Present:
RC&D Council Members:
Franklin County: Chastity Miller
Herkimer County: Bernard Peplinski, Ted Teletnick
Jefferson County: Vern LaFave, Brian Wohnsiedler, Scott Burto
Lewis County: Ashley Marolf, Nichelle Billhardt
Oneida County: Bob Keller
Oswego County: Joe Chairvolotti, Neil Cheney
St. Lawrence County: no-one present
Other:
Blake Putman- Recycling Ag Plastics Project, Linda Garrett- Tug Hill Land Trust, Patricia Decosse- Franklin County SWCD, Linda Gibbs- Tug Hill Commission, Dave Smith- NYS DEC, Reg Purrington- North Woods Forestry Consulting, Tom Derouchie- Franklin County SWCD Director, Rhonda Redder- Jefferson County SWCD, Harry Robbins- Herkimer County potential member at large, Gary Eddy- Jefferson County SWCD
USDA-NRCS:
Scott Cook- Jefferson County DC, Astor Boozer- NY State Conservationist, Rod Douglass- Lewis County DC, Chanda Lindsay, Becca Hare

Meeting was called to order at 10:05 by Brian.
Introductions were made.
A moment of silence was taken in memory of Kelley Dickinson.

It was determined that a quorum was present with 11 voting members in attendance.

Minutes:
Ted made a motion to accept the minutes as written from the previous meeting held on January 21, 2009. Nichelle seconded. Motion carried.

Financial Report:
Financial as of March 19, 2009; Checking$18,666.79
Savings$7,036.08
CD$16,470.89
Bernie made a motion to file financials for audit. Nichelle seconded. Motion carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Executive Committee:
Brian reported that the proposed budget for FY &#iso_39;09 has been drafted and reviewed by the Executive Committee. Ted made a motion to approve the budget as drafted. Vern seconded. Motion carried.
Agriculture/Renewable Energy:
The Recycling Ag. Plastics Project (RAPP) is well under way. Information regarding the collection and demonstration events for the week of April 4-13 was distributed.
Forestry:
Gary reported that the Forests of NY Placemat is in the process of being revised. The Council received funding from International Paper, NY Society of American Foresters, and Woodsmen&#iso_39;s Field Days to reprint the placemat.
Lumber Grading workshops have been scheduled for October 6-7 and November 4-5. Locations to be determined. One location will be in the Greater Adirondack council area. The Forestry Committee is working with Sloane Crawford.
Recreation:
Scott reported that the Rails to Trails project is at a standstill for the moment. Waiting to meet with Genesee Valley Transit (GVT).

UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Area/Annual Plans:
Both plans have been reviewed and endorsed by the Executive Committee. Scott made a motion to have Chair sign and submit both plans. Joe seconded. Motion carried.
Review of Membership:
Brian reviewed the membership status of each County for the Council.
The Executive Committee reviewed the credentials of Harry Robbins, potential member at-large for Herkimer County and recommended that he be accepted. Vern made a motion to accept Harry as the member-at-large for Herkimer County. Ashley seconded. Motion carried.
National Association of RC&D Council&#iso_39;s National Conference:
The conference is going to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico from June 14-17. The estimated cost per person including flight arrangements and the conference registration
is $1000 per person. There is $2000 allowed for this in the budget. Anyone who is interested in attending must work with the Executive Committee for approval. Registration is due by May 15th for the discounted rate. Chanda does not know if she will be able to attend.

NEW BUSINESS
Cape Vincent Community Wind Power Project:
Brian stated that the a de facto committee met last week with a community-based citizen&#iso_39;s group from Cape Vincent that would like to collaborate with the Black River - St. Lawrence RC&D and the company Sustainable Energy Developments (SED) and on a Rural Development Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG). This grant would involve the creation of a development team (ideally a for-profit, local business) that would carry out a feasibility study to evaluate project ownership options and conduct physical project site assessments for a community wind development effort. The project would involve: site prospecting, wind resource assessment and energy yield analysis, formation of a development team, pro-forma generation, land lease work, an avian risk study and a noise study. The capacity in which the Council would be involved would be taking the lead on applying for the RBEG grant and also assisting with: organizing community forums, outreach to local residents, coordination of technical activities as needed and attending team meetings as needed. After discussion about the project, Neil made a motion for the Council to file an application with Rural Development and authorize total Funding and /or commitment of funds for the Cape Vincent Community Wind Power Project. Ashley seconded. Motion carried.
Tug Hill Trails and Trees Project:
The Forestry Committee will give an update of this potential project at the next meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS
Election of Officers:
The nominating committee presented the following slate of candidates;
ChairmanBob Keller
Vice ChairmanBill LaPoint
SecretaryDoug Thompson
TreasurerBrian Wohnsiedler

The Chairman opened nominations from the floor. There were no additional nominations. Bernie made a motion to close nominations. Vern seconded. Motion carried. The secretary cast one vote to approve the slate of candidates as presented.
Dry Hydrant Fund Through Development Authority of the North Country (DANC):
In 2004, Senator Meier designated $15,000 in financing toward the installation of dry hydrants in Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Oneida counties. Each county was to receive $5000. St. Lawrence County has $2100 and Oneida County has $3300 outstanding. Ted made a motion to have a detailed update on the status of this funding at the next meeting. Vern seconded. Motion carried.
Tree Planting / Memorial for Kelley Dickinson:
The Council would like to do something in Kelley&#iso_39;s memory. Nichelle and Brian offered to contact the Towns of Diana and Croghan to see if there is a plot of State land where we could plant a tree.
Ag. / Renewable Energy Committee:
The Council would like to see this committee meet before the next regular Council meeting.

Next Meeting:
The next meeting date will be Wednesday, May 6th. Site to be determined.

Bernie made a motion to adjourn from business meeting. Scott seconded. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Scott Burto
Jefferson County Member At-large
Designated Acting Secretary