LUCKIAMUTE WATERSHED COUNCIL MINUTES
Feb. 9, 2006
Place: Volunteer Hall, Monmouth
Introductions: Chairman Michael Cairns called the meeting to order, introduced guests. Quorum issues to be discussed. Current agenda, November and January minutes were approved.
BUSINESS
Coordinator’s Report: Charles Redon discussed Umbrella Council Business, specifically the newsletter, which will be completed this month.
New coordinator’s contract: Discussed taking a portion of Redon’s contract to hire a new person, Michael Cairns, who (if the council agrees) would resign his seat on the board (at the end of this meeting) to take the position. The dollar amount is not specified but would be the amount that is already available in the budget. There would be no new responsibilities but priorities would be set by the current work plan. The new contract would be effective Feb. 25, the end of Charles’ pay period. “How does OWEB see this,” Ann asks. What would Charles’ role be? Charles will continue to attend meetings as Umbrella coordinator. Kirk moves to give the steering committee power to approve a final contract with Cairns. David Anderson seconds. MOTION APPROVED, UNANIMOUS. CAIRNS ABSTAINS.
Self-assessment – (Charles) Completed last month. Wrap-up to come via e-mail.
Officer and council member elections – (Ann) – Kirk, Cliff and Jim’s terms expired in December. These were nominated to return to their positions and in addition, Gail Oberst was nominated to fill an at-large position, currently vacant. Officers: David Anderson, chair, Dave Vesely vice chair, Randy Gould, treasurer, Jim Clawson, secretary. Clawson moved to cast a unanimous vote in favor of the nominations. Cairns seconded. MOTION APPROVED, UNANIMOUS.
NRCS and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant status -- both grants were submitted, results due end of February. One is for technical assistance for project identification then funding to plan high-priority project. The NRCS grant is for wetlands reserve outreach, to get sign-ups for assessments. In the mid-Willamette Valley, eight watersheds are involved.
Announcements – Polk SWCD Native tree sale Feb. 17-18, Dallas
Public hearing at 5:30 p.m. March 6, Kings Valley School, about the acquisition of a conservation easement on Woods Creek, near Price Creek.
TREASURER’S REPORT (Randy Gould, Cairns)
See Attachments A, “Luckiamute W. Council Actual Budget,” B “Cumulative 2/7/06” by Jim Castle, and C, “2005 Monthly Expenses (spreadsheet).” Accounting is being updated to bring all systems into sync.
ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE REPORT (Jim Clawson, etc.)
Proposed Charter Revision and Operating Guidelines -- See Attachments D “Operation Guidelines,” and E, “Luckiamute Watershed Council Charter.”
Proposed revisions are being done to make the charter and guidelines more useable, create a proof of standing. Descriptions changed, guidelines added, created a purpose (from the vision and the mission). Polk County approved the charter in 2001, but Benton Co. Commissioners have not yet approved or recognized the council. Jim suggests that once the charter is approved, we take it to Benton County. Suggestions: Drop the word “objectives,” list of goals don’t need to be specific, goals could be linked to purpose. Membership – The council is the board, an internally-elected group of stakeholders with some responsibilities. A minimum of seven on the council, but no maximum. Membership may include non-voting technical advisors. The charter and guidelines address elections and nominations and how they are conducted, offices and terms, duties, conflict of interest (do we need to develop a policy?), describes standing committees. Voting – the quorum has been replaced with consensus of majority of those present, minus one. Voting by e-mail requires a reasonable time limit, but a minimum of two days to respond. Discussion about additions including voting only on what is on the agenda, and questions about being able to expel any member for any reason. Charles explains that this is for legal protection. Charter shall be reviewed annually. Guidelines describe policies that outline roles and responsibilities of the board/council, officers and committees. Talk about keeping records and making them public. Suggests, library. “Members of the board” should be changed. All additional suggestions directed to Jim Clawson. The Administration Committee will submit the proposed revisions to the Council prior to the next meeting.
EDUCATION/OUTREACH COMMITTEE REPORT (Ron Nestlerode)
Review of governmental agendas and activities of interest to LWC. Additions to current include Independence Planning Commission, meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday; Ind. Parks and Rec., 6 p.m. Third Thursday; Polk SWCD, 6:30 p.m. the fourth Tuesday, Benton SWCD, Monmouth Planning Commission.
Participation in booths, events – Hope to join with Umbrella Group at Polk Fair, Western Days, Hops Fest. Can we get the Salmon in the July 4 parade?
