St Charles County Master Gardeners

St Charles County Master Gardener

 

Steering Committee Meeting Minutes

 

Friday, 8 May 2020

 

Attendees:   Kevin Minard, Jan Carron, Rebekah Davis, Justin Keay, Alex Reichert, Cindy Platzer, Joe Walker, Marsha Brown, Laura Stiemel, Mary Medina

 

Call to Order:  Justin Keay called the meeting to order at 2:04 PM

 

The Steering Committee met via Zoom due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

 

Secretary’s Report:  Rebekah Davis- Steering Committee Meeting Minutes for 17 of April were approved as written.

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Joe Walker- Joe Shared the end of April financial reports with the SC via email.  The Treasurer’s Report showed the net monthly change for April ($-523.37).  End of April 2020 cash in bank was shown.  Unallocated dollars were shown.  Remaining Demo Garden allocation was shown.  Joe noted that most of the Demo Garden Allocation has been frozen, except for a handful of paid expenses that were incurred before the freeze.

 

MU Horticulturalist Specialist:  Justin Keay- Justin reported that the Creek Bank Stabilization Project is on hold as a non-essential project.  The project is still going to happen but the timeline is unknown at the moment.

 

MU County Engagement Specialist:  Alex Reichert-  Alex reported that the Extension Council is not comfortable opening the Extension office building until the number of new COVID-19 cases in the county is on a downward trajectory.  He explained that when they do open, hopefully early June, it will be for the office staff and county specialists ONLY the first four weeks.  Soil samples and other such drop offs will be handled outside the building still.  After the first phase of four weeks, limited access will be allowed however the bathroom facilities will still be unavailable to the Master Gardeners and others.  The Extension Council has decided to cancel all meeting room usage of the building until the beginning of September, pending approval.  As long as the building is closed to the public, so too are the grounds.  Alex explained that there are exceptions like the Master Gardeners maintaining the Demo Gardens, otherwise the property is closed to all events, meetings, tours, and bathroom usage for the foreseeable future.

 

 

Committee Reports-

 

Membership:  No Report

 

Demo Gardens:  Cindy Platzer- Cindy is working with Justin Keay to schedule times for Demo leads to work in their gardens.  The current guidance from Dr. Trinklein is having one person and one buddy or family member working in the Demo Gardens at a time.  The Extension Council is wanting to adhere to this rule until at least 1st June.  

 

Greenhouse:  Cindy Platzer mentioned that shade cloth will need to be applied to the greenhouse at some point in early summer.  Marsha Brown mentioned the west-side furnace fan isn’t functional and will need to be repaired/replaced before opening the greenhouse next year.

 

Plant Sale:  Marsha Brown and Laura Stiemel-  A plant sale can go forward off Extension property after 15 May.  Marsha will be researching locations to host a drive through sale or a possible delivery model.

 

Speakers:  No report

 

Hort Line:  No Report

 

Education:  Justin Keay reported on the first virtual Zoom meeting of the new Education Committee.  About nine others were able to attend this meeting.  Though there isn’t an official leader yet, Waneta Parmenter and Anne Schappe volunteered to work on compiling updated lists of available presentations and presenters. 

 

Mowing Crew:  Justin Keay and Alex Reichert agreed that it would be alright for the mowing crew to be on property at the same time Demo Garden work is being done as needed.  Cindy requested knowing the schedule to keep the Demo leads informed should they not feel comfortable working alone.

 

New Business:  The group discussed possible ways to safely donate fresh veggies to food pantries like St Joachim & Ann that might be accepting donations.

Mary Medina agreed to give a Zoom presentation on container gardening for the May monthly meeting.  Cindy Platzer mentioned Chuck Baur had a lot a presentations to share too.  Other possible presentations and webinars to promote were discussed.

 

 

Meeting was adjourned at 2:58 PM

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                   Rebekah Davis

 

 

 

 

 

 AS APPROVED, STEERING COMMITTEE, 12-JUNE-2020