CEA 02-23-17 Meeting Agenda CEA
Frederick County
Conservation Easement Authority
C/O Frederick County Planning Department, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA 22601 (540 -665-5651)
MEMORANDUM
TO: Conservation Easement Authority
FROM: Candice Perkins, AICP, CZA, Assistant Planning Director
SUBJECT: February 23, 2017 Meeting
DATE: February 16, 2017
______________________________________________________________________________
The Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority will be meeting on Thursday, February
23, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. in the Planning Department Conference Room in the County
Administration Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia.
The Conservation Easement Authority will discuss the following agenda items:
AGENDA
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Organizational Activities
a. Election of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary
b. Adoption of Bylaws
c. Selection of Meeting Dates and Times
3. Adoption of Meeting Minutes: May 12, 2016
4. Update from Conservation Easement Training Session (Yount Hyde & Barbour, October
2016)
5. Open Discussion
6. Other
Please contact the Planning Department (540-665-5651) if you are unable to attend this
meeting.
CEP/pd
Enclosures: CEA Bylaws, Draft May 12, 2016 meeting minutes
MINUTES FOR
THE
MAY 12, 2016
CEA MEETING
DRAFT
2016 Conservation Easement Authority Page 218
May 12, 2106
MEETING MINUTES
OF THE
FREDERICK COUNTY EASEMENT AUTHORITY
Held in the Planning Department Conference Room of the Frederick County Administration
Building at 107 North Kent Street in Winchester, Virginia on May 12, 2016.
PRESENT: Diane Kearns, Chairman; Elaine Cain, Treasurer; Ron Clevenger, C. Robert
Solenberger, John Marker, Gene Fisher, Board of Supervisor, Charles Triplett, Planning
Commission Liaison.
ABSENT: Todd Lodge, Vice-Chairman; and Bryan Green.
STAFF PRESENT: Candice Perkins, CEA Secretary; John Bishop, Assistant Director-
Transportation; Kirstin Twardon, GIS Technician; Michael Ruddy, Director of Planning; M. Tyler
Klein, Planner; and Pam Deeter
OTHER: Ellen Murphy, Commissioner of Revenue.
PUBLIC MEETING
Welcome and Introduction
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman Kearns at 8:30 a.m. and she determined there
was a quorum.
Annual Organizational Activities
a. Election of Officers
Chairman Kearns shared the present officers with the Committee. A nomination by Mr.
Solenberger was made to keep the same officers as the past year with the exception of
the Secretary Mr. Lawrence to be replaced by Candice Perkins. Mr. Clevenger seconded
the motion and it was unanimously approved.
b. Adoption of Bylaws
Mrs. Perkins brought it to Chairman Kearns attention that under the Bylaws Section 7-
3-8 needs the terminology changed from Tabling to Postponment. Mr. Marker made a
motion to adopt the Bylaws as presented with an amendment and was seconded by Mr.
Clevenger and it was unanimously approved.
DRAFT
2016 Conservation Easement Authority Page 219
May 12, 2106
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 the meetings-8:30 a.m. on the 4th
Thursday of the month.
Adoption of Meeting Minutes
On a motion made by Mr. Fisher, and seconded by Mr. Solenberger the August 27, 2015
meeting minutes were approved as presented.
Update on Effort to Create Information Conservation Easement Videos
Chairman Kearns commented that 2 or 3 video was shown at the fall event at Cider
Work. Chairman Kearns hopes to show videos again at a spring event.
Mr. Bishop gave an update on videos. Three videos are complete. Before presenting the
fourth video, Mr. Bishop said the video has been twicked and Potomac Conservancy has
added a closing to the video.
The Committee approved the fourth video.
Chairman Kearns wants to have the videos run on the Webpage and Utube. Chairman
Kearns would like to utilize the videos at Civic Groups, Planning Commission and the
Board of Supervisors meetings. Chairman Kearns suggests that we compose a list of
landowners with easements.
Chairman Kearns wants to have a CEA event this summer or fall and invite professional
to view the videos.
Chairman Kearns asks Mrs. Cain if there have been any changes on the State or Federal
level for tax credits. Mrs. Cain replied no change.
Update on Recorded Easement Activities
Chairman Kearns asks Mrs. Perkins to give an update on TDR program. Mrs. Perkins
stated we have some interest. Mrs. Perkins stated the County has a lot of letter of
intent out and properties are certified but no one is severing and transfer rights.
Chairman Kearns inquired if any interest in easement. Mrs. Perkins said no.
Other
Next meeting will be on June 23, 2016 at 8:30 a.m.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m.
