Executive Committee Meeting
March Quarterly Board
March 3, 2008
Northfield Inn & Suites - Diamond Room
8:00 a.m.
Present Absent
Terry Davis, President, NACD Delegate
Jim Todd, Vice President, NACD Alternate
Aaron Ferguson, Secretary
Rollie Spaniol, Treasurer
Jerry Snodgrass, Area I VP
Darrell Roegge, Area II VP
John Beckhart, Area III VP
Norbert Rider, Area IV VP
Josh Joseph, ISWCDEA RC Co-Chair
Annyce Winters, ISWCDEA AC Co-Chair
Richard Nichols, AISWCD
Erin Pate, AISWCD
Stacy Stremsterfer, AISWCD
Jim Nelson, AISWCD
GUESTS
Dave McCormick, Brown Co.
Tom Anderson, Saline Co.
President Terry Davis called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.
Self Introductions were done in place of roll call.
Approval of Agenda
Terry Davis asked if there were any items that needed to be added to the agenda. Terry received in the mail information about invitation to tribute to Denny Hassert, building grant, extension of grant agreement, proposal for audit, Illinois Urban Manual ownership, NACD Membership invoice, personnel, and other items. Motion by Darrell Roegge to approve additions to agenda seconded by Norbert Rider, MCVV.
Committee and Taskforce Updates
Communications
John Beckhart has spoken with Dave Dickey of WILL AM 580 (U of I public radio) and they are willing to come to summer conference.
Tom Anderson arrived at 8:12 a.m.
Education
Jerry Snodgrass asked Stacy Stremsterfer to provide an update on Director Training. Stacy Stremsterfer stated that director training was being held today and will be a one day session. At the NACD Annual Meeting there was a session held by SWCDs who participated in the NACD Director Training pilot program. It was noted that Utah’s training was web based, low cost and could benefit all SWCDs across the state. Stacy Stremsterfer will gather information from Utah and present to IDOA.
Jerry Snodgrass asked Stacy Stremsterfer to give an update on Envirothon. She noted that the Land Use Council contact meetings are being held. The Illinois Envirothon will be held May 7 and 8 at Allerton Park. She also stated that at the Canon Envirothon meeting at the NACD meeting Canon has asked the committee to seek other sources of funding. The future may hold some funding options for States to utilize to gather interest in the program.
Jerry Snodgrass gave an update on the LUC 16 meeting on water quality that was held in February.
Financial Management
Rollie Spaniol explained that a cash flow was done and the AISWCD can go through June/July with no problems, but after the annual meeting we might need to reassess. The AISWCD might want to consider getting a percentage of dues when money comes in from the state. Josh Joseph asked why it was stated in December tat the AISWCD stated they could go a year instead of a couple of months. Terry Davis explained that if we used money and grants that we have then yes we could a year. Stacy Stremsterfer and Jim Nelson’s salaries are grant funded and the cash flow was based on their salaries coming out of the general fund. Aaron Ferguson asked if the AISWCD was going to look at cutting down on things. It was explained that Sarah Dillman left on Friday to pursue another job. Rich Nichols explained to the group that Sarah’s duties have been distributed to other staff. Until the AISWCD has better funding, her position will not be filled at this time. Discussion was held concerning the funding issue and where the state is currently and what the future might hold.
Jim Nelson arrived at 8:48 a.m.
Legislative
Jim Todd reminded everyone that the Legislative Breakfast is to be held on April 3rd. To date eight SWCDs have responded. It is important to have this event to inform legislators of the situation that we are in. Darrell Roegge thought that the visits with legislators where more effective than the breakfast. Jerry Snodgrass noted that 3 to 4 land use councils have stated that it would not be worth the money spent on the event since they have had contact with their legislators already. John Beckhart mentioned that SWCDs should pair up with their local Farm Bureau on their “Adopt a Legislator” program. Discussion was held on the pros and cons of weather to hold the event or not. Terry Davis asked the executive board if they would like to bring this topic up to the full Board meeting to make the decision.
