Westside Community Association Annual Meeting Topics - Minutes and Supporting Documentation
2018 UPDATE: The WCA 2018 Annual Meeting Minutes and Financial Report are available to our members. The County's presentation on the Cannabis Ordinance and February 2019 Active Permit Applications attached.
2017 UPDATE: At our 2017 Annual Meeting, a quorum of our members voted to approve a new set of By-Laws, including fully inclusive boundaries. The WCA is a neighborhood association with membership based on living in a residence located on any road requiring access by way of Westside or Wohler roads, with West Dry Creek Road excluded. In other words, think of the Westside Area as a “travel-shed” starting at the Healdsburg City limit and continuing to River Road. 2017 Annual Meeting Minutes and 2016 Annual Meeting Minutes
Karissa Kruse presented Sonoma County Winegrowers’ 3rd Annual Sustainability Report (attached): Sonoma County is recognized worldwide as a leader in Sustainability, with a program built from the 138 best practices identified by the CA Wine Institute Sustainability Alliance with criteria for grape growing practices, commitment to community and workers, and financial viability. Sonoma County Winegrowers set a goal of having 100% of their members Certified Sustainable by 2019. The Westside Area wants to do our share, and the WCA is working to increase the percent of our vineyards that are certified. Karissa encouraged all grape growers in the Westside Area to do the assessment and audit to become Certified Sustainable as the process helps create a holistic business plan.
The Winegrowers estimated that the Westside Area has about 119 vineyard properties, representing on the order of 3,500 acres - which is 5 percent of the County’s vineyard land - pretty impressive! Currently, about 80 percent of the Westside Area’s vineyards are certified. The WCA Board wants to explore options for smaller vineyards to share assessment and audit costs.
Karissa also discussed the new Grape Grower Foundation, in support of our agricultural workers – helping to solve issues of affordable housing, childcare and education. She noted that Sonoma County’s workforce is by and large not transient – 88 percent of our workers live in Sonoma County and 73 percent have their family members here. Assuming one worker per 10 acres, Sonoma County requires 6,000 full time employees and another 3,000-4,000 part-time workers during harvest.
2016 - 2013: Westside Community Association Minutes
2014 - 2013 Annual Meeting Minutes