DRAFT
2016 Conservation Easement Authority Page 220
May 12, 2106
Respectfully submitted
_____________________
Diane Kearns, Chairman
_______________________________
Candice E. Perkins, CEA Secretary
CEA BYLAWS
(Proposed 02/23/17)
CONSERVATION EASEMENT AUTHORITY
County of Frederick, Virginia
Bylaws
Proposed February 23, 2017
ARTICLE I – AUTHORIZATION
1-1 The Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority is established by and in
conformance with Chapter 68 of the Code of Frederick County, and under the Public
Recreational Facilities Authorities Act, Chapter 56 of Title 15.2 (§15.2-5600, et seq.) Code of
Virginia
1-2 The official title of this body shall be the Frederick County Conservation Easement
Authority, hereinafter referred to as the “Authority”.
ARTICLE II – PURPOSE
2-1 The purposes of the Authority are to acquire and/or receive conservation easements, by
purchase, gift, or other conveyance; to hold and enforce conservation easements conveyed to
it; to facilitate the acquisition or receipt of conservation easements by other qualified
organizations; to disseminate information concerning conservation easements to landowners
and other interested parties; to administer the Frederick County Conservation Easement
Purchase Program pursuant to the ordinance establishing the Program; and to exercise any
powers authorized by the Public Recreational Facilities Authorities Act.
ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP
3-1 The membership of the Authority shall be determined by the Frederick County Board of
Supervisors, per the Conservation Easement Authority’s Article of Incorporation, adopted
August 24, 2005. Methods of appointment and terms of office shall be determined by the
Frederick County Board of Supervisors.
ARTICLE IV – OFFICERS
CEA Bylaws
Proposed February 23, 2017
- 2 -
4-1 Officers of the Authority shall consist of a chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer and secretary.
The chairman, vice-chairman, and treasurer must be voting members of the Authority. The
secretary shall be a member of the Authority or a county employee.
4-2 Selection
4-2-1 The officers shall be elected by the voting members of the Authority at the
first meeting of the calendar year.
4-2-2 Nomination of officers shall be made from the floor at the first meeting of the
calendar year. Elections of officers shall follow immediately. A candidate
receiving a majority vote of the entire voting membership shall be declared
elected.
4-3 Duties
4-3-1 The Chairman shall:
4-3-1-1 Preside at meetings.
4-3-1-2 Rule on procedural questions. A ruling on a procedural
question by the chairman shall be subject to reversal by a two-
thirds majority vote of the members present.
4-3-1-3 Report official communications.
4-3-1-4 Certify official documents involving the authority of the
Authority.
4-3-1-5 Certify minutes as true and correct copies.
4-3-1-6 Carry out other duties as assigned by the Board of Supervisors
and the Authority.
4-3-2 The Vice-Chairman shall:
4-3-2-1 Assume the full powers of the chairman in the absence or
inability of the chairman to act.
CEA Bylaws
Proposed February 23, 2017
- 3 -
4-3-2-2 Carry out other duties as assigned by the Board of Supervisors
and the Authority Chairman.
4-3-3 The Treasurer shall:
4-3-3-1 Be responsible for the safekeeping of all funds of the
Authority.
4-3-3-2 Maintain the financial records of the Authority.
4-3-3-3 Pay approved bills.
4-3-4 The Secretary shall:
4-3-4-1 Ensure that attendance is recorded at all meetings.
4-3-4-2 Ensure that the minutes of all Authority meetings are recorded.
4-3-4-3 Notify members of all meetings.
4-3-4-4 Prepare agendas for all meetings.
4-3-4-5 Maintain files of all official Authority records and reports.
Official records and reports may be purged in accordance with
applicable state codes.
4-3-4-6 Give notice of all Authority meetings, public hearings and
public meetings.
4-3-4-7 Provide to the Board of Supervisors reports and
recommendations of the Authority.
4-3-4-8 Attend to the correspondence necessary for the execution of
the duties and functions of the Authority.
4-4 Term of Office
4-4-1 Officers shall be elected for a one-year term or until a successor takes office.
CEA Bylaws
Proposed February 23, 2017
- 4 -
Vacancies shall be filled for an unexpired term by a majority vote of the
Authority. In such cases, the newly elected officer shall serve only until the
end of the calendar year or until a successor takes office.
4-5 Temporary Chairman
4-5-1 In the event of the absence of both the chairman and the vice-chairman from
any meeting, the Authority shall designate from among its members a
temporary chairman who shall act for that meeting in the absence of the
chairman or vice-chairman.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS
5-1 Regular meetings shall be held at the time and place set by the Authority at the first meeting
of each calendar year.
5-2 Special meetings may be called by the chairman or by the secretary after due notice and
publication by the secretary.
