NHSWCD_7-18-11_approved minutes
New Hanover Soil and Water Conservation District Board Meeting held at Wilmington, NC.
Meeting Number 1_ Date: _July 18, 2011
Supervisors Present: Others Present:
Bill Hart, Vice-Chair Dru Harrison, Interim Director
Steve Skavroneck Amy Long, Education Coordinator
Donna Moffitt, Secretary/Treasurer Tom Bilisoly, NHSWCD Intern
Nancy Pritchett Matt Moy, NHSWCD Intern
Dave Thomas, Chair Tiffany Allen, NHC Risk Management
Dean Fedoronko, NRCS
Was this meeting held during a meal: No _
Mr. Hart called the meeting to order at 2:34pm.
Ms. Moffitt added B under Old Business, Travel vouchers.
Mr. Skavroneck added C under Old Business, director hiring process.
Ms. Harrison added under Financial Report, the Land Management Account budget reviewote
at next meeting.
The agenda was approved by consensus as amended.
Hearing no objection, the Agenda was approved as amended.
MINUTES:
Mr. Hart and Ms. Moffitt submitted corrections to the June 16, 2011, regular board meeting
minutes (#19) ahead of time. Ms. Moffitt moved to accept the minutes as amended. Mr.
Skavroneck seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Ms. Pritchett abstained from
voting, having been absent from the meeting.
Mr. Skavroneck moved to accept the June 30, 2011, budget vote minutes (#20) as presented. Ms.
Pritchett seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. Ms. Moffitt abstained from voting,
having been absent from the meeting.
INSURANCE UPDATE:
Tiffany Allen from New Hanover County Risk Management presented an insurance proposal for
NHSWCD. She had two quotes, but did not feel that the second quote fit needs.
Millennium Insurance is the broker she presented. The quote provides 1 million dollar coverage for
general liability and property for staff and appointed supervisors. The policy cost $3,517.00; the
FY11/12 budget for insurance is for $1,500.00.
The Board requested Ms. Pritchett to schedule a meeting with the County Manager, Bruce
Shell (or Chris Coudriet), and Ms. Allen, to discuss whether it is necessary to carry property
insurance is in the County Government Building. The County has told NHSWCD staff in the
past that District equipment is not covered in their policies because they do not own them.
The Board requested Ms. Allen to get a quote from Millennium for liability coverage only.
Ms. Harrison reiterated that the budget will need to be amended once a policy is chosen
because of the discrepancy in actual versus budgeted figures for the policy. She also pointed
out that the District is contractually obligated by the City of Wilmington to carry liability
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The discussion was tabled until these answers from County and Millennium are reported.
FINANCIAL REPORT :
(Mr. Hart resumed Thomas assumed the Chair)
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A. MONTHLY RECONCILIATION Ms. Harrison reported: 3 and 4 quarter reimbursement from
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Division and 4 quarter payment from City were received. Nothing out of the ordinary to report. A
miscalculation in last quarter taxes was caught, and the difference has been paid with no
penalties. The budget was not affected, as it was properly budgeted; payment was simply in error.
Target date for QuickBooks to be up and running is end of August. Ms. Long explained the rain
barrel RB accounting worksheet. Mr. Hart requested that inventory numbers be hidden from view
for future reports. Mr. Hart moved to accept the report for the record. Mr. Skavroneck seconded
the motion; motion passed unanimously.
B. Land Management Account: Ms. Harrison reported.
a. General: Balance of $7676.00 in unrestricted funds that came from the general checking
account back in February 2010. This The bank requires that this account must keep a
minimum balance of $1000.00. Funds were discussed and Board chose to leave account as
is.
b. Employee bonuses: Board chose to take these out of the LMA for FY11/12. They are now in
the general budget.
c. Eagles Island: no known expenditures for EI from this account this fiscal year.
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C. Phone stipend request: Phone stipend or purchase is in the Fy11/12 budget. Ms. Harrison
recommended the $30 monthly stipend per staff member instead of new phone contracts. Board
adopted the process by consensus.
SUPERVISOR & STAFF REPORTS:
A. Web and Facebook: Ms. Long reported on the additions that have been made: new photos, job
posting, Eagles Island inventory, and updated manuals and brochures. Supervisors complimented
staff on the web page. Progress is ongoing and input is always welcomed.
B. Education Update: Ms. Long explained that she will give quarterly reports to be in line with the City
contract. She reported that the June teacher workshop was successful and staff will present
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District programs in a 2-hour teacher workshop on August 19. Mr. Hart suggested sending the
education reports on to members of the Board of educators.Education.
PROJECT UPDATES:
Ms. Harrison reported on all of the following:
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A.
