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www.centralcoastrcandd.org COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES May 21, 2008, Rabobank, 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 Treasurer Kathie Matsuyama at 1:15 PM. Introductions were made. The following sponsors were present: Adriana Morales, Cachuma RCD; Kathie Matsuyama, Coastal San Luis RCD; DJ Funk, Upper Salinas/Las Tablas RCD; Mary Ann Vasconcellos, CAFF; Monica Martinez, RCD of Monterey County; Mike Manfre, RCD of Santa Cruz County. Others present: Jeff Rodriguez, RC&D Project Coordinator; Rich Casale, NRCS Santa Cruz County; and Debra Garrison, Consultant. |
| 2. Additions to the Agenda: |
| None. |
| 3. Treasurer's Report: |
| Treasurer Matsuyama submitted the following report: the Business account has a balance of $567.44; Special Projects account has a balance of $10,077.97. Bills from Garrison Consulting, RBEG Grant, were paid according to grant agreement, Shawn Meara, Council bookkeeper, $210, $4,676.25 to CCAN to zero out the SLO County grant, and $67.50 to Janice Meyers for the website update. Kathie indicated there are several sponsors that have not paid their dues. Since there was not a quorum present, Kathie will contact Executive Board to approve payment of bills. It was recommended by the bookkeeper to combine our two accounts. |
| 4. Approval of Minutes: |
| Approval of minutes was postponed until next meeting. |
| 5. Correspondence: |
| Rodriguez read the following letters: from the Dunes Center transmitting their $2500 invoice and thank you for the XanaDune project funding supplied by the Council; from the Council to the Bureau of Indian Affairs outlining our assistance to Ann Marie Sayers of Indian Canyon in San Benito County. The local tribe is requesting official recognition; from the Council to USDA Risk Management Agency supporting the California FarmLink proposal “Risk Management for Underserved Young Beginning and Women Farmers” grant application; and from Ed Burton, NRCS, transmitting our signed and approved 2008 Annual Plan of Work. |
| Old Business |
| 6. Kathie Matsuyama, representing the Dunes Center, reported on the success of this years XanaDune project and the numbers and kinds of students reached. The Dunes Center has a new Executive Director who comes from the Smithsonian and specializes in outreach to underserved communities. |
| 7. Adriana Morales presented a Risk Management Agency grant application the Council prepared targeting the strawberry growers the Cachuma RCD is currently working with in the Santa Maria Valley. This program will offer a complete risk management program and encourage alternative marketing of their produce. There is a potential for these growers to participate in the Central Coast Grown Marketing Cooperative being formed. |
| 8. Debra Garrison, consultant, presented a progress update on the Home Grown Meat Alliance project and the Central Coast Grown Marketing Cooperative. This work is being funded by a Rural Business Enterprise Grant. The Cooperative will incorporate next month and has established a board of directors. This will be a web-based marketing and sales operation. Institutions will be the first to be targeted for sales. The meat project has partnered with Paso Robles Meat to share a butcher and inspector and their facility can accept harvested animals from the trailer. The HACCP and SSOP plans have been submitted to USDA for review. Initially the group hopes to have a ranch in each county designated as a site to harvest animals. CCAN has applied for an additional $10,000 from SLO County for operations. |
| 9. Rodriguez reported on the progress of the Clearwater Conservation Innovation Grant project in Nipomo. The system is being fine-tuned and more installation information will be presented at our next meeting. |
| 10. Monica Martinez presented an update on the Conservation Practice Handbook for Monterey County. The handbook is being revised and updated and will also include food safety and water quality information. Printing will be completed in June. The Council committed $1000 towards the project. This handbook can be used throughout the Central Coast. |
| New Business |
| 11. DJ Funk gave an update on the Liberty High School outdoor education program. This project called GreenWorks by the high school is a partnership with the Upper Salinas-Las Tablas RCD, City of Paso Robles, Liberty H.S. and CCRC&D. $1500 from RC&D has been allocated. A grant request to the Stewardship Council to fund a larger portion of the project was submitted. The grant was turned down, but they encouraged the group to re-submit in July. |
| 12. Rodriguez presented the updated Annual Plan of Work with the project status indicated for the second quarter. The Council discussed the status of each project listed on the work plan. A copy of this plan is available upon request. |
| 13. The Council reviewed the request for information from our insurance company in lieu of our new policy. The information was summarized and will be sent for a quote. |
| 14. Rich Casale handed out a brochure on current projects of the NRCS and RCD of Santa Cruz County. One of the highlights is their very successful and popular Roads program addressing resource concerns related to rural road maintenance. |
| Agenda Items for May 21st Meeting at the Rabobank in King City: |
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| Announcements |
| The Pac Rim Association of RC&D Councils will meet in Portland, October 19-22. |
| The meeting was adjourned at 3:30 p.m. |
| February 2008 |
| November 2007 |
of the diverse natural resources of the Central Coast. |
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