03-10-05 Conrad Mansion MinutesCONRAD MANSION BOARD MINUTES
March 10, 2005
at meeting room in Perkins Restaurant
Present: Rita Fitzsimmons, Mark Munsinger, Shirley Miller, Betty Norem, Gary Havens
and Tia Robbin
Absent: Rick Champoux, Ev Sliter
CALL TO ORDER: Rita called the meeting to order at 8:04 a.m. The Board approved the
November 9, 2004 minutes as presented.
Rita began the meeting by announcing that Rick Champoux has officially resigned his position
from the Board due to health reasons. The Board approved accepting his resignation, with great
disappointment, and providing Rick and his wife a life -time membership to the Mansion.
Rick is the FVCC representative on the Board, so FVCC will need to select a successor. Rick
recommends that the Board propose a candidate to the Board of Trustees of FVCC, since FVCC
has taken little interest in the Mansion Board.
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(1) Interim Manager Chris Prior is no longer working at the Mansion, having assisted in the
winter projects up until approximately 2 weeks ago. Rita attended a small "going away"
parry for Chris as a representative of the Board.
(2) Ev and a staff person from Jordahl & Sliter has been at the Mansion to write checks
during this interim time.
(3) Tony Brockman, a former guide, has been hired temporarily to go to the Mansion every
other day or so, collect mail, return emails and phone calls and check the security of the
property.
(4) Death by Chocolate is set for the first weekend of May! Rita asked for a Board volunteer
to be the liaison between the Mansion and the Leadership Flathead committee. Shirley
volunteered, and Betty volunteered to assist, too. Thank you, ladies!
(5) Advertising — Rita has been trying to respond to advertising solicitations, and placing ads
where the Mansion has advertised previously.
(6) Rita advised the Board that the gardner, Jeff, had expressed some interest in additional
work the past, which may include in mowing the grounds. Rita will confer with Teri and
use their discretion in deciding whom to retain to mow the grounds.
(7) Rita reported that she sent a letter to Mrs. Vick's son, whom Mrs. Vick designated to
ultimately be her replacement on the Board when that time arrives. The letter simply
confirms that he is Mrs. Vick's designated replacement.
Board Minutes - March 2005 Page I
(8) Rita informed the Board that Mark Munsinger's term is expiring (he assumed Norb's
term), and encouraged Board members to write letters in support of Mark to the City
Council and Mayor.
(9) Rotary Project: The Rock Wall is completely restored!! Rita reported that Kalispell
Rotary is wanting to do more as the Centennial Project, including building a small
outdoor storage shed attached to the carriage house to hold lawn and garden equipment,
and possibly purchase a used Walker lawn mower for the Mansion. The Inter Lake
recently carried several pieces about Rotary's donations to the Mansion, including a nice
photo of the rock wall being repaired.
(10) Garden Update: Rita has now reviewed the MSU garden plans, as has our gardner, Jeff,
who had mixed reviews about it. Jeff wants to go over it in detail with the Board before
any action is taken. Jeff has ordered all annuals from Wild Geese Gardens, and has
started some spring clean-up due to the early arrival of the season in the Flathead this
year.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORT:
Manager position: Tia reported that the Director position has been advertised in numerous papers
and sites around the state, and we have received approximately 15 applications. The Personnel
Committee met on March 8, 2005 to review all applications, and chose three finalists to
interview immediately following the Board meeting. A brief review of the finalists applications
was then held.
TREASURER'S REPORT:
Ev was not present. No report was made. .
OTHER BUSINESS:
Rita reminded the Board that she has been President for approximately three years now, and
strongly believes the position should be rotated. As a Board, we need to be considering rotation
of officer duties.
Gary asked about approval for any building on the site which must be obtained from the State
Historical Society, or other entity. Rita informed the Board that no such process has been started,
and Gary volunteered to make some phone calls to inquire about that process.
Adjourned at 9:00 am.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Tia R. Robbin, Secretary
Board Minutes - March 2005 Page 2