HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009.12.08 Forest Lands Commission Minutes MINUTES FOR A MEETING OF THE
ASHLAND FOREST LANDS COMMISSION
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
Siskiyou Room, Community Development Building
51 Winburn Way
I. CALL TO ORDER: 5:30 PM
II. INTRODUCTIONS
Tom Marr (public), Katie Schubert (Forest Service), Melody Noraas, Marty Main
(consulting forester), John Williams, Gary Pool (public), John Karns (Fire Chief), Chris
Chambers (staff), Tony Kerwin, Dan Maymar, Terry Baker (Forest Service)
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November loth meeting
Change proposed for page 3, "Gorson wondered if there was....
Change to describe Laurie Hayden's role. Motion made to accept minutes with changes.
Seconded and passed all ayes.
IV. PUBLIC FORUM
Nothing.
V. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE AGENDA
None.
VI. BUSINESS
A. Commission comments on Council Goals
Adopt Water Master Plan goal. FLC is interested in the role of the watershed and
supply, coordination with ongoing forest projects. Noraas commented on
coordination with other city services that might be affected such as power and gas.
Chambers said that the effort is being coordinated by Public Works so it's an
internal communication issue.
Watershed Partnerships Goal: Commission agreed that the goal is appropriate and
efforts are taking place such as AFR coordination. Considered who or what
agency would be appropriate to list—but decided to keep it broad due to unknown
participation from other groups at this point. Discussion turned to need for a
coordinating body to bring together groups involved in AFR. FLC only meets one
time per month and can't dedicate enough time, but would like to help. Add to
goal that a central coordination position is needed within the City staff to help with
this goal.
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Land Use Goal: Chambers explained a need for expansion of the Wildfire Lands
Zone. Gave example of homes in the city that were evacuated during the Siskiyou
Fire, but many aren't addressed in the Wildfire Lands Zone. Chambers and Karns
will give Greg Lemhouse information about expanding the Wildfire Lands Zone to
allow more control over development in wildfire areas that are currently not
mapped as such.
Lemhouse explained the Economic goals and asked for input. Williams suggested a
green business incubator program. Develop incentives for green building. Maymar
said we should encourage businesses that contribute to our local community.
Community gardens encouraged, more agriculture encouraged. Lemhouse asked
about the TAP intertie project, Kerwin commented on development versus staying
within our means. Main suggested putting value on the water from the watershed
and supporting preservation of the supply. Finding a long-term use of the
Impeatrice Property is important to the commission. Chambers brought up carbon
storage as a possibility for City forestlands and/or the Impeatrice Property.
Lemhouse asked about the budget philosophy in creating a base budget and
building on it depending on programs. Lemhouse would like feedback on this
issue. All comments are due by January 22nd
Marr supports the TAP project for redundancy and emergency purposes.
Lemhouse would like feedback on how Councilors should rotate as liaisons for
commissions. Williams felt that knowledge and experience is more important than
rotation of councilors. Kerwin felt the same and said rotation on a yearly basis is
too short and suggested staying for the whole Council term. Lemhouse said it may
be possible to rotate some commissions and not others. Lemhouse asked about
the homelessness issue. Group discussed that is does affect the watershed when
homeless people camp there and use fire. Chambers has been to many of these
camps and seen fire used for cooking and heating.
B. AFR Community Engagement-FLC's role & Report from meeting
Chambers explained the AFR Community Engagement meetings and
encouraged a defined AFLC role. John Williams and Dan Maymar will be the
two representatives to the upcoming sub-committee meeting on Thursday,
December I0th
C. Ashland Forest Plan Update Draft Review
Changes were suggested to some of the language and noted. Noraas moved to
submit to City newsletter as amended. Maymar seconded, and all in favor.
D. Public Outreach Plan Watershed Map Project
Chambers reported that money budgeted for Commissions can be spent with
approval of the Department Head, in this case the Fire Chief. This would indicate
that as long as the Chief is OK with it, the FLC's one thousand dollars, or some
portion, could be used for prize money for the map contest. Chambers said the
spending gets tricky if it's for a program that then generates money. This won't
generate money so there's no worry, but to be aware for the future. The
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Commission reviewed documents submitted by Chris Iverson. Suggestion was
made to list the map items in bullet points instead of narrative form. Commission
agreed on that. The group discussed changing the award to 500 dollars instead of
250. Motion was made to approve this change. It was seconded and approved with
all ayes. Lemhouse suggested displaying all the maps in the Council Chambers and
announcing the winner at a Council meeting.
E. Commission 3-Year Goals
VII. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS
None.
VIII. REVIEW AND SET COMMISSION CALENDAR/NEXT MEETING
A. Next Regularly Scheduled Meeting: January 12th, 2009
IX. ADJOURN: 7:26 PM
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in
this meeting,please contact the Public Works Office at 488-5587(TTYphone number 1 800 735 2900).
Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to
ensure accessibility to the meeting (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title I).
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