Friends of Daley Ranch Board Meeting
Minutes
Present: Fred Woods, Mike Whalen, Jerry Harmon, Rick Paul, Jim Schafer and
Rick Mercurio
Fred opened the meeting at 7 p.m. at the home of Rick M. Mike moved to
approve the minutes from the October meeting. Jerry seconded and the motion
passed unanimously.
Rick P presented his treasurer’s report: $19,687 in the Ivy account; $25,840
in the Mission Federal checking account (which includes the recent grant
funds); $25 from the cashbox; $830.93 in the El Caballo account; $680 in the
Sally sub-account; $165 in the Irene sub-account; $17.80 in new cash; $130
in new checks received; and $9,585.23 in the Daley Ranch Volunteer
Association account. New expenses will include $86.63 to Jerry for
newsletter printing, $105.77 to Rick M for newsletter postage, and $30.86 to
Fred for lunch meeting with Ben Cueva to discuss the school visits. It was
agreed that FODR will need to carefully monitor all funds related to the
grant. Rick M moved to officially change the signatories for the El Caballo
funds at Mission Federal from the president and treasurer of FODR to the
president and treasurer of the El Caballo Park Board. Jerry seconded, and
the motion passed unanimously.
Regarding the utility building project, Jerry reported that the tarp was
still covering the foreman’s quarters. We are awaiting the return of Dick
Althouse to continue.
The City is still not certain of an opening date for the ranch house.
Artificial grass will be used in the area near the house, and this will help
the health of the nearby oaks because excessive watering will be avoided.
Tony Smock told us that the City is still working on permits for the new
bathrooms. Tony hopes that the City will put electrical and plumbing stubs
at the restroom facility in order to facilitate the future construction of
an interpretive center. Tony also had said that various City departments,
such as Community Services, rather than the rangers, would be in charge of
the use of the ranch house. Fred and Rick M expressed hope that the ranch
house will be available for one of the learning stations for the seventh
grade visits.
Mike brought the new banners of the Stanley Peak views. They look great,
and the grommets were already put in. We can use these banners at future
booths and events. Mike also reported on our stock of hats and tee shirts
for sale. Mike will use our original logo of the oak tree design for hats,
which have adjustable sizes. Mike moved to approve the purchase of 30 hats.
Fred seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. The Board discussed tee
shirts, and decided to only order one design rather than two, approving the
“I Like Daley Ranch” wording, hopefully with the same artwork of the ranch
house. Mike agreed to investigate options.
Jim graciously offered to extend an invitation to our next regular
meeting to Sally Costello, head of the Escondido Humane Society. We hope to
establish a friendly relationship with the “neighbor” of Daley Ranch.
Fred and Rick M discussed the seventh grade trips, generously made
possible by the grant from the Escondido Charitable Foundation. Rick M
agreed to fill out some paperwork from the Escondido Charitable Foundation
related to the grant. Fred will keep other forms that must be filled out at
the end of May. Rick M and Fred had a productive meeting with Ben Cueva of
the Charros. Ben agreed to create a learning station, and will be able to
utilize horses. Fred and Rick M also met with middle school principals, who
seemed excited about the field trips and helped formulate logistical
support. And both met with Tony Smock, Barb Lockwood and Sue Evarts to
coordinate the rangers’ involvement with the trips. They requested some
teaching tools, specifically some large wildlife posters that could be
laminated and used on a display board. Fred will pursue this.
Jerry met with Tony last week to survey the sites for the Stanley Peak
signs and Sally’s bench. The City has a “gator” vehicle that will
potentially be of great assistance in getting heavy or awkward supplies up
to the peak. Jerry believes that metal posts and framing will probably be
the best long-term material for the Stanley Peak signs. Mike has a
battery-powered drill that he may use to explore the foundation area, but
for the actual work we could use an electric jackhammer with a generator.
Jim agreed to look into the metal fabrication for the signs. Jerry found an
alternative location for Sally’s sign, one with a view of the pond and
Stanley Peak. The Board agreed to hike to both possible locations on January
26.
Mike has spoken with Rich Aeling, who said that all four local Rotary
Clubs were hoping to join forces for a major workday at the ranch in April
with potentially as many as 100 workers. The Board discussed possible
projects, which include new kiosks at the ranch house and the El Caballo
trailhead, the low rock wall in a horseshoe shape at Sally’s bench location,
repairs to the plant signs, help with the utility buildings, and trail
maintenance work. Mike agreed to get back in touch with Rich to discuss
specifics, with the idea that a great deal of early planning would be needed
to accomplish these goals by April.
Rick P presented conflict of interest forms for Board members to sign.
These are supposed to be signed annually as part of a “good governance”
policy for non-profits. Rick M will keep these signed documents in his Daley
Ranch binder.
Rick P reported that Wendy Barker and Linda Shipman have volunteered to
help with FODR Facebook. Fred noted that we must switch to a “group” rather
than “individual” status, without losing our “friends.” Rick P will contact
Wendy and Linda to hopefully form a Facebook committee on behalf of FODR. We
thank both of them!
Fred shared the requested list of needs and expectations for a revision
of the FODR website and sought Board input. We hope to be able to update the
website soon because of its role in the school visit program. After much
discussion Jim moved to have David Woods prepare a list of “deliverable”
items for a revised website, along with a link to allow the Board to view
his site proposal, along with his cost; the Board would then consider final
approval for the proposal and contract via email over the next few weeks.
Mike seconded the motion, which passed with yes votes from Harmon, Paul,
Mercurio, Whalen and Schafer; Woods abstained. We are grateful for the
wonderful work that Don has done for us, and for his willingness to continue
to help maintain the updated website.
The next regular meeting will be January 17 at 7 p.m. at the Depot. The
annual “retreat” meeting will probably be on Saturday, February 2 at the
home of Mike.
Respectfully submitted,
Rick Mercurio, Secretary