Minutes

Marion Soil and Water Conservation District (MSWCD)

Regular Board Meeting

2710 East Silver Springs Boulevard

Ocala, FL 34470

August 14, 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.

A discussion was started at 9:33 AM. Re0d gave an introduction and his report, leaving after. Then, Ann Bishop gave an overview of the Staff Report until the meeting was called to order.

l. Call to Order

Chairman Vivi Serena called the meeting to order at 9:53 AM.

•   Roll Call

Vivi Serena, Chairman/Treasurer

Justin Albright, Public Relations

David Shults, Supervisor

Absent:

Richard McGinley, Vice-Chairman

Lee Black, Secretary

Others in Attendance

Jorge “George” De Jesus Rosado, NRCS

Vanessa Stephens, FDACS

Ann Bishop, MSWCD Staff

• Proof of Publication

Star-Banner – On December 17, an email was sent regarding this meeting; a reminder was sent on August 3.

Florida Administrative Weekly – It was posted in the FL Admin Weekly on December 30.

NRCS – On December 17, an email was sent regarding this meeting; a reminder was sent on August 3.

Marion County Board of County Commissioners – On December 17, an email was sent regarding this meeting; a reminder was sent on August 3.

      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: Justin Albright moved that the MSWCD consent agenda be approved as presented. David Shults seconded; all were in favor.

    III.            2024 Florida SpringsFest

The SpringsFest was discussed.

PROPOSED MOTION: Justin Albright moved that the MSWCD participate in the 2024 Florida SpringsFest and assist with the planning. David seconded; all were in favor.

Vivi Serena mentioned that at the next Board Meeting (September 11), she will not be in attendance.

    IV.            Public Storage

Storage was discussed.

PROPOSED MOTION: David Shults moved that the MSWCD continue to pay the annual storage fee to Public Storage in the amount of $216.00/month or $2592 annually.

Justin Albright seconded; all were in favor.

      V.            NRCS Report

NRCS, Jorge De Jesus presented the NRCS report before the meeting was called.

    VI.            FDACS Report

Vanessa Stephens discussed the contracts with the Board and left after the discussion. Vanessa mentioned that if the tech contract is terminated these funds will be reallocated to the cost share contract. She stated that the two, full time, FDACS positions will open in about two weeks. Vanessa stated that the Board will get to keep the 2015 vehicle and the 2018 will be titled to another District. She will get will Ann Bishop regarding all the changes.  Ann Bishop will reach out to Paychex and Titan regarding terminating our contracts. Ann will also contact the two interviewees and let them know the contract is terminating and that they can apply with FDACS. Vivi Serena asked about the volunteer, who is still waiting to be cleared.

Vanessa mentioned that an internal working group is in discussion about equine, and she will keep the Board informed about their findings.

PROPOSED MOTION: Justin moved to restructure the technician contract, so the funds transfer to cost share. David Shults seconded; all were in favor.

Ann Bishop will reach out to Vanessa to ask about the removal of decals and servicing, along with any other concerns that might arise. 

•   Cost Share
•  Tech Contract

-           Hiring

-           Vehicles

  VII.            Staff Report & Recap

Only the budget workshop and meetings were discussed before the meeting was called to order.

•  Budget Workshop (Update)

An updated was given.

•   Meetings

-           IAAP (Update)

Ann Bishop gave a recap.

-           BMP Ag Symposium/Central FL (Update)

Ann Bishop gave a recap. Vivi Serena asked Ann to get the information regarding the grants from Yilin.

-           SENACD/SECDEA (Update)

Ann Bishop gave a recap.

-           AFCD/FCDEA (Update)

Justin Albright joined the discussion at 9:47 AM.

Ann Bishop presented the information regarding the AFCD and FCDEA meetings. Vivi Serena stated that she will only be able to attend on the 27. Justin Albright stated that he should be able to attend both days. David Shults will check his availability and will let Ann Bishop know. She will follow up with him and register the supervisors.

-           Local Working Group

Ann Bishop inquired about the Local Working Group and was told that NRCS wants to hold it in the Spring.

•   Staff Evaluation

Ann Bishop mentioned that her evaluation is due October 1 and will get the information to the Board.

•   Miscellaneous

-           Farm Bill (Update)

Ann Bishop mentioned that she sent an email with an update on the Farm Bill from National Wildlife Federation.

-           Outreach (Library)

Ann Bishop gave a recap on the outreach programs at the libraries.

-           Award (lost and redid)

Ann Bishop informed the Board about a lost project and awards (ribbon and gift card). Vivi Serena okayed Ann to replace these prior to the meeting. Ann also sent a photo of the project with the awards for the child.

-           Emerging Leadership Program (SWCS)

The Emerging Leadership Program was discussed.

PROPOSED MOTION: David Shults moved that the MSWCD allow Ann Bishop to submit an application for the the Emerging Leadership Program. Justin Albright seconded; all were in favor.

-           FCDEA/SECDEA Position

PROPOSED MOTION: Justin Albright moved that the MSWCD allow Ann Bishop to run for a position either with FCDEA or SECDEA.

David Shults seconded; all were in favor.

-           Insurance (Safety, New quotes)

Ann Bishop mentioned that a safety plan was developed. Ann gave a recap on the insurance. Ann will send a notice to the insurance company about our changes per the Board’s request, but she was told previously that the proposal cannot be adjusted.

The Board mentioned that they are not aware of any claims against the Board.

-           Classes (IAAP, County)

Ann Bishop gave a recap on the classes that she needs to take.

VIII.            Upcoming Events

-           MSWCD Monthly Meeting – September 11

-           FCDEA Monthly/Annual Meeting  - September 25

-           AFCD Annual Meeting – September 26-27

-           Staff Evaluation Due – October 1

-           AFCD Quarterly Meeting – October 6

-           Local Working Group – October/November TBD

    IX.            General Public Comments

      X.            Supervisor Comments

    XI.            Meeting Adjournment

-           Our next meeting is September 11, 2023 at 9:30 AM in the Growth Services Building.

-           With no other business needing addressed, Chairman Vivi Serena adjourned the meeting at 10:27 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.