Minutes

Marion Soil and Water Conservation District (MSWCD)

Regular Board Meeting

2710 East Silver Springs Boulevard

Ocala, FL 34470

January 23, 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 10:09 AM.

• Roll Call

Justin Albright, Former Chairman (resigned 1/9/23)
Vivi Serena, Vice-Chairman/Treasurer
Brent London, Supervisor (called in)
The meeting did not have a face-to-face quorum, so business could only be discussed.

Others in Attendance
Oneisha Gary-Cyprian, NRCS
Tammy Hinkle, FDACS
Ann Bishop, MSWCD Staff

• Proof of Publication

Star-Banner – Sent an email regarding this meeting on December 17 and a reminder on January 13.
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 January 13.
Marion County Board of County Commissioners – Sent an email regarding this meeting on December 17 and a reminder on January 13.

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

•  MSWCD Board Minutes
•  MSWCD Board Financial Report

III. Board

• Resignation Justin Albright

Justin Albright resigned on Jan 9, 2023 with the State; however, the Board did not receive a notification letter.

•  Recruitment

Discussed. Vivi Serena asked Ann Bishop to develop a recruitment flyer, so she can take it tomorrow, January 24, to the OBS Sales. Tammy Hinkle mentioned that legislation is currently being drafted that affects the SWCD, once she finds out more details she will let the Board know.

•  Financial Disclosure

Ann Bishop verified the information for the financial disclosures and mentioned that forms now will have to be done online.

• Committee & District Officer Selection

IV. NRCS Report
Reviewed.

V. FDACS Report

•  Cost Share

– District No till Drill
Brent London provided a flyer for the no till drill and stated that he spoke with his brother at AgPro about options. The Board discussed the no till drill, an Imatch, and the pickup process. Ann Bishop stated that insurance cannot give us a quote until we actually have the equipment. In addition, Ann was sent the following email from Angela Weeks-Samanie of FDACS:
“We cannot approve that purchase until there is an understanding with how the equipment will be used, the documentation to track usage, quotes, etc. No purchase using Cost-share funds can be done without vetting through OAWP Leadership, a contractual agreement is in place and the referenced documents/discussion taking place. I have reached out to Bonnie for further direction and will discuss with Pamela upon her return.”

Ann sent a follow up email to Angela and is waiting on her response. Tammy Hinkle mentioned that Pamela is no longer with FDACS.

– Agreements
Scott Konrath – Marion – $2,625.50 – Water Troughs, Pads & PVC
Troy Moseley – Columbia – $34,905 – Not Yet Disclosed by FDACS
White Cattle LLC (Luther White Jr) – Levy – $43,125 – Not Yet Disclosed by FDACS
Additional Agreements
Tammy Hinkle mentioned that Troy Moseley is getting a nitrogen applicator, and White Cattle LLC is getting a no till drill.

• Tech Contract

– Hiring
The applicants, interviews, salary and questions were discussed. The interviews are scheduled for Wednesday at 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM in Growth Services, Conference Room A. The Board agreed that Oneisha Cyprian-Gary should be on the panel, and Ann Bishop should be there only to field questions. Tammy Hinkle will verify if Jennifer Baker will and has to be on the panel, but unfortunately, Jennifer cannot make it in person, so she will be attending via Teams (phone). Therefore, the panel will consist of Oneisha Cyprian-Gary, Tammy Hinkle, Brent London, Vivi Serena, and possibly Jennifer Baker. Ann Bishop is going to repost the position(s).

Tammy stated that FDACS just hired Aaron Grimes, and he will cover the Eastside of Marion County; he will be attending the MSWCD meetings.

Brent London and Vivi Serena, both agreed, along with Tammy Hinkle, that Ann Bishop should drive the trucks to and from work, so they are being driven.

– Paychex
Ann Bishop discussed Paychex and the SUD ID Tax. The Board agreed that employees should wait 90 days before they can utilize sick or vacation time not 365 days or zero days; Ann Bishop will updated this in the handbook. Justin Albright needs to be taken off this account and the District’s other accounts. Vivi Serena stated that she will contact these companies, but she will need a letter stating that he is no longer on the Board.

VI. Staff Report & Recap

•  Meetings

– Land Management Review
The Board was sent the Indian Lake State Forest Land Management for review, and they had no comment on the plan. Ann Bishop will be attending; Vivi Serena stated that she might attend and asked Ann to resend the information.

– National Wildlife Federation
The National Wildlife Federation Conservation Summit was discussed. Both, Vivi Serena and Brent London, agreed that this summit is more important than the insurance meeting, and prefer Ann Bishop to attend this event.

– AFCD
The AFCD Meeting was discussed and is February 6 – 9 in Gainesville at the Indigo Hotel.

– Farm Bureau
The Farm Bureau event in Tallahassee on March 9 was discussed, and Vivi Serena would like to revisit this discussion. Brent will not be attending. Vivi Serena is not sure if she can attend, but asked Ann Bishop if she could get an agenda.

•  Contests

– Speech/Essay
The speech and essays were discussed. Tom Cartwright and Colleen Stenstream, both, will be judging these. The Board agreed that the speech contestant(s) can submit a video rather than doing it in person.

– Found Art/Posters
The Found Art and Posters were discussed. The judging will take place before or after next month’s meeting, which is February 27. Vivi Serena and Brent London, both, stated that they would judge these.

– Land Judging
Cancelled.

– Envirothon
The Envirothon is scheduled for March 10 from 8 AM – 3 PM at Horseshoe Lake Park. The event was discussed. Vivi Serena stated that Ann Bishop should contact Karl Corbin’s Catering asking for a breakdown of his costs.

•  Financials

– MC Budget
Vivi Serena stated that she will be able to attend the July 13 MC Budget Workshop. Ann Bishop will let the Clerk of Courts know.

– 501c3
Ann Bishop followed up with the auditor on changing our tax status, but she is still awaiting his reply.

– Ameris CD
Vivi Serena was able to secure a CD for 2.25 percent rather than .05.

•  Miscellaneous

– SpringsFest
The deadline to register for the SpringsFest is February 1; the festival is scheduled from 10 AM – 4 PM, March 4 and 5. The Board discussed who could attend; Tammy Hinkle stated that FDACS will be there. Vivi Serena asked Ann Bishop to contact Colleen Stenstream, to see if she is able to commit to this event.

– Staff Appreciation
The Board would like to discuss this at a later time.

VII. Upcoming Events
– Land Judging Contest – January 27
– 990N Due – January 27
– Speech Contest – January 28
– 1099Gs/MISC-NEC Due – January 31
– Brown & Brown Education Day – February 1
– Mandatory FDACS Admin Training – February 6
– AFCD Midyear Meeting – February 6-8
– NACD Annual Meeting – February 11-15
– AFCD Website Monthly Training – February 13
– FDACS Tech Invoice Due – February 15
– FCDEA Monthly Meeting – February 20
– SEYF Landscape Trays Dropped off – February 21
– SEYF Landscape Trays Judging – February 22
– Envirothon Deadline – February 23
– SEYF Award Ceremony – February 27
– MSWCD Monthly Meeting – February 27
– SEYF Tray Pick up – March 4
– SpringsFest – March 4-5
– Farm Bureau Day on the Hill (Legislative Day) – March 8
– MSWCD Monthly Meeting – March 13

VIII. General Public Comments

IX. Supervisor Comments

X. Meeting Adjournment
– Our next meeting is February 27, 2023 at 9:30 AM in the Growth Services Building.

– With no other business needing addressed, Vice Chairman Vivi Serena adjourned the meeting at 11:28 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.