Board members present:  Travis Lovelace, Kay Lovelace, Jerry Milsaps, Tommy Harris, Carolyn Harris, Refuge staff present: Tim Cooper, Tami Schutter, Jimmy Laurent

The treasurer’s report for June-July was presented by Tommy Harris.  Kay Lovelace made the motion to approve it and Jerry Milsaps seconded; motion passed.

Nature Store Report by Kay Lovelace.  There is a shortage of volunteers.  Sometimes the Nature Store had to close early because with the frequent opening of the door, the air conditioner is inadequate.  There was a discussion of where to store inventory.

Refuge report by Jimmy Laurent and Tim Cooper.  Hurricane Ike clean-up continues, using a contracted crew instead of refuge personnel.  There was discussion of plans for new VIS.  The old VIS will be retained as a pavilion.  The new check station will be here within 45 days.  New vehicles are starting to come in (replacement for those lost to Ike).  A USFWS hurricane recovery team will be here. Temporary offices will be available for refuge staff.  Contracting officer will be on premises permanently.  Request for bids will go out on August 17 for the new headquarters on Highway 563.  Design work will be done by this Christmas, and then the construction contract will go out.  The goal is to have the new VIS on this site by next summer.  Chambers County has approved the second portion of the land donation  to FWS.  The refuge is acquiring a facility in Winnie to be used as outpost - shop, dorm , RV pads  (for command center in case of hurricane).  Heavy equipment will stay there on high ground during the summer except when being used. 

Tami went to Big Thicket (National Park Service) to see visitor center to get ideas for ours.  Stephanie sent word that Gator Fest is coming, Environmental Ed is coming, and RVers will be coming in September

New Business:

1)      The old volunteer building is unstable and moving it is too expensive to be feasible. Carolyn Harris made the motion that the building be classified as storm debris so that it can be removed with other refuge debris.  Kay Lovelace seconded and the motion passed.

2)       RVers would like a straight path from their RVs to the new volunteer building.  The possibility of a lighted boardwalk was discussed.  

3)      Someone else will be in charge of the education tent at Gator Fest this year.  We will have our table for member recruitment.  Kay Lovelace is scheduling shifts of 3 people for 3 shifts on Saturday and 2 on Sunday.

Old business:

1)      All sheetrock and electrical work have been done on the new volunteer building.  The kitchen is done except for the plumbing (that will be done Thursday).  Doors have been installed.

2)      Topics have been sent for the fall newsletter

3)      The website needs updating

Announcement:

Grady Skillern’s bench that had been set up by the Golden Triangle Audubon and washed away by Ike was found by a Beaumont man who refurbished it and used It to watch birds.  A neighbor did research and found Grady’s name associated with the Anahuac NWR.  The Beaumont man wrote a letter to FOAR and sent a donation.  The Board discussed the possibility of naming the new volunteer building after Grady or possibly putting a plaque inside.

Motion for adjournment was made by Tommy Harris, seconded by Jerry Milsaps. Motion passed and the meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m.

Submitted by Carolyn Harris