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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-06-06; Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Committee Ad Hoc; MinutesApproved : 9-2-08 CORRECTED MEETING MINUTES Minutes of: Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee Ad Hoc Citizens Advisory Committee Type of Meeting: ORGANIZATIONAL Time of Meeting: 1:00 P.M. Date of Meeting: June 6, 2007 Place of Meeting: FARADAY CENTER-ROOM 173-B CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Eric Larson called the Meeting to order at 1:05 p.m. Committee Members Present: Eric Larson, Chairperson/Executive Director of the San Diego County Farm Bureau Julie Baker, Planning Commissioner Richard Erhardt, Chairman of the Beach Preservation Committee Ken Alfrey, Board Member, Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation Hope Wrisley, Community Leader Irv Rosten, Retired Staff Member Present: Scott Donnell (Senior Planner) Chris DeCerbo (Principal Planner) Liz Ketabian (Parks Planner) Facilitator: Jim Boylan PUBLIC ATTENDEES: The Chairperson received “Request to Speak” slips from the following attendees: Name: Mr. Don Rideout Topic: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Trails – Proposal AGP 06-13 Representing: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation and the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Monitoring & Management Name: Ms. Anne Spacie, 1942 Swallow Lane, Carlsbad, CA Topic: (Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Monitoring & Management) Representing: Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Name: Mr. Keith Merkel Topic: (Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Monitoring & Management) Representing: Merkel & Associates Name: Sister Raymonda DuVall, Catholic Charities Topic: (Farm Worker Housing) Representing: City Farm Worker Task Force Name: Mr. Eddie Preciado, Catholic Charities Topic: (Farm Worker Housing) Representing: City Farm Worker Task Force Agricultural Committee Minutes June 6, 2007 Page 2 APPROVAL OF MINUTES Chairperson Larson passed out a letter to the members of the committee that he had sent to the Mayor asking him to replace Julie Nygaard’s position which is currently absent on the committee. He also proposed a minor grammatical change to the April 27, 2007, meeting minutes. The word “reverse” on page 5, paragraph 4 was changed to “reserve” with regards to ecological reserve. Action: Motion to approve the minutes of the Agricultural Committee Meeting of April 27, 2007, as amended. Vote: 6-0 Ayes: Chairperson Larson, Baker, Erhardt, Alfrey, Rosten, and Wrisley Noes: None Abstain: None Absent: None 4a. Agua Hedionda Lagoon Trails (Proposal AGP 06-13) Chairperson Larson reminded the Committee that at the last meeting there was discussion regarding who had responsibility of the trails, who had ownership of the trails, and other questions to that effect. Name: Mr. Don Rideout Topic: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Trails – Proposal AGP 06-13 Representing: Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation and the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Monitoring and Management Mr. Rideout introduced himself indicating that he was representing the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation because President Eric Munoz was unavailable to attend the meeting. Mr. Rideout stated he was not there to deliver a presentation but merely available to answer any questions and to listen to the committee’s discussion. Chairperson Larson asked the committee if there were any questions regarding the detailed report that came from the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation and on what the intent was for trails that they would take responsibility for. Irv Rosten commented that at one time an agency through the state granted money to the lagoons up and down the coast. He recalled that Batiquitos Lagoon was a receiver. Mr. Rosten asked Mr. Rideout if he was aware if Agua Hedionda Lagoon received other grant monies or other funds, such as from the state. Mr. Rideout stated that he believed the Agua Hedionda Lagoon had received some grant money for various purposes, for instance the eradication of the killer algae that happened years ago. He stated that he did not believe that grant money for trails specifically was granted. Mr. Rideout believed that this is the area that needs immediate assistance and that there is a need for more public trails around the lagoon. Scott Donnell indicated to the committee that Liz Ketabian, Parks Planner, was present in the audience to answer any questions regarding trails. Chairperson Larson asked Ms. Ketabian if she had a chance to review the report from the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation and if she concurred with it. Ms. Ketabian indicated that she did have a chance to Agricultural Committee Minutes June 6, 2007 Page 3 review the report and that she spoke with Parks Director, Ken Price, about the report and both support the trail projects that the Foundation is proposing. Furthermore, she elaborated that there was a trail committee set up around five years ago in the City which reviewed the public access around all of the lagoons. In the Coastal Zone, development occurs and many of the trails that were built were made public through the Coastal Commission conditions