MINUTES 03-28-2011_FINAL
New Hanover Soil and Water Conservation District (NHSWCD)
Board Meeting held at Wilmington, NC
Meeting Number 13_ Date: _March 28, 2011
Supervisors Present: Others Present:
Steve Skavroneck Dru Harrison, Interim Director _____
Dave Thomas Amy Long, Education Coordinator _____
Bill Hart __
Nancy Pritchett______________________
Donna Moffitt_______________________
Was this meeting held during a meal: No _
Mr. Thomas called the meeting to order at 2:39 pm.
Mr. Hart added ‘comprehensive report’ under Eagles Island (C2). Mr. Hart moved to accept the
agenda as amended. Ms. Moffitt seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Hart, Mr. Skavroneck and Ms. Moffitt submitted corrections to the February 21, 2011 regular
Board Meeting minutes ahead of time. Mr. Hart made a correct of 2010 to 2011 on page 1. Ms.
Moffitt moved to approve the minutes as corrected. Mr. Hart seconded the motion; motion
passed unanimously.
Financial Report
Ms. Harrison gave the financial report. She reported that there was nothing out of the ordinary
with the monthly checking account or the Land Management account. Corrections to the report
were made during the meeting (omissions in two categories). Ms. Moffitt wanted to verify that
monthly closing date always agrees with next monthly starting date (and transaction).
Ms. Harrison reminded the Board that the budget needs to be reapproved as soon as possible.
NHSWCD is currently operating under a budget that still has only 1.5 employees. She asked the
Board to consider increasing the travel and education budgets and paying the full state dues to
the Association instead of partial payments. Board requested a budget meeting for full review;
Budget meeting scheduled for April 14, 2:30pm.
Supervisor & Staff Reports
Record retention policy
Ms. Harrison reported that she talked to Kim, the Clerk in the County Commissioners office;
each department adopts their own policy. The Board asked Ms. Harrison and Ms. Long to draft
a draft policy that worked best for them and Ms. Moffitt will help mold a written retention policy
for each type of document and communication the office handles. Ms. Harrison will also talk to
the Planning Department and Parks & Gardens since they are similar in scope to the NHSWCD
mission.
Facebook page for District
Ms. Long reported on the district web site and potential Facebook (FB) page. She will contact
Paula Tirritoto see how to create a FB page without linking it to a person. Ms. Moffitt asked Ms.
Long to remove the old newsletter and replace it with the annual report on the web site.
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501(c)(3)-3c standing. Mr. Hart wants to discuss this at the next regular board meeting.
Project Updates
Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP)
Ms. Harrison reported on contract number 65-2011-502-12; contract with Coastal Federation for
the fourth BMP at Bradley Creek Elementary School. Contract has been rewritten because of
total cost difference. The original, signed contract was for $13,000, but the actual cost is
$28,000. The difference is attributed to the reengineering of the BMP and the increased size of
the BMP. The contract has not gone out to bid and there is no policy requiring a certain number
of bids on contracts. Mr. Thomas asked if the money was in place for such an increase. Ms.
Harrison said yes and explained that an additional $5000 was requested and granted for this
project. Mr. Thomas suggested that NHSWCD offer Coastal Federation the original $13K plus
the $5K. Mr. Hart moved to adopt the amended contract with a cap of $18,000. Ms. Moffitt
seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously.
Ag Cost Share
Contract #65-2011-501-12: $2250 application for 10 acres of pasture rehabilitation. Ms. Moffitt
moved to approve the contract. Mr. Hart seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously.
Eagles Island (EI)
EI Coalition Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Mr. Hart moved to sign the MOU. Mr.
Skavroneck seconded the motion; motion passed – Ms. Pritchett abstained from voting.
Mr. Hart reported that there is a final draft inventory for EI. If anyone wants it for editing, let
him know. Ms. Long is to add the EI inventory to the web site. Mr. Hart added a dedication to
Caroline Butts, per Marilyn Meares’ request.
Ms. Harrison reported on the attempted iron theft at the Skeets Winner property.
Mr. Thomas met with David Proper from Trust for Public Lands and instructed him to talk to
Michael Murchison about any opportunities to work together.
