Verde NRCD Monthly Meeting -Minutes
March 8, 2010, 9:00 a.m.,
Camp Verde Chamber of Commerce
385 Main St.,
Camp Verde, AZ 86322

1. Call to order -- Chairperson Jodi Allen called the meeting to order at 9:10 am.

2. Introductions – Those attending were Supervisors Jodi Allen, Ryna Rock, Kaki Rowland, and Beth Toraason; District Clerk Margery Lambert; Mark Jalving and Bob Arambula from NRCS; and Doug Witte from AZ State Land Dept. Absent: Lynda Zanolli, Ed Center Director.

3. Consent Agenda -- Ryna Rock made a motion to approve the revised February minutes as written, Beth Toraason seconded it. All approved. Jodi Allen made a motion to adopt the March 8 meeting agenda as written; Beth seconded it. All approved.

4. Correspondence review/acknowledgment -- – Jodi sent around a package from David McKay of NRCS with information on convening a Local Work Group of farmers and ranchers to identify priority resource concerns and determine what they would like from the NRCS. The LWG is part of the EQIP program. The LWG is to be held between March 1 and June 30. District can also invite cooperating organizations, government agencies, and the public to attend. Voting membership is limited to government and tribal agency representatives. Jodi suggested posting the invitation in the USGS’ free magazine, which has wide readership among farmers and ranchers.

5. Agency Reports--

NRCS: Mark Jalving reported that M Diamond Ranch, the sole EQIP applicant within the District, did not receive funding. Project request, to help fund replacement of maintenance fencing lost in flooding, was deemed a low priority compared to other applications. Mark is willing to discuss qualifications for EQIP funding at a local public meeting if we wish. The problem is that there is little commercial farming here that will meet the EQIP requirements. Discussion ensued identifying possible local operations that might qualify and suggesting Supervisors visit them to discuss opportunities for conservation funding. District can discuss this information at the LWG meeting also.

Bob Arambula reported he met with Lynda Zanolli to discuss Ed Center planning and coordination and introduce her to the NRCS online database of grant opportunities. He has offered to help her write grant applications. A water quality monitoring grant is available from AZ Dept. of Environmental Quality through the EPA. Doug Witte noted that instructors must be certified to work with students doing the monitoring activities.

State Land Dept.: Doug noted that he has been working with Margery regarding her election-related questions. Also, State Land has asked the Attorney General’s office to revisit the supervisor personal/professional liability exposure issue between Districts and State Land. He just learned that State Land has been budgeting annually its share of an insurance premium for conservation districts and supervisors—volunteers only. Doesn’t know what the limits of liability are. Two Districts have purchased their own binder. Additional personal limits of liability, covering up to $2 million, would be around $1,700-$1,800/year. Doesn’t know what it would cost State to increase its premium payment to that point. State updated the volunteer waiver form to conform with the one used by Conservation Districts.

6. Old Items

Friends of the Verde River Greenway (VRG)-- Jodi reported that the group has sent its insurance policies to Freeport-McMoRan Copper, which is reviewing them. Freeport has indicated they will make a contribution to the project; group hopes that their funds will allow group to work in State Parks. Funds from USFW will not cover public lands. Doug mentioned a national organization that sponsors city kids (college-age) looking for special projects in the state to be involved with over the course of 6-12 weeks in the summer. Project sponsor must provide lodging. State is considering some of the closed State Parks or tent stays as park stewards. Doug will e-mail contact information to us.

Promotional packet review—Jodi reported that Lynda put together a CD to include in the packet.

Wildlife escape ramp— Jodi reported the MUHS FFA students are still trying to figure out how best to bend the thicker metal. Kaki suggested the District discontinue the search for how to work with the existing metal and simply purchase the correct metal so the project can move forward. Later the District might be able to find a use for the thicker metal. There is still $500 available from donations to purchase new metal. The students can still look for solutions with the existing metal, but production could begin sooner with new metal. Kaki made a motion to have the District buy new metal with the remaining $500, Ryna seconded. All approved.