that are put onto projects. She indicated there are several easements that currently exist that were offered to the City or another agency. The way the easement wording is listed is that a City or an agency can step up and take these easements when they are about to expire or at anytime prior, and that they are irrevocable offers of dedication. Ms. Ketabian indicated that some of the easements have come to the City’s attention through the last year through the Coastal Commission. Some of them happen to be around the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. The Foundation has stepped up in taking an easement for the first segment which runs from Carlsbad Blvd. over to the new bridge that was put in by NCTD for the railroad. The Foundation has entered into an agreement to accept this easement and by so doing will be responsible for the maintenance and the liability of the trail. Chairperson Baker asked for a clarification from Ms. Ketabian regarding her comment on the trail segment to the new bridge. Ms. Baker thought that that trail was part of the dredging of the lagoon and that the power plant had to pay for it. Ms. Ketabian informed Ms. Baker that the power plant is paying for the construction. Ms. Baker went on to ask if the power plant owners are required to contribute any money for the maintenance of the lagoon. Ms. Ketabian replied no, and indicated the power plant is required to maintain the trail for one year and after that upkeep and liability would be the responsibility of whoever is taking the easement. Ms. Baker asked if this was typical of the trail program throughout the City and Ms. Ketabian answered yes. Ms. Baker then asked why the Lagoon Foundation would take the easement if the City could take and maintain it. If the City held the easement, then the Lagoon Foundation would not have to fund the maintenance of the trail. Ms. Ketabian indicated that there is a model to the south with the Batiquitos Lagoon and that the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation maintains the trails along that lagoon, such as the North Shore Trail. In adjacent Aviara, trails are privately maintained and have Irrevocable Offers of Dedication (IODs). She went on to explain how lagoon foundations have trail plans as part of their mission statements. She explained how the City over the past five years has increased its efforts to try and take over outstanding IODs that exist and increase the public trail mileage. However, the City’s preference is for another entity such as a foundation or private HOA to take over the outstanding IODs and maintain those trails for as long as possible if they’ve been originally conditioned to be public trails which is the case in the Coastal Zone. In this way the City’s trail budget can be used for maintaining and building trails in other parts of the city that do not have a foundation or association or some type of program that develops and maintains trails. She also stated that non profit organizations might be in a better position than the City to seek grant funding and step up the ability to construct and maintain trails. Chairperson Larson asked if it was fair to say that the City requires these dedications or easements as conditions of approval. Ms. Ketabian stated that the City does not, and that the public access along the lagoons is a condition that the Coastal Commission requires. Chairperson Larson inquired that as the maps are approved, and the projects are finished, does the IOD just sit there with the hope from the Coastal Commission that someone will come along and pick it up? Ms. Ketabian states that this is correct. Ms. Baker stated that for clarification purposes in the Coastal Zone, in the other parts of the city that the condition of approval is that the developer builds these trails. Chairperson Larson agreed, however he noted that the ones that the committee is discussing were those the Coastal Commission conditioned the IODs and that the City was left with an action for some reason. Ms. Ketabian stated that some of the IODs Agricultural Committee Minutes June 6, 2007 Page 4 that are out there are for access and that the trails have not been built yet and that there are areas along Agua Hedionda Lagoon that have easements, however trails have not been built. SUBSEQUENT COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 4a. Agua Hedionda Lagoon Trails (Proposal AGP 06-13) Chairperson Larson asked Mr. Rideout for the proposal’s total miles of trails. Mr. Rideout informed the committee that there are around 10 miles of trails. Mr. Rideout then explained also the reason for the proposed five year trail building delay is that the Foundation is taking the same approach as the City: let others build it. The Foundation or somebody has to take over the maintenance. If the City is not there to take over then the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation will, if funding is there. Also if trails are not built, they will also finish that job as well, if funding is available. Irv Rosten asked if the trails are inspected by a developer. Mr. Rideout replied that yes, and noted a developer has to fix the trail before it is accepted. The foundation takes it on in perpetuity. Mr. Rideout added that trails do have standards on how they must be built. Julie Baker asked if the IODs are on different locations. Mr. Rideout explained how