May 19, 2008 7:00 A.M.

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
5605 U.S. 31 South, South Bend, Indiana 46614
574-291-7444, ext. 3
MINUTES

I. CALL TO ORDER
A meeting of the Board of Supervisors of the St. Joseph County Soil and Water Conservation District was
called to order by John Dooms at 7:05 a.m. at 5605 U.S. 31 South, South Bend, IN 46614.

PRESENT ABSENT
John Dooms, Chairman Dave Craft*
Jim LaFree Dru Wrasse
Rick Glassman John Kulwicki
Jan Ivkovich Paul Williams III
Debbie Knepp Chuck Lehman
Melvin Kulwicki Joe Long
Troy Manges Randy Matthys
Carole Reiwe Gene Myers
Dale Stoner
Rafael Vega PUBLIC
Sara McClaran None
Richard Schmidt EX-OFFICIO
None

LEGISLATIVE LETTERS
None

II. ADDITIONS TO AGENDA

1. Additions to Old Business:
• D. Landfill Inspection
2. Additions to New Business:
• C. Business Plan
• D. Hoosier Chapter Soil & Water Conservation Society Summer Meeting
• E. St. Joseph River Basin 8th Annual Symposium
• F. Marketing Workshop
• G. Annual Meeting

III. INTRODUCTION
Meeting commenced at 7:05 a.m.

IV. REGULAR BUSINESS

A. MINUTES: The minutes were reviewed from the April meeting. The minutes were filed as
presented.
B. TREASURERS REPORT: The Treasurer’s report was filed as presented.
1. Claim Approval: A recommendation and motion were made and seconded to approve
Claim numbers 9408-9421. Motion carried.
• Approval was requested to send a $50 refund to Judy Roeder for the Warm Season Grass
Drill, as Judy no longer needed the drill. Approval granted.

C. SECRETARIES REPORT:
1. Corrections: No corrections.
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. WRITTEN REPORTS:
1. Field Office Report: The Field Office Report was distributed as a hand-out.
• Wetland Determinations: Violations are an increasing problem; tiling is being done prior
to notifying the NRCS office.
• Office Quality Review: Done on a yearly basis. The office passed the review.

2. Rule 5/Rule 13 Report: The Rule5/Rule 13 Report was distributed as a hand-out.

• The MS4 position has not been filled. At this time, there are no qualified applicants. The
job advertisement will re-run for an additional week.

B. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
1. Education:
• On Saturday, June 21, 2008, the 1st Annual Eco-Fest will be held in downtown South
Bend along the East Race river walk from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. A letter was received
asking the SWCD to participate in the festival (free of charge) by setting up our
display(s) at a booth. A recommendation and motion were made and seconded to
participate in the Eco-Fest. Motion carried.
• On May 21 2008, Rick Glassman will be taping an episode of Outdoor Elements with
Evie Kirkwood, of St. Joe County Parks. The episode will feature and discuss snakes.
• River testing will start soon. EasyGel Ecoli test kits will be ordered within the next
week.
• There will be a PLT workshop at Purdue University on June 5, 2008. The workshop is 3
hours in length and there is no cost to attend. A recommendation and motion were made
and seconded to send Rick Glassman to the PLT workshop on June 5, 2008. Motion
carried.

2. Forestry:
• The tree sales outcome figures were reported. The 2008 tree sales year ended at
$15,782.69. In comparison to the 2007 tree sales year, which ended at $15,952.64, 2008
reported a difference of -$169.95.

C. NRCS TALKING POINTS: NRCS Talking Points attached.

C. LANDFILL INSPECTION:
• Troy Manges, Carole Riewe and Jan Ivkovich performed the Landfill Inspection. The
inspection went very well, with no major concerns. The landfill is effectively supplying
power for the town of Bremen (with 8 engines in operation). A sewage treatment plant is
planned for the same property, which will supply sewage treatment for the town of
Wyatt.
VI. NEW BUSINESS
A. SCHEDULES: Distributed as a hand-out.
• No Questions.

B. MS4 CONTRACT RENEWAL:

• The MS4 contract needs to be renewed with the County by July, as this is when the
County budgets are due.

C. BUSINESS PLAN:
• Rough drafts of the Business Plan were distributed.
• The cost of printing was reviewed. For 300 Business Plan’s to be printed in booklet form
on glossy 80# paper, the cost would be $1,382.83.
• The Business Plan will be placed on the agenda for next month’s Board Meeting. A
decision regarding printing will be made at that time.

D. HOOSIER CHAPTER SWCS SUMMER MEETING:

• The Hoosier Chapter SWCS Summer Meeting will take place on June 6, 2008 at the Fair
Oaks Dairy (Jasper County). The cost is $20/per person to attend. A recommendation
and motion were made and seconded to send Troy Manges and Sara McClaran to the
SWCS Summer Meeting. Motion carried.
• Carole Riewe might also attend the SWCS Summer Meeting. She will notify the SWCD
office within the next few days.

E. ST. JOSEPH RIVER BASIN 8TH ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM:

• The Board was notified of a Symposium that will be held on June 6, 2008 at Fernwood,
from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. The Symposium is open to anyone who would like to attend.

F. MARKETING WORKSHOP:
• A Marketing Workshop will be held on June 3, 2008, at the Hendricks County
Government Center in Danville, Indiana. The topics will include General Marketing,
Websites, Displays and Print Design. A recommendation and motion were made and
seconded to send Sara McClaran to the Marketing Workshop, at a cost of $20.00. Motion
carried.

G. ANNUAL MEETING:
• The Board briefly reviewed the 2009 Annual Meeting hand-out; which covered venue
and entertainment suggestions. The 2009 Annual Meeting will be placed on the agenda
for next month’s Board Meeting.

VI. PRIVILEGE OF THE FLOOR

• John Dooms, Chairman, read a letter from Jenny Davis which announced her resignation (Jenny
Davis’ last day of employment was April 29, 2008).

VII. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 8:15 a.m.
Respectively submitted,

Sara K. McClaran
Treasurer