I. CALL TO ORDER

President Jon Brady called the meeting to order at 1:59 PM.

II. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

Barry Tindall, NRPA Director of Public Policy

Glenn Trowbridge, Clark Co. NV

Roger Sabine, Kent Co. MI

III. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA

None

ROLL CALL

Andal, Gene, Executive Secretary, Sacramento County, CA

Amii, Michael, Honolulu County, HI

Beckner, Bill (Honorary Member), Washington, D.C.

Brady, Jon, Hamilton County, OH

deBessonet, John, Harris County, TX

Gooch, Dan, DuPage County, IL

Haller, Gary, Johnson County, KS

Messerli, Steve, Lake County, IL

Mitchell, Bill, Bucks County, PA

Nickovich, Bob, Lake County, IN

Palmer, Bill, East Baton Rouge Parish, LA

Pasteris, Michael, Will County, IL

Schreiner, Tim, Grand Traverse County, MI

Weber, John, Baltimore County, MD

Welsh, Cindy, Loudoun County, VA

Members Absent

Benson, Ron, Douglas County, CO

Bryant, Doug, Hennepin County, MN

Burns, Mary, San Mateo County, CA

Carter, Mickey, Clark County, NV

Frandsen, Paul, Riverside County, CA

Paquin, Phil, Josephine County, OR

Richard, Ralph, Oakland County, MI

Romero, Paul, Santa Clara County, CA

Scalzo, Bill, Maricopa County, AZ

Skea, Graham, Orange County, NY

Weston, Wayne, Mecklenburg County, NC

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Upon motion of Tim Schreiner, seconded by Gary Haller, the Board unanimously approved the Minutes of the Friday October 22, 1999 meeting in Nashville, Tennessee

VI. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY'S REPORT

Mr. Andal distributed the 2nd Quarter Financial Report for the period ending 31 December 1999. The report listed a total net worth for the association of $33,760.47. Mr. Andal also gave a membership update reporting that as of this date there are 122 paid members.

VII. NACPRO/NACo BOARD MEMBER REPORT

Chair Dan Gooch reported that he had attended the NACo Board of Directors meeting held December 9 – 11, 1999 in Baltimore. He is attempting to gain a seat on two NACo committees, Public Lands, and Environmental Energy and Land Use. Mr. Gooch is planning to attend the Western Regional Conference to be held in May in Boise, Idaho.

Mr. Gooch reported that NACo has approved the establishment of an Affiliate Service Center to provide services to all affiliates.

A discussion was then held regarding the development of a NACPRO Platform of Positions to serve as a broad reference guideline to be used in addressing issues that may arise at NACo meetings. It was agreed this would be a good idea and Mr. Gooch was asked to discuss the concept more fully with the Legislation Chairman and committee.

VIII. STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Awards

Chair Cindy Welsh reported that the committee received forty submissions covering all categories. The committee recommended the following awards:

Outstanding Public Official: Thomas R. Briant, York County, PA

Duilio "Dewey" Pierotti, District of DuPage, IL

Outstanding Contributor: David Jones Sr. and wife

Betty Jones, Louisville, KY

Outstanding Volunteer: Jim Dixon, Moore County, NC

Outstanding Support

Organization: Brook McDonald, District of Will Co., IL

Park and Recreation

Program Award 1999 Central Teen Connection Cotillion

Maryland National Capital P/P Commission

Riverdale, MD

Youth Environmental Symposium-YES

Lake County, Libertyville, IL

Walk When Moon Is Full Program

Suburban Hennepin District

Plymouth, MN

Class I Facility Award Turner Lakes Project

Newton County, GA

Class II Facility Award Loudoun County Senior Center

Loudoun County, VA

Class III Facility Award Shoeless Joe Jackson Memorial Park

Greenville County, SC

Benjamin Olewine, III Nature Center

Dauphin County, PA

Class IV Facility Award The Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement

Suburban Hennepin County Park, MN

John & Maurine Hendricks

South Germantown Regional Park

Montgomery County, MD

Operation Facility Award Sharon Centre

Hamilton County, OH

Environmental Award Huntley Meadows Park

Fairfax County, VA

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department, Mecklenburg, County, NC

A recommendation was made to send an Award of Merit to all agencies that submitted projects. Gary Haller commended the committee for the fine job they have done in receiving and evaluation the submissions.

On a motion by Bill Palmer with a second from Bob Nickovich, the Board approved the recommended awards.

b. By Laws

In the absence of Chair Ron Benson, President Brady distributed a marked up version of the By-Laws clearing showing all recommended additions and/or changes. All final comments regarding the By-Laws are to be sent to the Chair by Monday, 3 April 2000. The recommended changes will be voted on at the annual meeting to be held in July. Mr. Benson was commended for his dedicated efforts.

c. Finance

In the absence of Chair Paul Romero, the Executive Secretary presented the financial report. The committee is now working to complete the annual audit.

d. Legislation

The President introduced Mr. Barry Tindall, Director of Public Policy for the NRPA. Mr. Tindall reported that there were currently 312 co-sponsors for HR 701 - The Conservation and Reinvestment Act. The Senate submitted a companion version - S.B. 2123 - earlier in the week. He distributed several handouts to the Board regarding the status of this legislation. Mr. Tindall requested that Board members submit to his attention any examples of recreation programs dealing with land conservation and after school programs for children. He indicated that this information would be useful when he testifies before the various committees in Congress.