Eagles Island (EI):
Dedication status: She spoke with Scott Pullman regarding the dedication for the Grainger and
Cravat Prevatte properties and they are moving forward. The Madison property (co-owned with
Leland) is in limbo because of unresolved concerns from the Town of Leland regarding road
expansion. All other properties have easements on them already that were part of their
purchase conditions. Leland Mayor Walter Futch (of) is not seeking reelection, so the politics
might change in favor of the Madison dedication.
The Winner property: Mr. Hart reiterated that it is in foreclosure with an estimate of $1.8 million
as purchase price. Mr. Hart will call Michael Murchison to check status. Ms. Harrison reported
back to the Board that the City of Wilmington extra territorial jurisdiction zone does not affect EI.
EI Coalition (EIC): Ms. Harrison reported that the MOU is being signed by numerous partners.
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Ms. Harrison will report back to the Board after the August 3 EIC meeting about public
announcement of the MOU and will have figures of how many groups/individuals have signed.
B.
Cost Share Programs:
CCAP Contract #02-2012-001-12: Airlie Garden cistern. Cost is $2974. Mr. Hart moved to approve
the contract. Ms. Moffitt seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously. The cistern will be
installed in the next three months.
PARTNER REPORTS:
A. Division Report: Ms. Kristina Fischer was not present. Her report was emailed and is in the
folders.
Ms. Harrison reported that Kristina has 4 additional counties because of funds for an Area 7
Coordinator being were cut from the state budget: and with the Area 5 Coordinator leaving this
week which means that she may take on have to serve additional districts more. The Area 2
coordinator also left and will be a rehire.
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Supervisor travel is under scrutiny. More will be known after the August 16vote.
Fate of CCAP under the Department of Agriculture will be the hot topic of the Area Issues
Meeting (Hart and Harrison will attend) on August 11th.
District E workshop is in August. Ms. Harrison will go.
B. NRCS Report: Ms. Fedoronko reported on training. Report was distributed.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. 5-year Strategic Plan: Mr. Skavroneck suggested a brainstorming session be held after the
Director is hired; taking all existing plans, contracts, etc. to thoroughly develop a vision. Ms.
Harrison will forward all documents to the group.
for regular monthly afternoon
B. Meals on Travel Vouchers: Ms. Moffitt moved to not claim meals
board meetings
. Mr. Skavroneck seconded the motion; motion passed unanimously.
C. Director Hiring Process: Mr. Skavroneck reported: Posting will close at end of business on July
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20. He has received four applications. He and Ms. Moffitt have developed questions. Kristina
Fischer will sit in on interviews if her schedule allows. He is aiming for first two weeks in August.
Operation Medicine Cabinet: David Emmerling, Executive Director, Pam-Tar Foundation,
Washington, NC, has agreed to attend the August meeting. He will bring the Pam-Tar
Riverkeeper and he wished to have the Cape Fear Riverkeeper (Kemp Burdette) attend. Mr. Hart
has been in contact with Ms. Kathy Rawlings of New Hanover Regional Medical Center. She
provided the name of a principal in Operation Medicine Drop. They will also be invited to the
August meeting. Mr. Hart will have a draft resolution ready for use as a basis for discussion by the
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members of the board and invitees. If found to be an acceptable course of action, the resolution
can be to .Area 6 meeting if the Board officers for consideration at the Fall Meeting. is favorable to
have him do so. Cape Fear River Keepers will present at our next meeting in August.
Ms. Pritchett reported that County Commissioner Rick Caitlin will come talk to the League of
Women Voters about saving water. NHSWCD will provide informational brochures, etc.
Staff evaluations. Mr. Thomas volunteered to help Mr. Skavroneck with them. Mr. Skavroneck will
schedule them as soon as possible.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
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A. August 11: Area 6 District Issues Committee meeting, Duplin Ag Center, 9:30am. Harrison and
Hart attending.
B. August 15-18: District Area Employees Workshop, Raleigh. Harrison attending.
C. August 19: teacher workshop, 1-3pm. Harrison and Long presenting.
D. Next monthly meeting Aug 22, 2011 at 2:30pm
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E. October 18, Area 6 NCASWCD Fall Meeting. Location has yet to be determined. set by the host
Pender hosting District.
Mr. Thomas moved to adjourn the meeting. Mr. Skavroneck seconded the motion; motion passed
unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 4:15pm.
Recorded By: Amy Long
Approved By: Chairman, Dave Thomas, 8/22/2011
Tick List July 18, 2011:
Complete transition to QuickBooks by Aug. 31 Dru
Suggest public event/PR to Eagles Island Coalition at next meeting Dru
Put together packet of materials related to strategic planning and send to supervisors and staff Dru
Coordinate staff evaluations with Dave, Dru and Amy -- Steve
Get Bill the Pet waste informational hangers --- Amy or Dru
Send newsletter to division --- Amy
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