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January 2007 Meeting Minutes
PACD Executive Council
Ramada Inn, State College, PA
January 19, 2007
Call to Order
PACD President Victor Cappucci called the meeting to order and welcomed
everyone to the meeting.
Roll Call
PACD Secretary George Hildenbrandt called the roll. There were 37 districts
present, which constituted a quorum.
Minutes of the Preceding Meeting
PACD Secretary George Hildenbrandt presented the minutes from the previous
PACD Executive Council meeting (July 27, 2006).
It was moved by Bob Robinson (Wyoming) and seconded by Gerald Breininger
(Lehigh) that the Council dispense with the reading of the minutes.
Motion carried.
It was moved by Kenneth Meck (Lancaster) and seconded by David Collura
(Allegheny) to approve the minutes as presented. Motion carried.
Reports of Officers:
President's Report
PACD President Victor Cappucci presented the following report on his
activities since the last Executive Council Meeting on July 27, 2006:
- Victor reported that he keeps in touch with the PACD staff regularly,
particularly PACD Executive Director Susan Marquart.
- He reported that he has taken part in NACD conference calls, along
with NACD Director for PACD, Pat Sueck (York).
- Victor attended a press conference held by Senator Wonderling,
who sponsored a bill to make revisions to Act 217. Victor noted that
this piece of legislation will be coming up again in the new session.
- He attended the PACD Region Meeting in Luzerne County at Carl Urbanski's
farm, which began the strategic planning process of gathering input
from all of the regions. Victor thanked Carl Urbanski for allowing
the group to meet on his farm, and thanked Luzerne Conservation District
for their assistance with the meeting.
- Victor noted that he attended all seven PACD Fall Region Meetings
and thanked each PACD Region Director and DEP Field Representative
for working to coordinate the meetings.
- On September 26, the PACD Executive Board met with the PACD audit
firm of Specht and Co., which was selected by the PACD Audit Committee
on the basis of their excellent work in the past, and their familiarity
with PACD activities.
- Victor reported that 18 districts took part in a hearing on DEP's
stormwater initiatives on September 27, and were able to voice their
concerns.
- On November 17, the PACD Executive Board met to review strategic
planning input from the seven regions, generating the strategic goals
that would be presented for a vote during this meeting.
- Victor thanked region directors, committee chairs, committee members,
the PACD Executive Council, fellow PACD Executive Board Members, Executive
Director Susan Marquart, and the entire PACD staff for their dedication,
commitment, and hard work.
NACD Director's Report
NACD Director Patricia Sueck presented the following report:
- Pat reported that she continues to send e-mails to the managers
and directors listserves to keep everyone up to date with her activities,
and forwards NACD Executive Director Krysta Harden's weekly report
to the listserves.
- She reminded attendees that the NACD Northeast Region Meeting will
be held August 5-8, 2007, at the Hilton in Mystic, CT. Pat noted that
this is a popular vacation area, and urged everyone to make their
reservations right away when registration materials arrive, as overnight
rooms will go quickly.
- Pat reported that April 29-May 6, 2007 is NACD Stewardship Week.
Pat encouraged everyone to request NACD stewardship materials if they
have not received them already. She noted that placemats are also
available as a wonderful learning tool. She explained that NACD has
been consolidating services and finding ways to save money. She said
that FFA will be printing materials for NACD, but the materials will
still be ordered via NACD.
- Pat said that she will leave for Los Angeles on February 1, 2007
to attend the NACD Annual Meeting.
- She will be in Fort Smith New Hampshire February 15-16, 2007 for
a leadership meeting of the northeast states.
- Pat asked everyone to mark their calendars for Tuesday, January
30, at 10:00 am, when NACD Treasurer John Redding and NACD President
Bill Wilson will be hosting a conference call with PA directors and
district managers. Pat explained that any directors, managers or partners
who are interested in participating may take part in the call, and
that PACD would distribute the toll-free number via the listserves.
- Pat announced that PACD is donating a beautiful Amish quilt to
the NACD Auction during the Annual Meeting in February. Pat explained
that the raffle raises money for the NACD legislative fund, which
pays for lobbying on behalf of the districts. Pat displayed the quilt
for the audience.
