WALCE BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
Schmeeckle Reserve
Stevens Point, Wisconsin – August
16, 2001
Board Members Present: Troy Kuphal, Dale Olson, Marcia Hartwig, Greg Benack, Shawn Stocks, Gaylord Olson, Pat Sutter, Dale Konkol, Paul Tollard, Bob Kaner, Mark Jenks, and Dan O’Connell
Advisors
Present: Pat
Murphy, Don Houtman, and Rebecca Baumann
Vice
President Dale Olson called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.
Minutes:
Pat Sutter would like to strike under Legislative: “Dave Jelinski and Nick
Neher requested WALCE/WLWCA views on the issues presented in the piece. It was
presented to Dave Jelinski in person on June 5th. We are still
waiting for Dave’s response to what we presented.” It was not talked about
at the meeting and added later by Troy Kuphal.
Treasurer
Report:
Marcia Hartwig reviewed the Register and Cash Flow Reports dated through August
13, 2001. No new members as of August 13, 2001. Motion to approve the treasurer
report was made by Mark Jenks. Dale Konkel seconded. Motion carried by voice
vote.
Membership
Update & Committee Appointments: Troy Kuphal mentioned to the board that the budget specifies $500.00
for NACD representative. Dale Konkol asked the board whether representatives for
WALCE should be paid members. Pat Sutter suggested Troy send a note to Pete Van
Airsdale to become a paying member of WALCE if he is going to represent WALCE at
NACD. The board needs to have updates on the meetings that Pete would be
attending. A written report would be good.
Strategic
Issues:
Discussion was brought forward by Pat Sutter that the WALCE Board needs to be
informed by the Troy and Rebecca before things get out to the whole state. When
the county conservationists received a survey jointly from WLWCA and WALCE the
board had not been informed on this at all. Information has been sent out to the
board and the whole state at the same time and the board feels we need better
communication. Marcia mentioned that the board members need to be informed
before it goes to the whole state. Dale Olson and Shawn Stocks told the board
that if we are not kept in the loop of what is taking place in WALCE then we
shouldn’t be wasting our time at these meetings. Troy indicated that WALCE was
not a sponsor of that survey. Don Houtman said “keep the board informed of all
that is taking place.” Troy said that issues are mostly discussed between
Dave, Nick, Rebecca, and he and that things come up and change so quickly it is
difficult to keep track and be able to report, particularly when discussions are
ongoing. It was suggested that when a response of two days or less is requested
to respond with a statement that two days is not sufficient to poll the WALCE
membership. Pat Sutter expressed the need to keep up the creditability and to
work on professionalism. Maybe sit back and look at things longer before sending
it out. Pat Murphy said politics is a messy game. So we need to be effective as
a person can and don’t get drawn into it without viewing it closer.
Troy
Kuphal reviewed all appointments. WASI information was sent to Troy. Scholarship
appointment-Dale Konkol and Dale Olson nominated Paul Tollard to take this
appointment over. Motion made by Mark Jenks to approve Paul Tollard to take the
third seat on the scholarship committee. Seconded by Dale Konkol. Motion passed
by voice vote. All other appointments were reviewed. Dale Olson made a motion to
approve all appointments including Pete Van Airsdale for NACD Environmental
committee with the condition he renew his membership. Pat Sutter seconded.
Motion passed by voice vote.
Approval
of Minutes:
Pat Sutter would like to make it clear that he would like to strike out under
Legislative (see attached) be removed. Dale Konkol made a motion to strike (see
attached) from the minutes. Dale Olson seconded. Motion carried by voice vote.
Annual
Conference:
Troy spoke with Joe Van Berkal from Sauk County. The meeting was rescheduled for
August 28, 2001. The planning has begun for 2002 WALCE Conference.
SWCS:
Pat Murphy explained that a program for late January or early February would
take place. He will get back to us on this.
2003
WALCE Conference:
The La Crosse Radisson Hotel is tentatively booked. Shawn Stocks will take care
of the permanent arrangements.
2004
WALCE Conference:
Troy Kuphal will be looking at Manitowoc County this conference.
Core
Training:
Paul Tollard mentioned on certification for federal employees are different from
the county certification.
