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Minutes of Regular
Meeting Present:
SWCD Personnel:
IDNR Personnel: GUEST: Ed Belmonte, Senior Ecologist/Project Manager, Wally Levernier,
Ecologist, both employed Chairman Dave Ellison introduced himself; he asked our guest to introduce themselves and then board members and staff. He asked Mr. Belmonte and Mr. Levernier and to explain why they were in attendance. V3 Consultants were hired by the district to do water sampling in Barr Creek and Big Creek in order to compare numbers to see if Land Use practices were effective. They have the data from 1995 and want to compare it to data in 2004 hoping the practices installed have done some good. They will be looking at chemical, physical and biological. The program was funded thru Department of Natural Resources Lake and River Enhancement (LARE). The money came from boat owners’ tax. Darrell Rice wrote the application in ‘93/’94. Mr. Belmonte and Mr. Levernier will be doing the testing this spring and again in the fall. Dave thanked the two gentlemen from V3 Consultants for coming, saying they were welcome to stay for the meeting or feel free to leave. Dave thanked the board for electing him chairman in his absence last month; he was honored and would do his best to do a good job. He also congratulated Holly McCutchan who volunteered to be Finance Chairperson, Lauren Preske Chairperson of the Preservation/Creation Natural Areas Committee and Wayne Fehd, chairperson of the District Operations Committee. The minutes of the March meeting were mailed to each member prior to the meeting.
A motion to approve the March minutes was made by Wayne Fehd, seconded by Dave asked the board to refer to the March financial report. The previous Balance on 3-1-04 was $36,265.34, Receipts, $242.27, Debits $3,158.46 and balance as of 3-31-04 $33,349.15.
A motion was made by Wayne Fehd, seconded by Lauren Preske, and carried,
The following claims were submitted for Supervisors’ approval:
W4048 Hoosier Heartland RC&D (Registration Fee/Holly McCutchan) $55.00 W4049 Kwik Kopy (Printing Postcards/Both Sides) $211.20 W4050 Holly McCutchan (Hotel/Annual Conference) $332.64 W4056 Gateway Computers, Inc. (2 Computers/2 LCD Flat Panel Displays) $2,118.00 W4057 Great Mid-Western Publishing Co., Inc. (40 Plat Books @ 7.50) $300.00 W4058 Indiana Envirothon (Memorial High School Fee) $50.00 W4059 Post Office (Postage April Newsletter) $173.23 Note: the Auditor paid the following claims NACD (District Imprinted Pencils) (Oversight on Feb. claim register) $457.50 Oaks Printing, Inc. (Business Cards/April Newsletter/2 New Ads) $953.27 Verizon Wireless (Cell Phone) $31.55 Four Rivers RC&D (2004 Dues) $300.00 Vanderburgh Co. SWCD (Reimbursement) April Newsletter Postage) $173.23 Tri-State Trophies (Poster Contest Ribbons) $41.50 Smith & Butterfield (Copy Paper) $80.70 Holly McCutchan reviewed the claims stating she recommends the claims be approved and
Holly McCutchan made a motion to approve the claims, seconded by Lauren Preske Holly passed the District and County Claim Registers for supervisors to sign. OLD BUSINESS: Natural Resource Committee – Dave Ellison/Todd Thomas, Chairpersons Lauren e-mailed Brian Herr concerning the Daylight Farm Supply, Inc. Cooperative Research Proposal. Brian said we would have to put it off until next year. After some discussion, it was decided to ask Brian to attend a board meeting as soon as it is convenient with an outline of the steps needed to take place so we can discuss the implementation process. Lauren reported the Sustainable Evansville, Inc. Workshop is still on the table. They are thinking of having it in June at the Executive Inn. Bonnie will check to see if SWCD can sponsor a speaker. Dave asked if anyone had nominations for River Friendly Farmer. Darrell Rice gave Bonnie several names he thought deserved and should be considered. Kevin Rexing, Harold Steckler & Scott Steckler, Danny Kercher & Robin Hahn. Preservation/Creation Natural Areas Committee – Lauren Preske, Chairperson Farmland Preservation – Wayne Fehd, Chairperson Darrell asked members to refer to copies in their packets of a Farmland Preservation article in the Indianapolis Star that Dean Farr, Executive Director of IASWCD e-mailed to districts. Dean was pleased to see this initiative especially since apparently the editors thought it a necessary article. The state association did not send the article. The state association (IASWCD) president, Sherm Bryant sent a response letter to the editor, which was published. A copy of Sherm’s letter was passed. Bonnie reported she called Dave Elgin (RC&D director) to give a presentation on the possibilities of Farmland Preservation through RC&D. Dave said he would try to come in May. Holly McCutchan reported she has not heard from the Mesker Park Zoo or the Museum concerning the use of the Indiana Zoo Farmland Conversion Display from the Indianapolis Zoo. Bonnie will give her some e-mail addresses. Brownfield and Urban Land Use Committee – Phil Hoy, Chairperson Legislative Committee – John Hahn, Chairperson Finance Committee – Holly McCutchan, Chairperson Bonnie reported Norma’s new laser printer is here, installed, and running. She asked what the board wanted her to do with the old printer. After several suggestions they agreed to leave it up to Bonnie’s discretion as to what would work the best for the district. Wayne Fehd reported he and Todd Thomas audited the 2003 district books, found everything in order and signed the report going to the state. Bonnie reported the CCE computers are in the office. The NRCS IT specialist was off for surgery, but she is back now and we are on the list to be hooked up. Darrell explained the IT Memorandum of Agreement between the district and NRCS for the CCE computers and asked the chairman to sign it. David Ellison signed the agreement.
