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January 2006 Meeting Minutes
PACD Executive Council
Ramada Inn, State College, PA
January 20, 2006
Call to Order (Cappucci)
PACD President Victor Cappucci called the meeting to order.
Roll Call (Hildenbrandt)
PACD Secretary George Hildenbrandt called the roll. There were 40 counties
present, which represented a quorum.
PACD President Victor Cappucci introduced Sherisa Brammer, Parliamentarian
for the meeting.
Minutes of the Preceding Meeting (Hildenbrandt)
PACD Secretary George Hildenbrandt presented the minutes from the July
27, 2005 PACD Executive Council Annual Meeting for review.
The following correction was made: On Page 3 of 7, under the report
of PACD Legislative Committee "Steve Irvin" should be changed
to "Steve Urban."
It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by Don Bowser
(Fayette) to accept the corrected minutes from the July 27, 2005 PACD
Executive Council Annual Meeting. Motion carried.
Reports of Officers
President's Report (Cappucci)
PACD President Victor Cappucci thanked the district directors and staff,
cooperating agency representatives, the PACD Executive Board and the
PACD Staff for all of their support and hard work. He then presented
the following report:
- Victor attended the NACD NE Region Meeting in Teaneck New Jersey
in early August, where he learned much about the scope of state associations.
- He recruited chairs for the six newly organized PACD committees.
Montgomery County.
- He attended the North East Region Meeting at the Pike County Conservation
District office.
- On October 6, 2005, Victor chaired Act 217 committee, normally chaired
by Larry Kehl.
- On his behalf, Susan Marquart attended a dinner at the Governor's
mansion honoring Mary Ruth Wagner and other conservation leaders.
- Victor attended the North West Region Meeting in Jefferson County.
- On October 10, he provided input at the Seeds of Change listening
session on the new farm bill.
- On October 13, he attended the North Central Region Meeting in Williamsport.
- October 20, he attended a PA Municipal Authority Association meeting
about nutrient trading.
- On October 21, he attended the SCC Meeting in Harrisburg.
- On October 24, he attended the South Central Region Meeting in Dauphin
County.
- On November 1, Victor attended a meeting of the PACD Executive Board
in Harrisburg to appoint committee members.
- He attended the PA Farm Bureau President's Luncheon in Hershey,
PA on November 15, 2005.
- He chaired the NACD/PACD planning meeting in Centre County on November
18, 2005.
- He met with DEP and NRCS in Harrisburg to review funding for the
PACD Engineering Assistance Program on December 14, 2005.
- Victor met with engineers from the PACD Engineering Assistance Program
on December 10, 2005 in Penn State to review needs and accomplishments.
Susan Marquart announced that the planning committee for the NACD NE
Region Meeting and PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference in July is looking
to raise at least $15,000 in sponsorships for the meeting. The committee
is also looking for donations of food items for hospitality, small give-away
items for welcome packets, and items for the Silent Auction. Information
will be going out to the districts and to a list of organizations and
companies that might be interested in sponsoring the meeting. Susan
asked that anyone with leads on businesses or organizations that might
be interested in sponsoring the meeting please forward these to the
PACD office.
NACD Director's Report (Sueck)
NACD Director Patricia Sueck presented the following highlights from
her written report.
- The NACD North East Region work plan is in progress, which will
set goals and priorities for the North East Region.
- Brief surveys were mailed to every district. Hopefully districts
have completed and returned the surveys. The North East region wants
to pool resources so that the region can speak to it's legislators
with one voice.
- Pat urged districts to order and take advantage of the NACD stewardship
materials. The theme for this year is "Water Wise." Stewardship
Week is April 30 to May 7, 2006.
- The NACD Legislative Conference is scheduled for March 26 to 29,
2006 in Washington, DC. Pat urged districts to attend.
- NACD has a fund to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina. One
hundred percent of these funds will be distributed among the presidents
of the three states most affected by the hurricane. The fund has a
current balance of approximately $22,000 and continues to grow.
