July 2007 Meeting Minutes

PACD Executive Council Annual Meeting
Hilton Scranton and Conference Center
July 18, 2007

Call to Order
PACD President Victor Cappucci called the meeting to order at 9:03 am, and welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Roll Call
PACD Secretary George Hildenbrandt called the roll. There were 35 districts present, which constituted a quorum.

Minutes of the Preceding Meeting
PACD Secretary George Hildenbrandt presented the minutes from January 19, 2007, for correction and approval.

It was moved by Bob Robinson and seconded by Mike Lovegreen to approve the minutes from January 19, 2007. Motion carried.

Reports of Officers

President's Report - Victor Cappucci
PACD President Victor Cappucci presented the following report.

• Victor noted that the input of conservation districts counts, and encouraged everyone to attend PACD statewide meetings, region meetings, and particularly PACD Executive Council meetings.
  
• Victor thanked the partnership, and the PACD staff. He said that he has spoken with directors and staff from around the country, and he can confidently say that PACD staff lead state associations around the nation. Victor said that Brenda Shambaugh has her finger on the pulse of the legislature, and that everything at the PACD office is done professionally.
  
• Victor mentioned each member of the PACD staff individually, including each of the TAG engineers. He commented on the hard work of many people that contributed to planning the 2007 PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference, and thanked the PACD North East region districts for hosting the meeting.

NACD Director's Report - Patricia Sueck
NACD Director Patricia Sueck presented the following report.

• She attended or will attend the following meetings:
  • PACD Winter Meeting in State College, PA, January 17-19, 2007
  • NACD Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, CA, February 2-8, 2007
  • NACD Bylaws Task Force in Columbus, OH, April 19-21, 2007
  • NACD Bylaws Task Force in Indianapolis, IN, June 20-22, 2007
  • NE Region Meeting in Mystic, CT, August 5-8, 2007
  • NACD Annual Meeting in Reno, NV, February 9-13, 2008
    
• She participated in many conference calls (five for PACD and thirteen for NACD).
• NACD is coordinating conference calls with representatives from each state. One has already taken place for Pennsylvania, but participation was not as great as expected. The NACD officers have a goal of talking with representatives from each state, and another conference call may be scheduled for the coming year.
  
• NACD is going to have an online store of goods for sale. The NACD board has contracted with the FFA to assist with marketing and producing goods for sale. Stewardship materials have all been available online for some time. (Pat noted that Susan Schultz, NACD Stewardship and Education Coordinator, is doing fabulous work with the stewardship program.)
• Pat explained that NACD committees are to be restructured. There will be five 'foundation committees' to include: NACD Operations and Member Service; Legislative; Stewardship and Education; and Natural Resources Policy. Each NACD board member will serve on at least one committee.

• Pat said that NACD is initiating a plan to refurbish NACD headquarters in Washington DC and will be looking to the states for support.

Executive Director's Report - Susan Fox Marquart
PACD Executive Director Susan Marquart presented highlights from her written report.

• Susan said that Brenda Shambaugh has been doing more and more for PACD and the districts with regard to legislative funding policy.
  
• She noted that the budget just passed yesterday, and that districts didn't get all of the money we wanted. She said that obtaining state funding gets harder every year. PACD wants to concentrate on dedicated funding, and there are other groups that want to work with us, such as the PA Farm Bureau and the PA Environmental Council.
  
• SB 1020 was recently reintroduced. PACD worked hard to get that negotiated and reintroduced. What we have is very close to what we wanted and will keep members informed as things continue to move forward.
  
• PACD has provided representation for districts at many meetings and advisory groups. PACD committee meetings have taken place via conference call to save PACD and the districts travel time and money.
  
• Susan and Brenda have represented PACD and the districts at many nutrient trading grant meetings. Susan noted that there is a new nutrient trading page on the PACD website at www.pacd.org.
  
• PACD has continued to administer the mini-grant program. A new round of grants was just announced.
  
