CHAPTER 4.80: AGRICULTURE ADVISORY BOARD
Section
4.80.010 Establishment and purpose
4.80.040 Organization; meetings
4.80.010 ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.
(A) The agriculture advisory board is established pursuant to MSB 4.05.020.
(B) The purpose of the agriculture advisory board is to review issues specifically related to and affecting borough agriculture lands and advise the assembly and manager on such matters.
(C) All matters pertaining to the agriculture advisory board, unless otherwise specified in this chapter, shall be governed by MSB 4.05.
(Ord. 15-050, § 2 (part), 2015)
4.80.020 COMPOSITION.
(A) The board shall consist of 12 members, with one member each from the following organizations, groups, or public as follows:
(1) Palmer Soil and Water Conservation District;
(2) Wasilla Soil and Water Conservation District;
(3) Upper Susitna Soil and Water Conservation District;
(4) Alaska Farm Bureau – Mat-Su Chapter;
(5) Palmer Center for Sustainable Living (previously called Palmer Agriculture and Forestry Station);
(6) knowledge and/or experience in production of wool, qiviut (musk ox), fiber (llamas), hair, feathers, etc.;
(7) knowledge and/or experience in livestock, alternative livestock, dairy, grazing, hay;
(8) knowledge and/or experience in field crops including potatoes, carrots, lettuce, etc.;
(9) knowledge and/or experience in floriculture, horticulture, greenhouse/hoop house, beekeeping;
(10) knowledge and/or experience in agricultural economic development (food security) and/or knowledge and/or experience in prepared foods and value-added product industry;
(11) at-large member; and
(12) nonvoting youth intern.
(B) If any of the above positions cannot be filled as designated, the assembly may appoint an at-large person who has demonstrated an interest or knowledge in borough agriculture lands.
(Ord. 15-050, § 2 (part), 2015)
4.80.030 FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES.
(A) The agriculture advisory board shall have the following functions and duties:
(1) act in an advisory capacity to the assembly and administration on agriculture issues affecting borough agriculture lands; and
(2) act in an advisory capacity to the assembly and administration regarding agriculture land conservation matters and implementation of conservation measures; and
(3) act in an advisory capacity to the assembly and administration on any recommendations or changes to borough code regarding real property issues affecting current and future borough agriculture lands; and
(4) act in an advisory capacity to the assembly and administration on other agriculture topics identified by the assembly or administration.
(Ord. 15-050, § 2 (part), 2015)
4.80.040 ORGANIZATION; MEETINGS.
(A) Six members shall constitute a quorum and an affirmative vote of six is necessary for the board to take action.
(B) Meetings shall be established by the board. Minutes may be taken by borough staff but shall be reviewed and approved by the board and forwarded to the clerk for preservation.
(C) The board shall hold an organizational meeting each year and elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson.
(D) All formal actions and recommendations of the board shall be by resolution and transmitted to the assembly or manager as appropriate.
(E) The board shall be assisted with its work by the community development department.
(Ord. 15-050, § 2 (part), 2015)
4.80.050 COMPENSATION.
(A) Board members shall be reimbursed for mileage incurred in connection with meetings of the board in the same manner as borough employees are compensated for mileage expenses upon presentation of supporting documentation.
(Ord. 15-050, § 2 (part), 2015)