Executive Director's Report
PACD Executive Director Susan Fox Marquart presented the following highlights
from her written report outlining the activities of the PACD Harrisburg
staff:
- Susan announced that PACD Capitol Day is set for March 12, 2007,
at the Crowne Plaza Harrisburg-Hershey in downtown Harrisburg. She
explained that PACD will be inviting each Pennsylvania state legislator.
Susan encouraged everyone to follow up with their legislators by sending
an individual invitation to their legislators after the invitations
go out.
- She reported that PACD has been working on the appropriations request
and has met with Secretary of Legislative Affairs Steve Crawford,
Executive Deputy Secretary of the Budget Mary Soderberg, Secretary
of Agriculture Dennis Wolff, and DEP Secretary Kathleen McGinty regarding
the funding request.
- Susan reported that PACD testified before the Transportation Funding
Reform Committee.
- She explained that PACD is working with the yellow book committee
on their budget request, and said that the County Commissioners Association
of PA and other organizations support the PACD request.
- Susan reported that Brenda Shambaugh is working on dedicated funding
for the CDFAP. Susan explained that possible avenues for obtaining
dedicated funding for districts include E&S permit fees, NPDES
review fees, and penalties. Susan said that PACD is going to work
with DEP, the districts, and the legislation on this issue.
- Susan reported that PACD is working with the new chair of the Senate
Ag Committee, Senator Brubaker, and Senator Wonderling to reintroduce
the Act 217 bill.
- PACD mailed out the Legislative Connection to help districts connect
with legislators.
- Susan reported that DEP is reviewing the Chapter 102/105 program
and that PACD wants to be sure that districts are strongly involved
in this process.
- PACD intents to work with the SCC on a Letter of Understanding
(LOU) with the Department of Transportation and may be seeking a similar
agreement with the PA Turnpike Commission.
- Susan reported that she and others continue to represent PACD at
meetings relating to the Chesapeake Bay, Environmental Education,
Nutrient Trading and other topics.
- She said that PACD staff continue meeting planning activities,
both for PACD meetings, and as part of the organization's grant activities.
The PACD Executive Board continues to stay in touch via monthly conference
calls.
- Susan reported that PACD staff continue with education and training
activities, including the very popular mini-grant program, related
to the 319 and Chesapeake Bay education grants.
- Susan announced that PACD has revamped the educational resources
section of the website (www.pacd.org) to make it easier to use. She
noted that PACD has also created a new legislative section on the
website, so that legislative information and materials are available
in one location for district reference and use.
- PACD continues to distribute the weekly electronic update PACD
Front Page, the monthly newsletter News & Notes, press releases,
and templates relating to legislative issues.
- Susan announced that PACD has obtained a grant for a nutrient trading
project in partnership with the PA Environmental Council (PEC) and
the PEACCE program. Susan explained that PACD will likely provide
assistance, through this grant, to the nine districts who received
revolving Growing Greener grants for nutrient trading through DEP.
- The strategic planning process began during the Fall PACD Region
Meetings, where input from the districts was gathered and ranked by
priority. Susan said that this input provided some clear direction
for the PACD Executive Board when they met to establish goals. Susan
explained that the goals, which would be presented later in the meeting,
are quite broad. However, she noted that the input gathered from districts
would be used to create an action plan for each goal, so that the
action plans incorporate as many of the districts' desired outcomes
as possible. Susan said that she had some copies of the table compiling
the raw data from the region meetings if anyone wanted to review them,
and explained that this information is also posted on the PACD website
for review.
- Susan reported that the PACD Bylaws Review Committee met in December
of 2006 to review the Bylaws and propose revisions, which would also
come before the Council later in the meeting.
Treasurer's Report
PACD President Victor Cappucci presented the Treasurer's Report for
Porter Duvall, PACD Treasurer, who was unable to attend the meeting.
It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by John Torok
(Potter) to approve the Treasurer's report as presented. Motion carried.
Auditor's Report
Auditor Tammy A. Specht, CPA with Specht & Co., presented a report
on the PACD audit for the period of July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006.
