*Draft*
EMRMEC USDA-NRCS CHANDLER
MINUTES
Ed Center Chandler, Arizona
August 10th , 2009
CALL TO ORDER: By Casey Stechnij at 12:43am. Present were Jim Loughead, Casey Stechnij, Jason Rowley, & Linda Diamantides.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Jason moves to approve minutes from October 20th, 2008. Jim seconds, motion carries.

REPORTS:
1. Ed Center had a great year. 2 water festivals, classes at MAC & Superstition farm. Helped Jamie with DEQ grant. Will be writing grant for game & fish. CAP grant received for $5k. Discussion of funding sources, and diversifying.

FINANCIAL REPORT:
1. Board discussion over finances. Financials accepted for filing.


NEW BUSINESS:
1. Discussion of how the Ed Center can continue operations with current financial status. Discussion of changing Ed Center standards, i.e., writing 12 grants per year. Discussion of best practices for the Ed Center. Create perceived value of presentation for classes offered thru through Ed Center, to be able to make the Ed Center ‘valuable’. Beyond curriculum, how can the lessons be improved upon? Discussion follows.
2. Jason motions to have paperwork reviewed & signed, and contact Parker to see if premium can be reduced. Jim seconds. Motion carries.
3. Need to research how to amend bylaws to change fiscal year.
4. Executive session 2:11-2:25
OLD BUSINESS:

ANNOUNCMENTS & CALL TO THE PUBLIC:
• Next meeting to follow district meeting Sept. 14th, 2009.

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation; such as sigh language interpreter, by contacting East Maricopa NRCD at 480 988 1078. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.










CORRESPONDANCE:

ADJOURNMENT: Jason moves to adjourn meeting, Jim seconds, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 2:29pm.


Approved By:





EM NRCD Date:









Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation; such as sigh language interpreter, by contacting East Maricopa NRCD at 480 988 1078. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.


EMNRCD USDA-NRCS CHANDLER
MINUTES Chandler, Arizona
August 10th , 2009
CALL TO ORDER: By Casey Stechnij at 10:47am. Present were Jim Loughead, Casey Stechnij, Jason Rowley, Craig Shelley, Linda Diamantides & Doug Whitte SLD.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Jim moves to approve minutes from July 13th, 2009. Jason seconds, motion carries.

REPORTS:
1. NRCS report. N/A

FINANCIAL REPORT:
1. Board discussion over finances. Financials accepted for filing.


NEW BUSINESS:
1. Capitol Christmas Tree 2009: Melrose updates board on the program. Board discussion of what district can do for involvement in ornaments and tree viewing. Board needs to find out if any funding is available to pay for printing flyers, ornament supplies, etc. Jason moves to make allowances for Melrose to do necessary research/follow-up, and get a District logo onto website, Jim seconds, motion carries.
2. Doug Whitte: 43 k in environmental special plate fund, with 2 new ed center sponsors. Check/warrants requested for Ed center sponsor money. Heritage funds will be covering districts, as well as other entities, who will have first dips on money. Heritage money will be distributes last to Districts. Funding may not come thru until January. Board discussion of summer conf. NRCD website: updated, and district contact info. Empire farm: state got the farm back. Sate looking at different funding to clean and make available for alt. energy projects. Board discussion of possible ways board would be involved. Jim updates board on AzNRCD update on former staff. Discussion about the good job Stephanie Smallhouse is doing as the AzNRCD coordinator. Email from AWF, asking to highlight East Maricopa. Jim moves to participate in article, Jason seconds. Melrose: to contact Ty Rock and give Craig’s contact info, and previous sample articles.
3. Executive session. Non Needed.
4. NRCS agreement: Jim moves to have Melrose review paperwork with Phill, and have a board member sign. Jason seconds, motion carries.
5. AzNRCD: Reviewed tentative conference agenda. Jim will attend conf.

OLD BUSINESS:

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation; such as sigh language interpreter, by contacting East Maricopa NRCD at 480 988 1078. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.


ANNOUNCMENTS & CALL TO THE PUBLIC:
•Tentative calendar for Everlasting Marks to review.
•Next EMNRCD meeting is scheduled for September 14th at 10:30 am.

CORRESPONDANCE:

ADJOURNMENT: Jason moves to adjourn meeting, Jim seconds, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 12:36pm.


Approved By:





EM NRCD Date:









Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation; such as sigh language interpreter, by contacting East Maricopa NRCD at 480 988 1078. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.