Minutes from the April 10th, 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 Frank Sindelir at 5:00 p.m.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen, Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir
Members absent: Nancy Dunnell
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Team Lead, Jody Peek; County Commissioner, Joe Grund
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the March 13th, 2025 minutes.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
The March 2025 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
The First Quarter Budget vs. Actual reports were reviewed.
The First Quarter Supervisor Expense reports were reviewed.
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen to approve the bills as listed on the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business– none
Special Reports
NRCS partner updates – Jody Peek, the NRCS Team Lead, presented on recent staffing updates. There is no new information on the building lease. Landowner contracts which were funded under the previous administration are being honored. There may be changes to contracts which were not fully obligated.
New Business
Local Workgroup Meeting Schedule
The Natural Resources Conservation Service Local Workgroup Meeting is set for May 8th at 4:30 prior to the regular SWCD board meeting.
MPCA Keep It Clean Contract Change Order
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the budget change order for the MN Pollution Control Agency Keep it Clean contract and authorize the District Manager to sign the change order.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
Personnel Policy Handbook Revision
The board reviewed the list of personnel policy handbook revisions provided in the board packet. It is the consensus of the board to preliminarily approve the revisions presented and incorporate them into the policy handbook.
Credit Cards
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to authorize Hirst and Trask to acquire SWCD Business Credit Cards with a cap of $1,000 per card through Border Bank’s provider.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
Permission to pay tree sales invoices in advance of board meeting
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to authorize paying the private nursery invoices for the tree sales program in advance of a regular board meeting.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
Training and Travel Requests – none
Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.
Committee Reports
TSA 8 Meeting – Stromlund gave an update on the recent TSA8 meeting. No dues will be required for the non-state grant match due to the change in match requirements. All Districts are able to use the survey equipment owned by the TSA.
General Information and Discussion
2024 Rain Gauge Report – MN State Climatology Office – see attachment to the board packet for the 2024 report from the State Climatology Office
MASWCD Call for Resolutions – see attachment to the board packet for the call for resolutions memo.
Letter – FSA lease – see attachment to the board packet for a copy of the letter
The next regular board meeting has been set for May 8th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Sonstegard Seconded: Dohmen
Meeting adjournment time: 6:45 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________