Minutes from the March 13th, 2025 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 Frank Sindelir, Vice-Chair, at 5:00 p.m.

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

Members absent: Nancy Dunnell

Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Team Lead, Jody Peek; County Commissioner, Joe Grund

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the February 13th, 2025 minutes. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

The February 2025 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.  

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

Old Business – none

Special Reports

Red Lake DNR – Mindy Phillips – Phillips presented on the Red Lake DNR proposal being drafted to the MN Legislative Citizen-Commission on Minnesota Resources to install monitoring buoys on Lake of the Woods that would collect water quality data. The Red Lake DNR is requesting a letter of support for the project and also a future partnership with monitoring assistance from the SWCD.  

NRCS partner updates – Jody Peek, NRCS Team Lead presented information on the current hiring freeze and staff terminations, lease termination of the Baudette Service Center offices, and program payments. SWCD staff have been receiving inquiries about the state of the office, staffing levels and cost share payments to landowners. 

New Business

Letter of Support for “Red Lake Nation Long-Term Monitoring Buoys”  Proposal
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the letter of support to the MN Legislative Citizen-Commission on Minnesota Resources for the Red Lake Nation long-term monitoring buoy project.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

It was the consensus of the SWCD board to consider a contract for services with the Red Lake DNR if and when the grant is awarded. 

Conservation Corps MN & IA Agreement for Shoreline Cleanup
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to approve the Conservation Corps MN and Iowa Agreement for project #220-10674, for the Keep it Clean Shoreline Cleanup. 

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

Appointment on the IRLWWB – three year term – Hirst
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize Hirst to serve on the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board for a three-year term.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Orcutt L-W forest management plan cost share application
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to approve Orcutt’s Lake of the Woods Watershed forest management plan cost share application in the amount of $300 base payment plus $6.50 per acre, not to exceed 120 acres.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Larsen R-R forest management plan cost share application 

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to approve Larsen’s Rainy-Rapid forest management plan cost share application in the amount of $300 base payment plus $6.50 per acre, not to exceed 120 acres.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Waconia Hunt Club Rainy-Rapid forest management plan cost share payment (Kunze) 

A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to approve Waconia Hunt Club’s Rainy-Rapid forest management plan cost share reimbursement for contract 2024-05 FMP-RR in the amount of $995.50.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Request to purchase a QuickBooks yearly subscription
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve renewal of the QuickBooks Desktop yearly subscription and to authorize payment via ACH withdrawal.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

April SFA workshop 

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to approve expenses for the Sustainable Farming Association (SFA) workshop in April at an amount not to exceed $736. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

HDR Proposal – Winter Road Peatland Area Phase 1 Assessment 

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve entering into the agreement for engineering services from HDR Engineering for the Winter Road Peatland Area Phase 1 Assessment contingent upon securing funding from the MN Department of Natural Resources. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Banking authorizations  

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve online viewing access of the SWCD’s Border Bank Checking Account and Border Bank Savings Account for SWCD staff Corryn Trask, Mike Hirst and Jacquelin Becklund.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

County Fair Booth  

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the rental agreement for a fair booth at the Lake of the Woods 2025 County Fair.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Contract for services 

A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to approve the contract for administrative services with Rebecca Buegler, effective no earlier than April 1st, 2025. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Baudette Service Center lease 

The SWCD board was notified that the Farm Service Agency lease for the Baudette Service Center has been terminated effective August 2025.  The NRCS and SWCD offices are part of this leased space.  No action was taken.

Cost Share Contract Corrections    

A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve amending the November 14th, 2024 cost share allocations based on an increase of the total estimated cost for Reichert’s shoreline protection project to $75,000.00, Persson’s shoreline protection project to $25,000.00 and Klein’s shoreline protection project to $12,500.00.  Additional funding will come from the state cost share program. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.  

Persson cost share partial payment 
Persson submitted a request for partial payment for rock delivered to the project site. The total invoiced amount submitted for reimbursement was $14,314.31.
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to approve Persson’s 2025-02 CS/LWWBIF contract partial payment in the amount of $10,735.73, which is 75% of $14,314.31.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

Training and Travel Requests

TSA Meeting in Bemidji on April 8th – Stromlund and Sindelir are the representatives with Trask as the alternate.  

