June Quarterly Board
BOARD MEETING
June 12, 2007
Northfield Inn, Springfield, Illinois
Roll Call:
Present Absent .
Terry Davis, President, NACD Delegate
James Todd, Vice President, NACD Alternate
Aaron Ferguson, Secretary
Rollie Spaniol, Treasurer
Mark Besse, Area I VP
Wayne Enke, Area II VP
Steve Stierwalt, Area III VP
Norbert Rider, Area IV VP
Curt Dambman, Council 1
Terry Bogner, Council 2
Lee Bunting, Council 3
Larry Sterett, Council 4
Van Bitner, Council 5
John Beckhart, Council 6
Jim Bell, Council 7
Darrell Roegge, Council 8
Kenneth Suslee, Council 9
Dale Jahraus, Council 10
Emery Oesch Council 11
Don Beisiegel, Council 12
Jake Klein, Council 13
Tom Anderson, Council 14
Kenny Vosholler, Council 15
Dwayne Proctor, Council 16
Richard Nichols, AISWCD
Erin Pate, AISWCD
Stacy Stremsterfer, AISWCD
Jim Nelson, AISWCD
Sarah Dillman, AISWCD
Meeting was called to order by President Terry Davis at 8:16 a.m.
Roll call was taken by Secretary Aaron Ferguson.
Approval of Agenda
Terry Davis requested to add items: Whiteside County SWCD letter, logo discussion, and recognition approval at Summer Conference for employees and directors for service. Darrell Roegge made a motion to approve the agenda with the additions as mentioned before, seconded by Don Beisiegel, MCVV.
Partner Reports
IDOA
Steve Chard reported IDOA had named a new Division Manager, Jared Thornley. A brief history of Jared Thornley’s background was given. Steve informed the board IDOA had received FY 2007 bond money, in the same amount as FY 2006, 2.6 million, to be used for structural practices. Grant agreements were mailed later that day and needed to be turned around quickly. $90,000 of CPP funds for FY 2006 had not been spent, and Steve reinforced the importance to spending those funds before the end of FY 2006 (FY 2007 would begin on July 1, 2007.) C-2000 guidelines were still being worked out for FY 2008 at the time of Steve’s report. Steve felt Summer Conference was coming together with the exception of the hotel not allowing the barbeque to go as originally planned. The Director’s lawn at the Illinois State Fairgrounds had been reserved for the barbeque if need arose to use it. Steve added the ISWCDEA Insurance Committee had been working hard to get employees short and long term disability insurance.
NRCS
No report was given.
FSA
Don King gave a brief history of his background and stated State Acres for Wildlife (SAFE) programs would work with getting CRP practices in concentrated areas. FSA was looking for proposals to do projects of that nature by September.
IDNR
No report was given.
ISWCDEA
Annyce Winters reported on discussion held at the last ISWCDEA meeting. NRCS employee security checks were discussed; employees felt AISWCD should not have stored these items in their office. ISWCDEA wrote a letter to Bill Gradle to request he reconsider. The security checks were moved back to NRCS. Annyce made note of fish sale permits.
Annyce reported at March Quarterly Board the AISWCD board asked ISWCDEA to look into short and long term disability insurance. AISWCD reviewed a letter from a district asking the matter to be reopened. On April 16, 2007 the Insurance Committee of ISWCDEA met and received four bids for the insurance request. Annyce stated there was not any direct funding for the additional insurance. The Insurance Committee voted and passed their approval for the Standard Life Insurance Company’s quote for short and long term disability and life insurance. Annyce reported the average SWCD employee had 43 sick days, and one employee had 1500 hours of sick time, which would be 37 weeks. The figures did not include vacation or other time off. Annyce stated short term disability would pay the employee after 30 days until the 365th day. On the 366th day, long term disability would begin. Debbie Holsapple created a spreadsheet for employees to enter their salary in order to determine their premiums for this insurance. Annyce stated Steve Chard was working on getting long term disability funded through IDOA due to the savings from life insurance over what was currently being paid. Annyce gave the example of costs for Greene County SWCD, $463 annually. Questions were raised and discussion was held.
Terry stated the board must make a decision on short-term disability insurance and the districts would decide to participate or not and how premiums would be paid. Discussion was held. Darrell Roegge made a motion to approve short term disability as presented by Annyce, seconded by John Beckhart. Lee Bunting amended the motion to include long-term disability insurance. MCVV.