IOD’s have a lifetime of 21 years, and, in the case of Agua Hedionda Lagoon, are in different locations along the lagoon. He noted that if the IODs are not accepted, they could go away, and the public could lose their right of way to use those areas. Hope Wrisley commented that if the trails need to be maintained then the maintenance fees should come out of this money rather than out of her taxes. Irv Rosten asked how long $300,000 would last for the trail maintenance. Mr. Rideout stated how the proposal’s time frame was for 10 years, with no construction in the first five years, and then in the sixth to tenth year the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation would actually build the trails. Finally Mr. Rideout concluded that the Foundation would then be solely responsible to maintain the trails. Julie Baker asked Mr. Rideout why the Foundation would want to obligate themselves to this maintenance. Mr. Rideout replied that the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation wants more trails in the lagoon areas. and cited the availability of the Coastal Commission IODs as well. Action: Motion to approve the proposal of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation (Proposal AGP 06-13) for $305,750. Vote: 5-1 Ayes: Chairperson Baker, Larson, Wrisley, Erhardt, and Rosten Noes: None Abstained: Ken Alfrey 4b. Batiquitos Lagoon Monitoring and Management (Proposal AGP 06-12) Chairperson Larson expressed his concern that he would like to know clearly where the responsibility lies for the maintenance responsibilities for the Batiquitos Lagoon. He explained that there was a staff report available for this agenda item. Scott Donnell, Senior Planner, stated that he prepared written information Agricultural Committee Minutes June 6, 2007 Page 5 based on an agreement that the City signed with other agencies in 1987. This information outlined the entire Batiquitos Lagoon enhancement project, which agency is responsible to fund it, including the construction as well as the maintenance and the roles and responsibilities of all of the agencies involved. He went on further to state that he could deliver an oral presentation or he that he could answer any questions the committee might have. Mr. Donnell concluded the City intends to send a letter to the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) because City staff is aware that the maintenance is an issue. The letter has been drafted and has been proposed to be sent to the Mayor for review. The hope is that the letter will cause a high level meeting between the City and DFG to start a dialog on the maintenance issues there. Chairperson Larson asks if it is the City’s hope that DFG will accept some sort of responsibility for the maintenance of the lagoon. Chris DeCerbo, Principal Planner, stated that is the hope and in the event that that does not occur then the City would have to configure another solution. Ms. Baker then asked if the grand proposal was for a monitoring plan, rather than the actual, physical maintenance. She offered that even if the state did agree to do the physical maintenance without a monitoring plan in place, the City would still be left with the issue of research that needs to be done on how to decide to proceed with the maintenance. Mr. Donnell stated that this is still the outstanding issue; the City is still unaware of what it will take to maintain the lagoon. He also stated that Merkel & Associates recently completed the 10 year monitoring of the lagoon; this monitoring was a condition of approval of the permit obtained from the Army Corps of Engineers for lagoon dredging. He noted, however, that this permit has now expired and for additional dredging to occur a new permit will be required. Ms. Baker indicated that it seems that the issue still is that nobody really knows what needs to be done to properly maintain Batiquitos Lagoon, even if the state comes back and says it will do the work. Mr. Donnell concurred and said the DFG does appear to have a maintenance responsibility, but what exactly that means is up in the air. Ms. Baker then asked if there was any debate about who was paying for the research or the plan to do the maintenance. Mr. DeCerbo replied that he did not know, but that at some point the City may come before the committee to ask for the money to shepard the project. Ms. Baker asked what will be the catalyst that will make this decision, and when might the committee know. Mr. DeCerbo indicated that he would know after the meeting with DFG and that it would be premature to make a decision prior to this meeting. Name: Ms. Anne Spacie, 1942 Swallow Lane, Carlsbad, CA Topic: (Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Monitoring & Management) Representing: Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Name: Mr. Keith Merkel Topic: (Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Monitoring & Management) Representing: Merkel & Associates Mr. Merkel proceeded to explain portions of the 1987 agreement signed by the city and other agencies, including the limitations, the obligation of the steward, the maintenance, and monitoring. He also discussed how the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation is spending beyond its means. He noted his firm also just finished its 10 year monitoring program. Mr. Merkel noted that fundamentally there’s not enough money to