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:_____________________

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. 

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:_____________________

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 Reports – the 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.