NCDEA
President Cindy Moon gave a brief report.
IEPA
Dick Breckenridge reported ICCI payments had been made for Pool 1. Pool 3 had 42 forestry contracts enrolled and what still open. Dick presented a plaque for Peoria County to Rich Nichols for the county’s efforts in the first pool. Questions were raised regarding the price of carbon credits and the forecast of the program. Discussion was held.
Committee Reports
Forestry
Darrell Roegge reported no action items occurred during the previous day’s meeting.
Nominating
Darrell Roegge reported the committee had met the previous day. The committee was approached by the incumbents, and all agreed to continue their service the following year.
NACD Delegate/Alternate
Terry Davis reported he had attended the annual meeting of NACD in February. Terry had invited the NACD President, Olin Sims, to attend AISWCD’s Summer Conference but due to their budget, he could not attend. NACD has seven regions, Beth Mason and Krista Jones ran AISWCD’s region, the North Central Region. Krista left North Central NACD to take a position with NASCA as Executive Director. Terry stated there would be discussion held at the next annual meeting to determine whether regions should continue or if region employees should become NACD employees with regions being eliminated. Terry added he would like to increase AISWCD’s representation in Washington D.C. for the July NACD Legislative conference. Terry invited board members to attend and gain knowledge on how NACD operates. Questions were raised and discussion was held.
Executive Committee
Terry Davis stated a letter had been sent to Pope-Hardin County SWCD regarding dues. AISWCD did not receive correspondence from the district in the matter. A second letter had also been sent requesting a decision from Pope-Hardin County SWCD whether they would pay the remainder of their dues. Terry added Pope-Hardin would not retain voting rights at Summer Conference. Resolutions were discussed at the Executive Committee meeting.
The committee recommended to the Financial Focus Area Committee to discuss NACD’s July Legislative conference and to increase the budget to allow for extra attendees. Terry informed the board AISWCD had agreed to help IDOA plan a meeting for the NASCA group, which would be held in Springfield. The VermiComposting Symposium group had approached AISWCD asking for assistance with bookkeeping for the event and requested one AISWCD staff member to be present to help with registration in February.
The Executive Committee decided having three logos for a vote at Summer Conference was too many. Terry asked the board to pick one of the possible new logos to be voted on at Summer Conference against the current logo. The Planning Committee had asked for a building taskforce to be formed and a landscape architect to be used for developing a plan for development of the AISWCD office location. Pervious payment was discussed and the possibility of creating a circular drive. Ken Kesler offered a $200 donation for the purchase of a flag pole for the office. Discussion was held on Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair, August 14th, 10 board members showed interest in attending the dinner with the Farm Family winner.
Auxiliary
Terry requested Mark Besse join Colleen Bogner. Terry stated Mark’s wife Bonnie had recently passed away and he asked Mark to present a check from AISWCD to the Auxiliary in honor of Bonnie. Colleen informed the board that Marie was elected Secretary of the National Auxiliary at the NACD meeting in February. Colleen reported seven people attended the Auxiliary meeting held the previous day and discussion was held on Summer Conference activities.
Insurance
Debbie Holsapple reported in April she attended the Choice Benefit Seminar and rates increased 11-14% for FY 2008. Debbie stated 21 employees had left districts in FY 2006. The SWCD Insurance Account has a $43,000 surplus due to these turnovers and allocations had been received.
Terry Davis called the meeting to recess at 10:15 a.m.
Terry Davis called the meeting back to order at 10:27 a.m.
Focus Committee Reports
Communication
Chairman Wayne Enke was absent; therefore Terry Davis chaired the meeting held the previous day. Radio ads aired on Learfield Network were discussed and heard by the committee. IEPA enjoyed the spots and agreed to run the ads on fertilization and pesticide application again. The committee made a decision on the radio spot that will run for no-till in the fall dealing with carbon credits and no-till farming practices. The committee discussed ICCI and communication of the program. Conservation Highlights at Summer Conference were discussed, and the display will be shown on the giveaway television in the expo area.
The Committee discussed a Funding Taskforce that existed two years ago and decided to complete a new survey, with the previous survey’s questions, that will be sent to districts for input. Lake County SWCD held a rain barrel sale that was discussed. Educational programs will be conducted at Summer Conference by the Auxiliary.
Discussion was held on having signs from IDOT in towns that have Envirothon winners, much like sport team winner signs.
