A/GVWC Board of Directors Meeting Minutes, December 2, 2006

AGV Watershed Council

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Minutes of December 2, 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 December 2, 2006. Directors Jean Redus, John Roberts, Stephen Fuller-Rowell, Dave Erickson and Bob Burke were present. Jean called the meeting to order at 10:05.
Minutes. The draft minutes of the November meeting were discussed. Bob was asked to revise the minutes to reflect more fully what was discussed with Mike Reilly.

Financial Report. John reported on the financial status of the Council, and the board authorized the reimbursement of $10 to Jo Bentz for costs she incurred in connection with testing the water quality in the seasonal watercourse near the new dog park at Ragle Ranch County Park.

Follow-up on Discussion with Supervisor Reilly. The directors agreed that the meeting with Mike Reilly on November 4 had been very worthwhile, Mike having been very well versed on the subjects identified for discussion. Bob was asked to draft a letter to be sent by Jean, on behalf of the Council, thanking Mike for taking the time to meet with the board, and specifically addressing two matters: first, requesting that the study of the Santa Rosa Plain being jointly conducted by the Sonoma County Water Agency and the U.S. Geologic Survey have a western boundary that will allow the study to evaluate the possible hydrologic connectivity between the Laguna and lower Green Valley Creek; and, second, the need for enforcement of existing riparian setback requirements, regardless of any changes that may be made to such requirements as part of the General Plan Update.

Funding Workshop. John will be attending the funding workshop organized by the Sotoyome and Gold Ridge Resource Conservation Districts on December 5. The directors identified the following activites that would require substantial funding in order to be realized:
• On-line remote creek monitoring
• Mailings to residents and property owners in the watershed
• Mapping projects utilizing geographic information systems
• "Ground truthing" of various existing maps utilizing GPS
• Hiring a part-time worker for the foregoing

Pitkin Marsh. The directors considered the status of the request by the new owner of the large parcel in the area known as the Pitkin Marsh to develop a 29-bed residential care facility. Stephen and Jean reported on the public hearing for the use permit application that was held on November 9. The following is from a message Jean sent to the other directors after that hearing: "The BZA hearing for True North's proposed development on Pitkin Marsh was set for Thursday, November 9 in the PRMD meeting room. Stephen and I were there. The applicants (True North) requested a 60 day continuance because, basically, they're being forced to reconsider their plans. The Regional Water Quality Control board submitted a letter saying that a full EIR would be required, Fish and Game submitted a letter saying that the project could result in a "take", and Fish & Wildlife submitted a letter suggesting a conservation option for the entire property. Various other damning letters have been prepared, including two from geologists Jane Nielson and Richard Ely, and the gem from Bob Rawson at the Graton water treatment plant. True North is approaching Open Space and chances are very good that they will choose to use a different site for their project. Jo Bentz is in regular contact with Alan Goldhamer (the owner)."

Dave asked what lessons had the board learned from this experience, and an extended discussion ensued. Stephen said the experience demonstrated how essential it is for the Council to learn of significant project within the watershed at an early stage. Other directors acknowledged that it was only because of extraordinary efforts by Stephen and a few volunteers off the board recruited by Stephen that the directors were able to get up to speed prior to the public hearing. It was agreed that Dave will visit the PRMD and attempt to assure that written notice of applications for material developments within the watershed be given to the Council at an early stage. Such notices should be sent to Dave as the director of the Council responsible for monitoring such developments, and to the President of the Council at the Council's Post Office Box. Jean agreed to contact Ralph Benson at Sonoma Land Trust to learn what history there has been between the owner of the property and the SLT. Stephen said, and the other directors agreed, that it is incumbent upon the directors to become as knowledgeable as the Supervisors, the Planning Commissioners or the Members of the Board of Zoning Adjustments about matters concerning our watershed. It was recognized that we directors cannot realistically expect to be as knowledgeable as the staffs of agencies, but we should be able to learn as much about development proposals as the decision makers.

Draft Urban Water Management Plan Comment Letter. The board discussed the draft letter from the Sonoma County Water Coalition commenting on the Sonoma County Water Agency's draft Urban Water Management Plan 2005 (UWMP), which Stephen had circulated among the directors by email. After discussion, the board (with one director abstaining) voted in favor of endorsing the draft letter.

Coho Recovery Program. Bob reported that the Council and the Blucher Creek Watershed Council will jointly sponsor a report on the Coho Recovery Program that has been ongoing in the lower Russian River Watershed since 2003. The report will take place from 7 until 9 PM on Wednesday, January 10, in the Community Room of the Palm Drive Hospital in Sebastopol. The Coho Recovery Program is a joint effort by nine organizations, including the UC Cooperative Extension, the California Department of Fish and Game, the Sonoma County Water Agency, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, Trout Unlimited.

