<p> Colusa County RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICT January 18, 2017 CCRCD Meeting Minutes</p><p>DIRECTORS PRESENT: Bob Alvernaz, Ben Felt, Kim Gallagher, Beth Nall, and Gil Ramos</p><p>DIRECTORS ABSENT: Jay Dee Garr, Tom Hickok</p><p>ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS PRESENT: George Green</p><p>OTHERS PRESENT: Patti Turner-CCRCD Executive Director, John Loudon-Colusa County Board of Supervisors, and Ben Martin-NRCS</p><p>Ben Felt, CCRCD President called the meeting to order at 5:04 pm, 100 Sunrise Blvd., Suite A3, Colusa, Ca</p><p>PUBLIC/PARTNERS COMMUNICATIONS: John Loudon gave an update on activities around the County of interest to the CCRCD. </p><p>Ben Martin- Biologist with the NRCS Colusa Field Office reported on the number of new cooperator contracts approved for Colusa County landowners under EQIP, RCPP and CSP.</p><p>The Directors discussed making a donation to the Family Water Alliance. A motion was made by Gallagher that the CCRCD support Family Water Alliance under the Partner category for $50.00. The motions was seconded by Ramos and passed with 5 ayes and 2 absent (Garr, Hickok)</p><p>APPROVAL OF MINUTES: A motion was made by Alvernaz to approve the December 14, 2016 minutes as mailed. The motion was seconded by Ramos and passed with 5 ayes, 0 noes, and 2 absent (Garr, Hickok). </p><p>FINANCIAL REPORT: The directors received a balance sheet for the period of December 14, 2016-January 17, 2017. The CCRCD’s fund balances were as follows: checking account $1,400; petty cash account $100; CCRCD General Fund (03200) $40,606.01; sales tax (03201) $0; CCRCD Misc. Projects (032025) $8,627.39; Upper Stony Fuel Treatment (032031) $0; Specialty Crop Block Grant (032026) $12,447.89; and Clearing Account fund (032001) $0. </p><p>The board was presented with two (2) claims for approval: Jackie Wasche mileage in the amount of $33.71 and US Bank for the CCRCD Cal Card in the amount of $713.67. A motion was made by Ramos and seconded by Nall to approve the financial report as submitted and two claims. The motion passed with 5 ayes, 0 noes, 2 absent (Garr, Hickok) </p><p>CCRCD DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS: A motion was made by Gallagher to nominate and re-elect the current slate of officers for 2017 terms. The motion was seconded by Alvernaz and passed with 5 ayes, 0 noes and 2 absent (Garr, Hickok). The following officers will serve in 2017; Ben Felt CCRCD Board President, Beth Nall- CCRCD Vice-President and Patti Turner-Secretary/Treasurer.</p><p>Turner reported the RFP has not been released for the RCD Capacity Building program as of the meeting date. A motion was made by Ramos and seconded by Gallagher to add Ben Felt to the CCRCD checking account signature card at Umpqua Bank. The motion passed with 5 ayes, 0 noes, 2 absent (Garr, Hickok) </p><p>After some discussion a motion was made by Gallagher and seconded by Nall for the CCRCD to join the Colusa County Chamber of Commerce for $50 per year. The motion passed with 5 ayes, 0 noes, 2 absent (Garr, Hickok). </p><p>Felt and Turner advised the group that the district needs to start thinking about and planning for CCRCD succession and sustainability. Turner stated she would most likely continue to work for the CCRCD through the 2017/2018 fiscal year and until Dec 30th of the 2018/2019 fiscal year at limited hours to help hire and train her replacement. The CCRCD must continue to research and identify a fee for service niche we can provide to landowners/managers. Turner felt with all the opportunities on the horizon related to soil health it is perfect timing to direct focus back to why conservation districts were created in the first place.</p><p>Gallagher left the meeting at 5:55 pm. Before leaving she reported on groundwater management activities. She stated the Colusa County Groundwater Commission Board of Directors will be changing in the next couple of months to align with supervisorial districts. She feels the county has a good handle on SIGMA</p><p>CCRCD REPORTS: Turner presented a written report on the progress of the District’s active projects completed since the last board meeting. The items that were not previously reported during the meeting were noted. Some of the highlights included: Colusa County Grown-Specialty Crop Grant: Wasche is working on the new Food Guide, CCG membership drive has started.</p><p>Forest Service Cooperative Agreement: Prescribed burn did not take place this fall, hopefully in the spring. All reporting and invoicing is up to date.</p><p>Audubon: Audubon is still waiting to clear up report requirement between DHR and Grantor before they are able to contract with the CCRCD. </p><p>NRCS Cooperative Agreement: Wasche finally has computer access, is working on 3 contracts with landowners, attended the Healthy Soils Summit and will be attending the January Farm Bureau meeting. She is working on the Farm Show healthy soils exhibit and workshop.</p><p>Turner announced the Colusa County Grown Road Trip will take place on February 16th. </p><p>Information on the Ca Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Terrestrial Species Monitoring study request for participation was made available for those interested.</p><p>Turner announced there will be a number of opportunities for RCD’s to participate in the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Healthy Soils Initiative. The idea of doing demonstrations sites and holding workshops to promote soil health practices would be at the top of the list.</p><p>As mentioned before the CCRCD’s Farm Show exhibit and workshop will focus on healthy soils. It was felt that CCRCD Staff, NRCS and other soil professionals will be able to staff the booth without director assistance other than during the healthy soil workshop from 12:30-2:30 on Wednesday. If help is needed the board will be contacted. Ramos reported the fact that if the organic matter in soil was increased by only 2% it would take care of all the existing greenhouse gases.</p><p>PUBLIC COMMENT:</p><p>ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 6:20 pm by President Ben Felt. The next regular monthly meeting will be held at 5:00 on Wednesday, February 15th at the CIP conference room. </p><p>The meeting was followed by a social event where no business took place.</p><p>Respectfully Submitted,</p><p>Patti Turner-Secretary/Treasurer-Colusa Co. RCD</p>