Wisconsin Association of Land Conservation Employees

Shawn Stocks                                       Pepin County LCD, 740 7^th Ave. W., P.O. Box 39                   (715)672-8665

WALCE Secretary                                              Durand, WI  54736-0039                                  FAX: (715)672-8248

sstocks@co.pepin.wi.us  

WALCE BOARD MEETING MINUTES

February 18, 2004

Milwaukee Hilton City Center
Milwaukee, WI

Board Members Present:  Dale Olson, Tom Sweeney, Shawn Stocks, Greg Cleereman, Greg Baneck, Mark Jenks, Dan O’Connell, Brad Robole, Penny Pohle – absent Rick Mechelke

Call to Order:  Dale Olson welcomed everyone to the WALCE Annual Meeting.

Approval of January 15, 2004 Minutes:  Motion made by Penny Pohle to accept the January 15, 2004 minutes.  Motion seconded by Tom Sweeney.  Motion carried by voice vote.

Treasurer’s Report:  Tom Sweeney reviewed the WALCE Budget dated 2/18/04.  The current budget will end at the end of the fiscal year on March 31, 2004.  New budget will start April 1, 2004.    Tom reviewed the proposed 2004-05 WALCE Budget.  A few questions were raised on Professional Dues.  Tom explained these fees are only paid for expenses specifically used for WALCE.  When a professional fee bill is submitted to WALCE, it is itemized for our share of fees – WLWCA has their own itemized billing.  The white paper was discussed.  Motion made by Jim McCalley to accept the WALCE 2004-05 proposed budget and budget dated 2/18/04.  Motion seconded by Dale Hanson.  Motion carried by voice vote.

Re-Org: 

·         Approval of WALCE Four Areas:  Dale Olson presented the proposed areas on the map – it would consolidate the eight regions down to four different areas.  Maps were readily available.  Motion made by Steve Bradley to accept the four proposed areas.  Motion seconded by Chris Murphy.  Motion carried by voice vote.

·         Summary of Re-Organization:  Dale Olson discussed the re-organization.  President and Vice President position elections will be on even years.  Secretary and Treasurer positions will be appointed positions.  Areas rep terms will be up on odd years.  The current reps will continue for one more year until 2005.   The reps informed the membership who would be an area rep in the four new areas and then which committees the other reps could possibly serve on if necessary.  Discussion from some of the general membership was that the reps should not take it upon themselves to decide who is going to be the rep for the new four areas.  Some felt they should remain representing the old eight areas until next year and then condense down to four reps via elections in 2005.  This would mean that they would overlap on areas.  Decision was that WALCE by laws require continuing with two area maps until 2005 – committees will use the new map and current area reps will remain for the eight areas.  There will be a short meeting after the annual meeting for the new areas to come together and sign up for the new committees  (Administrative, Technical, and Professional Improvement).

Committee Reports: 

• President’s Report:  Dale Olson gave a power point report covering the goals and achievements that WALCE has accomplished over the last year.  He also told the board and members that he

Approved 4/04

• was not going to run for re-election and was going to spend the time with his family.   He expressed his appreciation for all the support he has been given and thanked everyone for their work on the WALCE Board.
• Scholarship Report:  Information was available at the meeting and is also on the WALCE Web Site.  Dale Olson encouraged members to use these funds that are readily available on a first come/first serve basis.
• SOC Report:  Perry Lindquist provided a written report that was included in the WALCE conference folder.

Agency Reports: 

• NRCS Report:  Steve Prissel from NRCS reported on behalf of Pat Murphy who was unable to make it to the Annual Meeting.  Steve talked about the Ag Waste Program, EQIP and local workgroups, WRP, WHIP programs with various funding.  He talked about the planners in the state and how the procedure is progressing. 
• NACD Report:  Christa Jones introduced herself as the new regional rep for NACD.  She gave the history of NACD and what her goals were for the area and her new position.  NACD’s goal is to bring the dollars back locally.
• UWEX Report:  Andy Yencha talked about updates with the basin educators within the state and gave an overall view of activities that are and will be taking place.

Resolutions:  None 

Any Other Business:  Paul Daigle mentioned that applications for grazing need to get sent in this spring.  He also requested that any ideas be sent to him. 

Candidate Speeches:  Jean Schomisch gave a candidate speech for WALCE President.  Perry Lindquist and Dale Hanson gave their candidate speeches for Vice President.

Next Meeting Date:  To be announced at a later time.

Motion to Adjourn:  Motion made by Paul Daigle to adjourn.  Motion seconded by Don Franke.  Motion carried by voice vote. 

Respectively Submitted By:  Shawn Stocks, WALCE Secretary - 3-12-04 – Approved 4/04