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MINUTESThe Shenandoah RC&D CouncilVCE Conference Room – Woodstock, Virginia September 11, 2006 10:00 a.m.
Council Jim Nichols, HSWCD Jim Lawrence, LFSWCD Randy Maupin, SVSWCD Members Roy Stephenson, HSWCD Steve Kerr, NSVRC John Eckman, VCC Present: Joan Comanor, LFSWCD Tom Benzing, Pure H20 Esteban Nieto, At-Large
Members Carl Luebben, FB Linda Campbell, SVSWCD Ray Griffin, CSPDC Absent: Rick Shiflet, HSWCD David Frackelton, SVSWCD
Associate Kelly McDaniel, Potomac Conservancy Members Joe Lehnen, DOF Present:
Staff Kathy Holm, SRC&D Present: Lorraine Cormier, SRC&D
Others Mike Liskey, NRCS Present: Matt Yancey, VCE
The meeting was called to order by Chairwoman, Joan Comanor. A quorum was declared with 9 voting members in attendance.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the July 10, 2006 meeting were reviewed. John Eckman noted that in those minutes “national park” should read “national forest”. It was duly noted and changes will be made. A motion was made by Jim Nichols and seconded by John Eckman. It was unanimously approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT Roy Stephenson, RC&D Secretary/Treasurer, read the treasurer’s report as follows:
The following reflects activity in the Shenandoah RC&D checking accounts:
Operating/Administrative Account: There was a balance of $11,343.85 as of May 31, 2006. The following checks/deposits cleared: NARC&DC Registration $840.00 Eastern Shore RC&D Registration $50.00 Joan Comanor NARC&DC $75.50 Jim Lawrence Travel/VARC&DC/NARC&DC $1,258.70 Lorraine Cormier Supplies – Extension Cords $3.15 Deposits – Cleared Headwaters SWCD 2007 Dues $750.00 There is a balance of $10,756.50 as of July 31, 2006 Deposits – not cleared Shen. Valley SWCD 2007 Dues $750.00 Lord Fairfax SWCD 2007 Dues $750.00 There is a balance of $12,256.50 as of August 31, 2006.
Projects Account: There was a balance of $34,491.64 as of May 31, 2006. The following checks/deposits cleared: Treas. Va. Tech Field Crop Summer Intern $4,100.00 Shen. Co. Econ. Dev. Shen. Co. Ag Task Force $1,391.00 Augusta Co. Fair Roller/Crimper $125.00 Jim Lawrence PDR $73.76 Heavenly Ham Biodiesel Workshop $440.37 Daily Grind Biodiesel Workshop $72.00 Kathy Holm Biodiesel – Food/Hotel $205.42 VCE Roller/Crimper Research $4,407.71 Crossing Creeks First Installment $1,075.00 Deposits cleared: Deposit Keith Campbell Foundation $12,500.00 There is a balance of $39,207.38 as of July 31, 2006
Checks written – not cleared: Lorraine Cormier Biodiesel – CDs $14.63 VCE Farming 101 $400.00 Daily News Record WSF - II – Advertising $181.12 News Leader WSF - II – Advertising $182.00 N. Va. Daily WSF - II – Advertising $82.62 Univ. of Maryland Community Financing $8,000.00 EcoEmploy.com WSF - II – Advertising $51.75 EcoJobs.com WSF - II – Advertising $163.00 Deposit - not cleared VEE $8,000.00 There is a balance of $38,126.26 as of August 31, 2006
The bank statements for both accounts for the months of June and July were reconciled with the checkbook.
The Form 990 for FY2006 will be sent to the accountant, PBGH in Harrisonburg, on September 30, 2006 and filed with the IRS by November 15, 2006.
Roy Stephenson made a motion that it be accepted; John Eckman seconded. It was unanimously approved.
COUNCIL OPERATIONS Agua Fund Status Review: The Council has committed all but about $3,000 of the Agua Fund grant for 2005/06. Other grants received by the Council are Keith Campbell Foundation - $12,500 for WSF Intern; Virginia Environmental Endowment - $24,400 for Community Financing for Land and Water Protection; National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - $157,000 for a 3-year, full-time employee for an Organic Resources Marketer.
