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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-08-2024; 5 - Agricultural Preservation Board – Appointment Discussion 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 8, 2024 Action Agenda Item No. 5 SUBJECT: Agricultural Preservation Board — Appointment Discussion DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Recommendation Clerk's Office, 919-245-2125 Member and Applicant Summary Sheet Application of Person Recommended Applications of Other Applicants Membership Roster Applicant Interest List PURPOSE: To discuss an appointment to the Agricultural Preservation Board. BACKGROUND: The Agricultural Preservation Board is charged with promoting the economic and cultural importance of agriculture in the County, and to encourage voluntary preservation and protection of farmland for future production. The Board of County Commissioners appoints all 15 members, including eight (8) At-Large members, and one (1) member from each of the seven (7) Agricultural Districts in the County. The following individual is recommended for Board consideration: NAME POSITION TYPE OF EXPIRATION DESCRIPTION APPOINTMENT DATE TERM Sandra Weitzel At-Large First Full Term 06/30/2027 If the individual listed above is appointed, no vacancies remain. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with this item. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: There are no Orange County Strategic Plan Goals applicable to this item. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss an appointment to the Agricultural Preservation Board. rALOrange County Agricultural Preservation Board 2 September 27th, 2024 Jamezetta Bedford, Chair Orange County Board of County Commissioners PO Box 8181 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Re: Agricultural Preservation Board Appointment Recommendation Dear Chair Bedford: The Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board (APB) discussed membership at its regular meeting on September 18th, 2024. The APB asks the Board of Commissioners to consider the following recommendation: Appoint Sandra Weitzel to fill the remaining vacant at-large position, number 15. Ms. Weitzel possesses degrees in agronomy and soil science, with a work career that includes 25 years with the Soil and Water Conservation Division of the NC Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services. She has a strong interest in farmland preservation and enhancing the economic viability of agriculture in the county. Thank you on behalf of the APB. We are grateful that Ms. Weitzel is willing to share her experience and time to assist with Orange County's agricultural preservation program. Sincerely, David Stancil Orange County Agricultural Preservation Board cc: Michael Hughes, Chair NATU! 'L and CULTU1 !L RESOURCES DIVISION Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks &Recreation PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2510 Fax: (919) 644-3351 3 Agricultural Preservation Board Members and Applicants Name Member or Applicant? Gender Identity Race/Ethnic Background Age Range Township Also Serves on Noah Ranells Member Male Other 60+ Bingham Vaughn Compton Member Male White 60+ Cedar Grove Board of Equalization and Review Kim Woods Member Female White Cedar Grove Jane Saiers Member Female White 35-59 Chapel Hill Economic Development Advisory Board William Totten Member Male White 60+ Eno Michael McPherson Member Male White Bingham Michael Hughes Member Male White Bingham Orange Unified Transportation Board OWASA Board of Directors(after 6/30) Anjail Taylor Member Female African American 35-59 Cedar Grove Human Relations Commission Mary Beth Miller Applicant Female White 35-59 Cedar Grove Michael Wagger Member Male White 60+ Little River Elizabeth G.Hooten Member Female White 35-59 Bingham Manely Palmer Member Male White 35-59 Little River Jeff Sykes Member Male White Bingham Beth Myers Member Female White Cedar Grove VACANT Fayaz Khazi Applicant Male Asian American 35-59 Chapel Hill Craig Meisner Applicant Male White 60+ Chapel Hill Sandra Weitzel jApplicant IFernale White 60+ Hillsborough 4 Page 1 of 2 Sandra Weitzel Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Sandra Weitzel Name Called: Home Address: 300 West King St. Hillsborough NC 27278 Phone: 919-971-4648 Email: Sandyweitzel@gmail.com Year of OC Residence: 2023 Township of Residence: Hillsborough Zone of Residence: Hillsborough Town Limits Gender Identity: Female Ethnic Background: White Age Range: 60+ Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: NC Science Teachers Association (Board Member) Orange County Master Gardeners Trainee Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: None Boards/Commissions applied for: Agricultural Preservation Board Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board I have recently retired from a 25 year career with the NC Dept. of Ag &Consumer Service, Soil & Water Conservation (SWC) Division. In that capacity, I worked with a number of county Farmland Preservation Boards &SWC Districts. I have higher education degrees in Agronomy and Soil Science. Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board Prime farmland and local Ag related businesses are important and a long-time interest of mine. Maintenance of Orange County s rural buffer is paramount to preserving its heritage and character. I am carefully choosing service opportunities during my newly acquired retired status. How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? My personal history stretches back decades to the urbanization of the fertile and productive Santa Clara Valley, California. I witnessed first-hand unbridled development. Thoughtful development will be required to accommodate our growing population. Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest (either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board? Boards/Commissions appointments: 5 Page 2 of 2 Sandra Weitzel Other Comments: This application was current on: 7/23/2024 4:26:43 PM Date Printed: 7/24/2024 6 Page 1 of 2 Fayaz Khazi Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Dr Fayaz Khazi Name Called: Home Address: 206 Whirlaway Lane Chapel Hill NC 27516 Phone: 301-580-8363 Email: fayazkhazi@icloud.com Year of OC Residence: 2017 Township of Residence: Chapel Hill Zone of Residence: County Gender Identity: Male Ethnic Background: Asian American Age Range: 35-59 Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: None. Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: None Boards/Commissions applied for: Durham Technical Community College Board of Trustees Background, education and experience relevant to this board: I have a doctoral degree in Molecular Genetics and over 15+ years of experience working within or running research driven companies. Such responsibilities have necessitated me to develop a network of academic collaborators across the world. I hope to bring not only my academic training, but also the hands-on experience in future workforce training, university and industry engagement, grants and funding resources. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: I previously collaborated with and mentored Montgomery College in Germantown MD to build their programs to nurture students for a career in life sciences. I have worked with the University of MD along similar lines. In NC, I am currently engaged in multiple activities with NCSU. I believe I have ideas and the necessary experience to help DTCC thrive as it continues to serve its residents. Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board: I bring a global perspective to identify local opportunities. As a leader in the technology industry, I am well aware of the trends and have the ability to guide DTCC in the right direction. Conflict of Interest: 7 Page 2 of 2 Fayaz Khazi Agricultural Preservation Board Background, education and experience relevant to this board: I am an scientist-entreprenuer in the area of agriculture and food and have served this industry for over 15yrs. Over the years, I have developed the expertise, insight and a practical appreciation for the farm, farmer, the community and the environment. If chosen, I look forward to bringing my expertise and network in this area to assess, analyze and resolve issues and explore opportunities for the benefit of the citizens of Orange County. I have a BS in Agriculture and a PhD in Plant Biology. Reasons for wanting to serve on this board: As a member of the community, I have always wanted to participate and contribute, but never could make the time. Recently, I made a decision to consciously make changes to my life and not let work take over. Importantly though, I do have the relevant education and the life experience that this Board could benefit from. Contribution to the diversity of viewpoints on this board: I hope to bring viewpoints based on facts, science and real world business experience to the board. Conflict of Interest: Boards/Commissions appointments: Other Comments: This application was current on: 9/10/2022 2:36:38 PM Date Printed: 9/12/2022 8 Page 1 of 2 Craig Meisner Volunteer Application Orange County Advisory Boards and Commissions Name: Dr. Craig Meisner Name Called: Home Address: 904 Emory Dr. Chapel Hill NC 27517 Phone: 252-263-9551 Email: craigameisner@gmail.com Year of OC Residence: 2000 Township of Residence: Chapel Hill Zone of Residence: C.H. City Limits Gender Identity: Male Ethnic Background: White Age Range: 60+ Community Activities/Organizational Memberships: I bought a home in Chapel Hill 20 years ago, but mostly lived and worked abroad as an ag researcher. I am active with Binkley Baptist church and as such work with IFC, BLM vigils, among others Past Service on Orange County Advisory Boards: None Boards/Commissions applied for: Agricultural Preservation Board Please explain how your background, education and experience is relevant to this board I have MS in Agriculture from NCSU, PhD from University of Georgia. I have worked with 7 of the 13 Consultative Group of International Agriculture Research Institutes, dealing with various crop commodities: wheat maize rice lentils tropical ag economics. Also work with FAO. I strive to serve my NC community as I have done abroad for 39 years. Please explain your reasons for wanting to serve on this board I return to NC and would love to serve this community of growers. I am retired and have time to serve . How would your particpation on this board contribute to the diversity of viewpoints? I have an international perspective on ag, ag commodities. Not many have international experiences as I do. But not many yearn to learn more about NC and its current ag practices. Do you have any personal or business interest(s) that could create a conflict of interest (either real or perceived) if you are appointed to this board? Boards/Commissions appointments: Other Comments: 9 Page 2 of 2 Craig Wisner This application was current on: 8/1/2023 11:10:43 AM Date Printed: 8/4/2023 10 Board and Commission Members And Vacant Positions Agricultural Preservation Board Meeting Times: 6:30 pm Third Wednesday of every other month Contact Person:Peter Sandbeck&Abby Mattingly Meeting Place: Bonnie B.Davis Environment&Agricultural Center Contact Phone: 919-245-2510 Positions: 15 Length:3 years Terms: 2 Description: Members are appointed by the Board of Commissioners. The primary purpose of the Agricultural Preservation Board(APB) is to promote the