Minutes

Marion Soil and Water Conservation District (MSWCD)

Regular Board Meeting

2710 East Silver Springs Boulevard

Ocala, FL 34470

March 13, 2023

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
Vice-Chairman Vivi Serena called the meeting to order at 9:33 AM.

•  Roll Call

Vivi Serena, Vice-Chairman/Treasurer
Brent London, Supervisor

Others in Attendance
Ann Bishop, MSWCD Staff
Justin Albright, Associate Member
Lee Black, Citizen

•  Proof of Publication

Star-Banner – Sent an email regarding this meeting on December 17 and a reminder on March 6.
Florida Administrative Weekly – Posted in the FL Admin Weekly on December 30.
NRCS – Sent an email regarding this meeting on December 17 and a reminder on March 6.
Marion County Board of County Commissioners – Sent an email regarding this meeting on December 17 and a reminder on March 6.

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

i. MSWCD Board Minutes
ii. MSWCD Board Financial Report

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

III. Administrative

•  Overtime

Discussed.

•  Part-time Employee

The Board discussed this and would like to revisit this at the next meeting.

IV. Run for the Springs
PROPOSED MOTION: Brent London moved that the MSWCD sponsor up to four runners and a third magnitude sponsorship. Vivi Serena seconded; all were in favor.
The Run for the Springs was discussed. Justin Albright, Vivi Serena, and Ann Bishop are interested in running and/or walking on April 22.

V. Board Recruitment (Update)
PROPOSED MOTION: Vivi Serena moved that the MSWCD appoint Justin Albright to Seat One. Brent London seconded; all were in favor.

PROPOSED MOTION: Vivi Serena moved that the MSWCD appoint Lee Black to Seat Four. Brent London seconded; all were in favor.

The Board discussed recruitment.

VI. NRCS Report
Ann Bishop presented the NRCS flyer and report from Oneisha Cyprian-Gary.

VII. FDACS Report

•  Cost Share

– District No Till Drill (Update)
The no till drill was discussed. Brent London should had the second quote for the Board within the week. Ann Bishop stated that she is still awaiting a quote from the insurance company regarding insuring this equipment. Ann also mentioned that the Board received an email from Chris Denmark regarding Gadsden’s program. It was suggested that if we decide to use Ag Pro that Brent London’s brother cannot be on the contract due to conflict of interest/ethics. Brent stated that will not be an issue.

– Agreements
Nathan Gennara – not disclosed – $24,693 – Cross-fencing.
PROPOSED MOTION: Brent London moved that the MSWCD approved the cost share agreements as presented. Vivi Serena seconded; all were in favor.

•  Tech Contract

– Vehicle
The district vehicles were discussed. Brent London sent Ann Bishop a contact for a mechanic were the Board can get a second quote. Vivi Serena gave permission for Jeffery Platt to use the District truck to travel to Hernando and Pasco Counties for training with Tammy Hinkle, as long as this is not an everyday occurrence.

PROPOSED MOTION: Vivi Serena moved that the MSWCD proceed with the second quote on the 2015 F150 and if repairs are needed to move forward with the company who provides the lowest quote. Brent London seconded; all were in favor.

– Hiring
Hiring was discussed.

PROPOSED MOTION: Vivi Serena moved that the MSWCD repost the position. Brent London seconded; all were in favor.

– Benefits
Paychex benefit packages were discussed.

PROPOSED MOTION: Vivi Serena moved that the MSWCD proceed with the Florida Blue 18754 for the District Employees. Brent London seconded; all were in favor.

PROPOSED MOTION: Vivi Serena moved that the MSWCD not purchase supplemental insurance for the District Employees, but leave this option up to the Employees to purchase. Brent London seconded; all were in favor.

VIII. Staff Report & Recap

•  Outreach

– Contests (Update)
Ann Bishop gave an update on the contests. The State Envirothon is seeking volunteers for the State Competition on April 22 in Gainesville.

PROPOSED MOTION: Brent London moved that the MSWCD pay for both counties to compete in the State Envirothon. Vivi Serena seconded; all were in favor.

PROPOSED MOTION: Brent London moved that the MSWCD award winners who tie for an award, both that award. Vivi Serena seconded; all were in favor.

– Farm Land Preservation Festival (Update)
Ann Bishop gave an update on the Farm Land Preservation Festival.

– “All Together Now” Library Program
Freedom and Sankofa Libraries asked us to be a special guest this summer on July 11 and July 20 to administer an hour-long program to children 3-7 years of age. Justin Albright stated that he will look at his calendar and will assist with one of the library programs.

PROPOSED MOTION: Brent London moved that the MSWCD participate in the All Together Now program with the libraries. Vivi Serena seconded; all were in favor.

• Miscellaneous

– Financials (Update)
Ann Bishop gave an update on the financials.

– Oppaga (Update)
The Oppaga audit was discussed. The Board all agreed that everyone needs to review the questions and convene at a workshop to go over the report.

IX. Upcoming Events
– MSWCD Monthly Meeting – March 13
– MSWCD Interviews – March 13-14
– 990 N Due – March 15
– FCDEA Monthly Meeting – March 21
– Farmland Preservation – April 8
– MSWCD Monthly Meeting – April 10
– SECDEA Midyear – April 16-21

X. General Public Comments

XI. Supervisor Comments

XII. Meeting Adjournment
– Our next meeting is April 10, 2023 at 9:30 AM in the Growth Services Building.

– With no other business needing addressed, Vice Chairman Vivi Serena adjourned the meeting at 10:46 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.