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MEETING MINUTES August 12, 2009 "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 minutes using Adobe Acrobat Reader |
1. Call to Order: |
The meeting was called to order by DJ Funk at 1:00 PM. Introductions were made. The following Council members were present: Tom Lockhart, Cachuma RCD; Kathie Matsuyama, Coastal San Luis RCD; DJ Funk, Upper Salinas/Las Tablas RCD; Joseph Issel, RCD of Santa Cruz County; Ellen Pirie, County of Santa Cruz; and Jane Parker, AMBAG. Others present: Jeff Rodriguez, RC&D Project Coordinator; Marti Johnson, AWQA; and Bill Brooks, Council Liaison. |
2. Additions to the Agenda: |
Bill Brooks, Indian Canyon project update. |
3. Treasurer's Report: |
Treasurer Matsuyama submitted the following report: Bills for $180 to Shawn Meara Bookkeeping Service, $45 to eVision Designs, $300 to the National Association of Resource Conservation Districts for annual dues, and $2229.65 to the Central Coast Salmon Enhancement for the See Canyon Watershed project. Total bills of $2754.65 were presented for payment. The checking account balance is $20,620.84. Matsuyama moved to approve treasurer’s report and pay bills; seconded by Pirie; motion passed unanimously. |
4. The minutes of May 13, 2009 were reviewed. Supervisor Pirie moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Matsuyama, motion passed unanimously.. |
5. Correspondence: |
Rodriguez read a letter he wrote in support of a grant application submitted by the Cachuma RCD for irrigation energy efficiency audits. A letter was read from CA NRCS indicating the Council would be receiving a $7500 Cooperative Agreement. |
Old Business |
6. Funk updated the Council on the Liberty High School Green Works project. A second grant application has been submitted to the Stewardship Council. The RC&D Council has already allocated $1500 to this project, which has yet to be paid. |
7. Rodriguez updated the Council on the Mobile Harvest Trailer. The trailer is operating on Wednesdays and the meat is delivered to Paso Meat. The trailer is a component of the Coast Grown Cooperative. |
8. Rodriguez reported that the Agricultural Water Quality Enhancement Program (AWEP) application recently submitted by the Council to NRCS was funded. $1.8 million was approved for 2009. This will be a 5 year program with project funding for each of the first 4 years. Farmers in Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito, Monterey, SLO, and Santa Barbara Counties will receive special funding to install water conservation and water quality practices. Supervisor Parker moved to accept the project agreement with NRCS, seconded by Matsuyama, motion passed unanimously. |
| 9. Supervisor Pirie reported on the “Biomass to Bio-energy Feasibility Study for the Monterey Bay Region” project. This Santa Cruz County initiative will focus on local community biomass conversion to some form of renewable energy. The project will start with a feasibility study to identify the type and amount of biomass available for a feedstock which will then determine the type of energy conversion. Project goals will focus on community and environmental protection by thinking locally about energy production. The completed $99,000 grant application has been submitted to USDA Rural Development in Davis. |
| 10. Tom Lockhart reported on the joint Cachuma RCD/RC&D proposal to the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service for a risk management training program for Spanish-speaking farmers in the Santa Maria Valley. The $97,000 proposal looks like it has been funded and we should be receiving a contract soon. |
| 11. Marti Johnson updated the Council on the second year of the Coast and Ocean Regional Roundtable effort and the June 4 public meeting held in San Luis Obispo. Rodriguez participated in the group planning and roundtable event. |
| 12. Bill Brooks updated the Council on plans for a traditional village house group meeting facility being planned for Indian Canyon in San Benito County. The Council has been providing assistance to the cooperator Ann Marie Sayers for many years. |
New Business |
13. Matsuyama reported the Council has received a bid from Beehive Insurance for a new Council insurance policy. Coverage would be the same with a savings of approximately $800 per year. Beehive insures many RC&D Councils in the U.S. and is an admitted California company. Supervisor Parker moved to accept the insurance proposal and cancel our policy with Alliant effective September 30, 2009, seconded by Pirie, motion passed unanimously. |
14. Rodriguez presented a new cooperative agreement with NRCS for $7500 to carry out our Area Plan. Matsuyama moved to accept the cooperative agreement with NRCS, seconded by Parker, motion passed unanimously. |
15. Rodriguez reviewed the 09 Annual Plan of Work. Progress on each project was reviewed. |
16. New project requests: Joe Issel summarized new project requests from the RCD of Santa Cruz County which includes technical training for staff to implement conservation practices; DJ Funk from Upper Salinas-Las Tablas RCD requested continued help with the Liberty High School project and RCD promotional activities; and Kathie Matsuyama from Coastal San Luis RCD requested help with a study to determine the feasibility of a pedestrian bridge near Pismo Lake. |
17. The California Association of RC&D Councils will hold their fall meeting in Nevada City, October 21-23. Kathie and Chuck expressed interest in attending. |
18. Rodriguez updated the Council on the move by NRCS to close the Morro Bay RC&D office and relocate staff to the Templeton Service Center. Coastal San Luis RCD shares the Morro Bay office and is opposed to the move. |
19. The next Council meeting will be a joint Central Coast RCD’s/RC&D meeting at Lawrence’s restaurant in King City on October 28, 2009. Because of time conflicts, it was suggested we start at 12:30 PM, right after lunch. |
16. The California Association of RC&D Councils will hold their fall meeting in Nevada City, October 21-23. One Council member will attend. |
| The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m. |
| May 2009 |
| February 2009 |
| October 2008 |
of the diverse natural resources of the Central Coast. |
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