HomeMy WebLinkAboutOC Soil & Water minutes 091014BOARD MINUTES
ORANGE SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Environment & Agricultural Building, Hillsborough
Supervisors Present:
Chris Hogan, Chairman
Morris Shambley, Treasurer
Roger Tate, Supervisor
Clay Parker, Supervisor
September 10, 2014
Others Present:
Brent Bogue, NRCS
Gail Hughes, Soil Con
Lisa Pope, Admin. Asst.
Kenny Ray, Soil Con
Todd Roberts, Soil Con
Ralston James, NCDA -DSW
Chairman, C. Hogan, called the meeting to order at 7:33 p.m.
August 6, 2014 Minutes were reviewed and approved as submitted. M. Shambley moved for
approval, R. Tate seconded.
Cost Share Program (N.C. ACSP)
The Board entered into a closed session to discuss the contractual details of NCACSP Contract
Number: 68- 2013 - 004 —Valee Taylor /Taylor Fish Farm. Staff members were asked to update the
Board on the details of contract.
Closed session ended after a brief discussion regarding contractual details of Taylor Fish Farm;
meeting was then re- opened. C. Hogan welcomed Ms. Renee Stewart, representative for V.
Taylor and business partner in Taylor Fish Farm. Ms. Stewart met with the Board to request an
extension on Contract 68- 2013 -004 (Waste Irrigation System). She explained to the Board that
"Taylor Fish Farm would like to go forward in getting irrigation system in, weather permitting in
October if the Board will consider granting extension ".
Chairman, C. Hogan responded to Ms. Stewart by stating "The Board has made the best effort to
support Taylor Fish Farms and their endeavors ". Ms. Stewart stated that she fully understood
that the price of the waste irrigation system had recently gone up in price and that Taylor Fish
Farms would be responsible for 75% of cost - sharing (up to a maximum cap of $25,000 in cost
share assistance as set by the Board in years past). Ms. Stewart expressed her appreciation and
consideration in her request on behalf of Taylor Fish Farm.
Staff members recommended to the Board that Contract 68 -2013- 004 /Taylor's Fish Farm be
extended for another six (6) months to allow Taylor Fish Farm to complete a minimum one third
of the contracted waste application system by March 12, 2015.
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R. Tate moved to accept staff recommendations and extend contract; C. Parker seconded. The
Board voted that this motion also include a certified letter to Taylor Fish Farm that specifically
stated, with explicit details, the conditions of the extension.
T. Roberts and K. Ray submitted the following ACSP REQUEST FOR PAYMENT:
Bill Lee — 68- 2014 -004: Long Term No Till totaling $2,269. (CS) M. Shambley moved
to approve; C. Parker seconded.
NCACSP Applications and Contracts
❖ Gene Williams: Stream Protection totaling $16,388. (II Funds) Ranking: 520
❖ Larry Anderson: Grassed Waterways /Field Border totaling $5,119. (CS) Ranking: 470
❖ Mike Hall: G. Waterways $903. (CS) Ranking: 445
❖ Carlton Parker: Sod Based Rotation $1,101. (CS) Ranking: 395
❖ Patrick Purcell: Sod Based Rotation $2,415.(CS) Ranking: 395
C. Parker moved to approve above mentioned applications; R. Tate seconded.
R. Tate moved to approve above mentioned contracts; C. Parker seconded.
PLEASE NOTE - The following supervisors (below) abstained from voting on their personal
contracts /applications. Contract and application were voted on separately. Motions and seconds
were done respectively as shown below:
❖ Roger Tate: G. Waterways /F. Border $3,327. (CS) Ranking: 470.
C. Parker moved to approve; M. Shambley seconded.
❖ Morris Shambley (J. Berry Property): Sod Base Rotation $2,275. (CS) Ranking: 460
R. Tate moved to approve; C. Parker seconded.
❖ Morris Shambley (Apple Property): Sod Based Rotation $210. (CS) Ranking: 435
C. Parker moved to approve; R. Tate seconded.
❖ Morris Shambley (Lewis Property): Sod Based Rotation $784. (CS) Ranking: 395
R. Tate moved to approve; C. Parker seconded.
The District voted to keep the cost share percentages for all contracts at 75 %. M. Shambley made
a motion to leave cost share at 75 %; R. Tate seconded motion.
T. Roberts and K. Ray reported that they have received the District Cost Share allocation of
$69,087 and Impaired /Impacted allocation of $15,610. totaling $84,697.
Staff discussed new Master Agreement between the District, the NCASWCD Commission, the
Division of Soil and Water and NCDA. This contractual agreement is forthcoming. Once the
agreement is signed and executed, technical assistance funds of $51,000; Operating Funds of
$2,520 and Matching Grant Funds of $3,600. can be requested.
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The Technical Review Committee (TRC) will be discussing with the Commission the new
prescribed grazing standard. This has been discussed at previous meetings pertaining to the
County's Dairy Farm operated by Patrick Purcell.
Community Conservation Assistance Program (CLAP)
G. Hughes updated the Board on the following details:
✓ 2014 -15 CCAP funds received from the Division is $6,593.