• The PACD website continues to attract a great deal of use. Staff are maintaining the PACD listserves, which continue to be very popular, and are producing the PACD newsletter on a monthly basis and the PACD Front Page weekly.
  
• PACD continues to administer a number of grants.
  
• Susan said that her primary message for this meeting is that it is time for a paradigm shift - a new way of thinking. The districts and PACD have been very dependent on state and federal money and grants. However, times are changing. The world is changing. The money that used to be so available from the state and federal government is disappearing, and the districts are going to have to look for other means of obtaining funding. Susan reminded attendees of Bradford Conservation District's Opening Session presentation, which described some of the ways that their district has found opportunities to build relationships with their community. Bradford is a sixth class county, and has more staff than most of the other districts in the state. Another example is the relationship that the Westmoreland Conservation District built with their county commissioners. The commissioners know that the district can provide them with the services that their constituents are asking for, so they give the district the support that it needs. Conservation Districts cannot rely only on state and federal money; districts need to come up with other avenues of funding.
  
• Susan mentioned that there is a new subcommittee of the PACD Operations Committee that is charged with examining the long term future and viability of the conservation districts and PACD. The districts and PACD need to ask ourselves, "What is our future?" "Where are we going?" We are entities of the state government, but can we continue to look to the state to fund us? PACD needs to know what the districts want, the districts need to be present to tell us what it is that the districts want and need. We need district assistance in determining PACD priorities. How are we going to come up with money to lobby for the many legislative issues that we need to accomplish for the districts? Susan said that it is important that district representatives serve on the long-range planning subcommittee. What kind of services will PACD be providing in the future? How will the association be funded? These are questions that should involve the districts.

Note from the floor: PACD should be involved with more statewide environmental (and other) organizations. Susan responded that we are currently working with the PA Environmental Council, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and other organizations, but we can do more. She also noted that the PA Builder's Association is interested in working with us on nutrient trading.

Treasurer's Report
PACD Treasurer Porter Duvall pledged to donate $100 to the PACD Endowment Fund and challenged everyone present to match him. He then presented the treasurer's report for FY 2006-07.

Questions from the floor:

• Why did we receive less rental income than expected? Porter responded that we currently have no tenant.
  
• What is the difference between the Chesapeake Bay grant and 319 grant? It was explained that both have mini-grant components, but one is specifically for counties in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
  
• What money is covering nutrient trading activities? Susan Marquart explained that PACD currently has a grant through the Chesapeake Bay Commission and a Growing Greener grant for nutrient trading.
  
• What does the $7200 for NACD activities cover? It was explained that this includes PACD dues to NACD, as well as expenses for the NACD Director to attend various NACD meetings.

It was moved by Don Baker (Mifflin) and seconded by Harold Kulp (Chester) to approve the treasurer's report for FY 2006-07. Motion carried.

Reports of PACD Committees

PACD Education and Outreach Committee
Josh Longmore, Acting PACD Education and Outreach Committee Chair, reported that the committee met Tuesday, July 17, at 6:30 pm and addressed the following:

• Approval of minutes from the last meeting
  
• Action plans for strategic goals relating to a marketing tool-kit for districts and conservation district environmental educators
  
  • The committee is recommending a change to the wording of the environmental educator goal, which will be brought for a vote later in the meeting. The committee will be sending a survey out to districts to gather information about their environmental education programs.
    
  • The committee identified some members for the Environmental Education Subcommittee. The marketing tool-kit subcommittee is in need of additional members.
    
• The inclusion of environmental education in the federal "No Child Left Behind" program
  
  • Instead of supporting the addition of environmental education to the specific act, the committee decided to generally support including such language in state and federal legislation.

PACD Legislative Committee
Larry Kehl, PACD Legislative Committee Chair, reported that the committee addressed the following:

• SB 1020, which was introduced to amend Act 217
  
  • What has been introduced is very close to what PACD has been asking for. PACD will continue to work with the legislature as the bill moves through the legislative process.
    
