Minutes

Marion Soil and Water Conservation District (MSWCD)

Regular Board Meeting

2710 East Silver Springs Boulevard

Ocala, FL 34470

December 12, 2022

9:30 AM

PLEASE NOTE: Individuals wishing to address the Board will need to sign in. A three-minute time limit will be administered to each of these individuals. PLEASE MUTE ALL PHONES. This agenda acts as a guidance for the structure of the meeting. Thank you.

I. Call to Order
Chairman Justin Albright called the meeting to order at 9:40 AM.

•  Roll Call

Justin Albright, Chairman
Vivi Serena, Vice-Chairman/Treasurer
Colleen Stenstream, Secretary
Brent London, Supervisor

Absent:
Tina Johns, Supervisor

Others in Attendance
Ann Bishop, MSWCD Staff

•  Proof of Publication

Star-Banner – Sent an email regarding this meeting on June 28 and a reminder on December 5.
Florida Administrative Weekly – Posted in the FL Admin Weekly on June 20.
NRCS – Sent an email regarding this meeting on June 28.
Marion County Board of County Commissioners – Sent an email regarding this meeting on June 28 and a reminder on December 5.

•  Chair’s Comments Regarding the Agenda
• Public Comments on the Agenda Items Only

II. CONSENT AGENDA
(A motion to approve the items on the consent agenda is to approve items if unanimous consent from last workshop meeting.)

• MSWCD Board Minutes
•  MSWCD Board Financial Report

PROPOSED MOTION: Colleen Stenstream moved that the MSWCD consent agenda be approved as presented. Vivi Serena seconded; all were in favor.

III. Membership Dues

• NACD

All Board members agreed to pay the same membership dues as last year.

• ACFD

PROPOSED MOTION: Vivi Serena moved that MSWCD pay AFCD: $150 towards the Ellis Putnal Fund and $350 towards membership. Colleen Stenstream seconded; all were in favor.

IV. Long Range Plan

PROPOSED MOTION: Vivi Serena moved that the MSWCD accept the Long Range Plan as discussed at this meeting. Colleen Stenstream seconded; all were in favor.

V. NRCS Report
No report given.

VI. FDACS Report

•  Cost Share

Ann Bishop gave an overview of the cost share program.

Brent London discussed the District purchasing a no till drill and loaning it out to producers. He suggested a Hay Buster that has a three point lift and is six feet wide. He is willing to keep the equipment at his place. The Board discussed this idea: cost of the equipment, potential partnering opportunities, maintenance of the equipment, developing an agreement between producers and the District, acquiring the insurance card and driver licenses to rent, the cost of renting, and how the producer would acquire the equipment from Brent.

Ann Bishop is going to see if the District can sign an agreement to get a no till drill and inquiry about insurance premium cost. Brent London will look into pricing and discounts.

The Board discussed the status of changing their 501C5 to a 501C3. Ann Bishop will follow up with the auditor and ask if funds are secure if under the District’s 501C5.

•  Tech Contract

– Job Posting
The job posting discussed; the Board, all, agreed to move forward with the posting.

– Payroll
FDACS agreed to cover the payroll cost as long as it does not conflict with the County.

– Reporting
Ann discussed reporting, work comp insurance, and unemployment tax. The Paychex Human Resource Specialist is reviewing our handbook, and she will also send the Board a compliance packet. She reviewed our job description and stated it was perfect. Ann Bishop is also working on submitting the tech invoice.

VII. Staff Report & Recap

• Meetings

– Preferred Member Education Day

PROPOSED MOTION: Vivi Serena moved that the MSWCD allow Ann Bishop to stay in Orlando for the Preferred Member Education Day on February 1, 2023. Colleen Stenstream seconded; all were in favor.

– NACD
The NACD Meeting discussed. Justin Albright will not be able to attend, but Vivi Serena might. Vivi asked Ann to send her the information.

– AFCD
The AFCD Meeting changed to February 6-8, located at the Hotel Indigo, 5020 SW 30th Lane, Gainesville, Florida 32608. Justin Albright, Brent London and Ann Bishop will be attending. Vivi stated that she would only be able to attend either NACD or AFCD’s meeting, but not both, since they are back to back. She will let Ann know. Justin and Brent stated that they will not be staying in Gainesville.

PROPOSED MOTION: Vivi Serena moved that the MSWCD cover the cost of the Board and Staff attending the AFCD Annual Meeting In February. Colleen Stenstream seconded; all were in favor.

– SECDEA
The SECDEA Midyear discussed.

