Scott County Soil & Water Conservation District

Board Meeting Minutes

July 19, 2007

 

 

Present:  Chairperson John Hardin, Vice-Chairperson Joe Robbins, Bill Comer, Jeff Coomes, Judy White

Absent:  Matt Oberlies

Guests:  District Conservationist NRCS Pat Larr, ISDA District Support Specialist Laura Fribley

 

CALL MEETING TO ORDER:  This is Fair Week!  Meeting held at SWCD Fair Booth at Scott County Fairgrounds.  Note:  Prior to board meeting date, a public notice was issued announcing the change in location for this month’s board meeting.  Chairperson John Hardin called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

 

MINUTES:  The minutes from the June 21, 2007 meeting were reviewed.  Bill Comer made a motion to accept the minutes as written with a second by Joe Robbins.  All members voted on and motion carried with board members present signing the June 21, 2007 minutes.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

·      SWCD Business Plan

§           Host A Drainage Workshop – Judy will contact the Chair of the drainage board Steve Broady to see if the Drainage board would attend the SWCD August 16 meeting to brainstorm how SWCD and the drainage board could do a Drainage workshop together.

§           Wildlife – Purchase of Plotmaster Food Plot Machine – No dollars available from the county.  Judy will apply for a grant with SCCF on August 3rd for this project.

·      Forestry Field Day – September 15, 2007:  Matt Oberlies and Judy White have attended several committee meetings with Don Stump and DNR Rick Judd at Hardy Lake.  Judy distributed a brochure that she designed outlying the Forestry Field Day events, speakers, sponsors, etc.  Board liked the brochure and agreed to distribute it to attendees at the Hardy Lake entrance gate on Field Day.  Brochure will be updated as committee makes final decisions and receives commitments from speakers and sponsors.

·      SWCD Website:  IASWCD Executive Director Jennifer Boyle advised purchase of Studio 8 software through TechSoup had fallen through due to TechSoup not offering Studio 8 on their software list on their July round to not-for-profit organizations.  Judy will proceed with contacting Jay Allan of WebsbyDoc for a quote on updating their present site using the FrontPage software versus his recommendations of going to Studio 8.  If Jay Allan does not do, will purchase Studio 8 software and have Melanie Davis at the Clark County office assist her with the change from FrontPage to Studio 8.

·      Hardy Lake Sweep:   Judy advised board that during fair week she had a conversation with Sheriff John Lizenby inquiring if he could provide patrol cars for safety at next year’s event.  He said he did not see a problem with it and reported that the Highway Department would furnish us the use of chest safety gear.

·      Plant a Tree for You & Me (PAT) – August 22 Kickoff:  JW reminded board of their attendance.  Bill and John felt they would attend.  PAT brochures distributed at previous meetings.

·      SCCF 2007 Grant Cycle Proposal:  Grant applications due August 3.  JW will submit four – one for plotmaster, one for printer, one for Hardy Lake Sweep, and one for Soil & Water Stewardship.  Applications would reflect the portion SWCD would cover and the portion we were requesting as a grant from SCCF.  JW commented since this will be her first time of writing a grant,  she will have Laura Fribley review grant applications before submitting to SCCF.

·      SWCD Credit Card:  Pending receipt.  Should have next 10 days.

·      2007 River Friendly Farmer Award Recipient:  Randy Mace received the RFF award!  JW placed a news article in local paper and put on the SWCD Fair tri-fold board.  JW drafted letter to Randy congratulating him and inquiring if he wanted someone from the board to go with him to receive this award at the Indiana State Fair.

·      Indiana Conservation Farmer of the Year Application/Indiana Master Farm Conservationist of the Year:  Robert Glenn declined as he sold his farm.  Dennis Wilson declined.  Board did not have other nominations for these awards.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

·      Southern Indiana SWCD Leadership Training:  Laura Fribley discussed the importance of board members attendance.  Training August 17/18 at French Lick Resort.  Flyer and typed outline included in board members packet.  Even though JW is on this committee, she cannot attend unless 1 supervisor does.  Bill and John think they will attend, but will let JW know next week.  Motion made by Bill Comer with a second by Joe Robbins approving attendance and costs for any board member or staff opting to take this training.  Motion carried.

·      This not on agenda – Muscatatuck Log Jam Project:  John Hardin reviewed with board discussion he had with Commissioner Bob Tobias about the log jams at Muscatatuck.  Commissioners approved the purchase of a crane to clean out the logs/ditches on the Muscatatuck.  Bob needs additional funds to continue this project.  He would like SWCD to make contacts to see if they can get some revenue or grants.  Congressman Baron Hill will come to Muscatatuck on 8/17 at 10:30 a.m.  John urged that any SWCD member whose schedule permits attend this meeting.  Commissioner Tobias hoping he can convince Congressman Hill to appropriate funds from his level of government to continue this project.  Pat Larr will check for grants/revenue on her end.  JW to contact Terry Stephenson of RC&D and the Core of Engineers.  JW will invite Terry Goodin and Dennie Oxley to on-site meeting with Congressman Hill.

