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

AGV Watershed Council

Board of Directors Meeting Minutes

Minutes of January 6, 2007

A meeting of the board of directors of the Atascadero Creek Green Valley Creek Watershed Council was held at 375 Montgomery in Sebastopol on January 6, 2007. Directors John Roberts, Stephen Fuller-Rowell, Dave Erickson and Bob Burke were present. Also present were Jo Bentz, Doug Gore and, for a portion of the meeting, Richard Miller. Bob called the meeting to order at 10:05.
Minutes. Bob had revised and circulated the draft minutes of the November to reflect more fully what was discussed with Mike Reilly. The November minutes, as so revised, and the December minutes were approved.

Financial Report. John reported that an invoice for $240 for twelve months of hosting service for the Council's web site is due. Payment of such invoice was approved, but John was asked to seek a less expensive alternative, and to inquire about discounts for non-profit organizations like the Council.

Grant Funding Workshop. John gave a detailed report on the workshop he attended in December, sponsored by the Gold Ridge and the Sotoyome Resource Conservation Districts. Doug Gore was able to provide some comments based on his experience doing stream enhancement work funded by grants.

Pitkin Marsh. Jo Bentz reported on the status of the request by the applicant Alan Goldhammer, doing business as True North Health, to obtain a use permit on an agricultural zoned parcel to develop a 29-bed residential care facility and associated structures. The parcel contains the lower portion of a very unique and sensitive freshwater marsh known as Pitkin Marsh. After the hearing before the Board of Zoning Adjustments on November 9, discussions commenced between the applicant, various agencies, the Open Space District and Sonoma Land Trust to explore the possibility of the property being acquired as a conservation measure. Those discussions are continuing and we are strongly hoping for a positive outcome to preserve the lower Pitkin Marsh forever, for all future generations of Sonoma County.

PRMD Notices. Dave reported that he has not been able to contact an appropriate person at the Permit and Resource Management Department to assure that written notice of applications for material developments within the watershed be given to the Council at an early stage. Bob agreed to work with Dave on this issue.

Coho Recovery Program. Bob reported that the Council and the Blucher Creek Watershed Council will jointly sponsor a report on the Coho Recovery Program, 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.

Urban Water Management Plan. Urban Water Management Plan. Stephen reported that the 2005 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) recently adopted by the Sonoma County Water Agency will become final if not contested within a period of 90 days. He further reported on discussions between the Sonoma County Water Coalition and attorney Steve Volker. Mr. Volker has offered to contribute his services on a pro bono basis; however, filing fees, copying, and other disbursements will add up to a substantial sum, perhaps in the range of $10,000 - $20,000 through trial. Expenses for an appeal could run to $5,000.

Stephen asked if the Council would vote (1) in favor of a decision by the Water Coalition to contest the UWMP, (2) if the Council would allow its name to be used as part of any such contest, and (3) if the Council would provide financial support to any such contest. Dave Erickson recused himself from such questions because of work he is doing, through the Climate Protection Campaign, for the Water Agency. After discussion, the board: (i) voted in support of the Coalition challenging the UWMP; (ii) authorized the use of its name by the Coalition if the Coalition challenges the UMWP; and (iii) approved a contribution of not to exceed $350 to the Water Coalition if it decides to challenge the UWMP.

Larkin Woods Septic Permit Matter. John reported on the effort by the owner of a parcel near the headwaters of Green Valley Creek, in the Larkin Woods subdivision, to overturn the decision by the County to revoke a septic permit issued for a parcel located closer than 100 feet from a perennial stream. A hearing before an administrative judge took a full day, and was continued until February 2.

The meeting adjourned at 12:30

Respectfully submitted,

Bob Burke
Secretary

AGV Watershed Council	Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Minutes of January 6, 2007


A meeting of the board of directors of the Atascadero Creek Green Valley Creek Watershed Council was held at 375 Montgomery in Sebastopol on January 6, 2007. Directors John Roberts, Stephen Fuller-Rowell, Dave Erickson and Bob Burke were present. Also present were Jo Bentz, Doug Gore and, for a portion of the meeting, Richard Miller. Bob called the meeting to order at 10:05. Minutes. Bob had revised and circulated the draft minutes of the November to reflect more fully what was discussed with Mike Reilly. The November minutes, as so revised, and the December minutes were approved. Financial Report. John reported that an invoice for $240 for twelve months of hosting service for the Council's web site is due. Payment of such invoice was approved, but John was asked to seek a less expensive alternative, and to inquire about discounts for non-profit organizations like the Council. Grant Funding Workshop. John gave a detailed report on the workshop he attended in December, sponsored by the Gold Ridge and the Sotoyome Resource Conservation Districts. Doug Gore was able to provide some comments based on his experience doing stream enhancement work funded by grants. Pitkin Marsh. Jo Bentz reported on the status of the request by the applicant Alan Goldhammer, doing business as True North Health, to obtain a use permit on an agricultural zoned parcel to develop a 29-bed residential care facility and associated structures. The parcel contains the lower portion of a very unique and sensitive freshwater marsh known as Pitkin Marsh. After the hearing before the Board of Zoning Adjustments on November 9, discussions commenced between the applicant, various agencies, the Open Space District and Sonoma Land Trust to explore the possibility of the property being acquired as a conservation measure. Those discussions are continuing and we are strongly hoping for a positive outcome to preserve the lower Pitkin Marsh forever, for all future generations of Sonoma County. PRMD Notices. Dave reported that he has not been able to contact an appropriate person at the Permit and Resource Management Department to assure that written notice of applications for material developments within the watershed be given to the Council at an early stage. Bob agreed to work with Dave on this issue. Coho Recovery Program. Bob reported that the Council and the Blucher Creek Watershed Council will jointly sponsor a report on the Coho Recovery Program, 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. Urban Water Management Plan. Urban Water Management Plan. Stephen reported that the 2005 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) recently adopted by the Sonoma County Water Agency will become final if not contested within a period of 90 days. He further reported on discussions between the Sonoma County Water Coalition and attorney Steve Volker. Mr. Volker has offered to contribute his services on a pro bono basis; however, filing fees, copying, and other disbursements will add up to a substantial sum, perhaps in the range of $10,000 - $20,000 through trial. Expenses for an appeal could run to $5,000. Stephen asked if the Council would vote (1) in favor of a decision by the Water Coalition to contest the UWMP, (2) if the Council would allow its name to be used as part of any such contest, and (3) if the Council would provide financial support to any such contest. Dave Erickson recused himself from such questions because of work he is doing, through the Climate Protection Campaign, for the Water Agency. After discussion, the board: (i) voted in support of the Coalition challenging the UWMP; (ii) authorized the use of its name by the Coalition if the Coalition challenges the UMWP; and (iii) approved a contribution of not to exceed $350 to the Water Coalition if it decides to challenge the UWMP. Larkin Woods Septic Permit Matter. John reported on the effort by the owner of a parcel near the headwaters of Green Valley Creek, in the Larkin Woods subdivision, to overturn the decision by the County to revoke a septic permit issued for a parcel located closer than 100 feet from a perennial stream. A hearing before an administrative judge took a full day, and was continued until February 2. The meeting adjourned at 12:30 Respectfully submitted, Bob Burke Secretary