Rural Land Management Board

Summary

Meeting Overview

The Rural Land Management Board convened on December 12, 2018, at 3:00 PM in the Council Chamber at 101 East Vine Street, Lexington, KY 40507, with Jim Gray presiding as the meeting officer. The board addressed six agenda items during the session, covering both administrative matters and substantive policy issues related to rural land management and development.

The meeting included several informational presentations, including updates on recommended changes to the PDR (Purchase of Development Rights) Ordinance, a year-end budget report with easement acquisition status updates, and the 2019 meeting calendar. The board also conducted attendance and introductions of new members as part of their regular administrative procedures.

Two significant actions were taken during the meeting, with the board conducting four total votes. The board approved a housing and infrastructure request for Farm 35-2002 submitted by Split Rock Properties, LLC, represented by Derek Braun. Additionally, the board elected new officers for the upcoming term, completing their annual leadership transition process.

No public comments were received during the meeting, allowing the board to focus entirely on their scheduled agenda items. The session balanced both routine administrative matters and substantive development decisions, typical of the board's role in overseeing rural land use and conservation efforts in the jurisdiction.

Attendance

The following individuals were present at the December 12, 2018 meeting:

Present: • Jim Gray • Beth Cawood Overman • Will Meyer • Gloria Martin • Derek Paulson (arrived late) • Sally Hamilton • Philip • Don • Greg • Zack • Dennis • Dede • Angela Evans

Late Arrivals: • Derek Paulson

Absent: None reported

A total of 13 individuals attended the meeting, with Derek Paulson arriving after the meeting had begun. No absences were recorded for this meeting.

Votes and Decisions

The board took action on four motions during the December 12, 2018 meeting.

Approval of October 17, 2018 Minutes 0:00 Philip motioned to approve the October 17, 2018 meeting minutes, with Don providing the second. The motion passed unanimously.

PDR Ordinance Changes 0:00 Greg made a motion to accept changes to the PDR ordinance as suggested, seconded by Mr. Meyer. The board voted unanimously to approve the ordinance modifications.

Infrastructure Request - Farm 35-2002 0:00 Mr. Bell motioned to approve the infrastructure request for Farm 35-2002 submitted by Split Rock Properties, LLC. Mr. Robinson seconded the motion. The motion passed with one abstention recorded.

Election of New Board Officers 0:00 Zack motioned for the election of new board officers, with Dennis providing the second. The motion to proceed with officer elections passed unanimously.

All motions were approved, with three receiving unanimous support and one passing with a single abstention. No roll call votes were recorded for these items, and no conditions were attached to any of the approved motions.

Appointments

The meeting included several key leadership appointments for the upcoming term.

The following appointments were made:

• Gloria Martin was appointed as Chair
• Zack was appointed as Vice Chair
• Will Meyer was appointed as Treasurer

These appointments establish the leadership structure for the organization, with Gloria Martin taking the top leadership role as Chair, Zack serving in the secondary leadership position as Vice Chair, and Will Meyer assuming responsibility for financial oversight as Treasurer.

Contested Items

The primary contested item during this meeting centered on the election of new board officers, specifically regarding the appropriateness of board members who own land enrolled in the Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program serving in officer positions.

The discussion became heated as board members debated whether there was a conflict of interest or appearance of impropriety when PDR landowners hold leadership roles on the board. Some members expressed concerns about public perception, arguing that having PDR participants in officer positions could create questions about the board's objectivity in making decisions related to the program.

The disagreement focused on balancing the practical reality that many qualified board members are involved in agricultural preservation programs with the need to maintain public trust and avoid any appearance of self-dealing or conflicts of interest.

The specific outcome of this discussion and whether any restrictions were placed on PDR landowners serving as officers was not clearly documented in the available materials. The debate highlighted ongoing tensions about governance structure and ethical considerations within the board's operations.

*Note: Specific transcript timestamps and participant names were not available in the source materials for this contested item.*

Attendance and Introduction of New Members

0:00 The meeting began with introductions of new members joining the body. Jim Gray led the introductions and recognition portion of the meeting.

Two new members were welcomed to the group: • Will Meyer • Gloria Martin

The meeting also included recognition for Derek Paulson, who was acknowledged for his service as he transitions to a new role. Gray noted Paulson's contributions during his tenure with the organization.

This agenda item served as an informational introduction to familiarize attendees with the new membership composition and to formally recognize both incoming and departing members. No formal action was taken during this portion of the meeting.

Update on Recommended Changes to the PDR Ordinance

0:00

Greg provided an update on recommended changes to the PDR (Property Development Review) ordinance during this discussion item. The presentation focused on two main areas of proposed modifications to the existing ordinance.

