EASTERN SANDOVAL CITIZENS ASSOCIATION
Board Meeting Minutes
11 August 2025
4:00 PM
A. Call to order: President George Franzen called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.
B. Roll Call: Directors present, representing a quorum: George Franzen, Jim Harre, Wayne Gaede, Gary Madee, Phil Messuri, Jacques Ramey, Rich Reif, and Jean Roberts. Mary-Rose de Valladares, co-chair of the Land Protection Trust (LPA) was also present.
Absent: None.
C. Minutes: Minutes from the July meeting were approved via email.
D. Introduction of Guests: Phil introduced Linda Lockett who has accepted a position on the ESCA board. George announced that Linda was elected unanimously via email by the other board members.
E. Monthly Reports
1. Treasurer’s Report: Wayne Gaede reported a balance for ESCA in US Bank as of the end of last month of $5,409.37. Income included $125 in dues and $0.02 interest. Expenses included credit card fees of $9.48. At US Eagle, ESCA had a balance at the end of last month of $37,714.01. Income included $0.04 in interest on the savings account and $117.21 on the CD, and no expenses. The total of ESCA’s accounts at both institutions was $43,123.38.
The US Bank balance for LPT as of last month was $2,312.90, and no expenses for the month. The US Eagle account balance for LPT at the end of last month was $32,350.69. Income for the month was $0.04 in interest on the savings account, $100.47 in interest on the CD, and no expenses. The total of LPT’s accounts at both institutions was $34,663.59.
2. IT Report: Jim Harre reported 41 standard members and 32 joint members for a total of 105 votes. We received the annual renewal bill for the website, which Wayne has paid.
3.LPT and Las Placitas Association (LPA) Report: Mary-Rose reported considerable progress on the status of the Buffalo Tract recreation project. The LPA group working on this have selected SWCA to develop a Recreation Area Management Plan and an Environmental Assessment. Mary-Rose is urging public outreach on the project. SWCA’s timeframe for completion is between early December and February 2026, which is the end of the grant.
The group is also working with the City of Albuquerque, the owner of the open space surrounded by the Buffalo Tract, to coordinate recreational uses, such as hiking trails. LPA is continuing to pursue low-impact uses of the Buffalo Tract. So far, LPA has an initial map of trails developed in 2018, and the group plans to continue doing “ground truthing,” by touring the existing trails on the Buffalo Tract.
4. Coronado Soil and Water (CSW)/Fuel Reduction Program: Gary reported that he attended the Sandia collaborative meeting. The Forest Service is working toward some fuel reduction in the Placitas area. Gary also invited them to send a representative to the annual ESCA meeting, which they accepted. –CLOSED
F. Old Business:
1. Mid-Year Membership Report: Phil moved that we call the mid-year letter the “Mid-Year Membership Letter and Survey Questions and Answers.” Wayne seconded the motion, which passed. We will plan to make the mid-year letter an annual effort. –CLOSED—
G. New Business:
1. ESCA Annual Meeting, Oct. 12, 3:30-7 pm: George reported that Mary-Rose will provide an update on the Buffalo Tract, Gary Madee has contacted someone from the Forest Service to speak about the fuel reduction situation, and George will contact a Vulcan representative. The board agreed we would not have a social hour in advance of the meeting this year due to minimal attendance last year. –OPEN
2. Ideas To Bring in More Members: Gary suggested we invite a speaker to the annual meeting who can address home insurance cancelations in New Mexico. He will contact someone at the State level. Phil suggested a Signpost ad to announce that our meeting was open to non-members, and to list the topics and speakers featured. Phil will develop an ad for consideration at the next meeting. –OPEN
H. Open Discussion: None
I. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:25 pm.
Next meeting: 4 pm, Sept. 8, 2025.