Partner Reports
NCASWCD Area 6 Division Report
Ms. Kristina Fisher distributed report over email - in packets for Supervisors review.
Old Business
SEPA for Titan
Mr. Hart will rewrite the letter this week if someone will send him the last draft. Mr. Thomas will
send to Mr. Hart.
Holly Tree property collaboration with City & DOT
Mr. Hart reported that he and Ms. Harrison met with Dave Mayes at the Holly Tree property. Mr.
Mayes needs heavy rain fall to see what issues are there and what he would design to correct
them.
Resolution commending board of New Hanover County Commissioners
Mr. Hart moved to approve the resolution as amended. Mr. Skavroneck seconded the motion;
motion passed unanimously.
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Resolution endorsing Operation Medicine Cabinet.
Mr. Hart reported that the New Hanover Regional Medical Center representative will come to
the next board meeting and talk about this project. Mr. Hart will schedule her.
New Business
Brunswick County Board of Commissioners
Mr. Hart asked if NHSWCD should go before the Brunswick County commissioners to talk about
the Eagles Island property holdings in Brunswick County. Staff was asked their opinion about
Brunswick SWCD; will they support NHSWCD on Eagles Island? Ms. Harrison said she would
talk to Mamie Caison from Brunswick SWCD and then to Brunswick Planning. The Board
agreed that if NHSWCD talks to the Brunswick Commissioners, EI Coalition members who are
from Leland representatives should go with NHSWCD as a partner and fellow property owner.
Legislative Delegation
Mr. Hart reported that he spoke with NC Representative, Susi Hamilton, about the fire taxes on
the Eagles Island, Brunswick County property – He will ask her to introduce a bill exempting
NHSWCD from paying fire tax on a wetland property.
North Carolina Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (NCASWCD) Community
Conservation Committee vacancy
Mr. Hart reported that at the Area 6 NCASWCD Spring meeting, he was made the Area
alternate for this committee, so the vacancy has been filled.
S229
Mr. Hart reported that state bill S229 would move all soil and water conservation districts
(SWCDs)SWCD to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. SupervisorsIt Board
agreed that their focus should be on talking to legislators about the importance of saving and
expanding the Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP) program, not worrying so
much about which department SWCDs will be under. Mr. Hart will draft an email and
Supervisors will email Carolyn Justice to thank her for her support of CCAP.
Upcoming events
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County Commissioner Meeting – 9am, April 18
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CCAP Advisory Ccommittee – in Raleigh from 9 to 2, April 19
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State Envirothon – two teams going from Hoggard, April 29 and 30
Earth Day – Mr. Hart, Ms. Pritchett and Ms. Moffitt volunteered to help, activities are
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noon to 6pm, April 30 (set up is 9-12). Ms. Long will circulate a sign-up sheet for shifts.
Adjourn ~ Set Next Meeting Date
Next meeting: April 14, 2011, 2:30pm – budget review meeting
Next board meeting: April 18, 2011, 2:30pm
Ms. Pritchett moved to adjourn. Mr. Skavroneck seconded the motion; motion passed
unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 4:55pm.
Recorded By: _________Amy Long___________________________________________
Approved By: __________Dave Thomas_______________________________________
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Please see list (on next page) of action items and assignments generated from meeting discussion:
Action Items
New Hanover SWCD Board Meeting
March 28, 2011
1. Make sure the starting balance for this month’s financial report is the same as the
ending balance from the previous month’s report. Dru Harrison
2. Budget meeting set for April 14 at 2:30. Steve will bring projector.
3. Prepare a draft document retention policy. Dru Harrison with input from Donna Moffitt
Present to Board at June meeting.
4. Review web page updates and provide feedback to Amy Long. All supervisors except
Donna Moffitt.
5. Amy Long will contact Paula Tirrito (910-763-9171) re creating a non-personal
Facebook page
6. Delete the newsletter from the web page and replace it with the annual report. Amy
Long
7. Send latest version of board resolution relating to Titan Cement to Bill Hart for review.
Dave Thomas
8. Contact representative from NHRMC to attend our next board meeting to discuss
prescription drug collection program. Bill Hart
9. Prepare a draft resolution relating to ongoing support of CCAP for our state legislative
delegation. Bill Hart
10. Research info on becoming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Dru to present at
special budget meeting.
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