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Minutes of Regular
Meeting Present:
SWCD Personnel: GUEST: Heidi Doss, Naturalist Lauren Preske chaired the meeting because Chairman David Ellison was at a meeting in Indianapolis. The minutes of the December Vanderburgh Co. SWCD board meeting were mailed to each member prior to the meeting. A motion was made by Holly McCutchan to approve the minutes of the
December, Lauren asked the board to refer to the December financial report. The
previous balance 12-01-05 $26,781.45, Receipts, $1,354.82,
A motion was made by Holly McCutchan, seconded by Wayne Fehd, and carried DECEMBER CLAIMS Claims sent to the Auditor’s Office Finance Chairperson, Holly McCutchan reviewed the claims and said they were all in order.
Wayne Fehd made a motion to approve the claims, seconded by Les Nunn, Lauren welcomed our guests Heidi Doss and Paul Bouseman asking each member of board and staff to introduce their selves. Heidi requested to become an associate board member. Staff and board were delighted.
Lauren Preske made a motion to accept Heidi Doss as an associate on the Paul Bouseman gave a power point presentation on Evansville's Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden which is currently in the design and development stage of a major improvement project. This project includes a new Entry Complex, a Tropical Rain Forest Exhibit and significant improvements and additions to their Animal Health Services Complex. Paul is submitting a Clean Water Indiana Grant in partnership with the district for practices that will be use in the new state of the art parking lot. The district in partnership with Mesker Park Zoo will use the new parking lot as a tool to show developers what can be done to keep rain water on site. Supervisor, Holly McCutchan asked Paul if he would like to become an associate supervisor. He would like to, but feels he needs to discuss it at home first. OLD BUSINESS: Lauren asked members to review the e-mail Bonnie received from Ken Eck written by Jerod Chew, Assistant Director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Division of Soil Conservation. Jerod answered some questions from around the state concerning the disbursements of the Clean Water Indiana (CWI) grants. Supervisors had a discussion on some of the actions items of the SWCD Business Plan for 2006. Holly McCutchan is working with a teacher and some students at Bosse High School on a video about the Vanderburgh County SWCD that will air on PBS. Bonnie got a packet of information together for her as requested. She wants them to interview Central High School students from the winning Envirothon team in 2005, Paul Bouseman, Botanical Curator, Mesker Zoo & Botanic Garden about our partnership on the Asian Horse Exhibit with CWI money and a local farmer. Lauren reported Bob McCormick is sending the district a copy of a Farmland preservation video they developed. Supervisors will decide if we can use it or create a new one for students. Preservation/Creation Natural Areas Committee – Lauren Preske, Chairperson Farmland Preservation Committee – Wayne Fehd, Chairperson Land Use Committee – Les Nunn, Chairperson Norma reported the district received a letter saying the 2006 Section 319 grant application for the Highland Pigeon Watershed Plan Implementation was turned down. She talked with Lauren Preske at Annual Conference and she offered to look it over and give her thoughts. Lauren also said she would talk to her friend who is Bonny Elfritz’s counterpart. Norma talked with Bonny Elfritz, IDEM, at conference and worked out some dates for her to come down and give her input in rewriting the grant. Holly McCutchan reported the United Neighborhoods of Evansville want Norma to come give a short presentation on the Rain Garden Program on February 2, 2006 to a small group and if they like the program she will go before a general meeting in March. Legislative Committee – John Hahn, Chairperson Finance Committee, Holly McCutchan, Chairperson
Les Nunn made a motion to hire Ad Craft to clean the sign and replace th Holly reported Bonnie received an e-mail from Cecil Rich, Aquatic Biologist , Lake and River Enhancement Program, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Fish and Wildlife giving her permission to pay V3 Companies for the Post-Monitoring Study they did on Barr Creek. He would send in the paper work to reimburse the district. District Operation Committee – Wayne Fehd, Chairperson Norma thanked Commissioner Shetler for meeting with supervisors and staff on January 13, 2006. Bonnie also sent him a thank you letter. She gave them some of the highlights of the Annual Conference staff and supervisors attended. Commissioner Musgrave had a copy of a National Association of Counties grant program that supports environmental restoration and stewardship mailed to the district. The Five Star Restoration Challenge Grant Program helps county officials and their partners in the community address environmental challenges by offering grant funding to implement community-based wetlands and stream bank restoration and education projects. Bonnie mailed a copy to Paul Bouseman for Mesker Park Zoo and to Lauren Preske for Howell Wetland and/or Wesselman Wood Nature Center. Supervisors asked Bonnie to mail a copy to Stanley Hall Enrichment Center. Supervisors asked her to talk about the Smart Growth Workshop in March, the CWI Grant we are working on with the Zoo and Wesselman Woods at the next meeting. Norma