Weather station— Beth reported she contacted Richard Becker, who installed the station, and received information about it. She is searching eBay for comparable items. The computer that goes with the station is probably in the shed. Beth will ask Richard to identify it in the shed.

International Wildlife Film Festival— The festival is scheduled for September or October 2010. Ryna reported the AWF has heard back from Harkins Theatres and will be discussing possible dates for the festival.

NRCD checking account/monthly financial statement— Jodi distributed the February financial statement.

AZCD quarterly dues-- Jodi reminded the group that District agreed to pay on quarterly basis. Ryna made a motion to pay the next installment of $300, Kaki seconded. All approved.

Verde Birding and Nature Festival-- See Ed Center report.

Rubber boats follow-up—Jodi reported that Lynda contacted the local schools and fire departments; no response received yet. Ryna suggested Lynda contact Prescott College to see if they’re interested for one of their classes; Jodi will ask Lynda to do so.

7. New Items

Election process— Kaki suggested the District conduct a mail-in election instead of polling. Doug said the mail-in election process is fine for a simple re-election but needs to start immediately. After contacting our cooperators in writing and posting the public notice in a paper and other public locations, cooperators must file a written request with the District to receive a mail-in ballot. Beth made a motion that the District hold a mail-in election, Kaki seconded. After discussion, all approved. Doug needs to be notified about the number of official envelopes, return envelopes, and ballots needed by 30 days before the election, and the ballot count must occur by 5:00 p.m. April 30. Jodi noted that we need to form an Electoral Board of 2 judges and one inspector to count and certify ballots. Beth and Jodi will be judges, Margery will be inspector. Margery will post an abbreviated notice in the legal notices section of the Larson papers, which will direct readers to the full posting on the website. The full notice will also be posted in various public locations in the District. Anyone who submits a cooperator form qualifies to vote. Kaki suggested cooperators make sure acreage information is provided on their forms, if applicable, for future reference. Margery will also submit a press release regarding the election to the papers.

Staff per diems— Jodi requested input on the staff travel and per diem policy, which will be added to the overall NRCD policy statement currently being revised. In addition, supervisor mileage compensation ($0.55/mile) was clarified to be for attendance at meetings within the Verde Valley. Supervisors agreed that staff should receive mileage reimbursement for attendance at outside pre-approved meetings within the Verde Valley (not the monthly Board meeting), and will receive per diem and mileage reimbursement for pre-approved meetings or events outside the Verde Valley. The per diem rate will be set at a “not to exceed” of $36, and will require receipts for reimbursement. Margery will send out a revised policy statement for Supervisor review.

NRCS/NRCD workshop attendance— Jodi noted that attendance by Ryna and Beth at today/tomorrow’s workshop in Flagstaff needs to be pre-approved (notice of the workshop came in late February). Ryna made a motion to approve her and Beth to attend the workshop, Beth seconded. All approved.

Supervisor Report— Ryna— Ryna reported on recent activities by the AWF involving several pieces of legislation, referenda, and planning processes including the Wild Horse and Burro Act (rising visibility and debate at national level), State Trust Land Reform (“in a coma”), forest planning, State Wildlife Action Plan (AZ Game and Fish), Travel Management policies (USFS and BLM revisions in process). Also working to link AWF to NWF’s website, OurPublicLands.org. AWF now has a registered lobbyist working with the legislature. Several actions in support/opposition of pending legislation: complementary licenses (motion to oppose bill passed); constitutional right to hunt (taking neutral stance until additional information reviewed); G&F Commission screening of commission applicants to favor hunters (upheld current opposition); require Governor release list of G&F Commission applicants (motion to support passed).