5-3 Notice of all meetings shall be sent by the secretary with an agenda at least five days before
the meeting.
5-4 All meetings of the Authority shall be open to the public except for Closed Sessions held in
accordance with the provision specified of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended.
ARTICLE VI – VOTING
6-1 A majority of voting members shall constitute a quorum. No action shall be taken or motion
made unless a quorum is present.
6-2 No action of the Authority shall be valid unless authorized by a majority vote of those present
and voting.
ARTICLE VII – OPERATING RULES
7-1 Order of Business
7-1-1 Call to Order
CEA Bylaws
Proposed February 23, 2017
- 5 -
7-1-2 Consideration of Minutes
7-1-3 Public Hearings
7-1-4 Public Meetings
7-1-5 Discussions
7-1-6 Citizen Comments on Items not on the Agenda
7-1-7 Other
7-1-8 Adjournment
7-2 Minutes
7-2-1 The Authority shall keep minutes of each meeting. The Chairman and
Secretary shall sign all minutes following approval by the Authority certifying
that the minutes are true and correct. Minutes made available to the public
prior to formal approval by the Authority shall be clearly identified as a draft
version of the meeting.
7-3 Procedures
7-3-1 Parliamentary procedure in the Authority meetings shall be governed by
Robert’s Rules of Order, except where otherwise specified in these
procedures.
7-3-2 Whenever an agenda item involves a recommendation to the Board of
Supervisors, the Authority shall continue to consider the item until a definite
recommendation is made. If a motion has been made and defeated, additional,
different motions may be made concerning the item under consideration.
7-3-3 Business items on the agenda shall be considered using the following
procedures:
7-3-3-1 Report by County Staff
CEA Bylaws
Proposed February 23, 2017
- 6 -
7-3-3-2 Presentation by Applicant
7-3-3-3 Citizen Comment
7-3-3-4 Rebuttal by Applicant
7-3-3-5 Discussion by Authority
7-3-3-6 Motion and Action by Authority
7-3-4 Public comment shall be allowed in all cases required by the Code of Virginia,
1950, as amended, or the Code of Frederick County. In other cases, the
Chairman may allow public comment.
7-3-5 The Authority members may ask questions of clarification and information
after the staff report, applicant presentation and citizen comment.
7-3-6 Petitions, displays, documents or correspondence presented at a meeting may
be made part of the official record of the meeting by motion of the Authority
and are to be kept on file by the secretary. Such items need not be made part
of the published minutes.
7-3-7 Public Hearings
7-3-7-1 The Authority shall hold public hearings on all items which
require a motion to accept a Conservation Easement.
7-3-7-2 The Chairman may establish special rules for any public
hearing at the beginning of said hearing. These rules may
include limitations on the time of staff report, applicant
presentation and citizen comment.
7-3-7-3 The Authority may hold public hearings on any matter which
it deems to be in the public interest. In such cases, the public
hearings shall follow all procedures described for public
hearing in these bylaws.
7-3-8 Postponement
7-3-8-1 The Authority shall have the authority to postpone agenda
CEA Bylaws
Proposed February 23, 2017
- 7 -
items if any one of the following situations occurs:
A) The agenda item does not meet the requirements of the Code of
Virginia, 1950, as amended.
B) The agenda item does not meet the requirements of the Code of
Frederick County.
C) Insufficient information has been provided for the agenda item.
D) Issues or concerns that arise during formal discussion of the
agenda item warrant additional information or study.
E) The applicant provides the Authority with a written request to
postpone the agenda item.
F) The Authority is advised of an emergency situation that
prevents attendance by applicant.
G) The applicant fails to appear at the meeting in which the
application has been advertised to appear.
7-3-8-2 The applicant shall be permitted to request that an agenda
item be postponed from a scheduled Authority meeting.
7-3-8-3 An application that has been postponed for an unspecified
period of time shall be re-advertised for consideration by the
Authority once the following steps have been completed:
A) The applicant has requested in writing that the agenda item be
considered by the Authority.
B) The applicant has provided all required information to the
Authority which addresses all concerns of the Authority.
7-3-8-4 The Authority shall have the authority to act on an agenda
item that has been postponed when the agenda item has been
re-advertised for a subsequent Authority agenda.
CEA Bylaws
Proposed February 23, 2017
- 8 -
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS
8-1 These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the entire voting membership
after thirty days prior notice.
8-2 Authority shall conduct an annual review of these bylaws to ensure their accuracy.
All amendments to these bylaws shall be considered by the Authority in November of
each calendar year. The Authority shall adopt their bylaws during the first meeting of
each calendar year.