New Projects Conservation Calendar: Jim Lawrence reported on this project. This calendar will list a variety of conservation resources for each month. The Education and Information Committee requested that changes be made in wording to reflect alternative ways to approach conservation if this project is to be funded with Agua Fund project money. The Committee recommended this project to be accepted by the Council if appropriate changes were made. Joan recused herself from voting on this project because she is on the LFSWCD committee. It was noted that LFSWCD put $3,000 toward this project. They are requesting $3,500 for cost of printing from Shenandoah RC&D. Up to 2,500 calendars will be printed and will be distributed by real estate firms and Master Gardeners, targeting the 25-30 acre landowner (‘newly rural’) audience. Jim Lawrence made a motion to accept and it was seconded by Roy Stephenson. It was unanimously approved.
Crop Tree Release with Shiitake Mushrooms as a Management Opportunity for Forest Landowners: John Eckman, Chair, Rural Economic Vitality Committee updated the Council on this pending project. Matt Yancey, VCE forester, was also present at the meeting to help answer questions about this project. He was asked to provide amarketing plan for the mushrooms prior to Council approval. According to Matt, there are outlets available for marketing this product. Matt found individuals interested in working with him, including Crossing Creeks. He would like to organize some workshops and demo areas like McCormick Farm. He feels like there is a demand for mushrooms in the area. The real focus of the project is to keep land in forest use and increase forest management options. He is requesting $2,400 from Shenandoah RC&D. The money will be used to buy mushroom spawn to dispense and also buy equipment, instructional material, and demo materials. It was suggested that Matt try to get matching funds; part of the match could be producing more than shiitake mushrooms. John suggested Matt contacting the Merck Family Fund. Joan suggested that he contact Volunteer Farm also. Joe Lehnen stated that it would give the small wood lot owner the option to market small trees; small trees are primarily sold for fire wood. A motion was made by John Eckman to approve this project; seconded by Jim Lawrence. It was unanimously approved.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Jim Lawrence, Chair, Education and Information Committee, reported on this project. While it is a good project, the Committee does not recommend this project for Agua Funds use. This project would be an outlet to sell surplus materials from construction sites. All profits would go back to Habitat. This promotes recycling throughout the Valley and supports urban re-vitality. The total cost of the project is $100,000. They are requesting $5,000 from Shenandoah RC&D for startup costs. A motion was made by Joan Comanor to concur with the committee for Council to deny using Agua funds for this project; Jim Nichols seconded and it was unanimously approved.
Project updates/status changes Stevens Amendment: Joan Comanor, on behalf of the; Forestry Sub-Committee, reported on this project. Shenandoah RC&D and New River Highlands RC&D partnered on this project and received funding to do firewise fuel reduction. A total of $200,000 was received $1,000 an acre will be awarded to do fuel reduction work on any properties within three miles of a national forest boundary. New River Highlands will do administrative work. Joe Lehnen suggested the Council contact Boyd Ritchie, Page Co. The Councilwould welcome suggestions of landowners and contractors to be contacted for this project. There is an RC&D forester who is working out of southwestern Virginia that can help manage the project and certify the work, David Richert. Local foresters can help also. Steve Kerr stated that the NSVPDC is working on fire mitigation in the northern part of the valley. Kelly McDaniel stated that Potomac Conservancy is doing a workshop where DOF will be talking about firewise, targeted to professionals. She stated that they could use some fliers about the project.
Waste Solutions Forum II: Kathy Holm, RC&D Coordinator, reported that the Market Maker position was advertised. To date, 15 resumes have been received. A committee will need to be formed to go over resumes and conduct interviews and also oversee the position. Rick Shiflet and Jim Nichols were appointed to be on this committee, along with the Chair of the council. It has been worked out with Augusta Co. they will be the payroll agent and write payroll checks to the Market Maker. Then they will invoice Shenandoah RC&D quarterly for the salary, social security, and Medicare. Shenandoah RC&D will provide a stipend of $200/month for health care and $83/month for retirement. It will be at the discretion of the employee on whether they will spend it on these or not. Shenandoah RC&D will have to provide work’s compensation insurance. Farm Bureau and BB&T Insurance will be contacted for quotes.
Chesapeake Bay Funders Network Cattle Exclusion: Kathy Holm, Coordinator, wanted to make Council aware of this potential project. Joan and Kathy met with CBFN, a network of private foundations interested in improving water quality in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. They contracted with Larry Elworth at the Center for Ag Partnerships in North Carolina to come up with some projects in the watershed to pool funds and improve water quality. They are coming to Verona in September to discussa work plan. Council was asked for further ideas to share. A big part of this project will be monitoring and data collection...is it really beneficial to do fencing or not. They will try to concentrate on one or two counties. Mike Liskey asked if there would be money for monitoring. Joe Lehnen asked about partnering. Kathy stated that they would love to partner with other groups. Joe stated that the money would last longer that way to enable monitoring.
