A/GVWC Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, June 3, 2006

AGV Watershed Council

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Minutes of June 3, 2006

A meeting of the board of directors of the Atascadero Creek Green Valley Creek Watershed Council was held at 10355 Burgandy Lane in Sebastopol on June 3, 2006. Directors Jean Redus, John Roberts, Stephen Fuller-Rowell, Dave Erickson and Bob Burke were present. Also present were officer Zeno Swijtink, Brittany Heck of the Gold Ridge RCD and member Kimberly Burr.
Jean called the meeting to order at 10:10.

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

Financial Matters. John gave a summary financial report. Dues have been received from only a modest number of list serve members, so Bob was asked to send a second request for dues.

Mailing Proposal. Kimberly gave a report on the work she and others have been doing, over an extended period of time, to restore vegetation along a section of lower Green Valley Creek at the Martinelli Ranch. Kimberly intends to send a mailing to owners of property adjacent to or near the creek, encouraging them to take conservation measures to minimize demands on the creek, especially as summer approaches with its warmer temperatures. Kimberly was asked to circulate to the board the proposed language of her mailing, so the board could decide if the Council should add its formal participation to the effort. The board promised to get back to Kimberly within one week.

Russian Riverkeeper Proposal. Zeno and Bob reported on a proposal by the Russian Riverkeeper in collaborating with Laurel Marcus to submit a grant proposal to develop GIS information on several tributaries of the Russian River. Letters of support were requested from local watershed entities. The directors, having previously reviewed a copy of a letter of support, approved such a letter, which Jean agreed to sign.

Mapping. Dave gave a demonstration of the capabilities of the ArcView program, using publicly available data. Zeno reported that Laurel Marcus had given classes some time ago at the Gold Ridge RCD on mapping techniques. It was agreed that the current mapping techniques provide a very powerful tool to engage residents of the watershed. Dave was encouraged to continue his efforts.

Gold Ridge RCD. Brittany Heck, representing the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District, gave a report on the activities of the RCD. Questions were asked about the road assessment program of the RCD, and Brittany explained that the grant for such program has not yet been finalized. In the interim, interested persons can contact John of Pacific Watershed Associates, at 707-773-1385.

Dog Park. Dave agreed to follow up with Jo Benz and the Community Clean Water Institute regarding the partially constructed off-leash dog run under construction at Ragle Ranch Park. The proposal is to take water samples of the tributary before it dries up for the season, and before the dog run is opened for use.

October Water Forum. Co-sponsorship of the Water Forum, to be held on October 14, was confirmed. Jean and Stephen agreed to staff the table the Council will host.

Northeast Quadrant of Sebastopol. Zeno, who serves as liaison from the Council on matters relating to the City of Sebastopol, reported on activities by the City Council to address, in a proactive manner, the anticipated development of what is referred to as the northeast quadrant of Sebastopol. It was noted that while the City of Sebastopol lies largely outside our watershed, actions taken (and not taken) by and in the City can have a profound impact on our watershed.

The board agreed to spend time in future meetings to develop a policy on hot to address activities outside the watershed.

Creek Walk. John reported that the owner of the primary parcel of riparian property where the proposed creek walk is to be held has a conflict on June 10, and that the event will therefore have to be rescheduled. After discussion, the date of Sunday, July 2, was selected. John is to contact the relevant property owners to determine the availability of that date.

Technology Matters. Stephen referred to the fact 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. It was also pointed out that a similar capability exists with the Council’s own site at the domain name of http://www.atascaderogreenvalleywatershed.net/ Joe Honton had recently informed Zeno that the registration of that domain name is due for renewal. Procedures for renewing the domain name and other aspects of the Council’s web site were discussed. The group of Zeno, Dave and Stephen agreed to work together to assure timely renewal of the domain name and continuity of control of the web site.

Migrant Worker Encampments. Zeno reported that the encampment along Atascadero Creek near Graton that had been used by migrant workers in recent years would not be authorized this year by the property owner. Spanish language signs to that effect would soon be posted. The potential consequences to the closing of such encampment were discussed.

Goals and Visions. The directors decided to hold a special meeting on June 7 to be devoted exclusively to following up on the matters discussed in the special meeting that was held on March 25. Jean agreed to circulate the lists of problems and potential responses thereto.

The meeting adjourned at 12:45.