• Action plans for strategic goals regarding dedicated funding and government relations and policy
  
  • The committee suggested a change to the action plan for the government relations and policy goal, which will be presented for approval later in the meeting.
    
• The PACD Appropriations Request
  
  • The report will be presented for approval later in the meeting.
    
• State legislative update
  
• Support for legislation providing a revolving loan program for dam and flood control projects
  
  • Currently proposed legislation authorizes up to 150,000 for dam repair and flood control projects.
    
• Dedicated funding options for districts
  
  • The committee is forwarding a proposal to put a surcharge on fertilizer. PDA currently has a fertilizer surcharge. PACD is working with the PA Farm Bureau on this, and they have sent this proposal to the county level for review. We will need their support if we decide move forward with this plan.
    
• Federal legislative update

PACD Conservation Committee
Bob Ritchey, PACD Conservation Committee Chair, announced that he will donate $150 to the PACD Endowment Fund and challenged everyone present to match him. He reported that the only action item from his committee, which will be brought forward for voting later in the meeting, is a policy on federal Department of Energy (DOE) transmission lines through Pennsylvania.

PACD Ways and Means Committee
Porter Duvall, PACD Ways and Means Committee Chair, presented the following report.

• The committee is still looking for ways to raise money. It has set its top three priorities, with the PACD Capital Fund being priority one. The committee would like to see a balance of $35,000 in the fund, which currently holds a balance of $19,000.
  
• The second priority is to eliminate the association's mortgage debt.
  
• The PACD Endowment Fund is the third priority.
  
• Porter explained that the committee will continue to look at long-term sustainability, and will continue to work on finding non-dues sources of unrestricted funding.
  
• Porter announced that NACD has requested $5,000 from each state to assist in refurbishing the NACD headquarters in Washington, DC. The committee has reviewed the request from NACD and is asking each district to donate or raise $100 to come up with the $5,000 from Pennsylvania.

PACD District Employees Committee
Don McNutt, PACD District Employees Committee Chair, reported that the committee addressed the following:

• Salary and benefits ranges for district employees
  
  • This has been a major project, and Don said he expects to have information from forty or more districts by the time the project is complete. Information will be summarized in a number of ways (high, low and medium ranges, by PACD region, by county class) and will then be distributed to each district manager and board chair.
    
• Training Coordination Steering Committee update
  
• Usage of the Individual Development Plans (IDPs) by conservation district staff
  
• Review of action plans
  
  • The committee reviewed action plans for the PACD strategic goal related to conservation district staff training, and for the District Employees Committee goal of tracking salary and benefits ranges.
    
• Report from the National Association of Conservation District Employees (NACDE)
  
  • Dan Greig presented an update on behalf of NACDE.
    
• PACD Conservation District Employee Excellence Award
  
  • The committee discussed ways to publicize this award, and to encourage more submissions, as no nominations were received for 2007.

PACD Operations Committee
Irvil Kear, PACD Operations Committee Chair, reported that the committee addressed the following, some of which would come before the Council for voting later in the meeting:

• Long-Range Planning Subcommittee
  
  • The committee discussed the need for additional members for this subcommittee.
    
• Motions from PACD committees
  
  • A number of motions from other PACD committees will come forward for voting later in the meeting. Many of these were reviewed during the relevant committee report.
    
• Proposed PACD operational policy
  
  • A new PACD operational policy is being proposed that would deny certain products and services to those districts that are not in good standing.
    
• PACD Appropriations Request for FY 2008-09
  
  • The PACD Appropriation Request for FY 2008-09 will come to the council for a vote later in the meeting.
    
• Update on the 2008 PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference
  
• Resolution from Somerset Conservation District
  
  • Somerset Conservation District submitted a resolution asking PACD to enter into a cooperative agreement with DEP to establish an AMD Abatement Technical Assistance Program.
    
