Minutes of General Meeting
June 10, 2008


Welcome

  • There were no new attendees.
  • Two new items were added to the agenda.
  • Werner suggested we meet once per month rather than twice.

    David asked for discussion about the town's new water pump.

Old Business

  • River Cleanup
  • David reported the results of  trash collection by Amigos volunteers 


    5/28 (Mangos area in town) - 18 barrels of trash.

    6/4 (River) – 18 barrels of trash, 6 bags of plastic, 4 bags of glass.

    6/6 (River) – 18 barrels of trash, 4 bags of plastic, 2 bags of glass.

    Total for 3 days  - 54 barrels of trash, 10 bags of plastic, 6 bags of glass.

    The river bed requires one more day of trash collection.

    We meet at the plaza at 7:00 am and work until 9:00 am.  When six barrels are filled, David takes them to the government's trash truck.  People in the community observe our work and our advertising is broadcast when we are seen delivering full barrels to the trash truck.  We have established a good relationship with the trash collectors and the citizens of town seem supportive.   The bags of plastic and glass are taken to San Pancho for recycling.

    We plan to continue picking up trash every Wednesday and Friday until we have covered the entire town.  We keep track of our progress on a map and post it in the plaza.  Cleanup tomorrow (6/11) has been canceled because of the rain forecast.



  • Juan reported that 2 of the 3 machines owned by Perla Parra were broken on Saturday and therefore, not available to clean the river bed of construction material. He will reschedule with Perla for this Saturday.
  • Brochures
  • Ana needs telephone numbers for the taxi drivers to complete the brochure. Brochures will be double sided and tri-folded – one side english and the other Spanish.

    Ron knows of a place in Puerto Vallarta that does double sided copies and folding, if Ana needs the information.

Treasury Report

  • Jacque reported expenditures of 350 pesos for tips to the trash collection men. We are expecting a bill from Manuel for 6 plastic garbage barrels @ 200 pesos each.

Committee Reports

  • Environmental

    Nothing to report

  • Garbage

    Garbage committee is not meeting.  David will talk with Manuel about scheduling a meeting.

  • Recycling

    Ana reported that when we cleaned the river we separated the plastic and glass.  She thanked David and Jacque for taking the recyclable materials to San Pancho.   She believes it is a good beginning.

    Juan said that discarded PVC is not recyclable.

    Orlando has begun composting at his home.  Lupita suggested he ask Manuel, Jacque, Ana, or David if he has any questions about composting.

    Werner suggested large containers could be provided to collect recyclable  material.  Lupita commented that she saw some bins in Tepic made from chicken wire.

    Ana reported that Aldamaria (living in Peter O'Toole's former house) is planning to build a big bin for plastic recyclables.  They asked for our help transporting the plastic to San Pancho.  The committee suggests we support her.

    David would like to present a draft of a recycling collection point at the next Recycling committee meeting.

    Yajaira has a friend who wants to give mapa trees to Lo de Marcos.  There are people who can help plant them.  Currently, they are small and she would  like to have them planted close to the river.  Ana said that Manuel may be helpful positioning and planting the trees.  This item has been referred to the Environmental committee.

  • Membership

    Nothing to Report

  • Signs

    Ron is investigating construction of our own signs.  If they are made of two sheets of clear Plexiglass, we could insert our own posters between them.

    Lupita will give Ron the phone number for Hector of the Riviera Nayarit Tourism office.

    Juan knows of some free signs.  As they are only the laminate, we need to put them on stakes.  Yes – please bring them!

  • Website

    David reported that the website will be “going live” soon.  All members will be sent an email with the announcement.  Rob's work as Webmaster was praised.

New Business

  • Meeting once a month

    For now, we decided to continue meeting twice a month because we are gaining comfort with our organization and several committees have active projects. There was some discussion about suspension of meetings during the rainy season. More discussion is pending.

  • Town's Water Pump

    Juan reported that the town has installed and is operating a new “used” water pump. Several people reported more consistent, reliable service.

Open Discussion

  • Yajaira said more trash was dumped in the previously cleaned Mango area.

    David said he would like to erect signs that indicate an area was cleaned by the Amigos de Lo de Marcos and direct people to a defined trash disposal area.  Werner agreed with this idea.

    Juan suggested we include our names and phone numbers on the signs. The many visitors during the Easter and Christmas holidays  like to put their trash in containers.

    Lupita  asked if we plan to put Amigos stickers on the trash cans.  The Sign committee will investigate.

    Werner volunteered Dianna to make Amigos stencils for spray painting trash cans.

Meeting adjourned

  • Nine people, including the officers,  attended the meeting.