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Burke
Secretary

AGV Watershed Council	Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Minutes of June 3, 2006


A meeting of the board of directors of the Atascadero Creek Green Valley Creek Watershed Council was held at 10355 Burgandy Lane in Sebastopol on June 3, 2006. Directors Jean Redus, John Roberts, Stephen Fuller-Rowell, Dave Erickson and Bob Burke were present. Also present were officer Zeno Swijtink, Brittany Heck of the Gold Ridge RCD and member Kimberly Burr. Jean called the meeting to order at 10:10. Minutes. The minutes of the May meeting were approved in the form previously circulated. Financial Matters. John gave a summary financial report. Dues have been received from only a modest number of list serve members, so Bob was asked to send a second request for dues. Mailing Proposal. Kimberly gave a report on the work she and others have been doing, over an extended period of time, to restore vegetation along a section of lower Green Valley Creek at the Martinelli Ranch. Kimberly intends to send a mailing to owners of property adjacent to or near the creek, encouraging them to take conservation measures to minimize demands on the creek, especially as summer approaches with its warmer temperatures. Kimberly was asked to circulate to the board the proposed language of her mailing, so the board could decide if the Council should add its formal participation to the effort. The board promised to get back to Kimberly within one week. Russian Riverkeeper Proposal. Zeno and Bob reported on a proposal by the Russian Riverkeeper in collaborating with Laurel Marcus to submit a grant proposal to develop GIS information on several tributaries of the Russian River. Letters of support were requested from local watershed entities. The directors, having previously reviewed a copy of a letter of support, approved such a letter, which Jean agreed to sign. Mapping. Dave gave a demonstration of the capabilities of the ArcView program, using publicly available data. Zeno reported that Laurel Marcus had given classes some time ago at the Gold Ridge RCD on mapping techniques. It was agreed that the current mapping techniques provide a very powerful tool to engage residents of the watershed. Dave was encouraged to continue his efforts. Gold Ridge RCD. Brittany Heck, representing the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District, gave a report on the activities of the RCD. Questions were asked about the road assessment program of the RCD, and Brittany explained that the grant for such program has not yet been finalized. In the interim, interested persons can contact John of Pacific Watershed Associates, at 707-773-1385. Dog Park. Dave agreed to follow up with Jo Benz and the Community Clean Water Institute regarding the partially constructed off-leash dog run under construction at Ragle Ranch Park. The proposal is to take water samples of the tributary before it dries up for the season, and before the dog run is opened for use. October Water Forum. Co-sponsorship of the Water Forum, to be held on October 14, was confirmed. Jean and Stephen agreed to staff the table the Council will host. Northeast Quadrant of Sebastopol. Zeno, who serves as liaison from the Council on matters relating to the City of Sebastopol, reported on activities by the City Council to address, in a proactive manner, the anticipated development of what is referred to as the northeast quadrant of Sebastopol. It was noted that while the City of Sebastopol lies largely outside our watershed, actions taken (and not taken) by and in the City can have a profound impact on our watershed. The board agreed to spend time in future meetings to develop a policy on hot to address activities outside the watershed. Creek Walk. John reported that the owner of the primary parcel of riparian property where the proposed creek walk is to be held has a conflict on June 10, and that the event will therefore have to be rescheduled. After discussion, the date of Sunday, July 2, was selected. John is to contact the relevant property owners to determine the availability of that date. Technology Matters. Stephen referred to the fact 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. It was also pointed out that a similar capability exists with the Council’s own site at the domain name of http://www.atascaderogreenvalleywatershed.net/ Joe Honton had recently informed Zeno that the registration of that domain name is due for renewal. Procedures for renewing the domain name and other aspects of the Council’s web site were discussed. The group of Zeno, Dave and Stephen agreed to work together to assure timely renewal of the domain name and continuity of control of the web site. Migrant Worker Encampments. Zeno reported that the encampment along Atascadero Creek near Graton that had been used by migrant workers in recent years would not be authorized this year by the property owner. Spanish language signs to that effect would soon be posted. The potential consequences to the closing of such encampment were discussed. Goals and Visions. The directors decided to hold a special meeting on June 7 to be devoted exclusively to following up on the matters discussed in the special meeting that was held on March 25. Jean agreed to circulate the lists of problems and potential responses thereto. The meeting adjourned at 12:45. Respectfully submitted, Bob Burke Secretary