economic and cultural importance of agriculture in the county,and to encourage voluntary preservation and protection of farmland for future production. The Agricultural Preservation Board is a body comprised of up to seven(7)at-large members,plus one(1)member from each of the seven(7)Agricultural Districts in the county. Dr. Noah Ranells 1 First Appointed: 06/18/2024 Gender Identity: Male Township: Bingham Current Appointment: 06/18/2024 Ethnic Background: Other Residency Req: Vol.Ag.District Expiration: 06/30/2027 Age Range: 60+ Special Repr: High Rock/Efland Vol.Ag.Dist. Number of Terms: 1 Vaughn Compton 2 First Appointed: 12/05/2022 Gender Identity: Male Township: Cedar Grove Current Appointment: 06/20/2023 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Vol.Ag.District Expiration: 06/30/2026 Age Range: 60+ Special Repr: Cedar Grove Vol.Ag.Dist. Number of Terms: 1 Kim Woods 3 First Appointed: 11/13/2018 Gender Identity: Female Township: Cedar Grove Current Appointment: 06/20/2023 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Vol.Ag.District Expiration: 06/30/2026 Age Range: Special Repr: Caldwell Vol.Ag.Dist. Number of Terms: 2 Dr. Jane Saiers 4 First Appointed: 10/20/2015 Gender Identity: Female Township: Chapel Hill Current Appointment: 06/20/2023 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Vol.Ag.District Expiration: 06/30/2025 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: New Hope/Hills.Vol.Ag.Dist. Number of Terms: 3 Mr. William Totten 5 First Appointed: 06/18/2024 Gender Identity: Male Township: Eno Current Appointment: 06/18/2024 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Vol.Ag.District Expiration: 06/30/2027 Age Range: 60+ Special Repr: Schley/Eno Vol.Ag.Dist. Number of Terms: Monday,September 30,2024 Page 1 11 Board and Commission Members And Vacant Positions Agricultural Preservation Board Meeting Times: 6:30 pm Third Wednesday of every other month Contact Person:Peter Sandbeck&Abby Mattingly Meeting Place: Bonnie B.Davis Environment&Agricultural Center Contact Phone: 919-245-2510 Positions: 15 Length:3 years Terms: 2 Mr. Michael McPherson 6 First Appointed: 12/02/2019 Gender Identity: Male Township: Bingham Current Appointment: 05/24/2022 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Enhanced VolAgDist Expiration: 06/30/2025 Age Range: Special Repr: Cane Creek/Buckhorn Vol.Ag.Dist. Number of Terms: 2 Mr. Michael Hughes 7 First Appointed: 06/18/2024 Gender Identity: Male Township: Bingham Current Appointment: 06/18/2024 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: Vol.Ag.District Expiration: 09/30/2026 Age Range: 60+ Special Repr: White Cross Vol.Ag.Dist. Number of Terms: 2 Anj ail Taylor 8 First Appointed: 02/17/2022 Gender Identity: Female Township: Cedar Grove Current Appointment: 06/18/2024 Ethnic Background: African American Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2027 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: Number of Terms: 2 Mary Beth Miller 9 First Appointed: 06/18/2024 Gender Identity: Female Township: Cedar Grove Current Appointment: 06/18/2024 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2025 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: Number of Terms: Michael Wagger 10 First Appointed: 12/05/2022 Gender Identity: Male Township: Little River Current Appointment: 12/05/2022 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2025 Age Range: 60+ Special Repr: Number of Terms: 1 Elizabeth G. Hooten 11 First Appointed: 02/17/2022 Gender Identity: Female Township: Bingham Current Appointment: 06/18/2024 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2027 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: Number of Terms: 2 Monday,September 30,2024 Page 2 12 Board and Commission Members And Vacant Positions Agricultural Preservation Board Meeting Times: 6:30 pm Third Wednesday of every other month Contact Person:Peter Sandbeck&Abby Mattingly Meeting Place: Bonnie B.Davis Environment&Agricultural Center Contact Phone: 919-245-2510 Positions: 15 Length:3 years Terms: 2 Mr. Manley Palmer 12 First Appointed: 03/07/2024 Gender Identity: Male Township: Little River Current Appointment: 06/18/2024 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2027 Age Range: 35-59 Special Repr: Number of Terms: 1 Jeff Sykes 13 Vice-Chair First Appointed: 12/02/2019 Gender Identity: Male Township: Bingham Current Appointment: 05/24/2022 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2025 Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms: 2 Beth Myers 14 First Appointed: 12/02/2019 Gender Identity: Female Township: Cedar Grove Current Appointment: 05/24/2022 Ethnic Background: White Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2025 Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms: 2 VACANT 15 First Appointed: Gender Identity: Township: Current Appointment: Ethnic Background: Residency Req: At-Large Expiration: 06/30/2027 Age Range: Special Repr: Number of Terms: Monday,September 30,2024 Page 3 13 Applicant Interest Listing by Board Name and by Applicant Name Contact Person: Peter Sandbeck&Abby Mattingl Agricultural Preservation Board Contact Phone: 919-245-2510 Dr Fayaz Khazi Gender Identity: Male Date Applied: 09/10/2022 Ethnic Background: Asian American Township: Chapel Hill Age Range: 35-59 Zone of Residence: County Also Serves On: Dr. Craig Meisner Gender Identity: Male Date Applied: 08/01/2023 Ethnic Background: White Township: Chapel Hill Age Range: 60+ Zone of Residence: C.H.City Limits Also Serves On: Sandra Weitzel Gender Identity: Female Date Applied: 07/23/2024 Ethnic Background: White Township: Hillsborough Age Range: 60+ Zone of Residence: Hillsborough Town Limits Also Serves On: Monday,September 30,2024 Page 1 of 1