CENTRAL COAST RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, INC.
545 MAIN STREET, SUITE B-1
MORRO BAY, CA 93442
(805) 772-5623
Email: jeff.rodriguez@ca.usda.gov
www.centralcoastrcandd.org
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
2006 Plan of Work

"Working to Develop Human Resources and Promote Long-Term Sustainability of the Diverse Natural Resources of the Central Coast."

Click here to download a pdf file of the November 2005 minutes
1. Call to Order:
the meeting was called to order by President Joe Conconi at 1:00 PM. Introductions were made. The following sponsors were present: Joe Conconi, San Benito RCD; Gidi Pullen, Upper Salinas-Las Tablas RCD; Anne McMahon, San Luis Obispo County; Tom Lockhart, Cachuma RCD; Emily Hanson, RCD of Monterey County; Kathie Matsuyama, Coastal San Luis RCD; Nick Papadakis and Jeff Pereira, AMBAG; Mary Bianchi, UCCE; Burt Malech, Loma Prieta RCD; and Mary Ann Vasconcellos, CAFF. Others present: Jeff Rodriguez, Project Coordinator and Bill Brooks, Council Liaison.
2. Additions to the Agenda:
Malech-beavers in the Salinas River and a request for a Rural Economic Development statement of positives for the Council; Vasconcellos-Legislative Alert.
3. Treasurer’s Report:
the Business account has a balance of $1525.00; Special Projects account has a balance of $5893.29. Bills to be paid: RAPS (Accounting) $797.50. Malech made a motion to approve Treasurer’s report and pay the bill. Seconded by McMahon; motion passed unanimously. Pullen distributed the financial statements prepared by the accountant. Rodriguez reported there will by $10,000 available for the Council to implement the Area Plan.
4. Approval of Minutes:
Pullen made a motion to approve the minutes of the November 16, 2005 meeting as mailed. Seconded by Papadakis; motion passed unanimously.
5. Correspondence:
Rodriguez read a letter from NRCS State Conservationist Ed Burton commenting on our Draft 2006-2010 Area Plan. Mr. Burton commends the Council for the Plan but would like to see “Opportunities” identified. Rodriguez passed out a revised Area Plan with opportunities that was recently sent to Ed. Mr. Burton has responded, agreeing with the additions and approving our Area Plan. Rodriguez passed out the revised Area Plan for the Council to review. Rodriguez read a letter from the San Benito RCD thanking the Council for their financial support for the “Taste of San Benito” event. A dues notice from the National Association of RC&D Councils was received. Dues this year are $450. Last year we paid $400. Pullen made a motion to pay half the dues now and the remaining at a later date. Seconded by Malech, motion passed unanimously.
New Business
6. First Quarter Progress:
• Permit Coordination – the program received a $550,000 grant from the Regional Water Quality Control Board to implement the program. Sustainable Conservation, based in San Francisco, will administer the contract. Two staff will be hired to handle the work in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County. RC&D will help coordinate locally. This project should last at least three years.
• Dunes Center Environmental Outreach & Education Project - $8,000 grant is 37% complete. Hope to finish next quarter.
• Corrilitos Creek Watershed – no activity at this point.
• Morro Bay Watershed Water Quality Monitoring Program – RCD has applied for State funding. No word yet on their application.
• Pajaro River Watershed Council – last meeting held in Gilroy on January 20. A good turnout with interesting topics.
• Arroyo Grande Newsletter – funding from the Info/Edu grant was used for the Coastal San Luis RCD project.
• Spanish translation of Ag Practice Handbook – funding from the Info/Edu grant for the RCD of Monterey County to complete this project.
• TMDL for the Pajaro River – the TMDL was recently adopted. RC&D served on the technical advisory committee for three years. Implementation is next.
• Farm Water Quality Spanish Language Curriculum – Info/Edu grant was used for UC Cooperative Extension to print fifty copies of the curriculum for outreach to Spanish speaking farmers.
• Mobile Slaughter Unit – Central Coast Home Grown Meat Alliance is still working to get USDA approval for operation. The Alliance is considering a Working Capital grant to operate.
• California Delta RC&D Applicant Area – this applicant RC&D continues to meet and operate as a council. They have received their 501(c)(3) status.
• Central Coast Ag Tourism Council – will submit a new grant for their operations. They are requesting CCRC&D to be the applicant. They are nearly complete with their second Ag Adventures tour map. Vasconcellos made a motion for CCRC&D to be the applicant for the Ag Tourism grant. Seconded by McMahon, motion passed unanimously.