Education
Steve Stierwalt reported Envirothon went well and Triad High School won the competition. Charla Coombe will attend Canon Envirothon with the team since Stacy Stremsterfer will be on maternity leave. This year’s Envirothon had two participants leave the camp site and due to the code of conduct the team members signed, the school and all participants on the team are disqualified for two years from Envirothon. Steve made a motion to uphold the code of conduct and let the punishment stand, seconded by Darrell Roegge. Discussion was held, MCVV.
Financial Management Focus Area Committee
Rollie reported an amendment had been made to the contribution agreement with NRCS for an additional $25,000 for FY 2007. Rollie reported the audit was complete and explained no significant problems were noted in the audit. Rollie stated the SWCD Insurance Account was recommended to be moved to the AISWCD, in order to have all records and bookkeeping done in one location. The auditor also recommended establishing a liability account for dues to show dues for the Fiscal year that dues are for. Rollie gave a description of how dues are currently handled. Rollie made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Financial Management FAC to accept the audit for FY 2006, seconded by Lee Bunting, MCVV. Discussion was held on restricted funds outlined in the audit report. Rollie asked for questions on the financials, there were none. Lee Bunting made a motion to accept the financial reports as submitted, seconded by Terry Bogner, MCVV.
FY 2007 Budget: John Beckhart raised a question regarding the NACD line item being increased from $15,000 to $28,000. Rollie explained funds had been freed up by the NRCS agreement. Discussion was held. Rollie moved to accept the revised 2007 budget as presented, Mark Besse made the motion, seconded by Don Beisiegel, MCVV.
FY 2008 Budget: Rollie explained FY 2008 budget as presented. Questions were raised about the postage line item, Sarah explained. Questions were raised about taxes being zero in the FY 2008, but not in the FY 2007 budget, Rich and Rollie explained Erin Pate was to credit with getting the tax exempt status. Kenny Vosholler questioned the salary increase of 5%. Rollie explained preparing for good reviews is a way not to spend extra money later. Larry Sterett stated he would like to see the line item 5001- Salaries state “Includes tentative 5% increase.” Dale Jahraus made a motion to accept the FY 2008 budget as presented, seconded by Kenny Vosholler, MCVV.
Rollie explained the bank account insurance information presented and stated he felt comfortable not purchasing any additional insurance for overage funds in the bank accounts.
Rollie stated the Chevrolet Lumina was sold for $1,800.
Rollie stated he would like to refinance the AISWCD office building with Farm Credit Services to eliminate the current balloon with Williamsville State Bank and Trust, and also to take advantage of a cheaper rate offered by Farm Credit Services for a fixed 15 year loan. Rollie explained the proposed refinancing and the Funds Held feature offered with the loan. John Beckhart made a motion to refinance the AISWCD office building with Farm Credit Services as proposed in the quote for 15 years and 7.35% fixed in the multi-flex rate column and to put the money in the funds held account to match the principal of the loan, seconded by Mark Besse, MCVV.
Rollie Spaniol moved to have Aaron Ferguson and Terry Davis sign the necessary papers to take the mortgage from Williamsville Bank & Trust and move it over to the Farm Credit Services, motion made by Mark Besse, seconded by Don Beisiegel. MCVV.
Rollie stated a website redesign was included in the NRCS agreement for $1500 and the Financial Management FAC recommended the remodel of the website not to exceed the funds provided by the new agreement. Rollie made a motion to approve the recommendation of the Financial Management FAC, Steve Stierwalt seconded, MCVV.
Discussion was held on the amount to deposit into the Funds Held account with Farm Credit Services, as part of the mortgage agreement. Jim Bell made a motion to deposit $125,000 from General Fund in the Funds Held account, seconded by Don Beisiegel, MCVV.
Terry recommended leaving the maintenance payment in the checking account at Williamsville State Bank and Trust and continuing to deposit $200 a month to this account.
Legislative
Jim Todd reported on the Resolution Status handout and explained radio ads had ran in response to Resolution 2006-1. Resolution 2006-2 led to the development of the C-2000 Taskforce. The taskforce will continue work on completing the recommendations of the resolution. Resolution 2005-3 led to AISWCD asking legislators to sponsor a bill that would allow transfer of CPP funds between districts. The bill gained a sponsor and was passed by the senate, but had been put on hold after IDOA objected when the bill arrived in the house. Questions were raised and discussion was held.
