CEA_01-10-08_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 10, 2008 at 8:00 a.m.
I
PRESENT: Jim Lawrence; John Gavitt; Robert Solenberger; John Light; Diane Kearns, Vice
Chairman; Todd Lodge; and Ritchie Wilkins, Chairman
ABSENT: Phil Glaize, Board of Supervisors Liaison position currently vacant
STAFF PRESENT: Eric R. Lawrence, Director; Amber Powers, Planning Technician
OTHERS PRESENT: --
PUBLIC MEETING:
Item 1 - Minutes and Agenda
The minutes of the November 29, 2007 meeting were approved as presented. The Agenda
for the January 10, 2008 meeting was approved with the additional item: Election of Officers
and Board Liaison Discussion.
Item 2 - Election of CEA Officers and Discussion of Board Liaison Appointment
Diane Kearns was elected as Chairman, Ritchie Wilkins was elected to the position of Vice
Chairman, and Jim Lawrence was elected as the Treasurer for 2008. It was also announced
that Chairman Shickle of the Board of Supervisors has named Mr. Gene Fisher as the Board
Liaison for the CEA.
Item 3 - National Fruit Donation
The CEA has received National Fruit's $2,000 donation from the October Fundraising Event.
Item 4 - The CEA contribution to the Comprehensive Plan Update for 2008
It was mentioned and agreed that the update in its current seven -page form may not be
approvable. The sections specifically outlining conservation tools permitted by the state, but
not currently enabled by the county may need to be removed in order to present a leaner and
more realistic view of the county's vision for conservation over the next several years.
Item 5 - PDR Update
There is no new information to be shared.
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Minutes of January 10, 2008
Item 6 - Conflict of Interest Policy Opinion
While the CEA must adhere to the state's Conflict of Interest Policy (CIP), it was agreed that
• a summary of the state's CIP in laymen's terms would be valuable both for members and the
general public. Staff will seek assistance from the county attorney in summarizing, or
finding an existing summary of the state's CIP for use by the CEA.
Item 7 - Conservation Easement Updates
Staff reported that several people had inquired about establishing a conservation easement on
their land. Of these, two landowners appear to be quite serious and one of them will likely
move forward within the next few months. Members agreed that their efforts to inform
county residents of their options may be behind the increased interest.
Item 8 - Discussion Regarding a Direction and Mission for the CEA in 2008
Encouraged by the easement updates, and in light of the apparent limits to direct
conservation easement acquisition/coordination or financial support from the county, it was
agreed that the first step and most effective action to be taken in 2008 would be to further
expand the CFA's informational outreach programs.
Plaque /Sign Program
Members discussed partnering with the HRAB in future publie informational
meetings as well as establishing a Conservation Easement Plaque program similar to
the HRAB's plaque program. The CEA plaques /signs would recognize privately held
Easements throughout the county and language on the plaque would express the
county's endorsement of the property owner's easement efforts. The purpose would
be to expand public awareness of Conservation Easement benefits by linking the
relatively abstract concept of an easement directly to the land it preserves. John Light
will bring ideas for the plaque /sign design to the meeting in February. It was also
agreed that the Donation from National Fruit could in part support this program.
CEA Member Seminars
It was also agreed during the meeting that in addition to public seminars, it is
important that guest speakers and experts speak at the CEA's monthly meetings.
Topics would include technical information about Easements, Tax incentives, and
PDR programs, as well as discussions on how to improve public awareness through
various marketing ideas. Some of the potential Guest Speakers mentioned included:
• A Representative from the Piedmont Environmental Organization.
• Kathryn Pfeiffer Valley Conservation Council's Field Staff Member.
• Kelly Watkinson, of the Potomac Conservancy's Director of Headwaters
Conservation.
• Jesse Richardson representing the Virginia Cooperative Extension for Agricultural
and Forestal Districts.
• Members also considered the possibility of having at least one person attend the
National Land Conservation Conference Rally, September 18 -21, 2008 in Pittsburgh.
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Minutes of January 10, 2008
Public Outreach
In addition to continuing with public seminars, members discussed ways to engage
the public in meaningful ways. To this end, members offered these ideas:
• After - Easement Stories shared with neighbors of the new easement holder discussing
their reasons, general benefits etc, with landowner consent.
• After - Easement Stories in local papers and media with landowner consent.
• "Easement Recorded" General Announcement with landowner anonymous.
• Local Foods Dinner (Potential Summer Fundraiser ?).
• Include the CEA Pamphlet in certain mailings from the county.
Item 9 - Next Meeting
• Staff will arrange for a guest speaker as the first of a series of expert speakers
to be invited to the CFA's monthly meetings.
• Members also expressed an interest in taking the first steps toward creating a
prioritized "list" of key localities to target during future informational events.
Staff will bring maps of the county and supplies for this chariette.
• Finally, Staff will bring a collection of potential marketing tools to the
February meeting for review by CEA members.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Diane Kearns. Chairman
Eric R. Lawrence, Secretary
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Minutes of January 10, 2008