do the work needed for the lagoon, and that’s why he’s here before the committee to ask for the Agricultural Committee Minutes June 6, 2007 Page 6 funds necessary to do the work. He suggested that the grant from the committee would pay for work that would be in addition to the DFG’s efforts. Ms. Spacie commented that the foundation would pledge over 10,000 hours of volunteer work to accomplish the proposal. Volunteers could assist with the removal of trash from the lagoon and perform other low priority things. Historic photographs are something the volunteers could also contribute. The side benefits would be also to work with high school student volunteers. This would affect a good portion of the community that gathers at the Batiquitos Lagoon. Volunteers would be used extensively since man hours are long. Regarding the scenario of the lagoon mouth closing, Irv Rosten asked if a substantial rainy season was to occur, would there be a problem with backwash (flooding) on private property. He queried if this is being considered in the maintenance program. Mr. Merkel stated that this is being considered, noting that sand at the mouth must be maintained and that the expense to keep the mouth open was driving the annuity costs. He commented that sand coming into the mouth opening of the lagoon is the only focus of the existing lagoon maintenance budget, although sedimentation issues also exist at the back of the lagoon too. Mr. Merkel noted that there has not been a monitoring program for the back of the lagoon however. Julie Baker inquired as to when Mr. Merkel expected to start and when he would begin monitoring the lagoon. Mr. Merkel replies that the critical pieces will begin as of July, then the second phase as of October. SUBSEQUENT COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 4b. Batiquitos Lagoon Monitoring and Management (Proposal AGP 06-12) Julie Baker expressed that while she feels monitoring and managing the lagoon is necessary, she is unsure if the money should come from this fund or another fund. Chairperson Larson asked if another fund source could step in to assist the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation. Hope Wrisley asks if the Foundation has checked with DFG. Chairperson Larson also asked staff if new communications between the City and DFG have taken place and what has come out of those conversations. Mr. Donnell noted that staff’s intent is to have a meeting with DFG, but such a meeting has not been scheduled. Julie Baker offered that it may take some time before any results are realized from any such meeting. Mr. Merkel replied that meetings in the past have occurred between the City and DFG every two years or so. He noted the gaps between biological and physical monitoring. At the present time, Mr. Merkel believes that the back of lagoon is filling in fast but to what magnitude he does not know due to a lack of physical monitoring. Dredging outside at the shoal also is not being done to the level that is necessary. Hope Wrisley asked if there is a way to ask for an emergency request appointment to DFG staff. Chris DeCerbo replied that the City is requesting a meeting tactfully. Mr. Merkel stated that the City stepped back because of cost issues. Chairperson Larson stated that there is a question of responsibility. Mr. Merkel stated that the monitoring Agricultural Committee Minutes June 6, 2007 Page 7 being proposed is to figure out what is failing and to figure out how to fix it. He needs to collect more information about the lagoon. Currently, he commented, no one is doing this. Chairperson Larson opined that as soon as the committee provides the Foundation funds that the state will be hands off until the project is done. Mr. Merkel acknowledged that if the Foundation obtains the proposed funding request, it might jeopardize funding from DFG. He also acknowledged the concern of the committee that if some other agency should be responsible or would provide funding, then why should the committee step in? Julie Baker inquired if the monitoring would give the foundation the ammunition to get the funding needed. She pondered if ultimately the City does have the responsibility. Irv Rosten suggested that the committee grant $100,000 over the first year and then have a City inspection instead of granting the $780,000 grant request all at one time. He suggested the need to monitor the progress. Mr. Merkel was not under the impression that the committee would write out a check and that would be the end of discussion. He recognized that there would be some kind of agreement between the lagoon foundation and the City. He stressed he does not know how bad things are in the lagoon or how they are changing and that money is needed to collect more data to determine what needs to be done. Chairperson Larson admitted his disappointment with the State not stepping into the monitoring or maintenance of the lagoon. He believes perhaps the City could tell the State that they will meet them half way. Julie Baker stated she thinks the committee should support the project and that ultimately it is in the best interest of the City of Carlsbad. Hope Wrisley concurred. Chairperson Larson recommended the City Council do something. Richard Erhardt stated that he thinks someone needs to take the first step, and it might as well be the committee. Motion: Julie Baker moved to approve Proposal