• Recommendations from the PACD Bylaws Review Committee
  
• Irvil asked about those districts that are not here and those districts that have not paid their dues. How can we get them excited and involved with PACD?
  
• Irvil noted that the committee system works, and agreed with Susan Marquart's assertion that it is time for a paradigm shift. She expressed hope that the Long Range Planning Subcommittee will be able to address this in their deliberations.

New Business

Motions and Resolutions from PACD Committees

PACD Education and Outreach Committee

1. Environmental Education Policy Statement

Environmental Education is often not included in state and federal legislative acts. This policy statement is intended to help to rectify this regular omission.

It was moved by Josh Longmore and seconded by Porter Duvall to approve the following policy statement:

PACD supports the inclusion of "Environmental Education" in state and federal legislative acts.

Motion carried.

2. Strategic Action Plan for PACD Strategic Planning Goal #2

The PACD Education and Outreach Committee would like to change the wording for PACD Strategic Planning Goal #2, relating to environmental educators/education.

It was moved by Josh Longmore and seconded by Porter Duvall to approve the following updated version of PACD Strategic Planning Goal #2:

By December 2007, PACD will develop a product to help define the scope of conservation district education programs.

Motion carried.

PACD Legislative Committee

1. Revision to SB 1020

The PACD Legislative Committee proposed that PACD pursue a specific revision to SB 1020 (the bill revising Act 217).

It was moved by Larry Kehl (Berks) and seconded by Don Baker (Mifflin) to approve the following proposed revision to the current version of SB 1020:

That PACD request that the practice of engineering be added to the end of Section 9 (19) on Page 19 of SB 1020 (Printer's Number 1278).

Motion carried.

2. Action Plan for PACD Strategic Planning Goal #7

The Legislative Committee requested that the goal date on PACD Strategic Planning Goal #7, relating to government relations and policy, be changed from July 2007 to December 2008.

It was moved by Larry Kehl (Berks) and seconded by Sam Worley (Franklin) to approve the following updated version of PACD Strategic Planning Goal #7:

By December 2008, PACD will expand the organizations role in government relations and policy; PACD will continue PACD Capitol Day with increased legislator and conservation district participation

Motion carried.

3. Flood Control Revolving Loan Program

This legislation provides a revolving loan program for dam and flood control projects. It authorizes up to 150,000 for dam repair and flood control projects, and results (at least in part) from recent problems with flood control in the Northeast US. The House Environmental Resources Committee asked PACD if our members are interested in supporting the bill.

It was moved by Larry Kehl (Berks) and seconded by MaryAnn Warren (Susquehanna) to adopt the following policy statement:

That PACD supports legislation to institute a flood control revolving loan program.

Motion carried.

4. Dedicated Funding Surcharge on Fertilizer

One of the PACD priorities continues to be finding a dedicated funding source for the CDFAP. One idea that surfaced during the PACD Fees Subcommittee meeting was a surcharge on all fertilizer bought and sold in PA.

It was explained that there is no specific amount set at this point. PACD is working with the PA Farm Bureau to see if this idea meets with their support, which will be needed if it is to succeed. This policy is needed to provide a basis for PACD staff to move forward.

It was moved by Larry Kehl (Berks) and seconded by Jack Tressler (Somerset) to adopt the following policy statement:

PACD will pursue a surcharge on all bought and sold fertilizer in PA to supplement the CDFAP. This surcharge should be an addition to current state and county funding levels for conservation district activities.

Motion carried.