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

Committee Reports 

Area VIII Meeting report – Trask presented information from the Area VIII Meeting in Bemidji.  

General Information and Discussion

Draft Employee Policy – the staff will draft up a list of changes to help determine if a full board or personnel committee presentation is more appropriate.  

NACD Update on Recent Executive Actions – see attachment to the SWCD February board packet.

The next regular board meeting has been set for April 10th, 2025  at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.  

Adjourn: Sonstegard Seconded: Dohmen

Meeting adjournment time: 7:40 pm

Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________

Minutes from the March 14th, 2024 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

Members absent: Roger Krause

Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer; County Commissioner, Joe Grund

A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the agenda with the addition of the RMB Load Labs Invoice D056594 for $250.  The motion was seconded by Sonstegard. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

A motion was made by Dunnell to approve the February 8th, 2024 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

The February 2024 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. 

Special Reports

Bob Guthrie – MN DNR Region 1 Area Groundwater Appropriation Hydrologist – Guthrie presented on the process for reviewing groundwater appropriation permits.  There are three current permit applications in Lake of the Woods County. Two are for agricultural irrigation and one is for a gravel pit. 

Sindelir excused himself from the meeting.

Old Business

HSA contribution

A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to approve payment of HSA monthly fee at Border Bank for all eligible employees in one lump sum at the beginning of the year
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried. 

Special Reports

NRCS partner updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist –  see the board packet for a copy of Steinhauer’s report. 

New Business

Letter of support for Keep It Clean Legislation 
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sonstegard, to submit a letter of support for the Keep it Clean legislation which provides funding and a state agency lead for the program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
  

Request to purchase a QuickBooks yearly subscription
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to purchase the Quickbooks Desktop Pro Plus yearly subscription.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Envirothon contribution   
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to contribute $300.00 to the Envirothon program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

MPCA Surface Water Assessment Grant amendment  
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize the District Manager to sign the MPCA Surface Water Assessment Grant amendment to increase funding for shipping and laboratory costs. 

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

Aery abandoned well sealing application  
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to approve Tim Aery’s abandoned well sealing cost share application to seal two wells. Cost share is approved at $1,000.00 per well, with payment not to exceed 100% of the total cost.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Rainy-Rapid WBIF Cooperator Agreements    

A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize the Rainy-Rapid Cooperator Agreements for SWCD Administration and the Forest Management Plan Cost Share Program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Purchase Pin Flags for Tree Program   

A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize the purchase of pin flags for the Tree Program at a cost of $310.70 for 26 bundles.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

LOW County Fair Agreement

A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize the rental agreement for the Lake of the Woods County Fair booth for 2024. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

R-R Forest Management Plan cost share applications 
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to allocate $1,600 from County Allocation to the Rainy-Rapid Forest Management Plan Cost Share Program for the FY24 grant cycle.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to approve the Forest Management Plan Cost Share applications for Waconia Hunt Club (120 acres) and Anthony Kunze (120 acres).  The cost share rate, per contract, is not to exceed $300 base payment plus $6.50 per planned acre, or 100% of the total cost, whichever is less.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried. 

MOA with City of Baudette

A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Baudette for implementation of the City of Baudette Stormwater BMPs Clean Water Fund Grant (C24-0033).
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Training and Travel Requests – none

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

Committee Reports 

Rainy-Rapid Policy Committee – see attachment to the agenda   

Lake of the Woods Control Board – see attachment to the agenda

General Information and Discussion

*Demonstration of SWCD Project Mapping  

*Additional Forest Management Planning Cost Share funds  

*Rain barrel workshop   

*Special work session discussion, April 11th – a decision was made to postpone this session. 

The next regular board meeting has been set for April 11th, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.  

Adjourn: Dunnell Seconded: Sonstegard

Meeting adjournment time: 7:20 p.m.

Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________

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.