Agenda for Steering Committee Meeting - 01/31/2012 NRCS Office - 2614 N.W. 43RD St., Gainesville, FL 32606 I. Call to order – Mark van Soestbergen, Chairman; Vice Chairman, Dr. John Chamberlain. Quorum present? Opening comments from Chairman, recognition of any guests. II. Reading and approval of November minutes. III. (Acting) Treasurer’s Report – John Chamberlain IV. Soil and Water District Reports – Drs. Tom Lane and John Chamberlain, Ocala and Alachua respectively V. Old business: Projects for five-year plan of work which are: A. Wood-to-Energy Outreach – T. Cunilio (absent) B. Water conservation via ornamental perennial peanut - T. Cunilio (absent) C. Community Development in Lawtey: C. Conrad and S. Brown D. GREC Services Proposal letter – next steps VI. New business. 1. Standardizing council communications – van Soestbergen 2. Estimating 2012 Council expenditures – use of online accounting resource 3. Cunilio proposal to approach surrounding Counties re: wood ash 4. eCivis system review – how can we optimize for Council VII. Announcements. Next meeting will be Tuesday February 28 at 1:00 pm. Other useful info to be shared VIII. Adjourn.

Minutes of RCD Renewables meeting - January 31, 2012 at NRCS Gainesville

I. Attendees: Mark van Soestbergen, John Chamberlain, David Reed, Salatheia Brown, Tom Lane

II. 13:10 call to order. Establishment of quorum. David assigned as acting secretary for this meeting.

III. Approval of minutes from prior meetings – postponed to February 28 meeting.

IV. Treasurer’s report – John Chamberlain, acting treasurer, reports that GRU donation of $500 has been received, deposited in the Councils account, bringing current balance to roughly $580. A request for reimbursement of expenses by Tom Cunilio was discussed, no action taken, but general sense was that the Council needs to maintain these funds for contingencies.

V. Soil and Water District Reports

A. Tom Lane, Marion County – No discussion at this meeting.

B. John, Alachua County Soil and Water District - John stated that the Alachua County Soil and Water District provides a donation by paying the cost of the RCD web fee of $25 per month.

VI. Old Business

A. Projects for 5 year plan:

1. Wood to Energy. Not addressed substantially.

2. Perennial Peanut/water conservation. This was not discussed, except for mention that a business plan has been developed.

3. Lawtey Community Center – Salatheia indicated that a local group has formed in support of this project, and that the Council’s concerns are exclusively with the building, and not grounds.

B. The wood ash issue was discussed. There was a consensus that more information is needed prior to further actions or solicitation of support for this project. Mark indicated the need for a SWOT, or abbreviated business plan. Tom L. would like more information about quality concerns and other issues.

C. GREC Suppliers ‘Service Proposal’. This document has been completed and distributed online to those present. The discussion of how to present was taken up. Consensus was to proceed with intention and discretion. Possible privacy concerns noted. The need for a list of possible suppliers was noted, and input from Craig Conrad, Bryan Condon, and Tom Cunilio suggested.

D. RE: coordinator position – Tom Cunilio’s interest in resuming as coordinator was discussed. After discussion it was decided to leave this post vacant for the time being. A letter offering a position of Grants Facilitator to Tom C. was drafted, discussed favorably. Tom’s critical role with the Council in developing projects and support was noted. The need for insuring that outside communications and impressions do not adversely affect the Council was also discussed.

VII. New Business.

A. Mark introduced a new Google account for the Council, and explained how it works. This has already been circulated via email to active members. Mark indicates that the Council’s accounting information can be maintained on a spreadsheet with this application.

B. The need to update Bylaws was mentioned. One topic relevant to bylaws is the need to re-evaluate membership and consider how to address active vs. inactive members. An interest in focusing attention and communications on active members was expressed.

VIII. Announcements – next meeting February 28, 1PM.

IX. Motion to adjourn carried.

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