A/GVWC Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, May 6, 2006

AGV Watershed Council

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Minutes of May 6, 2006

A meeting of the board of directors of the Atascadero Creek Green Valley Creek Watershed Council was held at 375 Montgomery in Sebastopol on May 6, 2006. Directors Jean Redus, Stephen Fuller-Rowell, Dave Erickson and Bob Burke were present. Also present were members Jo Bentz and Barbara Chasteen.
Jean called the meeting to order at 10:10.

Minutes. The minutes of the April meeting were approved in the form previously circulated.

Financial Matters. In the absence of John Roberts, Bob gave a summary financial report and recirculated for signature a revised bank form that would require two signatures on all checks written. An email message requesting the payment of dues had been sent to the list serve only earlier that week, and no checks had been received at the Post Office Box as of yesterday. It was decided that when Stephen sends out a “save-the”date” message regarding the pizza party to be held on July 8, he will include a reminder of the dues matter.

New Matters. Jo Bentz reported on the status of the development of the off-leash dog run under construction at Ragle Ranch Park. Jo described the project and circulated photographs and a map, which showed a seasonal tributary of Atascadero Creek adjacent to the dog run. She explained her dealings with County Park Department personnel regarding the setback from the tributary.

Dave suggested that water samples of the tributary be taken before it dries up for the season, and before the dog run is opened for use. Jo and Dave agreed to work on that, and were encouraged to make contact with the Community Clean Water Institute, which specializes in testing surface water quality, for the necessary equipment.

Jo has, with appropriate permits, collected wildflower seeds from the site, and plans to sow such seeds in the area in the fall. Volunteers will be needed to assist in that effort, and any interested member of the Council should contact Jo to help.

October Water Forum. Stephen reported that, while wearing his Water Coalition hat, he had been told that (i) co-sponsorship of the Water Forum being organized by the Sebastopol Water Information Group (SWIG) event would entail no cost and no responsibility to perform any tasks, and (ii) SWIG has arranged for some liability insurance that will cover the event, but Stephen was not in a position to verify those statement to the Watershed Council. If such conditions do apply, the board would favor co-sponsorship of the Water Forum.

Jean and Bob were asked to check with Zeno to see if such conditions do, in fact, apply, in which event the board approves co-sponsorship of the event.

Northeast Quadrant of Sebastopol. Zeno, who serves as liaison from the Council on matters relating to the City of Sebastopol, was not present because he was attending a meeting relating to development of a plan for what is referred to as the northeast quadrant of Sebastopol. Zeno had recommended that the Council work with SWIG to write a letter of concern to the City of Sebastopol about the water demand that the proposed North East Specific Plan would create and that the Council propose that “any additional water demand in the City should be offset by an all-town aggressive water conservation campaign.”

A general discussion ensued, noting the effect on the watershed of activities within the City (which is outside the watershed), including pumping by the City of water from aquifers that are to some extent recharged by the watershed. It was also noted that prospective activities in the north east quadrant of the City will affect not only water demand but other issues of interest to the Council, such as climate change.

Dave suggested that, rather than now writing a letter with a specific request on only one aspect of the proposed plan, the board should attempt to develop a more general policy on the development and implementation of such plan. Dave and Jean agreed to work with Zeno to identify the best way for the Council to proceed on this important matter.

Creek Walk. Bob reported that John has obtained permission to have the Council conduct a creek walk on June 10, for approximately 20 or 25 participants, on private property near the headwaters of Green Valley Creek. Bob read a proposed notice of the creek walk he had drafted, which was approved. Bob said he would submit it for publication in the West County Gazette. Bob also agreed to draft a release of liability form to be signed by the participants. Jo said she would provide trash collection bags for use by the walkers.

Knowledge Base. Stephen reported on his several conversations with librarians in the area regarding the possibility of lodging documents relating to the watershed in one or more libraries. Stephen commended the very cooperative response he received from the librarians. After discussion, Stephen agreed to poll the participants on the list serve on what documents they have that might be contributed to such a knowledge base.

It was pointed out that the Russian River Interactive Information System (RRIIS) allows groups like the Council to establish on RRIIS directories in which documents specific to such groups can be stored and accessed. Stephen and Dave agreed to establish such a directory and explain the workings thereof to the board.

Mapping. Dave reported on a meeting he had had with Kimberly Burr, who is active protecting the watershed, especially in the lower reaches of Green Valley Creek. Dave and Kimberly had investigated mapping the owners of riparian parcels in the watershed, with the hopes of enlisting their cooperation in protecting the watershed. Jo suggested it would be a good idea to call a meeting of owners of riparian parcels in the watershed. After discussion, it was agreed that, while Kimberly and the Council have a common interest in protecting the watershed, any communication with property owners in the watershed that could be seen as coming from the Council should be approved by the board. Dave agreed to speak with Kimberly to facilitate appropriate coordination.

Dave was unable to demonstrate the mapping capabilities of his computer because of a lack of a high speed Internet connection. Accordingly, Dave agreed to host the June 3 board meeting at his home, where he will be able to demonstrate such capabilities.

Goals and Visions. The directors again reviewed the matters discussed in the special meeting that was held on March 25. Jean had listed four primary responses that had been identified at such meeting as appropriate responses to the problems and challenges in the watershed discussed at that meeting. Such responses were, in no particular order: (1) Advocacy/Restoration; (2) Community/Stewardship; (3) Knowledge Base; and (4) Grow our Group.

Jean agreed to circulate among the directors her listing of all problems/challenges, and responses thereto. The directors agreed to continue this discussion, perhaps at a special meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 12:20.