PACD Conservation Committee

Policies on DOE Transmission Lines Through PA

The U.S. Department of Energy issued a preliminary decision to create a Mid-Atlantic National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor. The proposed corridor designation will allow new interstate high voltage lines across 50 counties in Pennsylvania through new federal eminent domain powers. According to the PA Land Trust Association, unless action is taken by elected officials, the siting process threatens to be harmful to PA. The PA House and Senate each passed resolutions opposing the designation of the corridor and memorializing the Congress of the United States to repeal or modify certain provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by Drew Gilchrist (Montgomery) to approve the following policy statement:

PACD supports a Congressional legislative initiative intended to create additional time and expanded public input for comprehensive research on the Mid-Atlantic Electric Transmission Corridor. Specifically, PACD requests that Congress consider viable non-transmission options including any responsible energy resource planning process, and energy conservation, especially given the potential to deliver energy resources faster, more economically, with lesser environmental degradation and with greater public acceptance.

Motion carried.

Discussion: If we have not actually reviewed the proposals for this project, perhaps we should do that first. Background: There is legislation that has been passed in the PA House and the Senate that is similar to the policy position that was just approved, indicating that further research should be done prior to moving ahead to the corridor. The idea behind this particular motion is that if further review is not allowed, then we do not support the corridor.

Comment from the floor: Chester County has been struggling with a similar issue relating to the pipeline. This issue, relating to eminent domain, is going to continue to come up. PACD should take a position on this issue.

It was moved by Bob Ritchey and seconded by Porter Duvall to approve the following policy statement:

PACD opposes the Mid-Atlantic Electric Transmission Corridor.

Motion failed.

PACD Ways and Means Committee
No motions were presented.

PACD District Employees Committee
No motions were presented.

PACD Operations Committee

Election of Officers
Ron Rohall, Chair of the Nominating Committee, presented the following slate of candidates:

President: Larry Kehl, Berks
First Vice President: Irvil Kear, Schuylkill
Second Vice President: MaryAnn Warren, Susquehanna
Secretary: Drew Gilchrist, Montgomery
Treasurer: Patricia Powley, Dauphin

Victor opened up the floor for additional nominations for President.

It was moved by Don Baker (Mifflin) and seconded by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) to close nominations for PACD President. Motion carried.

Victor Cappucci opened up the floor for additional nominations for First Vice President.

It was moved by Paul Lohin (Schuylkill) and seconded by George Hildenbrandt (Centre) to close nominations for PACD First Vice President. Motion carried.

Victor Cappucci opened up the floor for additional nominations for Second Vice President.

It was moved by Porter Duvall (Jefferson) and seconded by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) to close nominations for PACD Second Vice President. Motion carried.

Victor Cappucci opened up the floor for additional nominations for Secretary.

It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by George Hildenbrandt (Centre) to close nominations for PACD Secretary. Motion carried.

Victor Cappucci opened up the floor for additional nominations for Treasurer.

It was moved by Bob Robinson (Wyoming) and seconded by Jack Tressler (Somerset) to close nominations for PACD Treasurer. Motion carried.

Victor announced the new slate of PACD officers:

President: Larry Kehl, Berks
First Vice President: Irvil Kear, Schuylkill
Second Vice President: MaryAnn Warren, Susquehanna
Secretary: Drew Gilchrist, Montgomery
Treasurer: Patricia Powley, Dauphin

Changes to PACD Bylaws
Detailed descriptions of the proposed changes to the bylaws were provided to the delegate body.

It was moved by Irvil Kear (Schuylkill) and seconded by Jack Tressler (Somerset) to change the NACD Director to a non-voting member. Motion carried.

It was moved by Irvil Kear (Schuylkill) and seconded by Mike Lovegreen (Bradford) to change voting on the PACD Executive Board so that each conservation district represented on the Executive Board will have only one vote. Motion carried.

It was moved by Irvil Kear (Schuylkill) and seconded by Josh Longmore (Luzerne) to clarify that the voting delegate for each district be determined in descending order of preference at all PACD meetings where voting is conducted. Motion carried.

It was moved by Irvil Kear (Schuylkill) and seconded by John Torok (Potter) to reduce the number of PACD regions from seven to six, eliminating the Central Region and moving conservation districts from that region to other regions. Motion carried.

