M I N U T E S (Unapproved Draft)
UTAH CONSERVATION COMMISSION (UCC) MEETING
Regular Meeting, November 12, 2014
Location, Layton, UT
ATTENDANCE:
Utah Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2014, Layton, UT
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LuAnn Adams, Commissioner, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), Standing UCC Chair
Appointed Conservation District (CD) Supervisor UCC Voting Members:
S Bruce Karren, Zone 1
Doug Bateman, Zone 2
Alan Brown, Zone 3
Scott Mower, Zone 4
Allen Henrie, Zone 5
Ed Bench, Zone 6,
Joe Begay, Zone 7
Standing Ex-Officio UCC Voting Members:
Wendell Stembridge, President, Utah Association of Conservation Districts (UACD)
Jerry Caldwell, Utah Weed Supervisor Association President
Walt Baker, Director, Water Quality Division, Utah Department of Environmental Quality
Teryl Roper, UT State University Extension (USU)
Jay Tanner, Chair, State Grazing Advisory Board
Lowell Braxton, Vice Chair, State Grazing Advisory Board
Lou Brown, for Kevin Carter, Director, Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration
Commission Members Absent:
Mike Styler, Director, Utah Department of Natural Resources
Alternate UCC Members (Non-voting):
Spencer P Holmgren, Zone 1
Nile Carlson, Zone 2
Sid Smart, Zone 3
Jon Wilde, Zone 6
Conservation Partners Representatives:
Kristy Davis, Executive Vice President, UACD
Susan Jackson, Executive Assistant, UACD
Bracken Henderson, Zone 1, Coordinator, UACD
Conservation Partners Representatives: cont’d
Nathan Daugs, Planner, UACD
Clinton Hill, Box Elder County District Manager
Loralie Cox, Zone 2 Coordinator, UACD
Reed Smith, Davis/Weber Counties District Manager
Daniel Gunnell, Zone 3 Coordinator, UACD
Dustin Rowley, Utah County District Manager
Tracy Balch, Zone 4 Assistant Coordinator, UACD
Tyce Palmer, Zone 5 Coordinator, UACD
Darrell Gillman, Zone 6 Coordinator, UACD
Roger Barton, Zone 7, Coordinator, UACD
Mistie Christiansen, Zone 7, Administrative Assistant UACD
Timothy Wilson, Acting State Conservationist USDA NRCS
Bronson Smart, NRCS
Sterling Brown, Utah Farm Bureau Federation
Department of Agriculture and Food:
Scott Ericson, Deputy Commissioner
Stephen Ogilvie, Director, Administrative Services
Thayne Mickelson, UCC Executive Director
Sherie Edginton, Executive Secretary, UCC
Roberta Valdez, Loan Specialist, Agricultural Loans Section
Rob Hougaard, Director, Plant Industry and Conservation
Jay Olsen, Environmental Specialist, ACES Program
Larry Lewis, Information Officer
Melissa Ure, Policy Analyst
Guests:
Doug Pace, Fremont River CD
Michael Larson, Sanpete CD
Bob Barry, San Juan CD
Robert Newhall, USU Extension
W.D. Robinson, Epic Engineering
Bruce Collet, Bio Grow
Utah Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2014, Layton, UT
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SUMMARY OF COMMISSION ACTION
1. Meeting Minutes for the September 15, 2014. Page2
2. Approve Conservation Delivery White Paper Page 2
UCC MEETING - CALL TO ORDER
Utah Department of Agriculture and Food Commissioner, LuAnn Adams, Utah Conservation Commission (UCC) Chairman, called the meeting to order at 12:45 P.M.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Adams indicated that the September 15, 2014 meeting minutes draft were distributed electronically, and to some by hard copy with this meeting notice. She asked for action on these minutes. The motion was made by Mr. Alan Brown to approve the September 15, 2014 meeting minutes, seconded by Mr. Walt Baker. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
CONSERVATION DISTRICT REPORT
Mr. Doug Bateman, UCC Member, Zone 2, reported on activities and accomplishments by the Conservation Districts in Zone 2. The districts have worked on irrigation management, watershed restoration projects, Ag land preservation, soil health, and sage grouse habitat. They’ve held native plant sales and worked with counties on weed projects. The districts are very active in education for adults and school age children.
