HomeMy WebLinkAboutCEAMinutes2026January22
MEETING 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 January 22, 2026.
PRESENT: Diane Kearns, Chairman; Wendy Dorsey, Philip Haines, Patricia Scheulen-Ferrell,
Leslie Spencer, Charles Markert, Planning Commission Liaison; Albert Orndorff, Board of
Supervisor Liaison.
ABSENT:. Todd Lodge, Vice-Chairman and Elaine Cain.
STAFF PRESENT: John Bishop, Assistant Planning Director.
PUBLIC MEETING
Welcome and Introduction
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman Kearns at 9:10 a.m. and she determined there
was a quorum.
Mrs. Spencer made a motion to approve December 4, 2025, minutes and was seconded by Mrs.
Scheulen-Ferrell.
Annual Organizational Activities
2.A. Election of Officers
Chairman Kearns shared the present officers with the Committee.
Mrs. Spencer made a motion to nominate Mrs. Kearns and Mrs. Dorsey seconded the
motion. The floor was closed for nominations. The vote was unanimous for Mrs. Kearns
as the Chairman.
Mrs. Dorsey made a motion to nominate Todd Lodge for Vice-Chairman and was seconded
by Mr. Haines. The floor was closed for nominations. The vote was unanimous for Mr.
Lodge as Vice-Chairman.
Mr. Haines made a motion to nominate Elaine Cain for Treasurer and was seconded by
Mrs. Scheulen-Ferrell. The floor was closed for nominations. The vote was unanimous
for Mrs. Cain as Treasurer.
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Chairman Kearns made a motion to nominate John Bishop for Secretary and was seconded
by Mr. Haines. The floor was closed for nominations. The vote was unanimous for Mr.
Bishop as Secretary.
2.B. Adoption of Bylaws
Mr. Haines made a motion to approve the 2026 Bylaws as presented and seconded by Mrs.
Scheulen-Ferrell. The vote was unanimously approved.
3. Snapp Easement Update
Frederick County and the Potomac Conservancy hold an easement together. Potomac
Conservancy in June 2025, a conservation easement monitoring was completed. Potomac
Conservancy stated that the easement was conforming with the terms of contract.
4. Continue Outreach Activity Discussion
Before the CEA goes to the Board requesting funds, we need a slogan and how the funds will be
dispersed such as educational, webpage update, and banner etc. The committee would need to
make an investment in order to educate the citizens or partner with other organizations at events.
The committee discussed what would be an appropriate amount to request. The committee
determined the request should be for $4,000.00. Timeframe for the request needs to be as soon as
possible because the Board is already working on the budget.
Chairman Kearns suggested that CEA needs to come up with a short slogan. In the past the CEA
had a slogan G1FT (Give One Frederick Tomorrow) this allows people to donate to the Frederick
County Easement program. The donations would help purchase educational brochures, banner,
swag bags and a lobby display with brochures. Create a photo and attach a QR code for web
donations. Eventually, the committee would hope to raise enough funds to help purchase
easements.
Who do we refer citizens to when they are interested in an easement. Contact staff first. Chairman
Kearns willing to speak to citizen and then determine what the citizen wants to conserve and refer
to correct agency for assistance.
5. Website Discussion
Update the website for donation.
Updated map with a map of easements
Frederick County website or create our own CEA webpage
Social media Instant Gram, snapchat
Diane has an individual facebook page and volunteers will update on facebook page (events,
articles or legislation etc.)
Staff mentioned that the Comprehensive Plan is being reviewed and may have a section in the
Comprehensive Plan Update on Environment. Would any member of CEA have input into this
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section. The Department is going to meet with small work groups for this section of the
Comprehensive Plan.
The goal for the Authority is to raise awareness and raise funds to help protect the County assets.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:24.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________
Diane Kearns, Chairman
______________________________
John A. Bishop, CEA Secretary
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