Insurance Taskforce Update: Jim Todd stated that Annyce Winters had addressed the problems with the insurance earlier. It will have to be left up to individual SWCDs on how they want to handle the reduction in hours.
Planning
Aaron Ferguson reported that the group will discuss options on the annual meeting later in their meeting. Phyllis Mace was supposed to get him information on the C-2000 taskforce.
Urban Community & Conservation
Norbert Rider referred to Jim Nelson to give update. He is currently the Chair for the Illinois Urban Manual (IUM) Committee and is Co-Chair of IUM Technical Committee. The grant for the driveway has come in from U.S. EPA. It will also help with updates on Watershed Park and installation of a rain garden in Sangamon County area. ILICA will do all labor involved with the driveway, but we will incur costs for rental of the equipment. Josh Joseph asked that a press release go out to let SWCDs know about the grant and what projects will be finished due to grant funds. Erin Pate gave a report on the “Protecting Water Quality Grant in Urban Centers.” Erin Pate stated that Chris Davis, IEPA has been a great asset on this grant and they have increased the amount of program assistance from $5,000 to $10,000. Nine grants were received this time and grants will open up to SWCDs every three months.
Area I - Jerry Snodgrass
Jerry Snodgrass reported that he attended LUC 2 and LUC 16 meetings. He was amazed that LUC 16 took on Water Quality/Water Quantity issue. Work done on AISWCD building will be funded strictly through grants.
FDC Enterprises will be attending the meeting tomorrow to give information on their grass seed program.
Discussion held on Denny Hassert donation. Group felt that it would be tough, but it will go to Financial Management Focus Area Committee for review.
Ownership of the Illinois Urban Manual was discussed. Jerry Snodgrass asked what it would entail. A recommendation was made by Jim Todd and seconded by John Beckhart to accept ownership of the IUM. MCVV
NACD Membership Dues John Beckhart made a motion to postpone payment of NACD Membership Dues until June Quarterly Board seconded by Aaron Ferguson, MCVV.
Aaron Ferguson, Tom Anderson left the meeting. 10:05 a.m.
Personnel - Rich Nichols did an exit interview with Sarah Dillman on Tuesday. Reason why she was leaving was due to job security with lack of funding. Terry Davis reported that the AISWCD staff is picking up her duties.
Darrell Roegge left the meeting at 10:09 a.m.
Terry Davis reported that Darrell Roegge is trying to find time for the Nominating Committee to meet.
Terry Davis reported that Jerry Snodgrass was elected as North Central representative for the NACD Executive Committee. He also noted that a letter was received from Krysta Harden that the NACD Board has not meet to discuss the resolution that was given to them during the NACD Meeting in support of the releasing of SWCD funding.
Myron Heff , Monroe Co. joined the meeting at 10:16 a.m.
Terry Davis took meeting back to funding issue. He reported that Mike Hoffmann was instrumental in getting the vouchers moved quickly through the comptroller’s office. Rich Nichols has been working with various groups to get information out. The AISWCD has been very cautious about information being sent out to not point fingers or place blame. Jerry Snodgrass stated that more information needs to come out saying what is being done, even if it is announcing a meeting that has been scheduled. John Beckhart also stated that he has heard the same thing from his councils.
Erin Pate left the meeting at 10:20 a.m.
Terry Davis asked the group if when the AISWCD talks to legislators do we need to support individual SWCDs that will be closing their doors in a few days. It was felt that the AISWCD should represent ALL, not individual SWCDs and encourage them to contact their own legislators. More discussion was held.
Josh Joseph left the meeting at 10:33 a.m.
Motion to approve December Quarterly Board Meeting minutes made by John Beckhart and seconded by Jerry Snodgrass, MCVV.
Motion to adjourn the meeting made by Norbert Rider, seconded by Rollie Spaniol at 10:35 a.m.