The meeting adjourned at 12:15

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Burke
Secretary

AGV Watershed Council	Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Minutes of December 2, 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 December 2, 2006. Directors Jean Redus, John Roberts, Stephen Fuller-Rowell, Dave Erickson and Bob Burke were present. Jean called the meeting to order at 10:05. Minutes. The draft minutes of the November meeting were discussed. Bob was asked to revise the minutes to reflect more fully what was discussed with Mike Reilly. Financial Report. John reported on the financial status of the Council, and the board authorized the reimbursement of $10 to Jo Bentz for costs she incurred in connection with testing the water quality in the seasonal watercourse near the new dog park at Ragle Ranch County Park. Follow-up on Discussion with Supervisor Reilly. The directors agreed that the meeting with Mike Reilly on November 4 had been very worthwhile, Mike having been very well versed on the subjects identified for discussion. Bob was asked to draft a letter to be sent by Jean, on behalf of the Council, thanking Mike for taking the time to meet with the board, and specifically addressing two matters: first, requesting that the study of the Santa Rosa Plain being jointly conducted by the Sonoma County Water Agency and the U.S. Geologic Survey have a western boundary that will allow the study to evaluate the possible hydrologic connectivity between the Laguna and lower Green Valley Creek; and, second, the need for enforcement of existing riparian setback requirements, regardless of any changes that may be made to such requirements as part of the General Plan Update. Funding Workshop. John will be attending the funding workshop organized by the Sotoyome and Gold Ridge Resource Conservation Districts on December 5. The directors identified the following activites that would require substantial funding in order to be realized: • On-line remote creek monitoring • Mailings to residents and property owners in the watershed • Mapping projects utilizing geographic information systems • "Ground truthing" of various existing maps utilizing GPS • Hiring a part-time worker for the foregoing Pitkin Marsh. The directors considered the status of the request by the new owner of the large parcel in the area known as the Pitkin Marsh to develop a 29-bed residential care facility. Stephen and Jean reported on the public hearing for the use permit application that was held on November 9. The following is from a message Jean sent to the other directors after that hearing: "The BZA hearing for True North's proposed development on Pitkin Marsh was set for Thursday, November 9 in the PRMD meeting room. Stephen and I were there. The applicants (True North) requested a 60 day continuance because, basically, they're being forced to reconsider their plans. The Regional Water Quality Control board submitted a letter saying that a full EIR would be required, Fish and Game submitted a letter saying that the project could result in a "take", and Fish & Wildlife submitted a letter suggesting a conservation option for the entire property. Various other damning letters have been prepared, including two from geologists Jane Nielson and Richard Ely, and the gem from Bob Rawson at the Graton water treatment plant. True North is approaching Open Space and chances are very good that they will choose to use a different site for their project. Jo Bentz is in regular contact with Alan Goldhamer (the owner)." Dave asked what lessons had the board learned from this experience, and an extended discussion ensued. Stephen said the experience demonstrated how essential it is for the Council to learn of significant project within the watershed at an early stage. Other directors acknowledged that it was only because of extraordinary efforts by Stephen and a few volunteers off the board recruited by Stephen that the directors were able to get up to speed prior to the public hearing. It was agreed that Dave will visit the PRMD and attempt to assure that written notice of applications for material developments within the watershed be given to the Council at an early stage. Such notices should be sent to Dave as the director of the Council responsible for monitoring such developments, and to the President of the Council at the Council's Post Office Box. Jean agreed to contact Ralph Benson at Sonoma Land Trust to learn what history there has been between the owner of the property and the SLT. Stephen said, and the other directors agreed, that it is incumbent upon the directors to become as knowledgeable as the Supervisors, the Planning Commissioners or the Members of the Board of Zoning Adjustments about matters concerning our watershed. It was recognized that we directors cannot realistically expect to be as knowledgeable as the staffs of agencies, but we should be able to learn as much about development proposals as the decision makers. Draft Urban Water Management Plan Comment Letter. The board discussed the draft letter from the Sonoma County Water Coalition commenting on the Sonoma County Water Agency's draft Urban Water Management Plan 2005 (UWMP), which Stephen had circulated among the directors by email. After discussion, the board (with one director abstaining) voted in favor of endorsing the draft letter. Coho Recovery Program. Bob reported that the Council and the Blucher Creek Watershed Council will jointly sponsor a report on the Coho Recovery Program that has been ongoing in the lower Russian River Watershed since 2003. The report will take place from 7 until 9 PM on Wednesday, January 10, in the Community Room of the Palm Drive Hospital in Sebastopol. The Coho Recovery Program is a joint effort by nine organizations, including the UC Cooperative Extension, the California Department of Fish and Game, the Sonoma County Water Agency, NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, Trout Unlimited. The meeting adjourned at 12:15 Respectfully submitted, Bob Burke Secretary