ADAMS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL LAND PRESERVATION BOARD  Minutes of Regular Meeting January 3, 2024 at 7:00 pm  Attendance:  Members -Attending In-person: Kuhn and Ben Mearns Members - Attending by phone: Craig Yingling. joined the meeting at 8:06 pm  Dave Wenk, George Taughinbaugh, George Weikert, Dave Boyer, Doyle Waybright, Sidney  Absent: Chad Collie  staff-Attending in-person: Staff-Attending by phone: Staff-Absent: None  Ellen Dayhoff, Mark Clowney, Kelly Koch, and LeighAnn-Abraham  Vice President Wenk called hclmuy320A.mesting oft the Adams County Agricultural Land Preservation Board to order at 7:00 pm in Mr. Yingling's absence. Meeting was held in the Planning Conference Roomatthe Adams County Agricultural & Natural Resources Center.  I.  Board Business  A. Approval of December 6, 2023,Meeting Minutes  Mr. Waybright made a motion to approve the December 6, 2023, ACALPB minutes; Mr: Boyer seconded the motion. Motion was approved  unanimously.  B. Public Comments - There were: no public comments.  C. New Business - Noi new business. D. Legislative Updates  1. PA Farm Bureau Updates -1 no updates  2. HB 1713 - Stambaugh - retroactive, optional, 1 house for each 80 acres. One additional residence may be constructed on no more than two acres, plus on two additional acres for every 80 acres by which the land exceeds 130 acres. York County Ag Land Preservation Board letter was reviewed. The ACALPB is not  in favor oft this bill.  1    Mr. Waybright moved to have Ellen Dayhoff write a letter for Mr. Yingling's signature, stating that this Board opposes Bill 1713; Mr. Weikert  seconded the motion. Motion approved.  Mark will get specific Adams County numbers for Ellen.  3. HB 1777 - Brennan - Unencumbered funds to go toward Land Trusts. In addition, this bill would increase the amount a Land Trust can get reimbursed for expenses from $5,000 to $10,000. Bill did pass in the House by a vote of 155/48. There has been discussion about setting à cap of$1-million; however, this has not been proposed to date. With the $1 million cap, all counties would lose some money. Adams would lose approximately $24,000/year Ellen stated that she felt that the Land Conservancy of Adams County would definitely recoup these funds as they always havè projects they çould apply for. It was mentioned that possibly someone from LCACshould address theBoard. In general, the Board is supportive of the increase ine expense reimbursement. Mr. Boyer made aj motion to not support this bill; no second motion was Mr. Wenk stated we willrevisit this billeach month and staff will keep an eye 4. SB798 - Mastriâno - solar not permitted on Class I and II soils. Bill is not 5. SB288 - Mastriano Would lowerthe state minimum criteria from 50 acres to 25acres; and permit a tract of less than 10 acres to be subdivided only ifiti is being mergedwith an adjacent preserved farm. This bill also asks that 10% of the Realty Transfer Tax to go toward the agricultural conservation easement Bill is not moving. This is something the staff suggested we support as we. have had a situation of this nature in the past. The Realty Transfer Tax piece of this legislation will hold it up, as that is very difficult to get through.  received.  on any movementat the Stàte level.  moving.forward.  program.  E. Announcement: One contractor position is open for new representation. Ellen plans to contact Ross Brownley in the immediate future. Mr. Wenk offered to solicit potential candidates. We may need to advertise the position.  II. Updates  A. Township Updates  1. Straban - January 29th Ellen and Sarah Kipp will meet with Straban Township to discuss the preservation program. Funds have been allocated for preservation in  their budget.  2    B.  LCACUpdates  1.1 Land Conservancy did very well during the 2023. Annual Giving Spree. Final  donations totaled $114,102.  C. Parks, Recreation and Green Space Grant Program Update  Four draft agreements are written and have been sent to our solicitor for review.  D. Eisenhower Drive. Extension Project -1 the project is still ongoing,  E. PAAgDiscovery Center-I nothing new.  Executive Session Opened  II. Round 14-1 Please refer to Round 14 Financial/Status Reprt-Noasimispuhat: no change.  A. XIV-54 and 11 - approved at December State Board meeting. B. XIV-41 = right of way issue, Approved at] December Stâte Board meeting. C. XIV-25 - Cumberland Special Project- = State checks have been received and  settlement is scheduled: for January 17, 2024.  IV. Round 15 - Please refer to Round15 Ranking Report  A. B. C. D., E. F.  XV-19 appraisalreceived XV-11 appraised received  XV-21 and' 22- landowner would like to alter application to put exclusion back in. Mark fantest LESA reports. No change. ini ranking. Discussion regarding an updated appraisal XV-33-C Conservation: plan and ranking discussion - solicitor request XV-57- -Hilbert- do not need a survey. A 1968 copy ofs survey was located. Will  reflecting this whichthe landowner has offered to pay. XV-38 waiting for appraisal; moving forward  move forward.  Executive Session Closed and Call for Action as Needed  V. Executive Session Action Items  A. XV-19  Ms. Kuhn made: a motion to offer $3,000/acre, which is our cap, and is 80%ofthe easement value; seconded by Mr. Boyer pending' Tax Service officei reviewofappraisal.  Motion approved unanimously.  3    B.  XV-11  Mr. Boyer made: aj motion to offer $3,000/acre, which is our cap, andi is 82% ofthe easement value; seconded by Ms. Kuhn pending' Tax Service office review ofappraisal.  Motion approved lunanimously.  C.  XV-21  Mr. Taughinbaugh made a motion to grant the adjustment request by the applicant without the exclusion and havel landowner pay for updated appraisal;  Mr. Waybright seconded. Motion carried.  VI. Inspections, Transfer, Subdivision, Rural Enterprise Applications, Other Issues  A. Scott Farm - public sale occurring 1/20/24. The office was contactèd by apotential buyer who is not a: farmer and would use thej property for. hunting, Kelly informed him ofthe need to either find an operatorto.maintain: the existing orchard or to remove the fruit trees and plant and maintain-a crop. The potential buyer could plant and maintain  deciduous and conifer trees,according to state. guidelines.  B. Horner Farm - Ellen will compose a letter to the landowner regarding their plans for the barn, as they have submitted aj plan which includes a: new septic  system along with the new barn.  VII. Program Guideline Changes  A. Discussionglarifications regarding Unique Purchase Situations. Much discussion regarding howto handle farms in the top 50%1 that meet the requirements for a Unique Purchase. Concersregarding: the, fact that farms that ranki in the 30's are getting as much ifr notmore per acre than the top ranked farms. Staffwill draft alternative  language to present to: the Board for: further discussion. County and State approvals in time for Round 16.  Language would be effective for the Round 17 in 2026, as we would not be able to get  VIII. Adjournment  Mr. Waybright made a motion to adjourn the. January 3,2024ACALPB meeting at 8:31 pm; Mr. Mearsseconded. Motion was approved unanimously.  Respectfully submitted, G4Aban LeighAnr-braham Secretary  4