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MEETING MINUTES February 11, 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 Council President Chuck Pritchard at 1:10 PM. Introductions were made. The following sponsors were present: Adriana Morales, Cachuma RCD; Kathie Matsuyama, Coastal San Luis RCD; Chuck Pritchard, Upper Salinas/Las Tablas RCD; Mary Ann Vasconcellos, CAFF; Royce Larson UCCE, representing County of San Luis Obispo. Others present: Jeff Rodriguez, RC&D Project Coordinator; Bill Brooks, RC&D Council Liaison; and DJ Funk, Upper Salinas Las Tablas RCD. Rodriguez suggested the possibility of adding the option of conference calling for those who cannot travel to Council meetings and the idea of the Executive Council meeting more frequently in order to conduct business. It was suggested a meeting in Templeton with a conference added. We will look into those options. |
2. Treasurer's Report: |
Treasurer Matsuyama submitted the following report: Bills for $240 to Shawn Meara Bookkeeping Service, $45 to eVision Designs, $450 to the National Association of RC&D Councils for annual dues, and $94.47 to Bill Brooks for travel expenses representing Council. Total bills of $829.47 were presented for payment. The checking account balance is $20,789.12. Vasconcellos moved to approve treasurer's report and pay bills, seconded by Morales, motion passed unanimously. |
3. Kathie led a discussion about the annual dues notice letter. Considering the economic times of our sponsors, it was suggested we change the focus of the letter to encourage participation even if they cannot pay their dues. We will also send out our annual report with the dues notice to highlight accomplishments. |
4. The minutes of October 29, 2008 were reviewed. Morales moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Matsuyama, motion passed unanimously. |
5. Correspondence: |
| A letter from AMBAG appointing Jane Parker as delegate to the RC&D Council; a letter from Santa Cruz County re-appointing Supervisor Ellen Pirie to the RC&D Council; a letter from our Council to Dionne Toombs, USDA CSREES, in support of ALBA's grant application; a letter from Ed Burton, NRCS State Conservationist, commending the Council on their Annual Plan of Work; a letter from Alliant Insurance transmitting our new insurance policy. Chuck discussed an upcoming workshop in March that deals with ranching sustainability, self-assessment, and water quality, sponsored by the Rangeland Coalition and UC Cooperative Extension. UCCE will be meeting with the Regional Water Quality Control Board to discuss whether or not they will accept this process in dealing with compliance issues on rangeland. The session will be in San Luis Obispo. |
Old Business |
6. Chuck explained the recent re-submittal of the Liberty High School grant application to the Stewardship Council which was again turned down. This project will fund an outdoor education project directed towards at risk students who need an alternative learning experience involving natural resources. There is potential funding from the Hearst Corp. and again the Stewardship Council. We will continue to pursue this. |
7. Rodriguez updated the Council on the Mobile Harvest Trailer. All modifications have been completed. They are awaiting final USDA certification. The progress of the Central Coast Grown Cooperative was reviewed. They recently received a $95,000 Specialty Crop grant from the State of California. The concept of composting of the offal or leaving it for wildlife was discussed. |
8. Mary Ann updated the Council on the See Canyon Watershed Committee. They have requested funding and technical assistance for the development of a watershed plan. The overall goal is to restore the Steelhead population. The group has requested $4550 as part of a larger request to multiple organizations. |
9. Kathie updated the Council on her two funding requests from the Info/Edu. account. The Dunes Center has received enough funding and will not need our assistance. The other request was for the Coastal San Luis RCD Guidebook printing. The remaining balance is $4,459.15. Morales moved to split the remaining funds evenly between the See Canyon and RCD Guidebook project, seconded by Larson, motion passed unanimously. |
10. DJ gave an update on the SLO County Permit Coordination program. The Negative Declaration is out but Sustainable Conservation has run out of money to continue working on the project. Chuck suggested the agencies standing in the way need to get on board and make this work. |
New Business |
11. Mary Ann reported on the recovery of the Big Sur watershed. No major storm damage and vegetation is recovering. |
12. Morales reported on the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service and the Risk Management Agency grant applications to develop a Comprehensive Risk Management Training Program for Spanish-speaking farmers in the Santa Maria Valley. Both grants would address the same program. |
13. Rodriguez reported on the Regional Area Safety Task Force fuel management program ongoing in southern California. There is interest in moving the program further into the Central Coast. |
14. Rodriguez offered assistance to the area RCD's to plan their spring meeting. It was suggested we hold another joint meeting in May. San Benito RCD is scheduled to host this spring. We will coordinate with CARCD. |
15. The Council reviewed the progress implementing the 09 Annual Plan of Work. |
| The meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m. |
| October 2008 |
| May 2008 |
| February 2008 |
of the diverse natural resources of the Central Coast. |
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