AGP 06-12 as requested by the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation. Irv Rosten stated he disagreed and would like to have an amendment to the motion. Action: Amended motion by Julie Baker to approve the proposal of the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation (Proposal AGP 06-12) for $780,589, noting there are project benchmarks and that outreach to other agencies is planned as part of the project. Vote: 6-0 Ayes: Chairperson Baker, Larson, Wrisley, Erhardt, Alfrey, and Rosten Noes: None Absent: None 4c. Farm Worker Housing (Proposal AGP 06-16) Name: Sister Raymonda DuVall, Catholic Charities Topic: (Farm Worker Housing) Agricultural Committee Minutes June 6, 2007 Page 8 Representing: Catholic Charities, City Farm Worker Task Force Sister DuVall introduced herself on behalf of Catholic Charities and as a representative of the City Farm Worker Task Force. Sister DuVall passed out to the committee the Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego Casa De Compensinos estimated budget as of June 2007. She asked Chairperson Larson what had happened at the last two meetings regarding Farm Worker Housing since she was out of town. Chairperson Larson explained the committee took a vote to support the project in principal. He explained that the project fits the requirements for the funds that are available and about the hopes for the planning phases. Sister DuVall discussed the budget she submitted to the committee and stated that it is a rather high end budget. She reviewed the high and low square footage of the project and the history of project development. She noted concrete costs are the City fees for the various permits and everything else is based on construction around the area. She wants to come back with a plan on exact costs of construction and what the building will look like. She also noted that investigating the possibility of federal funding for the project has yet to be researched. Chairperson Larson advised operational expenses will not be paid, only construction expenses. Sister DuVall requested that farm worker housing be a requirement for the City. She discussed how this money could have the greatest investment to the City and that the challenge will be in operational funds. Perhaps the men staying in the housing could be charged rent. She asked that Catholic Charities and the City support farm worker housing so the farm workers can have a newly constructed environment. Julie Baker asked Scott Donnell if there is a formal mandate required by the City to provide farm worker housing. If not, Ms. Baker asked if the city has an obligation to maintain and operate farm worker housing such as Sister DuVall suggested. Mr. Donnell replied that, yes, the City must provide some sort of farm worker housing in Carlsbad, although it is difficult to provide specific requirements. Sister DuVall recognized that the number of farm workers could possibly diminish to nothing and that this facility has been planned to transition into something for the homeless, including homeless families. She noted she does not believe that the homeless will go away and that a long term partnership with the city is needed and money is needed to build this housing. Hope Wrisley stated that because of the Flower Fields, she believes that the farm workers will be needed in perpetuity. Ms. Wrisley believed that there will always be a need for 72 farm worker beds if nothing happens to the flowers. She recommended that Catholic Charities initially needs $108,500. Ken Alfrey asked where Ms. Wrisley is deriving $108,500 from. The committee explained that the number is the sum of the architecture/engineering, civil engineering, and surveying estimated costs. Irv Rosten inquired about the farm workers who are women and if lodging has been considered for them. Sister DuVall replied that she has not come across female farm workers looking for housing. Mr. Rosten suggested that women farm workers do have the same problems that the men farm workers have. Mr.Rosten offered that perhaps Oceanside has open space and could act as a regional place for farm workers to live. He asks where the location currently is for farm workers to live in Carlsbad. The committee informed Mr. Rosten that the location is by the City of Carlsbad’s fleet maintenance and Safety Center on Orion Way. Agricultural Committee Minutes June 6, 2007 Page 9 Sister DuVall described the vision for the farm worker housing. It would have an upstairs and downstairs, be similarly to a dormitory, and include a homeless center, although 30-40% of the space would be dedicated to farm workers. Mr.Rosten asked what Oceanside was doing regarding farm worker housing. noting his concern was that homeless farm workers employed in Oceanside would use the housing proposed by Catholic Charities in Carlsbad. Chairperson Larson explained to the committee that 500 beds for farm workers currently exist in Oceanside that are privately operated, with the majority of beds provided by Harry Sing & Son. Mr. Larson went on to say that he did not think there was a homeless problem for farm workers in Oceanside. Workers are charged rent and the farmers want to make sure their workers are there onsite. Julie Baker discussed operational costs and the possibility of charging the farm workers rent. Sister DuVall explained how there is two men to a room and that farm