Minutes from the February 9th, 2023 Regular Board Meeting
The meeting of the Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District was held in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
The meeting was called to order by Monica Dohmen at 5:00 p.m.
Members present: Monica Dohmen, Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir, Nancy Dunnell
Members absent: John Sonstegard
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer; County Commissioner, Joe Grund
A motion was made by Krause to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the January 12th, 2023 minutes. The motion was seconded by Dunnell.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The January 2023 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Krause to approve the bills as listed on the agenda. The motion was seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business
MN Traditions – request for support
No action was taken.
Special Reports
NRCS Partner Updates – see attachment to the February board packet for a copy of Steinhauer’s report.
New Business
Contribution to Envirothon program
A motion was made by Krause with a second by Sindelir to authorize $300 for the North Central Area VIII Envirothon program from the Education budget.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Always There Staffing Agreement – AIS Inspectors
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize the $2 per hour proposed wage increase for AIS inspectors and to approve the 2023 Always There Staffing agreement including payment of weekly invoices from Always There Staffing upon receipt.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Steinbach Forest Management Plan cost share payment
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize final payment in the amount of $1,210.00 for H&S Hunting/Corey Steinbach’s 2022 FMP-04 forest management plan contract.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Forest Management Plan Cost Share Application
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize Dan Pieper’s forest management plan cost share application for 80 acres through the Lake of the Woods watershed funding. Cost share is not to exceed $300+$6.50 per acre for planned acres. The plan must be completed in one year.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Computer purchase
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the purchase of a computer through the USDA cooperative purchasing program.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Internet equipment upgrade
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize up to $250 to purchase meshing router equipment to upgrade wireless service in the building and to upgrade the internet package to the Gold level with a 12-month contract.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Recognition for 2022 Rain Gauge Volunteers
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize $150 from Water Plan funds to be used for rain gauge program volunteer recognition.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Livestock Workshop – March
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize $1,200 from the Feedlot Program to be used for costs associated with a livestock producer workshop in March.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
AIS Program expenditures
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize AIS funding in the amount of $2,187.50 for the purchase of promotional towels and $1,250 for geofencing targeted advertising with matching funds from Roseau SWCD.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Training and Travel Requests
MPCA YSI Training – Vrtacnik
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize Vrtacnik to attend the YSI training in Brainerd with overnight stay.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Testifying at the state legislature /Keep It Clean – Hirst
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize travel expenses for up to two nights for Hirst if necessary to testify on the Keep it Clean legislation.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
IJC Semi Annual Meeting – Hirst
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize Hirst to attend the semi-annual meeting in Washington DC the week of April 24th with travel, lodging and meal expenses to be covered by the IJC.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.
Committee Reports
Keep It Clean Committee – the Keep it Clean committee is working on statewide legislative action to support local efforts.
Rainy-Rapid Policy Committee – the plan is in its final 60-day review period. The Policy Committee has been working on bylaws and an agreement for implementation.
General Information and Discussion
Legislative updates from MASWCD – March 7th at the Capitol – the SWCD legislative days will be held on March 7th at the State Capitol.
Conservation Corps summer placement work and training plan – the SWCD was awarded a summer apprentice position through the Conservation Corps. A training and work plan will be developed.
Rainy-Rapid Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan Memorandum of Agreement and Policy Committee Bylaws for implementation of the plan – the draft MOU and bylaws were distributed.
The next regular board meeting has been set for March 9th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Krause Seconded: Sindelir
Meeting adjournment time: 7:03 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________