✓ Due to large percentage of funds not used across the state, the NCASWCD Commission
voted on a new policy that Districts will voluntarily return unused funds by December 1st
✓ Possible reallocation to counties that request funding in January, 2015.
Contracts and Application Approvals:
➢ 502 - Orange County Schools — Cameron Park Elementary: Rain garden & critical
seeding totaling $2,468. Ranking: 165 pts. M. Shambley moved to approve; C. Parker
seconded.
➢ 503 - Town Of Hillsborough: Riparian Buffer totaling $1,500. Ranking: 145 pts. M.
Shambley moved to approve, C. Parker seconded.
➢ 504 - Stanley Hughes — Well Closure totaling $750. Ranking: 105 pts. M. Shambley
moved to approve; C. Parker.
➢ 505- Hsieh Showchein: Well Closure totaling $375. Ranking: 105 pts. M. Shambley
moved to approve, C. Parker seconded.
➢ 506 — Sim Efland Heirs: Well Closure totaling $1,500. Ranking: 105 pts. M.
Shambley moved to approve; C. Parker seconded.
Total of the above contracts is $6,593 (Please note that these contracts are good estimates.
Working on final costs). If amounts change, G. Hughes will update the Board on the amounts at
the October board meeting.
Voluntary Ag Program: G. Hughes reported on the newest VAD applications including details
of VAD signs & posts that have been ordered. Funds for signs were approved by the OC BOCC.
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
B. Bogue reported that it is the end of the federal fiscal year. He is working to complete and
wrap up contracts by the end of the month.
B. Bogue discussed Conservation Plans. A percentage of conservation plans in Orange County
are required to be reviewed; Brent is currently working on this. The purpose of the review is to
confirm that farmers and landowners are "still doing what the Farm Bill asked them to do."
Bogue reminded the Board that Conservation Plans are still required to be kept current. Staff is
required to work with landowners to update their plans if they want to apply for ANY program
(federal or state funds). HEL /WC determination requests can be made with Farm Service
Agency (FSA). With the new Farm Bill, FSA will be looking at this more carefully. Bogue
asked that the Board be mindful of this procedure and to please spread the word to land owners
and farmers that they come in contact with.
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B. Bogue needs to schedule a Local Working Group Meeting. He asked the Board if they had a
certain date in mind. It was determined to hold the meeting on September 29 in the DEAPR
Conference room to discuss resource concerns and to determine needs and priorities for the
upcoming fiscal year. Local and state questions and concerns will be addressed.
Educational Update
Farm To Table: This year's educational outreach program will be held at the Blackwood Farm
on October 2 -3. Lisa and Gail are involved in assisting the DEAPR Educational /Programming
Team with this event as well as serving as resource presenters.
N.C. State Fair: As a member of the State Fair Committee, Lisa asked the Board to volunteer
for this year's event. Supervisor, K. McAdams expressed an interest and desire to help Gail and
Lisa on October 21.
L. Pope requested approval to attend "Project Wild" Course on November 5; a required course
that is needed for her N.C. Environmental Education Certification. There is no charge for the 8
hour workshop. L. Pope will research costs of hotel room and provide cost to the Board at next
meeting. R.Tate made a motion for L. Pope to attend; C. Parker seconded.
L. Pope will be sending out "Wetlands are Wonderful" Contest info to teachers and schools. She
will present this topic to 450 4th grade students & teachers on October 2 -3 at Farm to Table event
at Blackwood Farm. Gail and Lisa will present this topic again at 7th Grade Earth Walk's in
October. This should gain some interest in contests. If teachers /students show little interest in
participating, the board voted to once again extend the $25 incentive (for classroom supplies) to
the first 8 teachers who have students enter posters, essays or speeches. R. Tate moved to
approve $25 incentive fee, if needed. Morris seconded. The Board agreed to pay up to $200
from NC Matching Grant Funds for up to eight (8) "first come —first serve" teachers, if needed.
Budget
G. Hughes discussed Budget. L. Pope provided the Board with current account balances.
M. Shambley moved to approve $550 payment for insurance coverage on No Till Drill from Due
to Soil & Water Account; C. Parker seconded.
Division of Soil & Water /NCDA Update
Division Regional Coordinator, Ralston James, encouraged the Board of Supervisors to attend
the upcoming Area III Fall Meeting in Caswell County on November 6th. R. James reported that
the Association By Laws and Articles have not been revised in a while. More information on
these changes are forthcoming. Please be sure to attend fall meeting.
R. James expressed his desire to be with the OSWCD Board & Staff at all board meetings but
has not been able to as he is experiencing a heavy work load with 34 counties to cover since
Steve Bennett has retired. New Regional Coordinator is to be hired soon.
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R. James reminded the Board of their need for approval of reappointed board members. C.
Parker agreed to remain on the Orange SWCD Board. The Board then voted to accept C.
Parker's reappointment. R. Tate moved to accept reappointment; M. Shambley seconded. L.
Pope will remit the necessary paperwork to the Division.
With no further discussion, meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m. Board then entered into closed
Executive Session.
By: Morris Shambley, Secretary /Treasurer