Green Spaces Alliance: Minutes of Land Conservation Com. Meeting of 2/17/15
Land Conservation Committee Minutes
Green Spaces Alliance of South Texas
February 17, 2015

Regular Business
 The Land Conservation Committee met on 2/17/15, beginning at 5:33 p.m.
 Those attending: Amy Avery, Chairman Jeff Crane, Troy Dorman, Leilani
Gary, Claude Harding, June Kachtik, Matt and Sable Kitchen, and
Executive Director Julia Murphy and Land Conservation and Stewardship
Manager Philip Bedford.
Those not attending: Albert Fernandez, Susan Hughes, Michael Waldrop
 The minutes of 11/19/14 were approved. Motion made by Troy, seconded
by Leilani.

Julia introduced Philip, who began as GSA’s Land Conservation and
Stewardship Manager on January 7, 2015.

Edwards Aquifer Protection Plan (EAPP)
Contractor Susan Hughes’ health problems continue, and she will be
entering a rehabilitation center. She has explained the details of the
program to both Philip and Julia, who are attending the Conservation
Advisory Board meetings. Philip will carry out the details of the program.

May 9th ballot initiative and campaign
On 1/28/15, the City Council received a staff briefing on a new sale tax
initiative to continue funding the EAPP. Julia, Philip and June attended.
On 1/29/15, the City Council voted unanimously to propose the new
initiative to the state. There was widespread support, and June and Julia
spoke in favor. Receiving approval from the state, prior to the deadline of
February 28, the City Council voted to place the sales tax initiative on the
May 9, 2015, ballot. Julia spoke in favour, and GSA was recognized by
Councilman Nirenberg. Julia will be meeting with key players on
alternate Friday mornings, beginning 2/27/15, to develop a campaign to
encourage public support. The polling by the Texas Nature Conservancy
indicates its popularity.

2014 properties update
The Hutzler and Domino properties closed in late 2014.

2015 properties update
The Arredondo property in Uvalde County (515 acres) and the JaggeFoley Ranch in Medina County (970 acres) are in Stage 2 and closings are
expected to be scheduled later in the spring or early summer. The new
owner of the Former Ross Ranch in Medina County is considering
inclusion in the EAPP. It is now called the ECC Ranch. GSA has requested
Stage I due diligence (geo-assessment by the EAA) for the Gabriel and
Ward ranches.

Fee Simple Properties Updates
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Green Spaces Alliance: Minutes of Land Conservation Com. Meeting of 2/17/15

Bulverde Oaks – 32 acres off of FM 1604 and Judson Road
In January 2015 Jeff and Julia submitted a $20,000 proposal to the Wells
Fargo Foundation to improve access to the site and to develop trail
connections and place interpretive information. Philip is looking at a
proposal to the Faye L. and William L. Cowden Charitable Foundation. It
funds preservation of natural areas and likes educational programming
for children who might not otherwise receive it. The grant is due in
March. The committee agreed that these preliminary steps need to be
taken to make the property available for public access. Then, additional
funding for further improvements will be more likely.
There are grants for stream restoration, but the committee and SARA are
not ready to pursue them at this time.
Ten hives have been placed on the property by Rick Fink of the Alamo
Area Beekeepers . Philip prepared the site. One of the purposes of
placing bees on site is to eventually claim a property tax exemption.
Philip says that the Texas Nature Conservancy does not pay taxes on
property that it owns, as they are a 501(c)(3) organization. The
committee asked Philip to clarify that.
GSA’s general liability coverage would cover injuries related to bees
because it is not listed as an exclusion.
Philip and volunteers have also identified the markers on the east side of
the property and cleared along there. They found that many of the trails
were actually on the neighbor’s property.
Philip has gathered information on the costs of putting in a driveway, gate
and small parking lot. Julia and Philip are researching funding
opportunities.
The Big Give S.A. is a 24-hour day of giving that will take place from
midnight to midnight on May 5, 2015. The purpose of this communitywide giving challenge is to increase public awareness of the impact local
nonprofits make in addressing our community’s social challenges, bring
nonprofits and donors together, expand the idea of online giving, connect
people to the causes that move them the most and, of course, make giving
FUN. Last year’s event raised over $2,000,000 for 467 participating
agencies! GSA received almost $3,000. The committee talked about
highlighting our fee properties as an opportunity for giving. All involved
with GSA will be asked to spread the word.