Jim Todd read the “Therefore” section of each resolution submitted. Resolution 2007-1 was approved at March Quarterly Board. Lee Bunting made a motion to approve Resolution 2007-2, seconded by Larry Sterett, MCVV.
John Beckhart made a motion to approve Resolution 2007-3, seconded by Steve Stierwalt, MCVV.
Lee Bunting made a motion to approve Resolution 2007-4, Darrell Roegge seconded, MCVV.
Larry Sterett made a motion to disapprove Resolution 2007-5, seconded by Lee Bunting. Discussion was held. Terry stated Robert’s Rules of Order state motions cannot be made in this manner. John Beckhart announced he wished to abstain from a vote. Lee Bunting made a motion to approve Resolution 2007-5, motion failed.
Jim Todd informed the board final expenses for Legislative Day were $5,814.56. The FY 2008 budget reflects a $6,500 expense instead of the previous $8,000, which had been allocated for FY 2007.
Planning
Aaron Ferguson reported two taskforces would be created, one would oversee the awards program and would be chaired by Terry Bogner, the other, and a technical taskforce will be chaired by John Beckhart.
Urban
The Grand Victoria Foundation requested a full proposal from AISWCD to fund the update of the Illinois Urban Manual. Two regional water planning commissions were setup and SWCD’s were invited to participate. Shannon Allen was selected to participate in the Mahomet Aquifer. Shannon was asked to also assist with development of the annual urban assistance award. Dwayne Proctor gave a brief report on the Emerald Ash Borer.
Area VP Reports
Area I: Mark Besse reported budget cuts for districts would affect employees and directors. Mark recommended making calls to legislators to voice concerns. Mark stated an article in “Farm Week” held an interview with Chuck Hartke; it included comments made by Mr. Hartke that budget cuts would not affect districts. A letter was sent to Terry Davis in regards to the interview.
Area II: Wayne Enke was absent.
Area III: Steve Stierwalt stated he had no report to give.
Area IV: Norbert Rider was absent.
Approval of Minutes
Discussion was held on March Quarterly Board meeting minutes, on page 15 (QB packet) dealing with staff evaluations. Larry Sterett made a motion to appoint a personnel committee of Terry Davis and one other person to evaluate all AISWCD staff, seconded by Steve Stierwalt, MCVV.
Steve Stierwalt made a motion to strike the motion from March Quarterly Board to be reflected in these minutes, Terry Davis accepted the motion.
Don Beisiegel made a motion to approve the March Quarterly Board minutes, seconded by Larry Sterett, MCVV.
Discussion was held on the formation of a taskforce to discuss the AISWCD logo. The Executive Committee determined two logos should be presented at Summer Conference for a vote, one new logo and the current AISWCD logo. Rollie Spaniol made a motion to accept the bottom logo (sheet attached), seconded by Don Beisiegel, MCVV.
New Business
CPESC
Terry Davis asked the board if they wished to support the training and education of this program presented by Shannon Allen and Rick Macho at March Quarterly Board. Rollie Spaniol made a motion to support, Dwayne Proctor seconded, MCVV.
Approval of Written Reports
Larry Sterett made a motion to accept written reports as submitted, seconded by Don Beisiegel, MCVV.
Whiteside County SWCD Letter
Terry Davis stated he had received a letter from Whiteside County SWCD requesting AISWCD release an official statement in regards to Chuck Hartke’s remarks in Farm Week regarding budget cuts and how districts will not be affected. Discussion was held. Terry thought sending a letter to the editor of the publication with AISWCD’s views would be sufficient. There was no opposition, Terry will draft the letter.
Terry asked Cindy Moon of McDonough County SWCD to give a presentation. Cindy described the NACD building and the poor condition in which it stands in Washington, D.C. NACD is seeking funds for renovation. McDonough County SWCD set forth a challenge to all districts in Illinois to send a check for $100 to AISWCD, made payable to NACD, which Terry will present to Krista Hardin at the Legislative conference in July. Cindy stated she would write a letter to all districts with the challenge. Terry encouraged the board to ask their districts to support the challenge.
Terry asked for board members whom expressed interest in attending the NACD Legislative conference in July, Lee Bunting, Mark Besse, Larry Sterett, in addition to Terry Davis, Jim Todd, and Rich Nichols stated the would like to attend.
Kenny Vosholler questioned how board members that are absent from Quarterly Board meetings report to their LUC’s. Discussion was held, but cut short due to the fire alarm going off.
Meeting adjourned at 12:22 p.m. due to a fire alarm.