Dale
Konkol (SITCOM chair) talked with Robin Shepard in for certification. Paul
Tollard told the committee it should be made more compatible with agencies.
County Conservationists have a concern for $ to send staff for certification.
Will it be mandatory or not. Pat Sutter suggests that it should not be
mandatory. Pat Murphy explained the NRCS Certification that you must take
certification and if you do not pass the course you will not hold your own
position.
Pat
Sutter asked how you would test per say (“CREP”) program it should not be
training everyone. Pat Murphy said training should be technicians and landowner.
How would the levels be? Do the plan first and program second. Ability to stand
- you will have to justify your duties. Pat Sutter explained that it shouldn’t
be that difficult to put in place. Pat Murphy explained then that inter agency
and area training on conservation planning and nutrient management. If training
is good people will come. Ag waste, grazing, organic and etc. Develop a process
for all involved over time. Make it mandatory is the question. When it is
mandatory people back away. Greg Baneck said it is good to see these things on a
resume. It sure makes it look better. Dale Konkol said questionnaires should be
sent out to all staff. Analysis for everything and goals for each area and
surroundings. Each area has different needs. Good solid training it does not
matter whom it is, they will still get the certification for all agencies.
Rebecca Bauman explained that WLWCA needs to be a part to keep in touch will
training in the state. Troy Kuphal mentioned to Paul Tollard to gear up and get
things started. This would be a good start.
Legislative
Update: Troy
reviewed different options for staff funding proposals. ATCP 50 is an issue. Don
Houtman attended a meeting July 14-17,2001. Rebecca mentioned a list of changes.
Annual rental rate was discussed. DNR has formula to figure out what perpetual
payment would be. It is not in favor to what DATCP is saying. Troy mentioned
increases of cost for program implementation. Don Houtman said 70% applies only
if enforced. Pat Murphy mentions the clean water act. Rebecca commented on
trying to enforce under county local ordinances – DATCP. Gaylord Chapter 52-59
passed against Department of Ag. Increases permit fee. Do we have to issue a
permit? Bob Kaner asked is there any cost share money for this. Donn Houtman
said nothing is going to change. Nothing with the money is going to change
either. Discussion on other programs was brought up also.
Agency
Reports:
DATCP
- Don Houtman talked about ATCP-50. Public hearing August 28, 29, & 20,
2001. Various hearing around the state. Responses will be out to the counties
from the public hearings. Don discussed CREP training and payments for
implementation. NRCS gets paid over $400,000 back from the CREP Program.
NRCS
-Pat Murphy on CREP still in limbo. Should be going really soon. Gaylord
recommended that someone from NRCS should attend LCC meetings to explain the
federal part of CREP. County Conservationists, District Conservationists, and
CED’s should talk together on issues locally. CRP training a spread sheets on
seeding and contract training. RUSLE 2 – Len Olson asked that counties
participate in the process of rolling it out and research on discovery farms in
Wisconsin. RUSLE 2 could be ready in January, possibly a WALCE Conference
session Pat Murphy mentioned.
590
Standard limited review end of August. Pat Murphy will work on the Technical
Standard.
UWEX
- Absent
WLWCA
- Chris Schlutt is working on the web sit for WALCE. Chris is coordinating with
Marcia for the final on this. WLWCA Annual Meeting is in December at Kalahari
Resort, Wisconsin Dells. DNR/BATCP will be invited to attend and our county
staff and committees. Thursday Note is still alive and well. Every two to three
weeks it will be e-mailed and then hard copied. WLWCA Board Meeting is August
24, 2001 at Schmeeckle Reserve, Stevens Point.
Board
Issues and Concerns:
NRCS Ordinances and Land Use Issues. Ag will be touched on in next meeting.
“Model Livestock Ordinance”. Greg handed out a letter for Non-Point Source
and Soil and Water Pollution Abatement Program. This letter was reviewed.
Next
Meeting Date:
October 18, 2001 at the Best Western Motel in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Adjourn:
Motion made by Dale Olson to adjourn. Seconded by Dan O’Connell. Motion
carried by voice vote.
Respectfully submitted by Shawn Stocks, WALCE Secretary