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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
February 21, 2007 in King City

"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 Council President Chuck Pritchard at 1:00 PM.  Introductions were made.  The following sponsors were present: Adriana Morales, Cachuma RCD; Anne McMahon, San Luis Obispo County; Kathie Matsuyama, Coastal San Luis RCD; Chuck Pritchard, Upper Salinas/Las Tablas RCD; Bert Malech, Loma Prieta RCD; Gidi Pullen, Upper Salinas/Las Tablas RCD; Melanie Beretti, RCD of Monterey County; Craig Ficenec, ALBA; Darlene Dunham, Monterey County; .  Others present: Jeff Rodriguez, RC&D Project Coordinator; Bill Brooks, RC&D Council Liaison; Jim Reynolds, San Mateo RCD; and DJ Funk, US/LT RCD; Marc Lea, SLO County Ag Department; Royce Larsen, UCCE.
2. Additions to the Agenda:
Indian Canyon Grant Report by Bill Brooks, Legislative Alert by Anne McMahon, On-line ethics class required by board members.
3. Treasurer’s Report:
Treasurer Pullen submitted the following written report: the Business account has a balance of $3272.70; Special Projects account has a balance of $5906.82. Bills for $45 to e-Vision Design (Web Site), $385.00 to RAPS (accounting), and NARC&DC (Dues) were presented for payment.  Malech moved to approve treasurer’s report and pay bills, seconded by Morales, motion passed unanimously.
4. Approval of Minutes:
Malech moved to approve the minutes of November 15, 2006.  Seconded by Pullen.  Motion passed unanimously.   
5. Correspondence:
Rodriguez read a letter from Ed Burton, NRCS State Conservationist, commending the Council on their Annual Plan of Work which has been reviewed and approved by him.  Pullen read a letter from the Rural Special Districts Insurance Company, our former insurance carrier, refunding the Council $1,530.  No reason was given for the refund only to say this was done following a review of their records.  The Council accepted the funds.
New Business
6. Anne McMahon read a letter from the Washington Women’s Foundation transmitting a $250 donation to the CCRC&D Council for the Central Coast Ag Network (CCAN).  RC&D will accept this donation and pass 100% of it through to CCAN.  McMahon made a motion to accept this donation, seconded by Malech, motion passed unanimously.
7. Election of officers.  Chuck informed the Board that Gidi Pullen will be retiring from the RC&D Council, so the Treasurer position is up for election.  McMahon nominated Kathie Matsuyama of the Coastal San Luis RCD as Treasurer, Pullen seconded the nomination. Kathie accepted.  Council voted unanimously to elect Kathie.
8. The Council reviewed the Spring CA RC&D Conference flyer to be held in Sacramento.  The conference will include one-day farm energy audit training.  Adriana offered to attend pending approval from the Cachuma RCD.  Melanie Beretti also indicated an interest. Council will pay travel expenses.
9. The Council has been asked by the CA RC&D Association to host the 2007 Fall Conference on the Central Coast.  The Council agreed this would be a great opportunity to showcase our program.  Rodriguez will work with the State Association on a location.
10. Rodriguez reviewed the first quarter progress which was summarized on a written Coordinator’s report. Progress on each project was reviewed and discussed.
  • $3100 in additional funding was provided to the Guadalupe Dunes Center for their environmental education programs.  Funds came from a NRCS outreach grant.
  • The Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County Permit Coordination program is moving forward.  Practice descriptions, limits and protection measures are being negotiated with the permitting agencies.  The partners are preparing for a March field visit to show the agencies examples of installed conservation practices.
  • Funding has not been provided for the most recent Taste of San Benito Farm Tour.
  • The Pajaro River Watershed Council is planning to have a spring meeting.  More recently, RC&D has been participating in the Pajaro River Integrated Regional Water Management Plan being developed for the 4-county watershed. 
  • RC&D continues to participate as an advisor to the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Plan. 
  • No progress has been made with the Buffer Strip Mower project.
  • A potential community collaborator has been identified for the Sanborn Creek Restoration Project.  The “Return of the Natives Restoration Education Project” at the Watershed Institute at CSUMB works in the traditionally underrepresented communities of East Salinas.  They have expressed interest in this project.  Their goal is to restore urban creeks through community-based education and participation.
  • Malech updated the Council on a Fish and Game proposal to the Loma Prieta RCD to be involved in a marijuana field clean up effort where there are creek impacts.  He also reviewed different ideas concerning debris in the Pajaro River.  There seems to be only a few interested in this problem.
  • The Central Coast Ag Network grant with SLO County that RC&D is administering is 85% expended. 
  • RC&D has written a request for funds to the USDA Rural Development to develop the Central Coast Grown product distribution system and further refine the Mobile Livestock Processing Unit business model.  Changes to the HAACP plan for the MSU are nearly complete and will be submitted to the USDA for consideration of Grant of Inspection.
  • Rodriguez made an Ag Tourism presentation to the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce to revive the program in the Monterey Bay region.  New contacts were established and there seems to be interest. 
  • An initial meeting with several small-scale Santa Maria Valley growers to discuss alternative marketing strategies took place in the fall of 2006.  No new progress has been made since that meeting. 
  • No progress has been made with providing marketing assistance to small farmers associated with the ALBA program. 
  • A funding proposal has been prepared for the Indian Canyon Roundhouse Construction site development plans.  Funding source will be the “Seventh Generation Fund for Indian Development”.  Proposal deadline is March 1.
  • The California Delta RC&D applicant area council members participated in a strategic planning session with Ray Ledgerwood and determined goals and objectives.  One of the decisions was to revise the application to include more program area. 
  • A program funding request was submitted to the Packard Foundation for the Upper Salinas-Las Tablas RCD “Agricultural Water Quality Landowner Working Group Assistance Program”.  The proposal requests $225,000 over a three year period.