It was moved by Irvil Kear (Schuylkill) and seconded by John Torok (Potter) to change the quorum for PACD region meetings to a simple majority of the conservation districts in good standing in the region. Motion carried.

It was moved by Irvil Kear (Schuylkill) and seconded by Cheryl Brobst (Columbia) to adopt a change to the bylaws clarifying that the Order of Business is specifically for PACD Executive Council meetings, and adding the Executive Director's Report and Reports from Partner Organizations as new items of business. Motion carried.

It was moved by Irvil Kear (Schuylkill) and seconded by Sam Worley (Franklin) to change the bylaws to reflect that: a committee may elect a vice-chairperson from the appointed members of the committee; committee members will serve two-year terms with the ability to be re-appointed; committee members' terms will begin on the first day of January, with half of the committee being appointed each year; the Executive Board may remove a committee member or committee chairperson for missing three consecutive committee meetings. Motion carried.

It was moved by Irvil Kear (Schuylkill) and seconded by Jack Tressler (Somerset) to change Article XIV of the PACD bylaws to include all members of the Executive Board, rather than just officers. Motion carried.

It was moved by Irvil Kear (Schuylkill) and seconded by Mike Hollabaugh (Clearfield) to add a Conflict of Interest section to the PACD bylaws. Motion carried.

AMD Abatement Technical Assistance Program
Somerset Conservation District submitted a resolution asking PACD to enter into a cooperative agreement with DEP to establish an AMD Abatement Technical Assistance Program. This resolution went through the PACD Operations Committee to Executive Council. Copies of the resolution were provided to the delegate body.

It was moved by Jack Tressler (Somerset) and seconded by Porter Duvall (Jefferson) to adopt the following policy statement:

The Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts enters into a cooperative agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to establish an Abandoned Mine Drainage (AMD) Abatement Technical Assistance Program. Funding drawn from the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) fund will be distributed to the districts and other local organizations in order to design and engineer on the ground AMD abatement projects through a grant process created and overseen by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

Motion carried.

It was suggested that AMD and AML be spelled out. This was done.

PACD Policies - Update to PACD Policy Handbook
Copies of the policies were provided to the delegate body. Susan Marquart explained that these policies were each approved at previous meetings of the PACD Executive Council. They require final approval at a PACD Annual Meeting in order to be included in the PACD Policy Handbook.

It was moved by Jack Tressler (Somerset) and seconded by Don Baker (Mifflin) to approve the inclusion of the following updates in the PACD Policy Handbook. Motion carried.

1. The following policy will be placed in the PACD Policy Handbook under Section IV. LEGISLATIVE, subsection A. State, policy number 4.

• PACD supports legislation to exempt landowners from liability if they invite individuals onto their land for recreational purposes. (2007)

2. The following policy will be placed in the PACD Policy Handbook under Section VII. CONSERVATION, subsection J. Forestry, policy number 17.

• PACD supports the concept of forester licensing/registration as promoted by the PA Council of Professional Foresters. (2007)

3. The following policy will be placed in the PACD Policy Handbook under Section VII. CONSERVATION, subsection C. Roadway Construction and Stabilization, policy number 8.

• PACD encourages a written Letter of Understanding (LOU) be developed between the State Conservation Commission, the PA Department of Environmental Protection, Conservation Districts, and the PA Turnpike Commission concerning E&S projects. (2007)

4. The following policy will be placed in the PACD Policy Handbook under Section VII. CONSERVATION, subsection C. Roadway Construction and Stabilization.

• PACD encourages a review and renewal of the current LOU between the PA Department of Transportation, the State Conservation Commission, the PA Department of Environmental Protection, and conservation districts concerning E&S projects. (2007)

(This policy will replace existing policy number 3 in the same section (Section VII. CONSERVATION, subsection C. Roadway Construction and Stabilization):

PACD supports the update of the MOU between PA DOT, PA DEP, and the conservation districts to improve communications between conservation districts and PA DOT. Stormwater problems resulting from state rights-of-way can only be solved or avoided with constant communication and support between conservation districts and PA DOT offices.)