Wayne Fehd made a motion to sign the IT Memorandum of Agreement Fred Padget reported there is a Comprehensive Plan available in the Area Plan office. He said he attends the Area Plan meetings; they will fax an agenda for upcoming meeting. Wayne Fehd said he would like to attend these meetings and report back to the board. Bonnie will call and get some information for Wayne. District Operations Committee – Wayne Fehd, Chairperson Bonnie reported she sent letters to three associated supervisors asking if they wanted to stay on the board for another two years. Two responded, saying yes (Bill Jeffers & Fred Padget). She sent a second letter to Jeff Hatfield asking for a response by April 27th or we would assume that he was no longer willing to be an associate on the board. We received no response. NEW BUSINESS Natural Resource Committee – David Ellison/Todd Thomas, Co-Chairpersons Darrell reported the district received a memo signed by the Conservation Partnership Leaders concerning the Indiana Cropland Transect Survey. Ken Eck will be the headman in charge of the transect survey. Amy explained the procedure and what it tells about the county. Norma prepared a written report for the meeting on the Envirothon. 110-area students participated this year. The contest was held in the exposition hall of the Vanderburgh 4-H Center due to inclement weather and it worked very well. Neither Memorial nor Central placed in the top four but we are still very proud of them. Earth Day at Evans Middle School was celebrated with water quality background and water testing. We worked with Bristol Myers Squibb and had about 162 students. She reported Ag Days are going well. She is doing soil pizza with a touch of the Stewardship theme of "The Living Soil". We are expecting 1,426 students over the three days. The Poster contest was a success with over 50 students participating. 1st and 2nd place went to Highland School students Ryan Lombard and Claire Doyle. Third place went to Vogel School student Brittany Peaugh. All students participating were recognized with a ribbon, certificate and a soils activity book. We will be sending the first three posters to the state contest. Stewardship Week is on going. Activity sheets and other materials were given to the community of churches. Some local libraries have also received bookmarks, posters and activity books. Riverwatch Instructor training was excellent; she hopes to do some workshops this summer. Norma was unable to participate in the Barr Creek water testing with the V3 Associates because of her Ag Days commitment. Holly reported on the W.A.V. E. booth at Pickin’ on the Pigeon. Two lady educators wanted someone to give a presentation to their class on water quality. We gave out Imprinted clips, Imprinted pencils, USDA What is a Watershed, Indiana Home & Farm Protection for Water Resource Protection (Purdue), and IDEM Water Posters. We had a Pigeon Creek Poster on the front of the table and a Watersheds of Indiana Quilt hanging on the side of the booth. Bonnie will put an article in the July newsletter. Youth boards were discussed and Bonnie said she would send e-mails to each SWCD county office to see how many are up and going. She will also contact some people at the state offices to see what is already in place for starting a Youth Board. Preservation/Creation Natural Areas Committee – Lauren Preske, Chairperson Farmland Preservation – Wayne Fehd, Chairperson Brownfield and Urban Land Use Committee – Phil Hoy, Chairperson Legislative Committee – John Hahn, Chairperson Finance Committee – Holly McCutchan, Chairperson Bonnie reported she and Norma have a chance to attend New Horizons Learning Center in Indianapolis and/or Louisville (depending on date and class availability) for Access, Excel and Word classes at NRCS expense. The board would need to okay sharing a room and ½ the mileage expense for each employee.
Dave Ellison made a motion to send each employee for Access, Excel Bonnie asks the finance committee to set a date in May to work on the County Budget request which is due the first of June. Holly said she would contact members and set a date to meet with Bonnie. District Operations Committee – Wayne Fehd, Chairperson Dave asked members to refer to copies in their packets of Amy Steeples IDNR report. Amy asked for Dave’s signature on a Field Border contract. She also reported she and Ronnie Boehme have been called for kudzu patrol. Lake and River Enhancement for Locust Creek is still in the running. Dave asked members to refer to copies in their packets of Norma’s report and also the inspection and mileage logs. Darrell asked Dave to sign three contracts: Darrell said his goal is to have continuous filter strips up to US 41 Fred Padget said he is on the Consolidation Study Committee and they will have public input on June 23rd at 7:00 p.m. in the Centre.
Wayne Fehd made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Lauren The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted, Minutes approved on 5-25-04 David R. Ellison________________________________ George Phillip Hoy __________________________________ Wayne Fehd ___________________________________ Holly McCutchan __________________________________ Lauren Preske____________________________________ |
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VANDERBURGH
COUNTY SWCD