Minutes from the September 11th, 2025 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 Nancy Dunnell at 5:00 p.m.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen, Nancy Dunnell, John Sopkowiak
Members absent: Roger Krause
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the agenda as presented.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell, Sopkowiak Opposed: None Motion carried.
The board welcomed John Sopkowiak, newly appointed District 3 board member and introduced themselves.
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve the August 14th, 2025 minutes.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell, Sopkowiak Opposed: None Motion carried.
The August 2025 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve the bills as listed on the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell, Sopkowiak Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business – none
Special Reports
NRCS partner updates -Jody Peek, NRCS Team Lead, joined the meeting remotely. Peek informed the board that there were no new EQIP applications for Lake of the Woods. There was discussion on how this can be attributed to having no NRCS staff present on a regular basis. Chamberlain is covering the Baudette Field Office as the office assistant, and is now also assigned to team-wide duties. Field visits for current contracts will be conducted mainly by the Bemidji staff.
New Business
Payment to LOTW JPB
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak, to authorize the payment of $32,987.50 for the first installment of the FY26 Midpoint Assessment Grant to the Lake of the Woods Watershed Joint Powers Board.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell, Sopkowiak Opposed: None Motion carried.
Permission to void check
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to void check number 9257 without a stop payment.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell, Sopkowiak Opposed: None Motion carried.
Forest management plan cost share extension – Sonstegard
A motion was made by Dohman, with a second by Sopkowiak, to grant an extension for Sonstegard’s Forest Management Plan cost share contract 2024-08 FMP-RR until September 30th, 2026.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell, Sopkowiak Opposed: None Motion carried.
Forest management plan cost share payment – Anderson
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize final payment for Anderson’s contract 2024-10 FMP-RR in the amount of $1,138.50.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell, Sopkowiak Opposed: None Motion carried.
Forest management plan cost share payment – Herzog
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak, to authorize final payment for Herzog’s 2024-06 FMP-LW in the amount of $2,380.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell, Sopkowiak Opposed: None Motion carried.
DNR Peatland Restoration Phase 2 Joint Powers Agreement
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the Joint Powers Agreement Swift #276018 with the State of Minnesota for the Winter Road Lake Peatland Scientific and Natural Area Phase 2 Investigation.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell, Sopkowiak Opposed: None Motion carried.
HDR Peatland Restoration Phase 2 Contract
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve the Winter Road Peatland Phase 2 Investigation contract with HDR Engineering.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dunnell, Sopkowiak Dohmen abstained Motion carried.
Wages, benefits, Earned Sick and Safe Time for 2026
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to direct the Personnel Committee to provide a preferred and alternate health insurance option for the full board to review.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dunnell, Sopkowiak Dohmen abstained Motion carried.
Karvakko engineering cost estimate
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dohmen, to table the Karvakko Engineering cost estimate until further information could be gathered.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dunnell, Sopkowiak Dohmen abstained Motion carried.
Training and Travel Requests – none
Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.
Committee Reports
AIS – Keep it Clean Committee
General Information and Discussion
Supervisor Committees – the board will review committee vacancies at the annual meeting unless it is determined that earlier action is needed.
Cost share programs – discussion on existing SWCD cost share programs. More information on the cover crop results will be provided at the October meeting. The SWCD must make a formal request for funding in the next quarter.
Well testing clinic report – see board packet.
MCIT coverage for supervisors – see board packet
MNDOT Living Snow Fence Agreement – all parties involved have signed on to the agreement. The project will be installed in 2026 and the staff will begin acquiring materials this fall.
The next regular board meeting has been set for October 9th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Dohmen Seconded: Sopkowiak
Meeting adjournment time: 7:30 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________