CEA_04-26-07_Meeting_MinutesMEETING 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 April 26, 2007 at 8:00 a.m.
PRESENT: Richie Wilkins, Chairman; John Gavin
ABSENT: Barbara Van Osten; Robert Solenberger; Jim Lawrence, Treasurer; Diane
Kearns, Vice - Chairman; Phil Glaize; John Light; and Todd Lodge.
STAFF PRESENT: Susan Eddy, Senior Planner; Bernard Suchicital, Planner I
PUBLIC MEETING:
Item 1 - Minutes
The members could not approve the January 25, 2007 minutes as there was no quorum.
Item 2 - Minutes
The members could not approve the February 22, 2007 minutes as there was no quorum.
0 Item 3 — Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Funding
Planner Eddy explained that the County had been notified by the Virginia Office of
Farmland Preservation about funding for the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR).
$4.25 million will be available from the state for jurisdictions with a PDR program. The
local PDR program must be certified and staff, per the direction of the Board of
Supervisors, will be pursuing certification
Mr. Wilkins suggested that the CEA should look into possibly raising the money needed
to match the State's grants of $256,000. If the County were to raise taxes to fund this
program, it would equate to approximately a half -cent increase. Even though the County
might not appropriate the funds, the CEA might be able to raise $100,000 and still
receive a matching grant from the State. This would probably be easier if a specific,
important property was identified.
Mr. Gavitt commented that regardless of the Board's uncertainty in this matter, this is
still a great opportunity for the community, and that the CEA should move forward in
attaining certification. He added that if we are unable to acquire the funds this year, at
least the County will be in the ready for the procedure next year.
When asked what we should do in the mean time, Mrs. Eddy advised that the CEA could
develop a strategy on how to advertise the PDR program to county residents. It was
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Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority -34—
Minutes of April 26, 2007
estimated that an approximate six months will be needed to select a candidate for the
funds.
Item 4 — Other
The CEA members discussed whether 8:00 am was still a good meeting time.
ADJOUIZNMENT
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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mes R. Wilkins III, Chairman
J d A ALPL. T. . 1
Susan K. Eddy, Secretary
Frederick County Conservation Easement Authority - 35—
Minutes of April 26, 2007