The recommended changes include process-related adjustments to how the PDR ordinance operates, though specific details of these procedural modifications were not elaborated upon in the available materials. Additionally, the recommendations involve expanding the composition of the PDR board by adding more members to the current structure.

This agenda item was informational in nature, serving as an update to keep the meeting participants informed about the ongoing review and potential revisions to the PDR ordinance. No formal action was taken during this discussion, as it appeared to be part of an ongoing process to evaluate and improve the existing regulatory framework.

The PDR ordinance governs property development review procedures, and these recommended changes suggest an effort to enhance either the efficiency of the review process or the representation and expertise available through board membership expansion.

Farm 35-2002, Split Rock Properties, LLC – Derek Braun, Housing & Infrastructure

0:00

The board discussed an infrastructure request for Farm 35-2002 submitted by Split Rock Properties, LLC through Derek Braun. The request involved the construction of a riding arena and garage on the property.

Beth Cawood Overman served as the key speaker for this agenda item, presenting the details of the infrastructure proposal to the board members. The discussion centered on the specific construction plans and their compliance with applicable regulations and requirements.

The infrastructure request was reviewed and considered by the board as part of their housing and infrastructure oversight responsibilities. The proposed riding arena and garage construction appeared to meet the necessary criteria for approval.

Following the presentation and discussion, the board voted to approve the infrastructure request for Farm 35-2002. The approval allows Split Rock Properties, LLC to proceed with the construction of the riding arena and garage as outlined in their submission.

This approval represents the board's determination that the proposed infrastructure improvements are appropriate for the property and align with relevant development standards and community planning objectives.

End of Calendar Year Budget Report & Easement Acquisition Status

0:00 Beth Cawood Overman presented the end of calendar year budget report and provided an update on the status of easement acquisitions during this informational presentation.

The presentation focused on two key areas: the current financial status of the program and the progress made in acquiring easements throughout the year. Overman highlighted the program's financial position as the calendar year drew to a close, providing stakeholders with a comprehensive overview of budget performance and expenditures.

The easement acquisition status update covered the progress made in securing property easements, which appears to be a significant component of the organization's ongoing activities. The presentation outlined both current achievements and future planning considerations for the easement program.

This agenda item served as an informational briefing, allowing attendees to understand the financial health of the program and the status of key acquisition activities. The dual focus on budget reporting and easement status suggests these are interconnected priorities for the organization, with easement acquisitions likely representing a major budget expenditure category.

The presentation provided stakeholders with year-end data necessary for understanding program performance and planning for future activities. As an informational item, no formal action was required from the meeting participants, but the report served to keep all parties informed of the program's current status and trajectory.

2019 Meeting Calendar

0:00 The meeting included a discussion on the proposed meeting dates for 2019, led by Jim Gray. The agenda item focused on reviewing and finalizing the calendar schedule for the upcoming year.

During the discussion, adjustments were made to the initially proposed meeting dates to avoid conflicts with other events. Gray presented the proposed calendar and facilitated discussion among attendees regarding potential scheduling issues.

The meeting participants reviewed the proposed dates and identified conflicts that needed to be addressed. Through collaborative discussion, the group worked to modify the calendar to ensure optimal attendance and avoid overlapping commitments with other significant events or meetings.

This was an informational discussion item, with the primary outcome being the refinement of the 2019 meeting schedule. The adjustments made during this session helped establish a more practical and accessible meeting calendar for the organization's activities in the following year.

The discussion demonstrated the group's commitment to thoughtful scheduling that considers the broader context of related events and the availability of key participants. By addressing potential conflicts proactively, the organization aimed to maximize participation and effectiveness of their 2019 meetings.

Elect New Board Officers

0:00

The board conducted elections for new officer positions during this meeting. The election process resulted in the selection of three key leadership positions for the upcoming term.

Election Results: - Chair: Gloria Martin was elected to serve as the new Board Chair - Vice Chair: Zack was elected to the Vice Chair position - Treasurer: Will Meyer was elected as Treasurer

Zack participated as a key speaker during the officer election proceedings. The elections were conducted and completed successfully, with all three positions filled by the nominated candidates.

The board approved the election results, officially installing the new officers in their respective roles. This leadership transition will guide the board's operations and decision-making processes going forward.

The new officer structure establishes Gloria Martin in the primary leadership role as Chair, with Zack serving as Vice Chair to provide support and backup leadership. Will Meyer's election as Treasurer places him in charge of the board's financial oversight responsibilities.