Spokane County Conservation District 210 North Havana, Spokane, WA 99202 Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday, February 7, 2008 PRESENT Supervisors: Jerry Scheele, Randy James, Dixie Riddle, Jaki Shrauger, and Mary Sullivan Associate Supervisors: None SCCD Staff: Rich Baden, Vicki Carter, Linda Graham, Jilla Harmon, Alan Hawson, Rick Noll and Rachel Rooks. Guests: Dale Smith, Landowner; Kyle Stephens, NRCS Chair Scheele called the meeting to order at 5:32pm. Minutes from the regular January 8, 2008, Board meeting had been previously distributed for review. Motion RIDDLE/SULLIVAN to approve the January 8, 2008 Board meeting minutes as distributed. Motion carried. TREASURER’S REPORT Treasurer Riddle presented the Treasurer’s Report for January 2008. Account Beg. Balance Deposits Withdrawals End Balance Randy James asked about the US Bank Trust Acct-WSDA and what happens to the interest; Rich replied that per the contract the interest will be the District’s to keep unless there is not enough money to repay the original $2.5 million loan. Motion JAMES/SHRAUGER to approve the January Treasurer’s report, payroll checks #1094-1125, checks #26853-26917, and automatic withdrawal #999994 and February Account Payables in the amount of $125,943.83. Motion carried. Public Comments None BUDGET REPORT Rich went over the changes to the General Fund including the reduction of the assessment, a change in the revenue received from the sale of seed stock, and he said he removed all of the SCCD Internal Loan Interest out of the general fund are reallocated it to the 401 SRF fund. Rich reported that the newsletter budget was decreased by 50 percent, and that he wants to purge the mailing list and only mail a hard copy if the subscriber requests it, and move towards using an electronic version. Randy James said that he would like us to maintain a hard copy, but to create subscriber’s list that could be used electronically or by regular mail. Linda Graham warned against alienating those readers who either do not have e-mail access or who prefer to receive their newsletters by regular mail. It was noted that the upcoming newsletter issue would be mailed as usual. A discussion ensued. Rich also noted a reduction to the salaries and benefits to reflect a 2.4% COLA for all employees. No merit pay was funded in 2008. He also discussed the reduction to the Grant Salary Reimbursement account and reminded all employees to track their time properly if working on a grant or specific project. Rich reviewed the Building fund, SRF fund (in and out of Spokane county), and the Bio-energy program. He noted that there would be a change in fund 401, removing the $1 million advance from American West Bank. Motion RIDDLE/JAMES to approve the revised 2008 budget, including a 2.4% COLA, and with the noted exception in fund 401. Motion Carried. SRF Proposal Rich discussed a SRF proposal that will instate a tiered interest rate program. This would offer a 5% interest rate on 3-year notes; 5.5% interest rate on 5-year rate; and 6% interest rate on 7-year notes (for loans in the amount of $75,000 or more). Motion RIDDLE/SULLIVAN to adopt the SRF proposal for a tiered interest rate program, effective immediately. Motion Carried. 2008 Plan of Work Final Approval The 2008 Plan of Work had been discussed and updated during the January 22 planning session. Motion JAMES/SHRAUGER to approve the 2008 Plan of Work. Motion Carried. Personnel Committee Report Chair Scheele said that a Personnel Committee meeting has been scheduled for 3pm on February 15. The personnel committee consists of Jerry Scheele, Jaki Shrauger, Rich Baden, and Vicki Carter. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Chair Scheele noted that staff reports had been previously received and reviewed by the Board. He asked for any additional comments from staff members. Randy James added that he would like each employee or department to state what they viewed their biggest contribution to conservation was during the month of reporting. Alan Hawson~ Forestry Alan said that he had been spending time working with NRCS and completing the EQIP contracts. Randy James asked about the possibility of having Wilbur Ellis at a booth at our tree sale to sell animal repellant, and Alan replied that since we ran into problems with selling certain chemicals last year, it would be easier to have