DRAFT MINUTES

CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Frank W. Bratt Ag Center, Jamestown, NY 14701

District Board of Directors' Regular Meeting

January 18, 2001

 

I.  MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: 1:30 P.M.

    A.  Present:

         David Sturges - Chairman     Debra Kelley - Secretary

         Robert Thompson - Co-Chair   David Wilson - Manager

         Fred Croscut - Director     Rob Halbohm - NRCS

         Robert Anderson - Director   Leon Beightol - Treasurer

 

II. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING:

MOTION by Beightol seconded by Croscut to approve the minutes of the December meeting.Carried.

 

III.TREASURER'S REPORT:

    MOTION by Croscut seconded by Anderson to accept the Treasurer's report     and pay current bills. Carried.

    A.  The following bills were approved for payment:

              SEE ATTACHED

 

IV. CORRESPONDENCE - none

 

V.  REPORTS:

    A.  Other Agencies

    B.  Committees

C.State Committee - Fred Croscut

There are some now committees that are being formed and they are looking for volunteers to serve on them. The new committees are the Urban Committee, Environmental Committee and Communications Committee.

    D.  District Conservationist - Rob Halbohm

              1.  CAFO Survey - done by the State Dept. of Ag & Markets The survey show total number of CAFO’s, if they have designated a planner and if the planner is a private planner. See attached map.

              2.  French Creek Farm Bill Meeting - The Nature Conservancy sponsored a meeting of the Watershed Management Group in Sherman. The topic for the meeting was to discuss how they would like to see the Farm Bill change when they write the new Farm Bill. Susan McAlpine will be attending the meetings on the Farm Bill and wanted to know what the groups thoughts were on the subject.

3. TMDL’s in Chautauqua County -The DEC has put out a schedule for the development of TMDL’s across New York State (See Attachment). They have listed the priority

water basins and given a time table on when they would be doing a review.


District Minutes                                                   Page 2.

District Conservationist (cont.)

 

              4.  Dewey Pit - We have the design back from the Consulting Engineer John Schenne. He has addressed the issues of concern that we had when we reviewed it last time. I will be reviewing it again and then it will be up to District to put it out for bid. MOTION by Thompson seconded by Anderson to bid the manure pit upon Robs approval. Carried!

    EB. District Field Manager - David Wilson

         1.  Trees & Shrubs - We have 25 orders for trees and shrubs at this time. We have sent the press release out to the newspapers and radio stations.

         2.  Envirothon - We will be holding a workshop (training session) for the Envirothon on February 21, 2001 at the Ashville BOCES. It will start at 8:45 AM and end at 1:30 PM. We have one new school this year which is Dunkirk High School, they have participated before. The Envirothon will be held May 2nd here at the Ag Center.

         3.  Legislative Day - Is scheduled for February 27, 2001. We will leave on Monday and return on Tuesday. MOTION by Croscut seconded by Beightol for staff and directors to attend and reimburse them for expenses. Carried!

         4.  Falconer Rotary Club - I gave a talk today for the Club, it was an early breakfast meeting at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. After the talk Jack Henderson approached me about doing a talk for the Methodist Mens Club on Sunday morning, so I will be doing that talk as well.

         5.  Pole Building - I have talked with Ken Bockman from the county about the possibility of building a pole barn here at the Ag Center. I have submitted some drawings and maps for them to review and then it will have to go in front of the Airport Commission.

    F.  District Secretary

         1.  Annual Financial Report to the State Committee and the State Comptroller. - I have not completed my report at this time, but I hope to have it completed by the end of the month. I will contact Leon when it is done, so he can come up to review and sign them.

 

VI. OLD BUSINESS

    A.  District Budget - Fred Croscut reported that he has talked with Richard Alexander regarding the District Budget. Alexander told Fred that he would be funding the Budget increase of 2% for the year 2001. We have received the contract with the County for the District Budget. It does not have the 2% increase in it. David Wilson called the IDA and asked about it. They told him that they

would make an addendum to the contract and for us to go ahead and sign the contract and send it back to the Law Department, so it


District Minutes                                                   Page 3.

 

would not hold up our appropriation. MOTION by Beightol seconded by Anderson to sign the contract with the understanding that an addendum will be made for the additional 2% of appropriations.

    B.  Appointments to the Board - The letters requesting the appointments have been mailed and we are waiting to hear from the County.

    C.  Hydro Seeder - David Wilson made his recommendations to the Board for the purchase of a Hydro Seeder. MOTION by Beightol seconded by Thompson to award the bid to Merritt Seed for a Finn Hydro Seeder. Carried!

    D.  Water Quality Technician - MOTION by Croscut seconded by Thompson to set the starting pay for the Water Quality Technician Position at a GS 4 - Step 4. Carried!

 

VII.NEW BUSINESS

A. 2001 Water Quality Symposium / Annual Training Session - March 13 - 16, 2000 at the Holiday Inn in Auburn. MOTION by Beightol seconded by Croscut for staff and directors to attend the training and reimburse them for expenses. Carried!

    B.  Annual Plan of Work - Tabled

    C.  Long Range Plan of Work - Tabled

    D.  Election of Officers - Tabled

    E.  2000 Cooperator of the Year - Goodyear Report - Tabled

    F.  Committee Assignments - Tabled

    G.  Review Policies - Tabled

    H.  Review Rental Fees - Equipment & Services for 2001 - Tabled

    I.  Review Pay Prior to Approval List - MOTION by Thompson seconded by Anderson to approve the Pay Prior to Approval List as presented. Carried!

    J.  Personnel Appraisals - Tabled

    K.  New York State Association Conservation District - Pay Dues - Tabled

VIII. RC&D

IX. WATER QUALITY

X.  COOPERATORS - none

XI. NEXT MEETING - Thursday, March 1, 2001, 1:15 P.M. at the Frank W. Bratt Ag Center

XII.Meeting Adjourned

MOTION by Beightol seconded by Thompson to adjourn at 3:00 P.M. Carried!

Respectfully Submitted,


 

Debra A. Kelley 

Secretary 

David J. Sturges

Chairman