January minutes 2023 - Posted Feb 23, 2023
Brevard Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors
Business Meeting Minutes
The Brevard Soil and Water Conservation District met in regular public session on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at 4:00 p.m., in the auditorium of the UF/IFAS Extension Brevard Co., at 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, FL.
Chairman Bud Crisafulli noted there was a quorum and called the meeting to order at 4:03 p.m.
Board members present:
Bud Crisafulli, Supervisor
Jim Fletcher, Supervisor
Staff members present:
Joe Walter, UF IFAS Ag Agent
Andy Irizarry, USDA NRCS
Guests present: Fran Fleckinger, Local Producer
Pete Deal, Local Producer
Jonathan Schuman, Treasurer, Former Supervisor
Chelsea Partridge, Secretary, Former Supervisor
Presented Documents.
- None
Reported for Public Records.
- Brevard SWCD Treasurer’s Report
Guest Presentations.
None
Review and Approval of the Current Treasurer’s Report.
The board’s former treasurer, Jonathan Schuman, provided the treasurer’s report for the previous month. The balance was $46,695.30.
The motion by Bud Crisafulli to approve the Treasurer’s Report with an amendment to the date was seconded by Jim Fletcher. A file copy has been provided by email to the board.
Jonathan Schuman volunteered to perform an audit report for the 2021/2022 year as his final act as treasurer. He will also share the 2022 budget as a baseline for the new supervisors.
Review and Approval of Minutes for the prior Board of Supervisors meeting.
No minutes were printed and October (last meeting of the body) and January meeting minutes will be presented in February. Supervisor Crisafulli requested former secretary Chelsea Partridge to take meeting minutes for January.
Staff Update
No staff has been hired yet but the job description was reviewed. Andy Irizarry gave an update on the progress to hire the replacement.
USDA NRCS Cocoa Service Office District Conservationist Report
Andy Irizarry gave an update on NRCS programs. Six applications were received for hurricane relief and 14 for EQIP.
Old BSWCD Meeting Business
Staff received notice that AFCD dues were outstanding, despite former treasurer Jonathan Schuman having a receipt for it. Jonathan to contact AFCD and provide the receipt, dated March 26, 2022.
New BSWCD Meeting Business
Supervisor Fletcher gave an update on the law and the appointment of new supervisors. They will hold off on appointing two new supervisors to February, and will hold off on elections until all are appointed.
Supervisor Fletcher sent a letter for a sustainable ag grant to use drones/remote sensing to monitor Bahia grass fertilization needs. He is submitting this on behalf of his company and UF IFAS Brevard County Extension. It is supported by the Brevard Farm Bureau and Cattleman’s Association. A motion to support this proposal was made by Supervisor Crisafulli and seconded by Supervisor Fletcher and passed unanimously.
Supervisor Fletcher made a motion to be POC to coordinate with the FDACS BMAP program. It was seconded by Supervisor Crisafulli and passed unanimously.
Supervisor Fletcher brought up concerns with the job description and MOU. He was asked to coordinate with Derrick Wyle and Beth Shepherd before or at the next meeting.
Supervisor Fletcher requested Beth Shepherd give a presentation of the stormwater MOU at the next meeting.
With consensus of the Board, the Chairman then adjourned the meeting at 5:00 PM.
Prepared for board review and approval by,
Chelsea Partridge
Acting Secretary