Tammy reported that Specht & Co. worked with the staff on the audit,
and met with the PACD Audit Committee. She explained that it was a single
audit, just as last year. She noted that they were able to provide an
"unqualified opinion,' which is desirable because it indicates
that there were no problems sufficient for the auditors to qualify their
opinion.
It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by Paul Lohin
(Schuylkill) to approve the audit report as presented. Motion carried.
There was a question from the floor regarding FDIC coverage: Why are
PACD funds not distributed between multiple banks, so that the funds
are all covered by FDIC, perhaps using Certificates of Deposit to increase
interest? Susan Marquart explained that PACD has looked into this issue,
that PACD has a good relationship with the bank, and that it would incur
significant additional time and expense to manage accounts with multiple
banks.
Reports of PACD Committees (reports only, no motions)
- PACD Education and Outreach Committee
PACD Education and Outreach Committee member Cathy Skwara (Bucks)
presented the following report on behalf of the committee:
- The committee discussed all items on the agenda, though there
was not a quorum present.
- Environmental Educator Facilitator Training will be held March
14 and 15 in Harrisburg. Information was sent to the districts
and is available on the PACD website at www.pacd.org. Cathy explained
that registration is limited, and that districts are encouraged
to take advantage of this opportunity.
- The education pages on the PACD website have been updated.
Cathy asked that everyone please review the pages and provide
feedback to PACD.
- A new non-point source (NPS) pollution display will be available
as a resource for districts.
- The committee discussed marketing conservation districts and
developing a common logo. Future movement on these items will
be postponed until the committee can see the outcome of the strategic
goal dealing with the marketing toolkit.
- The next meeting of the committee is tentatively scheduled
to take place during the PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference on July
17, 2007, from 6:30 pm to 8:30 PM
- PACD Legislative Committee
PACD Legislative Committee Chairman Larry Kehl (Berks) presented the
following report on behalf of the committee:
- PACD Government Relations/Policy Specialist Brenda Shambaugh
is working with the PA legislature on the revisions to Act 217.
- The committee received an update on the appropriations request
for districts.
- The committee received a report from Ron Rohall (Westmoreland)
on the Abandoned Mine Lands fund, which has finally been renewed.
- There is a new "Legislative Activities" section under
"About PACD" on the PACD website (www.pacd.org), which
provides one location for legislative activities, updates and
information for districts.
- The committee discussed dedicated funding for districts.
- The committee moved to adopt a policy on landowner liability,
in order to support landowners who allow others to enjoy recreation
on their land against potential lawsuits.
- The committee received an update on federal legislative activities.
- The committee moved to support certification/registration of
professional foresters.
- Several PA senators, including Senator Wonderling, will be
re-introducing the Act 217 legislation - hopefully this spring.
- PACD Conservation Committee
PACD Conservation Committee Chairman Bob Ritchey reported that the
Conservation Committee addressed each item on their agenda, and that
the committee forwarded four policies to be brought before the PACD
Executive Council for approval.
- PACD Ways and Means Committee
No report was presented. (This committee did not meet during the PACD
Winter Meeting. They will be meeting during PACD Capitol Day on March
12, 2007.)
- PACD District Employees Committee
PACD District Employees Committee Chairman Don McNutt presented the
following report on behalf of the committee:
- Don reported that the committee received a report from PACD Executive
Director Susan Marquart on the Conservation District Staff Training
Coordination Steering Committee, which was organized at the request
of the District Employees Committee in order to address coordination
of training for district staff.
- Don reported that the committee discussed salary and benefits
ranges, professional development and incentives to keep technical
staff on hand, perhaps through certification. Don explained that
the CDFAP allows for additional funding for technicians with NICET
certification, though there have been no funds available to support
this. The District Employees Committee may support including an
allowance for additional funding for technicians with CPESC certification
as part of the CDFAP. Funds would also need to be found to support
this additional funding.
- PACD Operations Committee
PACD Operations Committee Chairwoman Irvil Kear reported that the
meeting went well, that a number of resolutions were forwarded to
Executive Council for approval, and noted that the funding goal is
no longer included as part of the strategic plan goals.
