Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, October 12, 2016 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I.Supervisor Rutledge called the October 12, 2016 meeting to order at 8:05am
II.Roll Call and establish quorum

EXECUTIVE BOARD:
_4_/5present
☐Mariano Corona, President
PARTNERING AGENCIES
☒Glynn Rutledge, Secretary Treasurer
☒Howard Harrison, NRCS District Conservationist
☒Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☒Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor

III.Reports
1.Motion made to approve the September 7, 2016 Board Minutes. (Smith/Burnham)Unanimous approval.
2.Motion made to accept the Financial Report- September as presented. (Smith/Burnham)Unanimous approval.
3.Howard Harrison gave an update on EQIP Applications (9 deferred and 3 new). FieldOffice staff working on CSP renewals and FY 16 payments.
4.Audrey Kuipers gave the cost share report. New NEEPA cost share contract is ready forapproval. Current FCO cost share has a balance of $2.2 million. The amendment toContract 23422 –Technician to add a Technician in Osceola County will be received thisweek. Advertising will start then.
5.Courtney Murphy gave the report on educator grants. Schools are excited for thisopportunity. Supervisor Smith shared her thoughts on the irrigation evaluationdemonstration and reminded staff to submit a news release.

IV.Unfinished Business
1.Motion made to begin offering urban irrigation evaluations to Okeechobee Countymunicipalities and businesses with the assistance of Palm Beach SWCD. (Smith/Sellers)Unanimous approval.
V.New Business
1.Motion made to approve BMP cost share Contract 23913. (Burnham/Sellers) Unanimousapproval.
2.Audrey Kuipers and several Supervisors have been approached by FDACS-OAWPregarding the possibility of assistaning other SWCD’s with advance funding on cost share  contracts that cannot offer the advances due to language tied to the grant funds. Supervisors agreed that it would be a good thing to assist other SWCD’s in need.

VI. Upcoming Events
1. FY 16 year end accounting- October 17th
2. FY 16 Financial Audit- begins after October 17th
3. NRLI (Natural Resources Leadership Institute) Session 3- BMP’s, Marianna Oct 18-21
4. Farm City Day Luncheon- November 17-KOA
5. NACD Annual Meeting- Jan 28-Feb 1, 2017 Denver, CO (Commitment by end of DEC)
6. OSWCD Board Meeting November 9, 2016
7. Office closed- Novemer 11 & 24, 2016

VII. Adjourned at 8:42 am.

No meetings were held in November, December, or January.

Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, February 8, 2017 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I.Supervisor Rutledge called the February 8, 2017 meeting to order at 8:10am.
II.Roll Call and establish quorum

BOARD ofSUPERVISORS:
☒Mariano Corona, Chairman
☒Glynn Rutledge, Secretary-Treasurer
☐Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☒Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor
☒Nicki Smith, Supervisor

III.Motion made to approve October 12, 2016 Board Minutes. (Smith/Sellers). Unanimous approval.

IV.Motion made to approve Financial Report- First Quarter to January 3. (Rutledge/Sellers).Unanimous approval.

V.Unfinished Business
1.Building Restroom Bids- Notice in 2/11/2017 Okeechobee News and OSWCD website.Sealed bids are due 2/15/2017. Once received the Board will review.

VI.New Business
1.Jon Geitner, Seacoast Bank discussed the ability of offering ACH Credits (direct deposit) to agricultural producers participating in BMP cost share programs. Motion made to offer direct deposit conservation payments to producers. (Smith/Sellers). Unanimous approval.
Action Item: Audrey Kuipers asked to seek advise from the CPA on the best checks and balance system that will comply with the state single audit.
2.Motion made to approve the FY 17 budget amendments presented and clarify that the original adopted budget included a 1.9% COLA increase effective January .(Sellers/Smith). Unanimous approval.
3.Motion made to approve the purchase of a Boar Buster feral hog trap from the National Association of Conservation District for rental to Okeechobee landowners.(Rutledge/Sellers) Unanimous approval.

VII. Staff Reports
1. Howard Harrison gave the NRCS staff update. No news on upcoming Farm Bill.
2. Audrey Kuipers gave the OSWCD report. Justina Mattson, OSWCD Technician was introduced. Ms. Kuipers, Courtney Murphy and Justina Mattson are working on all OSWCD youth educational programs over the next 4 months. Cost share payments are continuing to move forward.

VIII. Upcoming Events
1. NRLI (Natural Resources Leadership Institute) Session 6- Crystal River 2/15-2/17
2. Office closed- 2/20/2017
3. Equine BMP focus group meeting- 3/2/2017
4. Soil Workshop- Highlands SWCD- 2/22/2017
5. Indian River Lagoon Envirothon- 2/24/2017
6. Area Land Judging Contest- Highlands Co. 3/3/2017

IX. Adjourned at 10:00am.

Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, March 8, 2017 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I. Supervisor Corona called the March 8, 2017 meeting to order at 8:04 am.
II. Roll Call and establish quorum

BOARD of SUPERVISORS:
☒ Mariano Corona, Chairman
☒ Glynn Rutledge, Secretary-Treasurer
☒ Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☒ Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor
☒ Nicki Smith, Supervisor

III. Motion to approve February 8, 2016 Board Minutes as presented. (Sellers/Smith). Unanimous approval.

IV. Motion to approve Financial Report- February. (Smith/Rutledge). Unanimous approval.

V. Unfinished Business
1. Feral Hog Assistance Program canceled. Due to feedback from Attorneys Fadley and Wallace, as well as Lawrence Insurance, Supervisor Corona canceled the order of the Board Buster. Boar Buster has another buyer and will send us a refund.

VI. New Business
1. Charlene Richburg, AFCD Coordinator discussed the Area IV AFCD Meeting and the need the positions open on the AFCD Board of Directors. Ms. Richburg also report on the AFCD Annual meeting date change to July 20-22, 2017.
2. Audrey Kuipers, Supervisor Smith and Justina Mattson reported on the Equine BMP Focus Group Meeting Results. Ms. Kuipers will develop program ideas for next meeting.

VII. Staff Reports
1. Howard Harrison gave an update on USDA-NRCS field office operations.
2. Audrey Kuipers and Courtney Murphy reported on the Area Land Judging Contest, Envirothon and the upcoming Speech Contest. Justina Mattson reported on FDACS-OAWP operations.

VIII. Upcoming Events
1. NRLI (Natural Resources Leadership Institute) Session 7- St. Augustine 3/15-3/17
2. FDACS Financial Training March 9- Sebring
3. Multi-agency meeting- Ft. Pierce April 11
4. OSWCD Speech Contest April 11
5. Area IV AFCD Meeting-Belle Glade April 13th

IX. Adjournment at 8:39 am.

Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, April 12, 2017 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I. Supervisor Rutledge called the April 12, 2017 meeting to order at 8:03am.

II. Roll call and establish quorum
BOARD of SUPERVISORS:
☐ Mariano Corona, Chairman
☒ Glynn Rutledge, Secretary-Treasurer
☒ Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☒ Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor
☒ Nicki Smith, Supervisor

III. Motion to approve the March 8, 2017 Board Minutes as presented. (Burnham/Sellers). Unanimous approval.

IV. Motion to approve the financial report- March. (Burnham/Sellers). Unamimous approval.

V. Unfinished Business
1. Small Farms Cost Share Program-tabled. Supervisor Sellers would like a list of cost shareable items per agricultural commodity for the next meeting.

VI. New Business
1. Motion to approve the FY 16 Financial Audit presented by Cheryl Williams- Wicks, Brown, Williams & Company CPAs. (Burnham/Sellers). Unanimous approval.
2. Howard Harrison, District Conservationist- USDA-NRCS went over the Federal Civil Rights Review as part of the Okeechobee SWCD Board of Supervisors and USDA Natural Resources Memorandum of Understanding Agreement.

VII. Staff Reports
1. Howard Harrison gave the NRCS staff report.
2. Audrey Kuipers, Courtney Murphy and Justina Mattson gave the OSWCD staff report.