Supervisor Report – Kaki—Kaki reported on legislative event that she and Beth attended. Lucy Mason did not meet with them. Deborah Smith asked for $200 from each District to allow her and Lamar Smith to publish a technical manual for western range management. Each District would be given one hard-copy manual. AZ ACD is coordinating the funding process for private publishing. Perhaps AZ ACD could put the manual on their website and allow Districts to link to it. Doug suggested Supervisors ask Stefanie Smallhouse for more information about this project. Kaki also distributed copies of letters to Sens. McCain and Kyl and Rep. Kirkpatrick calling for federal funding of the Verde River Basin Partnership (still pertinent in light of new SRP/Prescott agreement). Individuals are asked to sign the letters on behalf of VRBP and return them to Ryna at the next meeting for her to return to the VRBP.

Supervisor Report – Beth - Beth reported that she and Kaki met with Andy Tobin and Steve Pearce, both of whom were “receptive, interested, and affirmative.” Lucy Mason did not acknowledge them. AZ ACD made a plea for Districts to pay state dues and national dues, and to make a contribution to the regional chair’s (Mike McCauley) travel expenses. Kaki recommended the District not pay dues to the national NRCD at this time, and suggested Ryna and Beth ask McCauley about the dues/travel funds request at the workshop in Flagstaff today and tomorrow. Chino Winds District’s clerk presented a report of that District’s activities to legislators; Beth recommended we do the same next year. All agreed.

Employees’ 3-month review—Supervisor discussion of staff performance and potential pay raises occurred after the February meeting, with a proposed $20/month raise per employee. Ryna made a motion to raise the hourly rate for Margery to $13.25, staying at 15 hours/month, Kaki seconded. All approved. Ryna made the same motion regarding Lynda, Kaki seconded. All approved.

District Clerk report— Margery reminded board that they should submit an agenda and/or typed report of meeting attendance to comply with Doug’s documentation suggestions and to help her with the minutes. She also reported meeting with Lynda and Joe Spangler, the District’s webmaster, to discuss the website. Recommended that she not pursue webpage work as it would be too time-consuming and Joe is happy to continue doing it at his hourly rate. Supervisors agreed with this assessment. Mentioned two articles found in Cottonwood Journal Extra that involved NRCS and asked about archiving articles that feature NRCD or NRCS that could be put in binder and/or uploaded onto the website. Board agreed it would be nice; no further action at this time. Margery will contact local reporters to see about getting District mention in future articles.

Ed Center Director report-- Jodi reported on Ed Center activities on behalf of Lynda. She distributed copies of tri-fold publicity brochures for review. Ryna made a motion that the District seek bids on printing up 1,000 fliers, Beth seconded. All approved. Beth will contact Starlight Printing; Jodi will contact the company that printed Camp Verde Chamber of Commerce fliers; Doug will check with the NACD printing service in Texas; Ryna will contact Print Raven in Flagstaff; Margery will check the Internet. Uploaded new cooperator agreement form onto the website, and plans to amend the “acreage” line item to include a “not applicable” option. Priced two of the books that could be given away at Verde Birding Festival. Board agreed to buy one book to give away. Festival is also on Earth Day, and had a few possible free product ideas to link to Earth Day. Board agreed to consider products for next year, but not this year. Board discussed changes to be made to the brochure; Margery noted them and will contact Lynda about them. Website class going well but recommends keeping Joe on board to do work on website. Board discussed having Lynda certified as an official trainer for Leave No Trace; training is 2.5 days in May, costs $150, plus per diem, lodging, and mileage. Kaki suggested looking for a grant that would pay for Lynda to go to the schools to give the training once she is certified. Ryna made a motion to approve Lynda take the training for $150 (with details on other costs to be determined), Kaki seconded. All approved. Jodi distributed an information packet with the District’s mission statement that Lynda developed. Margery will contact Lynda with District’s official mission statement. Board agreed that mission statement should be on website, business cards, and brochures.

Meeting adjourned at 11:20 am.

Next meeting April 12th, 2010 at 9:00 am.

Minutes approved:

_______________________ _____________________

Jodi Allen, Chair Date

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by calling Jodi Allen at 928-567-3107 or 928-554-0463. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.