Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRAFT 11.7.23 JC CFFCOC Special Meeting Draft SummaryPage 1 | 3 http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us * Decisions and action items are indicated in bold font. Members Present: Mary Biskup, District 1; Rob Harbour, Vice Chair, Interest – Working Lands; Richard Jahnke, Interest – Coastal Areas; E. Ryan McMackin, Interest – Wetlands; Joanne Pontrello, District 2; Jessica Randall, Interest – Ecosystem Services; Ron Rempel, Interest – Wildlife Conservation Biology; Dave Wilkinson, District 1 Members Absent: County Staff Present: Tami Pokorny, Natural Resources Program Coordinator Others Present: Rebekah Brooks, Rebekah Brooks Contracting (recorder), Tom Ehrlichman (guest observer) I. Call to Order Vice Chair Rob Harbour called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM. II. Welcome and Introductions III. Approval of Minutes Rob Harbour noted that the Quimper Land Trust Transfer was incorrectly recorded as the “Quimper custom transfer” under the Administrative Update. Richard Jahnke moved to approve the JCCFF minutes for the 10/3/23 meeting as corrected; Joanne Pontrello seconded. The motion passed by consensus. IV. Public Comments Joanne Pontrello mentioned that she reviewed the spreadsheet that Jessica Randall put together on the statewide Conservation Futures committees and wondered about the possibility of incorporating some of their processes, such as King County not requiring a match. Jessica suggested carefully observing some of the other counties’ practices and asking them for advice when JC might be ready to follow suit. V. Sub-committee Reports Agriculture and Wildlife Scoring Conservation Futures Fund Citizen Oversight Committee (CFFCOC) Special Meeting: Hybrid between East Jefferson Fire and Rescue and Zoom Connection November 7, 2023 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Draft Summary Page 2 | 3 Ron Rempel brought up an issue that the Materials Revision Subcommittee had raised over the question on the Application that addresses projects with agriculture and wildlife versus only agriculture. He pointed out that a combination project automatically has an advantage over a project that is only agricultural. In certain years, projects with both elements, even if they only contain a very small wildlife component, scored with an advantage. It became apparent that the issue was more complicated than the Subcommittee could solve at the time, so it will be dealt with by the new Subcommittee. V. Old Business A. Recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) for 2024 Program Materials and Process There were no revisions to the Application or Score Sheet beyond date changes. The group looked at the recommended Manual revisions. Richard Jahnke noted that there was some inconsistency with the naming convention of the JCCFF, and several references to appendices needed the page numbers updated. Rob Harbour pointed out a change needed in the preapplication language, changing the word “proceed” to “precede,” and several typos due to updates that were made. Discussion followed on conservation easements and adapting them for climate change priorities. Tami Pokorny went over the new preapplication process and schedule. The preapplication will be due on 3/1/24. Joanne Pontrello moved to recommend the changes as discussed to the BoCC; Ron Rempel seconded. The motion passed unanimously. *Tami will make the recommended changes to the Manual and Calendar. B. State CFF Program Spreadsheet Update Tami Pokorny attended the statewide Conservation Futures Coordinators Meeting last week, where Jessica Randall was invited to share her research on Conservation Futures committees throughout the State. Jessica noted that not everyone was operating in the best way possible, so there was some hesitancy about transparency. She added that conducting the research in a positive way is important and welcomed any help from other JCCFF members on filling in the data gaps. She thought it would be helpful to reach out to specific counties to fill in the gaps, and to get feedback on how JCCFF can improve in certain areas, such as climate change and social justice. VI. New Business JCCFF StoryMap Update Tami Pokorny and Rob Harbour gave an overview of the StoryMap they have been working on for the JCCFF program. It features an interactive map of the JCCFF funded projects. Several elements, including written descriptions, links to the businesses represented, and contact information are still needed. *Rob has offered to make Page 3 | 3 connections with some of the businesses. A subcommittee was formed to start working on the project template. *Rob Harbour and Ryan McMackin volunteered. VII. Announcements/Administrative A. Staff Update • Projects: Tami Pokorny announced that the Quimper Land Trust Transfer was in motion again and funding has been provided. The Schmidt Farm project was the next project up, but there had not been a public hearing yet. The County Department of Community Development was helping Tami with the employment analysis. • Membership: There were openings in every area except for District 1. • 2023 Public Hearing: *Tami will let the JCCFF know when it gets scheduled. • Bylaws: Tami will let the JCCFF know when the Bylaws are approved by the County’s attorney. B. Next Meeting The next JC CFCOC meeting was scheduled for 3/12/23 for project site visits. VII. Guest Observer Comments Tom Ehrlichman expressed his interest in participating in the JCCFF, and his appreciation for all that the JCCFF is involved in. Mary Biskup added her gratitude for all of the work the group had been doing. IX. Adjournment Vice Chair Rob Harbour adjourned the meeting at 5:23 PM. Meeting summary prepared by Rebekah Brooks. Action Items: *Tami Pokorny will make the recommended changes to the Manual and Calendar. *Rob Harbour offered to make connections with some of the businesses represented in the JCCFF StoryMap. *Rob Harbour and Ryan McMackin volunteered for the StoryMap Subcommittee. *Tami will let the Committee know when the 2023 Public Hearing is scheduled, and when the Bylaws are approved by the County’s attorney.