GVMA Board of Directors Meeting

Friday, December 7, 2001
10:00 AM

Electric Cooperative Training Center
Smarr, Georgia

In Attendance: Tim Beale, Mark Dennis, Ray Dorsey, Jennifer Dubose, Maxie Gray, Doug Jones, Werner Kralick, Tim Murphy, Darrell Russell, Gary Youngblood

Tim Beale welcomed Maxie Gray, Department of Natural Resources/Fisheries to GVMA Board of Directors.

Old Business

Ray Dorsey reported the DOT Right of Way Vegetation Management Policy will be sent to Utilities before January 1, 2002.

EPA Spray and Dust Drift Document

Board Members discussed the EPA Spray and Dust Drift Label Statements for Pesticide Products:

Contradictory
Impossible to completely eliminate spray drift
Encourages public complaints and lawsuits

Jennifer Dubose reported BASF has similar concerns, and is addressing the issue with the EPA.

Doug Jones reported the Department of Agriculture requires evidence to substantiate drift, usually a positive sample or documentable damage to vegetation, and does not take action against a utility or other entity unless there is proof that the drift crosses property lines.

Tim Beale encouraged Board Members to review the documents and respond to the EPA. The deadline for comments has been extended to January 19, 2002.

GVMA Website
Jennifer Dubose reported on website progress and showed Board Members example of home page:

confirmed official website name: GVMAWEB.COM
$35 annual fee for name
website passwords and codes will be available to GVMA for site updates
“working website” ­ top priority includes mission statement, member news, conference information, list of contacts
GVMA Best Management Policy

Jennifer Dubose reported the committee decided against a lengthy list of recommended procedures. Instead, the BMP will included a list of frequently asked questions, and then offer links to other websites that provide answers and information on approved methods, practices, and standard forms.

GVMA 2002 Annual Conference, April 10 ­ 12, Hyatt Regency - Savannah

Fees
Conference registration fee will remain $75.00
Vendor/Exhibitor rates: indoor or outdoor (no registrations) $250
Indoor and outdoor (2 registrations) $500

Exams
Board members voted against an additional exam fee for people who are not attending the conference
Participants will need to register with ISA and/or Dept. of Agriculture prior to exam date
ISA (Certified Arborist, Utility Arborist, Certified Climber) and Licensed Pesticide Applicator Exams will be offered Wednesday, April 10, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
$25 fee for Licensed Pesticide Applicator Exam. Check or money order made out to GA. Department of Agriculture; no cash

Pesticide Credits (Categories)
Core general standards
27 Right of Way
26 Aquatics
24 Ornamental and Turf
36 Wood Treatment
23 Forest Pest Control

Action Item: Tim Murphy will apply for credits

Hotel
Tim Beale reserved 100 rooms conference attendees
Rates (per night)
$142 single or double occupancy (GVMA discount rate)
$229 single or double occupancy (general rate)
$14 valet parking available

Proposed Conference Agenda

2002 Georgia Vegetation Management Association Conference

April 10 - 12, 2002
Hyatt Regency, Savannah

Proposed Agenda

Wednesday, April 10
9:00 - 12:00 PM ISA and Pesticide Applicator Testing
1:00 PM Fishing/Golf
5:00 - 7:00 PM Early Registration, hotel lobby

Thursday, April 11
7:00 - 8:00 AM Buffet breakfast/registration/visit with exhibitors
8:00 - 8:15 AM GVMA Welcome address Tim Beale, GVMA President
8:15 - 8:30 AM Welcome to Savannah

Tim Beale will find local speaker

8:30 - 9:00 AM GVMA Website Jennifer Dubose, GVMA
9:00 - 10:00 AM Wildlife Habitat/Improvement Bobby Watkins, BASF Through Vegetation Management
10:00 - 10:15 AM Break, sponsored by GRESCO Capstone
10:15 - 11:15 AM The Public Health Benefits Dr. Jerome Goddard,
(keynote speaker) of Pesticides Miss. Department of Health
Ray Dorsey has confirmed Dr. Goddard’s speech at conference
11:15 AM load buses for Plant McIntosh
12:00 - 3:00 PM lunch, field tour
6:00 PM Low Country Boil

Friday, April 12
7:00 - 8:15 AM buffet breakfast, visit with exhibitors
8:15 - 9:15 AM ISA Revised Tree Appraisal Guide Dr. Kim Coder, UGA

Jimmy Etheridge will contact Dr. Coder

9:15 - 9:45 AM Pesticide Use: What to Expect Doug Jones,From Inspections GA. Dept. of Agriculture
9:45 - 10:15 AM Oak Wilt Disease: Damage Control Scott Cameron

Tim Beale will contact Scott Cameron International Paper, Savannah
10:15 - 10:30 AM break, door prizes
10:30 - 10:45 AM Vendor Updates
10:45 - 11:30 AM Southern Highway Jim Taylor, Vegetation Management Mississippi State University
11:30 - 11:45 AM Pesticide Disposal

Doug Jones will confirm speaker

11:45 - 12:00 PM GVMA Business Meeting
12:00 - 12:15 PM Award Grand Door Prize and Conference Evaluations

Conference flyer/registration will be sent no later than February, 2002
Board Members will report on conference speakers at next meeting

The next GVMA Board of Directors Meeting is scheduled for:

Friday, February 1, 2002
10:00 AM
Savannah Electric, Kilowatt Drive
Savannah, Georgia

Meeting Adjourned

back to top >