Survey of curriculum needs – Ron is drafting a letter to teachers K-6 to assess needs for curriculum, lesson plans, books, speakers, equipment, hands-on project ideas for home streams. Then, checking CIM/CAM standards.
Creating a speaker’s tour list of watershed council members who can talk to groups about council activities.
Down by the Riverside SOLV project is May 19-20.
CHAIR’S REPORT (Michael Cairns)
Maxfield Creek Update – Now contacting landowners that will result in a prioritized list of projects, and in April, will seek funding. All will aim at improving fish movement in Maxfield Creek sub-watershed.
Workshop -- Long Tom Watershed Coordinator to talk about possible watershed restoration projects. Tentatively set for April 18 at Monmouth Library, 6:30 p.m. socialize, 7 p.m. talk. Library wants a watershed display for their foyer.
BLM restoration project on Maxfield Creek – the bureau is proceeding with timber sale, meadow habitat, road reroute, culvert replacement, but can’t afford some items, including log placement. A meeting in two weeks to discuss what can be done.
Action plan – Committee is working on strategic plan to direct activities.
S. Fork Ash Creek – Grant will be announced next week. Got 250 cuttings of native plants from NRCS. Shawn Irvine reported that city funds to develop parks could tie into projects. Monmouth Christian Church volunteers could contribute up to 100 people for a day of landscaping work in April. He is seeking collaboration and approval for a grant that would support a greenway and trail from Mt. Fir park to Seventh Street development. COUNCIL CONSENSUS to write a letter of support for the City of Independence.
LWC MEMBER REPORTS
David – Terry Lamers, a consulting forester, has been in and worked in West Africa and has a slide show about forestry, mining and other resource management topics. Could we sponsor a talk? Also, Steve Taylor has a talk on the geomorphology of the Luckiamute Watersheds. Could these talks be part of a series at the Monmouth Library? Some suggest publicity or location at the Straub Environmental Learning Center, W. Salem High School, share information with the Native Plant Society.
Kudos – Michael Cairns is presented with a plaque and gift certificate from the board, for his service as chair.
Kirk – Discussion and pictures of the high water at Luckiamute Landing, where he has lived for 27 years. It would be a good place for a project, he says. Should we have a tour of his property?
NEXT MEETING – 6 p.m., March 9, Committees, Rick’s Place, Monmouth.
7 p.m. March 9, LWC, Volunteer Hall, Monmouth.
LUCKIAMUTE WATERSHED COUNCIL -- Attendance
|
Absent |
Present |
Position |
Board member |
Term ends |
||
|
X |
|
Agriculture |
Garth Mulkey |
2006 |
||
|
|
|
Agriculture |
vacant |
2005 |
||
|
|
X |
At Large |
Gail Oberst |
2007 |
||
|
X |
|
City |
Kenn Carter |
2007 |
||
|
|
|
City |
vacant |
2007 |
||
|
|
|
Commerce |
vacant |
2006 |
||
|
|
|
Domestic H2O Supply |
vacant |
2007 |
||
|
X |
|
Education |
Karen Haberman |
2006 |
||
|
X |
|
Environment |
Dave Vesely |
2006 |
||
|
|
X |
Environment |
Michael Cairns* |
2005 |
||
|
X |
|
Federal agency |
Randy Gould* |
2006 |
||
|
|
|
Industrial timber |
vacant |
2007 |
||
|
|
|
Industry |
vacant |
2005 |
||
|
X |
|
Recreation |
vacant |
2005 |
||
|
|
X |
Small farm & forest |
Ann Stewart* |
2006 |
||
|
|
X |
Small farm & forest |
Kirk Lewis |
2009 |
||
|
X |
|
SWCD - Benton |
Cliff Hall |
2009 |
||
|
|
X |
SWCD - Polk |
Jim Clawson |
2009 |
||
|
|
X |
Watershed Resident |
Ron Nestlerode |
2007 |
||
|
|
X |
Watershed Resident |
Jo Yeager |
2006 |
||
|
|
X |
Wildlife |
David Anderson* |
2007 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Other members, guests: |
Affiliation |
|
||||
|
Charles Redon |
Watershed Coordinator |
|
||||
|
Phil Larsen |
Resident |
larsen.phil@epa.gov |
||||
|
Shawn Irvine |
City of Independence |
sirvine@ci.independence.or.us |
||||
|
Judy Lewis |
Resident |
|
||||
|
Whitney Temple |
Resident |
whitney1032@yahoo.com |
||||
|
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
||||
* Board officers