Lockett property – 91 acres near Kendalia in Kendall County
Philip has a chain saw. He would like to recruit volunteers on a monthly
basis for trail stewardship.

Bulverde Road property – close to Bulverde Oaks
Gil Berkovich says that the COSA Parks Department accepted his property.

Update on Medina River Project
SAWS now has a broker for their three Medina River properties: Dennis
Cano, O: 731-6613, dennis@canoandcompany.com. June spoke with him
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Green Spaces Alliance: Minutes of Land Conservation Com. Meeting of 2/17/15
on 2/17/15, expressing our interest. He said he is preparing the market
analysis and expects to get it to SAWS by the end of the week. SAWS will
then let him know if the asking prices are acceptable. June does not know
if the realtor is following the standard procedure of getting an appraisal.
The committee discussed options for the flood plain portions: (1)
Developer use the revised conservation subdivision ordinance, which
should be approved by December 2015. It would allow the developer to
increase the density because of the large percentage of flood plain. An
example of such development is the Preserves at Medina. Information is
attached. The Plan calls for a 160-acre Park along the Medina River which
would connect to the Medina River City Park Trail System. This is 30% of
the total acreage. Troy was involved in 2007, but the project has not been
built. Pulte Homes did use the conservation subdivision ordinance for
Red Robin Road, near Hills and Dales. The developer for the Medina River
properties could set up a homeowners association to manage the flood
plains. (2) If the homeowners association needed assistance, it could hire
GSA as a manager. (3) A developer would receive tax breaks if it donated
the floodplains to GSA. See attached letter to SAWS. However, the
question is whether or not GSA could afford to manage the property and
handle the liability. It would most certainly require a cash donation from
the developer. (4) SARA would be interested in an access point at
Montgomery Road along the Medina River for a canoe paddling trail
which would be open to the public.
Claude suggested that we meet with the realtor as soon as possible.
Development is likely to occur fairly soon in this area, now that there is
water and sewer access; and we would like the development to be of the
best quality possible. June will contact Mr. Cano to set up a meeting.
6. Texas Land Trust Coalition Issues

TLTC Land Conservation Conference in Austin, March 4-6
Information is attached. GSA staff will be attending – Julia, Philip, possibly
Tia. Committee member Matt Kitchen will be going. If one has not been
before, Julia will see if there are scholarships. The Conference link is:
http://www.texaslandtrustcouncil.org/index.php/what-we-do/texas-landconservation-conference

Texas Land Trust Lobby Day 4/8/15 in Austin
June is making arrangements for appointments with:
Senator Donna Campbell (not on germane committee, but good to
make the contact. Her local staff is aware of conservation
easements.)
Senator Carlos Uresti – on Natural Resources & Economic
Development Committee, as well as Finance Committee.
Note: Consider Senator Judith Zafarini – Agriculture, Water &
Rural Affairs Vice Chair and on Natural Resources & Economic
Development Committee
If the winner is appointed to a germane committee, June will
contact him.
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Green Spaces Alliance: Minutes of Land Conservation Com. Meeting of 2/17/15
Representative Lyle Larson – on Natural Resources Committee
Rep. Ruth Jones McClendon – on Appropriations Committee
Rep. Justin Rodriguez – on Appropriations Committee
Speaker Joe Straus
If the winner of the run off is appointed to a germane committee,
June will contact him
Julia is arranging for a car pool. Roy and Leilani will be going.

National Conservation Easement Database (NCED)
The Land Trust Alliance has asked local land trusts to supply data about
their easements. Philip will contact GSA’s 3 easement holders to see if
they are willing to share their information.
7. Miscellaneous

ArcGIS capabilities
GSA has acquired an ArcGIS system. As a non profit organization it was
able to pay only $100 for the system and will pay $100/year for
maintenance. Philip will be looking for arc pad software, which may cost
$350.

Partnership Outreach
Julia had left. This item was not discussed.

“Vanishing of the Bees” screening on 3/2/15 at REI
Already about 40 people have made an RSVP. Tia will put out another
announcement that there will be a second showing on 3/9/15. The
committee discussed having a promotional flyer about the Bulverde Oaks
project on the entry table, along with a jar for contributions. Philip will
coordinate with Amy.

Board/Donor appreciation event “Brunch & Birds” at Rancho Blanco on
3/28/15
Rancho Blanco is a 1,100-acre ranch receiving historical designation on
5/26/08 from the Texas Historical Commission and the National Register
of Historic Places. It is owned by Myfe Moore and located at 18744
Bandera Road East in Helotes. There is a Pavilion, or lodge, on the lake. It
will be a lovely location for the event.

