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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJCCF Ratings Meeting Summary July 9, 2019 FINAL  * Decisions and action items are indicated in bold font. Members Present: Mary Biskup, District 1; Scott Brinton, Interest – Agriculture; Lige Christian, Chair, District 3; JD Gallant, District 3; Ray Hunter, Interest – Fallow Farms; Richard Jahnke, Interest – Coastal Areas; Dave Seabrook, Interest – Food Security; Craig Schrader, Interest – Climate Change; Lorna Smith, Interest – Ecotourism; Dave Wilkinson, District 1 Members Absent: Phil Andrus, District 2; Rob Harbour, Interest – Working Lands; Joanne Pontrello, Vice Chair, District 2 County Staff Present: Tami Pokorny, Environmental Public Health; Veronica Shaw, Public Health Members of the Public Present: I. Call to Order: Chair Lige Christian called the meeting to order at 1:04 PM. II. Welcome and Introductions III. Approval of Minutes: The CF Committee voted all in favor to [preliminarily] approve the May 1, 2019 minutes. IV. Review of Agenda: The agenda was approved by consensus. V. Guest Observer comments: None VI. Sub-Committee Reports None VII. Old Business A. Review of Supplemental Appearance of Fairness Forms The forms showed no issues had arisen between the ranking meeting on May 1st and the present. B. Revised Estimate of Available Funds While preparing the 2020 budget, Veronica Shaw discovered that the estimate of available conservation futures funds provided ahead of the meeting to rank projects exceeded the actual amount available by $29,000. This was due to the transfer of the incorrect beginning balance figure into the calculation. Veronica apologized for the error. Such mistakes are very rare anyway, but anticipated budgeting software will also help prevent future problems. An unrelated error several years ago was addressed by checks and balances that remain in place. Discussion followed as to the possibility of borrowing the lost amount from a future CF funding round in the form of an inter-fund loan. Chair Christian commented that funds available to new projects are typically about $235,000 and the spring estimate exceeded this amount by twelve percent. It’s rare that our funds would change that much year to year. If there’s a large percentage change in funding, Health should automatically question it and recheck. Richard Jahnke moved that the minutes record this idea. JD Gallant seconded. The CF Committee voted all in favor to approve of the motion. The motion passes. Members of the committee accepted Veronica’s apology and thanked her for attending the meeting to clarify the situation. C. Revision of Funding Recommendations Chair Christian turned attention to the July 8th email from JLT in which Sarah Spaeth stated that that the Land Trust would likely re-apply for additional funding for the Quilcene project and that the Quimper project is out of consideration now due to the owner listing it for sale. David Seabrook suggested that the group leave the funding levels as is for Tarboo, at $110,000, and the Dosewallips, at $7,649, and reduce the Quilcene project by the shortfall, from $147,351 to $118,351. An alternative, dropping the Dosewallips project, was also discussed. Richard Jahnke moved to lower the Mahan [Quilcene] project by the shortfall amount and to fund Tarboo and Lazy J [Dosewallips] at the original recommended amounts. Lorna Smith seconded. The discussion noted that these projects would likely lead to improved awareness of the Conservation Futures Program and valuable projects in the future. The CF Committee voted all in favor to approve of the motion. The motion passes. Lorna Smith moved to ask County staff if the option of a loan from another fund is legal. Richard Jahnke seconded. Committee members expressed hesitation in borrowing against future funds. The CF Committee voted all opposed to the motion. The motion fails. VIII. Old Business Bishop Dairy Preservation Proposed Changes After a summary from Tami Pokorny and reviewing two project update letters provided by Sarah Spaeth, David Wilkinson moved to allow for an extension of the project through June of 2020. Scott Brinton seconded. The CF Committee voted all in favor to approve of the motion. The motion passes. Ray Hunter mentioned that he knew the Bishop family when they first moved to Chimacum and was impressed by their efforts to develop the land. Next Meeting and Agenda The next meeting is scheduled for September 10th 4-6pm, most likely in Chimacum. IX. Other/ Administrative Staff Update Tami Pokorny reported that she would be advertising the seats held by Scott Brinton, Ray Hunter and Lorna Smith ahead of their term expiration dates and would be in contact with them early in the new year. She plans to attend the All County Picnic on Sunday, August 18th with the CF Program display and invited committee members to also attend to help answer questions. The CF Committee is in full force as of the recent reappointments of Richard Jahnke and JD Gallant. Scott Brinton made the suggestion that Conservation Futures Funds be acknowledged on project signs like the one that the Land Trust has placed along Center Road in front of the Iglitzin (now Trillium Woods) Farm. X. Observer Comments None XI. Adjournment Lorna Smith moved and Mary Biskup seconded to adjourn the meeting at 2:23 PM. The Committee voted all in favor. Meeting summary prepared by Tami Pokorny.