PACD Appropriation Request for FY 2008-09
Susan Marquart presented the PACD Appropriation Request for FY 2008-2009, copies of which were provided to the delegates. She explained that PACD intends to make some changes to the request, including combining the totals for manager, first and second technicians in the table; changing "Resource Conservationist" to "Technician;" and including the new 2007-2008 allocations approved by the SCC at their meeting yesterday (July 17, 2007). She explained the priorities outlined in the document in detail and asked the council to make any changes to the priorities as they saw fit.

It was moved by George Hildenbrandt (Centre) and seconded by LeRoy Gross (Erie) to approve the PACD Appropriation Request for FY 2008-2009, with necessary changes. Motion carried.

Action Plans for the New PACD Strategic Goals
The action plans for the new PACD Strategic Goals were provided to the delegates. Amendments to PACD Strategic Planning Goal #2 and #7 were included in the PACD Operations Committee minutes, which were provided to the delegates for their review. These changes were:

Goal #2: By December 2007, PACD will develop a product to help define the scope of conservation district education programs.

Goal #7: By December 2008, PACD will expand the organizations role in government relations and policy; PACD will continue PACD Capitol Day with increased legislator and conservation district participation

It was moved by Mike Lovegreen and seconded by Jack Tressler (Somerset) to approve the PACD Strategic Goal Action Plans as amended. Motion carried.

Proposed PACD Budget and Dues for FY 2007-08
Copies of the proposed PACD Budget and Dues for FY 2007-08 were provided to delegates for their review. Victor Cappucci reminded the Council that passing the budget, which includes a dues increase, also approves the dues increase.

It was moved by Porter Duvall (Jefferson) and seconded by John Torok (Potter) to approve the PACD budget. Motion carried.

Question from the floor: Why is there an increased amount of money under marketing? This increased amount is for development of the marketing tool-kit for districts, as directed by the PACD Strategic Plan Goal #8.

Proposed PACD Operational Policy
Copies of the proposed PACD Operational Policy were provided to council members for their review.

It was moved by Jack Tressler (Somerset) and seconded by Sam Worley (Franklin) to approve the proposed PACD Operational Policy.

Comments and discussion: Cutting off communication is counter-productive. We should keep lines of communication open - this may be even more important in the case of districts who are not paying dues and are not participating. They are still a part of the conservation district family. Representing sixty-six districts is a strong message in dealing with legislators and we should actively support all sixty-six districts in Pennsylvania. We have to do something to differentiate between districts in good standing and not in good standing, but perhaps cutting off lines of communication is not the way to do this.

It was moved by Mike Lovegreen and seconded by Jack Tressler to amend the original motion so that PACD members not in good standing be excluded from member benefits with the exception of those that are related to communication. Motion carried.

The original motion as amended was put to the vote. Motion carried.

SCC Report - Karl Brown, Executive Secretary, SCC
Karl Brown, SCC Executive Secretary, presented the following report.

• Karl thanked directors and staff for being at the meeting, and noted that it is important that everyone be present at Executive Council meetings, so that they can take part in discussion and debate, as this makes the community stronger.
  
• Karl thanked the PACD staff for putting on the conference, and the PACD North East Region districts. He noted that NRCS has been a presence at the meeting and said that we appreciate their presence and interaction. He thanked Victor Cappucci for helping to keep PACD meetings upbeat.
  
• Karl noted that the Pennsylvania conservation partnership is facing some challenges and some opportunities. Challenges include making a paradigm shift. It is time to think outside the box. Things are changing, and districts are changing, moving, evolving. Karl said that changing relationships is the key, and noted that this takes time, energy and the desire to create change. He stressed the importance of communication, between districts and PACD, between individual districts, between all of the conservation partners, and with legislators. Karl noted that Pennsylvania has a unique capacity within its districts. He noted that sometimes the challenges districts face seem to overshadow what they have to offer and what they accomplish, but Pennsylvania is a powerhouse. Karl said that it is time to plan for the future, thinking beyond state and federal funding. Program diversity and self-reliance will define districts in the future, and independence will bring benefits to the districts.
  
