Minutes from the March 9th, 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, Frank Sindelir, Nancy Dunnell.  Roger Krause attended remotely pursuant to open meeting law requirements. 

Others present: Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer; County Commissioner, Joe Grund

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

A motion was made by Sonstegard to approve the February 9th, 2023 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

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

Old Business

Curt Quesnell Contract for AIS promotion

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize $1,500 of AIS funding and to enter into the agreement with Curt Quesnell for a series of promotional events.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Special Reports

NRCS partner updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist – see attachment to the March 9th, 2023 agenda for a copy of Steinhauer’s report. 

New Business

Clean Water Grant Fund Work Order between LOW SWCD and Conservation Corps
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the Clean Water Fund Work Order 220-10577 with the Conservation Corps for the shoreline cleanup.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Request to incur expenses for Area VIII training  
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize pass-through expenses for food and supplies for the Area VIII Technical Team training. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Certificate of Deposit investment   
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize investing a max of $125,000 for up to seven months in a certificate of deposit with Multi-Bank Securities.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Pierson forest management plan cost share application 
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the LW WBIF forest management plan cost share application for Andy Pierson, not to exceed $495.

Horntvedt cost share contract cancellation
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize the cancellation of Horntvedt/Weirsma cost share application and to re-encumber the funds.  

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

Training and Travel Requests

AIS Watercraft Inspector Enhanced training in Bemidji 

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize expenses for SWCD staff and qualified AIS inspectors to attend the enhanced inspector training in Bemidji.
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 Control Board Meeting – Dunnell presented information from the Lake of the Woods Control Board meeting.  The current effort is to draw down the Lake level and leave an extra six inches of storage coming into the spring rains.  The report from the Control Board is attached to the agenda.  

General Information and Discussion

First Quarter Special Meeting – the board discussed holding a work session.  Staff will work on topics for engineering and cost share. 

The next regular board meeting has been set for April 13th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.  

Adjourn: Dunnell Seconded: Sonstegard

Meeting adjournment time: 5:55 p.m.

Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________

Minutes from the March 10th, 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

Members absent: Roger Krause, Nancy Dunnell

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

A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the agenda as presented, including the addition of payments for the grazing workshop presenters.  The motion was seconded by Dohmen. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

A motion was made by Dohmen to approve the February 16, 2022 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

The February 2022 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.  

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

Old Business

Personnel policy waivers – continue or suspend
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sindelir, to suspend the COVID-19 Temporary Personnel Policy Waiver implemented at the March 20, 2020 meeting. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

The original policies in the SWCD Employee Policy Handbook related to Article VI: Working policies and Article XI: Leaves of Absence, Sick Leave will be back in effect.

Special Reports

NRCS Partner Updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist – report on EQIP and CSP applications in the county, COVID-19 staffing and masking updates. 

New Business

AIS – Keep it Clean Promotion in the 2022 LOW Guide – TNT Printing – $200
A motion was made  by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize $200 for AIS and Keep it Clean promotions in the 2022 Lake of the Woods Guide.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Rainy-Rapid 1W1P – SWCD Policy Committee vacancy
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to name Monica Dohmen as the replacement for Nancy Dunnell on the Rainy-Rapid 1W1P Policy Committee.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Request to purchase pin flags for tree program resale
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize $239 for the purchase of pin flags to resell through the tree program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Training and Travel Requests – None

Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.  

Committee Reports 

Keep it Clean – AIS Committee  – further discussion on statewide use of the Keep it Clean logo. 
Rainy-Rapid 1W1P Policy Committee – overview of the process and the recent meeting
Lake of the Woods Control Board – a memo from the Control Board was presented.  Drought conditions are improving statewide.  Lake of the Woods water levels are in the normal range for mid-winter.                                                                                          

General Information and Discussion

Well testing clinics – discussion on holding an arsenic testing clinic and how to provide technical assistance to landowners who have arsenic in their well.  

SWCD Election Filing Notice – reminder that board members of District 3 and District 4 will be up for election in 2022. 

SWCD Board Evaluation and quarterly meeting topics – this was postponed due to time.  Staff will mail out the evaluations for board members to complete prior to the upcoming meeting.  

Workshop offerings for residents – discussion on possible local workshops, including a mushrooming workshop.  Trask will look into Extension educators for possibilities.     

WPLMN contract language – COVID-19 proof of vaccination and testing protocols – notification on new vaccination requirements for contractors who perform work for the state of MN.  A several page attachment regarding vaccination and testing protocols was added to the recent contract amendment.

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

Adjourn: Dohmen Seconded: Sindelir

Meeting adjournment time: 6:50 p.m.