March 8, 2009

Sustainable Skagway Minutes, 2/8/9
Present: Anna Marchant, Charlotte Jewell, Jeff Boudreau, Alecia Wendlandt, Elaine Furbish, Shelby Surdyk, Julene Fairbanks, Barbara Dedman, Emily Willis and Yonder Blue, Nola Lamken (minute-taker).
Nola gave the minutes in abbreviated form, and Anna stated the agenda.
Elaine clarified an item in the minutes, saying residential power generation is possible through AP&T, but the value is nil when they’re on hydro. She also discussed the Haines Energy Fair. She heard that the efficiency of outdoor LED lights goes UP as the temperature goes DOWN. Charlotte had heard that the ballasts for fluorescent lighting cost $80, but their light sensitivity saves more than that as they dim accordingly. The group asked Elaine to call Stephanie Scott in regards to community, residential, and business lighting possibilities for Skagway. Elaine and Shelby will coordinate on a table for Spring Stroll.
Alecia presented a forum project she wanted to present separate from her work role. The group agreed Sustainable Skagway will sponsor a recycling forum at 7 PM, March 27, with Alecia and Mike Korsmo, to follow the fundraiser at the Elks Hall. There, they hope to inform and coordinate all who are working on the subject.
Anna presented some possible logos, and the group selected one with three green horizontal lines representing sustainable energy, environment, and economy in Skagway (SEEES). Alecia will ask Courtney Clifford to computerize the graphic. Its first use will be put on the forum poster.
Charlotte will invite Stephanie Scott to come to Skagway from Haines and present energy ideas. April 5 was suggested, with leeway for Ms. Scott’s and ferry schedules.
Jeff Boudreau met with Anna during the week. He showed the work he has done on his computer toward creating a web site, which will be located at www.sustainableskagway.org. The webmaster can be contacted with dates and news at sustainableskagway@hotmail.com. He showed work on a graphic representation for a strategic plan covering all aspects locally relevant, a link to the blog site, and long-term objectives, such as small capacity grants. Alecia mentioned unrestricted grants of $5000 can be obtained through the Rasmussen Foundation and others. There was consensual acceptance, and appreciation was expressed, with agreement to examine this information and come up with a Mission Statement. Anna made copies for everybody.
Charlotte will be attending a sustainable agriculture meeting in Fairbanks. Charlotte will accept some compostables at Jewell Gardens, but contributors must contact her first. Charlotte wrote and will send a letter to Ed Fairbanks and the Fairway Market crew. The group agreed she send it to Skagway News and sign it “Sustainable Skagway.” It will be the first letter using the new logo as letterhead.
Julene’s draft brochure was passed around and comments added. There was general appreciation and approval.
It was agreed that a facilitator/administrator position will be set up on a monthly rotation. This person will welcome new people at each meeting, review the agenda and ask for additions, see that the agenda is followed, introduce guests, appoint someone to take minutes, and follow through with program plans. The person who takes the minutes will post them to the blog site and make a hard copy for the library records. The meetings in April may go to every other week.
Next week, Alecia will present the Watershed Council’s work.
In two weeks, Charlotte and Emily will give a report on sustainable agriculture.