

Past Meeting minutes read and approved
Treasurer's Report: Read by Randy Kling  The club is in good financial shape   Read and accepted         
Membership Secretary Report: Read by Tim Sittaro – Report accepted
Merchandise Coordinator Report-Sharron Shippell-reviewed use of DNR facility, have to wait to see what they say about using the building again.                                       
C.W.A.C. Report: Read by Ken Martin – Ken reviewed CWAC meeting- passed out printed minutes. Discussion on starting dates and Goose season. Starting Oct15 this year in zone 3. Copy of minutes available upon request. 
 D.N.R. Report: Terry said looking at projects in the future that increase access and wildlife value, jointly with the various clubs. John introduced Kaitlyn Wilson, new biologist for our area. John reviewed last season, Draft copy of report available for all. Good seasons, hunter trips, total harvest, and ducks/hunter trips all were up from the past.  Best zone was 17 this year. Marsh hunting remained excellent this year.  GWTeal, Shoveler, and Ring Neck harvest was all up this year. Corn prices are good, and had a good crop this year. Corn mostly done,  has about 40% more to go. Weather affected the buckwheat this year. Poor crop, was unable to harvest any, will have to buy seed this year. 
Requesting $15,000 to buy buckwheat seed this year.  Voted and approved
Requested up to $40,000 for fertilizer expenses, cost more than doubled this year, hoping it will go down some.  Motioned, voted and approved after much discussion. 
For information; ST Johns pump will be replaced, and funds available for most of it.  Asking for $5-10,000 from St Clair Flats, HIWHA can not spend money at ST. John’s
MIddle Channel parking lot, added gravel and looking at light installation as soon as property gets transferred to wildlife from parks division. Should have been done but error on DNR needs to be fixed. 
Audubon is funding a project in the east marsh to create holes in the cattails. Should create more open areas. May use company for some work at St Johns.
Permit for East Marsh pump project was denied, told to resubmit this year. Should be approved.  We already approved $10,000 for project, Added another $5,000, (Motion and approved) for $15,000 total.

Old Business:  Wind gauge-deferred to a later date. Fertilizer wagon-deferred to next year due to increase of fertilizer cost. 
New Business: Goose fence purchased by St Clair Flats, will decide at April meeting a date to install. Vote on change of by-laws regarding where assets go if club dissolves will be taken care of at April meeting. Forgot to put on agenda for January. 
Meeting adjourned 12:28 pm 
Next meeting April 10, 2022