PressRelease:






PBWC REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
09 January 2008




Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Tim Bliss, Chair.

Approval of Minutes: 12/05/07 – Two revisions were indicated:
 Page 1 – Guests: Charlie Vaughn, Baker City Attorney – add to guest list.
 Page 2 – last ¶ under LiDAR Flight, Sumpter Valley Dredge Tailings: Replace “Dan pointed out that the tailings are undergoing remarkable healing on their own. Years ago the tailings were approximately 64% bare and now revegetation is extensive,” with, “Dan pointed out that as late as 1964 vegetation was practically devoid on the tailings. Vegetation now is abundant and extremely diversified.”
In full consensus, the council approved the December minutes as revised.


Recognition of Guests / Unscheduled Business:

Guest: Paul Schwarz. Paul has applied to the County Commission for appointment to the Council. He stated that he retired from a salvage logging business in western Oregon and moved to Baker City to enjoy the outdoor recreational opportunities here. The Commissioners will consider his application January 16th.


GENERAL BUSINESS:


PBWC Semi-annual Travel Reimbursement Form:

Council coordinator distributed the current form to be used for fuel reimbursement for meeting attendance. She requested that all members fill out the form and indicate their preference in the new line, i.e. request reimbursement or donate as matching to council.

The coordinator then presented the suggested calendar of meetings for the Council during 2008. She suggested that regular meetings in the 5J conference room be held all months except July, September and October. Those months’ meetings will be held in the field:
• July 9 – Sumpter Municipal Diversion
• September 3 – Powder River (Kirkway)
• October 1 – Pine Creek (Halfway).
Dan Weitz proposed that the calendar be accepted as presented. The Council so approved in full consensus.

Operational Status with Conservation Districts / Council and Districts MOA:

Dan Weitz explained that the MOA is still with the Districts. Laurie Owens, Districts Manager, states that they will all be reviewing the document in their February monthly meetings. This draft MOA describes the PBWC as its own employer for staffing needs. In it the PBWC also assumes responsibility for its own liability and risk coverage.

Dan announced that Clark and Clark Insurance is working up a bid for insurance coverage. They will present the bid at the February Council meeting. If the Council could qualify as a public entity, premiums could be reduced by as much as 2/3. Dan has asked Charlie Vaughn to draft a template to indemnify the PBWC from liable.


PBWC Fiscal Operations:

Vickie Valenzuela, Council Treasurer, stated that an interest bearing checking account has been opened at Sterling Bank, where the Council checking account is. Treasurer’s report:
$11, 757.52 – balance 11/26/07
+18,070.00 – deposit (208-057 WC Support)
-17,278.64 - expenditures
$12,548.88 – Balance 12/12/07
She reminded the council that currently there are two signatories on the bank accounts with one signature only on checks. The coordinator is listed as secretary and primary contact for the organization but has no signing authority. The coordinator, however, will organize, process and oversee fiscal operations and be accountable for management of funds.

Vickie V. requested that the Council approve setting up a bookkeeping arrangement with a local CPA. Vicki Wares presented bids from two CPAs. A proposal was made that the coordinator contact the lower bidder and that if the set up charge would be no more than $250.00 and that the monthly fee for services would not be more than $75.00 initially, the coordinator and treasurer should set up a business arrangement. In full consensus, the Council approved the above proposal.


Non Profit Status / IRS 501(c)(3) Designation:

The Council discussed the pros and cons of forming its own 501(c)(3) organization. It was estimated that it might cost ~$500.00 for the application fee followed by a six-month wait. Vicki V. offered to have her daughter Susan look at our papers and suggest if this would be advisable for us. Suzanne Fouty stated that anyone who will assist us should be recompensed for their resources and time as far as possible.

Dan Weitz proposed that, in view of our discontinued relationship with BCACD (Baker County Association of Conservation Districts) we plan to spend ~$500.00 from our operational category of the Council Grant to initiate the formation of the Watershed Council as a charitable organization. In full consensus, the Council approved of Dan’s proposal.


Watershed Council Strategic Plan 2007-2015 / PBWC Work Plan 2007-2009
The agenda item was tabled.


Council Budget – Contingency Category:

The Council reviewed options for investing the designated contingency funds in council capacity building. Options discussed were:
1. Powder River Restoration in the area of the Baker County library/Geiser Pollman Park. Karen Leiendecker stated that the OWEB Council Support funding cannot be spent on restoration implementation or other capitally-funded projects. These dollars are to be spent on the categories allowed within the Council Support Grant. Even assessment and technical assistance projects will qualify only on an approval basis. Expenditures should stress education and outreach with documentation on expected community impacts.
2. The OR 150 State grant program was discussed. The Council considered information concerning beaver deceivers, colony transplants, food supplementation, planting for future food resource, landowner concerns and trapping seasons. Prospective cooperators to be contacted were named: Daly Creek Ranch (Idaho Power), Pine Valley Ranch, Fox Creek and Chris Heffernan in North Powder. Karen stated that application deadline is February 25th so any project should be kept fairly simple. The Council suggested focusing on Lower Powder / Snake sites and stressing educational components. Vicki W. will set up a meeting with persons interested in pursuing this activity, e.g. Suzanne, Eric Schoenfeld, Vickie V., Chris Heffernan, and Dan Weitz.


County Travel Management Plan Committee:

The Council reviewed the letter offering assistance on watershed information. The Council proposed, in view of the time lapse incurred with this letter, to postpone delivery and place in file for further reference. In full consensus, the Council approved of the proposal.


Watershed Status Reports:

 Lower Powder – Eagle Valley Assessment: Karen announced that OWEB is accepting applications under the April 21st deadline for watershed assessment studies. The Council discussed drafting an application to continue assessment of the Powder Basin in segments of HUC 4 and larger watersheds. Local support from Eagle Valley was evidenced in the public meeting held in Richland, October 19, 2004. Council comments included:
o Assessments are invaluable as the basis for strategic planning.
o Local support is evidenced in Eagle Valley; it is important to support the request.
o The political climate in the Powder Basin is not conducive to watershed assessments. There are other assessments/plans (e.g. the Powder Subbasin Plan by the Northwest Power Planning Council) that we can use to prioritize projects.
o If an assessment is considered, extensive local outreach is necessary.
The discussion was tabled until the two Council members who represent the watershed will be present.

 Other watershed reports were curtailed due to lack of time.


Meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

Council Attendance: [8 members, 7 voting] 7 = Quorum Eric Schoenfeld Timothy Bliss, Chairman
Vickie Valenzuela Suzanne Fouty
Aaron Umpleby Dan Weitz
Jerry Franke Paul Wares
Vicki Wares, Council Coordinator

Others Attending: Karen Leiendecker, OWEB Eastern Region Representative
Attachments: None


Next Council Meeting
February 6, 2008
5:30 p.m. School District 5J Supervisor’s Office
SE Corner 4th and Broadway