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CEA 09-24-09 Meeting Agendar Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority MEMORANDUM TO: Conservation Easement Authority FROM: Eric R. Lawrence, CEA Secretary SUBJECT: September Meeting DATE: September 16, 2009 The Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority will be meeting on Thursday, September 24 2009 at 8:00 a.m. in the Board of Supervisor's Executive Session Meeting Room in the County Administration Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. The Conservation Easement Authority will discuss the following agenda items: 1. August 27, 2009 Meeting Minutes 2. Virginia Stormwater Management Regulations Update a. Guest Speaker: Joe Wilder, public Works Department 3. Fundraising Discussion 4. Next meeting date October 22, 2009 5. Other Please contact the Planning Department (540-665-5651) if you are unable to attend this meeting. ERL/bad C/O Frederick County Planning Department, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, VA 22601 (540-665-5651) MEETING 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 August 27, 2009 at 5:00 a.m. PRESENT: Diane Kearns, Chairman; Ritchie Wilkins, Vice -Chairman; Robert Solenberger; John Gavitt; John Marker; Todd Lodge; Gene Fisher, Board of Supervisors Liaison; and Charles Triplett, Planning Commission Liaison. ABSENT: Jim Lawrence, Treasurer. STAFF PRESENT: Eric R. Lawrence, Secretary; and Bev Dellinger, Secretary 111. PUBLIC MEETING: X. Minutes. On a motion made by Mr. Marker and seconded by Mr. Fisher, the minutes of the June 25, 2009 meeting and the July 23, 2009 meeting were approved. 2. PDR Program — Update. Ms. Kearns told the members that the Wrights are willing to wait and see if the CEA or the County can come up with matching funds for the federal match to purchase their easement. Within the next year, we need to come up with $130,000 to purchase the Wright's easement; otherwise, the federal money will no longer be available. Mr. Lawrence stated that VDACS took back the County's grant money, but he is continuing to monitor VDACS so that if anything changes, the County can apply for whatever monies may be there. Ms. Kearns believes that when the economy does get better, roll back taxes may be an opportunity to receive funds for the PDR Program. 3. Annual Fundraising Event Discussion Ms. Kearns discussed a fundraising idea. She stated that in Colorado, some businesses add on a voluntary I% donation of the cost of your meal or purchase for open space preservation. Ms. Kearns checked with a local attorney and he said this would be legal in Virginia. Ms. Kearns asked if the Conservation Easement Authority would be interested in establishing a program like this; any legally -run business could participate. Mr. Gavitt believes this is a wonderful idea and that it will work; he actually uses a program like this at his business in Hampshire County. Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority -124- Minutes 124 - Minutes of August 27, 2009 As far as implementing this program, Ms. Kearns believes we should ask the Finance Committee how this could work. Mr. Lawrence stated that staff can look into how to apply this concept within Frederick County if the CEA Committee feels this will be beneficial. Mr. Wilkins stated that grocery stores ask customers if they'd like to donate $1 for a specific cause. Mr. Wilkins thinks that $1 may sound less like a tax than 1%. Mr. Gavitt suggested that when local businesses are approached about this, that we offer them alternatives such as the 1% or $1 option. Ms. Kearns is going to check again with the attorney concerning the legality of this program and come back to the Committee for a final decision. Ms. Kearns said that on October 17, 2009, Bill Zartman and Marjorie Copenhaver, who both have historic easements, will have their homes and the mill open to the public. There will be activities such as quilt making, wool spinning, painting, music and pony rides. Ms. Kearns will contact the local media so they can advertise this event. 4. Other The next meeting is scheduled for September 24, 2009 at 5:00 am. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Diane Kearns, Chairman Eric R. Lawrence, Secretary Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority -125- Minutes 125 - Minutes of August 27, 2009 Virginia Stormwater Management Program Regulations update During the August meeting of the CEA, the membership expressed interest in learning details about the pending Virginia stormwater management program regulations that were being developed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Joe Wilder, of the County's Public Works Department, has participated in a Technical Advisory Committee that assists DCR in the development of the stormwater program regulations. Mr. Wilder will attend the CEA meeting to offer an overview on the latest renditions of the regulations, and identify some of the aspects — both positive and negative — on how the proposal may impact new construction within Frederick County. While the state regulations were intended to improve water quality in our urban areas, Mr. Wilder will shed light on how there will be unintended consequences of the regulations that may impact the rural community.