Susan Marquart noted that she will be sure to continue to forward Pat's
reports to the District Managers and Directors listserves.
Executive Director's Report (Marquart)
PACD Executive Director Susan Fox Marquart introduced the new PACD Government
Relations/Policy Specialist, Brenda Shambaugh, who will be assisting
with important policy and government relations issues on the hill and
elsewhere. She then thanked everyone for coming to Executive Council
and presented highlights from her written report.
- Susan and Brenda have been focusing on budget requests to get more
money for districts.
- They are also working on nutrient trading, and will be communicating
with districts to find out what role districts would like to play
related to nutrient trading.
- PACD is organizing a new PACD Capitol Day on March 13, 2006, where
we will have a legislative luncheon. Each state legislator has been
invited to the luncheon. Attendees will be seated with legislators
by county.
Treasurer's Report (Duvall)
PACD Treasurer Porter Duvall presented the Treasurer's Report for the
period of July 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005.
It was moved by Porter Duvall (Jefferson) and seconded by Harold
Kulp (Chester) to accept the Treasurer's Report for the period of July
1, 2005 to December 31, 2005. Motion carried.
Presentation of 2004-2005 PACD Audit (Tammy Specht, Specht &
Company)
PACD Auditor Tammy Specht of Specht & Company presented the PACD
audited financial statements for the period of July 1, 2004 to June
30, 2005.
Reports of Committees:
PACD Education and Outreach Committee Report
PACD Education and Outreach Committee Chair Heather Knupsky presented
the report for the committee.
During their meeting on January 19, 2006, the committee:
- Developed fourteen new policy positions and submitted them to the
Operations Committee to go to Executive Council.
- Discussed marketing tools.
- Discussed dedicated funding for Environmental Education coordinators
and Watershed Specialists.
- Made plans to inventory current tools and to ask NACD to present
any marketing tools they might have for districts during the committee's
next meeting in July.
PACD Legislative Committee Report
PACD Legislative Committee Chair Larry Kehl presented the report for
the committee.
During their meeting on January 19, 2006, the committee:
- Was introduced to new PACD Government Relations/ Policy Specialist,
Brenda Shambaugh.
- Received an update on PACD Capitol Day on March 13, 2006.
- Reviewed and forwarded a Draft Position Paper on Act 217 to the
Operations Committee to go to Executive Council.
- Reviewed new draft policy positions and passed selected policies
on to the Operations Committee to go to Executive Council.
- Received a state legislative update and a federal legislative update.
- Received a briefing on the current legislative environment from
Brenda Shambaugh. Larry asked Brenda to give a brief recap, which
follows:
- Pennsylvania is in the middle of a two year legislative session.
If we want to move forward with the legislature on amending Act
217, the time is now. If PACD moves on Act 217 recommendations
now, we will have a year to work on it with the legislature, whereas
if we wait until July, we will have very few legislative days
to work with the legislature. In addition, many advocates for
Pennsylvania agriculture in the legislature are not running for
re-election. If we wait, we will likely not have the strong support
we have now in the legislature. Currently, legislators are looking
to back positive legislation such as this, legislation that will
reflect well on them. The window of opportunity to move on Act
217 is this spring. If we do not take advantage of this opportunity
now, we will probably not have the opportunity later.
PACD Conservation Committee Report
PACD Conservation Committee Chair Bob Ritchey presented the report for
the committee.
During their meeting on January 18, 2006, the committee:
- Reviewed existing policy statements that will go to Operations
and Executive Council in July.
- Moved some new policy statements on to the operations committee.
- Discussed and moved on the Pennsylvania Farmer Package policy statement.
- Discussed and moved on the Manure Hauler Regulation policy statement.
- Discussed and moved on the Nutrient and Sediment Trading policy
statement.
- Discussed and tabled the Stormwater Act policy statement.
