CEA_09-27-12_Meeting_Minutes® 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 September 27, 2012 at 8:00 a.m.
PRESENT: Diane Kearns, Chairman; Robert Solenberger; Todd Lodge; and Charles Triplett, Planning
Commission Liaison.
ABSENT: Elaine Cain, Treasurer; John Marker; Ron Clevenger; Jeff Green; Gene Fisher, Board of
Supervisors Liaison;
STAFF PRESENT: Eric R. Lawrence, CEA Secretary; and Bev Dellinger, Secretary Ill.
OTHER: Neil Thorne, Commissioner of the Revenue's Office.
PUBLIC MEETING:
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. May 24, 2012 Meeting Minutes
There wasn't a quorum present to act upon the minutes.
® 3. Fundraising Efforts
a. WW W.G1 FT.org— Give St for Frederick's Tomorrow
b. GIFT Program Facebook Page
c. Establishing Matching Fund Source
4. Update from the Property Owner Easement Education Session in June
Chairman Kearns told members that we are trying to get more coordination between the land
trust organizations such as Potomac Conservancy, Valley Conservation Council and so on. To
further that effort, the Valley Conservation Council is sponsoring a Meet - and -Greet at Belle
Grove on Saturday, October 27, 2012, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The acting Director of Valley
Conservation Council, Faye Cooper, asked Chairman Kearns if the CEA knew of any people
they should invite. Ms. Cooper provided a list, which Chairman Kearns is passing around, of
people who may be interested in the Meet - and - Greet, and Chairman Kearns is asking members
to check names or add names of people that you think would be interested in this.
Chairman Kearns talked about the event held by Conservation Partners in June, stating that she
thought it was a very informative meeting. Conservation Partners provided Mr. Lawrence with
the list of names of people who attended the meeting, and Chairman Kearns feels it would be a
good idea to contact them and let them know we're here if they have questions.
Mr. Lawrence stated that when the CEA was established, brochures were made up on
conservation easements, and we could mail that together with a letter.
Conservation Easement Authority Page - 178 -
September 27, 2012
® It was decided that Chairman Kearns would send out a short letter, with a brochure, thanking
them for attending and offering assistance from the CEA.
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5. Next Meeting Date
October 25, 2012
6. Other
Chairman Kearns stated that through Emily Warner of Potomac Conservancy, she received a CD
from Mr. Chuck Schultz, who is an independent film maker in California. He has made a
documentary called "The Last Crop" about a California couple and their desire to protect their
farm. The documentary is meant to bring attention to the fact that conservation easements can be
used to save the future of farming. Mr. Schultz is having a screening in Washington, DC.
Chairman Kearns' idea is to show the documentary at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley.
But before doing that, the CEA should review the content of the documentary. She suggested the
October meeting would be a good opportunity to do that and the members concurred.
Chairman Kearns informed members that Potomac Conservancy closed on an 80 acre easement
in Fauquier County. Potomac Conservancy also has leads on properties in Frederick County.
They have a Potomac Highlands Grant, which is $150,000, and is intended to bring more
conservation easements to closing in less time by covering landowners' costs, such as surveys,
title searches and appraisals. One family in Frederick County has closed with this Grant and
three more are in motion. Chairman Kearns asked members to spread the word to anyone who
might need this assistance.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 830 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
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Diane Kearns, Chairman
Eric R. Lawrence, CEA Secretary
Conservation Easement Authority Page - 179 -
September 27, 2012