Gallatin County Weed Board
Regular Monthly Meeting
May 3, 2007
Board members present were Bob Hofman, Acting Chair, Fred Bell, Linda Vrooman and Craig Morgan. Jeff Littlefield and Commissioner Skinner were excused.
Others present were Betty Biggs (Farm Bureau), Keith Mainwaring (Property Owner), Sam Rogers (Property Owner), Dennis Hengel (Coordinator), John Ansley (Education/Enforcement Coordinator), and Rosemary Perry (Secretary).
Introductions. John Ansley, the new Weed District Education/Enforcement Coordinator was introduced to the Board. Linda Vrooman informed the Board that she is in the process of moving to Colorado and felt that she should resign. The Board members present felt that she was a valuable member of the Board and requested that she stay on until the move became definite.
Minutes. The Minutes of the April meeting had been mailed to the Board and were approved as read.
Claims. Bob Hofman reviewed the Claims. Fred Bell moved to approve the Claims as presented, Linda Vrooman seconded and the Claims stand approved.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Bylaws. As Jeff Littlefield was absent the Board decided to vote on the Bylaw changes at the next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Public Comment/Other. Betty Biggs remarked that the State Farm Bureau Conference is scheduled in June. They have been asked to bring anything pertinent to weeds in the counties to the State level. Biggs would like to present the new Weed Management Plan for subdivisions. Hengel stated the document was currently under review in the County Attorney’s office. However, if we receive it back in time he would supply the document for review at the Farm Bureau meeting.
2. Subdivision Requirements/Enforcement. Hengel reported that he has spoken with Greg Sullivan (now Planning Director) and he is reviewing the Subdivision WMP and applying information to the County Subdivision Regulations.
3. Commissioner Report. Commissioner Skinner is attending County budget meetings and was unable to attend this months Weed Board meeting.
4. Chairperson Report. No report. Jeff Littlefield is attending a worldwide bio control meeting.
5. Coordinator Report.
Hengel presented ideas to the Board regarding the increase in Subdivision Review Fees. He would like to have the Review Fees raised to $250 for a minor and $500 for a major plus $10/lot. Vrooman moved to request a resolution with the County Commissioners to increase the Subdivision Review fee to $250 for a minor, $500 for a major plus $25/lot. Fred Bell seconded and the motion carried. There then followed discussion regarding the Budget. The consensus of the Board was that if a line item in the budget was not completely used the money should go into the Capital Improvements Fund instead of losing the funding. However, at this time there is very little funding within the budget that is not expended. This means that there is very little funding available to go into the Capital Improvement Fund. For example
in FY 04 the District expended 95% of budget, in FY 05 expended 95% of budget, in FY 06 expended 97.5% of budget, in FY 07 estimated to expend 95% of budget. There was also discussion regarding increasing the Cost Share and the per person allotment. Hengel stated that the Board has the jurisdiction to increase the per person allotment. For FY 08 the Board instructed Hengel to request an additional $5000 in herbicides, $2500 in Cost Share, $2000 in fuel, $25,000 shop repairs and $20,000 for contract services of on-the-ground enforcement actions. The $20,000 for enforcement actions is recoverable through liens on property taxes on those landowners on which an enforcement action has occurred.
Hengel also informed the Board of three upcoming events: (1) Farm Fair next week at Brainard’s Ranch near Manhattan (2) meeting of the Madison Missouri Watershed group and (3) budget review meeting with County Commissioners.
6. Strategic Planning. At the April meeting the Board had initially prioritized Long Term and Short Term Goals. After a short discussion no changes were requested.
The meeting adjourned at 2.40PM. The next meeting will be June 7th.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemary Perry, Secretary
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