CITIZENS ADVISORY NETWORK
OSU EXTENSION SERVICE, POLK COUNTY
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
5:00 p.m.
Academy Building, Room 220
Those present: Jim Clawson, Derek Godwin, Elena Pena, Norbert Hartman,
Karen Lippsmeyer, Dolores May, Paul Gehlar, Donna Michaelson, Sheri Beehner,
Barbara Nichols, Joyce Wahl, Stacey Wheeler, Brent DeMoe, Kathy Hadley, Dean Anderson,
Austin McGuigan, Pam Scharf & Marita Broadus
Absent: Chelsea Pope, John Swanson, Cheryle Kennedy, Daryl Eash, Bernie Faber,
Tom Thomson and Christina Sekafetz
Derek asked for discussion on meeting dates and time, and the group was in agreement that
the 3rd Tuesday of the month was best for everyone, same time 5 -7 pm. The next meeting
date is November 16 with no meeting being held in December because of the holiday.
Derek announced that a tenured 4-H faculty from Lane County made the decision to transfer to
Polk County. There will be a “Meet & Greet” for Suzi Busler on November 8 th from 4:30 – 5:30
pm in Room 108, Academy Building. This is the same date as the Polk Co. 4-H Leaders’
Banquet, where she will also be introduced. Suzi will not officially start work in Polk County
until January 2011.
Jim Clawson: Is it okay to announce the Advisory Meetings in the paper, opening the
meetings to the public? We need to get it on the website. We still have “Save Polk Extension”
on the website. There is good information on the website but maybe we need to incorporate
that information into our regular website, having all information in one place. A Communication
Committee will work on the website, headed by Dean Anderson and assisted by Barbara
Nichols.
It was decided to form sub-committees to work on the following areas:
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Communications/Outreach
Steering
Budget
Program Review (Ag, 4-H, Small Farms, FCH, Natural Resources)
Jim would like a Vice-Chair to lead meetings when he cannot attend. Anyone interested?
Norbert: We need to get input from communities as to what they need. We need to meet the
needs of the people who voted for the Extension Office.
Derek needs to set up list serve to handle emails. For now, respond to Derek’s email address.
Members of Advisory Council need to email Derek to let him know which sub-committee they
would like to serve on.
Citizens Advisory Network Meeting Minutes, October 19, 2010
Page 2
Derek: Shared newspaper from Linn County Extension as a possibility in the future to get
information about what Polk Extension is doing out to the public. A more inexpensive way to
go is to put an insert in other mailings or email. Our newsletter would go out to Extension
stakeholders, volunteers, etc.
Derek: Handed out a one page draft budget. Will have more detailed figures down the road.
The county pays for supporting faculty, not their salaries. OSU puts faculty where there is
support money. Polk County now has that. Extension faculty have applied and received
grants, which helps tremendously.
Derek invited three guests from Polk County Human Services to tell about their programs and
the possibility of partnering with Extension on some projects.
Austin McGuigan, Director of Community Development (Planning, Building Division,
Environmental Health, & Economic Development). Community Development is a one stop
shop for permits. Growing interest in developing adaptive farming/small/farm/local produce
and agri-tourism. Looking at trends in agriculture. More recreation areas being developed,
which tie in with ag tourism. Also need entrepreneur opportunities/training.
Mike Propes: Economic development depends on keeping the country infrastructure up.
Example: There are no weight limited “county” bridges in Polk County.
Austin: Looking at Polk County water supply and long range sources for shortage in future.
Feasibility study.
Stacey Wheeler: Human Services. HS has a long relationship with Extension. HS covers a
wide area with 90 FTE (Public Health, Mental Health, Juvenile Dept, Youth Programs, and
Commission for Children & Families). Stacey spoke about what each department does.
Brent DeMoe: Commission for Children & Families. Working with literacy issues, parental
investment, & support and service integration - 6 school districts. Number 1 role is to avoid
duplication of services.
Stacey: Don’t assume needs. Go to communities and ask. Service Integration groups
already exist to answer.
Joyce Wahl: Also ask Farm Bureau, etc.
Mike Propes: John Burt is working with Food Share, providing for families in area, food banks.
Derek: Pantry Partner Program – Teaching people how to cook with what they receive in their
food box.
Minutes submitted by Marita Broadus and Pam Scharf