The Akumal Council
General Assembly Meeting, Friday, June 27, 2008

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This was an intensive and informative meeting for the membership and all those who attended, and it seems to have rejuvenated interest in the Akumal Council.

Unofficial Minutes by Sergio E. Gonzalez with edits by Laura Bush

 The Akumal Council General Assembly Meeting started at 10:00 am with an important and significant attendance of the Akumal community.

 Gonzalo Arcila presented a general scenario of what is happening with the new Municipality of Tulum, and he briefly explained what his position and commitments are. 

 Gonzalo explained the new Town Council of Tulum has 11 members, and they have ten months to prepare and create a whole government platform in order to be ready for the elections next year.  The Municipality is in transition from Solidaridad (Playa Del Carmen) to Tulum, and Solidaridad is delivering and making the change over of all documents, data, and information to the new Municipality of Tulum.  In the meantime, the Municipio of Solidaridad has the obligation to continue providing all Public Services until the Transition Process is finished.

 Gonzalo has asked for the official Map of the Municipality of Tulum, so we can see exactly where the boundaries and limits of the New City (Akumal?) are, and he will let us know as soon as he receives all this information from CATASTRO.

 After his presentation, Gonzalo thanked everyone for their support during his tenure as President of the Akumal Council, and he said goodbye to The Akumal Council as a President.  He will now dedicate his time to his new position on the Tulum Town Council.  Gonzalo's duties and obligations with regards to Tulum can be found at Gonzalo's Job Description.

 Gonzalo then presented the Directors of Police & Public Security and Civic Protection.

 The new Chief of Police explained that they are working on a Master Plan for Security for Tulum, and he promised more presence in the whole Akumal area, more vigilance 24 hours a day, and he will assign a Sub Director specifically for Akumal.  As a result of a question from the attendees, he presented his background and credentials.

 Following the Chief of Police was Mr. Lucio Salvador Arguea, Civic Protection Director, who is in charge of the Coordination for Special Events, such as Hurricanes, and other kinds of incidents.  He offered training for our people working on beach areas in Akumal, in order to prevent accidents with tourists, and there were other services mentioned.  His direct number: 984 807 2950.

 After the presentations by the Chief of Police and Civil Protection Director, the meeting continued with the election of members for the Board of Directors.  After much discussion and speeches, the new Akumal Council Board of Directors was elected unanimously as follows:

• Mary Carmen Domani / President of The Akumal Council.
• Paul Sanchez Navarro / Vice President
• Din Richardson / Treasurer
• David Poor / Secretary.

 While it was not included in the election process, but the Akumal Council has added Gonzalo Arcila and Laura Bush as Vocals.

 Congratulations and thanks to all the past and present members of the Akumal Council.

Paul Sanchez-Navarro Russell Director, Centro Ecologico Akumal, also gave a presentation about main ecological issues in Akumal, presenting the idea of "Akumal, The Ecological Destination" and gave an update on water testing work, and information on water quality and CAPA and the strategy to connect all of Akumal, the POBAk and Turtle Refuge Protected Area, and Recycling, and he ended with the task of sending a summary of each item to the new Board.
       Also, it was decided that we would invite the head of the Neighborhood Committee of the Pueblo to participate on the Council, and the current head is Helmie.  The main point was that the Head of the Committee would be invited, whomever that would be.

 Paul's presentation was followed by the appointment to various Committees.

 On Section Committees, nominations and votes were as follows:

• Aventuras Akumal / Marcy Essy,  Horacio Alvarez.
• South Akumal:  Still Open.
• Jade Bay: Still Open.
• Central Akumal: Still Open.
• North Akumal.
  • Section F:  Wilma Arcila
  • Section G: ________
  • Section H:  David Poor and Mary Henderson ( there was one other person, does anyone remember?)

 The importance of including  a representative from the Pueblo was stressed, and Helmy was appointed.

 On Special Committees.

 Security/Police: 

• Laura Bush,
  Linda Tate
• David Poor,
• Bartley Smith,
• Jorge Gonzalez,
• Kathy Farrell Sonheim,
• Susan Mead,
• Mary Henderson.

 Membership Committee:

• Bartley Smith

 Ecological Committee:

• Paul Sanchez

 Community Services-Laison with Pueblo:

• Laura Bush,
• Gaby Orvananos,
• Nancy Serwin,
• Linda Tate,
• Mary Carmen Domani,
• Aturo Orozco,
• Hilario Hiller.

Attached, you will find the complete list of volunteers for Committees with complete last names and e mail addresses.  Sorry for not including complete names in this report.

It was agreed to have General Meetings with Committees four times a year, starting this September.  Meetings will be held in September, December, March, and June.  Exact dates will be sent out as soon as the BOD and Committees look at the  agendas and schedules.

 Thanks to Laura Bush and Gonzalo Arcila, our former presidents, and welcome Mary Carmen Domani.

 Thanks to everyone who actively participated in this meeting.