St Charles County Master Gardeners

St Charles County Master Gardener

 

Steering Committee Meeting Minutes

 

Friday, 17 July 2020

 

Attendees:   Kevin Minard, Jan Carron, Rebekah Davis, Joe Walker, Cindy Platzer, Marsha Brown

 

 

Call to Order:  Kevin Minard called the meeting to order at 9:16 AM

 

The Steering Committee met at Brown Road Park due to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

 

Secretary’s Report:  Rebekah Davis-  Steering Committee Meeting Minutes for 26 June were approved as written.

 

Treasurer’s Report:  Joe Walker- Joe reported the net monthly change for June ($xxxx.xx).  End of June 2020 cash in bank was identified, amount available to allocate for MG expenses were shown.  Cash in bank number includes the $xxxx pledge for the erosion project.  Unallocated dollars are N/A.  Remaining Demo Garden allocation are N/A.  Joe reported current cash in bank will not cover expected typical expenses for 2021. 

 

 

MU Horticulturalist Specialist:  Justin Keay- No report

 

 

MU County Engagement Specialist:  Alex Reichert-  Modified reopening plan (see New Business)

 

 

Committee Reports-

 

Membership:  Waneta Parmenter, Bonnie Winkeler-  The Steering Committee agreed that the graduation/orientation party for the Trainees will be delayed, plans will be revisited in September.

 

 

Demo Gardens:   Cindy Platzer-  The Steering Committee discussed new COVID protocols and how they affect the Demo Gardens.  The SC also discussed ways of acknowledging the Trainees aside from an in-person event.

 

Leslie Limberg created a seating area in the Meadow Garden, work will continue with the help of Clark Hubbert installing a shade cloth canopy.  Cindy reported that leaf mulch was delivered to the Extension for Demo Garden and personal home use.

 

The Steering Committee was alerted to the presence of spotted water hemlock on the Extension grounds.  The control of invasive or harmful plants in the Demo Gardens are usually left to the individual Lead’s discretion (with a few restrictions.) 

 

 

Greenhouse:   Laura Stiemel, Nancy Torke-  Nancy agreed to co-lead the Greenhouse with Laura.

 

 

Plant Sale:  Marsha Brown, Laura Stiemel- 2020 season is done.

 

 

Speakers:  Val Mertz-  A fieldtrip to Frisella’s Nursery 22 July is being planned for the July monthly meeting.  August’s monthly meeting will be a tour of Indian Camp Creek Park 27 August.

 

 

Hort Line:  Patti Kolek-  Hort Line is still working on a Call-In basis.

 

 

Education:  No report

 

 

New Business:   Kevin Minard reported on the latest news with MOMGA- The state conference has been canceled for this year.

 

The Steering Committee discussed the annual SCCMG membership requirements for 2020 again due to concerns around the new protocols.  It was agreed upon to revisit the topic again in the fall to determine if any adjustments to the requirements are needed.  The SC also discussed what kind of reading could potentaily qualify for education hours. (Note: books authored by Jerry Baker are riddled with false information.)  Kevin Minard will discuss further with Justin Keay on whether the Education Committee should come up with a set of guidelines for earning education hours via reading approved literature.

 

The MO State Highway Patrol has donated fans and lights to the Master Gardeners which we do not need.  The SC agreed to have the extra items donated to a non-profit organization or business.

 

A Modified Reopening Plan for the St. Charles County Extension has been released by the Extension Council via Constant Contact.  The Steering Committee read through and discussed the new protocols.

 

Kevin Minard announced that Ken Waterman is stepping away from Master Gardener activities. 

 

The group agreed that Mary Medina may reduce the Monday newsletters from every week to every other week.

 

 

Old Business:   The Steering Committee is still having Open discussions on communication/ social media needs, per February meeting.

 

MGSC President will be sending approved meeting minutes for publication to our web site <https://www.stcharlescountymastergardeners.com/> and to our newsletter, on all meetings from the previous month, at one time.

 

 

Good of the Order:   The next Steering Committee meeting will be 31 July at Brown Road Park.

 

 

Meeting was adjourned at 10:57 AM

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

                                   Rebekah Davis

 

AS APPROVED   31-JULY-2020