Spokane County Conservation District 210 North Havana, Spokane, WA 99202 Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday, January 8, 2008 PRESENT Supervisors: Dixie Riddle, Jaki Shrauger and Mary Sullivan Absent: Gerald Scheele and Randy James Associate Supervisors: None SCCD Staff: Jim Armstrong, Rich Baden, Garth Davis, Linda Graham, Jilla Harmon, Ty Meyer, Charlie Peterson, and Rachel Rooks. Guests: Eric Kopp, Washington State Conservation Commission Treasurer Dixie Riddle called the meeting to order at 5:27pm. Minutes from the regular December 11, 2007, Board meeting had been previously distributed for review. Motion SHRAUGER/SULLIVAN to approve the December 11, 2007 Board meeting minutes as distributed. Motion carried. TREASURER’S REPORT Rich Baden presented the Treasurer’s Report for December 2007. Account Beg. Balance Deposits Withdrawals End Balance Motion SHRAUGER/SULLIVAN to approve the December Treasurer’s report, payroll checks #1063-1093, checks #26791-26852, and automatic withdrawal #999995 and January Account Payables in the amount of $109,791.19 Motion carried. BUDGET REPORT Rich Baden gave a review of the District’s budget position as of January 2008 (100% of the way through the year) and reported that the District’s cash position at the end of December was $3,916,143.50. Projected Revenues Projected Expenses General Fund 88.6% 107.0% Soil Survey 99.6% 104.7% 301 Building Fund 100.9% 107.8% 401 SRF Fund 156.2% 92.0% 501 SRF Fund 63.9% 81.7% 550 WSDA Bio Energy 0.0% 0.0% 127 Engineering WSCC 105.9% 77.7% All Funds 155.5% 95.4% New Business Public Comments Eric Kopp, Northeast Regional Manager for the Washington State Conservation Commission (WSCC) stated that he is excited for 2008 and for the opportunity to work with the District. One of the first things he’ll be working on is the upcoming elections and appointments. The WSCC will be working on a rule-making process for the elections. Tom Salzer has created an interactive Web site, and coinciding with the revamped site, WSCC staff member Susie Vanderburg and Denise Smee from the Clark County Conservation District have created a District virtual tour that they are hoping to release early this year. 2008 Budget Review Rich reported that he & Ty are going to run projections as they are preparing the MOU with American West Bank regarding financing combines through the SRF program. He needs to reexamine the general fund, and will be finalizing figures and bringing the budget to the February 7 Board meeting. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Treasurer Riddle noted that staff reports had been previously received and reviewed by the Board. He asked for any additional comments from staff members. Garth Davis~ Forestry In addition to his written report, Garth added that there is legislation regarding Evergreen Cities that is promoted by Audubon Washington to help protect and plant millions of trees in Washington’s cities. Jim and Linda are waiting for the bill to determine where the funding is coming from as well as what department will administer it. Garth reported that we have signed an MOU with the Skagit County Conservation District for whom he will be administering FireWise assessments, education and demonstrations. Al & Garth will meet locally on January 29-30 with all of the Districts involved. Garth is also working with Avista Utilities throughout the city to help identify and fix instances where the wrong tree was planted in the wrong place. He is working on an agreement where Asplundh, the company contracted by Avista, will remove the tree, the City will remove the debris, and the District will plant a new tree; one that is right for the location. Linda Graham~ Public Affairs & Outreach Linda reported that the legislative session will start next week and she has been busy reviewing bills leftover from last year and some that have been pre-filed. She offered to e-mail the Board a list of the bills that are of special interest or that may need recommendations. Ty Meyer~ SRF Program Ty said that Palouse-bio is continuing to move forward; and that they met yesterday. He has no timeline for buying equipment, but the outlook is positive. Mary Sullivan asked about the progress of the direct seed breakfast on February 7; Rachel replied that there are currently 11 tickets sold. A discussion ensued about ways to boost ticket sales and it was decided that a voucher would need to be sent to those who have pre-registered as the breakfast includes admission to Ag Expo. Rachel Rooks~ District Operations In addition to her written report, Rachel stated that as of January 8 she has received 73 regular tree sale orders and six contract tree orders. The tree sale is expected to pick up dramatically after the end of the month when the advertisement will start running in The Exchange. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Rich reported that he has been busy organizing the financial track for the WADE conference in June. He & Ty attended a Direct Seed workshop in Davenport on December 18, and yesterday he went to the Warden/Moses Lake Conservation District Board meeting where he gave a presentation on how to grow a successful district. Rich has talked with the Department of Ecology, machinery dealers and American West Bank regarding the process of financing combines through the SRF program. Rich said that Garth Davis’ nomination to the NACD Forestry Committee was accepted; he asked that a formal motion be made, as the District will be responsible for Garth’s travel costs to attend their annual meeting. Motion SULLIVAN/SHRAUGER to approve Garth Davis’ nomination to the NACD Forestry Committee including any financial responsibilities. Motion Carried. CORRESPONDENCE & ANNOUNCEMENTS · Jilla Harmon read a letter that we received from the Upper Columbia RC&D requesting that we pay our annual dues, which increased to $150. Motion SULLIVAN/SHRAUGER to approve the $150 dues payable to the Upper Columbia RC&D. Motion Carried. Farmland Preservation Office Request Rich had previously forwarded an e-mail to the Board regarding a request from the Farmland Preservation Office. The request was for the District to come up with the top three issues that are affecting farmland. The issues discussed were development, property taxes and erosion. Rich will work with Jim and Linda on writing up a formal answer. NACD Convention Rachel has registered Garth Davis, Barry Tee, Rich Baden, Dixie Riddle, Jerry Scheele, Randy James and Jaki Shrauger to attend the NACD convention held in Reno on February 10-13. Rachel distributed a draft agenda and a list of the available tours to those attending; it was discussed that the tours would conflict with the workshops. Hotel reservations have been made and Rachel will make the appropriate airline arrangements; Garth will arrive in Reno on Saturday and everyone else will arrive on Sunday. Executive Session None READING OF THE MOTIONS Motion SHRAUGER/SULLIVAN to approve the December 11, 2007 Board meeting minutes as distributed. Motion carried. Motion SHRAUGER/SULLIVAN to approve the December Treasurer’s report, payroll checks #1063-1093, checks #26791-26852, and automatic withdrawal #999995 and January Account Payables in the amount of $109,791.19 Motion carried. Motion SULLIVAN/SHRAUGER to approve Garth Davis’ nomination to the NACD Forestry Committee including any financial responsibilities. Motion Carried. Motion SULLIVAN/SHRAUGER to approve the $150 dues payable to the Upper Columbia RC&D. Motion Carried. The regular Board meeting adjourned at 6:34 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Rachel Rooks ________________________ __________________ Gerald A. Scheele, Chairman Dixie Riddle, TreasurerPREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES