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MINUTES The Shenandoah RC&D Council USDA Conference Room - Harrisonburg January 8, 2007 10:00 a.m.
Council Jim Nichols, HSWCD Carl Luebben, FB Jim Lawrence, LFSWCD Members Rick Shiflet, HSWCD Roy Stephenson, HSWCD Steve Kerr, NSVRC Present: Joan Comanor, LFSWCD Maria Papadakis, At-Large Jeff Rinker, Pure H2O Linda Campbell, SVSWCD David Frackelton, SVSWCD John Eckman, VCC
Members Tom Benzing, Pure H20 Ray Griffin, CSPDC Esteban Nieto, At-Large Absent:
Associate Kelly McDaniel, Potomac Con. Hobey Bauhan, Va. Poultry Members Chris Anderson, Page Co. Present: Dale Gardner, Va. State Dairyman’s Assoc.
Staff Kathy Holm, SRC&D Jennifer Howard, WSF Intern Present: Lorraine Cormier, SRC&D Becky Barlow, Marketer – Organic Resources
Others Bruce Harmon, DOF Matt Yancey, VCE Bill Patterson, NRCS Present: Joe McCue, Conservation Svcs Chad Stover, DOF Brian Jones, VCE DuBose Eggleston, Citizen David Richert, RC&D Forester
The meeting was called to order by Chairwoman Joan Comanor. A quorum was declared with 12 voting members in attendance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the November 11, 2006 meeting and the financial report were approved unanimously. A motion was made by Jim Nichols and seconded by Jim Lawrence and were unanimously approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Roy Stephenson, RC&D Secretary/Treasurer, read the treasurer’s report
The following reflects activity in the Shenandoah RC&D checking accounts:
Operating/Administrative Account: October 2006 Opening Balance: $12,090.25 Checks Cleared: $771.30 Deposits Cleared: $397.35 Balance in Checkbook: $11,716.30 (matches statement) Checks Not Cleared: $657.70 Ending Balance: $11,058.60 November 2006 Opening Balance: $11,716.30 Checks Cleared: $1,781.70 Deposits Cleared: $2,924.00 Balance in Checkbook: $12,858.60 (matches statement) Checks Not Cleared: $12.00 Ending Balance: $12,846.60 Projects Account: October 2006 Opening Balance: $36,126.26 Checks Cleared: $186.01 Balance in Checkbook: $37,940.25 (matches statement) Checks Not Cleared: $541.17 Ending Balance: $37,399.08 November 2006 Opening Balance: $37,940.25 Checks Cleared: $7,254.68 Deposits Cleared: $25,000.00 Balance in Checkbook: $55,685.57 (matches statement) Checks Not Cleared: $2,954.99 (written in Nov.) Checks Not Cleared: $603.08 (written in Dec.) Ending Balance: $52,127.50
The bank statements for both accounts for the months of October and November were reconciled with the checkbook. Details of the above financial activities are on the reconciliations, which are being distributed. If there are specific questions concerning this activity, you may view statements, reconciliations, and original receipts which are kept in the RC&D office.
A certificate of tax-exempt status was applied for, approved by the state tax office, and received. It is on file at the RC&D office.
A motion was made by Roy Stephenson; seconded by Dave Frackelton and was unanimously approved.
GUEST PRESENTATION David Richert, RC&D Forester David Richert gave a PowerPoint presentation. Some of the highlights are stated here. Economic - Forestry has a $1 billion economic impact on the Shenandoah RC&D area. People come here to enjoy recreation. Ecological – Forestry contributes to air and water quality. There are challenges – increasing population; loss of forest land. We are gaining forest land owners. The challenge is that there is an associated increase in the subdivision of forestland. This is a balancing act. Forestry is partnering to achieve common goals. The goals are to reduce forestland loss, protect water, and improve forest health. There are many project ideas DOF could be working on in partnership with other organizations. The Council can work with communities to promote firewise. DOF, New-River Highlands RC&D, and Shenandoah RC&D are working on a firewise project together now. The Council, VCE, and DOF can encourage landowners to get together to talk about a forestry plan. Jim Nichols suggested use of bio-fuels in their vehicles. Joan requested a copy of the Power Point presentation be sent to Kathy for the Council’s future use. Council members gave input for Shenandoah RC&Ds role. They ideas were as follows: landowner education, working with local governments, and outreach focusing on forest management (including information sessions). Kathy mentioned the financing workshops and how we might piggyback on greenways. Joan Comanor suggested that the Council should form a Forestry Committee to provide leadership for our activities. Chris Anderson asked about air quality and forestry; she questioned if there is a way to assign dollar values to air quality improvements from forestry practices. David said that he would get back with her. There will be a VARCDC forestry conference call on January 17 at 8:00 p.m. There will be a Forestry Committee meeting in Charlottesville in June 2007
COUNCIL OPERATIONS New Projects Volunteer Farm II: Maria Papadakis, Community Development Committee, reported on this project. They have a request for operating funds of $20,000. Joan stated that last year Council provided $10,000 to hire a farm manager. Volunteer Farm provided a match to qualify for the whole amount. Jim Lawrence stated that there is not enough information to warrant funding at that level. Maria stated that she would go back and work with them on funding sources and a business plan. John Eckman stated that maybe they could ask four private donors for $5,000 each to fund. Joan stated that there should be constraints on using Kathy’s time on this project. Council suggested that Volunteer Farm work with the Community Development Committee to identify other ways the Council can support Volunteer Farm through technical assistance, etc; based on the outcome of those discussions, they could submit another proposal. The Community Development Committee should also ensure that any proposal follows our requested format and have complete information before coming back to the Council. Rick Shiflet moved that Council not approve the proposal. It was seconded by Carl Luebben and unanimously approved. Kathy and Maria will work together and contact Volunteer Farm.