- Discussed and moved on writing a letter to the No-Till Alliance
indicating support for No-Till practices.
PACD Ways and Means Committee Report
PACD Ways and Means Committee Chair Porter Duvall presented the report
for the committee.
During their meeting on January 18, 2006, the committee:
- Created an Endowment Fund sub-committee chaired by Sam Worley from
Franklin Conservation District. The recommendations and language will
be reviewed by the attorneys and will then go to the Executive Board.
- On behalf of Sam Worley, Chair of the Endowment Fund subcommittee,
Porter asked that the districts consider making a contribution to
the PACD Endowment Fund on behalf of or in honor of any director that
has passed away or left the district.
- Discussed fundraising, including how to use Act 217 to raise more
funds for the districts.
- Discussed and set some priorities: pay off mortgage on PACD headquarters,
increase non-restricted funds, increase principal amounts, solicit
grants to reduce PACD meeting expenses. These priorities will be forwarded
to the PACD Executive Board.
- Discussed dues. PACD would like the PACD Region Directors to help
market PACD to those counties who are unable or unwilling to pay PACD
dues.
PACD District Employees Committee Report
PACD District Employees Committee Chair Don McNutt presented the report.
During their meeting on January 19, 2006, the committee:
- Reviewed PACD policies related to District Employees;
- Received a report from training subcommittee;
- Discussed Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control
(CPESC) training;
- Discussed the NACDE Representative and NACDE dues;
- Discussed Hurricane Katrina Relief;
- Discussed Chapter 102 and 105 Training; and
- Discussed the District Employees Committee Listserve.
Don noted that the District Employees Committee is seeking a Pennsylvania
representative to the Northeast Association of Conservation District
Employees.
PACD Operations Committee Report
PACD Operations Committee Chair Irvil Kear presented the report.
During their meeting on January 19, 2006, the committee:
- Received a July 2006 meeting planning update;
- Reviewed and updated old PACD policies;
- Reviewed resolutions from the PACD Executive Board;
- Reviewed changes to the PACD Articles of Incorporation ;
- Reviewed a Leadership Development LOU;
- Reviewed changes to the PACD Awards Program; and
- Addressed resolutions from other PACD Committees.
Irvil noted that a number of items were forwarded to the PACD Executive
Council for approval, and these items will be addressed under New Business.
Old and Unfinished Business
No old or unfinished business was presented.
New Business
Motions and Resolutions
Resolutions from PACD Executive Board
The resolution to amend the PACD Articles of Incorporation to include
the presented statement of dissolution was put to the vote. Motion carried.
- Changes to PACD Awards Program
The PACD Executive Board presented an analysis of the PACD Awards
Program and Poster Contest to the Executive Council.
It was proposed by Ron Rohall (Westmoreland) and seconded by
Jack Tressler (Somerset) to amend the proposal to say that counties
who wish to continue the poster contest on a local level can do
so. PACD will facilitate the transfer of those posters for judging
at the national level. Motion carried.
It was moved by Malcolm Crooks (Bucks) and seconded by David
Collura (Allegheny) to amend the program to include a Legislator
of the Year award. Nominations will come from the conservation districts
to be judged by the Executive Board. Motion carried.
The amended motion was put to the vote. Motion carried.
- Leadership Development Letter of Understanding
It was moved by LeRoy Gross (Erie) and seconded by Jack Tressler
(Somerset) to accept the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development
Committee Letter of Understanding, with the addition of the paragraph
stating "The PACD Executive Board will appoint the PACD representative
to the Building for Tomorrow Leadership Development Committee. PACD
recommends that the State Conservation Commission be asked to appoint
the other four conservation district representatives (two District
Directors and two district staff)." Motion carried.
Resolutions from District Employees Committee
Irvil Kear presented the resolutions from the District Employees
committee. The resolutions were put to the vote. Motion carried.
