Gallatin County Weed District
Regular Monthly Meeting
November 6, 2008
Board members present were Jeff Littlefield (Chair), Bob Urich and Commissioner Skinner. Fred Bell, Bob Hofman and Craig Morgan were excused. Others present were Bill Skinner (Conservation District Board member), Marcie Murnion-Learn (Conservation District Staff), Dennis Hengel (Coordinator), John Ansley (Education/Enforcement Coordinator) and Rosemary Perry (Secretary).
Minutes. Bob Urich had a question regarding the expenses for the truck accident. We have completed the Claim process and are just waiting for the credit to be applied in our budget. As there was not a quorum, the Minutes will be reviewed at the December meeting.
Claims/Budget. There was discussion regarding the cost of the office building. The cost of the office space has increased from $9,561 to $11,000. The cost is figured on the square footage.
OLD BUSINESS
Jeff Littlefield asked about the status of the display board. Hengel informed him that it was still being worked on.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Public Comment/Other. None.
2. Conservation District – Small Acreage Position. Bill Skinner mentioned that although Hengel had offered the use of a vehicle for the new employee to use while doing field inspections, the Conservation District Board had decided to use their own vehicle. Commissioner Skinner asked for more information on the actual job description. Murnion-Learn informed those present that the position title will be Resource Technician. The position will start January 2nd and initially will consist of training on Conservation District
procedures and policies, changing to an extensive small acreage field position for the summer, and then assisting Murnion-Learn with educational programs in the winter. Bill Skinner commented that he had attended one of Mohler's Pasture Management Classes and had asked the participants what the Conservation District could do to help them achieve their goals. People
commented that they needed help with small acreage management but before the class they hadn’t known where to find assistance. The Conservation District wants to respond to the need for information and assistance that is evident. Bob Urich felt that by providing a vehicle for summer field work the Weed District would be working towards a good working partnership with the Conservation District and the investment would also assist the Weed District staff by saving time and travel.
3. Part Time Mechanic Position. Hengel informed those present that now the Road Department had moved the Weed District faces difficulty getting their vehicles serviced. The Fairgrounds has monies available to go towards hiring a part time mechanic year round and Hengel would like to contribute $5000 from the Seasonal Employees budget item towards the salary in order to be able to utilize the mechanic for maintenance and repair of the Weed District vehicles from May through October. Commissioner Skinner asked what the
arrangements had been before the Road Department moved. Hengel informed him that the Road Department employees worked on the Weed Vehicles at no cost except for parts. Commissioner Skinner asked if the Weed District could continue this program by taking the vehicles out to the new Road Department facilities. The two (2) Board members present felt that Hengel should check to see
if the maintenance agreement could be continued before committing to any other plan. The topic was tabled for further discussion at the December Board Meeting.
4. Gravel Pit Covenants. Hengel has been working with the Planning Department to put together a set of covenants for Gravel Pits. These covenants would be in addition to the weed management plan as revegetation requirements are becoming more complex. If gravel pit operators fail to meet requirements for revegetation they will be required to enter into an Improvements Agreement.
5. Commissioner Report. Commissioner Skinner brought up the subject of Black Bull Run subdivision and the right-of –way disturbance created when the developers had installed utility lines along the county road and paved certain portions. Hengel explained the situation to Littlefield and Urich. The developers had reseeded without replacing topsoil and preparing a seed bed over the rock base and there is now a serious weed problem. The developers want their bond released and the County Road Department will not release the
bond. The developer feels that this is unreasonable. The topic will be heard at the public meeting on Wednesday November 12th. Commissioner Skinner asked if Hengel would be able to attend. Hengel replied that he would.
6. Chairperson Report.
Littlefield reported that he has been attending task force meetings in the Kalispell area. He has also attended the International Biological meeting and the Wyoming Weed and Pest annual meeting. Littlefield passed around a book on bio-control of thistles for the Board to look at. Commissioner Skinner asked if there had been any success and Littlefield informed him that there has been some significant success with bio-control of spotted knapweed.