a licensed vendor at our tree sale. He & Garth will be working with Wilbur Ellis to see if it will work and to make the proper arrangements. Linda Graham~ Public Affairs & Outreach Linda reported that we were awarded funding for the Ag Pilots program, which will hopefully be ready for spring planting. She said that the direct seed breakfast went well and she suggested that we view Jim’s presentation at the March Board meeting. As requested, Linda handed out information on Envirothon for the Board to review. She reminded them that we currently participate in the Spokane Youth Environmental Conference (SYEC) and the Northwest Natural Resource Institute (NNRI), which reach approximately 2,000 kids a year. Kyle Stephens~ NRCS Kyle reported that all county lines are in the NASIS database and are being reviewed. They recently underwent their 2007 field and database review, and are looking at hiring part-time help for the summer to assist with forestry data. Rick Noll~ Water Resources Rick discussed the success of the Rockford project and the potential for an Ecology grant. He had previously distributed a Detailed Implementation Plan for WRIA 55/57. Motion JAMES/SHRAUGER to approve the WRIA 55/57 Detailed Implementation Plan. Motion Carried. Rachel Rooks~ District Operations In addition to her report, Rachel said that 136 tree orders have been received as of February 7. Vicki Carter~ District Operations Vicki reported that she has attended three committee meetings in Peaceful Valley to discuss the different parks in the area. RC&D Report Chair Scheele said that Mary Ann Warren has left RC&D for a position with Idaho Parks and Recreation. He also said that the RC&D is looking at a cost-share on auto-steer and GPS, and partially funding bio-diesel. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Rich reported that after the direct seed breakfast at Ag Expo he met with Hans Kok, Ty Meyer and Dr. Baker to discuss direct seeding and the mentoring program. He also introduced Garth Davis to Fred Denake from 25x25. Fred would like to sit down to discuss potential money from the Department of Interior to use for forestry in the county. CORRESPONDENCE & ANNOUNCEMENTS · Vicki read a letter that Jim Armstrong received from Russ & Patt Evans at the Pacific Northwest Direct Seed Association. The letter thanked him for his assistance with the recent direct seed conference, noting that the event saw a 10% increase in attendance. It said that they enjoyed his DVD presentation, and that the 2009 conference is set for January 21-22 at the Three Rivers Convention Center. Elections & Appointments Vicki reminded the Board that the applications for the appointed position are due in to the Washington State Conservation Commission by March 31. She also reminded Randy James that his application and signatures are due to her by February 25. Vicki showed the Board the ballots and envelopes she created to be used by those who wish to vote by mail. NACD Convention The NACD convention will be in Reno on February 10-13. Everyone who is attending had previously received a packet from Rachel including all of their flight, hotel and conference information. Rich asked that since Randy and Garth will be arriving a day earlier, that they pick up everyone’s registration packets; and he would like to have breakfast with everyone on Monday at 7am. Executive Session None READING OF THE MOTIONS Motion RIDDLE/SULLIVAN to approve the January 8, 2008 Board meeting minutes as distributed. Motion carried. Motion JAMES/SHRAUGER to approve the January Treasurer’s report, payroll checks #1094-1125, checks #26853-26917, and automatic withdrawal #999994 and February Account Payables in the amount of $125,943.83. Motion carried. Motion RIDDLE/JAMES to approve the 2008 budget, including a 2.4% COLA, and with the noted exception in fund 401. Motion Carried. Motion RIDDLE/SULLIVAN to adopt the SRF proposal for a tiered interest rate program, effective immediately. Motion Carried. Motion JAMES/SHRAUGER to approve the 2008 Plan of Work. Motion Carried. Motion JAMES/SHRAUGER to approve the WRIA 55/57 Detailed Implementation Plan. Motion Carried. The regular Board meeting adjourned at 8:00pm. Respectfully submitted by: Rachel Rooks ______________________ ___________________ Gerald A. Scheele, Chairman Dixie Riddle, TreasurerPREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES