Lake Soil and Water Conservation District

Lake Soil and Water Conservation District
Board of Supervisors Regular Meeting
1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares, FL 32778
August 18, 2021
Minutes

The Board of Supervisors, Lake Soil and Water Conservation District (LSWCD), met on June 16, 2021, at the UF/IAS Lake County Extension Center at 1951 Woodlea Road, Tavares, FL 32778. Those present were:

Supervisors: Banks Helfrich, Maryann Krisovitch, Jeff Rabinowitz, and Cassandra Brown.

Guests: Guest speaker, Jennifer Mitchell, St. John’s River Water Management District, Peggy Arter, LSWCD Administrative Assistant; Adam Boykin, MIL; Melissa Fraticelli, NRCS.

Banks Helfrich, Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 3:07 PM and led the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting had been noticed and proof of publication was presented.

Public Comment: The floor was open for public comment; no public comments were brought forth.

Meeting Minutes: The Minutes from June 16, 2021 and July 21, 2021 (no meeting) were presented, motion to approve by Maryann Krisovitch and seconded by Jeff Rabinowitz. Motion carried unanimously.

Financial Report: The June and July Financial Reports were presented by Peggy Arter and motion to approve by Cassandra Brown and seconded by Maryann Krisovitch. Motion carried unanimously.

Correspondence/Action Items:  Email from Kaylee Pate regarding Annual Meeting in Daytona Beach in September 2021 was discussed. Board members are aware they will need to register for meeting themselves, should they decide to participate. LSWCD will reimburse cost for registration, hotel and mileage.

USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): Melissa Fraticelli presented an oral report outlining the status of contracts, acreage included and monetary amounts in process. A NRCS Local Work Group Meeting needs to be scheduled before October 31, 2021. Peggy Arter will check with the Extension Center staff to schedule NRCS Meeting to be held in the auditorium on October 20, 2021 at 1:30 pm.

FDACS: Office of Agricultural Water Policy (OAWP): No report available.

Mobile Irrigation Lab (MIL): Adam Boykin, MIL, notified the board of the new MIL Program Manager, Camilo Gaitan. Open communication between MIL and FDACS continues. Advertisements to be posted for the vacant MIL Technician position via Facebook, ZipRecruiter and FLMS websites. Indeed.com has also been approved. Ms. Arter will research and post job listing.

Old Business: Completed items include audit, application process, Contest Workshop attendance, June Minutes and Financial Report.

New Business:  Guest speaker Jennifer Mitchell from St John’s River Water Management District presented the board with information regarding the Blue School Grant Program and deadline dates for proposals for funding.

FY21/22 Budget to be drawn up and presented for discussion at next board meeting.

Envirothon 2022 will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2022.

Announcements:  Maryann Krisovitch collected information regarding sizes and preferences for shirts with logo for all board members.

Board Comments: Maryann Krisovitch notified the board that she has resigned from Lake County Water Authority as of 8/31/2021.

Jeff Rabinowitz would like to spread the word regarding the Blue School Grant Program funds available.

Cassandra Brown will share Blue School Grant information at her children’s school.

Adjourn: No further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:29 PM. The next Board Meeting will take place on September 15, 2021.

Respectfully submitted,

Peggy Arter, Administrative Assistant LSWCD