HomeMy WebLinkAboutOC Soil & Water minutes 120314ORANGE SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
BOARD MEETING
Environment & Agricultural Center, Hillsborough, NC
December 3, 2014
Board Members Present: Chris Hogan, Karen McAdams, Clay Parker, Morris
Shambley and Roger Tate.
Employees in Attendance: Brent Bogue, Gail Hughes, Lisa Pope Kenny Ray, Todd
Roberts, and Division Employee, Ralston James. Guest Speaker: New Hanover SWCD
Chairman, Bill Hart (CLAP).
Chairman, C. Hogan, called the meeting to order at 9:45 a.m., immediately following
Christmas Breakfast.
October 22, 2014 Minutes were approved as submitted. M. Shambley moved for
approval, R. Tate seconded.
Community Conservation Assistance Program (CLAP)
G. Hughes discussed unencumbered funds; she currently has a waiting list of landowners
who need CCAP funds and are waiting for them.
G. Hughes requested job approval authority for back yard rain gardens from the Division
of Soil and Water. She has completed three (3) backyard rain garden designs which is a
requirement for job approval authority for Back Yard Rain Garden Design and
Installation. K. McAdams moved to approve; C. Parker seconded. Next month, G.
Hughes, will send designs and other paperwork for the S &W Commission for approval.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Update
NRCS District Conservationist, B. Bogue, reported that Farm Bill information for the
year has begun to "roll out ". It has been reported that approximately $4 million will be
cut. Hopefully no offices will be closed due to budget cuts.
Farm Bill meetings were held at Schley Grange Hall on November 10th to familiarize
local farmers /landowners on the new Farm Bill Regulations, farm plans, programs
offered, etc. B. Bogue updated the staff and board on the importance of having farmers
complete their 1026's; being sure they have crops listed for insurance purposes. Dropping
farms or picking up farms must be noted by FSA due to subsidy insurance requirements.
N.C. Ag Cost Share Program (N.C. ACSP)
T. Roberts and K. Ray discussed the following ACSP Contracts /Request for Payments:
➢ M. Shambley — 68- 2015 -004: 13.0 acres 41 month sod based rotation cost share
totaling $2,275. R. Tate moved to approve, C. Parker seconded.
➢ M. Shambley — 68- 2105 -006: 5.51 acres 41 month sod based rotation totaling
$964.00. C. Parker moved to approve; K. McAdams seconded.
PLEASE NOTE: M. Shambley abstained from the vote for the two above contracts.
Taylor Fish Farm Update: Installation has begun, NCACSP staff reported. Pump
installed. Electrical installation is forthcoming. Completion date is ASAP.
Staff members, Ray and Roberts, presented to the Board the NCDA New District
Master Agreements for Matching Funds and Technical Assistant Funds. The
completed contract is due to the Division by March 31, 2015. Chairman, C. Hogan, has
authority to sign contract on behalf of board. M. Shambley moved to approve, K.
McAdams seconded.
The Division of S &W Secondary Employment Policy and Procedures document was
discussed with the Board. M. Shambley moved to approve; C. Parker seconded.
Master Agreement was approved. M. Shambley moved to adopt and approve agreement
as proposed by the NCASWCD Commission; C. Parker seconded.
Education Update
— First Annual Blueberry Plant Sale is slated for February 7, 2015. Proceeds of
sale will be used to support OSWCD Ed Outreach Programs. See L. Pope for
details of sale.
— Farm to Table Two Day Event was a big success with over 500+ local 4th graders
in attendance. G. Hughes & L. Pope presented educational programs.
— Earth Walk: "Wetlands are Wonderful!" Presentations made by Hughes /Pope to
Stanback and Stanford Middle School 7 t grade students
— Poster, Essay & Speech Contests are underway. Speech Contest will be held
tomorrow in the Food Lab. Receiving posters from a variety of grades. Winners
Reception is TBA.
— Pope updated board on her NC Environmental Education Certification. Board
approved for her to attend a free Project WILD workshop with overnight travel
on November 5. C. Parker moved to approve travel and hotel costs (hotel $77.97
with tax) from the travel expense account; R. Tate seconded.
— Hughes met with AP Earth Environmental Science high school students for a two
day stream restoration class.
— This past year, OSWCD educators, Hughes and Pope, have presented
environmental education programs to over 1,000+ students.
Budget
L. Pope distributed information on current account balances and expenditures.
NACD Dues were voted upon. K. McAdams moved to approve $775 from Dues
Account; C. Parker seconded.
Pope requested the Board to consider reimbursing C. Hogan for numerous travels to
district office from his home. On behalf of the board, Chairman C. Hogan, attended
Local Working Group Meeting on September 10; met with DEAPR Director and
miscellaneous meetings with staff to discuss work related issues. M. Shambley approved
to reimburse C. Hogan from the Matching Grant Funds; C. Parker seconded.
Miscellaneous Discussion
Pope reminded Board members of the upcoming NCASWCD Annual Meeting in
Greensboro in January, 2015.
C. Hogan discussed his decision to seek the NCASWCD Second Vice President position.
K. McAdams made a motion that the Board compose a letter of support for Hogan; M.
Shambley seconded. L. Pope will handle necessary arrangements for support letter.
New Hanover SWCD Chairman, Bill Hart, met with the board today to request their
support of the CCAP Program which may be in jeopardy at this time. After some
discussion, Mr. Hart requested that the Orange SWCD Board of Supervisors attend
CCAP Committee Meeting at the Annual Meeting next month.
With no further discussion, meeting was adjourned. Minutes prepared by L. Pope.
UIR
Morris Shambley, Secretary /Treasurer