Salton Sea Advisory Committee

Transcription

1 II.A.14-17a Salton Sea Advisory Committee - SSAC Minutes February 21, 2017 Salton Sea Advisory Committee MINUTES FOR Tuesday, February 21, :30-5:10 Mecca Campus Conference Room Members Present: Karen Tabor, Interim Dean MASC, Co-chair; Al Hurt, Adjunct Faculty, Geology, Co-chair; Kurt Leuschner, Professor, Natural Resources; Phil Rosentrater, GM/Executive Director, Salton Sea Authority; Suzie Earp, Director & Archivist, Water Resources Institute, CSUSB; Zerryl Becker, Dean, Applied Science & Business Members not Present: Pamela Perry, Riverside County Economic Development Agency Guest(s): None Recorder: Karen Tabor, Interim Dean MASC, Co-chair AGENDA 1. Action Items Approval of January 24, 2017 Minutes No approval called for, agenda followed as presented. Name of Center Salton Sea Education, Research and Sustainability Institute Cooperative changed to Salton Sea Education and Research Center (SSERC) Karen Tabor passed out information on advisory committees and discussion followed. Must take minutes and need be more inclusive. We will grow slowly so that we don t lose our focus. Salton Sea Advisory Committee (SSAC) formed. 2. Review: Statement and Goals and Mission Al Hurt passed out White paper including Mission, Vision and Goals (see attached). Discussion of changes including the mission statement and vision simplified. It was agreed that the white paper would be refined and edited. Karen agreed to edit the white paper. Refine and edit white paper including Mission and Vision Karen Tabor 2/28/17 3. Advisory Committee Karen Tabor passed out information on advisory committees and discussion followed. Must take minutes and need be more inclusive. We will grow slowly so that we don t lose our focus. Salton Sea Advisory Committee (SSAC) formed. None needed 4. New Collaborative Partners Discussed possible partners: Tribe Retired Students UC

2 CSUSB State Parks Citizens Western Growers Faculty USDS (Doug) Navy (Sid) EPA-Air Quality Entertainment Alternative Energy We should contact individuals one-on-one and by letter. Each member return to next meeting with a list of potential members All members Next meeting 5. Action Item review Done in 1. Action items See Action items 6. Next Meeting TBD Steve will send out a Doodle poll for some time at the end of March or early April. Meet on PD campus Doodle Poll Steve McCrary 3/5/2017

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9 II.A.14-17b Salton Sea Advisory Committee - SSAC Minutes April 18, 2017 Salton Sea Advisory Committee Mission: Support comprehensive solutions to benefit the Salton Sea, surrounding environment, and local economy through education, research, and training. Vision: Sustain a healthy Salton Sea, and surrounding agricultural and business communities benefiting citizens, wildlife and the local economy for generations to come. DATE: April 18, 2017 LOCATION: Palm Desert Campus, Math, Science, Technology Center (MSTC) Conference 246B TIME: 3-4:30pm Attendees: Joel Kinnamon, President/Superintendent College of the Desert, Al Hurt, Facilitator, Adjunct Faculty, Geology; Karen Tabor, Interim Dean, Math & Science; Zerryl Becker, Dean, Applied Science & Business; Phil Rosentrater, GM/Executive Director, Salton Sea Authority; Suzie Earp, Director & Archivist, Water Resources Institute, CSUSB; Kurt Leuschner, Professor, Natural Resources; Jeff Baker, COD Consultant; Pamela Perry, Riverside County Economic Development Agency AGENDA Action Items: 1. Finalizing the Mission and Vision 2. Discuss White Paper final edits 3. Name for Advisory Committee and Center Discussion Items: 4. Each Member Identify: a. Potential available resources that support our goals b. Potential commitments to short-term and long-term 5. Advisory Board Membership Expansion 6. Other Business

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11 II.A.14-17c Salton Sea Advisory Committee-- TRECSS Minutes January 24, 2017 Training, Research and Education Center Salton Sea (TRECSS) Core Group Meeting MINUTES FOR Tuesday, January 24, :00 4:30 Math-1B Members Present: Al Hurt, Facilitator, Adjunct Faculty, Geology; Karen Tabor, Interim Dean, Math & Science; Kurt Leuschner, Professor, Natural Resources; Phil Rosentrater, GM/Executive Director, Salton Sea Authority; Suzie Earp, Director & Archivist, Water Resources Institute, CSUSB; Zerryl Becker, Dean, Applied Science & Business Members not Present: Jeff Baker, COD Consultant; Pamela Perry, Riverside County Economic Development Agency Guest(s): Recorder: Steve McCrary, Administrative Assistant, Math & Science AGENDA 1. Call to Order/Roll Call 1.1 Introductions 2. Action Item(s) 2.1 Approval of Agenda No approval called for, agenda followed as presented. 2.2 Background of Last Meeting Al Hurt Last meeting was an introduction of the concept of TRECSS, development of a center at or near the Salton Sea as a catalyst. The initial meeting was also attended by representatives of the Western Growers Association. Concept is a shared vision between College of the Desert (COD) and Salton Sea Authority (SSA) of goals/objectives: *resource protection *human health *excellence in learning *applied science *broad range of learning objectives *business opportunities *tourism 3. Information/Discussion Item(s) 3.1 Updates/progress to date by Organization Karen Tabor 1. COD is ready to provide a meeting place at the Mecca/Thermal Campus for the SSA and for other meetings in relation to this endeavor.

