July 2000 Meeting Minutes

PACD Executive Council Meeting
Radisson Hotel, Monroeville
July 28, 2000

Welcome (Long)
President Long welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Roll Call (Hoople)
Secretary Hoople conducted the roll call. There were 30 delegates recognized and she stated that a quorum was present to conduct business.

Minutes of March 15, 2000 (Hoople)
Secretary Hoople asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the previous meeting.
It was moved by Clark (Montgomery) and seconded by McComb (Carbon) to approve the minutes of the meeting of March 15, 2000. Motion approved.

Executive Reports

• President (Long)
  President Long addressed the audience. He told them that his position of President is a learning experience. He gave examples of the multiple types of conservation issues there are in the state and the challenges that lie ahead. He acknowledged the staff, commission and districts for all their efforts. He also thanked everyone for being here.

• Executive Director (Fox)
  See Executive Director's Report
  Susan Fox, PACD Executive Director, provided a detailed explanation of PACD Executive Director, staff and representatives' activities since the last PACD meeting.

• NACD Representative (Sueck)
  Patricia Sueck, NACD representative, thanked districts for paying dues and continuing to support NACD. She urged districts to send a letter to Santorum thanking him for his support. She asked districts to write to Spector to urge him to support funding for technical assistance. The NACD representative outlined the numerous activities PACD has participated in including a district outlook in October. NACD will be sending you a form. Fill it out. Your input is important. She also attended NACD Education Committee which she Chairs.

Treasurer's Report (Eisenhart)

• PACD Dues Structure
  

PACD has been working on establishing a dues schedule that considers the diversity of resources across the state. A new dues structure was presented last meeting. A letter was sent to District Chairs asking them to consider the options and direct their PACD delegate to vote accordingly.
PACD Treasurer distributed a dues structure ballot and reviewed the options with the delegates present.

Tellers assigned were Laite (Mifflin), Gross (Erie) and Robinson (Lancaster). Tellers compiled ballot information and Treasurer announced that Option #2 carries.

Results of the ballot:

Motion to accept dues structure made by Sueck (York), Second by Dumm (Cambria). Motion carries.

Suggestion from the floor (Bradford). Evaluate the need to increase dues annually at some regular rate, rather than a large increase from time to time.
Comment from the floor (Snyder). We need to be diligent and pay for what happens in the office. We need to collect money from people who benefit from PACD activities.
Westmoreland points out that current dues does not cover basic costs of operating. Dues increase is needed to keep executive director and office going should grant monies reduce. Letter from CPA pointed out this problem and suggested the dues be reviewed.
Snyder County points out that only 30 counties are present at this meeting. Everyone should be attending.

• Year End Report: July 1, 1999-June 30, 2000
  See attachment.
  Fiscal year 99-2000: total revenue - $476,363. Total Expenses $465,045.56 (Income $23,045.76
  Motion to accept Eisenhart (York). Second Erie (Miller)

PACD Nominating Committee

President appointed Nominating Committee Sueck (York), Mankamyer (Somerset), and Wagner (Lancaster). All accepted appointment.

Committee Reports

• District Operations (Sueck)
  See attachment.
  3. Clarification:
  Somerset county presented resolution. Mankamyer represented Somerset. Rural and Urban Land Use-policy was not revised. Words in policy to be supplied.
  
  Suggestion from floor. Counties who pay dues in full should be recognized. Motion by Hummel (Snyder) Second by Marbain (Cumberland). Motion approved.
  
  Vote on resolution #3. Motion to approve Mankamyer (Somerset) Second Dumm (Cambria). Motion approved.
  Sueck motion to accept the report. Second-Clark. Motion approved.

• Finance (Eisenhart)
  See attachment.
  Building Fund update discussed. Current value of account is $36, 398.17. Dues invoice will be sent on Monday. Explaination of current dues structure will be included.
  PACD Budget 00/01 was presented.
  Wage question from floor Clark (Montgomery).
  Question addressed by second vice-president Miller: Miller expressed concern that confidential information was shared by one Executive Board member with many district board and PACD council members. Sharing of information was inappropriate and misleading.
  
  Miller provided a detailed explanation to the wage question including: the PACD portion of wages difference between fiscal year 99/00 to 00/01 was approximately a $10,000 increase. The remaining wage difference is covered by grants for related work. Approximately $9,000 of the $10,000 is earmarked "Contingency." One example of contingency is that PACD budgets overtime to pay for its non-salaried employees (only 2 staff are currently salaried). Overtime is required by law.
  
  In addition, the proposed Budget for 2000/2001 reflects a change in status of Office Manager from Part-time to Full-time. This change was made based upon the changing needs of the PACD and the recommendation of the PACD auditor.
  
  Based on the explanation proved by Second vice-president Miller, motion to the budget as presented was made by Clark (Montgomery) Second by Hummel (Snyder). Budget accepted.
  
  Motion to accept report. Clark (Montgomery) Second. Sueck (York). Report accepted.

• District Employees (Sweitzer)
  See attachment.
  Motion to accept Marbain (Cumberland). Second. Cappucci (Wyoming) Report accepted.

• Education & Youth (Crooks)
  See attachment.
  Kathleen Banski reported the Environment & Ecology standards have been passed.
  This presents numerous opportunities for districts. Districts will be looked to for providing support to teachers.
  The committee will now begin drafting language for an MOU between PACD and the Dept. of Education.
  New Goal: An MOU with the Dept. of Education will be accomplished by 2002. In addition, motion to pay travel expenses of the committee, if districts can not support. Budgeted amount is $250 for the current fiscal year.
  Motiom to accept by Crooks (Bucks). Second by Sueck (York). Report accepted.