- Competitive Wage and Benefits Policy Statement
PACD recommends that Conservation Districts offer a competitive
wage and benefits package in order to obtain and retain quality
employees.
- Conservation Planning Certification
The District Employees Committee supports the efforts of PACD to
encourage a curriculum for conservation planning certification for
district staff.
Resolutions from PACD Legislative Committee
Irvil Kear presented the resolutions from the Legislative committee.
The resolutions were put to the vote. Motion carried.
- Act 217 Policy Statement
PACD proposes amendments to Act 217 and will work with the PA General
Assembly with the guidance of our Position Paper "Conservation
District Law" to preserve and strengthen the conservation district
system. The goal is to streamline the processes that districts use
to develop and administer local, state and federal programs.
PACD recommends enhancing the necessary structure of the SCC to
include consistent leadership, expanded membership, and a more formal
assignment of necessary staff from the associated state departments.
Finally, PACD supports a special non-lapsing fund for conservation
district support. This fund should allow for future changes in funding
and programs and provide a framework for utilization of any dedicated
funding should that become available.
- Prevailing Wage Policy Statement
PACD supports an increase in the threshold of the prevailing wage
law. Because of the limited amount of funding available for conservation
projects on farms, this increase will allow districts to work more
effectively with the agricultural community.
Resolutions from the PACD Conservation Committee
Irvil Kear presented the resolutions from the PACD Conservation
Committee. The resolutions were put to the vote. Motion carried.
- Preserving the Pennsylvania Farmer Package Policy
PACD supports portions of the Preserving the Pennsylvania Farmer
package that have a positive impact on programs relating to conservation
districts. Specifically, we support a program that would take new
revenue generated from the dedicated funding proposed from the realty
transfer tax and direct that those funds be returned to the counties
in which they originated to be used for farmland preservation and
open space preservation. We believe that funds should be available
for the administration of farmland protection programs, including
conservation planning and inspections. We also support legislation
that would permit private non-profit entities to join the Commonwealth
in preserving agricultural lands, meaning new funding could be made
available and a combination of public/private monies can be leveraged
to preserve more farmland. Finally, we encourage the creation of
a Board or Council whose mission is to review and evaluate advancing
technologies for alternate manure uses.
- Manure Hauler Regulation Policy
PACD supports the Manure Hauler and Broker Certification process.
While we support the testing procedures, we are concerned about
the costs involved in administering the program. Districts need
to be adequately compensated for their responsibilities in this
endeavor.
- Nutrient and Sediment Trading Policy Statement
PACD supports the general concept of nutrient and sediment trading
to achieve environmental benefits. Conservation Districts are interested
in assisting DEP and other interested parties to determine the criteria
and regulations governing the trading program with the understanding
that conservation districts will be compensated for their time and
efforts throughout the process.
Because of the complexity of this new idea to improve the environment,
we suggest that DEP consider conducting a pilot program with PACD
assistance to demonstrate the positive benefits of nutrient and
sediment trading. A pilot approach will help to identify strengths
and weaknesses of the program and address specific issues that may
arise as the pilot is conducted. In addition, a pilot project will
help to identify the role that conservation districts can play in
the nutrient and sediment trading process.
- No-Till
That PACD write a letter to the No-Till Alliance indicating support
for No-Till practices.
Resolutions from the Education and Outreach Committee
Irvil Kear presented the recommended policy statements from the
Education and Outreach Committee to the Executive Council. The motion
was put to the vote. Motion carried.
- PACD Policies
Funding
1. PACD seeks funding for educational grant programs to support
conservation districts;
2. PACD supports increased funding for the conservation district
track of the DEP EE Grants Program;
3. PACD supports dedicated funding for Watershed Specialists and
Environmental Education Coordinators.
Education and Training
4. PACD supports the use of conservation education tools and the
development of Pennsylvania-specific materials that target both
youth and adult audiences;
5. PACD supports educational workshops and other training opportunities
for conservation districts.