12 2. Currently working on a Promise Grant that would provide $750,000 over 2 years. This would include collaboration with local high schools, middle schools and universities to improve college readiness, access and overall success for Coachella Valley students. This would also include opportunities in coordinating COD s Roadrunner Farms and Farm-to-Table Ag programs. 3. Presented job description for COD/SSA Liaison (see Attachment 1). Phil Rosentrater 1. SSA Board has started using alternative meeting places and would welcome the opportunity to use the COD Mecca/Thermal Campus as another option. They will hold their first meeting at the Northshore Yacht Club this Thursday, 1/26 at 10 a.m. 2. Funding developments since the last meeting include a $30 million authorized expansion with the Army Corps. Of Engineers. This has passed Congress and was signed. Also in process is a tapping of a new revenue stream through the Department of Agriculture. This is for $7.5 million which would provide for research with Natural Resource Conservation Service, fund an air quality component, wetlands restoration and possible assistance to transition some area farmers to organic farming. Additional state funding is also being researched, one prospect being with the Prop 1 State Water Bond. In the private sector, a $10 million pledge has been received from concerned water funders. Suzie Earp 1. Met with the CSUSB Provost who is excited about the concept and the possibilities being pursued. Unfortunately, with multiple responsibilities at their main campus, the Provost has no time to dedicate to the effort at this time. 2. Met with campus group Earth Connections (see Attachment 2), which could be a valuable contact. Zerryl Becker 1. When discussing a COD partnership, what exactly are we looking at? *Internships *Research facility *Field trips/excursions/learning opportunities *Partnering with Universities on a program All agreed that all of these were viable options. Zerryl stated that many of these were already being done and others could easily be added. Kurt Leuschner 1. Work experience program already in progress in other areas that includes credit for internships. It would be easy to add Salton Sea Agencies if there are jobs to do. It would require an explanation of units and designation of paid vs. unpaid.

13 3.2 Productive near term use of new Mecca/Thermal Campus supporting SSA (meeting location for SS groups, NGOs, round table mtg opportunities, etc.) The following ideas were mentioned: Everything Salton Sea Salton Sea Action Committee Salton Sea Authority Offices Observatory (COD, already in progress) Research labs Field Trips Tours Lectures Internships Salton Sea History Museum possible modular placed on COD campus? Entrepreneurial aspects (land, algae, meetings with local business benefited or effected by the Salton Sea) Energy program solar farm Bird population Community Education Weather and/or air quality monitoring station 3.3 COD/SSA recognized liaison between offices Discussed within 3.1 & Science and Business Objectives (Promoting education, SS restoration, business entrepreneurial opportunities, etc.; outside interested parties to support education opportunities, financing innovation, cleanup and restoration, new technologies, etc.) Mostly discussed within 3.1 & Essential Core Team reps organization & members The following were mentioned as potential partners with a vested interest: Indian Tribes Golden Voice Western Growers K-12 education CVUSD EPA USGS UC Irvine CSUSB Alternative energy developers/providers

14 State agencies Federal agencies CV Economic Development Agency CV History Museum Navy El Centro Naval Air Station Other schools 3.6 Near term goals to reach our objectives/next step actions. (Goal not to reinvent established SSA program element but compliment) Definition of short-term and long-term goals: Long Term Academic Sustainable Agriculture Hydroponics Short Term (18 mo. to generate interest) History Museum Star Party Weather and air quality monitoring station Podcast with KCOD re: Salton Sea Find catchy name/acronym with Salton Sea at the beginning 3.7 Action Item review Next meeting content Refine vision and prioritize goals. 1. Each member to come with realistic short term goals they feel they are attainable. 2. Submit revised vision statement/charter/mou ideas to Steve. Refer to original vision idea submitted by Al Hurt (Attachment 3). 3. New title options for proposed center. Vision statement input to Steve McCrary Each Member 2/ Next Meeting: Tuesday, Feb. 21, 3:30 pm at COD-Mecca/Thermal Campus Conference Room