Minutes from the April 13th, 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: John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen, Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir. Nancy Dunnell attended via Zoom in accordance with open meeting law requirements.
Members absent: none
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; County Commissioner, Joe Grund; Brad Kennedy, Karvakko Engineering
A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Krause.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sonstegard to approve the March 9th, 2023 minutes. The motion was seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The March 2023 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
The 2023 1st quarter budget vs. actual report was reviewed.
The 2023 1st quarter supervisor expense reports were reviewed.
A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the bills as listed on the agenda. The motion was seconded by Krause.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business
Curt Quesnell AIS Contract – advance payment
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize payment in advance to Curt Quesnell for the AIS contract for media and promotional work.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Special Reports
Brad Kennedy from Karvakko Engineering introduced himself and discussed possible partnerships with the SWCD for survey and engineering design assistance.
New Business
Approval of the Rainy-Rapid Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPROVAL TO SUBMIT, ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT THE RAINY-RAPID COMPREHENSIVE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN
Resolution 04-13-2023
WHEREAS, Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District is a member of the Rainy-Rapid One Watershed One Plan Policy Committee; and
WHEREAS, Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District has been an active participant in the development of the Rainy-Rapid Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (Plan); and
WHEREAS, the Rainy-Rapid One Watershed One Plan Policy Committee submitted the Plan on January 23, 2023 for a 60-day comment period; and
WHEREAS, no major changes were requested by state agencies in the 60-day comment period; and
WHEREAS, the Plan will serve as a substitute for either the SWCD comprehensive plan or county local water management plan as per 103C or 103B respectively for the duration of the state approved Plan.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District will approve submission of the plan to the Board of Water and Soil Resources Board (BWSR). Contingent on recommendation of plan approval by the BWSR Northern Committee and subsequent BWSR approval, Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District hereby adopts and will begin implementation of the Plan for the area of the County identified within the Plan.
Motion: Krause Second: Dunnell
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Adopt Rainy-Rapid Memorandum of Agreement
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the Rainy-Rapid Memorandum of Agreement with Lake of the Woods County for implementation of the Rainy-Rapid Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Clean Water Work Order between Conservation Corps and SWCD for summer intern
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to authorize the Clean Water Work Order 220-18456 with the Conservation Corps of MN.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Authorize Athmann Forest Management Plan Cost Share Contract
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the Jeff and Cynthia Athmann Trust LW Watershed forest management plan contract in the amount of $300 plus $6.50 per acre not to exceed 160 acres.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
AIS Program education and equipment purchases
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to purchase three AIS inspector tablets with cases, 10,000 beverage coasters, and a boat ramp tattoo with AIS program funds. Total cost is $2,370 plus shipping.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Request board approval to remove items from the District’s asset list
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the disposal of the following items: Dell Precision Tower 3620, Seven Asus Zenpads with serial numbers: G2NPFP1954325CH, G2NPFP195428AXF, G2NPFP195618HFV, G2NPFP195455WMB, FANPFX040715, GCNPFP044942FEL, GCNPFP043317L4W.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Forestry reserve funds from Area III
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize $814.89 from the Area III forestry reserve fund to be contributed to the Lake of the Woods School Forest Fund for the construction of an adirondack shelter using locally sourced materials.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Utilize Conservation Corps MN for buckthorn removal
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize contracting with the Conservation Corps of MN to conduct buckthorn removal for one week.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
County fair booth reservation
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to authorize reserving a fair booth at the Lake of the Woods County Fair.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
MPCA contract – Keep It Clean
A draft work plan for MN Pollution Control Agency Keep it Clean program support was presented. The contract was not available for review but should be completed prior to the next SWCD board meeting. Staff would like to move this contract forward as quickly as possible.
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize Stromlund to sign the contract with the MN Pollution Control Agency for Keep it Clean program support upon review and approval by the District Manager and Supervisors.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
TSA 8 Work Plan and Funding Request Policy for 2023/2024
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to approve the TSA8 2023/2024 work plan and pay the TSA8 dues for 2023.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Authorization to pay nursery invoices upon receipt
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize staff to pay tree program invoices from nurseries upon review and approval.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Training and Travel Requests – none
Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.
Committee Reports
TSA8 – this committee report was completed during the TSA8 work plan review.
General Information and Discussion
May board meeting- 5:00 “tour” of tree distribution – staff will coordinate a tour of the tree distribution process at the next SWCD board meeting if distribution dates happen as planned.
Correspondence: MN SWCD Forestry Association –See attachment to the SWCD board packet.
2022 State Climatology rainfall report –See attachment to the SWCD board packet.
Livestock Producer Workshop Evaluation Form –See attachment to the SWCD board packet.
The next regular board meeting has been set for May 11th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Sindelir Seconded: Sonstegard
Meeting adjournment time: 7:00 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________