HomeMy WebLinkAboutDRAFT CFFCOC Special Meeting Minutes_20240221P a g e 1 | 4
http://www.co.jefferson.wa.us
Honoring Jessica Randall
Prior to commencing the meeting, Rob Harbour informed the group of the recent passing of committee member
Jessica Randall. He spoke gratefully to her work on the committee and to her nature as a person. The group
expressed warm thanks to Jessica. It was suggested that a card be sent to her family in gratitude.
* Decisions and action items are indicated in bold font.
Members Present: Rob Harbour, Vice Chair, Interest – Working Lands; Richard Jahnke, Interest
– Coastal Areas; Tom Ehrlichman, District 2; Ron Rempel, Interest – Wildlife Conservation
Biology; Dave Wilkinson, District 1; Joanne Pontrello, District 2; Cheryl Lowe, Interest – Habitat;
Mary Biskup, District 1
Members Absent: E. Ryan McMackin, Interest – Wetlands
County Staff Present: Tami Pokorny, Natural Resources Program Coordinator; Tressa Linquist,
Clerk
Others Present: Marlowe Moser, Stewardship Assistant, Jefferson Land Trust
I. Call to Order
Vice Chair Rob Harbour called the meeting to order at 4:00 PM.
II. Welcome and Introductions
New members Tom, Cheryl, and staff member Tressa, were welcomed. Each member introduced
themselves to the group.
III. Approval of Minutes
It was noted that the previous meeting’s minutes were not sent to the group with the meeting packet,
so the committee was not able to review the minutes prior to this meeting’s start. Approval of the
minutes was postponed until the next feasible meeting for proper review.
*Tressa to send draft meeting minutes from 07NOV23 to CFFCOC for review.
IV. Public Comments
Jefferson County Conservation Futures Fund (JCCFF)
Citizen Oversight Committee Special Meeting:
Hybrid between Jefferson County Public Works and Zoom Connection
February 21st, 2024 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM
Draft Summary
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There were no Public Comments.
V. Old Business
A. 2023 Annual Reports
The following nine Annual Reports were sent to the committee prior to the meeting for review.
They were generally discussed, and no further changes or updates were requested by the
committee to the reports.
Annual Reports Reviewed: Irondale County Park Additions; Dosewallips River/Lazy C, Phase I; Big
Quilcene River/Moon Valley Acquisitions; Ruck/Salmon Creek; Quimper Land Trust Transfer;
Hannan Farm; Ruby Ranch Preservation; Quilcene Headwaters to Bay; Arlandia
B. Bylaws
The committee expressed thanks to all and to Tami for the newly approved Bylaws.
C. Subcommittee Reports
Materials Subcommittee
The general purpose of this committee is to objectively review the program manual, score
sheet, and application (Materials) with regard to applying equity among conservation values and
avoiding potential bias in scoring and granting of funds. The subcommittee members will be
Mary, Richard, and Ron, and Tom. They will present a more formal scope for their objectives at
the next meeting. It was noted that any changes made to the Materials will need BoCC approval
in November.
StoryMap Subcommittee
The purpose of this committee is to create an interactive virtual map of CFF sites in Jefferson
County. This subcommittee consists of Rob Harbour and Ryan Macklin. Cheryl Lowe expressed
interest in joining later, if needed. Rob expressed that County GIS is excited to work on this
collaborative project. More images and other work are needed. A more formal update will be
provided at the next meeting.
The bylaws for subcommittee structure and meeting were reviewed.
The process for Materials change approval by the BoCC was also reviewed.
*Subcommittees to deliver 3-4 sentence scope descriptions at next meeting.
VI. New Business
A. Presentation: Marlowe Moser, Stewardship Assistant, Jefferson Land Trust
a. Marlowe introduced herself and expressed thanks to the committee for the invitation.
Marlowe’s responsibility is to coordinate the annual conservation easement monitoring
program at the Jefferson Land Trust. Her presentation would update the committee on
five CFF projects that are greater than five years old (2002-2017). She gave an overview
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of the Jefferson Land Trust, their mission statement, and showed a slide of maps
showing all easements, preserves, and facilitated projects that the Land Trust has been
involved in. This area totals 18,398 protected acres. Conservation Futures specific funds
have protected a significant amount of that land, totaling 2,404 acres.
b. The Land Trust’s management approach was described.
c. Property/project updates were given:
1. Tamanowas Rock Sanctuary
2. Upper Tarboo Creek
3. Brown Dairy
4. Sunfield Farm
5. Short’s Family Farm
d. Marlowe ended by expressing gratitude to the group and to previous members.
VII. Announcements/Administrative
A. Staff Update
Tami introduced new staff member, county clerk Tressa Linquist, and encouraged committee
members to reach out to Tressa if needed. Tressa shared about her background in biotech,
quality/regulatory management, and laboratory management, and expressed enthusiasm for
the ability to help support the CFFCOC.
B. 2024 Officer Elections
Joanne Pontrello volunteered to be Chair. Ron Rempel volunteered to be Vice Chair. Richard
moved that Joanne be made chair, and Ron be made Vice Chair, and Dave seconded. The
committee voted in unanimous support.
2024 Chair: Joanne Pontrello
2024 Vice Chair: Ron Rempel
C. 2024 Calendar Review
The calendar was generally discussed. No changes were proposed.
D. Site Visits
Site Visits for 2024 program applications will be held the morning March 12th. An afternoon trip
may also be planned to visit a prior year’s site for those that can attend.
*Tami to propose additional site visit locations for 12MAR24.
E. CFFCOC Committee Vacancies
There are four open positions on the committee: One for District 3, and three open for
“Interests.” One of these positions was recently filled by Cheryl Lowe, who would like to be
reappointed. An ad will be run in The Leader within the month advertising the positions.
Committee members were encouraged to spread the word about the vacancies. Dave suggested
reaching out to landowners with easements and to high school students for their unique
perspectives. Cheryl suggested advertising in the WSU extension newsletter.
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F. Next Meeting
The next JC CFFCOC meeting was scheduled for 3/12/24 for project site visits.
VIII. Public Comments
There were no Public Comments.
IX. Adjournment
Chair Joanne Pontrello adjourned the meeting at 5:40 PM.
Meeting summary prepared by Tressa Linquist.
Action Items:
*Tressa to send draft meeting minutes from 07NOV23 to CFFCOC for review.
*Subcommittees to deliver 3-4 sentence scope descriptions at next meeting.
*Tami to propose additional site visit locations for 12MAR24.