• Ag Waste to Beneficial Produce Feasibility Study – the Santa Clara Valley Water District has indicated they will not fund this project. Malech suggested we look at compiling the existing information on the subject and present this information to the mushroom growers for their use.
• Taste of San Benito Faire – this project was partially funded by the Info/Edu grant and is complete.
• Central Coast Grown – this campaign is moving forward. A label, logo, and website have been developed.
• Central Coast Ag Network – the organization’s kick-off event is scheduled of February 24 in Santa Margarita. At present, the featured project of CCAN is Central Coast Grown. A $5000 grant from the SLO Community Foundation is being administered by RC&D.
7. Information/Education Grant Update:
The Council reviewed the project list. This $10,000 grant has been completed with all monies being allocated to projects.
8. RC&D State Association Meeting:
Anne McMahon volunteered to attend this legislative and biomass conference in Sacramento, April 26-28. Pullen suggested the State Association discuss the issue of urban sprawl at a future conference.
9. New Ag Tourism Grant:
The Central Coast Ag Tourism Council is applying for another USDA grant and is requesting CCRC&D Council be the applicant. The Council agreed.
10. San Mateo RCD:
This RCD is interested in the RC&D program and would like Jeff to come and talk to them about RC&D and the potential for their participation in our Council. Malech suggested their representative come to our meetings and participate along with providing them information about our activities.
11. Legislative Alert for RC&D Funding:
Vasconcellos explained the current proposal by the President to cut funding for the RC&D program. Mary Ann suggests each Council member respond to their federal representatives in support of continued funding for the RC&D program. Anne suggested we send our letters to the local representatives to forward to Washington.
12. Beavers in the Salinas River:
Malech stated we need to get beavers into the Pajaro River. He said Fish and Game would not consider this unless there is a historical reference that they ever existed there. He suggested we note there are beavers in the Salinas River and are not causing a problem.
Old Business
13. Indian Canyon Project Update:
Bill Brooks provided some background on this San Benito County project. CCRC&D has been working with Ann Marie Sayers for years on a variety of projects including improving the access road. Now that the ranch access is improved, the Council is now working with Ann Marie on a “Village House”. This Native American meeting facility should handle up to 100 people. The Council is now working with conceptual plans and is seeking funding to prepare design and construction plans. Bill offered to put together a funding proposal. The Council thanked Bill for his work on this project.
14. Lillian’s Retirement Dinner Report:
Gidi reported on the dinner. Lillian was very honored with a great turnout.
15. Central Coast Ag Network Program Update:
Anne McMahon provided background on this group and their activities. The common link for all the member organizations is their support for direct marketing of local agricultural products. The group wants to create more of a demand for local ag products and bring together producers and consumers. Consumer education will be a large part. Malech suggested there should be one point person for the Central Coast Grown effort and has offered to come down to SLO County to present on the subject of growing and marketing vegetables.
Announcements
• Anne reported that she nominated Jeff Rodriguez for the Irvine Foundation Leadership grant program. The program would provide funding for our program and professional development.
• Bill Brooks reported on a potential grant from the Eucalyptus Improvement Association (EIA) to provide funding for planting Eucalyptus trees for energy production. The Council expressed concerns about this non-native tree. Bill explained the trees would be planted as a crop for a specific use and not used to re-vegetated natural areas. The EIA would like to work with our Council to use these funds. Malech suggested Jeff contact this organization and get more information for the Council to decide at next meeting
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 PM.

Lillian B. Phillips
CCRC&D Council, Inc.

Working Together for the Good Health of Our
Watersheds and A Sustainable Economy