Wisconsin Association of Land Conservation Employees

Board Members Present:  Ed Hernandez, Dale Hanson, Kurt Calkins, Greg Leonard, Diane Hanson, Dan O’Connell, Paul Tollard,

Others Present: Pat Murphy, NRCS; Rebecca Bauman, WLWCA; Ezra Meyer, Wisconsin Association of Lakes; Carol Holden, DNR; and Coreen Fallat, DATCP, Joe Van Berkel, Sauk County.

Call to Order: Dale Hanson called the WALCE Board Meeting to order at 12:35pm.

Treasurers Report - Due to conflict, Ed needed to leave soon so we moved directly to Treasurers report agenda item.  Ed reviewed the Treasurers Report, including an update on the Scholarship account and conference expenses and revenue.  Motion by Diane Hanson second by Kurt Calkins to approve treasurer’s report and the transfer of $5000 from general account to CDII account.  Motion carried.  Diane informed the Board that she completed an audit on the 04-05 books and found no discrepancies.

Approval of Minutes: Diane distributed copies of March 1^st minutes. Motion by Greg Leonard, second by Paul Tollard to approve minutes of March 1^st Annual meeting. Motion carried.

Appointment of Secretary:  Motion by Diane Hanson, second by Greg Leonard to approve the appointment of Joe Van Berkel as secretary of the Association. Motion carried.

Administrative Committee report – Dale Hanson provided an administrative committee update. Discussion followed about agency/association involvement with the administrative committee and making the administrative committee more action oriented such as meeting with legislators, DNR staff etc., since the Committee has been meeting in Madison. Also discussed were different approaches to distributing information.

Technical Committee report – Dan O’Connell provided an update on the Technical Committee.  The committee has been working on a grant proposal for updating the transect survey software. Motion by Kurt Calkin second by Dan O’Connell to proceed with grant application for purpose of updating the Transect Survey software. Motion carried.  Other topics being discussed by the Technical Committee include manure spreading issues, modifying real estate forms to include a manure storage check, reduced tillage survey, contact link updates, and the communication policy. 

Discussion followed on the website and list serve issues. 

Professional Improvement Committee – The next meeting is scheduled for April 18^th  at the hotel in Stevens Point.  The 2006 Conference was very successful and the committee is currently reviewing comments and beginning to plan for next year.  Thanks to Penny Pohle, Pete Jopke and Ed Hernandez for all of their hard work in organizing this year’s conference.

Appointment to WALCE Technical Committee – Mary Jo Webster has stepped down from the technical committee due to other time commitments and she recommended Matt Hanewall, LaCrosse County.  Matt is willing to serve on the Technical Committee.  Motion by Paul Tollard, second by Dan O’Connell to approve Matt Hanewall’s appointment to Technical committee. Motion carried. 

Upcoming Appointments to WALCE Administrative Committee – Dale informed the Board that there will be some vacancies on the Administrative Committee.  The North Area will have a vacancy since Dale has been elected President.  The West Area will also have a vacancy since Dave Appleyard will be stepping down.  Dale will be looking for some input to fill these vacancies. 

Advisors Report:  

WLWCA – Rebecca Bauman updated the Board on the status of resolutions from the annual meeting.  She discussed the need for WALCE and WLWCA to discuss the roles of the WLWCA Legislative committee vs. WALCE Administrative committee.  She encouraged the Board to work with WLWCA to develop unified strategies specifically geared towards state budget issues.

DATCP – Coreen Ripp distributed and reviewed a written report.  Items discussed included: livestock siting, grant applications, cost share needs, listening sessions and LWRM plan information on DATCP website.  

DNR – Carol Holden distributed and reviewed a written report.  Items discussed included: NR243, manure management issues, NR151 Performance Standards implementation, stormwater and construction site erosion control, tracking of manure spills, and biannual budget proposals.

NRCS – Pat Murphy distributed and reviewed a written report.  Items discussed included: Conservation Security Program, Conservation Reserve Program, the Farm bill, EQIP and conservation tillage funding issues.  

Other Business: On behalf of Greg Baneck, Dale discussed the NACD conference expenses that Greg had incurred and was asking for reimbursement for.  The Board had no concerns about Greg’s reimbursement.  Dale also mentioned the need for promoting Land Conservation Departments and his suggestions for future County Conservationist Meetings. 

Greg Leonard read a email that he had received from Gaylord Olson and Don Franke regarding the Wisconsin Private Landowner Grant Program and WLWCA charging a 15% administrative fee if the county is not a member of WLWCA.  Rebecca responded to this issue and stated that WLWCA administrates this program on behalf of the DNR and if the county pays WLWCA dues, those funds are used to cover administrative costs.  If the County does not pay dues, the county is charged a 15% administrative fee.  Rebecca also mentioned that they are working on a financial work plan for the Standards Oversight Council staff person.  Currently 40% of the funding is coming from DNR, DATCP and NRCS.  The funding from these agencies has not increased and DATCP decreased their funding for SOC.  WLWCA’s accountant is suggesting that WLWCA increase the percentage of administrative fees that WLWCA charges. 

 Set Next Meeting Date:  The next WALCE Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, July 18^th in Stevens Point.  Location to be determined. 

Adjourn – Motion by Greg Leonard, second by Dan O’Connell to adjourn at 3:50pm

Respectfully submitted, 

Diane Hanson