Quarterly Meeting Minutes
September 4th, 2008
USDA Service Center
Jordan, MT

General:
Chairman Jim Beck opened the meeting at 10:00 A.M.  Council Members present were:  Chairman Jim Beck; Ron Garwood representing the Valley County CD; Tom Ruffatto representing the Richland County CD; Nicole Downs representing the Garfield County CD; Paul Gies representing the Fergus CD; Curt McCann representing the Blaine County CD; Buzz Mattelin representing the Roosevelt County CD.  Others present were Amanda Hom, Garfield County CD Administrator; Sue FitzGerald, Garfield County District Conservationist; and Vicki Marquis, Council Coordinator.

1. Travel Vouchers were handed out to Council members.
2. The meeting minutes from the June 19th, 2008 Quarterly meeting and the Executive Committee conference calls were reviewed.  Tom moved to approve the quarterly meeting minutes from June 19th, 2008; Ron seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.  Ron moved to accept the Executive Committee conference call minutes from July 30th, 2008; Curt seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.  Nicole moved to approve the Executive Committee conference call minutes from August 20th, 2008, Ron seconded the motion; and it passed unanimously.  The Council discussed the most appropriate forum for approving Executive committee minutes and it was decided that those minutes should be reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee during their meetings and/or conference calls instead of during the full Council meetings.
3. The Executive Committee reported that since the last full Council meeting, they have:
- approved travel for Vicki and Curt to present Council information at the National Association of State Conservation Agencies’ annual meeting in Whitefish.
- Approved travel for Paul Gies to attend the Riparian Forest Summit in Sioux Falls, SD.
- Issued a letter of support for Sen. Tester’s Cooperative Watershed Management Act.  Chairman Beck noted that he had an opportunity to visit with Alex Apotsos from Sen. Tester’s office during a recent tour of Whitmore Ravine.  He noted that the CWMA is designed to fund start-up groups, but would also provide funds for groups like our Council.  He also noted that Alex explained that the Bureau of Reclamation was chosen as the sponsoring agency because they serve only the 17 western states and that would limit the states and watershed groups that can apply for funding.  Buzz noted that it is unclear who initiated the process and at who’s request Sen. Tester drafted the legislation.  He also noted that even highly successful groups such as the Blackfoot Challenge have continual trouble with administrative funding, so the legislation’s goal of providing start-up funding then expecting the groups to survive on their own may not be appropriate.
4. The financial report was presented and discussed.  Regarding the Check Detail Report, Vicki explained that Check #1548 was voided because Karl’s expenses were put on his state credit card, so the check had to be re-issued to the State DNRC.  Additionally, Check #1553 to the Phillips County Transit was voided because the weed tour bus that the Council agreed to pay for ended up breaking down mid-way through the tour so the Transit didn’t charge for the bus.  Curt moved to approve the Financial Report, Tom seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.  Buzz noted that since his NACD travel expenses were on the financial report, that the Council should institute a policy requiring a written report for any out-of-state or extra travel that it funds for the members.  The Council agreed this was a good idea.  Paul stated that out-of-state travel is very beneficial and noted the benefits of the sage grouse data and contacts that he returned from the NACD convention with.
5. Correspondence received and sent since the last meeting was presented and reviewed.  Vicki noted that the Council’s letter of support for the Sen. Tester’s Cooperative Watershed Management Act was in the sent correspondence, as well as the Council’s final financial report for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2008.
6. Coordinator’s Report:  Vicki apologized for not having her monthly report out yet and noted that since her last monthly report, she has been working on the following:  monthly and year-end bookkeeping, drafting meeting and conference call minutes, finalizing the annual report, completing the new website; preparing for the BLM RAC meeting held yesterday in Great Falls (copies of the draft Malta Area RMP were distributed); forwarding information on the CMR Management alternatives; preparing press releases for the Weed Wash on the CMR (press in the Great Falls Tribune and covered by KRTV in Great Falls); drafting, finalizing, submitting, and representing a 223 grant for MRRIC travel expenses; participating in MRRIC Planning Group conference calls; applying for MRRIC; drafting a letter of support for Buzz’s MRRIC application; as well as organizing and hosting two tours of the Whitmore Ravine – one for Bruce Fergusson with Sen. Baucus’ office and one for Alex Apotsos with Sen. Tester’s office.

New Business:
1. Trans Canada Pipeline – Vicki noted that a representative was not available to speak to the Council at this meeting due to previous commitments, but they were willing to do so at future Council meetings.  Ron explained that the line will be a 30” oil line to be installed in 2010.  It will be buried 4-6 feet deep and will be bored under the Missouri River downstream from Ron’s place.  It could bring $1 million per year in tax revenues to Valley County.  Curt moved to have a company representative provide information to the Council and the public at the January 2009 Council meeting, Buzz seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
2. Holter Lake Cleanup Project – Vicki noted that Karl Christians has been working on the project and recommended moving it to the spring in order to utilize more landowners.  Buzz suggested expanding the cleanup to use a crew from the Montana Conservation Corps and possibly some schools.  Additionally, the Council could provide trash bags, press releases, and other supplies to local CDs to institute their own cleanup projects.  Buzz moved to have the Council facilitate cleanup projects, including the Holter Lake event, Ron seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
3. Car Body Removal Policy/Program – The Council discussed using this project as a pilot project in the hope that more would be initiated by the local CDs along the River.  Paul moved to have the Council pay for Alan Rollo’s time on the project, Buzz seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Old Business
1. Hotel Outreach Projects – Vicki noted that Jeff Tiberi contacted the Montana Inn Keepers Association and they were not interested in pursuing the project on a statewide basis.  Sue FitzGerald noted that NRCS did a similar project with brochures in the past. 
2. Study Proposals in support of NAI Workshop – Discussions earlier this morning as well as Chairman Beck’s survey of CD supervisors revealed that more education and outreach were necessary.  It was noted that a checklist of sorts would be helpful for new and existing Planning Board members.  The Council agreed to pursue a roundtable event at the MACD Convention to gather input from the other CDs.  Additionally, combining Planning Board training with DNRC’s existing 310 training events would be helpful.
3. Lower Missouri CRM Contract Completion and Report – Buzz noted that a written report was drafted but not finalized.  Since the CRM funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers did not come through yet, the CRM Coordinator was no longer on staff.  Vicki noted that the total invoice for the contract work was $3,358.66, Paul moved to pay the entire invoice of $3,358.66, Curt seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
4. Grocery Bag Project – Buzz visited with John Reynolds of the Montana Food Distributor’s Association who noted that the re-bag program was going well.  There is an upcoming meeting of the Association and John was willing to try to put the Council on the agenda, if desired.  It was noted that the Council needed more information on the cost per bag and screen printing costs.
5. Flood Photo Archive and High Water Project – Karl is drafting a sign to place on the Craig bridge at the Fishing Access Site.  It was noted that the Hell Creek State Park would be another good spot for a sign.
6. New Website – Vicki noted that it is up and functioning.  Short biographies from each Council member were needed.

Reports – Each reach and agency represented at the meeting noted that their information had already been discussed throughout the meeting.

Next Meeting – Buzz moved to have the next MRCDC meeting at the MACD Convention, the January meeting at the Winter Fair in Lewistown with a presentation on the Trans Canada pipeline, and the April meeting in Helena with the Legislators, Curt seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

With no additional business coming before the Council, Curt moved to adjourn the meeting at 1:45 PM, Buzz seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Submitted by:

_____________________
Vicki Marquis, Coordinator