11. Marc Lea, San Luis Obispo County Ag Department Weed Specialist reported to the Council on Central Coast weed management activities.  They recently received an $80,000 two year CDFA grant to eradicate Tamarisk and Arundo in the SLO County portion of the Upper Salinas River.  This should take care of the problem.  These weeds are more of a problem in the Monterey County portion of the river and it will take a massive effort to control the problem.  Marc explained the control procedures and discussed other weed species eradication efforts. 

12. Royce Larsen gave an update on an upcoming 4-year research project looking at e-coli sources in agricultural fields and rangeland.  Funding is from the USDA CSRES.  The research will take place in the Salinas area.  Melanie explained the market pressures growers are facing in Monterey County and that the local RCD is putting together a grower survey to gather real information on this issue.
13. Bill Brooks discussed the history of assistance to the Indian Canyon Ranch in San Benito County.  Bill explained the various stages of the Village House construction project.  The most recent grant was submitted to the 7th Generation Fund for pre-construction planning.
14. Anne McMahon discussed a recent National RC&D alert to the proposed 2008 federal budget that recommends the RC&D program be significantly cut to allow for only one coordinator per state.  Anne suggested each council member write their member of congress.
Old Business
15. Jim Reynolds gave an update on San Mateo County RCD activities.
16.McMahon updated the Council on CCAN activities during the First Quarter Progress.
17. Rodriguez updated the Council on the $10,000 Cooperative Agreement with NRCS.  A list of expenditures was reviewed and the most recent request for payment was presented. This agreement will expire March 31, 2007.  Prichard signed a letter to Ed Burton requesting an extension to this agreement till the end of September and for $15,000 in additional funds.   McMahon made a motion to submit the current payment request, Matsuyama seconded, motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Items for November 15 Meeting:
  • Lisa McCann, Water Quality; Energy Issues; New Grant Opportunities; Fall CA RC&D Conference Planning Committee
Announcements
  • None
The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m.

Click links below to see archived minutes:

November 2006

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