Author: Wende A. Ibarra

MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PLUM CREEK CONSERVATION DISTRICT
CONFERENCE ROOM, COUNTY ANNEX
BUILDING, LOCKHART, TEXAS 78644
October 21st, 2008

2:00 PM
2:00PM
2:01PM
2:17 PM
2:18PM

Notices of this regular meeting were posted in the Hays and Caldwell County Courthouses at least 72 hours prior to the meeting. Receipts of the notices are on file in the office of Plum Creek Conservation District.
Checks were reviewed and signed, just prior to the call to order, by Vice President, James O Lipscomb.
The meeting was called to order by President of the Board, James A. Holt, Jr. with the following Board members present: James O. Lipscomb (Vice President), Melvin Bain (Treasurer), Ben Twidwell (Director), Lucy Knight (Director) and Fred Rothert (Director). Also present were Johnie Halliburton (Executive Manager), Karen Bassett (Office Secretary), and Bob Wilson (PCCD Attorney), Feathergail Wilson (PCCD Geologist consultant), and Josh Grimes (PCCD Groundwater consultant). Minutes were taken by Karen Bassett.
Ms. Knight made a motion to accept the minutes received via mail for September 16th. Mr. Bain seconded. Motion approved.
Mr. Isidro Morales (NRCS) discussed with the Board the Supplemental Watershed Agreement for site #5 that was drawn up at a previous meeting and that it needed the proper signatures on it.
. Mr. Isidro Morales introduced Mr. Steve Bednarz and Mr. James Featherston from NRCS to the Board to answer any questions regarding the rehabilitation on site #5. The Engineers explained to the Board that NRCS will not have the final budget until February or March 2009 and until then, they will be under continuous resolution and will have a minimal amount of funds to keep projects going. They explained where they are at on this project and that before they can receive any funding they will need an authorized plan, which is the Watershed Supplemental Plan, that they need to have signed at this meeting. Once the PCCD Directors and NRCS have signed, it will be sent to Washington and the Chief will authorize it for funding at that point for construction. Mr. Bob Wilson asked the gentlemen what would happen if PCCD signed the updated agreement and the agreement was sponsored for another 100 years and the money wouldn’t come through? They responded saying that until the project has started being rehabilitated the 100 year time period is not going to apply. They also stated that by signing this agreement we would all be agreeing to rehabilitate this dam and this would be the method we would use to rehabilitate it. Mr. Bob Wilson also asked the gentlemen if there was a statement in the agreement that states if it’s not funded, is this agreement voided? The gentlemen responded by saying they were not sure but that the real obligation on PCCD’s part would come when NRCS signed the project agreement, received the funding and PCCD singed the agreement. Then PCCD would be obligated to 35% and NRCS would be obligated to 65%. The Board discussed with Mr. Bernard and Mr. Featherson.
Ms. Knight made a motion to sign the watershed agreement with NRCS. Mr. Lipscomb seconded. Motion carried.
Mr. Russell Park with In-Situ gave the Board a presentation on their services that pertained to monitoring the water levels. He explained how transducers work, store data, and what they are made of. Mr. Park explained that for four sites it would cost $15,000.00 plus $960.00 a year for the annual phone service for the four sites. The Board discussed with Mr. Park.
Ms. Knight made a motion to approve the $15,000 cost plus phone service. Mr. Rothert seconded. 5 yes and 1 no. Motion approved.
Mr. Halliburton conveyed to the Board that the Caldwell-Travis Soil and Water Conservation District had asked PCCD for a $4,000 donation. Mr. Halliburton explained that last year PCCD gave a donation of $3,000. The Board discussed with Mr. Halliburton.
Ms. Knight made a motion to donate $3,000 to Caldwell-Travis Soil and Water Conservation District. Mr. Twidwell seconded. Motion carried.
