SCOTT COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

MONTHLY BOARD MEEETING MINUTES

Thursday, April 17, 2008, 7:00 p.m.

Location:  656 South Boatman Road, Scottsburg, IN  47170

 

Present:  Bill Comer, John Hardin, Matt Oberlies, Lynda Phillips, Joe Robbins

Guests:  Laura Fribley, Pat Larr

 

Meeting Called to Order by John Hardin.

 

Minutes from March 20 meeting were approved and signed.  Joe made a motion to approve and Matt seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

Business Plan Priority Actions

Wildlife - Lynda reported that the Food Plot seed had arrived and an article had been sent to the Giveaway to announce ‘Free Seed’. 

 

Newsletter – Lynda reported in March that she had spoken with Bob Backus, FSA about the next newsletter and it will hopefully be published in May.  However, he ended up sending out a newsletter in mid-April.  The board agreed that we need to plan on sending one ourselves in May.  This will publicize our Workshop Pasture event and other articles in our business plan.  Lynda will contact the Giveaway printing office about doing this.  Joe made a motion, Matt seconded and the motion carried.  We also plan to use this newsletter to advertise equipment rental.

 

Soil & Water Stewardship Week – Materials were received and were distributed the first week of April.  Lynda has applied for a Scott County Community Foundation Youth grant of $831 for next year. 

 

Hardy Lake Sweep – Because of overwhelming response the budget needed to be updated.  Matt made a motion that Lynda could use the credit card if needed to purchase HLS supplies for up to $2300.  Bill seconded and the motion carried.  Bill and John volunteered to help at the event. 

 

Forestry – We talked about advertising our Timber Stand Improvement plan in the May newsletter to see what kind of interest there was for the program.  Based on that, we will determine whether to continue with this plan. 

 

Monthly Business

50 State Trees at the Fairgrounds – Paul Rogers had contacted the board about partnering on this project.  It was decided that SWCD was interested in helping out.  John will contact Paul to talk more about this with him. 

 

‘Entering Scott County …’ signs - Matt requested that Lynda resend the copy of the Commissioner’s minutes stating that we were approved to install the sign.  He will then follow up with the State Highway dept.

 

Reports

Pat Larr – NRCS   Pat reported that there are currently 25 EQIP and WHIP contracts in Scott County.  She said there are 16 new contracts.  Although all Indiana dollars have been allocated, she is still taking applications to have on hand when the money does become available.  She noted that there has not been much interest in CRP buffers.  SWCD will include the ‘Buffer’ brochure with our May newsletter. 

 

Laura Fribley – ISDA   Laura updated the board on the Indiana Corn Marketing Council $300 grant proposal.  They have dropped their sponsorship of Scott County because we were unwilling to share producer addresses.  She also reminded us of the Leadership Institute on August 1 and 2 in Clarksville.  More information will be coming soon.

 

Lynda Phillips – SWCD Joe, Pat and Lynda met to come up with an application for the CWI SNR grant.  It was presented to the board.  Lynda reported that Leroy’s could do the catering and Matt said that he had booked the Lexington Fire Department for our location.  Jerene Gilliam had offered to speak on Soil Science.  It was agreed to have Jerene, Brian Kendall and Pat speak at the event.  Lynda will design a brochure for the program. 

A recap of the Spring tree sale was presented.  We made over $700 on the event.  It was agreed to have another sale in the Fall. 

The board said they would consider a Master Naturalist Program for next winter.  Lynda will find out more about the costs of sponsorship. 

Lynda asked if there had ever been a history of the district paying income taxes.  The answer was ‘no’ because we are a division of government. 

Previously, Lynda had been asked to look into a new Presentation board.  These costs were presented.  Before purchase it was decided we should check into what had been used in the past. 

She presented her monthly Summary of Activities.

 

Financial District Reports

Approval Checks – Accounts Payable Voucher Register - All checks 1020 to 1037 were signed and approved.  The Accounts Payable register was also approved.  Bill made a motion to approve these expenditures and Matt seconded, motion carried.

 

Announcements/Public comments

There were no public comments.

 

Adjourn

            Joe made a motion at 8:30 pm to adjourn the meeting.  Matt seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Lynda Phillips, SWCD District Coordinator

 

 

           

John W. Hardin, Chairperson                                                  Joe Robbins, Vice-Chairperson

 

 

 

 

Matt D. Oberlies, Treasurer                                           Bill Comer, Supervisor

 

 

 

 

Jeff Coomes, Supervisor