Littlefield informed the Board members present that he had received a letter from the U.S. Forest Service thanking the Weed District for the work our crews did this summer spraying in the Indian Ridge area.
Littlefield brought up that both his and Urich’s Board positions terminate at the end of December.
7. Enforcement/Education Coordinator Report.
ü Ansley reported that he and Hengel had sprayed along Amsterdam and River Roads from early to mid October.
ü He attended the Fall Coordinator training in Forsythe. Three topics of interest that came up were:
(a) the NWTF grants will no longer fund equipment and
(b) Russian Olive has been petitioned for addition to the Category I Noxious Weed list. Counties will be able to manage the plant as they see fit in their communities, possibly prioritizing along waterways.
(c) there was also discussion regarding cheatgrass. If the seed can be separated from commercial grass seed mixes there is a possibility that cheatgrass could be added to the list.
ü Ansley submitted his Frog Rock grant narrative report to the Department of Agriculture and Request for Reimbursement for funds spent so far.
ü Ansley submitted an article for the SW Area Newsletter.
ü He is preparing an application for a grant for the Lower Madison WMA. The boundaries will run from Black’s Ford to the confluence of the Madison and Jefferson Rivers and from Kyd Road to Buffalo Jump Road following the rim. There are approximately 120 landowners in the area.
ü He assisted with an undercarriage wash station project at the mouth of the Gallatin Canyon on the opening day of rifle season. FW&P do not have the Game Check station in place this year so very few people stopped. Another attempt was made on Monday and it was also a failure.
ü Grandview Heights I weed committee representative came to the office to request support as their attempts to get some of the homeowners in the subdivision to control their weeds have not had much success so Ansley will get involved next year.
ü Ansley and Hengel participated in an educational program for the MSU Weed Science Club at Snowfall Trail.
ü A realtor from ERA Landmark requested a field inspection on a piece of property they have listed in the Gateway area. The Realtor felt that there would be no problem putting our brochures in their office.
ü The Realtor education committee has not responded to Ansley’s requests for inclusion in the education training program next year so he will follow up on that.
8. Coordinator Report.
o Hengel remarked that the weed that he will be watching next season will be Tall buttercup.
o The crews went down to West Yellowstone and sprayed a patch of Orange hawkweed for the USFS.
o Hengel attended the GYCC meeting in West Yellowstone. He informed those present that Freemont County, WY received a grant of $35000 to evaluate aquatic plant and animal invasives. Hengel would like to apply for a PPL grant to do the same type of research in Hebgen and Quake
o Four wheeler trailer. There is a new procurement process for purchases over $1000. Three estimates are needed before a purchase can be made. Hengel passed around photos that he had taken of options from three (3) different dealerships. Discussion resulted in those present recommending to Hengel that he check with Ed Blackman (Finance Officer) regarding whether or not he needs Board approval for the purchase. Those present felt that there was no urgency for the purchase as we would not be
using it until next year. The topic will be discussed at the December meeting when hopefully there will be a quorum.
o Hengel reported that the Weed Summit planning was progressing. Bill Skinner asked if the mapping program had gone anywhere. Hengel informed him that it had not, however, the Gallatin County GIS Department has just hired Frank Dougher formerly of MSU, and with his weed mapping knowledge we may be able to get this going. The Big Sky Weed Committee did a lot of mapping this year so there are some parameters set up.
o Hengel reported that he has nine (9) weeks of vacation time built up and he would like to take the next two (2) weeks off. Commissioner Skinner asked if he would be available for the public meeting on Wednesday 12th for the discussion regarding the Black Bull Run subdivision. Hengel said that since this is a priority issue he would come in from vacation to attend the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 2.30PM. The next meeting will be December 4th.
Respectfully submitted,
Rosemary Perry, Secretary
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