2006 Annual Report: The Shenandoah RC&D 2006 Annual Report has been prepared. Lorraine received quotes from three different printers and Sterling Printing was the lowest. The printing cost will be $274 for 300 copies. Joan made a motion to pay this out of administrative funds; seconded by Steve Kerr. Copies will be made available to all Council members and Associates when ready. It was unanimously approved.
New At-Large Member: Joan Comanor reported that the Executive Committee met and recommended that Maria Papadakis be appointed as an at-large member. Maria is on the faculty at JMU and was a guest at the July meeting. She has expressed interest in working with the Council. She will have flexibility next semester to be able to attend the Council meetings. Maria studied the goals and objectives of Shenandoah RC&D’s Area Plan and wrote out how she could help with each. A motion was made by Joan Comanor to appoint Maria as an at-large member to Council; seconded by Roy Stephenson. It was unanimously approved.
Community Development Committee: Joan Comanor, Executive Committee, reported on this. This committee was an outgrowth of Council’s new area plan. It was recommended that this committee be established. Joan stated that she talked with Esteban Nieto and he stated that he would be interested in being the chairman. Maria Papadakis will be asked to join this committee also. Joan Comanor made a motion that this committee be formed; Jim Nichols seconded. It was unanimously approved.
RC&D Forestry Plan: Kathy Holm, Coordinator, reported on this. She passed around the RC&D Forestry Plan. This is a state-wide RC&D forestry planwritten by the RC&D foresters. There are two new RC&D foresters in the state. The state foresters are proposing to work with the Shenandoah RC&D on the Stevens Amendment project, the shiitake mushroom production project, and assist with workshops and tours that promote CRP/CREP in the Shenandoah RC&D area. Joe Lehnen also participated in the plan development and review.
New Employee Oversight: Joan reported that Council members need to oversee any employees that are hired by Council. Kathy would provide technical direction. She is not allowed to handle personnel issues. Joan Comanor asked Rick Shiflet to participate in the oversight of Council employees, and he agreed. Jim Nichols has personnel experience and was asked to be on this committee. Rick and Jim will be appointed to serve on the personnel committee, along with the Council chair. A personnel manual will be put in place with procedures and policies included. A personnel manual can be obtained from Headwaters SWCD or Lord Fairfax SWCD that can be used as a model for the Shenandoah RC&D Council. Employees will be reporting to Council and their other partners on a regular basis about their progress.
COUNCIL INFORMATION VARC&DC Fall Board Meeting: Will be on November 8, 2006 from 10:00 until 2:30 in Charlottesville, Virginia at the Dept. of Forestry Building. Joan Comanor, Jim Lawrence, Jim Nichols, John Eckman, Council Members, and Kathy Holm, Coordinator will attend.
VARC&DC Spring Meeting: Shenandoah RC&D will be the host. It will be held at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel in Staunton. We will have a tentative agenda and an auction items request ready for the Fall Board Meeting. The planning committee is requesting to purchase gifts for registrants. The committee recommends handmade spoon rests from Phill Ungar, a local potter, at $6.00 each. A motion was made by John Eckman to purchase gifts; seconded by Jim Lawrence. It was unanimously approved. The registration fee will be $150. The committee challenged that Council bring at least one Silent Auction Item.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Coordinator’s Report was distributed.
Announcements Pure Water Forum 10th Anniversary Celebration JMU 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. October 13, 2006
Valley Conservation Council Conservation Easement Brochures New tax benefits are included in this brochure.
VARC&DC Nominations See Jim Nichols to nominate or suggest someone.
Summer Intern – VCE Shenandoah Co.: Joan Comanor reported on this project. This intern was testing soil nitrates and helping farmers realize that they do not have to apply so much as they have been. Bobby Clark sent a summary of results. Joan read this summary to the Council. Farming 101 – II: Joan Comanor reported on this project. They just completed this course. Joan attended the graduation. There were some very interesting and enthusiastic people in the group. They received mostly positive feedback from the class on the evaluations.
Biodiesel: Jim Nichols reported on this project. A biodiesel workshop was held in June. One city in the RC&D area has gone totally biodiesel for their fleets. Two other communities are talking about it.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:10 p.m.
The next Shenandoah RC&D Council meeting will be on Monday, November 13, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. in Verona.
Respectfully submitted,
Lorraine M. Cormier, Administrative Assistant Shenandoah RC&D
Approved: Chair Date
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