Spokane County Conservation District 210 North Havana, Spokane, WA 99202 Board Meeting Minutes Tuesday, March 11, 2008 PRESENT Supervisors: Jerry Scheele, Randy James, and Dixie Riddle Late Arrival: Jaki Shrauger at 5:47pm Absent: Mary Sullivan Associate Supervisors: None SCCD Staff: Jim Armstrong, Rich Baden, Vicki Carter, Eric Choker, Garth Davis, Jilla Harmon, Ty Meyer, Ben Peterson and Rachel Rooks. Guests: Dale Smith, landowner; Eric Kopp, WSCC Richard Ellis, landowner; Gary Mitchell, RC&D Chair Scheele called the meeting to order at 5:35pm. He announced that there would be an Executive Session at approximately 7:15pm to discuss the performance of a public employee in accordance with RCW 42.31.110(1)(G). Minutes from the regular February 7, 2008 Board meeting had been previously distributed for review. Motion RIDDLE/JAMES to approve the February 7, 2008 Board meeting minutes as distributed. Motion carried. TREASURER’S REPORT Treasurer Riddle presented the Treasurer’s Report for February 2008. Account Beg. Balance Deposits Withdrawals End Balance Motion JAMES/RIDDLE to approve the February Treasurer’s report, payroll checks #1126-1161, checks #26918-26970, and automatic withdrawal #999993, voided payroll check #1145 and March Account Payables in the amount of $237,378.06. Motion carried. Public Comments Chair Scheele introduced Richard Ellis, son of former Supervisor Dick Ellis. BUDGET REPORT Rich Baden gave a review of the District’s budget position as of March 2008 (18.3% of the way through the year) and reported that the District’s cash position at the end of February was $4,294,870.99. Projected Revenues Projected Expenses General Fund 3.6% 17.5% 301 Building Fund 25.0% 16.3% 401 SRF Fund 126.8% 9.3% 501 SRF Fund 14.1% 2.2% 550 WSDA Bio Energy 6.0% 0.0% All Funds 50.5% 9.1% Motion JAMES/RIDDLE to approve the 401 SRF fund with the addition of interest and the removal of the $1 million line of credit from American West Bank. Motion Carried. Rich said that he would present a SRF program projection at the next Board meeting. Personnel Committee Report Chair Scheele discussed the recent personnel committee meeting, which looked at updates needed for the employee handbook. Additions were made to the following sections: compensation & benefits, retirement benefits, the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA), telecommuting, dress code and employee reference liability waivers. Motion SHRAUGER/RIDDLE to approve the additions noted to the employee handbook. Motion Carried. Election Status Report The election was held from 7:30a-5:00pm for Randy James, whose Supervisor position was up for reelection. Polling officer Dale Smith reported that Randy received 13 votes and there was no opposition. Vicki Carter stated there was one request for a mail-in ballot, and that the new process worked well and that hopefully it will gain popularity. Governor’s Appointment Chair Scheele read aloud from a letter from Governor Gregoire addressed to Jim Armstrong that congratulated Jim on his appointment to the Washington Biodiversity Council. His appointment will run from March 6, 2008 to June 30, 2010; Chair Scheele swore him in. Jim talked about the meeting and what he’ll be doing on the council, including outreach and AV presentations. 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. Eric Choker~ Soil Survey Eric reported that they have been working on quality control and will be working on the NASIS database. Rich said that starting in June Eric would be attending the monthly district manager’s meetings, since he’ll be moving into the building in June 2009. Ty Meyer~ Production Ag Ty said that the loan program is in the process of advertising the new interest rate program that was approved at the last Board meeting. The Ag Pilot’s program is on a tight schedule as Ty is working with Carla at the Washington State Conservation Commission who is getting their contract together with the Office of Financial Management. There is a possibility that the contracts will not be ready in order to participate in spring planting. Ben Peterson~ Water Resources Ben reported that in addition to the written report, he is working on the Rockford vegetation project during March & April. Garth Davis~ Forestry Garth attended the Electrical Hazard Awareness workshop held at the WSU Extension Office, which was put on by the District in partnership with International Society of Arboriculture. Jim added that the Evergreen Cities legislation passed, and it was changed to include two pilot projects for ordinances. They want to do one on the west side of the state and one in Spokane. Rachel Rooks~ District Operations Rachel reported that the current number of tree orders is up to 379, with three days to go before the deadline. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Rich read a letter from attorney Brian Werst regarding the contract to finance combines as a direct seed tool with American West Bank; Brian approved the financing documents. There is a question on the splitting of the financing between the District, American West Bank and the Department of Ecology. . Motion RIDDLE/JAMES to approve the intercreditor agreement between the District and American West Bank regarding the financing of combines to be used for direct seed operations. Motion Carried. Calendar March 14: Jim & Rich will attend the State of the County Address March 17: Rich will be attending the Palouse-bio Board meeting March 19: Rich will attend the Ag Expo Board meeting March 24: Rich will attend the NRCS technical advisory meeting March 26: Jerry & Rich will travel to Ellensburg for the WSCC budgeting meeting Rich stated that he received a letter and enclosure from Greater Spokane Incorporated and that it did not include a picture or mention of Ag Expo or anything related to agriculture. WSCC Report Eric Kopp reported that the Commission would likely have a final decision in May on the budget and how funds will be disbursed. He said that instead of handing out a set amount of money, they would be looking at the need and capacity per District. Eric said that in May he will be taking over as the state lead for the auditor’s office. RC&D Report Gary Mitchell reported that the Upper Columbia RC&D is going through a transition with no paid staff as Mary Ann left to work for the Idaho Parks Department. They finished the diesel emission reduction grant, where diesel emissions were reduced by 54%. There is a possibility of a new project for Washington, Oregon and Idaho that would propose to pay $5 an acre, and a cost-share for auto steer and GPS units. He also said that the Environmental Protection Agency was interested in retrofitting old diesel engines to handle new sulfur, proposing $2,000 per engine. Internal Audit Vicki asked who was available to attend the internal audit, as it should happen in the first quarter of the year. Dixie and Jerry announced they were available and the audit was scheduled for Friday, March 21, at 9:00 am. CORRESPONDENCE & ANNOUNCEMENTS · Vicki announced that our Annual Meeting will be held on April 23 and that we are inviting the public and elected officials with a lunch at the District followed by a three-hour Conservation tour, starting at 10:00 am. · The Department of Natural Resources is celebrating its 50th anniversary with an open house in Spokane at Spokane Community College on Thursday, April 17. Envirothon Linda Graham had provided the Board with information about Envirothon at the last Board meeting. Chair Scheele said that it would be brought to the planning session in July. He also had a breakdown of the number of people reached through the other programs we’re currently involved with. Executive Session Chair Scheele announced at 7:15pm that that an Executive Session would take place and last for approximately 20 minutes. The regular meeting reconvened at 7:45pm. No action or further discussion came from the Executive Session. A recap of the motions was read by Rich Baden. READING OF THE MOTIONS Motion RIDDLE/JAMES to approve the February 7, 2008 Board meeting minutes as distributed. Motion carried. Motion JAMES/RIDDLE to approve the February Treasurer’s report, payroll checks #1126-1161, checks #26918-26970, and automatic withdrawal #999993, voided payroll check #1145 and March Account Payables in the amount of $237,378.06. Motion carried. Motion JAMES/RIDDLE to approve the 401 SRF fund with the addition of interest and the removal of the $1 million line of credit from American West Bank. Motion Carried Motion SHRAUGER/RIDDLE to approve the additions noted to the employee handbook. Motion Carried. Motion RIDDLE/JAMES to approve the intercreditor agreement between the District and American West Bank regarding the financing of combines to be used for direct seed operations. Motion Carried. The regular Board meeting adjourned at 7:55 pm. Respectfully submitted by: Rachel Rooks ______________________ ___________________ Gerald A. 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