Wisconsin Association

of

Land Conservation Employees

 

WALCE BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Stevens Point, WI

 

Board Members Present: Jean Schomisch, Perry Lindquist, Dan O’Connell, Bob Micheel, Ed Hernandez, Paul Tollard, Greg Leonard, Greg Cleereman, Tom Sweeney, and Diane Hanson

 

Advisors Present:  Pat Murphy, NRCS

 

Call to Order and Introduction: Jean Schomisch called the WALCE Board meeting to order at 9:40 am.  Jean welcomed the new board members and introductions were made.

 

Approval of Minutes: The January 26th 2005 meeting minutes had been previously approved.  Motion by Dan O’Connell, second by Greg Cleereman to approve the March 2, 2005 meeting minutes. Motion carried.

 

Treasurers Report:  Tom Sweeney distributed and reviewed the 2004-2005 budget report.  This will close out the books for 2004-2005 and Tom’s term as treasurer. Tom did state that WLWCA billing for legislative services may impact this budget report. The board then discussed the WLWCA billing for legislative services and budget issues. Motion Greg Cleereman, second by Dan O’Connell to accept 2004-2005 budget report. Motion carried.  Ed Hernandez distributed and reviewed the status of the 2005-2006 budget and recent expenditures. Motion by Greg Leonard, second by Diane Hanson to approve the treasurer’s report.  Motion carried.  The Board thanked Ed for volunteering to serve as the treasurer for WALCE and Tom Sweeney for his years of service. 

 

Professional Services Contract:  Discussion followed on the draft professional services agreement between WLWCA and WALCE regarding lobbying efforts.  Modifications were made to the agreement based on discussion.  Jean will contact Rebecca and Hugh Mulliken to try to proceed with the acceptance of the professional services agreement.  It was agreed that the proposed terms of the agreement were not negotiable.

Motion by Paul Tollard, second by Dan O’Connell to approve the agreement with changes.  Motion carried all ayes.   

 

Dues: Jean reviewed recent bills received for regional and national association dues. Motion by Greg Cleereman, second by Dan O’Connell to approve payment of regional dues.  A friendly amendment was made to include the payment of the national dues. Discussion followed on value of the associations and evaluation of programs and meeting agendas. Motion carried – 7-1.

 

Appointments and Authority of WALCE Members serving on committees: Jean reviewed the membership of the Administration, Technical and Professional Improvement Committees.  Currently, we need 2 new members on Professional Improvement Committee.  Jean also reviewed non-WALCE Committee appointments and list.  Paul Sebo and Dave Nashold have been selected to serve on the NRCS Automation Design Tools Committee. Motion by Diane Hanson, second by Dan O’Connell to appoint Paul and Dave to serve on the NRCS Automation Design Tools Committee.  Motion carried.  The Technical Committee has requested that WALCE have a representative on Manure Management Task Force. Shawn Esser, Marathon County has volunteered to represent WALCE.  He will attend the task force meetings and assist as a Technical Advisor. Motion by Greg Leonard, second by Paul Tollard to approve Shawn’s involvement with the Manure Management Task Force.  Motion carried.

 

Discussion then followed on the authority of WALCE members serving on committees, specifically related to issues that came out of WLWCA Steering Committee.  Jean then provided an update on the WLWCA Steering Committee. 

 

Bob Micheel requested that Doug Denk, Lincoln County be the alternate for Bob on the State Technical Committee.  Also, Bob is serving on a committee that is looking at the DNR permitting process for streambank and shoreline projects.  Motion by Perry Lindquist, second by Dan O’Connell to approve Doug and Bob’s appointment to these committees. Motion carried.

 

Recess for Lunch at 11:45 am.  Reconvened at 12:20 pm.

 

Membership – Tom distributed the 2005 membership list and Jean encourages area representatives to contact LCD employees to encourage them to become members of WALCE.

 

Technical Committee Report: Bob Micheel provided an update on the work of the Technical Committee.  The Committee had a concern regarding the process for distribution of the committee minutes to everyone.  Discussion followed on the setup of the email lists on the WALCE website.

 

A tour is being scheduled for the 3rd week of September in the Dunn and Chippewa County areas to tour a manure digester, manure composting, a barnyard project, a Streambank project, etc.  Discussion followed on tour costs and billing processes. 

 

Dan O’Connell updated the Board on the contact network for conservation practice expertise.  Discussion followed.  Jeremy Johnson is working on compiling a list of vendors of erosion control products. 

 

The Technical Committee has discussed the LCD’s role in agro-forestry practices, the State Technical Committee’s redesign of EQIP (national template of ranking vs. local template of ranking) and Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plans.

 

Policy Manual:  Perry will be editing the policy manual and putting it into final format.  Any comments should be sent to Perry.

 

Conservation Briefing Book: Perry distributed a binder compiled by the League of Conservation Voters titled the Wisconsin Conservation Briefing Book.  This binder was distributed to legislators.  It outlines resource issues, potential solutions and various conservation groups to contact for additional information.

 

President and Board Members Reports: Jean updated the Board on DATCP’s Staff funding proposal for 2006.  She also informed the Board that the Administration Committee will be meeting with the Wisconsin Counties Association in Madison the last week of July.  A  Thank You card from Jean Kaatz regarding WALCE’s contribution to Dean Kaatz’s memorial was shared with the Board.  The County Conservationists will be meeting in October.  Jean provided a Land and Water Conservation Board update.  Jean then asked all Board members and visitors to provide input on their perspective of the future direction of WALCE and any goals that the association should strive for. 

 

Greg Cleereman raised an issue of concern regarding the relationship of LCD’s with DNR specifically related to the permitting process for conservation projects.  Greg stated that a small group of County Conservationists met with DNR staff to discuss the lack of trust of counties and the level of scrutiny received on some projects.  After discussion, it was agreed that this issue will be placed on the agenda for the October County Conservationist meeting.

 

Administrative Committee Report: Andy Johnson provided a report to the Board on the activities of the Administrative Committee.  Issues discussed include the staffing survey, Livestock Siting Rules, NR243, relationship with WCA, funding issues, and the Buffer Initiative.  The Administrative Committee is striving to develop a work plan for the top 3 issues that WALCE needs to focus on.

 

Professional Improvement Committee:  The Committee has scheduled a meeting in early August to discuss the 2006 conference and other professional improvement issues.

 

Advisors Report: Pat Murphy, NRCS distributed and reviewed a written report.

 

Next Meeting Date: The dates of October 6 & 7, 2005 were set for the next WALCE Board meeting to be held at the Schmeekle Reserve in Stevens Point.  The Board will be reviewing and updating the Strategic Plan at this meeting. 

 

Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 3:05 pm.

Respectfully submitted:  Diane Hanson, Secretary