Loading...
CEA_01-26-06_Meeting_MinutesMEETING MINUTES • OF THE FREDERICK COUNTY CONSERVATION EASEMENT AUTHORITY Held in the Executive Session Room of the Frederick County Administration Building at 107 North Kent Street in Winchester, Virginia on January 26, 2006. PRESENT: Bud Good, Vice Chairman; Diane Kearns, Treasurer; Barbara Van Osten; Todd Lodge; Jim Lawrence; and John Light ABSENT: Richie Wilkins, Chairman; Robert Solenberger; and Phil Glaize STAFF PRESENT: Kris Tierney, Deputy County Administrator; Susan Eddy, Senior Planner; and Kevin Henry, Planning Technician PUBLIC MEETING: Members approved the minutes of the December 15, 2005 meeting. Members discussed the bylaws stipulation that elections take place at the first meeting of each year. A motion was made by Member Van Osten to elect Richie Wilkins as Chairman, Bud Good as Vice - Chairman and Diane Kearns as Treasurer. The motion was • seconded by Member Lawrence. The motion passed unanimously. Senior Planner Eddy reviewed the need to approve the by -laws yearly and noted the only proposed change was to include the correct reference to the Frederick County Code. A motion was made by Member Kearns to approve the bylaws as presented. The motion was seconded by Member Light. The motion passed unanimously. Members were asked to contact staff to personalize letters being sent to County landowners to publicize the easement program and the informational evening. Members discussed possible dates for the public information evening. Staff was directed to find dates in late March or April. Members agreed that the evening should address basic points and have one guest speaker. A question and answer period would be held at the end. Authority Members and other from land trusts should be in attendance. In addition to large landowners, the Farm Bureau, Rotary groups, the Extension Service, Board of Supervisors, Planning Commissioners, Leadership Council etc. should be invited. Members discussed publicity for the evening including cabletalk. Mr. John Eckman, Executive Director, Valley Conservation Council spoke to the Authority Members. He mentioned the Land Trust Alliance, and their website LTA.org, as a good source of information. He updated Members on the bills in the state legislature and those in Congress. He gave an overview of new development at the Virginia • Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority _ 9 _ Minutes of January 26, 2006 Outdoors Foundation and an overview of the work of the Valley Conservation Council. He noted difficulties in dealing with small easements. Planner Eddy told the Members that she had been approached by the Glass -Glen Burnie Foundation on a possible facade easement for Rose Hill. Issues were raised about bad publicity for facade easements. Some Members thought this would be a diversion from the core mission of protecting open space. The CEA was collectively hesitant to accept a facade easement. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Richie Wilkins, Chairman Susan K. Eddy, Secretary CJ Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority _ 10- Minutes of January 26, 2006