reported she attended a session at Annual Conference on Rule 5 and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) still doesn’t have answers, but they are meeting with Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). Wayne said he attended an excellent session on No-Till where they showed the attachments available for a planter and explained what each one would accomplish. Lauren Preske attended one on Bio-Fuels and the Bio-town; ISDA’s goal is for Indiana to be a national leader in Agribusiness. Bonnie attended the session on the Clean Water Indiana grants and had the opportunity to speak with the Division of Soil Conservation Director and her Assistant Director concerning the grant we are working on with Mesker Park Zoo and what a unique partnership that is and how well it should fit under the Unique Partnership section of the grants. She was asked if she was lobbying for Vanderburgh County to which her reply was "You bet". NEW BUSINESS: Bonnie reported she attended a session at Annual Conference on the Conservation Security Program (CSP) during which she made notes of things the district needs to do in preparation for when the program is available in the Pigeon/Highland Watershed. She will put another article in the April newsletter, have information on the program and a display at Annual Meeting, put a link on our website and talk to the district conservationist about meetings and/or workshops. Preservation/Creation Natural Areas Committee – Lauren Preske, Chairperson Farmland Preservation Committee – Wayne Fehd, Chairperson Brownfield & Urban Land Use Committee – Les Nunn, Chairperson Legislative Committee – John Hahn, Chairperson Finance Committee – Holly McCutchan, Chairperson Holly asked for a motion to order 10 palms at $12.50 each from Zeidler’s Floral for Annual Meeting.
Les Nunn made a motion for $125.00 to order palms for Annual Meeting, Holly asked for two volunteers to audit the district books for 2005. Wayne Fehd volunteered and also volunteered Dave Ellison. They will get with Bonnie to set up a time. Lauren read the Canoe Evansville proposal asking for the district to sponsor Susan Fowler as a speaker for a workshop they are planning to familiarize the public with watersheds, conservation practices, and what they can do to help. They feel this program fulfill both of our organizations education mission. After some discussion
Les Nunn made a motion to sponsor a speaker for the Canoe Evansville workshop, Holly reported the Southwest Indiana Crop Seminar put on by Purdue Cooperative Extension Service – Dubois County on February 21, 2006 is asking for assistance from districts. They are asking for sponsorship of $65.00. After some discussion
Les Nunn made a motion to Sponsor the Southwest Indiana Crop seminar District Operations Committee – Wayne Fehd, Chairperson Bonnie asked the five supervisors to refer to copies in their envelope for information on the District Visits Program. They should read it over and she will put it on the March board meeting agenda for discussion. Lauren asked members to refer to copies in their packets of the Indiana Conservation Partnership Vision for the Future. It is the strategic plan that was rolled out at the Annual Conference Legislative Breakfast. The partnership consists of Indiana Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (IASWCD) Lauren asked members to refer to copies in their packets for the Water Quality Specialist’s report. Norma also reported Lauren is doing a Project WET at Howell Wetland on March 13 & 16th. Holly suggested they advertise it through the Teachers Association in Evansville. Norma said she would like to attend the National Wildlife Habitat Steward Program in Indianapolis which means 4 Saturdays, $40 registration fee, hotel and mileage
Holly made a motion to send Norma to the National Wildlife Habitat Lauren asked members to refer to copies in their packets of the Erosion Control Plan Review Log and the Mileage Log. Norma reported she changed the Inspection Log to the Plan Review Log since she is not doing site visits at this time unless there is a complaint. Darrell Rice, District Conservationist’s report was tabled due to his being on Annual Leave. Bonnie asked for a supervisor to sign the Conservation Plan for the Sylvia C. Baehl farm Tract 9074. Wayne Fehd signed the plan. County employee time sheets were passed for review and signature. Bonnie explained she did not have a total for her comp and sick time on the forms because of a mix up which is being worked out in the commissioners’ office and will be finalized after the February 3rd pay period. The February meeting will be the Annual Meeting set for February 28, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. in the Exposition Hall at the 4-H Center. There will be a short business meeting following the Annual Meeting. Bonnie will send a notice to the media of the change from the fourth Wednesday to the fourth Tuesday Heidi Doss, new associate supervisor wanted to make board and staff aware of a new Natural Foods Farmers Market located at Patchwork Central.
Holly McCutchan made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 p.m., seconded by
Respectfully Submitted Minutes approved on 1-28-06 Dave Ellison___________________________ Holly McCutchan ______________________________ Les Nunn _____________________________ Lauren Preske ________________________________ Wayne Fehd____________________________ |
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