8/21/08 Operations Meeting Notes

Agenda -

-Feedback from larviciders
   Some problem sites, difficult to treat.  Hwy 133 still "hot," but other routes much clearer, getting through the routes faster.  Treats anything over 5   per dip per 3 dips, then treats localized area.  Exchanged information between trappers and larviciders so Ron can check sites with high numbers and Viva can set traps where requested.

-Budget
     In hole now about $10,000 to $15,000.  Labor cost about $4000 per week.  May get less money next year than this year if property values go down.

-Preparing for 2009 season
   Gary McCallister has expressed some interest in being a field manager next season.  Elizabeth "Biz" Collins, an entomologist, was also recommended by Zane McCallister as a possible candidate (Michael met and liked her).  

-Fogging for rest of season

     Michael has spoken with Daniel Gonzalez, Bill Kolb, Kevin Parks, and Neil Schweiderman, who all agree that further fogging would be ineffective and, Michael states, unethical.  Because of the way we do the fogging, avoiding those who request not to be sprayed, the application is so intermittent as to be futile in controlling mosquitoes.  Cost is estimated to be $2300 per week (labor and materials).  Michael suggests we stop fogging now and divert resources to larviciding.  Would entail letting go of Frank and Rena's retainer as of the end of this week.  Tara, Robin, and Michael in agreement.  Tara will write a press release and send it for editing to Michael and others before sending it to the DCI.

-Larviciding procedures and staffing for rest of season

     Important to get populations down before end of season to get a jump on next season.  OtterTail also available for training workshop (for new crew)  but we still owe them half the money.  Michael proposes we need a field manager for effective larviciding as our crew is inexperienced and unsupervised.  Michael will put out feelers for seeing if someone is available.


-Michael and Kevin talked to Jim Cooper at Oxbow and Bill Bear at Bowie.  Oxbow checking with headquarters - may be able to contribute some.  Bowie can't contribute now, but maybe in the Spring.  Michael and Kevin will talk to West Elk Mines.