NORTHERN PANHANDLE CONSERVATION DISTRICT
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
March 13 th , 200 8
SUPERVISORS PRESENT :
Harry Cox, Appointed, Ohio County
Robert Luchetti, Ohio County
Jim Caldwell, Brooke County
Charles Pugh, Hancock County
SUPERVISORS ABSENT:
Ron Moore, Marshall County
ASSOCIATE SUPERVISOR PRESENT :
Ruth Milliken, Marshall County
Betty Schafer, Marshall County
OTHERS PRESENT:
Veronica Gibson, Administrative Officer, WVCA
Norm Bailey, Area Director, WVCA
Nicole Viars, District Conservationist, NRCS
Ed Hanson, Soil Technician, NRCS
Sharon Andrews, Outreach Coordinator, NPCD
Vice-Chairman Robert Luchetti called the meeting to order on Thursday, March 13th, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the USDA Service Center, McMechen, WV.
Minutes: Robert Luchetti approved the minutes for the February 14th, 2008 Board meeting as presented.
Financial Report: Reports were distributed for February, 2008. Harry Cox reviewed the reports and recommended for the Board to take them home to review further. Charles Pugh made a motion to make a principal payment of $20,000 to Wesbanco for the loan for the construction of the building. Jim Caldwell seconded the motion. Motion passed.
OLD BUSINESS
Equipment:
· The location of the equipment was reviewed.
· Jim Caldwell reported that John Ripley of Brooke County has the 02 spreader.
Watershed Issues:
· Charles Pugh reported that he has a meeting scheduled concerning drilling holes at Site #3, Wheeling Creek. Charles reviewed the Emergency Action Plans for Wheeling Creek. Howard Coffield is moving forward with a timber sale for Site #7, Wheeling Creek.
USDA Building Complex :
· Security cameras – Robert Luchetti reported that Burke Security will install the cameras when the weather is better.
Outdoor Classroom:
· Sharon Andrews reported the following:
o She and Nicole Viars met with someone concerning the butterfly garden. They decided they would not use this service and will continue looking.
o A committee meeting will be scheduled for the Outdoor Classroom.
· Nicole Viars reported the following:
o NRCS provided a bulletin from Plant Materials Center for test plots. If the District would plant a test plot they would receive the seeds for wildflowers for free. The District would be responsible for the prep of the area.
NEW BUSINESS
WVACD Auxiliary:
· The WVACD Auxiliary is requesting donations for the scholarship fund. Motion by Jim Caldwell to donate $25. Seconded by Charles Pugh. Motion passed.
UOCD Land Judging Contest:
· UOCD is requesting funds to support the land judging contest. The District will have participants in the contest. Motion by Harry Cox to donate $300 to the UOCD Land Judging contest. Seconded by Charles Pugh. Motion passed.
Expression of Interest:
· Three EOI’s were received by the District. Board members will meet after the Board meeting to review.
Credit Card :
· A motion was made by Charles Pugh to apply for a credit card with WesBanco with a $2,000 limit. Veronica Gibson, Ron Moore and Robert Luchetti would be cardholders. Seconded by Jim Caldwell. Motion passed.
Congressional Tour :
· A meeting will be held at the NPCD conference room on Wednesday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m.
County Conservation Farmer :
· Each supervisor will have a farmer selected for their county for the next meeting.
Seedlings for 4 th Grade Students:
· Sharon Andrews presented to the Board a proposal to purchase pine seedlings for fourth graders in the Northern Panhandle. The cost would by twenty-five cents per seedling plus the cost of materials to prep the seedlings when they are received. Motion by Jim Caldwell to purchase pine seedlings for fourth graders in Marshall County . Seconded by Charles Pugh. Motion passed.
Fruit Tree Fundraiser:
· Sharon Andrews presented to the Board a proposal to have a fruit tree sale to raise funds for the education programs. The topic was tabled until more information is received.
Monongahela Conservation District Copier:
· Monongahela Conservation District has a used copier for sale. The asking price is $750 or best offer. Motion by Jim Caldwell to offer $500 for the copier. Seconded by Charles Pugh. Motion passed. The copier would be purchased for District use.
FY09 Budget:
· A meeting will be held for FY09 budget on Wednesday, March 26 at 10:00 a.m. The budget will be discussed after the Congressional Tour meeting.
RC&D Project Sharing Truck:
· RC&D has a project that involves non-profit organizations in the Northern Panhandle. RC&D can receive items that will be distributed to these organizations. RC&D will need a place to store the items until they can be picked up. Motion by Harry Cox for the District to partner with RC&D project sharing. The District will pick up a truck load of items on April 8 in Parkersburg and bring to the office. Seconded by Jim Caldwell. Motion passed. Items may include food, clothing, office supplies, cleaning supplies, etc.
O&M Inspection Dates:
· April 16 – Wheeling Creek – Robert Luchetti
· April 17 – Middle Grave Creek Channel – Ron Moore
· April 17 – Upper Grave Creek – Ron Moore
· April 18 – Harmon Creek Structures and Channel – Charles Pugh and Jim Caldwell
Conservation Agreements:
· Brent Ferrell/Marshall County/46 acres
· Brent Cunningham/Marshall County/72 acres
Motion by Harry Cox to accept the names listed above as new cooperators. Seconded by Jim Caldwell . Motion passed.
Lime Incentive Program:
· Brent Ferrell/Marshall County/12 acres/5.1pH
· Calvin Merinar/Marshall County/8 acres/5.7pH
· Brent Cunningham/Marshall County/24 acres/5.4pH
Motion by Harry Cox to approve the above listed names for the Lime Program. Seconded by Charles Pugh . Motion passed.
CORRESPONDENCE
Secretary Jim Caldwell read the following correspondence: 1) Email from NRCS stating that Sharon Andrews will be kept on the USDA network without charge until further notice. 2) Conservation materials from NRCS. 3) Letter from Kevin Wickey, State Conservationist, NRCS, to Army Corp of Engineers concerning the Highlands project. 4) Four mine permits from WV DEP.
REPORTS
WVCA
Norman Bailey , Area Director
· Reviewed dates for Area II meeting, Grassland Contest, Appalachian Grazing Conference meeting and Quarterly meeting. All dates and times are listed in the monthly report from Norm. The report was distributed to each supervisor.
· Gene Saurborn has met with Jeff Davis of Hancock County. They have been discussing future projects.
NRCS
Nicole Viars, District Conservationist
· A field office report was distributed. The report will be filed with the minutes.
· Funded 9 more EQIP contracts this month for a total of 18 for the year.
· No new Farm Bill. The existing one has been extended through April 18.
SUPERVISORS & ASSOCIATE SUPERVISORS
· Jim Caldwell – Attended the National NACD Conference in Nevada. Jim knows someone that is interested in the Appalachian Grazing Conference.
· Harry Cox – No report.
· Robert Luchetti – Attended the Ham and Bacon sale. Purchased a ham on behalf of the District and donated it back to the Cameron FFA Chapter.
· Ruth Milliken – No report.
· Betty Schafer – No report.
OUTREACH COORDINATOR – Sharon Andrews , NPCD
· Three scholarship applications have been received.
· Reported on various education and outdoor classroom projects.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER – Veronica Gibson , WVCA
· Reminded Supervisors to sign the bank statements and checks.
NPCD LADIES AUXILIARY
· No report
NEXT MEETING – The next meeting will be held on April 10 th , 200 8 at 10:00 a . m . at the USDA Service Center in McMechen.
There being no further business, Vice-C hairman Luchetti adjourn ed the meeting at 12: 1 0 p .m.
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Jim Caldwell, Secretary Ron Moore, Chairman
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