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October 9, 2023

Minutes

Marion Soil and Water Conservation District (MSWCD)

Regular Board Meeting
2710 East Silver Springs Boulevard

Ocala, FL 34470

October 9, 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

Chairman Vivi Serena called the meeting to order at 9:29 AM.

 

  •  Roll Call

Vivi Serena, Chairman/Treasurer

Richard McGinley, Vice-Chairman

David Shults, Supervisor

 

Absent:

Lee Black, Secretary

Justin Albright, Public Relations

 

Others in Attendance

Sierra Ayers, NRCS

Elena Amesbury, CF Teacher, Presenter: left at 10:27 am

Ann Bishop, MSWCD Staff

Stefani Duarte, MSWCD Volunteer

 

  •   Proof of Publication

Star-Banner – On December 17, an email was sent regarding this meeting; a reminder was sent on October 2.

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 October 2.

Marion County Board of County Commissioners – On December 17, an email was sent regarding this meeting; a reminder was sent on October 2.

 

      II.            CONSENT AGENDA

                                i.            MSWCD Board Minutes

                               ii.            MSWCD Board Financial Report

  •   PROPOSED MOTION: Richard McGinley moved that the MSWCD consent agenda be approved as presented. David Shults seconded; all were in favor.

Welcome: The Board and attendees introduced themselves.

    III.            CF Aquatic Research Program – Elena Amesbury

Elena Amesbury spoke about her research programs and their objectives. Elena will find out if she will get the grant in January. Discussed partnerships and if MSWCD would accept an intern. Ann Bishop will contact Jessica James to find out the process for an intern.

  •   PROPOSED MOTION: Richard McGinley moved that MSWCD support the College of Central Florida (CF) Aquatic Research Program and will revisit this after CF receives their grant with a potential for an internship. David Shults seconded; all were in favor.  

 

    IV.            Meetings

  •  SpringFest (Recap)

Ann Bishop gave a recap of the SpringFest Meeting.

 

  •   FCDEA/AFCD (Recap)

Ann Bishop, Sierra Ayers and Stefani Duarte gave a recap.

  •   PROPOSED MOTION: Richard McGinley moved that MSWCD complete the paperwork to get a .gov domain with Streamline. David Shults seconded; all were in favor.

 

  •   AIIM Summit (Recap)

Ann Bishop gave a recap of the AIIM Summit.

 

  •  Florida Forest & Water Forum 2023

Background given on this event.

  •   PROPOSED MOTION: Richard McGinley moved that Ann Bishop and Stefani Duarte attend the FL Forest & Water Forum 2023. David Shults seconded; all were in favor.

 

  •   Certified Conservation District Official Program

Background given on this event. Vivi Serena will see if she can attend the Certified Conservation District Official Program.

 

  •   Mid-FL Research & Education Center

Background given on this event.

  •   PROPOSED MOTION: Richard McGinley moved that Ann Bishop attend the Mid-FL Research & Education Center Open House. David Shults seconded; all were in favor.

 

  •   NACD

The Board discussed this and decided to forgo this meeting.

 

  •   IAAP

The Board tabled this until the next meeting and/or to a meeting closer to the time of this event.

 

      V.            Memberships

  •   AFCD

Discussed.

Ø  PROPOSED MOTION: Richard McGinley moved that MSWCD pay $500 towards the AFCD Membership and Ellis Putnal (State Contests). David Shults seconded; all were in favor.

  •   NACD

Discussed.

Ø  PROPOSED MOTION: Richard McGinley moved that MSWCD pay $101 towards the NACD Membership. David Shults seconded; all were in favor.

 

Ann Bishop mentioned that the Department of Economic Opportunity Special District dues were also paid.

 

    VI.            MSWCD PTE Position

  •  Interviews

Discussed the interview and hiring process for the part time position. Vivi Serena will let Ann Bishop know what day works best for her to do the interview.

Ø  PROPOSED MOTION: Richard McGinley moved that MSWCD proceed with interviews and hiring as presented. David Shults seconded; all were in favor.

 

  •   Apparel/Nametag

Ø  PROPOSED MOTION: Richard McGinley moved that MSWCD purchase a nametag and apparel for the new employee. David Shults seconded; all were in favor.

 

  VII.            Brown & Brown Insurance Proposal

Discussed.

Ø  PROPOSED MOTION: Richard McGinley moved that MSWCD approve the insurance proposal as presented. David Shults seconded; all were in favor.

 

The Board asked Ann Bishop to inquire when the money market can be renegotiated.

 

VIII.            Large-Scale Comprehensive Plan

The Board reviewed and discussed the large-scale comprehensive plan, and they asked Ann Bishop to see if the County has a FLUE Map and to revisit this at the next board meeting on November 13.

 

    IX.            NRCS Report

Sierra Ayers gave a report and stated that the NRCS deadline for her programs is November 14.

 

      X.            FDACS Report

  •  Cost Share

Ann Bishop gave a recap.

-           Agri Land & Cattle Co., LLC (Chad Carter) – Marion County - $35,025 – No till drill

-           Timothy Boyett – Sumter County – $6562.50 – Solar well

Ø  PROPOSED MOTION: Richard McGinley moved that MSWCD approve the presented cost share agreements at the next meeting. David Shults seconded; all were in favor.

 

  •   Technician

Ann Bishop gave a recap.

 

    XI.            Staff Report & Recap

Ann Bishop gave a recap.

 

  XII.            Upcoming Events

Reviewed.

-           MSWCD PTE Interviews – October 10

-           MC State Park Plan Meeting – October 11

-           MCBCC FY 2022-23 Budget Due – October 13

-           FCDEA Monthly/Annual Meeting – October 17

-           Mid-FL Research & Edu Center Open House – October 18

-           SEYF Mandatory Meeting – October 19

-           Central FL BMP Farm Tour – October 24

-           Financial Disclosure Report – October 30

-           SECDEA Annual Conference – November 6-8

-           SWCS Emerging Leaders – November 8

-           Veteran’s Day – Office Closed – November 10

-           MSWCD Monthly Meeting – November 13

-           EDR Land & Water Survey Due – November 14

 

XIII.            General Public Comments

  •   Pat Wier’s Concern

Discussed.

 

XIV.            Supervisor Comments

 

  XV.            Meeting Adjournment

-           Our next meeting is November 13, 2023 at 9:30 AM in the Growth Services Building.

 

-           With no other business needing addressed, Chairman Vivi Serena adjourned the meeting at 11:18 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.