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April 2021

Minutes from the April 8th, 2021 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.  Due to the COVID-19 Emergency declared by MN Governor Walz, board members and members of the public were allowed to join via Zoom conferencing.  All votes were taken via roll call.

The meeting was called to order by John Sonstegard at 5:00 p.m.

Members present: In-person: John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen   Remote: Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir, Nancy Dunnell
Members absent: none

Others present: In-person: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask     Remote: County Commissioner, Joe Grund, NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer

A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the agenda.  The motion was seconded by Dohmen. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

A motion was made by Dunnell to approve the March 11, 2021 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Krause.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

The March 2021 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.  

The 2021 First Quarter Budget vs. Actual report was reviewed. 

The 1st Quarter Supervisor Expense Reports were reviewed.  

A motion was made by Krause to approve the bills as listed on the agenda, with the removal of Area VIII TSA Engineering.  The motion was seconded by Sindelir. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Old Business

Personnel policy waivers – continue or suspend – the consensus of the board was to continue the current waivers due to the COVID19 pandemic. 

Special Reports

NRCS Partner Updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist, presented on the current COVID status of offices, EQIP signup, CSP ranking and the upcoming local workgroup process.  Jody Peek, the Conservation Team Lead, would like to set up a local workgroup meeting sometime in June.  

New Business

Request to purchase waders through Load grant
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to approve up to $180 for the purchase of waders through the Load Program funding.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Request to purchase SWCD envelopes
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the purchase of 4,000 envelopes with the SWCD logo and address from Arrow Printing of Bemidji.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Request to purchase Tree Planting Bags
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the purchase of two tree planting bags from Forestry Suppliers to be loaned out to landowners.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Request to purchase AIS magnets
Request to purchase 1,000 magnets with the Stop Spiny Water flea message utilizing AIS funds.  Lake of the Woods SWCD will purchase 600 to distribute to local resorts, and Beltrami and Roseau will purchase the remaining 400 for their counties.    

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize $1,130 for the purchase of 1,000 AIS magnets to be distributed to local resorts. Beltrami and Roseau SWCDs will reimburse the District for 400 magnets. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Training and Travel Requests

A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize Vrtacnik to attend the shoreline training in Bemidji.  Trask is also authorized to attend if scheduling allows.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Staff Reportsthe board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.  

Committee Reports 

Lake of the Woods Watershed JPB – the board discussed the possibility of the Lake of the Woods Watershed Joint Powers Board pursuing future dredging projects.  

Lake of the Woods Control Board – the board reviewed the projected water levels for the lake.  It is anticipated that the lake water levels will remain low over the summer if rainfall is at normal or low levels.  The basin had little to no runoff due to snowmelt.  

International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board – this item was tabled.

Area VIII Meeting – the Area VIII meeting was held via Zoom. Updates from MASWCD, NRCS and BWSR were given.  The board would like to hold an in-person meeting in June or July.   

General Information and Discussion

2020 State Climatology rainfall report – see attachment to board packet

TSA8 Annual Report- see attachment to board packet

Legislative Meeting update – Trask and Dohmen presented on the recent MASWCD legislative meeting that was held via Zoom.      

Local Work Group Meeting – this item was discussed during NRCS report  

Gunderson shoreline project – informational only. The landowner may be selecting a different contractor.  It is up to the landowner to select the contractor. 

Shoreline engineering services – Trask discussed using the WSN engineering services for shoreline projects vs the JPB Engineering staff.  

The next regular board meeting has been set for May 10, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.  

Adjourn: Krause Seconded: Dohmen

Meeting adjournment time: 6:50 p.m.