Minutes from the August 10th, 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 5:05 p.m.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen, Frank Sindelir, Nancy Dunnell
Members absent: Roger Krause
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 Sindelir to approve the agenda as amended. The motion was seconded by Sonstegard.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the July 13th, 2023 minutes. The motion was seconded by Dunnell.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The July 2023 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Sonstegard to approve the bills as listed on the agenda. The motion was seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business – none
Special Reports – Michael Steinhauer, NRCS, presented updates on contracting and staffing.
New Business
Rainy-Rapid WBIF FY24 Implementation Work Plan
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to approve the Rainy-Rapid Work Plan for FY24 Watershed-based Implementation Funding and to authorize the implementation committee to certify any final changes needed for approval by the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Athman Forest Management Plan Cost Share final payment
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize Athman’s forest management plan cost share payment in the amount of $1,294.50. Funding will come from the LW WBIF program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Goos Forest Management Plan Cost Share final payment
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize Goos’s forest management plan cost share payment in the amount of $768.00. Funding will come from the LW WBIF program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Gillie Forest Management Plan cost share application
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize Gillie’s forest management plan in the amount of $300 base payment plus $6.50 per planned acre, not to exceed 320 acres. Funding will come from the LW WBIF program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Kevin Keelan abandoned well sealing cost share contract extension
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize a contract extension for Kevin Keelan’s abandoned well sealing project until December 31, 2024.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Request to reserve trees for 2024 Tree Program
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize staff to reserve trees for the 2024 Tree Program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Karvakko engineering services for upcoming projects
The board and staff discussed how and when to incur costs for engineering services. Suggestions included batching visits when possible, determining if a project addresses a resource concern and is cost-shareable prior to incurring costs, and ranking projects if there is limited funding. No action was taken. Staff will work to develop a system that can be generally applied.
Request to amend Pieper’s 2023FMP-01 Forest Management Plan Cost Share Contract
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to amend Pieper’s 2023FMP-01 cost share contract from 80 acres to 135 acres.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, 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 – none
General Information and Discussion
Cost share project updates: Weirsma, Chiaverini and Brateng – the staff updated the board on the recent completion of the projects
Grant application – joint with City of Baudette – the SWCD is assisting the city with a Clean Water Fund stormwater practice grant application.
Special Work Session date and time – August 30th at 4:30 pm was set as the date and time for a board tour.
Buckthorn program update – Trask updated the board on the progress of the buckthorn removal.
Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure – Supervisor information review – Supervisors reviewed and initialed their information.
The next regular board meeting has been set for September 14th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Dunnell Seconded: Sonstegard
Meeting adjournment time: 6:55 pm
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________