• Soil & Water (Grieg)
  Dan has requested that a Director come forward to serve as Vice-chair of this sommittee.
  See attached minutes.
  TMDL position paper to be redrafted.
  COOL Cost Share Program-committee supports this proposal.
  PACD to submit a Growing Greener grant proposal for Chapter 105.
  PACD needs support letters from conservation districts ASAP.
  Sueck (York) move to approve report. Second Clark (Montgomery). Motion accepted.

• Rural & Urban Land Use (Marbain)
  HB 14 and SB 300 final versions will not be ready until the end of August.
  Lynn from Berks County presented transfer rights and plan to save the farm from development rights. See copies of TDR.
  What is transfer development rights?, Transferable Development Rights, and Future Land Use.
  Committee reviewed related PACD policy. Policy wording will be revised by committee.
  Motion to accept the report by Marbain (Cumberland). Second by Crooks (Bucks). Motion carried.

• Forests, Recreation, and Wildlife (Rohall)
  See attachment.
  PACD to facilitate information about potential funding available through PA Cleanways to districts using e-mail.
  PACD to sign an MOU with US Fish and Wildlife Service.
  PACD to provide Steve Hanczar with certificate of appreciation.
  Annual conference will host a tour of deer problems in Valley Forge National Park.
  Motion to approve Rohall (Westmoreland). Second by Mifflin Report accepted.

• Legislative (Laite)
  See attachment.
  Please write back to draft position paper so we have it for October. Motion to approve report by Sueck (York) Second by Cappucci (Wyoming). Motion carries.

• Technology (Magargee)
  See attachment.
  We need directors to attend technology meetings
  GIS Consortium notes from last meeting reviewed
  -Big changes in e-mail system coming from DEP reported by Fred Fiscus -$50,000 coming to districts for software and hardware upgrades. More RAM to be installed in districts' computers.
  Motion to accept report by Sueck (York), Second by Cappucci (Wyoming). Report approved.
  

• Public Relations and Publicity (Miller)
  See attachment.
  Policy changes: Conservation district week should be eliminated since it has not been carried out and will not in the future. Emphasis should be placed on Stewardship Week.
  Policy change: Individual membership should target district directors, staff and partners.
  Motion to accept report by Miller (Erie) Second Cappucci (Wyoming). Motion carries.

Partner Reports

• State Conservation Commission (Brown)
  Executive Secretary recognized that an amazing amount of work gets done at these meetings. Looking back on the last fiscal year-lots of change, activities and accomplishments: New tools. Good things have come out of leadership development over the last year. In addition to committee members, counties have been involved. Financial management, Personnel, management , etc. Regional and local training session. Team visits.
  
  New GIS system in every district.
  
  Senate resolution products. Senate RS 91.
  Nutrient Management manuals ready for pickup.
  Other tools include livestock certification.
  
  Growing Greener $50 million in August
  
  Nutrient Management. $3.5 million
  New technicians: 29 ACT, 42 watershed totaling 70 new positions.
  400 plus district employees state wide.
  
  Training: Boot camp. 2 weeks 50 people. NRCS, District employees and Farmland Preservation employees. Talking about how to improve and continue to deliver.
  Watershed Academy this week.
  Ongoing calendar of training opportunities.
  Ombudsmen training. Rated high
  Employment law by PACD
  This fiscal year, we developed a lot of tools. Delivery on local level needs to be pushed.
  Given the last year, districts are in a better position to provide strong locally led programs than ever before.
  Time of tremendous growth and change.
  Directors are positioned with tools and people that are local problems. Better than ever before.
  Problems? Sure like simplify funding
  Directors need to step up to the plate… Remember and understand the many opportunities being presented. Nothing mandates you have to do it. Look at the opportunities how they fit into your county plans your district's goals.
  
  Team Visits: SCC will provide a copy/summary of the Visit report.
  Nothing new in the report. However, it was an outside entity that made the visits. Findings need to be addressed locally, strategic planning, board development, establishing expectations
  One Goal: Total team effort of the partnership. Lots of frank discussion between partners. The entire partnership needs to pull.

• NRCS (Heard)
  Pleasure to be here representing Janet.
  Field office operation training planned before March 2001. Covers topics such as priority setting, establishing roles, responsibilities and expectations, managing the workload. Data management, etc.
  Will let you know when training is scheduled.
  ARC View.-GIS software. You will be seeing a number of NRCS office getting ARC View. Upcoming customer service tool kit.
  
  Thank you for the support you have given-including NACD-for technical assistance and other support. Santorum has written letter of support and is standing behind that.
  Senate passed their version of the Ag appropriations bill. Bill going to conference committee. Specter is on the conference committee.
  Senate version $330 million, NACD pushes, Senate is better than house version Includes a number of amendments.
  Listening Forum. Maintaining agriculture and forest in urban areas. Scheduled for August 9 in Morristown, NJ. Contact Stacy Mitchel for details.
  
  Send a thank you to Senator Santorum.

• Auxiliary Report (Sarah Long)
  21 scholarships submitted for the $500 award. Many posters came in . Murray Laite, Loetta Gross. Winners: Mifflin, Northumberland, Sullivan, Blair Bakeless Bake sale. $8,100. Goal is $10,000.
  Auxiliary had a breakfast meeting. Spouses, please come along to these meetings in the future.
  Annual conference is going to be great!