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MEETING MINUTES February 24, 2010 "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 Vice President Tom Lockhart at 12:30 PM. Introductions were made. The following Council members were present: Shayna Bailey, Upper Salinas-Las Tablas RCD, Tom Lockhart, Cachuma RCD; Kathie Matsuyama, Coastal San Luis RCD; Mike Manfre, RCD of Santa Cruz County; Ellen Pirie, County of Santa Cruz; Jane Parker, AMBAG; Jeane Errea, RCD of Monterey County; Mary Ann Vasconcellos, CAFF; Brett Melone, ALBA, and Royce Larson, representing Supervisor Patterson, San Luis Obispo County. Others present: Jeff Rodriguez, RC&D Project Coordinator. |
2. Additions to the Agenda: Annual Report, Status of Tom Lockhart as Cachuma RCD Representative |
3. Treasurer's Report: |
Treasurer Matsuyama submitted the following report: bills for $570 to Shawn Meara Bookkeeping Service, $45 to eVision Designs, $450 to Chris Henrich (Merrigan Tour Expenses), $50.86 to Garrison Consulting (Merrigan Tour Expenses), and $1000 to the Cachuma RCD for the Biochar Project, $220 to the Desert Mountain RC&D Council for the Non Profit Management Workshop registration. There was a $500 deposit from the Center for Cooperatives to support the Merrigan Tour, and a $1000 from NRCS for the Biochar project. Total bills of $1,720.86 were presented for payment. The checking account balance is $20,304.51. Parker moved to approve treasurer's report and pay bills; seconded by Pirie; motion passed unanimously. Kathie reported the dues notice letter will be coming out soon. |
4. The minutes of October 28, 2009 were reviewed. Parker moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Matsuyama, motion passed unanimously. |
5. Correspondence: |
Letters were read from Ed Burton, NRCS State Conservationist, transmitting our approved 2010 Annual Plan of Work; from Santa Cruz County re-appointing Ellen to serve on our board; and a letter of support sent to the Santa Clara Valley Water District in support of Carol Presley's chair of the Pajaro River Watershed Council. |
| 6. Tom Lockhart announced he is leaving the Cachuma RCD and will no longer serve on the RC&D Council. Ellen suggested putting the vice chair appointment on the next agenda. Kathie took over as chair of the meeting. |
Old Business |
7. Tom Lockhart reported on the joint Cachuma RCD/RC&D risk management training program for Spanish-speaking farmers in the Santa Maria Valley. The $97,000 proposal is about 33% completed. Tom presented a printed overview of the project and accomplishments to date. |
8. Mary Ann introduced Steph Wald, Central Coast Salmon Enhancement, and the See Canyon Watershed Project for an update. Steph provided an overview of the watershed and the working group and past and planned activities. Last year the Council provided $2600 for Steph's time to facilitate this group to address and work on watershed issues. Steph will put together a new request for support. |
9. Rodriguez reported on the unsuccessful grant application with the Central Coast Ag Tourism Council to the Ag Marketing Service to fund a cross promotional effort for farm operators. |
| 10. The council reviewed the 2009 Annual Report and progress on the Annual Plan of Work. Our Area Plan is due to be updated this year. |
| 11. Tom Lockhart gave an overview of the biochar project in the Santa Maria Valley. The purpose of the experiment is to evaluate the effectiveness of biochar as a soil amendment. |
| 12. Shayna Bailey presented a project request for financial support for the Upper Salinas Las Tablas RCD to write and prepare grants and their district outreach program. The request is for $2600. Brett Melone presented a project request for signage for a Wetlands Restoration Project at ALBA's Triple M Ranch. The request is for $4400. Ellen moved to allocate $1500 to the USLT RCD at this time; seconded by Jane; motion passed unanimously. ALBA and See Canyon will come back in May to further discuss their requests. |
New Business |
13. The Council reviewed a new $7500 Cooperative Agreement with NRCS to support the Area Plan. Royce moved to accept this agreement; seconded by Ellen; motion passed unanimously. |
14. Kathie presented information on the Non-Profit Management workshop to be held in Palmdale, May 17-19. Registration is $220 plus travel. Council authorized Kathie to attend and Council will pay expenses. |
15. Rodriguez described a visit by Deputy USDA Secretary to view the Mobile Slaughter Unit and Paso Meat. The Center for Cooperatives in Davis granted $500 to support the MHU transportation and tour expenses. The Deputy Secretary was very impressed with the operation. |
16. Royce described a Water Board called meeting with range and forestry groups to discuss prescribed burns as a preventative for catastrophic wildfires and subsequent erosion and sedimentation. There may be an opportunity for RC&D to promote the effort. Royce will continue to report on this. Tom suggested a feasibility study to look at the marketing and composting of offal. Royce reminded us that the law regulating animal composting needs to be changed before we move forward. |
17. Announcements: Rodriguez announced the Council office will now be in the Templeton NRCS office, 65 South Main Street, Suite 105; (805) 434-0396, x 119. Kathie announced she has been asked by Resources Secretary Chrisman to serve on the State Watershed Committee. The next RC&D meeting will be May 26th and may be a joint RCD/RC&D meeting in King City. |
| The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m. |
| October 2009 |
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| May 2009 |
| February 2009 |
| October 2008 |
of the diverse natural resources of the Central Coast. |
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