- Old and Unfinished Business
No old or unfinished business was presented.
- New Business:
Motions and resolutions from PACD Committees:
Minutes from the PACD Operations Committee meeting on January 18,
2007, which included the motions and resolutions from PACD committees,
were provided to the Council for their reference.
- PACD Education and Outreach Committee
No resolutions were presented.
- PACD Legislative Committee
1. Suggested Landowner Liability Policy
It was moved by Larry Kehl (Berks) and seconded by John Torok
(Potter) to approve the following policy statement.
PACD supports legislation to exempt landowners from liability
if they invite individuals onto their land for recreational purposes,
as long as there is no intent to inflict harm, or no warning of
known dangerous conditions.
It was moved by David Collura (Allegheny) and seconded by Mike
Kennis (Clearfield) to amend the motion by placing a period after
"purposes" and striking the remainder of the proposed
resolution, so that the motion reads:
PACD supports legislation to exempt landowners from liability
if they invite individuals onto their land for recreational purposes.
Motion carried.
Point from the floor: The PA Recreation Land and Use Act does
provide some protection for landowners. The legislation is looking
to find clarification of the existing Act. This is the reason
that PACD is entertaining this motion.
The original motion as amended was put to the vote. Motion carried.
2. Forester Licensing/Registration
It was moved by Larry Kehl (Berks) and seconded by Ron Rohall
(Westmoreland) to approve the following policy statement:
PACD supports the concept of forester licensing/registration
as promoted by the PA Council of Professional Foresters.
Motion carried.
- PACD Conservation Committee
1. Hunting License Increase
It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by George
Hildenbrandt (Centre) to approve the following policy statement:
PACD supports a reasonable increase in the current general
hunting license fee, in addition to an annual cost of living allowance.
Motion failed. (13 in favor and 19 opposed.)
2. E&S and NPDES Program (Fees and New Delegation Agreement)
It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by Patricia
Powley (Dauphin) to approve the following resolution:
That PACD form a sub-committee of the Conservation Committee
to explore fees charged in the Erosion and Sedimentation Pollution
Control and NPDES Programs.
Delegates discussed the fact that the PACD Bylaws give a standing
PACD committee the power to establish a subcommittee, and that therefore
a resolution at Executive Council is not required.
The motion failed.
Background: It has been suggested that PACD examine the fees
for NPDES and E&S to see if this can be a source of additional
funding for districts. There may be an opportunity to raise some
of the permit fees, and/or set a minimum for some fees. PACD may
be able to make some recommendations to DEP.
3. Turnpike Commission Letter of Understanding (LOU)
It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by Jack Tressler
(Somerset) to approve the following policy statement:
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.
Motion carried.
4. PA Department of Transportation Turnpike Letter of Understanding
(LOU)
It was moved by Bob Ritchey (Cambria) and seconded by Jack Tressler
(Somerset) to approve the following policy statement:
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.
Motion carried.
It was moved by David Collura that the PACD Conservation Committee
not form a subcommittee to explore fees charged in the Erosion and
Sedimentation Pollution Control and NPDES Programs. The motion failed
due to lack of a second.
- PACD Ways and Means Committee
No resolutions were presented.
- PACD District Employees Committee
No resolutions were presented.
- PACD Operations Committee
1. Draft PACD Strategic Goals
It was moved by George Hildenbrandt (Centre) and seconded by
Phyllis Hoople (Crawford) to approve the PACD Strategic Goals as
presented, with the exception of the funding goal. Motion carried.
It was noted that the next step in the process will be to develop
an action plan, which will be presented to PACD Executive Council
for approval.
2. Proposed Changes to the PACD Bylaws
It was moved by Jack Tressler (Somerset) and seconded by Bob
Robinson (Wyoming) to approve the proposed changes to the bylaws
as described in the minutes of the PACD Operations Committee dated
January 18, 2007. Motion carried.
It was explained that, should a district wish to be part of a
region other than that proposed, a voting delegate must make a
motion to that effect at the PACD Executive Council Annual Meeting
in July, 2007, prior to passing the amendments.
