Minutes from the April 14th, 2022 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. A Zoom link was provided for those attending remotely.Â
The meeting was called to order by Acting Chairman, Frank Sindelir, at 5:00 p.m.
Members present: In-person – Monica Dohmen, Frank Sindelir Remote – Nancy Dunnell, Roger Krause
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 (remote); County Commissioner, Joe Grund
A motion was made by Dohmen to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Krause.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Dunnell to approve the March 10, 2022 minutes. The motion was seconded by Dohmen.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The March 2022 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
The 2022 first Quarter Budget vs. Actual reports were reviewed.
The first Quarter Supervisor Expense Reports were reviewed.
A motion was made by Dohmen to approve the bills as listed on the agenda. The motion was seconded by Krause.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business – None
Special Reports
NRCS Partner Updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist – see attachment to the board packet for a copy of Steinhauer’s report. Steinhauer also completed the Annual USDA Civil Rights Review with the SWCD board members.
New Business
Anthony abandoned well sealing cost share application
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the abandoned well sealing cost share application for Nick Anthony in the amount of $500 or 75% of the total cost, whichever is less.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Blaeser forest management plan cost share application
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize Blaeser Forest Management Plan cost share application. There are 80 acres eligible for cost share. Cost share is not to exceed $300 plus $6.50 per acre for a maximum of 80 acres. Contract end date is April 14, 2023.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Booth rental at LW County Fair
A motion was made by Krause with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the agreement for the rental of a booth at the LW County Fair.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Wellness Fund
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the closing of the Wellness Fund on the SWCD chart of accounts. Funds will be transferred to Operating Funds – Unassigned account.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Agreements for Lake of the Woods WBIF program
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the following agreements and agreement amendments with the Lake of the Woods Watershed Joint Powers Board for the Lake of the Woods Watershed Based Implementation Funding program.
- New Agreements: Admin and Coordination, FY22-03; Forest Management Cost Share, FY22-04; Keep it Clean, FY22-05; Shoreline Protection, FY22-06; Ag Practices Cost Share FY22-10, joint agreement with Roseau SWCD
- Amended Agreements: Shoreline Protection, FY20-03; Forest Management Cost Share, FY20-12
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
AIS program purchases
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize up to $4,000 in AIS funding for the purchase of 10,000 double-sided coasters from SandPieper Design ($1,805) and a Star Tribune digital marketing campaign ($2,000).
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Manure and soil test kits for livestock producers
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize increasing the cost share rate for the manure and soil testing program. Cost share is authorized for up to 100% of the cost of Soil C and Manure M3 Partial testing through AgVise, including shipping costs.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Conservation Corps of MN – Agreement for crew
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the Agreement with the Conservation Corps of MN and Iowa for the shoreline cleanup.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Training and Travel Requests
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to authorize training expenses for Hirst, Trask and Vrtacnik to attend the Area VIII technical training in Bemidji.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize training and travel expenses for 3 staff and all eligible Always There Staffing Inspectors to attend the AIS Enhanced Inspector Training in Bemidji.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.
Committee Reports reports were given on the following meetings
Area VIII Meeting
Rainy-Rapid Watershed Advisory Committee
Lake of the Woods Watershed Joint Powers Board
General Information and Discussion
Rain Gauge Packets – informational only
SWCD Board Evaluation and quarterly meeting topics – discussion was tabled until more board members would be in attendance
Set the Second quarter special meeting – look at dates in June for possible board tour of completed and upcoming projects.
The next regular board meeting has been set for May 12th, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Dohmen Seconded: Krause
Meeting adjournment time: 7:00 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________