USFWF Habitat Conservation Plan for Southern Edwards Plateau
US Fish & Wildlife is seeking comment on its option for the proposed SEPHCP, due by 3/19/15. Bexar County, as the lead entity, and the City of San
Antonio would allow a specified amount of “incidental take” of 9 federally
listed endangered species within Bexar County, the City of San Antonio,
and San Antonio’s Extraterritorial Jurisdiction for a period of 30 years. In
return, the SEP-HCP would require mitigation within several counties.
The four alternatives are: (1) No Action Alternative. (2) 10%
Participation Alternative. That is, only 10% of the anticipated future
habitat losses for the covered species over the next 30 years within the 74
Green Spaces Alliance: Minutes of Land Conservation Com. Meeting of 2/17/15
county permit area would be addressed. (3) Single-County Alternative.
Both incidental take coverage and mitigation would be limited to Bexar
County and the area within 10 miles outside of Bexar County. (4)
Increased Mitigation Alternative. This alternative would implement the
recommendations passed by the SEP-HCP’s Biological Advisory Team, i. e.,
impacts to wildlife habitat within Bexar County would be mitigated at a
3:1 ratio, and at least 60% of the mitigation must be within Bexar County
or within 5 miles outside of Bexar County. In addition, the karst preserve
system would be sized to achieve roughly twice the level of conservation
specified by the US F&W’s downlisting criteria for the karst invertebrates.
The committee agreed that any comment to US F&W by GSA should
reflect GSA’s mission to “sustain the natural environment and enhance
urban spaces through land conservation, community engagement, and
education.” In its strategic planning for land conservation in 2015, GSA is
focusing on protection of urbanized Bexar County. Philip was asked to
outline summary points and questions and send them around to
committee members for comment.
June explained GSA’s process for commenting. An Advocacy Committee has just
been established. Its first meeting is 2/23/15. Whenever issues arise on the
local, state or national level, the Executive Director will provide an
analysis of the issues, giving this committee the details on how the issue
supports or detracts from GSA’s mission and recommendations on what
positions GSA should take. The Advocacy Committee should then make a
recommendation to the board.

Land Heritage Institute
Philip informed the committee that he is representing GSA on the LHI
board, which is composed of organizations. LHI is a living land museum
on 1200 acres of open space along the banks of the Medina River across
from Toyota on the far south side of San Antonio, preserving, maintaining
and interpreting 10,000 years of continual human habitation. He noted
that in 2018 LHI’s current agreement with the City of San Antonio will
have been completed and that LHI will consider placing a conservation
easement on the property and find funding for a land manager. GSA could
be considered as a CE holder.
In 2015, the Land Committee will meet at the office from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. the
third Tuesday of every month except December and July.
The Committee adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
June Kachtik, as Secretary
FYI, here is the contact information for the Committee:
Jeff Crane, Land Committee Chairman
Assoc. Dean of the College of Humanities,
O: 210-283-6422 jcrane@uiwtx.edu
C: 832-248-9232
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Green Spaces Alliance: Minutes of Land Conservation Com. Meeting of 2/17/15
Arts & Social Sciences, UIW
Amy Avery, Kimley Horn, board member
H: 452-9134
amy.avery@kimley-horn.com
Troy Dorman, Tetra Tech Engineers
O: 226-2922
Troy.Dorman@tetratech.com
Albert Fernandez C.F.Z. Group
O: 366-1911
cfzavalagroup@yahoo.com
Leilani Gary, board member
H: 824-8692
lgary1@satx.rr.com
Claude Harding
SARA
O: 227-1373
charding@sara-tx.org
Susan Hughes, GSA EAPP consultant
H: 532-2032
susan@wordwright.com
June Kachtik, Board President
H: 342-0135
junekach@gmail.com
Matt Kitchen AdamsEnvironmental, Inc. O: 858-6873 mkitchen@adamsenvironmental.com
Sable Kitchen Adams Environmental, Inc. O: 858-6873sable.kitchen@adamsenvironmental.com
Patrick Porter, Valero
O: 345-2740
Patrick.Porter@valero.com
Michael Waldrop, former board member
H: 830-995-4657 walman48@aol.com
Julia Murphy, Executive Director
O: 222-8430, Ext. 301 julia@greensatx.org
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