Quarterly RC&D and Council Meeting Minutes

Garrett County Garrett Conservation District Allegany County Allegany Conservation District Washington County Washington Conservation District Frederick County Frederick Conservation District Carroll County Carroll Conservation District Catoctin Conservation District 1260 Maryland Avenue, Suite 103 ● Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 Phone: 301-671-1800 ● Fax: 301-671-1800 Website: www.wmrcd.org

Western Maryland Resource Conservation and Development Council Meeting Quarterly RC&D and Council Meeting Minutes September 17, 2015

Council President Craig Hartsock called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. at the Allegany College of Maryland’s, Continuing Education Building, in Cumberland, MD. In attendance was Craig Hartsock (Allegany SCD), Ed Null (Carroll SCD), Roger Troxell (Frederick SCD), Dan Fiscus, Corey Armstrong, Michael Myers (Frostburg State University), Jeff Barclay (Allegany County), Paul Shogren and Joe Hoffman (Garrett County), Laura Michael , Gary Aronhalt, and Mark Goldbach (WMRC&D).

Guests included Juliana Albowicz (U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski’s Office), and Robin Summerfield, (U.S. Senator Ben Cardin Office) Joe Mullenax, (Allegany Business Consulting) and Jonathan Kays (University of Maryland, Education Extension Forester).

Council President, Craig Hartsock welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance and recognized guests attending the meeting.

Ed Null presented the Treasurer’s Report financial status to the Council and meeting attendees.

Joe Mullenax, CPA with Allegany Business Consulting presented the results of his annual financial review to the Council. Joe distributed a hard copy handout of this financial review. Joe discussed his findings on sales tax, use of credit cards, unemployment compensation payments, reimbursements, financial incentives for making insurance prepayments, and freight and shipping charges. In summary, Joe’s findings were presented as opportunities for improving our financial record keeping with no major problems identified.

Jonathan Kays, Education Forester presented a power point presentation to the Council on the multi-state “Call Before You Cut” program, the “Woodland Stewardship Education” program and the University of Maryland’s forestry related educational programs. This was a very informative presentation with a great interchange of questions and answers with the Council members. Western Maryland RC&D is a sponsoring partner with the Call Before You Cut program. Jonathan explained that we can help with the distribution of information about the program to the public.

Corey Armstrong, Frostburg State University, provided a power point presentation with on-the- ground status of the Frostburg Grows Project. Corey introduced new Frostburg Grows employees, Michael and Gabe and updated the Council on 2 new grants with CBT and the Town Creek Foundation, the FG’s Summer Concert Series, and associated donations, a Harvest Festival, Volunteer Days Workshops, and Training Programs underway.

All programs and services of the Western Maryland RC&D Council are offered on a non-discriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital or family status, disability, or political beliefs. 1260 Maryland Avenue, Suite 103 ● Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 Phone: 301-671-1800 ● Fax: 301-671-1800 Website: www.wmrcd.org

Cory detailed the growing and delivery of produce to 19 different establishments. Vegetables grown for distribution have included tomatoes, basil, lettuce, kale, broccoli, and cucumbers. Vegetables are grown according to season for rotational production. Corey thanked WMRC&D involvement for making the Frostburg Grows project successful.

Frostburg Grows hosted a community outreach Meteor Shower Party, with 80 people in attendance, telescopes were provided. A DIY Apple Cider Processing Workshop is scheduled for September 25 from 6 to 9 PM. FSU is offering FG’s related classes in Sustainability in Action through FSU’s Geography Department. Composting through the Chartwells food program partnership continues to be successful. FSU hopes to participate in larger grants for Frostburg Grows in the future.

Paul Shogren initiated a discussion on “The Future of Western Maryland RC&D”. A paper was distributed from Paul with his ideas for consideration as well as a paper from Willie Lantz (not in attendance) with his thoughts on this subject. Ed Null discussed changes over the past 10 years in the WMRC&D’s project work and the change in associated income stream from Western Maryland mining related projects with the USDI’s Office of Surface Mining, MDE’s Bureau of Mines and PPRP to environmental and conservation projects with the USDA NRCS and USDI F&WS in Eastern Maryland.

The council identified some deficiencies with participation by all soil conservation districts and need for greater NRCS participation in Council Meetings. Craig identified the possibility of greater National level RC&D and NRCS participation in future years. Willie Lantz commented (in writing) on the need for Strategic Planning and the preparation on an annual budget for the WMRC&D.

Craig then adjourned the meeting at 12 noon for lunch. After lunch, Craig, opened the meeting with the following staff reports;

Gary Aronhalt gave a power point presentation on his work with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Mine land/Warbler Grant. Gary has been mapping Golden Wing Warbler habitat and has a 22 acre habitat improvement project site in the vicinity of Jennings Randolph Lake on federal property that was previously mined in 1962. The project includes soil preparation and tree planting along the Mt. Zion Road. Gary’s position has been extended for another year under a grant from the NF&WF.

Laura Michael gave a comprehensive power point presentation on her latest project work for PPRP. Laura has been working as an Environmental Research Associate and conducts a wide variety of research and report writing services for PPRP. Laura presented her work on many projects including finding beneficial uses for coal combustion by-products (CCB’s), the Maryland Mine Sealing Program, assistance to Environmental Resources Management,

All programs and services of the Western Maryland RC&D Council are offered on a non-discriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital or family status, disability, or political beliefs. 1260 Maryland Avenue, Suite 103 ● Hagerstown, Maryland 21740 Phone: 301-671-1800 ● Fax: 301-671-1800 Website: www.wmrcd.org

Geophysical Resistivity Surveys (underground mine void location and detection) the Jennings’s Run Limestone Leach Bed project and stream loss studies. Laura is working on completing reports on projects for PPRP.

Council Member Business Meeting:

At 12:35 PM, Craig Hartsock called the roll of voting members and determined a quorum was present in order to conduct council business. The following Council Members were present;

Craig Hartsock Ed Null Roger Troxell Jeff Barclay Paul Shogren Dan Fiscus

Minutes from the June, 2015 Quarterly Council Meeting were approved without any changes.

Old Business:

No old business.

New Business:

President Hartsock introduced a motion to explore the feasibility of establishing an Americorp Position to serve as WMRC&D Communications Director. The motion was passed unanimously.

President Hartsock then introduced a motion to prepare an Annual Budget and Strategic Plan for Council approval. This motion was passed unanimously.

The next scheduled Executive Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday November 10, 2015 at the WMRC&D Office in Hagerstown.

The next Council Quarterly Meeting will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at the University of Maryland’s Western Maryland Research and Education Center in Keedysville, MD.

There being no further business, President Hartsock adjourned the council business meeting at approximately 2:30 P.M.

All programs and services of the Western Maryland RC&D Council are offered on a non-discriminatory basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital or family status, disability, or political beliefs.