Mr. Tindall may be contacted at:

Mr. Barry Tindall

Director of Public Policy and

International Liaison

National Recreation and Park Association

Division of Public Policy

1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 900

Washington, D.C. 20006

Direct Line: 202/887-0290

Fax: 202/887-5484

e. Membership

No report.

f. Nominating

Chair Dan Gooch reported that the list of nominees must be completed 60 days prior to the annual meeting. The committee is now canvassing current Board Members whose terms are about to expire to see if they would be willing to continue serving on the Board.

g. Professional NRPA/NACo Education

No report

IX. AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS

a. Accreditation Representative

No Report.

b. Historian

The committee Chair, Bill Scalzo, submitted a written report stating that the committee will continue to collect and retain information regarding NACPRO. All records are being scanned into electronic files and backed up for security. The committee will continue to recognize key individuals, events, and/or facilities in NACPRO history.

c. Internet Communications

Chair John deBessonet reported that the NACPRO web site was officially launched on January 1, 2000. NACo is providing space on their server at no cost to NACPRO. To date there have been over six hundred visits to the site with the Links page being the most popular. If the membership votes favorably in July to approve the creation of a Corporate Membership in the Association, the Exhibit Hall page will be activated to list links to the Corporate Members business sites.

d. Newsletter

Chair Bill Palmer reported that the December Newsletter was mailed to 1214 Counties. He reported that due to more cost-effective mailing and increased ad sales, the December issue cost $798 as compared to $1,330 for the prior mailing.

e. NRPA Relations

Chair Gary Haller reported that to become an affiliate of NRPA the association must be incorporated, submit a petition signed by at least one-half of the members, and pay a fee of $240.00. A question was raised to clarify whether the petition could be signed by one-half of the Board of Directors or one-half of the total membership. Mr. Haller will seek a clarification. On a motion by Gary Haller, with a second by Dan Gooch, the Board approved a recommendation to pursue affiliation with NRPA.

f. Organizational Future

Chair Bob Nickovich reported that it was the opinion of the committee that the Association consider incorporation. The committee is now conducting research into the cost of incorporation and what State would be best to file the Articles of Incorporation. The Association will also need to obtain a 501C3 status for tax purposes.

g. Scholarship

Chair Tim Schreiner reported that the committee recommended awarding three scholarship payments. The first scholarship was for $320.00 to Ms. Diane Rayburn of Loudoun County for attending the past NRPA Congress in Nashville. On a motion by Gary Haller, with a second by John Weber, the payment was approved but the payment was not to be charged against the current year’s scholarship budget.

On a motion by Mike Pasteris, with a second by Bob Nickovich, the following two scholarships were also approved: $300.00 to Mr. Paul Pounders, Midland City, MI to attend the 2000 NRPA Congress in Phoenix, AZ. and $325.00 to Mr. Mark Brochu of St. Clair County, MI. to attend the Special Park Districts Forum in June, 2000.

On a motion by Mike Pasteris, with a second by Gary Haller, the Board approved the elimination of the deadline for submitting scholarship applications. Henceforth, the Scholarship Committee may accept applications throughout the year and make recommendations for awards at any future Board meeting providing funds are available in the scholarship budget.

OPERATING BUDGET FOR 2000 – 2001

The Executive Secretary distributed a draft of a proposed budget for 2000 - 2001. On a motion by Gary Haller, with a second by Bill Palmer, the budget was approved as a preliminary budget pending final approval at the annual meting in July.

BENCHMARKING SURVEY

Mr. Bill Beckner distributed a draft of a survey form intended to gather a variety of information regarding the operation of County Park Systems. Mr. Beckner has offered his services to distribute the survey to Board members then organize the results of the survey. On a motion by Bill Palmer, with a second by Mike Pasteris, the Board approved the survey project.

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY CONTRACT

President Brady reported that the existing contract with the Executive Secretary would be up for renewal at the July meeting. He distributed a draft of a proposed revised contract for review and comment by Board members. Mr. Weber raised a question as to the effect that incorporation might have on this contract. It was agreed to include a clause in the new contract allowing for any required revisions that may be legally necessary once the Association is incorporated. The final contract will be presented for Board approval at the July meeting.

ESTABLISHMENT OF ANNUAL DUES FOR 2000 – 2001

The President requested that the Finance Committee review the current dues rate and report back to the Board.

NEW BUSINESS AND ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA

President Brady presented Outstanding Service Awards to Bill Palmer for his work on the Newsletter and to John deBessonet for his work on the new web site.

Bill Beckner and Glen Trowbridge agreed to try to prepare an education session for the NACo conference in July.

XV. FUTURE MEETINGS:

2000 NACo Annual Conference, Charlotte, NC/ Mecklenburg County July 14 - 19, 2000, Executive Board Meeting 12:00 Noon Friday, July 16th. Board Meeting, 2:00PM Friday July 16th., Park Tour Saturday July 17th., Awards Banquet Saturday, July 17th.

2001 NACo Annual Conference- Philadelphia, PA

2002 NACo Annual Conference- Orleans Parish, LA

2003 NACo Annual Conference- Milwaukee, WI

2000 NRPA Annual Congress- Phoenix, AZ

October 11 - 15, 2000

2001 NRPA Annual Congress- Denver, CO

October 3 - 7, 2001

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

Upon motion of Mike Pasteris with a second by

Gary Haller, the meeting was adjourned at 5:05 P.M.