CEA_07-27-06_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 July 27, 2006 at 9:00 a.m.
PRESENT: Richie Wilkins, Chairman; Bud Good, Vice Chairman; Diane Kearns,
Treasurer; Barbara Van Osten; John Light; Todd Lodge and Jim Lawrence
ABSENT: Robert Solenberger and Phil Glaize
STAFF PRESENT: Susan Eddy, Senior Planner; and Kevin Henry, Planning Technician
PUBLIC MEETING:
Item 1 - Minutes
Members approved the minutes of the June 27, 2006 meeting.
Item 2 — Update on Community Financing for Local Land and Water Protection
Planner Eddy updated Members on the local financing meeting that took place on June
30, 2006 with representatives of the University of Maryland Environmental Finance
Center and Evergreen Capital Advisors. Several Authority Members attended. A
localized approach to land protection will be presented to the County at a later date. A
conference call with other Shenandoah Valley Counties and the Environmental Finance
Center will take place on August 24, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. Those attending the August
CEA meeting on the 24"' can stay later to participate in that conference call.
Item 3 — Future Work Program
Members discussed the need to focus the efforts of the Authority. Member Kearns
expressed a desire to continue the public education role of the Authority. She suggested
that Members should continue to direct property owners to easements holders who might
be a better fit than the County. Members recognize that Supervisors would prefer that
other organizations hold easements. Member Kearns suggested that the Authority
concentrate on properties with open space value. Members discussed prioritizing specific
types of properties or specific areas of the County.
Member Van Osten brought up the idea of voluntary donations towards a PDR program.
State and federal funding for PDR was discussed. A stewardship fund was discussed.
Other funding suggestions were made and Member Kearns, in her role as CEA Treasurer,
volunteered to speak to County Administrator John Riley on funding for the Authority.
Members Lawrence and Van Osten both believed it was a good idea to continue to work
towards a cooperative agreement with the VOF. Staff was directed to continue that
•
Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority -24-
Minutes of July 27, 2006
effort. Members discussed the desire of some property owners to work with Frederick
County.
Member Light suggested targeting specific groups of property owners, such as those on
Middle Road. The desire of farmers to preserve some of their land, but not as big as 100
acres (the VOF standard) was discussed. Mr. Lodge noted targeted easements meetings
he had attended. Meetings targeted towards Apple Pie Ridge, Cedar Creek Grade and
Middle Road were mentioned. Authority Members would try to arrange small gatherings
for neighbors to introduce them to the easements.
Mr. John Gavin, a Frederick County landowner, was in attendance. He serves on the
Cacapon and Lost River Conservation Easement Authority. He suggested that the
Members establish a vision statement, perhaps with the aid of a trained facilitator. He
also suggested that "open space" be better defined.
Item 4 — Other
Member Good's term on the Authority is expiring and he will not be seeking to continue
his term. Members thanked Mr. Good for all of his work on the Authority.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 10:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/ 1,
James R. Wilkins III, Chairman
Susan K. Eddy, Secretary
•
Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority -25-
Minutes of July 27, 2006