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CEA 01-22-15 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 January 22, 2015. PRESENT: Diane Kearns, Chairman; Elaine Cain, Treasurer; Ron Clevenger, C. Robert Solenberger, John Marker, Bryan Green, and Charles Triplett, Planning Commission Liaison ABSENT: Todd Lodge, Vice Chairman; and Gene Fisher, Board of Supervisor Liaison STAFF PRESENT: Eric R. Lawrence, CEA Secretary; John Bishop, Deputy Director of Transportation; Kirstin Twardon, GIS Technician; and Pam Deeter, Secretary II OTHER: Ellen Murphy, Commissioner of Revenue; Tracy Lind, Potomac Conservancy; and Raya Zimmerman, Winchester Star PUBLIC MEETING Welcome and Introduction Annual Organizational Activities a. Election of Officers A nomination by Mr. Solenberger was made to keep the same officers as the past year. The officers being Diane Kearns, Chairman; Todd Lodge, Vice Chairman; and Elaine Cain, Treasurer; and Eric Lawrence, Secretary. Mr. Marker seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. b. Adoption of Bylaws Chairman Kearns asked members if they have any changes to the Bylaws. As no one had any changes, Ms. Cain made a motion to adopt the Bylaws as presented. Mr. Green seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved. Conservation Easement Authority Page 205 January 22, 2015 c. Selection of Meeting Dates and Times Chairman Kearns asked members if the time of the meeting works for everyone. Everyone was agreeable with the date and time of meetings -8:30 a.m. on the 4`h Thursday of the month. Adoption of Meeting Minutes On a motion made by Mr. Marker, and seconded by Mr. Solenberger the February 27, 2014, August 28, 2014, and October 23, 2014 meeting minutes were approved as presented. Update on Recorded Easement Activities Mr. Lawrence said, there have been a few inquiries in the Middletown area since the Civil War Trust is securing the easements on properties as part of the battlefield preservation. M. Lind said the Potomac Conservancy has had no definite leads. The Conservancy had two inquiries. Ms. Lind is not sure where the property was located. Mr. Lawrence stated we talked with people about TDR but no developers are looking to buy the TDR. Mr. Lawrence spoke of a project where the property owner will bank his TDR to preserve the land because he doesn't have anyone to sell to. The property owner will remove his development rights to property and hold them. Chairman Kearns asked if the property owner can do this. Mr. Lawrence replied under the law the property owner can do this. The Commissioner of Revenue will be able to tax the rights of the property. Chairman Kearns brought in an article where Clarke County received money for easements also in the article the according to George Ohrstrom of Potomac Environmental Council that the General Assembly is meeting now and there are some proposals that would affect the Conservation Easements. Chairman Kearns was stating that Clarke County BOS was taking action against the proposals so she was wondering how the Frederick County Board of Supervisor feels about these proposals. Conservation Easement Authority Page 206 January 22, 2015 Mr. Lawrence researched to see if he could find out what was being proposed. Mr. Lawrence found six open space conservation easement bills. Mr. Lawrence has copies of if anyone is interested. Update on Effort to Create Informational Conservation Easement Brochures and Videos: Mr. Bishop presented the third video with the Potomac Conservancy. Ms. Lind represented the Potomac Conservancy in the video and she relayed the benefits of a conservation easement. The Committee overall liked the video. Chairman Kearns asked Mr. Bishop when the final product would be finished. Mr. Bishop replied that there are a few minor revisions to the videos. Chairman Kearns suggested a roll out of the three videos by March to the Civic Clubs, and social media. Video two was replayed since there was more attendance at today's meeting. Ms. Murphy inquired if there is a list of property with easements on them. Ms. Lind replied yes the link is Virginia Farmland Grow. Mr. Lawrence will get the Frederick County CEA webpage updated. Chairman Kearns will update the social media page. In April, Ms. Lind is doing a presentation at Blandy for the Potomac Conservancy and would like to share the videos. Mr. Bishop and Ms. Lind were asked what the topic for the fourth video is. Ms. Lind replied professional interviews. Ms. Lind has touched base with some professional but is waiting for return calls to set appointments. Open Discussion Chairman Kearns brought up the Ag District renewal letter. Chairman Kearns and Mr. Solenberger received several letters and were inquiring as to why it couldn't be mailed in one envelope. Mr. Lawrence explained because of time frame and in the future we hope to be able to mail one letter listing all the properties on it. Conservation Easement Authority Page 207 January 22, 2015 Other Next meeting will be on February 26, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:10. Respectfully submitted _� 4 1 Diane J�earns, Chairman Eric Lawrence, CEA Secretary Conservation Easement Authority Page 208 January 22, 2015