PressRelease:
Powder Basin Watershed Council
Regular Meeting Minutes
for June 4, 2014
Baker School District 5J Building, 2090 4th Street
Voting Members = Seven Per Charter: Quorum for decision-making is four
Facilitator: Marion Crow

Call to order Marion called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m.

Guests Heidi Hartman, DSL; Karen Leiendecker, OWEB

Approval of Minutes Minutes from the May 7th meeting was approved by consensus.

Annual Work Plan A draft copy of the annual work plan was circulated. Members discussed the number of guest speakers they would like to host, the interest in a third field day event, assisting with the free fishing day derby, which community events the Council should attend, and using social media as an outreach tool. Jerry suggested contacting OSU Extension for information about the tree school. Heidi noted that she had used the Council’s website and was disappointed not to find staff contact information; she suggested adding this to the website. Karen Leiendecker suggested moving the Council meeting to another location in the basin at least once during the next year.

Revision of Council Charter Nancy read the proposed change to the Council’s charter, recommending that the changes be approved but not effective until the review of the charter is complete. The proposed changes were approved by consensus.

General Business
Small Grant Team: Aaron reported that the OWEB small grant team had met and awarded funds for a spring development, a revetment and revegetation project, and an irrigation development project.

Reports from Council members: Tim reported on flow measurements he has been taking along tributaries of the Brownlee Reservoir. He noted that the riparian vegetation along Ruckles Creek has improved. Jerry reported that his center pivot is now operational and is creating a substantial savings in water.

2014 Field Day: Johanna reported that the Field Day was successful. Approximately 130 students from Haines and South Baker participated, with 9 volunteers making the event possible. Betty Palmer complimented the Council on the organization of the event and the way the content dovetailed with the students’ science curriculum.
McMullen Slough Avulsion Project: Johanna reported that the Council had received one bid for construction at McMullen Slough, she has requested a revised bid that will include the timber harvest. Marion noted that he knew of contractors who were interested in bidding; he will encourage them to contact the office.

Basin-wide Water Quality Monitoring: Aaron expects all 78 sites to be up and running by the end of June.

Nutrient Monitoring: Denine is collecting nutrient data at 20 sites on BLM land and is placing temperature loggers. The first round of sampling is complete and she is completing split samples with Steve Hansen of ODEQ for quality control purposes. She hopes to have a seasonal employee hired to assist with the data collection.

Powder Basin Headwaters Habitat Survey: Aaron has been planning the habitat and electrofishing survey schedules; the field work should be complete by the end of August.

Powder Basin Outreach Initiative: Johanna reported that the application deadline has been extended and the position description will be revised in the hopes that a larger applicant pool can be attracted. Discussion followed about potential barriers to filling the position. Jerry noted that if the Council is unable to fill the position, outreach efforts will need to be scaled back.

Clear Creek Project Development: Aaron reported that the Council had been awarded $5,000 from the Jubitz Family Foundation for restoration designs along the lower reaches of Clear Creek.

PBWC Board of Directors Report:
July Meeting: Due to the holiday next month, the Council will not hold its regular meeting.

Council Facilitator: Jerry or Nancy will facilitate the August meeting.

Treasurer’s Report: Karen reported that the fiscal review was still not complete, but the Board expects it to be presented at the July Board meeting. The 990 and CT-12 have been filed and copies were circulated.
Board Update: Nancy reported that the Board had discussed the outreach position, balancing staff time, and strategic planning. Jerry noted that the current strategic plan is outdated and that the Council is facing a discrepancy between the amount of funding awarded and the limits of the current staff. The Board is interested in discussing how or whether to grow the organization and is looking for ideas about what to include in the strategic planning process, with appropriate levels of staffing being a priority.
Karen reported on a new development at the Hughes Lane Park. On Tuesday, during the Field Day, the plants that had been installed as part of the Kirkway Reach Restoration looked great. Between Tuesday and Thursday, the cages and rebar protecting the plants were removed and stacked at the west side of the Hughes Lane pedestrian bridge and the plants in the city park were cut at ground level. Johanna saw the damage when she watered the plants on Friday and asked Karen to look at the site; both thought the city was responsible for removing the plants. Johanna emailed the city requesting reimbursement for the replacement of the plants and the city quickly responded that the city crews had not damaged the plantings. Johanna reported the damage to the city police, and met with Sergeant Reagan, the city parks director, and the parks contractor to look at the site. Sergeant Reagan left a message with the Council this morning that an arrest had been made and the suspect had confessed. Neighbors reported that the suspect was back at the park the next morning talking to each park goer. Approximately 30 plants were destroyed.

There was no further business.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:00 pm
 

Council Attendance: 4 voting members [Quorum = 4]
Shannon Archuleta
Tim Bliss
Marion Crow
Jerry Gray, Director at Large
Nancy Rorick, Co-Chair
Karen Spencer, Co-Chair

Staff Attendance
Aaron Bliesner, Monitoring Coordinator
Johanna Sedell, Executive Director

Guests
Heidi Hartman, DSL
Karen Leiendecker, OWEB

Next Meeting – August 6, 2014