CEA 08-27-15 Meeting MinutesMEETING MINUTES
OF THE
FREDERICK COUNTY CONSERVATION EASEMENT AUTHORITY
Held in the Planning Department Conference Room of the Frederick County Administration
Building at 107 North Kent Street in Winchester, Virginia on August 27, 2015.
PRESENT: Diane Kearns, Chairman; Todd Lodge, Vice -Chairman; Elaine Cain, Treasurer; Ron
Clevenger, C. Robert Solenberger, Gene Fisher, Board of Supervisors; Charles Triplett, Planning
Commission Liaison.
ABSENT: John Marker and Bryan Green.
STAFF PRESENT: Eric R. Lawrence, CEA Secretary; John Bishop, Deputy Director of
Transportation; Kirstin Twardon, GIS Technician and Pam Deeter.
OTHER: Ellen Murphy, Commissioner of Revenue, John Turkel, Park and Stewardship Planner,
and Tracy Lind, Potomac Conservancy.
PUBLIC MEETING
Welcome and Introduction
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Kearns at 8:30 a.m. and she determined there
was a quorum.
Adoption of Meeting Minutes
On a motion made by Mr. Solenberger, and seconded by Mr. Clevenger the June 25, 2015
meeting minutes were approved as presented.
Updated on Effort to Create Information Conservation Easement Videos
Mr. Bishop mentioned that the 3`
d video was approved at the last meeting, and can be aired in
next few days. Mr. Bishop presented the
4th video entitled Easement Support Team. Mr.
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Bishop noted that the video is about 11 minutes and the revisions that were suggested at last
month meeting edited. Mr. Bishop added some captions and equation formula to the video.
Open Discussion
Chairman Kearns asked for feedback on the 4th video. The consensus of the Committee stated
the video is good. Mr. Solenberger would like to incorporate into the video the only way to
preserve this piece of land for a life time is through an easement on the property.
Ms. Lind suggested a closing statement leading into the next video.
A committee member suggested changing the title from Your Easement Support Team to
Answers From Your Support Team. The Committee agreed and the change was made.
Mr. Bishop went over the minor changes with the Committee and upon completion of the
changes the video is ready to be aired.
Chairman Kearns and Ms. Lind has partnered with Potomac Conservancy, Shenandoah
Battlefield, and The Virginia Division of Forestry to host an event on September 23, and October
21, 2015 at Winchester Cider Works at 6:30 p.m. Chairman Kearns would like to present the
videos at that time and also make up some brochures to pass out.
Ms. Lind is looking for someone to do the marketing. Mr. Lawrence spoke up and said we can
advertise a CEA event.
The Committee would like to advertise the event on the cable stations. Mr. Lawrence will
contact the new Public Information Officer in the County and she can work on getting the event
advertised.
Update on State PDR funding program
Mr. Lawrence gave an update on recent figures were that released about the funds of the
PDR program: $7 million dollars in state funds, $10 million in local funds and $5 million in other
federal source funds. The Office of Farmland Preservation, who is responsible for giving out the
PDR funds, is realizing that the same localities are participating because they can match the
funds. Other localities have applied for funds but are unable to match the funds, and then the
funds have been returned to the PDR program.
Mr. Lawrence stated the PDR work group has a report going to the General Assembly and has
some suggestions as to how the program will prioritize funds in the future. One suggestion is
that if you received a grant and were unable to use the funds you will not be able to apply for
another grant for three years.
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August 27, 2015
Mr. Lawrence noted that if your land is in the Land Use Program and another parcel is not you
would have an advantage for the funding.
Mr. Lawrence noted that sometime the property owner has trouble coming up with the closing
cost for the easement, so the PDR work group is looking at a low interest loan program.
Mr. Lawrence replied that he would continue to monitor and give updates on the PDR Program.
Ms. Lind briefed the committee on a RCCP farm bill program which promotes partnerships with
localities. Frederick County, Shenandoah County, and Potomac Conservancy have partnered
together and we can submitted different projects. By September 4, Ms. Lind will notify each
partner if we are invited to submit projects. If are project is chosen, we could have funding
through RCCP. Ms. Lind stated we need the project first before receiving the funds.
The next meeting will be September 24, 2015
The meeting adjourned at 9:30.
Respectfully submitted,
CSd'-c 46-.51
Diane Kearns, Chairman
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CEA Secretary
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August 27, 2015