Pilot Research Project: Livestock Exclusion: Kathy reported on this project. This project was tabled due to not receiving the contract. The contract has been received. Rick Shiflet made a motion to take off of tabled status and Jim Nichols seconded; it was unanimously approved. Kathy stated that HSWCD and SVSWCD like this project and have sent letters of support. She sent them around to Council today. A steering committee has been formed. The focus is Rockingham, Augusta counties and Page County will be added later if funding permits. The target audience for this project are those landowners who do not participate with currently available government cost-share programs. The SWCD and NRCS technicians will be doing the leg work, Va. Dairymen will be writing checks to landowners, and Shenandoah RC&D will manage the reporting. Jim Nichols stated that the timing of this project is great. It will be another tool in the box. He feels it will be complimentary to SWCDs. The date should be changed on the contract to 1/8/07. John Eckman made a motion to approve this project; Rick Shiflet seconded. It was unanimously approved.
JMU Farm: Maria Papadakis reported on this project. The project proposed would acquire land from the hospital, managed by JMU, to provide fresh produce for hospital and a CSA that hospital staff, JMU and the community could tap into. JMU students are asking for Shenandoah RC&D time to research grants to support this project. The Council needs more information about what the students would like write grants for. Jim Lawrence suggested that a project team needs to be formed before obligating RC&D time. Rick suggested that they look at the produce auction and farmer’s market to provide fresh produce for the hospital. Council decided that this project lacks information in development and decided not to take any action at this time. Maria will bring this proposal back after suggested changes are made. John told Maria that he would help with this project.
Project updates/status changes Shenandoah Co. Agricultural Task Force: The final report was distributed on 12/19/06. The final invoice was submitted to Council. Joan Comanor made a motion to declare this project complete. Carl Luebben seconded and it was unanimously approved.
Waste Solutions Forum – II: Becky Barlow, Organic Marketer, reported on this project. Economic feasibility for poultry litter transport is a big stumbling block. She is looking at other funding avenues. She is in the process of setting up a litter hotline.
Jennifer Howard, WSF Intern, reported that she has been working on the symposium. She has sent letters to dignitaries in the area. She is tracking down vendors for the symposium. Eric Bendfeldt, VCE, is taking care of registration for the symposium on the VCE website. She made the agenda and a flier available to Council.
Community Financing of Land and Water Protection: Kathy reported that the final charrette related to this project “Financing Greenways” is taking place at the Rockingham County Government Center on January 18, 2007. You may register through VCC or Shenandoah RC&D. Lunch will be provided.
Grant Expenditures: Kathy reported on the current status of the grants. She distributed spreadsheets on how the money has been spent and the balances.
Steele’s Tavern Research Farm: This project was approved at the last meeting and was resubmitted in the correct format at this meeting. There was a discrepancy in the amount on the updated proposal. Kathy contacted Richard Fitzgerald and he said that $3,000 was enough. Council approved $3,000.
Dairy Parlor Wastewater Innovative Demonstration Project: This project was approved at the last meeting. The original proposal was $2,500. Richard Fitzgerald requested an additional $700 when he resubmitted. Carl reported that the extra money is for testing. Dave Frackelton made a motion to approve $3,200 for this project. It was seconded by Jim Lawrence and was unanimously approved.
COUNCIL INFORMATION VARC&DC Award Nominations: The following nominations were discussed: Outstanding Coordinator - Kathy Holm; Outstanding Project - Waste Solutions Forum; Exemplary Assistance by an Individual - Bobby Whitescarver; Outstanding Council Member - Jim Nichols. The due date for the nominations is January 19, 2007. Linda Campbell suggested that Council prepare nominations for these. It was seconded by Jim Nichols and unanimously approved.
VARC&DC Annual Spring Meeting: Kathy and Jim Nichols reported on this. Joe McCue, Conservation Services, was recognized for contributing $300 toward the meeting. Jim reported that Council has a pledge of $500 from First Bank and Trust in Staunton. Roy Stephenson reported that he has made contact with SunTrust. Council members were encouraged to hand in their attendance survey. Lorraine and Kathy have an appointment with Cathy Fogarty at SJH to talk about details and logistics. They will also meet with Linda Bowers to iron out details about the awards banquet and tour the Frontier Culture Museum’s Octagonal Barn. Registration forms will be sent out the first week of February.
PowerPoint Presentation: Shenandoah RC&D Kathy Holm showed this to the Headwaters SWCD in October. She showed it to Council today to make new members aware of what RC&D is all about and also all aware of what Shenandoah RC&D has been doing the past few years.
NARC&DC Leadership Forum: Joan reported that the Leadership Forum will be held in Washington, DC in February. She stated that she and Jim Lawrence will attend.
OTHER BUSINESS Coordinator’s Report: Kathy distributed the Coordinator’s report. She also gave information on how to join the national list serve and encouraged all to sign up.
Announcements John Eckman 1/18/07 - “Greenways Financing” Charrette
1/17/07 - Rockingham Co. BOS Large Scale Development - Endless Caverns on Smith Creek
1/18/07 - Augusta Co. Government Center - Verona Comprehensive Plan
Chris Anderson 1/24-26/07 - Education Day - 6th grade Page Co. Schools – going to Luray Caverns for a geology tours – needs volunteers
The updated Council directory was distributed.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m.
The next Shenandoah RC&D Council meeting will be at 10 a.m., Monday, March 12, 2007.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine M. Cormier, Administrative Assistant Shenandoah RC&D
Approved: Chair Date
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