September Quarterly Board Meeting
BOARD MEETING
September 11, 2007
Onyx/Opal Room
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
Jerry Snodgrass, Area I VP
Darrell Roegge, Area II VP
John Beckhart, Area III VP
Norbert Rider, Area IV VP
Phil Fossler, Council 1
Terry Bogner, Council 2
Lee Bunting, Council 3
Larry Sterett, Council 4
Van Bitner, Council 5
Vacant, Council 6
Jim Bell, Council 7
David McCormick, 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
James Singer, Council 16
Richard Nichols, AISWCD
Erin Pate, AISWCD
Stacy Stremsterfer, AISWCD
Jim Nelson, AISWCD
Sarah Dillman, AISWCD
President Terry Davis called the meeting to order at 8:28 a.m.
Secretary Aaron Ferguson took roll call.
Approval of Agenda
Terry Davis stated he wished to add building report, letter from RC & D, employee contracts, code of ethics, and CPP allowances under New Business. Darrell Roegge made a motion to approve the agenda with additions of building report, letter from RC & D, employee contracts, code of ethics, and CPP allowances to New Business, Larry Sterett seconded the motion, MCVV.
Partner Reports
IDOA
Steve Chard reported AISWCD displayed very positively at the Farm Progress Show for ICCI and that Rollie Spaniol and Rich Nichols participated in a press conference at the event. Steve stated ISWCDEA Co-Chair, Josh Joseph, attended a LIKA show and discussed wetlands and did a great job. Steve informed the board the State FY 2008 budget was still not complete and IDOA was waiting to hear from the Governor’s office on final numbers. Steve stated there was still C-2000 funds, 2006 bond funds, 1.4 CPP for 2007, and 2 million bond funds for 2007 that needed to be spent. He asked directors to work with landowners to get their district funds spent.
Steve reported planning for winter training was going well and he thanked ISWCDEA for their hard work on the training program.
Steve reported Enbridge Pipeline, a crude oil pipeline, and Rockies Express, a natural gas pipeline, were being constructed in Illinois. The pipeline companies were working with IDOA to ensure agricultural land that is crossed during construction would be returned to the original condition after construction was complete.
Steve also reported he was working with Mike Rahe and Rich Nichols to plan a NASCA meeting to be held in Springfield in October.
Steve explained the C-2000 program now had a special projects category for districts and the deadline would be September 15, 2007.
Steve remembered the anniversary of September 11, 2001 and explained agriterrorism was still a concern and asked members of the board to keep alert for anything suspicious. Discussion was held on pipeline safety.
Terry Davis stated IDOA Director Chuck Hartke was asking for nominees to serve on the Fertilizer’s Education and Research Council.
FSA
Absent, no written report submitted.
IDNR
Absent, no written report submitted.
ISWCDEA
Annyce Winters reported short and long term disability benefits had created some confusion as to how the products worked, but after speaking with Terry Davis a letter of explanation was sent to districts explain the insurance. Annyce stated everyone enjoyed Summer Conference and Erin Pate did a wonderful job.
ISWCDEA was preparing and planning winter training; Annyce asked for ideas for winter training to be brought to the ISWCDEA.
NCDEA
President Cindy Moon reported she attended Legislative Conference held in July in Washington, D.C. NCDEA addressed the board of directors, and the group co-sponsored the legislative reception, which was a success. Cindy stated the National Partnership Leaders would hold a meeting in October that Cindy planned to attend. Cindy also planned to attend the NACD Southwest region meeting where she was scheduled to be the luncheon speaker. Cindy stated there would be a new NCDEA website. Cindy was planning NCDEA’s fourth annual bus tour that would occur during NACD’s annual meeting.
NACD
Voting Delegate Terry Davis stated the nine AISWCD representatives who attended the NACD Legislative Conference in Washington D.C. in July did an effective job talking with legislators. He stated NACD decided to no longer separate budgets and employees by region. Terry reported NACD had fourteen employees.
IEPA
Dick Breckenridge stated IEPA had a press conference at Farm Progress Show that discussed Pool II of the ICCI program. Dick stated at the close of Pool II $250,000 in payments had bent sent to landowners and Pool III would close September 14, 2007 and last minute applications were coming in. Dick reminded the board that farmers can make a difference in the battle against global warming. Dick reported there might be an opportunity for landowners with small tracts to enroll their land in the ICCI program and donate the funds to the AISWCD Foundation. Dick stated more information on that possible endeavor would be available at December Quarterly Board.