• Karl also discussed opportunities facing districts, including the proposed changes to Act 217. He said that a great deal of work has gone into these changes, and a great deal remains to be done. He said that everyone must think about what is in the best interest of the partnership as a whole. Other opportunities include REAP, which Karl said was sitting on the Governor's desk as he spoke. He said that this legislation represents thinking outside the box. The SCC will be relying on districts for help as this program develops. Karl encouraged districts to work with DEP staff on Chapter 102. He asked districts to communicate their needs as clearly as possible. Karl noted that there are many opportunities coming up with regard to stormwater, where many things are happening. He noted that much of what is being done now consists of stop-gap measures, and said that comprehensive solutions are needed. He mentioned changes to the CDFAP and statements of policy, which the SCC is working on. Karl said that a year of transition is coming up, and noted that the good news is that the money is in the Conservation District Fund; the SCC is just trying to make it flow more smoothly. The process is under construction. Karl also noted that the Farm Bill is coming up, which will offer many opportunities for districts.

NRCS Report - Gary Smith, Assistant State Conservationist, NRCS
Gary Smith, Assistant State Conservationist for NRCS, presented the following report.

• Times are changing and NRCS is dealing with change on a constant basis. NRCS is looking forward to the changes that will come with the new Farm Bill.
  
• Pennsylvania is looking to get back to the basics with some good solid conservation planning, which will require a shift away from program work. In 2008 priority will be given to those who have an updated conservation plan. NRCS will also be putting emphasis on comprehensive nutrient management planning. The EQIP process is now a two-step process. They have been working with Doug Goodlander with the SCC to come up with this new process. If they focus on getting the work done, the variances between the programs will iron out.
  
• There will be a Cooperative Soil Survey Meeting on September 26, 2007. If you use the soil survey and/or are interested, please contact Ed White and place this date on your calendar.
  
• The Pennsylvania Association of RC&D Councils is hosting a meeting of the Mid-Atlantic RC&D Council September 17-19, 2007 in Grantville, PA.
  
• Gary thanked the district staff and directors for all that they do. He said that he cannot emphasize enough how important communication is, and said that communication is most important when things are the busiest, which is when it tends to fall by the wayside.

PACD Auxiliary Report - Sharon Sweitzer, PACD Auxiliary President
PACD Auxiliary President Sharon Sweitzer presented the following report.

• The Auxiliary raffle made around $500.
  
• The Auxiliary met at the Lackawanna Historical Society on July 16, 2007, after a lovely walking tour of downtown Scranton. During the meeting, officers were elected.
  
• PACD Auxiliary Officers:
  
  • President: Sharon Sweitzer, York
    
  • First Vice President: Nancy Mankamyer, Somerset
    
  • Secretary: Pat Brown, Erie
    
  • Treasurer: Sandy Dehoff, York
    
• The Auxiliary bank accounts will be overseen by PACD staff.
  
• Sharon judged the NACD poster contest in Harrisburg. Five winning posters will go to National contest, along with a certificate and check for each of the five students.
  
• The PACD Auxiliary Scholarship was awarded to Thomas Dakin, a Junior at West Chester University who is majoring in environmental health.
  
• PA will be participating in the NACD national quilt project in Reno, NV, and Auxiliary representatives will be attending the NACD NE Regional Meeting to lend assistance and participate in Auxiliary activities.
  
• Sharon thanked everyone for their continued support of the Memorial Breakfast service.

Adjournment

Victor Cappucci challenged each director to bring one new person with them to each region meeting and statewide meeting. He then turned the gavel over to Larry Kehl, as new PACD President.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 am.