Marketing and Communications
6. PACD supports activities that expand the public's understanding
of local conservation districts;
7. PACD maintains an educational website for conservation districts;
8. PACD supports conservation district networking through listserves;
9. PACD recognizes conservation district directors, associate directors
and/or staff whose efforts have furthered the activities and accomplishments
of conservation districts on a statewide basis.
Relationships
10. PACD maintains a current MOU with the PA Department of Education;
11. PACD maintains a current MOU with the PA State Envirothon;
12. PACD remains active on the Pennsylvania Center for Environmental
Education's Executive Board; and
13. PACD remains active on the Pennsylvania Environmental Education
Advisory Board;
14. PACD supports fostering partnerships to achieve common goals.
Resolutions from the Operations Committee
Irvil Kear presented the resolutions from the Operations Committee.
The resolutions were put to the vote. Motion carried.
- PACD Policies
To strike the following existing PACD policy: PACD encourages conservation
district nominating organizations to consider minority and female
candidates for vacant director positions.
To strike the following existing PACD policy: All sectors of society
are encouraged to serve on district governing boards, because all
people share in the responsibilities and benefits of resource conservation.
To change the PACD policy: "We support the creation of a conservation
district in Philadelphia County." to read "We support
the creation of a conservation district in Philadelphia."
To strike the following existing PACD policy: Be it resolved that
the State Conservation Commission allow additional deadline extensions
for conservation audits if the conservation district is part of
the county's single audit and the audit will not be completed by
December 31, and that in addition to the recent SCC audit requirements
for a GAS audit by a CPA that the SCC accept a county's single audit
as fulfilling the SCC audit requirements. (2000)
To adopt the following policy: PACD encourages districts and counties
to submit the required annual audits by the established deadlines
of the State Conservation Commission.
To adopt the following position statement: We support the continuation
of an annual memorial service to honor deceased members of the Pennsylvania
conservation district community.
To strike the following existing policy: Conservation districts
are urged to participate annually in the Conservation Awards Program
sponsored by the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
State Conservation Commission Report (Karl Brown)
Due to responsibilities elsewhere, SCC Executive Secretary Karl Brown
was not available to present his report.
NRCS Report (Tom Matticks)
Tom Matticks with NRCS presented the following report on behalf of Robin
Heard.
- As part of the federal budget, funding for the Farmland Preservation
Program was significantly cut. For the Conservation Security Program,
the Shenango and French Creek watersheds are eligible for sign-up
this year. The sign-up periods have not yet been announced.
- In the Pennsylvania budget, funding for technical assistance is
similar to last year. Every other NRCS program, with the exception
of EQIP, had major reductions. Many of these programs provided financial
assistance to producers in Pennsylvania.
- Tom noted that, due to funding reductions, NRCS in Pennsylvania
is looking at a budget deficit and will therefore be dealing with
staff vacancies on a case by case basis.
- Tom announced that Martha Joseph from national headquarters will
now be serving on the state staff, dealing with reserve programs.
PACD Auxiliary Report (Sharon Sweitzer)
PACD Auxiliary President Sharon Sweitzer presented the following report:
- At their January 19, 2006, meeting the Auxiliary discussed the
Auxiliary budget and plans for the NACD NE Region Meeting and 59th
PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference in July, including the Memorial Breakfast
and activities for Auxiliary and accompanying persons.
- The quilt raffle met the goal of $1500 for the Auxiliary Scholarship
Fund. The Scholarship Fund program will continue, and the Auxiliary
is discussing two new projects to fund the scholarship.
- Sharon noted that she has been serving as the Auxiliary representative
on the planning committee for July's meeting.
- Auxiliary members will be traveling to the NACD National Meeting
in Houston, TX, where they will be assisting with the National Quilt
project and country store.
There was a suggestion from the floor that PACD should look into developing
an LOU with the PA Turnpike Commission.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 12:06 pm.
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