workers typically do not work eight hours a day, 40 hours a week. Their hours are more sporadic than the typical work week. There are common showers, bathrooms, a kitchen downstairs, and perhaps they could be charged $5 to $10 a night or if they would like to return. Sister DuVall also explained that there is a kitchen in the plans that will be commercial grade and available 24 hours a day in order for the farm workers to be able to have a paid meal. She suggested that perhaps the kitchen also could be used as a culinary training facility, which may interest local business. Chairperson Larson stated that some farm workers only make $9 an hour and that $5 to $10 a day may be an unrealistic lodging fee. Ms. Wrisley suggested that the committee visit La Posada de Guadalupe, the current farm worker housing facility in Carlsbad. Ken Alfrey inquired about any funds available by the state. Sister DuVall spoke about tax credits but noted she was unfamiliar about the guide lines. Chairperson Larson informed the committed that one possible available funding source is the federal fund referred to as the Joseph Certa Fund. He discussed how the money flows in and out of the farm worker housing projects and what it would take for the current project to qualify for this fund. The funds look for partnerships between applicants and the community, and require planning and engineering to be done first. SUBSEQUENT COMMITTEE DISCUSSION 4c. Farm Worker Housing (Proposal AGP 06-16) Chairperson Larson suggested the City create benchmarks; he thinks the Catholic Charities estimated budget is rather high. Chairperson Larson replied that he wants to get the project to the point where it can be bid on. Noting the Committee’s earlier decision to approve the project in concept, Chairperson Larson stated that the entire $2,000,000 requested by Catholic Charities for this project should be encumbered, though only a portion would be funded at this time. The Committee also noted that the funding released at this time should only apply to architecture/engineering, civil engineering, and surveying fees and not fees for permitting or environmental work . Ken Alfrey suggested that Catholic Charities create a detailed financial plan and identify future funding sources for the project. Agricultural Committee Minutes June 6, 2007 Page 10 Action: Approve the proposal of Catholic Charities (Proposal AGP 06-16) for $108,500 to fund architecture/engineering, civil engineering, and surveying fees only Vote: 6 – 0 Ayes: Chairperson Larson, Baker, Erhardt, Alfrey, Wrisley and Rosten Noes: None Absent: None 5. Report on 2006 Grant Application Outreach to Farming Community Scott Donnell, Senior Planner, reported his research based on previous committee liaison Elaine Blackburn’s work conducted as part of the grant application outreach in 2006. Chairperson Larson suggested that the committee should do a better job in its attempts to reach out to the farming community before the next round of proposals. 6. Report on Agricultural Conversion Mitigation Fee – Current Balance and Projection Scott Donnell discussed the amount of funding that is left for the Agricultural Committee to grant. He informed the committee that a balance of $300,000 was currently available. Mr. Donnell spoke about the current fee requirement and how $260,000 was collected over past few years. Irv Rosten asked if there was any waiver of fees. Scott Donnell replied that if a non profit organization wants fees waved then it can request such a waiver from the City Council. Irv Rosten asked if this has ever happened. Chris DeCerbo, Principal Planner, replied affirmatively. 7. Next Steps Hope Wrisley asked when the committee should meet again and when to meet with Catholic Charities again. She inquires also if staff should report back instead of possibly not holding a meeting. Julie Baker suggested calling Catholic Charities to determine their status in six months. Chairperson Larson also inquired about the next meeting and about available funding. Scott Donnell replied that there was about $300,000 left and questioned if was enough to advertise now. Committee members all agreed there was not enough funding left to grant at this time. Julie Baker inquired if Robertson Ranch’s land has paid into the funding. Mr. Donnell answered that they did not have to pay as the property was not located in the Coastal Zone. Regarding the Catholic Charities project, Chairperson Larson noted how the farm workers need to pay rent and that this was not a charity project. Rent should go to the project and the amount should be reasonable for them to pay for staying. Mr. Larson went on to explain how land is leased and farmers cannot pay for farm workers. All Most farms are on leased lands in Carlsbad. Hope Wrisley commented on how many beds are dedicated to farm workers. She recommended that the committee should review the farm workers facilities. Agricultural Committee Minutes June 6, 2007 Page 11 8. Set Next Agenda The Committee did not set a future agenda. 9. Set Next Meeting Date The Committee proposed that they would meet in a year. City staff will advise the committee of future meeting dates. ADJOURNMENT MOTION By proper motion, the regular meeting of the Agricultural Conversion Committee of June 6, 2007, was adjourned at 3:12 pm. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: SCOTT DONNELL Senior Planner