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Email: jeff.rodriguez@ca.usda.gov |
1. Call to Order: |
The meeting was called to order by President Chuck Pritchard at 12:35 PM. Introductions were made. The following Council members were present: Chuck Pritchard, Upper Salinas-Las Tablas RCD, Kathie Matsuyama, Coastal San Luis RCD; Mary Ann Vasconcellos, CAFF; Kevin Peterson, Cachuma RCD; Vasiliki Vassill, RCD of Santa Cruz County, Royce Larson, San Luis Obispo County; Jane Parker; AMBAG-Monterey County; Patty Marfia, Loma Prieta RCD; Tim Foley, San Benito RCD. Others present: Sandra Wallace, West Coast Alpaca Network, and Jeff Rodriguez, RC&D Project Coordinator. |
2. Additions to the Agenda: Changes to By-laws; Contributions to Council; 2011 Council Meeting Schedule; CPA Engagement Letter; Solar Power Farms/Land Use Issue. |
3. Treasurer's Report: |
Treasurer Matsuyama submitted the following report: bills for $360 to Shawn Meara Bookkeeping Service, $45 to eVision Designs, $450 to the National Association of RC&D Council annual dues; $243.24 to Mary Ann Vasconcellos for the Pac Rim Conference hotel expenses; $1099.46 to US-LT RCD for web site and brochure expenses; $36,043.73 to Cachuma RCD, grant expenses; $425 for D&O insurance premium; $300 for the upcoming Ranchers Workshop; $150 for the Ag Tourism Workshop. $3,719.60 income from cooperative. The checking account balance is $20,206.37. Mary Ann moved to approve treasurers report and pay bills; seconded by Jane, motion passed unanimously.
The minutes of August 25, 2010 were reviewed. Correct the spelling of George "Work". Kathie moved to approve the minutes as amended, Royce seconded, motion passed unanimously.
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4. Correspondence: |
Rodriguez read an engagement letter from Ken Filipponi, our auditor, outlining our responsibilities related to our upcoming financial review. His fee for this review will be $1200. A letter was read from Upper Salinas Las Tablas RCD requesting $300 for the Drought and Vegetation Management Workshop scheduled for October 28. This request was approved last month by a vote of the Executive Council and ratified today. |
Old Business |
5. Rodriguez reviewed and the Council discussed the 2011 Annual Plan of Work. The plan is available upon request and will be posted on our web site. Kathie moved to approve the Annual Plan of Work, seconded by Mary Ann, motion passed unanimously. |
6. Mary Ann reported on the Pac Rim RC&D meeting in Homer Alaska. The conference included many training sessions, tours and success story presentations. |
| 7. Mary Ann reported on the UC Cooperative Extension and RC&D Council sponsored Ag Tourism Workshop recently held at the Camatta Ranch near Santa Margarita. Mary Ann presented the background and history of Ag Tourism on the Central Coast. There were many topics covered including risk management, permitting, and personal business experiences. |
| 8. Chuck reviewed the recent Drought and Vegetation Management Workshop put on by the US-LT RCD in Paso Robles. There were about 60 in attendance and it was mentioned we are in a La Nina pattern. |
New Business |
| 9. Sandra Wallace, representing the West Coast Alpaca Network, presented a project request for Council assistance to help develop a grant application and business plan to look at the feasibility of creating alternative markets for the lower quality alpaca fiber that presently has little value. Already in discussions with Rodriguez, value-added and Rural Business Enterprise grants are possibilities. Kathie moved to adopt this project, seconded by Vasiliki, motion passed unanimously. |
| 10. Election of officers, President: Kathie nominated Chuck for the position of president, seconded by Mary Ann, motion passed unanimously. This is a 2 year commitment. |
11. The 2011 RC&D Council budget was reviewed. Royce moved to accept and approve the budget, seconded by Jane, motion passed unanimously. |
12. Member Program Updates: Tim reported on San Benito RCD activities including a local Community Foundation grant the RCD received for permit streamlining and a habitat restoration project. The RCD is also working on a strategic plan. The RCD of Santa Cruz County is hosting a rainwater catchment workshop and they have a need for nutrient management training for their staff. Kathie will be attending the State Watershed Committee meeting in Sacramento this week. Patty reported on the Central Coast Association of RCD's speak off contestant (sponsored by Loma Prieta RCD) who will be competing at the state RCD conference in Ventura. Also Loma Prieta is still looking for a black plastic recycler. |
| 13. The external financial review has been scheduled for November 4 in the Templeton RC&D office. |
| 14. Announcements: The CA RCD meeting will be November 17, 18, and 19 in Ventura. Anne Coates is the new Executive Director for Cachuma RCD and Julie Fallon from Cachuma is the new Area RCD chair. |
| 15. Kathie volunteered to help revise the Council by-laws and will draft a letter requesting the annual council contribution. |
| 16. The proposed 2011 meeting dates are February 23, May 18, August 17, and October 26. |
| 17. Royce discussed the dilemma of having solar farms and continued grazing while maintaining the Williamson Act designation. Royce asked if the council wanted to take a position on this issue. After discussion, the council declined to take a position. |
| The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 p.m. |
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