Terry Davis stated IEPA presented an award to AISWCD at the Ag Day Luncheon held during the Illinois State Fair. Terry asked Dick to take a photo with the award for all his work on the ICCI program.
NRCS
Terry Davis welcomes Acting State Conservationist, James Johnson. James stated he was filling in for Bill Gradle, who is in Washington D.C. James informed the board Bill would return in late September and he would return to Mississippi. James reported NRCS was working with the old farm bill until the new one was complete which was not anticipated until late fall. James asked for members to encourage landowners to come by soil and water conservation district offices to sign up for resource management plans. James stated anyone interested in a EQIP program next year is encouraged to enroll as soon as possible. Terry Davis thanked James for filling in for Bill.
Committee Reports
Executive Committee
Terry reported discussion included the NASCA meeting, the VermiComposting Symposium, which will generate between $300-$500 in revenue for helping with registration, Summer Conference, disability insurance, the meeting date for Mid-Executive conference call, the building, the state budget, and ICCI.
Forestry
Darrell Roegge reported the Summer Conference session had been well attended. Darrell introduces Dave McCormick as a new board member. Terry stated the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) had recently changed forestry protocols and AISWCD could no longer verify forestry contracts, but AISWCD and the forestry committee were working on a solution.
Auxiliary
Marie Bunting thanked AISWCD for their donation of the auction proceeds. Marie stated Summer Conference activites were well attended by spouses and children. Marie met with Auxiliary the previous day and the theme for the 2008 Stewardship Week is “Water is Life.” Marie stated the Auxiliary received a donation in memory of Bonnie Besse, from AISWCD and the group has discussed purchasing two rocking chairs and a fountain for the AISWCD office.
Terry Davis thanked the Auxiliary for the work they do.
Insurance Committee
Debbie Holsapple reported the Insurance Committee had been very busy with short and long term disability insurance. At the time 55 districts had enrolled in the short term disability, all of which were employer paid. Debbie stated the enrollment deadline had been extended until December 31, 2007. Debbie reported district turnover had decreased. The payroll audit had been completed in order to determine workman’s compensation premium for September 1, 2006-August 31, 2007 and $7,780,000 in payroll had been processed by the districts. Debbie stated policies and procedures were designed for districts regarding health insurance and the committee was designing policies and procedures for the short term disability insurance. Debbie also reported she had completed her contract with AISWCD and was under budget on contracted hours.
Terry stated he had a new contract for Marion County with up to 600 hours included for Debbie’s time spent administrating the insurance account in the amount of $13,000. The funds are taken out of the insurance account. Norbert Rider made a motion to approve the contract with Marion County SWCD for administration of the SWCD Insurance account, seconded by Jerry Snodgrass, MCVV.
Focus Area Committee
Communication
Chairman John Beckhart was absent. Lee Bunting reported he chaired the meeting. Lee stated the radio spots were discussed. Lee stated the committee approved a conference call to be held for all AISWCD board members two weeks prior to board meetings in order for LUC representatives to have the information to report to the councils at the meetings. Lee stated discussion was held on ICCI verification MOU’s with districts, a motion was made and passed by the Communications FAC to pursue the project with Illinois Channel and grants to support the project. Summer Conference was discussed and the poor attendance at the expo area.
Education
Chairman Jerry Snodgrass reported director training had been discussed. Charla Coombe gave a report on Canon Envirothon which she attended in Stacy Stremsterfer’s absence. Larry Sterett made a motion to approve the formation of the Wateruse Taskforce to be led by Jim Nelson, seconded by Kenny Vosholler, MCVV.
Financial
Rollie Spaniol asked the members to examine the balance sheet dated 9.7.07. Rollie stated there is a new item, the Funds Held item and explained the balance of Funds Held and mortgage. Rollie explained the maintenance account and that payoff of the building will be in 2022. Rollie felt that the budget was right on schedule to break even. The big expenses were over for the year, and the expenses would decrease for the remainder of the year. Kenny raised a question about the maintenance account and the how the line item did not reflect $200 being deposited each month, Sarah Dillman explained both times with the mortgages the over funds were deposited into WSB. Rollie asked for approval of report. Emery Oesch made a motion to approve the financial report, seconded Larry Sterret, MCVV.
The meeting recessed at 10:00 a.m. The meeting was called back to order at 10:17 a.m by President Terry Davis.