VIII. Upcoming Events
1. Area IV AFCD Meeting-Belle Glade April 13th – Supervisor Smith no longer able to attend. Ms. Kuiper’s, Murphy and Mattson will be in attendance.
2. FDEP BMAP meeting- Okeechobee IRSC May 2 9-11:30am
3. Ag Literacy Day- May 9th NES

IX. Adjournment at 9:15 am.

Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, May 10, 2017 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I. Supervisor Corona called the May 10, 2017 meeting to order at 8:05am.

II. Roll call and establish quorum
BOARD of SUPERVISORS:
☐ Mariano Corona, Chairman
☒ Glynn Rutledge, Secretary-Treasurer
☐ Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☒ Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor
☒ Nicki Smith, Supervisor

III. Motion to approve the April 10, 2017 Board Minutes as presented. (Sellers/Smith). Unanimous approval.

IV. Motion to approve the financial report- April. (Sellers/Smith). Unamimous approval.

V. Unfinished Business
1. Ms. Kuipers presented the Small Farms Nutrient Management and Urban Irrigation Evaluation Program to the Board. The Board is not interested in hiring a person to implement the programs. Staff was instructed to implement to the best of their ability. The Board will re-address as the program gains momentum.
Action Items: Reword objective to emphasis “voluntary program”. Under specific requirements change “one year” to “six months, extensions may be granted upon request”. Determine price per foot for pipeline. Research manure composting at Waste Management. Separate equine from agricultural producer definition into it’s own definition. Contact County, City and School Board for interest in evaluations. Find answer to question on soil moisture sensors- Q: Do they automatically shut off irrigation? Assist in advertising agriculture mobile irrigation evaluations.

VI. New Business
1. Motion to approve FY 17 Budget Amendments as presented. (Smith/Sellers). Unanimous approval.
2. Motion to request the Okeechobee BOCC to renew the existing grant agreement for the same amount. (Smith/Sellers). Unanimous approval.
Action item: FY 16 Annual Report will be submitted with request with the designated edits.

VII. Staff Reports
1. NRCS staff report- No report.
2. Audrey Kuipers, Courtney Murphy and Justina Mattson gave the OSWCD staff report.

VIII. Upcoming Events
1. Kissimee River Prarie Preserve State Park Advisory Meeting- May 31, 2017 9:30am- Ms. Kuipers wil attend.
2. June 14, 2017 Board Meeting- Form 1 Financial Affadavits due 7/01/2017 to Supervisor of Elections Office.
3. July 4, 2017 Office Closed
4. July 12, 2017 Board Meeting will be canceled- no quorum
5. AFCD Annual Conference July 20-22
6. Steve Dobbs Engineering will be moving out by July 1st. Ms. Kuipers will start advertising the space.

IX. Adjournment at 9:50 am.

Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, June 14, 2017 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I.Supervisor Corona called the June 14, 2017 meeting to order at 8:10am.

II.Roll call and establish quorum
BOARD of SUPERVISORS:
☒Mariano Corona, Chairman
☒Glynn Rutledge, Secretary-Treasurer
☐Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☒Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor
☒Nicki Smith, Supervisor

III.Motion to approve the May 10, 2017 Board Minutes as presented. (Rutledge/Sellers). Unanimous approval.

IV.Motion to approve the financial report- May. (Rutledge/Smith). Unanimous approval.

V.Unfinished Business
1.Ms. Kuipers went over the action items from May’s meeting.

VI.New Business
1.Motion to revise OSWCD Policy and Procedures to include the Program Manager’sauthority to perform a budget transfer up to $750. The budget transfer will not result in anincrease or decrease of the approved budget. (Smith/Rutledge). Unanimous approval.
2.Ms. Kuipers was instructed to purchase an AFCD Auction and use best judgement.
3.Motion to enter into FDACS Contract 24311, July 1, 2017-June 30, 2020 to employe BMPTechnicians. (Sellers/Smith). Unanimous approval.
4.Ms. Kuipers and Murphy presented the renovated OSWCD website. Still addingcompliance material and new program information on the site.

