Minutes from the August 11th, 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.
The meeting was called to order by John Sonstegard 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 Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer; County Commissioner, Joe Grund
A motion was made by Dohmen to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Krause.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the July 14th, 2022 minutes. The motion was seconded by Krause.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
The July 2022 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Dohmen to approve the bills as listed on the agenda. The motion was seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business
Update to Personnel Policy – leave rates
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to approve the updates to the Personnel Policy Handbook based upon the updated leave accrual rates and tiers which were approved at the July 2022 regular board meeting.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
See attachment to the August 11th, 2022 agenda for the changes to the personnel policy.
Special Reports
NRCS Partner Updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist
See attachment to the August 11th, 2022 board agenda for a copy of Steinhauer’s report.
New Business
Purchase YSI ProDSS field meter
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the purchase of the YSI ProDSS field meter using funds budgeted in the MPCA Water Pollutant Load Monitoring Network Contract.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
September board meeting date
No action was taken. No SWCD supervisors will be attending the Area VIII tour so a quorum will be available for the regular SWCD board meeting date.
Summer/Fall Newsletter budget
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize fall newsletter expenses up to $1,500 for printing costs and Northland Trading Post distribution costs.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
Anderson abandoned well sealing cost share payment request
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the final payment for Arlan Anderson’s abandoned well sealing cost share FY2022-03SP contract in the amount of $500.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
Reinvest CDs with Multi-Bank Securities
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sindelir, to reinvest the two $125,000 CDs which are expiring in September and November into two new CDs for approximately a 1-year term.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
Anthony abandoned well sealing cost share payment request
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize the final payment for Nick Anthony/Ballard’s Resort abandoned well sealing cost share 2022-01SP contract in the amount of $500.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
*Commissioner Grund excused himself from the meeting
Training and Travel Requests
BWSR Board Meeting
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize Hirst’s attendance at the BWSR board meeting in Crookston on August 25th.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
Area VIII Tour and Meeting
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize all interested staff and supervisors to attend the Area VIII tour and meeting in Brainerd on September 8th and 9th.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
2022 BWSR Academy
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to authorize all interested staff to attend the BWSR Academy in Brainerd on October 25th-27th.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.
Committee Reports
Rainy-Rapid 1W1P Policy Committee – Hirst gave a status update on the Rainy-Rapid watershed planning process, and discussed possible structures for implementation once the plan is approved.
General Information and Discussion
3rd Quarter Special meeting – discussion included possibly combining the third quarter special meeting with the NRCS state office tour.
Outstanding Conservationist – no action was taken, the nominations are due September 19th.
Lake of the Woods Watershed JPB- Ag Specialist Agreement –discussion only. The board was notified of the current status of the agreement which was tabled at the previous JPB meeting. A special JPB meeting will be held on August 17th and the JPB will reconsider the request.
The next regular board meeting has been set for September 8th, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Krause Seconded: Dohmen
Meeting adjournment time: 7:32 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________