It was moved by George Hildenbrandt (Centre) and seconded by
Hoople (Crawford) that, at the county's option, any county may change
regions at any Annual Meeting.
It was moved by Phyllis Hoople (Crawford) and seconded by David
Collura (Allegheny), to amend the motion to include the addition
of the following to Article VII - PACD Regions:
A conservation district may request to change its regional affiliation
at any Annual Meeting, provided that PACD receives written notice
of any change, signed by the Chairman of the Conservation District
Board, at least seven days before the meeting at which voting
is to occur.
Motion carried.
It was moved by Jack Tressler (Somerset) and seconded by Larry
Martick (Adams) to approve the original motion as amended. Motion
carried.
- State Conservation Commission Report
No report was presented.
- NRCS Report
NRCS State Conservationist Craig Derickson presented the following
report:
- Craig reported that the first cut-off date for cost share funding
for EQIP and WHIP has passed. The second cutoff date is February
1, 2007. NRCS is hoping to allocate funds by April 1, 2007.
- He reported two new components to EQIP: a cover crop program,
which will pay up to twenty dollars an acre as an incentive; and
advanced nutrient management, which will provide $7-$15 per acre.
- Craig reported that a new initiative to complete Rapid Watershed
Assessments is described in the new National Strategic Plan. He
said that a pilot effort has already begun in four watersheds
across the states and that information is available on the website.
- Craig explained that NRCS is continuing to put emphasis on conservation
planning. He said that there is an article on the NRCS website
called "Putting Planning First." Craig indicated that,
ideally a conservation plan should be developed before participants
receive financial assistance. He explained that this is strongly
encouraged in Pennsylvania, but not required, though other states
do require this for EQIP and WHIP participants. Craig said that
Pennsylvania may look at making this a requirement in the future.
- Craig reported that there are five papers available on the USDA
website that are summaries of the Farm Bill Forums that were held
in 2006. He noted that some of the conversations on conservation
and the environment will probably be of interest to districts.
- Craig provided the following update on the NRCS budget for 2007:
NRCS has taken an overall reduction due to a reduction in the
primary (conservation operations or CO1) account and a reduction
due to reimbursements in technical assistance from programs, primarily
CREP, as the program enrollment decreases. There was a budget
deficit earlier in January, but USDA has now announced that PA
will receive 7.2 million for Emergency Watershed Program to provide
assistance to the counties in the northeast and along the eastern
half of the state that were damaged by the floods in late June
and July of 2006. This will help to remedy the budget deficit,
but it will also bring a significant additional workload.
- In response to a question from the floor, Craig noted that the
CREP program is set to expire on December 31, 2007, but noted
that these programs will hopefully be reauthorized in future legislation.
- PACD Auxiliary Report
PACD Auxiliary President Sharon Sweitzer presented the following report:
- Sharon reported that the PACD Auxiliary held their luncheon and
business meeting on Thursday, January 18, at noon. During the luncheon
meeting, the Auxiliary met with PACD Executive Director Susan Marquart,
PACD Director of Administration/Education Kathleen Banski and PACD
President Victor Cappucci regarding the PACD Auxiliary Scholarship
Fund, grant money, and non-profit status.
- She announced that, to encourage increased membership, the Auxiliary
composed a letter to be hand-delivered to districts inviting spouses
of managers, associate directors and staff to join the Auxiliary.
- Sharon noted that raffle tickets for the "Heart of Conservation"
wall hanging were on sale during the meeting, and will continue
to be available before and during the Joint Annual Conference in
July. The wall hanging will be awarded to the winner at the July
conference. Sharon explained that proceeds from the raffle support
the Auxiliary Scholarship Fund.
- Sharon reported that Auxiliary representatives are participating
on the 2007 PACD/SCC Joint Annual Conference Planning Committee,
and are helping to plan the Auxiliary activities and other aspects
of the meeting in July.
- Sharon concluded her report by announcing that Pennsylvania will
be represented in the national quilt that will be presented at the
NACD Annual Meeting in Los Angeles.
Adjournment
It was moved by Bob Robinson (Wyoming) and seconded by Harold Kulp
(Chester) to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:51 am.
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