VII.Staff Reports
1.NRCS staff report- No report.
2.OSWCD staff report- Ms. Mattson gave an update on the FDACS Cost Share rule that willtake affect July 1, 2018. Ms. Kuipers was instructed to advertise the 200 NW 5th Streetlease space as a 1-3 year lease, background check, first/last/deposit

VIII.Upcoming Events
1.July 12, 2017 BOCC Budget Review Meeting- Supervisor Corona will attend
2.AFCD Annual Conference July 20-22- Supervisor Corona will attend
3.August 9, 2017 Board Meeting- FY 18 Budget Review begins

IX.Adjournment at 9:30 am.

No meeting was held in July or August.

Date and Time of Meeting: Wednesday, September 27, 2017 8:00 AM
Location of Meeting: 200 NW 5th Street, Okeechobee, FL 34972

I. Supervisor Smith called the September 27, 2017 meeting to order at 8:18 am.

II. Roll Call and establish quorum
BOARD of SUPERVISORS:
☐ Mariano Corona, Chairman
☐ Glynn Rutledge, Secretary-Treasurer
☒ Douglas Burnham, Supervisor
☒ Don Sellers, Jr., Supervisor
☒ Nicki Smith, Supervisor

III. Motion to approve June 14, 2017 meeting minutes (Burnham/Sellers). Unanimous. Motion approved.

IV. Motion to approve FY 17 year-end-to-date financial report (Burnham/Sellers). Unanimous. Motion approved.

V. Staff Reports
1. Howard Harrison gave the NRCS program and emergency assistance report.
2. Ms. Kuipers and Murphy gave the cost share contract summary report and OSWCD updates. Ms. Lewis introduced herself as the new Conservation Technician.
3. Ms. Lewis reported FDACS program updates. Focus has shifted from NOI enrollments to hurricane damage reports and assistance. Ms Lewis reported on some properties she visited in the northeast part of the county. The landowners are requesting assistance with a breeched dike. Mr. Harrison explained the Emerency Watershed Protection program to the Board. At this time, the Board feels that the private landowners need to work with the Water Management District and County Government that maintain their drainage canals.

VI. Unfinished Business- none

VII. New Business
1. Motion to approve the Garrard small farm nutrient management application at 75% of project cost up to $5000.00 (Burnham/Sellers). Unanimous approval. Motion approved.
2. Motion to approve the educator grantor application from Okeechobee AgVenture County Inc. for $4000.00 (Burnham/Sellers). Unanimous approval. Motion approved.
3. Ms. Kuipers will post new supervisor email addresses to the website. All Board communication will be sent to the new address going forward.
4. Motion to enter into the presented Wicks, Brown and Williams CPA engagement letter for FY 17 audit services (Burnham/Sellers). Unanimous. Motion passed. Note: It was too late in the year to send out a proposal for audit services. Ms. Kuipers was instructed to verify that the quote from Sustainable Tallahassee was indeed for state single audit services.
5. Motion to approve the Program Manager’s personnel performance review of the Program Assistant with the recommended .50/hr merit increase (Burnham/Sellers). Unanimous. Motion passed.
Motion to approve the Program Manager’s personnel performance review completed by the Supervisors present, with the recommended 4% COLA and 10% merit increase in order to better align the position with neighboring SWCD’s with similar work loads (Sellers/Burnham). Unanimous. Motion passed.
6. Motion to approve the FY 17 Budget amendments and FY 18 Proposed Budget as presented (Burnham/Sellers). Unanimous. Motion passed. Action item: Ms. Kuipers was instructed to research vehicle lease prices to present at the next meeting.

VIII. Upcoming Events
1. USDA Service Center Closed- Columbus Day- Monday, October 9, 2017
2. FY 17 Year End Reconciliation- Monday, October 9, 2017 (Ms. Kuipers & Rader)
3. OSWCD Board Meeting- Wednesday, October 11, 2017
4. SECDEA Annual Conference, Pigeon Forge, TN- November 6-8, 2017 –No representation

IX. Adjournment at 10:30am