July 14th, 2022

Minutes from the July 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.  

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

Members present: John Sonstegard, Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir, Nancy Dunnell
Members absent: Monica Dohmen

Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer (remotely)

A motion was made by Dunnell to approve the agenda with the following changes: under Bills to Approve, add RMB Enviro Labs invoice D030693 ($143.00) and Always There Staffing invoice 11233950 ($1,179.65); move Steinhauer NRCS report before Old Business; add Hunter Wilson Conservation Corps Intern to Staff Reports.  The motion was seconded by Sindelir. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

A motion was made by Dunnell to approve the June 9th, 2022 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

The June 2022 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed. 
The 2022 2nd Quarter vs Actual Reports were reviewed.
The 2022 2nd 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, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Special Reports
NRCS partner updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist: see attachment to the July board packet for a copy of the NRCS report. Following his report, Steinhauer excused himself from the meeting.

Old Business

SWCD Leave Accrual Policy
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to rescind the leave accrual rates approved at the June 9th, 2022 board meeting and to implement the following vacation and sick leave schedule: 

Years of ServiceHours accrued per 40
1-2 (and Sick)3.1
3-54
6-95.2
10-156.2
15+7.1

Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

New Business

Annual Well Testing Clinic budget and rates
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to increase the 2022 budget to $1500 for the annual well sealing clinic due to flooding in the county.  In addition, an alternative cost share program will be offered to NW Angle residents in the amount of $25 per person for wells tested for nitrates and bacteria.  The cutoff date for the NW Angle Program will be December 31, 2022 and will be reviewed annually based on the budget.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

MARCO Printer/Copier Lease Agreement
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize the Marco Printer/Copier Lease Agreement #1284367 for a new Konica machine.  Trask will be the authorized signer on the electronic lease agreement.   
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Cost Share Application – Anderson abandoned well sealing
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize abandoned well sealing cost share funding for Arlan Anderson Revocable Trust.  Cost share is not to exceed 75% or $500, whichever is less. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Cost share application – grassed waterway
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize 75% state cost share funding for Horntvedt/Weirsma grassed waterway project.  Total practice cost is not to exceed $5,749.  The project must be completed by 12/31/23.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Stipend for Uniforms
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize a clothing stipend in the amount of $75 for supervisors and $100 for staff.  Items purchased will be embroidered with the SWCD logo. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Starry Trek Event
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to approve $193 in expenses for the Starry Trek Event.  Funding will come from the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid fund.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Training and Travel Requests

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize Hirst’s travel expenses for the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board Basin meetings on August 9th and 10th.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

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

Committee Reports 

North Central Joint Powers Board – the board was updated on the recent assessment work which will help assess the need and provide direction for the future of the Joint Powers Board. 

Lake of the Woods Watershed Joint Powers Board – Hirst informed the board of the recent discussions regarding the Sustainable Farming Association.  The contract with the SWCD is currently on hold.  

General Information and Discussion

Update on BWSR recommendation regarding names on contracts – update on the recent stance from BWSR regarding withholding names in board minutes for approved cost share contracts.  

The next regular board meeting has been set for August 11, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.  

Adjourn: Krause Seconded: Dunnell

Meeting adjournment time: 8:00 p.m.

Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________

July 2021

Minutes from the July 8, 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.  

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

Members present: John Sonstegard, Frank Sindelir, Nancy Dunnell. Roger Krause joined remote via Zoom and votes were taken via roll call.  Monica Dohmen joined the meeting after Drain Stencil Event 2021 under New Business

Members absent: none

Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer, Conservation Corps Intern, Abbey Fluke

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

A motion was made by Dunnell to approve the June 10, 2021 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Krause.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

The June 2021 Treasurer’s Report and 2nd quarter budget vs actual reports were reviewed. 

The 2nd 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, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Old Business

Personnel policy waivers – no action was taken 

PRAP wrap-up – no comments were received for the BWSR Performance Review report. 

Special Reports

NRCS partner updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist – see attachment to the July 8 agenda for a copy of Steinhauer’s report

New Business

Authorize funds for 2021 well testing clinic 

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize $750 for well test kits for the 2021 well testing clinic to be held on August 13th. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Starry Trek 2021

A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize $193 for expenses for the 2021 Starry Trek event. Funds will come from the AIS program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.   

Drain Stencil Event 2021    

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize $225 for the Drain Stencil event. Funds will come from the Local Capacity program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Dahlen cost share payment    

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize the cost share payment for Rosie Dahlen’s 2021-01-1W1P contract.  Total final payment is $6,411.77.  Payment is contingent upon receiving engineering certification. 

Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell, Dohmen Opposed: None Motion carried.

Horter cost share payment  

A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize final payment for the Horter 2020-10-LC cost share contract from Local Capacity Funds.  Final payment is not to exceed 75% or $15,000, whichever is less.  Payment is contingent upon receiving the final invoice and engineering certification.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell, Dohmen Opposed: None Motion carried.

Ditch 1 cost share 

This item was tabled. 

Forest management plan cost share program  

This item was tabled.  The board requested a review of potential maximum cost share amount per landowner.  

Plantskydd inventory and purchase request   

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the purchase of one case of ready to use and one case of powder concentrate Plantskydd for resale. 

Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell, Dohmen Opposed: None Motion carried.

Close postage petty cash 

A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the closing of the postage petty cash account and use the regular petty cash account for postage.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell, Dohmen Opposed: None Motion carried.

Keep It Clean sign purchases   

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the purchase of 30 Keep it Clean signs for $1,050 plus shipping. Funding will come from the Keep it Clean program (10%) and the One Watershed One Plan implementation funds (90%). 

Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell, Dohmen Opposed: None Motion carried. 

Fee for appeal of noncompliance notice

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to set a $500 fee for the appeal of noncompliance notices sent by the County to landowners as part of the State of MN Buffer Law.  Once paid, the fee is refundable only in the event that the landowner is successful in their appeal and is found in compliance.   

Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell, Dohmen Opposed: None Motion carried. 

Gunderson cost share payment 

A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to authorize final payment for the Gunderson 2020-08-LC cost share contract.  Final payment is approved in the amount of $7,500 or 75% of the total project cost, whichever is less.  Payment is contingent upon receiving the final invoice and engineering certification.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell, Dohmen Opposed: None Motion carried. 

Training and Travel Requests – none

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

Committee Reports 

Lake of the Woods Control Board – the board reviewed the current water level graph.  Levels are about 1-1.5 feet below the normal range. 

Area VIII Meeting – Stromlund gave an update to the board on the meeting that he attended remotely.  Resolution discussion was the main part of the meeting.  

General Information and Discussion

Open Meeting Law and end of Governor’s Emergency Powers on July 1  – the board reviewed MCIT’s guidance on open meeting law requirements and the changes that will be implemented at SWCD board meetings effective July 1 in order to be in compliance with OML. 

Cost share violation – the staff discussed multiple requests to install boat ramps or lake accesses where current cost share projects are in existence, including one violation.  Staff are currently collecting information on the sites and trying to determine the best course of action.  

Abandoned well sealing cost share rate review – the policy on cost share rates for abandoned well sealing will be reviewed during the next budget cycle.  

Proclamation of new Federal holiday and personnel policy – clarification of the employee leave policy and observed federal holidays will be reviewed during the next budget cycle.  

MASWCD Legislative updates – the MASWCD legislative updates were reviewed.  

The next regular board meeting has been set for August 12th, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.  

Adjourn: Krause Seconded: Dohmen

Meeting adjournment time: 8:00 pm