Minutes  April 19, 2018

Commissioners Present:
Crystal Norris – Chairperson
David Cook
Kevin Davis
Al Ferris
Jeff Holden

Beth Lamb
Jim Lynch
Jake McKee
Dagny Thomas

Commissioners Absent:
Brock Dolman
Todd Derum

Others:
Sonja Moug, Sonoma County Dept. of Ag.
Sue Ostrom, Sonoma County Dept. of Ag.
Steve Kennedy VMVPC “The Cannonball Express”
Josh Russo, Watermen’s Alliance
James Reed, CDFW
Tom Henderson DFW - H/E
John  Green, Redwood Empire Trout Unlimited
Charlie Schneider, Redwood Empire Trout Unlimited

1. Call to Order
   Chairperson Crystal Norris called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.
2. Adoption of March 2018 Minutes
   Report:  Crystal Norris asks if there are any additions or corrections to the March 2018 minutes.
   Action:  A motion was made by Jim Lynch to accept minutes; motion seconded by Dagny Thomas.
   Passed with:  9 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent.
   
3. Correspondence
   Fish and Game Commission notices.
4. Financial Reports for March 2018
   Report:  As of March 31, 2018, General Fund balance is $25240.69.
   Action:  A motion was made by Al Ferris to accept financial reports for March 2018 as presented; motion seconded by Jake McKee.
   Passed with:  9 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent.
5. Old Business
   Grant Request:Funding for The Cannonball Express (Sonoma County Version) Video Project. Steve Kennedy, VMVPC “The Cannonball Express”. Second Reading.
   Report: Steve Kennedy answered questions regarding the project.  Discussion was held in regard to the project and grant request.
   Action:  Jim Lynch made a motion to deny the grant based on the opinion of most of the commissioners that the project is outside of the purview of the commission. Al Ferris seconded the motion.
   Motion to deny.  Passed with 8 ayes, 0 nays, 1 abstained, 2 absent.
6. New Business
   Grant Request: Funding for the Watermen’s Alliance; Plan for Kelp Forest Restoration; Removal of purple sea urchin in selected Northern CA reefs.  First 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 second reading will be held at the May Commission meeting.

   Grant Request: Funding for Redwood Empire Trout Unlimited; Laguna de Santa Rosa Coho Salmon Monitoring Project. First Reading.
   Report: John Green and Charlie Schneider appeared before the commissioners, gave a description of their project to acquire and install a PIT tag antenna array along the central Laguna watershed, and answered questions from the commissioners.
   Action: The second reading will be held at the May commission meeting.

   Scholarships
   Report: The commissioners voted to issue scholarships to the five applicants that were approved by the screening committee. Jim Lynch made a motion to accept the five scholarships as presented by the screening commissioner. Dagny Thomas seconded the motion.
   Passed with 9 ayes, 0 nays, 2 absent
   Action: Commission secretary will send notification to the five recipients and ask them to attend the May meeting to receive their award.  Secretary will also send notifications to the applicants who did not receive scholarships.

   Not on Agenda: Possible Modification of the Scholarship Program.
   Report: Al Ferris brought forward the idea of dedicating a scholarship in the name of long-time Commissioner Al Gerhardt. Dagny Thomas added the idea of creating a special scholarship in Al Gerhardt’s name for the most outstanding applicant, with a possible increase in the scholarship amount. Jeff Holden suggested changing the name of the scholarship program in dedication of Al Gerhardt.  All ideas were discussed.
   Action: There will be further discussion and a possible vote at the May meeting.

7. Reports/Comments
   
   1. Public
   2. Board
8. Adjourn
   Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM.