Minutes 06-15-09

Monday, June 15, 2009

7:00 A.M.

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT MONTHLY BOARD MEETING 5605 U.S. 31 South, South Bend, Indiana 46614 574-291-7444, ext. 3

MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER A meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the St. Joseph County Soil and Water Conservation District was called to order by John Dooms, Chairman, at 7:10 a.m. at 5605 U.S. 31 South, South Bend, IN 46614. PRESENT

ABSENT

John Dooms, Chair/Supervisor Jan Ivkovich, Vice Chair/Supervisor

John Kulwicki, Supervisor Carole Riewe, Supervisor

Dave Craft, Supervisor

Jim LaFree Chuck Lehman

Brian Cherry Melvin Kulwicki Dale Stoner

Joe Long Randy Matthys Gene Meyers Richard Schmidt

Dru Wrasse Rick Glassman. SWCD Debbie Knepp, NRCS Katie Kurtz. SWCD

Stacey Silvers Dave Vandewalle Paul Williams, III

Maria Schaefer. SWCD Lisa Wynn. SWCD

PUBLIC EX-OFFICIO

LEGISLATIVE LETTERS None. II. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA None. III. REGULAR BUSINESS A. MINUTES: The minutes from the May 2009 Board Meeting were reviewed. Dru

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Wrasse requested that section VI. Privilege of the Floor be amended as follows: … Dru Wrasse related that the Stanley Clark Science Olympiad team that she coaches placed 11th in the nation for environmental chemistry, and extended thanks to the office staff for providing knowledge, equipment, etc. on the topic of soil chemistry… These changes (in bold above) have been handwritten in the original minutes that were signed by the Supervisors at the conclusion of the Board Meeting. Apart from these changes, the minutes were approved as presented. B. TREASURERS REPORT: Treasurer’s report was reviewed and approved as presented. 1. Claim Approval: A recommendation and motion were made and seconded to approve Claim numbers 9880-9897, for a total of $3507.52. Both carried. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. WRITTEN REPORTS: 1. Field Office Report: Debbie Knepp presented the Field Office Report. Jan Ivkovich asked who sponsored the St. Joseph River Basin Symposium, and Maria Schaefer clarified that it was sponsored by MACOG. 2. Rule 5/Rule 13 Report: The report was presented for questions.. Jan I. and Dru Wrasse asked whether the Kenilworth Road over Juday Creek construction/bridge replacement project is under our jurisdiction. They had noticed evident erosion after it rains, and they suggested this be looked into. Maria S. and Katie Kurtz will investigate this further. There were no other questions. B. COMMITTEE REPORTS: 1. Annual Meeting: John Dooms updated the board that the Annual Meeting Committee will be meeting soon to choose a venue and the date for the Annual Meeting. We are compiling possible locations currently. We are also in the process of compiling a list of possible speakers. Jan I. gave Lisa a printout about a possible speaker, Joel Salatin, a third generation “alternative” farmer from Virginia. His fees are a bit high ($3,500 plus expenses), but Jan thought we might want to consider Mr. Salatin. 2. Education: Dru W. presented the report from the Education Committee.  The first item was regarding Rick Glassman’s programs fees, which have not changed for years. Currently, the charges are $.50 per student for most programs (the exceptions being $1 per student for Swamp Stomps and Sense of Wonder) with a maximum charge of $50 per presentation, and $200 per day. The Education Committee has proposed an increase in the per day maximum charge – from $200 per day to $250 per day. A recommendation

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The Education Committee recommended that the office staff be given permission to help out for a day at the upcoming Warsaw SWCD/Arrowhead RC&D rafting programs. The board was agreeable to this. The announcement was made that the Family Swamp Stomp has been officially set for Sunday, September 27, 2009, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Rick will be giving a presentation at Eco Fest about the history of the St. Joseph River. For Eco Fest, we will also need a few volunteers, and Jan and Dru stated they could work there. Maria requested an extra $100 from the Educational Materials/Adult Education Budget for expanding the booth displays for the upcoming events this summer (Eco Fest, Mishawaka Summer Fest, 4H Fair). Specifically, she would like to create a model rain garden. A recommendation and motion to this effect were made; both carried. Maria also asked specifically for permission to attend Mishawaka Summer Fest with the booth display. A recommendation and motion to this effect were made; both carried. Maria and Katie have been asked via the MS4 Education Committee to assist Coca Cola Company’s local office with obtaining information on building rain barrels, and even conducting a workshop for the Coke employees on how to build rain barrels. . A recommendation and motion to this effect were made; both carried. Regarding the 4H Fair (July 6-11, 2009), all shifts for the Nature Center are covered expect for possibly Wednesday and/or Saturday. We will need volunteers from the board members to help cover these times. The office staff will be contacting board members by phone about this.

3. Marketing: Lisa Wynn presented a graphic that she would like to use on official St. Joseph County SWCD promotional materials (not as a replacement for past logos, but as a supplement). . A recommendation and motion to this effect were made; both carried. C. Transect Survey: The survey itself is completed, and we are waiting to receive the results from Jim Lake/ISDA. D. State Board of Accounts Training: Lisa W. attended a training session in Indianapolis on June 4th. She reported there is a lot of information for her to soak up, and she is ready to read the applicable manuals for accounting procedures that pertain to SWCD’s to further her understanding of the proper procedures and legalities. At the training session she did learn a few things that she knows will affect the District’s ways of operating. Specifically:  Contracts for services have to be in written form.  If we elect to provide money for groups, like an FFA, for renting booths/tables, etc., we need to create a contractual agreement with them, including details on some tangible service we get in exchange for the payment. For instance, the FFA could come to a board meeting and give a report, or something along that line.

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There is a fine line between “giveaways” and potential issues with the State Gaming Board. If we were to decide to have a drawing at an event (Green Expo, for instance), if attendees have to pay to get into the event, or have to pay to enter the contest, this is something that we would need a permit for. If the event is free for all attendees and entering the drawing is free, this would not require a permit. There are certain tax considerations Lisa will need to get more information on regarding catering at the Annual Meeting. More information will be forthcoming.

D. NRCS Talking Points: Debbie provided this report (see attached). There were no questions. V. A.

NEW BUSINESS SCHEDULES: Reviewed handout. Filed as presented.

B. Lease Agreement with NRCS/New Cooperative Agreement: Debbie reported that more information will be coming, the cooperative agreement will be revamped a little to satisfy the requirements of the auditors. C. 2010 Annual Conference: Jan I. brought up the fact that there may be certain resolutions that fall under the 5 year sunset clause. She summarized the information received by the IASWCD on resolutions and awards. Jan also posed the question or whether Debbie Knepp might be eligible for being nominated as a Friend of Conversation award recipient. The application for the award states that, “Any individual, business, or organization is eligible for the award. Additional points will be given to those that have partnered with a local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD),” so it does appear that this is an option. Lisa W. will email Jaclyn Casale at IASWCD to double check. Regarding the poster contest, we need to work on getting the word out better in our District for 2010. This is something the Education Committee can discuss further, but any suggestions are welcome (just pass them on to the office, and the staff will get the information to the Education Committee.) D. Recycling at the Office: Rick G. proposed that we “practice what we preach” and make the investment to pay for recycling service at the office. The place that we have taken our recycling to has folded under, and there really isn’t a reliable alternative. Himco/Borden, who is the provider of residential curbside recycling in the county, charges businesses $25 plus tax per month. This is a biweekly service. There may be discounts available, and the office will inquire about this. A recommendation was made to approve paying for recycling service, with or without a possible discount, from the Clean Water Indiana/State Grant Budget. The recommendation carried, and a motion was made to this effect. The motion carried. VI.

PRIVILEGE OF FLOOR: There were no further comments.

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VII. ADJOURNMENT The June 15, 2009 Board Meeting of the St. Joseph County Soil & Water Conservation District was adjourned at 8:45 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Alisa R. Wynn, Treasurer Approved by:

___________________________________ John Dooms, Chair

___________________________________ Jan Ivkovich, Vice-Chair

___________________________________ John Kulwicki, Supervisor

___________________________________ Dave Craft, Supervisor

___________________________________ Carole Riewe, Supervisor

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