June 9th, 2022

Minutes from the June 9th, 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, 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 (via conference call from 5:00-5:45). 

A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the agenda, with the addition of Old Business: Employee Sick and Vacation Leave Policies.  The motion was seconded by Dohmen. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

A motion was made by Dunnell to approve the May 12th, 2022 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Dohmen.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

The May 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, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Old Business

Correction to Petty Cash
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to correct the petty cash amount on the May 2022 agenda.  The correct amount should be $61.74, not $62.01. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Employee Sick and Vacation Leave Policies
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to update employee sick and vacation leave accrual rates based on the following table: 

LW SWCD CURRENT   
TypeYears of ServiceRates/HrHours per year for FTEDays per year for FTE
Vacation0-20.0375789.75
3-90.062513016.25
10-150.07515619.5
15+0.087518222.75
Sickn/a0.0375789.75
LW SWCD PROPOSED   
TypeYears of ServiceRates/HrHours per year for FTEDays per year for FTE
Vacation0-20.0384680.0010.00
new3-50.05104.0013.00
6-90.065385136.0017.00
10-150.076925160.0020.00
15+0.08846184.0023.00
Sickn/a0.0384680.0010.00

Increases to leave accrual will take place beginning on June 20, 2022.  

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

Special Reports

Michael Steinhauer, NRCS Resource Conservationist – Steinhauer presented his report.  See attachment to the June agenda for a copy of the report.  Following his report, Steinhauer dismissed himself from the meeting.  

New Business

Keelan Abandoned Well Sealing Application
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize Keelan’s abandoned well sealing application in the amount of $500 or 75% of the total cost to seal the well, whichever is less.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Resolution – Keep it Clean Program
Hirst presented a joint resolution with Beltrami SWCD in support of a statewide Keep it Clean Program to be submitted to the Area VIII association as part of the MASWCD resolutions process.  

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the resolution in support of the Keep it Clean Program. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Accept Donations for the Keep it Clean Program
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to accept private donations from Gretchen Mehmel, Wanda Kuechle, Pamela Dille, Elaine Riehle and Kari Larson for the David Larson Memorial Funds in support of the Keep it Clean Program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Permission to Pay Conservation Corps Invoices
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the payment of the Conservation Corps invoices for the summer internship position upon receipt.   
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Request for Dodge Truck Repairs
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the thermostat repair of the Dodge truck. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Training and Travel Requests – none

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

Committee Reports – none

General Information and Discussion

2022 Flood Report  – see attachment to the board packet 

Update on Repair of Water Level Sensor – see attachment to the board packet 

Report from 2022 Tree Sales – see attachment to the board packet 

Contracting with Sustainable Farming Association
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to enter into a fee-based agreement for education and outreach services with the Sustainable Farming Association. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Well Sealing in LW County – see attachment to the board packet 

The next regular board meeting has been set for July 14th, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.  

Adjourn: Dunnell Seconded: Dohmen

Meeting adjournment time: 6:55 p.m.

Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________

June 2021

Minutes from the June 10, 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, Frank Sindelir. Joining remotely – Roger Krause

Members absent: Nancy Dunnell

Others present: In-person – Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer, MCC Intern Abigail Fluke.  Joining remotely – Jody Peek, NRCS District Conservationist; Brett Arne, BWSR PRAP Coordinator

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

A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the May 13, 2021 minutes, seconded by Dohmen.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

The May 2021 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.  

A motion was made by Dohmen to approve the bills as listed on the agenda, seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Old Business

Personnel policy waivers – no action was taken 

Dahlen cost share contract approval – a motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the conservation contract for Rosie Dahlen in the amount of $6,411.77 or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is less.  Total proposed project cost is $12,823.55.  Construction must be completed by December 31, 2021. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

DNR Fisheries Update
The date and time for the DNR Fisheries update from Phil Talmage, Fisheries Supervisor, is June 30th at 5:00 p.m. Location to be determined.

Website for SWCD
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to enter into a contract for website development services with SandPieper Design.  Total proposed project cost is $3,800. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Special Reports

PRAP – Brett Arne, BWSR – Arne presented the performance review of the SWCD.  The overall review was favorable.  

NRCS partner updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist and Jody Peek, District Conservationist.  See attachment to the June 10, 2021 board packet for a copy of the report.  

New Business

LOW County Fair Booth  

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the rental contract for a fair booth space at the LW County Fair in the amount of $75.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Keep It Clean Purchases   
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the purchase of Keep it Clean promotional items as listed in the board packet.  Total approximate cost is $3,466.53. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Geoff Slick abandoned well sealing final payment request
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to authorize the final payment for Slick’s abandoned well sealing.  Total payment authorized is $300.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Return of unspent funds to BWSR – Disaster Recovery Grant   
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the return of unspent funds for the MN Flood Relief Grant Phase 3A in the amount of $42,477.14. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Conservation Corps monthly invoices
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to authorize staff to pay the monthly invoices for the Conservation Corps upon receipt. Total contracted cost is not to exceed $6,600. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Livestock producer workshop budget request 
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize a total budget not to exceed $3,300 from Feedlot Program funds for a livestock producer workshop at Tom Olson’s farm.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

AIS Digital Marketing Campaign Request
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to authorize $1,500 for a digital AIS marketing campaign that will target boaters on Lake of the Woods.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Olson abandoned well sealing final payment request

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize final payment for Olson’s abandoned well sealing project in the amount of $300. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Agreement with Roseau SWCD and 1W1P JPP for implementation of structural and nonstructural conservation practices

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to enter into an agreement with the Roseau SWCD and Lake of the Woods 1W1P JPB for the implementation of a cost share program for structural and nonstructural conservation practices. 

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

Vail abandoned well sealing cost share application
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the abandoned well sealing cost share application for Colleen Vail.  Cost share is not to exceed $300 or 75% of the total cost, whichever is less.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Training and Travel RequestsNone

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

Committee Reports
AIS and Keep it Clean – actions for purchases and outreach taken during the board meeting were a result of the recent committee meeting.  

General Information and Discussion

Keep it Clean Report – Abbey Fluke, Conservation Corps Intern – see attachment to the June board meeting for a copy of the report that Abbey prepared and presented.  Spiny Water Flea refrigerator magnets were distributed to local resorts. 

2021 Summer SWCD newsletter – Trask notified the board that she would begin drafting the SWCD newsletter for a late summer distribution. 

Thank you to Jill and Jared Martinson for assisting with the Shoreline Cleanup effort – Martinsons were recognized for their contribution of ferrying the crew to and from Pine Island via their boat.  They provided transportation services for the entire day. 

The next regular board meeting has been set for July 8th, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.  

Adjourn: Dohmen Seconded: Krause

Meeting adjournment time: 7:28 p.m.