Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District
1201 S. Gougar Road, New Lenox, Illinois
Regular Board Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Directors Present: Dick Smerz, Burton Barr, Everett Moeller
and Michael Wisniewski
Associate Directors Present: David Deutsche, George Johnson,
1201 S. Gougar Rd. New Lenox, Illinois 60451
(815)462-3106 Fax. (815)462- 3176
www.will-scookswcd.org
Roger Galas, Diana Galas, Rob Ogalla, Bob Muirhead, Cathy Ruchaj and Wayne Wagner
Staff Present: Kim Mitchell, Neil Pellmann and Bob Jankowski
The meeting was opened by Dick with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 pm. A brief introduction of new
Director Michael Wisniewski followed. Rob Ogalla and Bob Muirhead were also introduced. Rob and
Bob have joined the Board as an Associate Directors.
Reorganization of the Board was completed with the following results: Chairman, Dick Smerz, Vice
Chairman; Everett Moeller, Treasurer; Barrie Tyler, Secretary; Burton Barr and Director; Michael
Wisniewski. Committee appointments were also reviewed.
Dick then requested consideration for a motion to approve the February 9, 2011 Board Meeting minutes.
Everett motioned to approve the minutes, Burton seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Financial Reports:
- YTD Profit & Loss/Unrestricted – A motion was made by Everett to accept the P&L report and seconded by Michael. The motion carried.
- YTD Programs Account/Restricted – A motion was made by Burton to accept the Programs report and seconded by Everett. The motion carried.
- YTD Balance Sheet- A motion was made by Burton to accept the Balance Sheet report and seconded by
Everett. The motion carried.
- February Bills were approved with a motion by Everett and a second by Michael. The motion carried.
Staff Reports from Bob, Kim and Neil were accepted as written. Bob updated the board on the Cover
Crop program (2/23) and the Drainage District Workshop to be conducted by the Tillage Committee on
March 17 th . Grundy County was unable to contribute to the expense for the Cover Crop program leaving an unpaid mileage amount of $33.00 which the Board agreed to cover with a motion by Michael and second by Everett. An approval for the Drainage District workshop lunch expense, with a registration fee to cover some of the expense, was also approved with a motion by Michael and seconded by Everett.
CPP and NRI Report; Neil advised the board of an update to the amount of the Joe Posewick SSRP project. The revised amount of $10,000 was approved by a motion from Michael, seconded by Burton.
He also reported on 1 NRI for the reporting period and no new SESCs. Dan Jay is still working with Neil on the IEPA inspections. A workshop is also being planned.
Kim reported that the $51,000 grant agreement for FY 2012 has been approved and also distributed a memo from IDOA advising SWCDs that Illinois’ Prevailing Wage Act applies to CPP projects. A brief discussion followed.
Everett reported on the status of the Recognition Dinner. With 159 tickets sold all preparation is complete. Board members were asked to attend set-up the Wednesday meeting.
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Kim announced that Grace Foster, Lincoln-way West student and David Taylor who attends JJC have been identified as the 2011 Dick McHugh and Allen May Scholarship winners. Grace is from Joliet and
David is from Beecher.
Associate Director Cathy Ruchaj gave an update on the Envirothon and complimented Bob on the new waterway that was installed on the Richard Stunkel Farm in Frankfort. Cathy was thanked by the Board for her work with Envirothon.
Kim requested consideration of the following:
-Lawn maintenance for the coming season; motion by Burton to continue with Brothers Lawn Care seconded by Everett and approved. Spring fertilizer weed control should be applied.
-Purchase of a zoning map from Will County GIS ($77) for purposes of tracking farmland conversion was approved with a motion by Michael and seconded by Everett.
-Purchase of a replacement projector for $500 was approved with a motion by Michael and a second by
Everett.
Kim also reminded everyone that the Tree and Fish Sale is May 6 th and 7 th .
Wayne gave a report on the Will County Stormwater Committee Meeting and the work that is taking place in Joliet on the Hickory Creek and Spring Creek. There is finally a concern for water quality with the committee however it appears that Will County will be following the lead of other counties rather than being proactive in this effort. Wayne reminded the Committee that the SWCD should be included in their effort concerning water quality in Will County. Wayne also had notes from the Farm Bureau meeting that he attended. He was thanked by the Board for his input.
Diana gave an update on Conservation Night with Nancy Kuhajda that will take place April 21 st . She also reminded everyone of the upcoming event at Harold and Marlene’s on Saturday, April 30 th . The rain date is May 7 th .
Diana also gave a report on the RC&D. A discussion regarding the withdrawal of Will County from the
RC&D took place. After a short discussion is was agreed that Diana and Michael would look into the reason for the withdrawal. Dick also offered support.
Timesheets were approved with a motion by Everett and a second by Burton.
A motion to adjourn was made by George at 8:10 pm.
Minutes Respectfully Submitted by,
Burton Barr
Secretary
Note: It was also announced (by Chairman Smerz) that Secretary Burton Barr, with a new club, sunk a
120 ft. hole in one while in Florida this past winter. The announcement was followed by a round of applause. Way to go Burton!!
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