ITFC Meeting Minutes January 19, 2017

IDAHO TREE FARM PROGRAM
Idaho Tree Farm Committee Meeting
9:30am- 12:00pm, Thursday, January 19th, 2017
University of Idaho Extension Office – Kootenai County 1808 N 3rd St. Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

MINUTES

1. Call to Order
President Russ Hegedus called the meeting to order at 9:35 a.m. Those present for all or part of the meeting were: Doug Bradetich, IFG
Russ Hegedus, ITFC Chair/IFG
Savannah Miller, ITFP Administrator
Tim Kyllo, ITFC/IFG
Tom Bollacker, Tree Farmer at Large
Dan Myers, Tree Farmer at Large
Frank Gariglio, ITFC/USDA-NRCS
Joe Larson, Stimson Lumber
Erin Bradetich, ITFC Communications, IFG
Andy Eckberg, ITFC District 1 Chair/IFG
Rob Keefe, U of I -CNR
Gretchen Lech, ITFC/SFI-SIC/HFM
Steven Cuvala, ITFC Treasurer/Tree Farmer
John Lillehaug, ITFC District 3 Chair/Tree Farmer
Tim Schaffer, ITFC District 2 Chair/BLP
Steve Funk, ITFC Past Chair/Tree Farmer
Janet Funk, ITFC/Tree Farmer
Chris Schnepf, ITFC/U of I Extension
Sean Hammond, ITFC Vice Chair/Tree Farmer
Kurt Koetter, Tree Farmer

Excused: Janes Thornes, PLT; Mary Fritz, IDL

2. Anti-Trust Statement
President Hegedus reviewed the Anti-Trust Statement with the Committee.

3. Approval of October Meeting Minutes
John Lillehaug moved and Kurt Koetter seconded to approve the October Meeting Minutes without any corrections. The motion carried unanimously.

4. Budget Review and Treasurer’s Report
a) Steve Cuvala gave the Treasurer’s Report and Past Chair Bradetich reviewed the 2016 budget against actual income and expenditures as of December 31, 2016. Most expenses remained in line except for the Fall Field Tour that spent about $2,000 over the original estimate due to the surprisingly large group who attended the tour. Cash balance was $20,523.32 as of January 1, 2016. The 2016 Year-end balance and beginning balance as of January 1, 2017 was $28,662.68. The cash balance as of January 17, 2017 is $27,665.19. Sean Hammond moved to file both the December 31, 2016 and the January 17, 2017 Treasurers Reports for review. Tim Kyllo seconded the motion and the motion carried unanimously.
b) Doug Bradetich reviewed the proposal for the 2017 Budget. Kurt Koetter suggested setting aside funds to prepare for the next audit, whenever that may be. Doug added a line item, “AFF/SFI Program Audit” to the 2017 Budget which shall be carried on to every year’s budget going forward. Kurt Koetter moved to approve the budget draft with a preface that the amount of money set aside for the next audit will be determined based on whether the audit is a lump sum cost or to be split into annual payments. Steve Cuvala seconded and the motion unanimously passed. John Lillehaug suggested adding a line item of $100 for help with expenses at the Forestry for Southern Idaho tour. Janet moved to add that line item, Tim Kyllo seconded, and the motion unanimously carried.

5. PLT Report – Jane Thornes
Jane Thornes was not able to attend the meeting in person, but provided information via email for the Committee’s consideration. They are currently setting up workshops for spring and summer. There are several workshops set up in southern Idaho. In the Coeur d’ Alene area, there will be an Early Childhood teacher workshop this spring; and in June and July they will be having 15 hour workshops on Early Childhood and ‘Walk in the Forest’.

PLT continues to work with school districts to meet the needs of teachers. One way that they’re doing this is by trying to coordinate with teacher professional development days.

6. ILRCC Update and Upcoming Events – Janet Funk
Janet Funk reviewed latest updates from the Idaho Lands Resource Coordinating Council. Next meeting is on February 27th and 28th in Boise. A state umbrella collaborative group, the Idaho Forest Restoration Partnership (IFRP), is also meeting on March 1st and 2nd to discuss forest health improvements. Janet also relayed current news from the IDL, which are in the process of selling some of their buildings.

7. Communications Report
New Communications Chair is Erin Bradetich, and she is currently working with the past Communications Chair to learn the Constant Contact Program. Also, she will be working with Doug Bradetich to produce an ITFP Newsletter in the spring.

8. Old Business
a) 2016 Inspections Recap
i. Vote for 2017 Idaho Outstanding Tree Farmer Inspector of the Year President Hegedus nominated Chris Gerhart, a private forestry specialist, to be the inspector of year. Andy Eckberg seconded that.

b) Post Card Notices for Tree Farmer Status
The next 50 oldest Tree Farm post card notices will be sent out in February.

c) 501(c)3 Status
Doug Bradetich moved and Steve Funk seconded to update the By-laws and other documents appropriately when and if required due to the implementation of officer’s new titles of ‘President’ and ‘Vice President’. The motion carried.

9. New Business
a) 2017 Committee Roster
As of January, Russ Hegedus is the President, Sean Hammond is the Vice President, Steve Cuvala remains Treasurer, Erin Bradetich is the new Communications Chair, and Dan Myers and Tom Bollacker are the new Tree Farmers at Large.

b) 2017 Inspections Update by District Chairs
i. Required inspections assigned and/or completed ITFP is off to a great start with all districts ahead of schedule on completing most or all of their required inspections. District I has all assigned and only eight left to complete. District II has all required assigned and one is complete. District III has completed all of their required inspections.
ii. Optional and Pioneer inspections
National has asked State Committees to evaluate and either certify or decertify the inventory of Pioneer inspections that we have in our state. Currently Idaho has 14 to complete.

c) 2017 ATFS National Leadership Conference, February 24-27, Greenville, SC
This year ITFC will be represented by Steve & Janet Funk and also current Idaho Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year – Kurt & Sandy Koetter.

d) Annual Award Meeting, March 27th, Moscow, ID
The ITFP meeting will include appetizers prior to the award presentations and business meeting. Also a dessert and wine social for the awardees following the meeting. Those interested in attending the Award Meeting and would like to stay at the Best Western University Inn are encouraged to reserve their accommodations before 2/27 to take advantage of the FFLC group rate discount. Those with questions about reserving a room may contact Savannah Miller.

10. Other Business
a) Annual Report to ATFS due 3/15/2017
President Hegedus is working on the Annual Report and will submit it by March 15th to National.

b) RTFOY
The Wood Family has been submitted to National for Regional Tree Farmers of the Year

c)Donation to previous ITFOY, Rusty and Linda Fitchett
Steve Cuvala moved and Doug Bradetich seconded that the Committee provide a $300 gift card to Home Depot for the Fitchett’s to help cover costs as they rebuild their home. The motion carried unanimously. John Lillehaug also encouraged everyone in the group look into their photo history and see if they have any pictures of the Fitchett’s Tree Farmer of the Year Ceremony.

d)Next ITFC Meeting Date The next meeting will be on April 20th, 2017 at a location to be decided.

11. Adjourn
President Hegedus adjourned the meeting at 11:20 am
Respectfully submitted,

Savannah Miller, Administrator
Riley and Associates, LLC

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