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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20110328_CFMinutes * Decisions and action items are indicated in bold font. Members Present: Phil Andrus, District 2; Richard Jahnke, Interest – Coastal Areas; Crystie Kisler, Interest - Farming; Jerry Gorsline, District 2; Janet Kearsley, District 1; Sarah Spaeth, Interest - Jefferson Land Trust; Fred Weinmann, Interest - Ecology; John Augustus Wood, District 1; Members Absent: Lige Christian, District 3; Phyllis Schultz, Interest - Working Lands County Staff Present: Tami Pokorny, Water Quality Division and Recorder Guests: J.D. Gallant I. Call to Order: Chair Phil Andrus called the meeting to order at 5:09 PM II. Review of Agenda: The agenda was approved, as written. III. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of November 2, 2010 were approved as written. IV. Observer comments: None V. Old Business: Meeting Summaries and Minutes There was no further discussion on meeting summaries or minutes. At the time of the meeting, there was uncertainty as to whether Rick Jahnke had been appointed to the CF Committee. His vote was not needed to establish a quorum, so he was asked to attend the meeting as an observer. Outreach Activities Tami Pokorny provided an update on outreach activities. The priority this year was on reaching out to groups and potential sponsors of conservation futures projects. She gave presentations about the program to the following groups: Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee, WRIA 20 Planning Unit, East Jefferson County Watershed Council, Beach Watchers, and a community of individuals living along the Bogachiel River. Jefferson County Conservation Futures Committee Monday, March 28, 2011 5:00 – 6:00 PM Jefferson County Library, Humphrey Room Port Hadlock, WA FINAL Minutes Although Ms. Pokorny was unable to make a presentation to the Chumsortium or to provide outreach materials at the Conservation District tree sale, she offered to host a booth at the Earth Day event at Fort Worden on April 16 and at the farmer’s market in Port Townsend. Phil Andrus suggested also attending other area farmer’s markets especially Chimacum. He and Crystie Kisler volunteered to help out there. VI. New Business Thank you card Staff passed around a thank you card for committee members to sign addressed to former committee member Herb Beck. Election of New Officers Chair Andrus invited nominations for the office of chair. In the past it has been the Committee’s convention each year to elect the current vice chair for this position. Jerry Gorsline moved to nominate Fred Weinmann to chair the committee. Sarah Spaeth seconded the motion. There were no other nominations. Chair Andrus called for further discussion on the motion, and hearing none called for a vote. The motion was approved unanimously. Phil Andrus then moved to nominate John Augustus Wood to be vice chair. Fred Weinmann seconded. There were no other nominations. Mr. Andrus called for further discussion on the motion, and hearing none called for a vote. The motion was approved unanimously. Fred Weinmann then took responsibility, as chair, for running the meeting. Ratings Process Preparation Chair Weinmann drew attention to the draft calendar and ranking meeting process sheet. The mandatory project presentation meeting will occur Monday, April 11 from 6-8 PM. The committee will hear project presentations from this year’s project sponsor. Staff acknowledged the receipt of two applications for CF funding from the Jefferson Land Trust. Several committee members in attendance expressed a preference for meetings to be held in the Port Hadlock area. Staff will change the location for the April 11 meeting and hold subsequent meetings preferentially at the Jefferson County library or the Tri-Area Community Center. Discussion then focused on the site visits, scheduled for April 13. The first meeting point for the Winona project will be at the bottom of the steep hill on Cook Avenue [Staff note: meeting time is 2PM]. There is room for about 3-4 vehicles there, and the committee and interested public can enter the site on foot. For those coming into Port Townsend from the south, meet at Chimacum Corner at 1:30 PM to finalize carpool arrangements. Sarah Spaeth suggested that rubber boots be worn on the site visits. The meeting time for the second site will be 3:45 [Staff note: at the end of Creek View Lane off of Prospect Avenue] The mandatory ranking meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 2 from 3-6 pm. As usual, the site visits will be video taped. Questions for the projects’ sponsor should be submitted through staff by April 15. Janet Kearsley reminded everyone that it is necessary to attend the April 11 presentation meeting in order to rank projects. This is not the case with the site visits which can be viewed on video. Ms. Pokorny said the rating sheets will be available in both Word and Excel formats. It’s strongly encouraged that the ratings sheets be submitted in advance of the ranking meeting. VII. Other/ Administrative Staff Update: Fund Balance – The Fund balance as of February 28, 2011 was $392,185.33. The amount available to projects for this round is $75,000 of which up to $31,000 can be used for operations and maintenance. Membership – Although there was earlier interest in the District 3 vacancy, no eligible person came forward ahead of the application deadline. Consequently, the vacancy will be re-advertised on March 30. J.D. Gallant has expressed an interest in the position. It’s anticipated that the appointment can still be made in time for the ranking meeting. Match funding – Staff explained that there is a need to update and expand on the matching funds section of the Conservation Futures Manual for 2012. The Winona project application references a matching amount associated with the 2009 Quimper Wildlife Corridor that is eligible to linked projects for two years according to the CF Ordinance. As a result of Chair Andrus’ presentation of committee recommendations and subsequent approval by the county commissioners last December, the CF manual and application have been updated. Mr. Andrus added that the county commissioners expressed their thanks to the Committee for its work. The county administrator initially questioned the proposed change to the match question with the concern that an incentive be maintained to maximize project matching amounts. Mr. Andrus also mentioned an email from Sam Gibboney about the upcoming Olympic Agenda presentation. Sarah Spaeth provided background on this event. The Jefferson Land Trust (JLT) conservation prioritization effort, which looks 100 years into the future, has involved the Cascade Land Conservancy (CLC) as a partner. CLC completed its own visioning process called the Cascade Agenda on the east side of the sound. JLT and other organizations recognize the need for a collaborative, Peninsula-wide visioning process. This is now being called the Olympic Agenda which aligns these groups’ goals with regard to working landscapes, recreation, and economic growth. Most of the work has been with Jefferson, Clallam and Mason Counties. It has been a little more difficult in Grays Harbor County to identify the organizations interested in forwarding this idea. Fred Weinmann mentioned that CLC has already completed projects on the peninsula including on the Pysht River. CLC recognizes the value of local groups such as the Land Works Collaborative and wants to avoid duplication of effort. They also have a lot of experience with land conservation policies and legislative initiatives that JLT isn’t necessarily in a position to do or doesn’t really want to do. It’s hoped that the Olympic Agenda will magnify both JLT and CLC efforts. Competition isn’t really a factor. Janet Kearsley noted that the major conservation player in Grays Harbor County is the Grays Harbor Audubon Society which was doing great work but has scaled back due to the economic considerations. Staff will resend the Olympic Agenda announcement. The meeting concluded with a brief conversation about member schedules and availability. VIII. Observer Comments None IX. Adjournment Chair Weinmann adjourned the meeting at 5:54 PM.