Minutes from the October 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 5:00 p.m.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen, Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir, Nancy Dunnell
Members absent: none
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer
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 Sindelir to approve the September 14th, 2023 minutes. The motion was seconded by Dunnell.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The September 2023 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
The 3rd Quarter budget vs actual reports were reviewed.
The 3rd Quarter Supervisor expense reports were 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, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business – none
Special Reports – Michael Steinhauer, NRCS Resource Conservationist – Steinhauer gave a report of recent activity along with a presentation of EQIP and CSP contracts summarized on a county-wide and area-wide basis.
New Business
MASWCD Resolution voting
The Supervisors voted on the 2023 MASWCD resolutions.
FY21 Local Capacity grant end date extension
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to approve the FY21 Local Capacity grant amendment to extend the end date for one year.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
FY24/25 SWCD Programs and Operations Grant Agreement
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize the FY24/25 SWCD Programs and Operations grant agreement with the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Authorization to purchase promotional items
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to approve the purchase of 300 promotional pens from Nelson Ink.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Website ADA compliance tool
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to renew the annual website hosting contract with SandPieper Design without the ADA Compliance Checker tool.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Certificates of Deposit
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize investment in two $150,000 certificates of deposit with Multi-Bank Securities at a term of up to one year.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Sonstegard excused himself from the meeting.
Authorize Estling’s abandoned well sealing cost share application
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize Rod Estling’s abandoned well sealing cost share contract at a rate of $500 or 75% of the total cost, whichever is less.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Pine Island bathymetry contract with AMI Engineering
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the District Manager to approve a contract for services if one is needed with AMI Engineering for the SWCD’s portion of the bathymetric survey on Lake of the Woods as part of the Southern Shore – Barrier Island Study.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Approve forest management plan application for Brad Levasseuer
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize Levasseuer’s Rainy-Rapid Cost Share Contract for a forest management plan at a rate of $300 plus $6.50 per acre, not to exceed 317 acres. The contract start date will be upon final approval of grant funding.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Approve forest management plan application for Evan Mawyer
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize Mawyer’s Rainy-Rapid Cost Share Contract for a forest management plan at a rate of $300 plus $6.50 per acre, not to exceed 320 acres. The contract start date will be upon final approval of grant funding.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Approve forest management plan application for Mitch Chrzianowski
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to authorize Chrzianowski’s Rainy-Rapid Cost Share Contract for a forest management plan at a rate of $300 plus $6.50 per acre, not to exceed 222 acres. The contract start date will be upon final approval of grant funding.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
AMI Contract for Services
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize a contract for services with AMI Engineering for shoreline stabilization designs.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Outstanding Conservationist Convention Expenses
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to approve expenses for the Outstanding Conservationist to attend the MASWCD Annual Convention. Expenses approved for reimbursement include a 1-night stay at the convention hotel rate, meal expenses with receipts up to $75 and round-trip mileage at the federal rate.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Training and Travel Requests
WPLMN Training
The board approved travel reimbursement for Vrtacnik’s attendance at the WPLMN training under District bills.
MASWCD Annual Convention
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to authorize staff and supervisors to attend the MASWCD Annual Convention.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.
Committee Reports – none
General Information and Discussion
Peterson Company LTD. letter to the Board of Supervisors – see attachment to the board packet.
2024 Budget and Vehicle Purchase
2024 wages and benefits
The next regular board meeting has been set for November 9th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Dunnell Seconded: Sindelir
Meeting adjournment time: 7:00 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________