Russian River Watershed Council	Full Council Meeting
Minutes of July 24, 1999	Veteran's Memorial Building , Cloverdale, 9 am - 1 pm
Russian River Watershed Council Draft minutes from May 22 Meeting Letter to Russian River Watershed Council and Interested Citizens Meeting Agenda Russian River Watershed Council Membership Letter of Support
AGENDA Approve Minutes Announcements Fish Migration Barriers in Russian River Watershed Council Operating Principles Council Delegation Meeting with Resources Agency Council Budget Work Groups Russian River Celebration Committee Planning Next Meeting START-UPS Andrew Black introduced himself and his associates, Lori Lavender and Lara Soddano. Andrew contracted his role as the neutral facilitator. Of the possible voting membership of 18 members from the Public Council, 18 members from the Economic Council, 18 members from the Environmental Council and 3 RCD’s , Andrew took a count of the voting members present and the total number present was 41. The Council agreed that decisions would be binding based on a vote of 60% of the members present at the time a vote is taken.The group agreed to overall agenda flow. There was agreement that Helen Libeu of the RRAUL will be the next presenter on an educational topic. Matt Kaondolf of UC Berkeley will be the presenter for the meeting after next, if he is available. ANNOUNCEMENTS Bob Clemens made an announcement regarding the Russian River Clean-Up on Mendocino Reach, which will take place on September 25. Miles Croom of the National Marine Fisheries Service, regarding a pilot-level GIS system project for the Russian River watershed, to be produced jointly by NMFS and Circuit rider Productions, with input from other agencies and users.    EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATION An educational presentation on Salmonid barriers was given by Park Steiner. Q & A followed the presentation.   STEERING COMMITTEE The Steering Committee Members are: Economic Council: Kathy Reese Bob Anderson Al Beltrami Environmental Council: Jay Halcomb Tim Derry Linda Baily Public Council: John Calaprice Rusty Klassen Nikki Barrat There was agreement to accept the Steering Committee as proposed.   OPERATING PRINCIPLES Linda Curry presented some new proposed operating principles for the group to consider. They were based on principles previously considered by the Council, but past on to a committee for future reference. The lead principle was: "Efforts to restore the Russian River Watershed Council will not be to the detriment of other watersheds." Other language was offered for consideration by the Council: "Private property and water rights will be respected by the Russian River Watershed Council." "Public health and safety of the residents of the Russian River Watershed will be an important consideration of the Russian River Watershed Council." Several concerns regarding the language of the principles were listed: Not well defined Concept of restoration too limited Replacing the word "shall" with "will" Be explicit about not engaging in a dispute between the Eel and Russian Rivers Use the word "improve" rather than "restore" "Shall" vs. "should" Other concerns were raised: To restore the Russian River would require a shut down of the Eel River. Implementing mission/goals of the Watershed Council should not be done directly at the expense of other watersheds. Too absolute; highly interpretive It was proposed that the Council consider a restatement of this principle: "Intent of the operating principle is that the Watershed Council should consider its actions in light of the context of other watersheds before making any decisions." No other action was taken on this matter at that time.   RESOURCES AGENCY MEETING Desired Outcome of this topic: Understanding of key outcomes of meeting with Resources Agency, so that: Council can decide whether to support the funding proposal Council can agree to move forward to meet timelines and deadlines associated with funding proposal A presentation was made by Kathy Hayes covering the following topics: Resources Agency is supportive of the Russian River Watershed Council. $130,000 for 1999-2000 &endash; $65,000 for Habitat Mapping           &endash; $65,000 for Coordination and Education Resource Agency wants us to see more progress.          &endash; Deadline for next funding year &endash; September 13          &endash; What are our funding priorities? Several issues were raised: Do we need to create a budget committee? Cost sharing agreement has yet to be negotiated. No method determining what the Council wants to do with the money. Karen Rippey, Corps of Engineers, presented the Corps budgetary needs for 1999-2000 for project management and planning support. The Budget discussion included the following questions and issues: Looks like we’re paying someone’s overhead as opposed to funding projects that support the Russian River Watershed Council. What kinds of things can the leftover $26,000 be used for? Is there detailed scope of work and work products for the money? What is Karen’s role for the 2 days/week that she will contribute to the Watershed Council vs. the role of the local coordinator? Planning cost is the only item that is negotiable. Feels like we’re being told one thing about funding; now we’re being told something else. See a lot of duplication in coordination and support. If Karen’s time could be reduced, extra money would be available for the Council.   PROPOSALS REGARDING BUDGET Current proposal to be accepted for the next couple of months. Create committee/mechanism to decide how to spend money. Accept the funding/idea of moving forward for the 1999/2000 budget in support of the Corps of Engineers and Resources Agencies collaboration. Final Vote: 34 In favor 7 Opposed The motion passed. PROPOSAL FOR MECHANISMS FOR SPENDING MONEY It was proposed that the Council use the existing Steering Committee as the interim Executive Committee to perform the following tasks (for an interim period of 4 months only). Create a managerial entity Propose a budget for approval to: &endash; Administer funds &endash; Forward process to create next year’s budget &endash; Screen candidates for the coordinator’s position Steering Committee selects final RRWC Executive Committee as outlined in the PSP. No major decisions made by the Steering Committee without approval of the entire Council. Final Vote: 40 In favor 1 Abstention The motion passed. WORKING GROUPS FOR STUDY PROJECTS In order to facilitate budget planning for the second study year, the Council must provide funding priorities to the State by September 13. The Council formed working groups whose task is to identify study projects, priorities and funding requirements. Each working group will be cross-caucus and have one Steering Committee member on it. The Steering Committee will go through the input from the working groups and synthesize it into a final overall funding proposal for review at the next Council meeting. Working groups must provide minutes to the Steering Committee in order to document all discussions. Deadline to meet, synthesize data, and forward to the Steering Committee is August 9th.   The working groups have been formed as follows: Tributary Clean-Up Ann DuBay &endash; Coordinator Pat Schuch Bob Clemens David Berman Al Giordano Salmonid Restoration Joanna Vanoni - Coordinator Bill Scanlan Doug McLelland Will Macafee Jill Butler Richard Miller Roland Osmon Tom Schott Pat Schuch Park Steiner Water Supply/Quantity and Quality Annella Dalrymple - Coordinator Linda Bailey Bill Scanlan Bob Rawson Leonard Stewart Jerry Brown Nikki Barratt Paul Jensen Bob Anderson Brenda Adelman Richard Miller Outreach/Public Relations/Education Peggy Maddock- Coordinator Dale Wright David Berman Tom Roth Annella Dalrymple Kay McCabe Jay Halcomb Judy Christiansen Dam Operations Linda Curry &endash; Coordinator Jim Nosera Tim Derry Laurel Marcus Pam Netzow Kathy Hayes Tim Buckner Leonard Stewart Bill Scanlan Scott Steedman Ellen Faulkner Bob Rawson Chuck Williams Watershed Information Assessment Chuck Vaugn &endash; Coordinator Jay Halcomb Brenda Adelman Linda Baily AL Beltrami Jerry Dix Bob Rawson Jim Nosera Paul Jensen Brian Hines Barney Hernandez Greg Zitney There was an agreement to discuss the working group policy at the next meeting.     NEXT MEETING (September 11) Policy for the Working Groups FCSA Memo of Understanding Executive Committee Consideration for endorsement for Lake Mendocino Bypass Proposed Fiscal Year 2 budget from Steering Committee RUSSIAN RIVER CELEBRATION Kay McCabe, coordinator of the Russian River Celebration Committee, made a brief presentation on the Russian River Celebration, which will take place from Saturday, September 18th through Sunday, September 26th. The Russian River Watershed Council agreed to send flyer out in the next mailing, if Fred Blatt, of the Regional Water Quality Control Board (who will be sending out the flyers) agrees. The Russian River Watershed Council agreed that Kay McCabe is the representative. Page last updated August 26, 1999 (FC)