WHITE PAPER COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. Thayne Mickelson, UCC Executive Director, reported the white paper final draft had been finished and mailed to the districts. He received some comments and clarifications. There were four funding recommendations from the White Paper Committee:
1. Each Conservation District now receives a base budget of $2.000 for operations. Additional limited funds have been provided to allow for Technical Assistance Grants. The lack of funding to adequately provide assistance for base services such as clerking, preparing minutes and reports, arranging meetings and events, and other communication relating to conservation districts needs and accountability; have necessitated the use of non-clerical staff to accomplish clerical tasks. As noted in the Legislative Audit, the UCC should consider increasing the CD base funding to improve or obtain clerical personnel and assure report accuracy and CD accountability.
2. The State of Utah will oversee payroll and HR needs for field staff. Conservation District Boards will oversee the hiring process, with assistance from the Department HR, and provide local oversight through the leadership of the Zone Director with management assistance for the Zone Coordinator. UACD currently provides payroll for UACD and CD employees. The Department will work with HR to evaluate job descriptions and verify equities in salaries. Staff positions filled with state funding will be approved by the UCC. Each year the UCC will also approve staffing changes with consideration from CDs and Zones. CD staff job descriptions not receiving funding as part of the UCC pool will be the responsibility of each individual CD.
3. During the workshop a priority need was identified to have additional resources for CDs to implement projects. It was determined the UCC or CDs do not have adequate state appropriated project funding for large scale watershed planning or CRMP and for implementation or construction of projects. Legislators asked CDs to provide a list of possible projects. An initial project list has been developed including priority canals with safety concerns. It is recommended the establishment of a UCC CD Project Fund through a new $2 million ongoing appropriation.
4. The CD supervisors are locally elected and provide a great service to the State of Utah. They are the leaders best positioned to assess resources conditions and lead CRMP or watershed planning. They engage and connect private landowners or ranchers permitted to use public lands to technical and financial assistance. Their outreach and education to the public is critical and obtains and increases participation. The UCC has an account set up to provide reimbursement, including time, travel and other meeting costs for service as a supervisor representing their districts. For many years there has been $135,000 budgeted to reimburse 190 elected supervisors. The amount is inadequate to cover costs. It is recommended that $64,000 ongoing general fund increase for the UCC SERA account to cover the additional cost. This need has been noted by the UCC and UDAF.
A motion to approve the 2015 Conservation Delivery Restructure and Funding Recommendation White Paper, by Mr. Bruce Karren, seconded by Mr. Alan Brown. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote.
GOVERNORS BUDGET REQUEST PROCESS
Commissioner Adams reported UDAF submitted “Building Blocks” for additional funding to be allocated to the Conservation Districts. The total request for the UCC and CDs, including increases for staff and CD base budget needs was $640,500. In addition, a onetime request of $182,500 was submitted for 7 vehicles, office space and computer and IT needs. A separate request for $2 million to fund conservation districts natural resource projects was submitted.
CONSERVTION COMMISSION 2015 BUDGET
Mr. Stephen Ogilvie, UDAF Director of Administration, reported funding to the districts had been inadequate to cover all the current funding needs. ARDL, Water Quality and NRCS funding would be redirected from UACD to the Conservation Districts.
AGRICULTURE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT LOANS (ARDL) REPORT
Ms. Roberta Valdez, ARDL Loan Specialist, reported on the ARDL program status as of October 31, 2014.
