Regular Meeting Board of Directors
October 7, 2020
Time and Location
(Meeting to be held virtually. Select to attend the October 7, 2020 meeting via Zoom.)
4:00 p.m. – Executive Session (closed)
5:30 p.m. – Public Session (open)
Meeting facilities are accessible to persons with disabilities. If you require special assistance to participate in the meeting, notify the Conservancy’s office at (916) 649-3331 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
1. Executive Session
Executive Session is scheduled for real estate.
2. Call to Order of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors
The Board Chair will call the meeting to order if a quorum is present. Announcements by the Board Chair or Executive Director may be made at this time. Board members may make announcements at this time as well.
3. Public Comments
Opportunity for members of the public to address the Conservancy’s Board of Directors.
4. Approval of the minutes
*All items listed under “Action by Consent,” including minutes, are considered and acted upon by one Motion. Any Board member may request an item be removed for separate consideration.*
The Board Chair will request approval of the minutes and consent items of the Board of Directors meeting of August 5, 2020.
5. Conservancy non-rice farming properties; native grass project
The Alleghany and Cummings tracts continue to be difficult to farm. In consultation with the grower, staff created a plan this summer to clean up the properties with field work and eventually plant them to native grass. The grower continues to follow the plan to get the properties in better condition for planting to native grass in the future. In order to continue making progress on these fields, this item requests an additional budget of $10,000. Previously, the Board approved $25,000 for this project. The new project total is $35,000.
6. SAFCA non-rice farming properties; native grass project
The Sharma-AKT and Hewitt properties continue to be difficult to farm. In consultation with the grower, staff created a plan this summer to clean up the properties with field work and eventually plant them to native grass. The grower continues to follow the plan to get the properties in better condition for planting to native grass in the future. In order to continue making progress on these fields, this item requests an additional budget of $15,000. Previously, the Board approved $25,000 for this project. The new project total is $40,000.
7. Reclamation District 1000 Board of Directors election
This item requests authorization for the Executive Director to cast votes in the Conservancy’s interest in the election of Directors at the Reclamation District 1000. Election is scheduled for November 3, 2020.
8. Audit and tax services request for proposals
The December 31, 2019 financial statement audit, reported at the June Board meeting, concluded the current contract between the Conservancy and Gilbert CPAs. Last month, a Board-approved Request for Proposals (RFP) was sent to 10 qualified accounting firms as well as having been posted to the Conservancy’s website. The RFP was designed to solicit responses for audit and tax services for fiscal years 2020 through 2022 with two one-year options to renew. Three responses were received. The Audit Committee met and reviewed the responses and will make its recommendation to the Board.
9. Habitat land maintenance request for proposals
The existing land maintenance contract between the Conservancy and Sopwith Farms ends on December 31, 2020.
The Conservancy has engaged various contractors over the years to conduct property maintenance work on managed marsh complexes. This work consists largely of cleaning out water control structures, controlling non-native and/or noxious aquatic vegetation and keeping access open to marsh complexes for biological monitoring personnel and other contractors as necessary. Other responsibilities include disposal or removal of dead and predatory animals, water management and certain groundwater well maintenance activities.
With the Board’s agreement, a RFP was circulated last month. A total of 12 firms were invited to respond. The RFP was also posted to the Conservancy’s website. The Conservancy-prepared RFP was designed to solicit responses from qualified contractors to conduct land management and maintenance work for calendar years 2021-2023 with two one-year options to renew. Staff will present the results of the responses and make a recommendation for the Board’s consideration.
This item requests the Board’s approval for the Executive Director to execute and deliver an agreement with the Board’s approved RFP respondent for calendar years 2021-2023 with two one-year extensions.
10. City of Sacramento report
Report from the City of Sacramento regarding HCP-related activity and other topics.
11. Financial statement review
Financial statements will be provided for the period ended August 31, 2020 (unaudited). Additional financial information will be provided.
Download the unaudited August 31, 2020 financial statements (PDF, 2 MB)
12. Draft 2021 budget
Staff will discuss with the Board the draft 2021 budget. The submitted draft is for familiarization and review by the Board. The final 2021 budget will be included with the NBHCP Finance Model update and presented for approval to the Board at its December 2, 2020 regular meeting.
13. Meeting with legal counsel on Board and staff rights and responsibilities
For many years, the Board has periodically entertained briefings with respect to Board members’ responsibilities and obligations, including duty of care, duty of loyalty and a discussion of the business judgment rule among others. Attorney Isabel Safie of Best, Best & Krieger will provide Board members with a brief overview and be available to respond to questions. (The last such Board briefing was in August 2018.)
14. Executive Director’s Report
Various matters for Board members’ general information will be presented by the Conservancy’s Executive Director.
15. Adjournment
Official adjournment of the meeting.
Upcoming Regular Meetings
- December 2, 2020
- February 3, 2021
- April 7, 2021