Here are the notes from the DEC monthly meeting on Monday, September 14.
Present: Linda Draper (facilitator), Aaron Grogg, Jean Marquardt, Dan Webster, Natalie Sheard, and Bill Bynum.
We began with introductions, and then Dan let everyone know that Patrick Piatt, Community Development Director for the City of Oroville, had a scheduling conflict and will meet with us in October.
That rescheduling allowed us to meet with Natalie Sheard, candidate for the Oroville City Council in District F for a full hour. We gave Natalie a brief history of our evolution as an organization and then explained our concerns going forward. Natalie, who is the Vice Chair of the Oroville Planning Commission, was quite knowledgeable about the intricacies of the proposed biomass plants. We had a lengthy question and answer session following our mutual presentations and the whole hour was spent engaging in a very productive dialogue. Our committee came away from the meeting with such a positive impression of Natalie that several of our members volunteered to help with her campaign.
We then went around the table and heard from each member about their activities and what they thought our focus should be going forward. Items discussed included the Butte Environmental Council board meeting that was attended by Jean and Bill, the two hour meeting with Shannon Costa, Executive Director of Butte LAFCO that Celeste Garcia and Bill attended, and the two hour meeting with Patrick Piatt the Dan and Bill attended.
We then adjourned and set our next meeting for Monday, October 19th at 3 pm at the Southside Center. Patrick Piatt has already accepted an invitation to attend.
Bill Bynum
Secretary, DEC