Minutes May 17, 2018

Commissioners Present:
Crystal Norris – Chairperson
David Cook
Kevin Davis
Al Ferris
Beth Lamb
Jake McKee
Dagny Thomas
Todd Derum

Commissioners Absent:
Brock Dolman
Jeff Holden
Jim Lynch

Others:
Sonja Moug, Sonoma County Dept. of Ag.
Tom Henderson, DFW-H/E
Josh Russo, Watermen's Alliance
Charlie Schneider, Redwood Empire Trout Unlimited
Taylor Rein – Scholarship Recipient
Kent Rein, Public
Jordan Codding – Scholarship Recipient
John Codding, Public
Gabriel Ng – Scholarship Recipient
Isabelle Fabbro – Scholarship Recipient
Amy Fabbro, Public

1. Call to Order
   Chairperson Crystal Norris called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM.
2. Adoption of April 2018 Minutes
   Report:  Crystal Norris asks if there are any additions or corrections to the April 2018 minutes.
   Action:  A motion was made by Al Ferris to accept minutes; motion seconded by David Cook.
   Passed with:  8 ayes, 0 nays, 3 absent.
   
3. Correspondence
   Fish and Game Commission notices.
4. Financial Reports for April 2018
   Report:  As of April 30, 2018, General Fund balance is $25,240.69.
   Action:  A motion was made by Dagny Thomas to accept financial reports for April 2018 as presented; motion seconded by Al Ferris.
   Passed with:  8 ayes, 0 nays, 3 absent.
5. Old Business
   Grant Request:Funding for the Watermen’s Alliance; Plan for Kelp Forest Restoration; Removal of purple sea urchin in selected Northern CA reefs. Second Reading.
   Report: Josh Russo appeared before the commissioners, gave a description of his project for removal of purple sea urchins by both professional and volunteer divers on several areas along the Sonoma Coasts, and answered questions from the commissioners. 

   Action: The Commissioners approved the grant amount of $20,000.00.  (Grant #197)
   Passed with: 8 ayes, 0 nays, 3 absent.
   Grant Request: Funding for Redwood Empire Trout Unlimited; Laguna de Santa Rosa Coho Salmon Monitoring Project. 
   Report: Charlie Schneider appeared before the commissioners.
   Action: The commissioners tabled this grant request. Charlie Schneider agreed to the delay. The second reading will be at the July meeting of the commission.

6. New Business – Scholarships
   

   Report:  Four of the scholarship recipients were present to receive their awards. Scholarship checks were given to three high school graduates who are pursuing an education in fields related to Fish & Wildlife; a college senior who is graduating Humboldt College this December; and a PhD candidate who will finish his dissertation this year. The fifth scholarship recipient was not able to attend the meeting so the scholarship award was mailed to them.

   Each recipient present thanked the Commissioners and spoke about their education goals and what fields of study they are pursuing.
   Not on Agenda: Modification of the Scholarship Program.

   Report: There was further discussion in regards to creating an expanded scholarship in the name of former commissioner Al Gerhardt.  The commissioners decided that in the future there will be four scholarships awarded for $1,000.00, and there will be a fifth scholarship awarded in the name of Al Gerhardt for $2,000.00. The Al Gerhardt Scholarship will be presented to the outstanding applicant as voted by the commissioners.

   Action: Beth Lamb made a motion to approve the modification of the scholarships and create a special scholarship in the name of Al Gerhardt. Jake McKee seconded the motion.

   Passed with:  8 ayes, 0 nays, 3 absent.

7. The commissioners cancelled the June meeting and will reconvene in July.
8. Reports/Comments
1. Public
2. Board
9. Adjourn
   Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.