AGV Watershed Council	Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Minutes of May 6, 2006


A meeting of the board of directors of the Atascadero Creek Green Valley Creek Watershed Council was held at 375 Montgomery in Sebastopol on May 6, 2006. Directors Jean Redus, Stephen Fuller-Rowell, Dave Erickson and Bob Burke were present. Also present were members Jo Bentz and Barbara Chasteen. Jean called the meeting to order at 10:10. Minutes. The minutes of the April meeting were approved in the form previously circulated. Financial Matters. In the absence of John Roberts, Bob gave a summary financial report and recirculated for signature a revised bank form that would require two signatures on all checks written. An email message requesting the payment of dues had been sent to the list serve only earlier that week, and no checks had been received at the Post Office Box as of yesterday. It was decided that when Stephen sends out a “save-the”date” message regarding the pizza party to be held on July 8, he will include a reminder of the dues matter. New Matters. Jo Bentz reported on the status of the development of the off-leash dog run under construction at Ragle Ranch Park. Jo described the project and circulated photographs and a map, which showed a seasonal tributary of Atascadero Creek adjacent to the dog run. She explained her dealings with County Park Department personnel regarding the setback from the tributary. Dave suggested that water samples of the tributary be taken before it dries up for the season, and before the dog run is opened for use. Jo and Dave agreed to work on that, and were encouraged to make contact with the Community Clean Water Institute, which specializes in testing surface water quality, for the necessary equipment. Jo has, with appropriate permits, collected wildflower seeds from the site, and plans to sow such seeds in the area in the fall. Volunteers will be needed to assist in that effort, and any interested member of the Council should contact Jo to help. October Water Forum. Stephen reported that, while wearing his Water Coalition hat, he had been told that (i) co-sponsorship of the Water Forum being organized by the Sebastopol Water Information Group (SWIG) event would entail no cost and no responsibility to perform any tasks, and (ii) SWIG has arranged for some liability insurance that will cover the event, but Stephen was not in a position to verify those statement to the Watershed Council. If such conditions do apply, the board would favor co-sponsorship of the Water Forum. Jean and Bob were asked to check with Zeno to see if such conditions do, in fact, apply, in which event the board approves co-sponsorship of the event. Northeast Quadrant of Sebastopol. Zeno, who serves as liaison from the Council on matters relating to the City of Sebastopol, was not present because he was attending a meeting relating to development of a plan for what is referred to as the northeast quadrant of Sebastopol. Zeno had recommended that the Council work with SWIG to write a letter of concern to the City of Sebastopol about the water demand that the proposed North East Specific Plan would create and that the Council propose that “any additional water demand in the City should be offset by an all-town aggressive water conservation campaign.” A general discussion ensued, noting the effect on the watershed of activities within the City (which is outside the watershed), including pumping by the City of water from aquifers that are to some extent recharged by the watershed. It was also noted that prospective activities in the north east quadrant of the City will affect not only water demand but other issues of interest to the Council, such as climate change. Dave suggested that, rather than now writing a letter with a specific request on only one aspect of the proposed plan, the board should attempt to develop a more general policy on the development and implementation of such plan. Dave and Jean agreed to work with Zeno to identify the best way for the Council to proceed on this important matter. Creek Walk. Bob reported that John has obtained permission to have the Council conduct a creek walk on June 10, for approximately 20 or 25 participants, on private property near the headwaters of Green Valley Creek. Bob read a proposed notice of the creek walk he had drafted, which was approved. Bob said he would submit it for publication in the West County Gazette. Bob also agreed to draft a release of liability form to be signed by the participants. Jo said she would provide trash collection bags for use by the walkers. Knowledge Base. Stephen reported on his several conversations with librarians in the area regarding the possibility of lodging documents relating to the watershed in one or more libraries. Stephen commended the very cooperative response he received from the librarians. After discussion, Stephen agreed to poll the participants on the list serve on what documents they have that might be contributed to such a knowledge base. It was pointed out that the Russian River Interactive Information System (RRIIS) allows groups like the Council to establish on RRIIS directories in which documents specific to such groups can be stored and accessed. Stephen and Dave agreed to establish such a directory and explain the workings thereof to the board. Mapping. Dave reported on a meeting he had had with Kimberly Burr, who is active protecting the watershed, especially in the lower reaches of Green Valley Creek. Dave and Kimberly had investigated mapping the owners of riparian parcels in the watershed, with the hopes of enlisting their cooperation in protecting the watershed. Jo suggested it would be a good idea to call a meeting of owners of riparian parcels in the watershed. After discussion, it was agreed that, while Kimberly and the Council have a common interest in protecting the watershed, any communication with property owners in the watershed that could be seen as coming from the Council should be approved by the board. Dave agreed to speak with Kimberly to facilitate appropriate coordination. Dave was unable to demonstrate the mapping capabilities of his computer because of a lack of a high speed Internet connection. Accordingly, Dave agreed to host the June 3 board meeting at his home, where he will be able to demonstrate such capabilities. Goals and Visions. The directors again reviewed the matters discussed in the special meeting that was held on March 25. Jean had listed four primary responses that had been identified at such meeting as appropriate responses to the problems and challenges in the watershed discussed at that meeting. Such responses were, in no particular order: (1) Advocacy/Restoration; (2) Community/Stewardship; (3) Knowledge Base; and (4) Grow our Group. Jean agreed to circulate among the directors her listing of all problems/challenges, and responses thereto. The directors agreed to continue this discussion, perhaps at a special meeting. The meeting adjourned at 12:20.