ISWCDEA
Annyce thanked AISWCD for the donation to ISWCDEA from auction proceeds.
Financial (Continued)
Rollie Spaniol stated the committee approved $7,000 in expenses to send ten attendees to the NACD Annual Meeting in February including two staff persons, Rich Nichols, and the two NACD delegates with trips fully funded, and pay for registration only for five board members and approved $650 to send Cindy Moon, Lee Bunting seconded the motion, MCVV. The registration cost is $495 per person. Jerry Snodgrass expressed interest in attending and Cindy Moon thanked AISWCD for the scholarship for her to attend the meeting. Terry added the staff members are rotated each year to gain the experience for their counterparts across the country.
Legislative
Jim Todd reported Resolution 2007-3 had resulted in a new Taskforce being formed. Steven Black volunteered to chair the taskforce with Lee Bunting and Rich Nichols serving on the committee. Larry Sterett made a motion to approve the formation of the Resolution 2007-3 Taskforce, seconded by Lee Bunting, MCVV.
Jerry Snodgrass made a motion to approve the formation of a taskforce to examine Resolution 2007-4 (Redirect NPDES permit fees to IEPA) with Jim Todd, Rich Nichols, Jim Nelson, and Shannon Allen serving on the committee, seconded by Lee Bunting, MCVV.
A legislative report was handed out from Mike Hoffman who reported to Jim Todd that the districts’ work with legislators produced the additional funds in the current budget and he reminder the board to keep in contact with their legislators.
Lee Bunting made a motion to award Frank Watson with the Legislator of the Year award, seconded by Kenny Vosholler, MCVV. The award will be presented at the 2008 Legislative Event.
Jim Todd stated Memorandum of Agreement had been developed for AISWCD and districts regarding ICCI verification procedures. Rollie made a motion to accept the MOA’s with the amendment to strike the word “without” and send to districts, seconded by Don Beisiegel, MCVV.
Lee Bunting requested AISWCD investigate the Attorney General’s office to see if districts could use their staff for legal questions. Jim Todd asked Rich to look into the matter.
Rich Nichols stated he had spoken to Karen Steele in regards to Resolution 2007-5 and she agreed to be on retainer for no cost with a fee of $60 per hour for services to districts. Norbert Rider made a motion to secure Karen Steele for legal help, seconded by Don Beisiegel, MCVV.
Kenny Vosholler asked why lobbyist Mike Hoffman was not in attendance at the meeting since he is an employee of AISWCD. Jim Todd stated he would do his best to have him in attendance for the December Quarterly Board meeting.
Planning
Aaron Ferguson stated the Annual Meeting Taskforce met but had not reached a decision on the location of the 2008 Annual Meeting.
Urban
Norbert Rider stated Jim Nelson had reported to the committee a decision would be reached by the end of the week if the grant AISWCD had applied for through the Grand Victorian Foundation would be accepted. Jim Nelson stated a Taskforce had been formed to examine Wateruse Planning.
Executive Director Report
Rich Nichols stated page 85 in the quarterly board packet contained his report. He stated he had attended Ag Day at the Illinois State Fair, and the Farm Progress Show. Agreements had been submitted for a carbon credit specialist, NRCS agreement, and the MOA for ICCI verification with districts. Rich stated the Chicago Climate Exchange had revised eligibility practices for the ICCI program and hayed grassland and pasture grassland established after 1999 were eligible for enrollment in the ICCI program. Questions were raised about the carbon credit specialist and the purpose of the position, Rich explained the person would be an AISWCD employee and would work with CCX, the Delta Institute, and districts on the ICCI program.
Area Vice President Reports
Area I
Jerry Snodgrass stated he had no report.
Area II
Darrell Roegge stated he had no report.
Area III
John Beckhart was absent and did not submit a written report.
Area IV
Norbert Rider presented a letter to Terry Davis regarding Pope-Hardin County SWCD. Pope-Hardin submitted a partial dues payment in the amount of $500 for FY 2007, and the board decided they did not qualify as a member due to the partial payment. Norbert stated LUC 14 wrote the letter asking the AISWCD board to consider completing and sending employee name badges to the district. Discussion was held. Lee Bunting made a motion to charge $100 per name badge, payable in advance, for badges for Pope-Hardin County SWCD, seconded by Jerry Snodgrass. Annyce Winters stated the board decides if dues will be made not employees, and do not punish employees for their boards’ decisions. Discussion was held. Annyce asked on behalf of ISWCDEA to provide the employees with the badges, further discussion was held. Vote taken on motion, MCVV.
