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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
LOMA PRIETA RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
January 18, 2012
4:00 P.M.
The regular meeting of the Loma Prieta Resource Conservation District Board of Directors was called to order by Chair, Burt Malech, at 4:15 p.m. Directors present were Sandy Petersen, and David Boll. Also present were Executive Director, Susan Meyer, Kathleen Robins, Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD), Robert Siegfried, and NRCS District Conservationist, Athena Pratt.
Public Comments
No public comments.
Approval for changes in Agenda
Two changes were made to the Agenda: The Oath of Office will be administered next month, as the new Board member was not in attendance; and the addition of item (7j) New Cal Recycle grant was approved. Motion by Sandy to approve changes to the Agenda. Second by Dave. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Sandy to accept the October minutes. Second by Dave. Motion carried.
Partner Reports/Watershed Summary
NRCS
Athena Pratt reported that she has received 100 EQUIP applications. She predicts that most of them will be approved. The USDA has grant-funding available for Agricultural Marketing. NRCS is trying to obtain non-development easements from landowners, but several local land-trust agencies and non-governmental organizations oppose easements. Value-added grants have been split 40%/60% between San Benito County and Santa Clara County. Very few Santa Clara County farmers and ranchers are applying for Air Quality grants to replace inefficient and polluting diesel pumps and tractors. Burt remarked that the overall small acreage of most county farms means that the farmers are using smaller pumps which do not need to be upgraded.
Old Business
Susan provided the board with a written activities report, sent in their Board Packets, describing grant and networking activities since the November Board meeting. Grant money yet owed to Loma Prieta RCD was briefly discussed. (See attached)
Susan reported on attending Guadalupe Coyote RCD’s Board meeting in November. No action was taken by LPRCD Board. The discussion will continue at the next board meeting, on February 15, 2012.
Board members were reminded to complete online ethics training.
The next Chrysanthemum Growers workshop will teach growers to perform Nitrogen-nitrate quick tests. Growers who have signed an NRCS contract will receive free testing equipment at the meeting.
New Business
Now that the Regional Water Quality Board has a quorum, Bob Siegfried, SCVWD, thinks that their new conditional waiver will be approved and will require a Farm Plan and Distribution Uniformity Analysis (DU) for Santa Clara County farmers. The water district proposes providing LPRCD with a Directed Action Grant to use for equipping a Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL) and hiring an employee to conduct DU analysis for local growers. Burt asked Bob to write a proposal detailing what SCVWD is offering and how our constituents will benefit from the service.
Kathleen Robin presented the board with a Grant Writing tutorial. (See attached)
Sandy motioned to set a cap for a retirement gift to former LPRCD Executive Director. Second by Dave. Motion carried.
Sandy motioned to pay registration fees and expenses for a Board Member to represent LPRCD at the Rangeland Coalition Summit at UC Davis, on January 19, 2012. Second by Dave. Motion carried.
Susan presented the board with an opportunity to participate in the CHEER Steelhead Trout education event in Gilroy, on May 19, 2012. The board will make a decision when more information on the event is available.
LPRCD will celebrate its 70th Anniversary this year. Susan will research venues and extend an invitation to Santa Clara County Board of Supervisor, Mike Wasserman.
Potential locations for the annual Land Judging Contest were discussed. Both Burt’s and Dave’s properties are eligible sites this year. Burt requested a Certificate of Insurance for any events taking place on his property. Susan will contact LPRCD’s insurance agent.
Potential sites for holding Stewardship for Small Acreage Workshops were discussed. Susan will provide Certificates of Insurance for the workshops. Burt motioned to cap expenditures relative to what was spent on last-year’s series of workshops and the Land Judging Competition. Second by Sandy. Motion carried.
LPRCD received notification that our second Cal Recycle application was accepted. Susan will outreach to the Farm Bureau, the County Ag Commissioner’s Office, and to UCCE for more potential farm clean-up sites. Dave will contact another landowner whom he believes is eligible for a Cal Recycle grant.
Susan is to draft a proposal for areas in which the Executive Director would have the authority to cover expenses capped at $300.
Treasurer’s Report
Sandy motioned to pay bills and approve treasurer’s report. A balance sheet will be mailed to the board members. Second by Dave. Motion carried.
Correspondence
Incoming
The board was notified that the Special Districts Financial Transactions and Compensation Report had been completed and filed.
FYI
All materials available for review listed on agenda but not included in minutes.
Outgoing
Invoices for the AWQA Mini-grant, 1st Cal Recycle Grant, and NRCS grant for translation services and Chrysanthemum Growers workshops were sent. No reimbursements for LPRCD expenses have been received.
Directors Reports
Sandy reported that the FireSafe Council is seeking venues for public outreach. Sandy asked that an update on assessment of rural fire fees be placed on the Agenda for February.
Announcements/Calendar
Next Board meeting – Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 4:00 pm.
Rangeland Coalition Summit: UC Davis, January 19 and 20th.
Pastures and Paddocks: Saturday, January 28, 2012, Machado School, Morgan Hill, 9am – 4pm. RSVP and $15 fee.
2nd Native Plant Meadow Workshop: February 11, at 10am, Gilroy Demonstration Garden.
Adjournment
With no further business, Dave motioned to adjourn at 6:27 p.m. Second by Sandy. Motion carried.
Approved_______________________________ Date____________________
Secretary of the Board of Directors
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