Mr. Bob Wilson discussed with the Board the 81st TX Legislative session. He felt that there should be a discussion to determine whether or not or how the Board would actively participate in the upcoming legislative session. The Board discussed with Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson explained to the Board that he would be monitoring the bills and would call it to the Board’s attention if he felt it was needed. He also felt it would be a good idea if someone from PCCD could visit with Senator Glenn Hegar and Representative Patrick Rose before the upcoming legislative session. Mr. Josh Grimes, Ms. Lucy Knight, and Mr. Bob Wilson all agreed and stated that they would be willing to meet with the elected officials in the near future. After some discussions, Mr. Holt recommended that they take care of the matter and they agreed.
Mr. Feathergail Wilson discussed with the Board a map of the Carrizo/Wilcox thickness and surface geology, and the Caldwell County GMA-13 runs. The Board discussed with Mr. Feathergail Wilson.
Mr. Isidro Morales discussed with the Board about two landowners, Mr. Franke and Mr. Green, that are up stream from site #5 that had some concerns. Mr. Morales explained that Mr. Franke wanted an establishment of the easement line. Mr. Morales explained that NRCS would handle that by having the landowner get his own certified surveyor to find that location or elevation. Mr. Halliburton explained that Mr. Green wanted to build a berm around his property to keep the water from coming in. The Board discussed with Mr. Morales and Mr. Halliburton. Mr. Halliburton explained that Mr. Green is going to have it surveyed, have an engineer look at it, come up with a plan, and present it to the Board.
Mr. Halliburton explained that Mr. Feathergail Wilson’s two year contract as PCCD’s Geologist had expired and that the Board needed to decide if they would like to retain Mr. Feathergail Wilson on the PCCD payroll.
Ms. Knight made a motion to retain Mr. Feathergail Wilson at the same rate for an additional two years. Mr. Rothert seconded. Motion carried.
Mr. Halliburton let the Board know that Mr. Lipscomb closed out the IBC CD and moved the funds to TexPool. The Board discussed with Mr. Halliburton.
. Mr. Halliburton discussed the test hole that Polonia had dug on Mr. Frank Hind’s property and it appeared that they would be asking for a production permit in the near future.
. Mr. Halliburton let the Board know that all of the dams have had their yearly inspections with the PCCD Directors.
. Mr. Halliburton explained that he was thinking about updating PCCD’s QuickBooks 2006 software to QuickBooks 2009. The Board discussed with Mr. Halliburton and felt that it would be a good idea.
. Mr. Halliburton explained that he had received an email from the TAGD group asking for a donation for the Rolling Plains GCD to support their suit against the city of Aspermont for not following RPGCD’s rules. He asked if the Board felt that PCCD should contribute to this cause or similar ones in the future. After some discussion, Mr. Holt and the Board decided it would be best to not contribute at this time.

2:33PM
2:34PM
2:35PM
2:36PM
2:55PM
3:22PM
3:32PM
3:34PM
3:34PM

3:45PM
3:46PM
3:58PM
4:49PM
4:50PM
4:53PM

Mr. Josh Grimes explained to the Board that he was invited to a Green Point for Growth meeting on Thursday October 23rd. The Board discussed with Mr. Grimes.
Mr. Bob Wilson discussed with the Board a map that Mr. Feathergail Wilson had pertaining to Gonzales County and the impact that the GMA 13 has on it. The Board discussed with Mr. Bob Wilson. Mr. Bob Wilson also explained that SAWS has an application pending for 12,000 ac/ft. of water.
Mr. Wilson explained that when Gonzales County renews its Management Plan , PCCD will need to look at ours to also include the area that was annexed.
Mr. Wilson explained that PCCD needed to rework its rules associated with its new Management Plan. The Board discussed with Mr. Bob Wilson.
Executive Session
Back in Session
Mr. Holt explained that they had the employee review and would like for the PCCD staff to research its sick leave policy and vacation time and get back with the Board.
Mr. Twidwell made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Lipscomb seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned.
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President Vice President

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