| Annual Report |
| Contact Us |
| Home |
MEETING MINUTES May 13, 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 1:00 PM. Introductions were made. The following Council members were present: Adriana Morales, Cachuma RCD; Kathie Matsuyama, Coastal San Luis RCD; Chuck Pritchard, Upper Salinas/Las Tablas RCD; Royce Larson UCCE, representing County of San Luis Obispo; Mike Manfre, RCD of Santa Cruz County; Ellen Pirie, County of Santa Cruz; and Paul Binsacca, RCD of Monterey County. Others present: Jeff Rodriguez, RC&D Project Coordinator; Bill Meyer, Consultant, CATARE; Rich Casale, NRCS Santa Cruz County; Robert LaFleur, NRCS Monterey County; Marti Johnson, Planning and Conservation League; and Francisco Serna, Davenport Resource Service Center. |
2. Additions to the Agenda: |
Pac Rim Association of RC&D Councils Annual Dues; Chuck - CIMIS weather stations on rangelands; Kathie - Department of Conservation RCD Advisory Committee. |
3. Treasurer's Report: |
Treasurer Matsuyama submitted the following report: Bills for $240 to Shawn Meara Bookkeeping Service, $45 to eVision Designs, $200 to the Pac Rim Association of RC&D Councils for annual dues, and $2229.50 to the Coastal San Luis RCD for their district brochure printing. Total bills of $2714.50 were presented for payment. The checking account balance is $22,020.84. Morales moved to approve treasurer's report and pay bills; seconded by Pirie; motion passed unanimously. |
4. The minutes of February 11, 2009 were reviewed. Matsuyama moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Morales, motion passed unanimously.. |
5. Correspondence: |
Chuck reported on a letter from our insurance company transmitting our new policy. The company is not rated in California and he suggested we look around for another company that may be more affordable and has the state rating. Chuck reported on a letter from the National RC&D Association reporting the RC&D program funding is cut to zero. He suggested each council member send a letter to their representative. The next Pac Rim Association of RC&D Councils will be June 15-17 in New Mexico at the national meeting. No council member will attend this year. Rodriguez reported on a letter from NRCS acknowledging receipt of our AWEP application. |
Old Business |
6. Rodriguez updated the Council on the Mobile Harvest Trailer. All modifications have been completed and they are awaiting a USDA inspector to be assigned. Chuck suggested some cattlemen may change their calving schedules to accommodate this process. The progress of the recently formed Central Coast Grown Cooperative was also 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. |
7. Rodriguez 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. We recently funded $2229 to the watershed coordinator as part of a larger request to multiple organizations. |
8. Rodriguez presented the Agricultural Water Quality Enhancement Program (AWEP) application recently submitted by the Council to NRCS for funding. Matsuyama moved to approve the project application; seconded by Morales; motion passed unanimously. |
New Business |
9. Supervisor Pirie introduced Bill Meyer and Francisco Serna and a new Council project discussion on CATARE, Co-operative for Applying Technology, Agriculture and Renewable Energy. This Santa Cruz 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. This proposal will fit goal B of our Area Plan. Ellen Pirie moved to adopt a feasibility study for this project as an RC&D measure, Matsuyama seconded; motion passed unanimously. |
10. Rodriguez reported on a new Council grant application to the Ag Marketing Service with the Central Coast Ag Tourism Council to fund a rack card promotion program. This new approach will be a follow-up to the Ag Adventures map. Morales moved to approve this application; Pirie seconded; motion passed unanimously. |
11. Marti Johnson updated the Council on the second year of the Coast and Ocean Regional Roundtable effort and the upcoming June 4 public meeting to be held in San Luis Obispo. |
12. Kathie Matsuyama let a discussion on the need for the Council to have the option of conference calling during our meetings. A by-law change is needed to allow this. Rodriguez presented a draft change to Article V-Meetings that was provided by the SLO Community Foundation. Council members expressed the importance of face to face meetings. Pritchard suggested the following addition: e) All meetings must comply with legal public notice requirements. Pirie moved to approve the by-law change with the addition; Manfre seconded; motion passed unanimously. |
13. Rodriguez presented a list of potential RC&D projects that he compiled for economic stimulus funding. No word yet on funding. |
14. The Council reviewed the 09 Annual Plan of Work. Rodriguez provided project updates. Matsuyama suggested a field trip to the Clearwater Nursery to see the CIG project. It was suggested to change project B1d to include all renewable energy. Morales reported on a Santa Maria company that is buying and recycling agricultural plastics. Royce reported on a UCCE animal composting study on-going in Tulare. |
15. Matsuyama reported on a Department of Conservation committee she has been asked to participate in representing the Central Coast. The goal of the committee is to see where RCD's can work more closely with state agencies to find funding for RCD programs. Chuck reported on the need for CIMIS stations on rangeland to monitor climate data. This data would be helpful in predicting forage production. Each station would cost about $500. |
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 4:15 p.m. |
| February 2009 |
| October 2008 |
| May 2008 |
of the diverse natural resources of the Central Coast. |
Website maintenance by eVision Designs