ARDL Bank Account / $346,948Investment Account / $10,734,731
Cash Total / $11,081,678
Undisbursed Loans / $1,131,845
Loan Applications in Process / $1,645.342
Zone Allocations / $7,233,859
Applications & Zone Funds Total / $8,879,201
Net Cash Position / $1,070,633
Legislative Appropriation / $22,409,947
Principal Balance of Loans / $18,213,204
Undisbursed Funds / $1,131,845
Total / $19,345,049
Contracted Loans / 453
Active Applications / 23
Average Contracted Loan Size / $42,704
Loans 30 Days Past Due / 3
Principal Repayments Year to Date / $515,875
Interest Payments / $39,247
Penalty Payments / $853
Total / $555,975
Loans Paid Off / 17
New Loans / 10
Average New Loan Size / $122,180
TA Fees Paid to UACD Year to Date / $46,992
Ms. Valdez reported there has been one foreclosure in Washington County. The loan was for $59,971. There were no bidders at the foreclosure sale, so UDAF has control of the land listed as equity. The land will be sold.
Ms. Valdez reported the rule for the commodity sheds has passed through the rule making process October 8, so now loans can be made on hay sheds and animal sheds.
UCC BUSINESS
Mr. Mickelson reported that most districts have sent their financial forms, budgets, program reports and annual plans of work into the UCC office. The audit reported that the districts need to do a better job at the annual plans of work.
Mr. Mickelson reported on the Agreed Upon Procedures for CDs that have income or expenditures of over $100,000. The State Auditor’s office is working with the UCC staff to develop Agreed Upon Procedures, so the districts won’t have to have an outside CPA firm perform a review that can cost up to $5,000.
Mr. Mickelson reported the state will allow the UCC staff to handle any GRAMA requests from the districts. Each district will have to have a GRAMA policy that identifies that the UCC office will handle GRAMA request.
Mr. Mickelson reported there have been several working groups and subcommittees. He asked the UCC if there are any other issues that need to be addressed by a working group or subcommittee such as an outreach committee.
2015 UCC FIELD DAY IN RICH COUNTY
Mr. Bracken Henderson, UACD, Zone 1, reported the 2015 Conservation Field Day will be held in Garden City, in Rich County May 28, 2015.
AGRICULTURE CERTIFICATE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP (ACES)
Mr. Jay Olsen, ACES Environmental Specialist conducted a media event for the ACES program. The department is now accepting applications for ACES certifications.
OTHER BUSINESS
Commissioner Adams introduced a draft mission statement for the UCC. “Building a stronger Utah Conservation Program and services delivery for future generation”, was the mission statement that was discussed. It was decided to approval a final mission statement at the January UCC meeting.
The UCC would like to have future reports from state and other federal agencies, so the commission can stay up to date on funding opportunities.
It was suggested that the UCC have an education and outreach subcommittee.
CALENDAR OF FUTURE EVENTS
1. UACD Annual Convention: November 13-14, at Davis Conference Center in Layton
2. NACD Annual Convention: February 1-4, 2015
3. UCC Meeting: January 7, 2015 at UDAF – Salt Lake City
4. 2015 Legislative Session: January 26-March 12, 2015
5. UCC Meeting: March 16, 2015, at St George
6. UCC Meeting: May 27, 2015, at Garden City
7. Utah Conservation Field Day: May 28, 2015 at Garden City
8. UCC Meeting: September 22, 2015, at UDAF – Salt Lake City
9. UCC Meeting: November 4, 2015, at St George
2015 ZONE MEETING DATES
Zone One: January 15 at Maddox in Perry
Zone 2: February 24 at Botanical Center in Kaysville
Zone 3: February 27 in Utah County
Zone 4: January 21 at Sevier County Fairgrounds in Richfield
Zone 5: March 16 in St George
Zone 6: March 25 in Vernal
Zone 7: March 24 at Green River Museum in Green River
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned 3:28 PM
Utah Conservation Commission Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2014, Layton, UT
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