AMENDED MOTION: Vivi Serena amended her original motion that was made on September 12: ORIGINAL MOTION: Vivi Serena moved that the MSWCD allow for Ann Bishop to do a walk through in St. Augustine to check out tours and hotels for the SECDEA Midyear Meeting that she is hosting in April. Vivi amended it changing the location to Panama City Beach, and allowing Ann Bishop to update her travel plans to New Orleans to accommodate for this travel, with a stay in Panama City Beach
Colleen Stenstream seconded; all were in favor.

The Board all agreed that Ann Bishop can execute the contract and get reimbursed by SECDEA, as they have done previously.

– Marion SWCD
PROPOSED MOTION: Colleen Stenstream moved to notice the Board Meetings for the next thirteen months with the meetings scheduled on the second Monday of each month at 9:30 AM, located at Growth Services, 2710 E Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34480, unless a conflict arises; then, the meetings will be scheduled on the Fourth Tuesday of that month. Vivi Serena seconded; all were in favor.

•  Contests

– Scholarship
Donations to the scholarship discussed.

– Land Judging
All land judging teams now advance to State without a location competition. Gilchrist is holding a mock contest on January 27, but no awards or lunch will be given. Brent London, Oneisha Gary and Ann Bishop will be volunteering.

– Entries
The deadline for poster, found art, essays and speeches is Thursday, December 15.

– Envirothon
The Board needs to start planning for the Envirothon to hold a contest by March, and volunteers are needed. Gilchrist and Alachua Counties want to join the Board’s contest. Colleen Stenstream and Vivi Serena stated that they would assist. Colleen also mentioned that she will assist in judging other contests too.

•  Financials

– Actual Budget
The actual budget discussed and reviewed.

– Ameris
• CD
The Board discussed their CD interest rate.

PROPOSED MOTION: Colleen Stenstream moved that the MSWCD have Vivi Serena reinvest their CD with Ameris for a higher rate. Brent London seconded; all were in favor.

• ACH
The ACH discussed.

•  Miscellaneous

– Insurance
PROPOSED MOTION: Brent London moved that the MSWCD accept the Brown & Brown Policy as presented. Colleen Stenstream seconded; all were in favor.

– Public Requests
The Board discussed public requests.

– Neighborhood Storage
The storage fees increased from $120 to $155.13. Also due to the automation payment system and after paying for twelve months, the Board did not get the thirteen month free this time. In addition, as of this week the facility changed ownership and/or management companies.

– Spring Fest
The Board was invited to participate in the Spring Fest on March 4 and 5 from 10 AM – 4 PM, but the Board needs to confirm if they are attending by February 1. Ann Bishop has a conflict with the SE Youth Fair on March 4. The Board will look at their calendars and revisit this.

– Supervisor Positions
Ann Bishop reminded the Board next month that they will vote on positions and that the Board has two vacancies, which need to be filled, in District 2 and 4. The Board discussed this. Vivi Serena stated that she would like to review the status of these vacancies each month. Brent London stated that he will reach out to someone to see if she can attend the next board meeting on January 23.

VIII. Upcoming Events
Reviewed.
– AFCD Website Monthly Training – December 12
– Poster, Essay, Found Art & Speech Deadline – December 15
– FDACS Invoices Due – December 15
– FCDEA Monthly Meeting – December 20
– NACD Early Bird Deadline – December 23
– Christmas – Holiday – December 26
– Annual Records Management Compliance Due – December 31
– New Year’s Day – Holiday – January 2
– AFCD Website Monthly Training – January 9
– MSWCD Monthly Meeting – January 9
– Sales Tax & Use Semi Annual Reporting – January 15
– Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Holiday – January 16
– FCDEA Monthly Meeting – January 17
– NACD Last Day of Registration – January 20
– Land Judging Contest – January 27
– 990 N Due – January 27
– Speech Contest – January 28
– 1099Gs/MISC-NEC Due – January 31
– Brown & Brown Education Day – February 1
– AFCD Midyear Meeting – February 6-8
– NACD Annual Meeting – February 11-15
– SEYF Landscape Trays – February 21-24
– SEYF Award Ceremony – February 27
– SEYF Tray Pick up – March 4
– Farm Bureau Day on the Hill (Legislative Day) – March 8

IX. General Public Comments

X. Supervisor Comments

XI. Meeting Adjournment
– Our next meeting is January 8, 2023 at 9:30 AM in the Growth Services Building, unless the Board decides to change the day and time of their meetings.

– With no other business needing addressed, Chairman Justin Albright adjourned the meeting at 11:15 AM, until our next meeting.

MSWCD’s regular meetings are held at 9:30 AM on the 2nd Monday of each month, and their workshops are held the 4th Monday of each month at 9:30 AM, tentatively. Both meetings are located in Growth Services, located at 2710 E. Silver Springs, Ocala, FL 34470. For more information, call (352) 438-2475.