Approval of Minutes
Darrell Roegge made a motion to accept the Mid-Executive Conference call minutes with an amendment to show Jim Todd as present, not absent, seconded by Larry Sterett, MCVV.
Old Business
NACD Summer Meeting
Terry Davis stated the Financial Focus Area Committee discussed the NACD Annual meeting. Terry stated the Summer Legislative Conference was the event where more attendees would benefit AISWCD more.
Summer Conference
Terry stated feedback from attendees showed the 2007 Summer Conference to be one the of best conference is a few years. Attendees enjoyed the conference and there were no major complaints about the event. Terry thanked the Annual Planning Committee on a great meeting. Discussion was held.
New Business
Written Reports
Emery Oesch made a motion to accept the written reports, seconded by Don Beisiegel, MCVV.
Resolutions
2007-1
Terry stated the board needed to act upon the resolution since it was passed by the voting delegate body at the Annual Meeting. Rich stated the letter had been sent. Norbert Rider made a motion for the AISWCD board to be responsible for the actions needed for Resolution 2007-1, seconded by James Singer, MCVV.
2007-2
Terry stated the Education FAC had formed a taskforce to deal with the resolution.
2007-3
Terry stated the Legislative FAC had formed a taskforce to deal with the resolution.
2007-4
Terry said the Legislative FAC formed a taskforce to examine the resolution.
2007-5
Karen Steele was contacted and the board made a motion earlier in the meeting to utilize her.
Building Report
Terry asked the board members to look at the handouts of the proposed building sign. Don Beisiegel made a motion to approve the sign as shown in the handouts and have the sign installed at the AISWCD office location, seconded by Larry Sterett, MCVV.
Terry stated AISWCD staff was working on the landscaping and the pervious driveway. Ken Kesler offered a $200 donation to be used for a flag pole installation at the office. Terry stated LICA might help construct a pond on the building site.
Letter
Terry explained a letter had been received from the president of the Illinois RC & D’s and the letter was concerning because of the use of SWCD’s name in the letter. Terry presented a proposed letter stating AISWCD did not agree with the Mr. Gonzalez’s letter. Rollie Spaniol made a motion to approve the proposed letter, seconded by Larry Sterett, MCVV.
Code of Ethics
Terry stated the codes of ethics were designed to go into an employee handbook. The proposed codes of ethics were handed out. Discussion was held. Rollie Spaniol made a motion to approve the proposed code of ethics, seconded by Larry Sterett, MCVV.
Employee Contracts
Terry handed out a generic employee contract to the board. Rich asked the board to consider offering short term disability insurance to AISWCD employees. Debbie Holsapple stated life insurance, long term disability insurance, and the short term disability insurance were offered with The Standard Insurance Company, and AISWCD employees were allowed the benefits. Lee Bunting made a motion to investigate joining the Standard Insurance Company for employees as additional benefits to the employee, Terry amended the motion to state if there were cost savings to pursue the insurance, Kenny Vosholler seconded, MCVV. Discussion was held. Norbert Rider made a motion to amend the employee contract to state the amount of life insurance as $25,000, to reflect the current amount of benefit to employees, seconded by Phil Fossler, MCVV.
CPP Allowances
Terry stated three districts would not receive CPP allowances for FY 2008 due to unspent CPP funds in FY 2006 and FY 2007. Terry stated the districts had not approached AISWCD for assistance with the unspent funds. Terry stated IDOA might not pay operations funds to the districts if they continue to not spend the CPP funds allocated. Terry asked for direction on how to help districts spend the funds without telling them how to operate their district. Discussion was held. Aaron Ferguson recommended sending a letter to the districts stating operations cuts could occur in the future but did not want AISWCD to over step the organizational bounds. Jerry Snodgrass made a motion for Terry to write a letter to the districts with possible outcomes of not spending the CPP funds, seconded by Don Beisiegel, MCVV.
Terry Davis stated IDOA had relayed to AISWCD district employees were receiving too much in salary. Terry felt it was important to pay employees a good salary as it was recommended by the Turnover Taskforce. Terry asked the board to determine criteria for how much is too much for employee salaries. Discussion was held.
Kenny asked about absent board members and how to communicate with them so they can report to their LUC on what occurred at the Quarterly Board Meetings. Discussion was held.
Adjournment
Darrell Roegge made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Larry Sterett, MCVV.