CALL TO ORDER:
A meeting of the Fremont Soil
& Water Conservation District
PRESENT:
Commissioners:
Maurice
King
Harold
Mitchell
Sheryl
Sanders
Phil
Wing
Staff: Kevin
Brannen, Lucas Forney, Tammy Grebert, and Brian Gross
ADOPT AGENDA:
The
agenda for the October 7, 2008 meeting was approved.
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 MINUTES:
The
minutes of the September 2, 2008 meeting of the Fremont Soil & Water
Conservation District
APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT:
50-08 It was moved
by Mitchell and seconded by Wing to approve the Treasurer’s report of the
Fremont Soil and Water Conservation District. Motion carried unanimously.
Jeff Zimprich, ASTC(FO), addressed the board regarding
shared management between the Sidney Field Office and the Malvern Field Office.
The decision to go to shared management is to improve efficiency, it is not to
help the budget. Shared management would allow employees to be specialized in
the fields where they are most knowledgeable. The two offices would possibly
share a District Conservationist and a Resource Conservationist. The District
Conservationist would be the manager and the Resource Conservationist would be
the planner. Marvin Freed, District Conservationist for the Malvern Field
Office, has requested to become the resource conservationist. The change would
probably take place by December 1, 2008.
Concerns:
Staff shortage - Sidney Field Office is short on staff now. They only have 3.75
staff positions, excluding the secretary, if the DC goes to Malvern part-time
it will leave the Sidney FO really short handed
– possibly can fill the soil conservationist position
Concern:
If shared management does not work, is there a guarantee that it can go back to
the way it was – No guarantee, Zimprich would come and listen and try to work
through why it is not working.
Ř
CDI Conference
The
CDI Conference information was reviewed. At this time there was not commitment
to attend the conference. The Commissioners will let Grebert know if they
decide to attend.
Ř
CDI
Resolutions
Ballots for CDI resolutions need to be returned to
Grebert by October 24, 2008.
Ř
Two Rivers
Quarterly Report
51-08 Forney presented the Two Rivers Quarterly Report. He indicated that he had added a section for the Loess Hills project. Sanders complimented Forney on a job well done. Mitchell made a motion to approve the Two Rivers Quarterly Report as presented. The motion was seconded by Wing and showed all in favor.
Ř
4-Wheeler
Maintenance
52-08 The 4-wheeler is in need of maintenance. It is getting harder to start. A motion to take the 4-wheeler to Madsen’s in Shenandoah for service and to have them install a new battery was made by Mitchell, seconded by Sanders. The motion passed unanimously.
Ř
Drill Repair
53-08 The drill is broken and needs to be repaired. Forney shared pictures of the drill and the area that is broken. Wing made a motion, seconded by King to replace the broken parts with new parts and have the drill repaired. Motion showed all in favor.
Ř
Mending Spirit
Farm, Inc. Cost-share Project
54-08 Mending Spirit Farm, Inc. was approved for cost-share on October 2, 2007 for the maximum cost-share amount of $1,282.23. An invoice for the project was received sometime between December 7, 2007, the date of the invoice, and January 30, 2008, the date Grebert called Randy Dilts. During the conversation with Mr. Dilts, Grebert asked him for a copy of Articles of Incorporation papers indicating who can sign for the corporation. On March 5, 2008, Grebert sent a letter to Mr. Dilts stating that corporation papers had not been received and asked Mr. Dilts to provide papers so that the payment process could proceed. As of October 7, 2008, the papers have not been received. A motion was made to send a letter to Mr. Dilts asking for the Articles of Incorporation for Mending Spirit Farm, Inc., showing that Mr. Dilts is able to sign on behalf of the corporation and to give Mr. Dilts until 4:00 p.m. Friday, October 17, 2008 to have the papers at the SWCD office or the cost-share assistance project #2487 will be cancelled. The motion was seconded by Sanders and approved by all.
Ř
Hand held
Radios
The staff asked the board to purchase hand held radios. Zimprich stated that he would check, but thought NRCS could purchase the radios. Zimprich will advise.
Ř
Trees Forever Donation
A letter of membership was received from Trees Forever. No action was taken.
SIGNED APPROVALS
Conservation Plans
Raymond Beason
Contracts/Contract
Modifications
Cost-share
Certification
William Blackburn
Maintenance
Agreements
William Blackburn
LWPP
Application/Amendment
Larry Mount – Amendment to increase loan amount from
$18,272 to $23,756.65
Larry Mount – New Loan -
$5,001.25
Michael Hughes – New Loan
$50,000.00
Michael Hughes – New Loan
$15,659.61
Buffer
Initiative
Stewardship
Initiative
Cooperator
Agreement
Statement
as to Soil Conservation Refund
Application
for Impoundment Structure Property Tax Exemption
Information
Items
Chair to Chair
Region 8 Fall Meeting Minutes
MEETING ADJOURNED: 10:05 p.m.
/s/ /s/
Secretary Chairperson
Date Approved November 4, 2008