·      Purdue University Grant Writing Workshop:  JW provided board with literature on this workshop she would like to attend.  Two-day workshop October 10 and November 14 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Seymour will be the site JW will attend.  Bill Comer made a motion to approve the cost of $150 for Judy’s attendance with a second by Jeff Coomes.  Motion carried.  This is a videoconference, but JW feels she will gain knowledge that will assist her in future grant writing.

·      Entering Scott County, Entering Washington County Signs:  JW advised board that there are two large county signs behind the SWCD supply room door.  JW inquired if she should make a contact with someone to install these on the county line.  Jeff Coomes volunteered to talk to Councilman Pat Bridgewater and will let Judy know status.  Bill Comer volunteered to talk to Jewell Baker at County Highway Garage if Jeff has no luck with Pat. 

·      CWI Additional Funding – Watershed Agent Positions:  Copy of July 18 letter received by Jim Droege President of IASWCD included in board member packets.  John Hardin attended the CWI meeting held at SWCD North Vernon office on July 10th.  John came away with the decision that Scott County SWCD would not support using the additional CWI dollars for the hiring of Watershed Agents.  John contacted JW prior to board meeting asking her to draft a letter expressing his concerns and ideas to Bob Eddleman at the State Soil Conservation Board  and bring this letter to the July board meeting for board approval.  Copy of drafted letter included in this month’s board packets.  Board discussion of letter with these changes 1) omit the increase from $10,000 to $30,000 – do not list an amount.   2)  Add items 6 and 7.  Item 6:  Additional District Technical Assistance.  Item 7:  Dollars for cleaning out of ditches and maintenance agreement to keep cleaned out.  Motion made by Bill Comer with a second by Joe Robbins that amended letter be emailed to Bob Eddleman by July 27th deadline.  Motion carried.

·      Scott County Council Annual Budget Meetings – Appropriation for 2008:  Contacts made by JW with Chief Deputy Ginger Christie resulted in no budget dates set at this time.  JW will continue to contact Ginger. JW advised board members they should take the time and make a one-on-one contact with council members Raymond Jones, Kelley Robbins, Pat Bridgewater, Tom Herald, Donnie Richie, and J.D. Buchanan prior to budget meetings.  JW will complete the Leveraging Worksheet and SWCD Book needed to present at budget meeting.

 

Reports:

 

Pat Larr – NRCS:  Pat reviewed landowners Judy Eads, Freddie Mays, George Lucas, Terry Goodin, Jeff Lytle, and Tim Mount projects.  Pat advised that June board minutes reflected she would be out for surgery in August.  She will be out September 1st.  FSA Consolidation:  150 in attendances at the Clark County meeting  - positive meeting – comments recorded and will be taken back to State Committee.  Pat said Scott County SWCD should be more involved and visit their long range planning.  Consolidations can mean the closing of offices or the moving of offices.  Not saying this would happen to Scott County SWCD, but supervisors need to have plans in place in case this did occur.  Pat recommended board invite Teresah Caire to an SWCD board meeting.  John Hardin requested JW to invite Teresah to the August meeting.

 

Laura Fribley – ISDA:  Refer to Southern Indiana SWCD Leadership Training

 

Judy White – SWCD:  32.8 comp hours used pay period ending 7/14/07. 

Death of Brother-In-Law:  JW advised board that her brother-in-law had passed away this morning, and she would be taking bereavement leave on Friday, July 20.

Tim Brunner, Director of Scott County Health Department will attend the SWCD August board meeting. 

 

 

 

Financial District Reports:

 

JW made board aware that  she had issued Check #4060 to Jeff Coomes for June meeting.   Jeff did not attend either of the June meetings.  Judy needed Jeff’s signature on some paperwork.  In June, Matt Oberlies volunteered to get Jeff’s signature on those documents.  By mistake, Judy included Check #4060 with that paperwork.  After discussion with Jeff Coomes, Check #4060 will reflect payment for July 19th meeting. 

 

Bill Comer made a motion to approve Checks 4071 through 4077 and to sign the Accounts payable voucher register.  Second was made by Joe Robbins.  Motion carried..  JW inquired about the current balance $18,000+ in checking account and if and when  board moves dollars to their savings account. Board would like JW to discuss values and interest rates of money market account with Scott County State Bank and bring information to August meeting.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Bill Comer made a motion to adjourn meeting at 8:30 p.m. with a second by Joe Robbins.  Motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Judy White, SWCD Office Manager