Minutes from the September 14th, 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, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer; County Commissioner, Joe Grund

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

A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the August 10th, 2023 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Sonstegard.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

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

Old Business – none

Special Reports
AMI Engineering – Zac Morris and Ryan Dagger joined remotely to present information on shoreline engineering services
NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer: see attachment to the September board packet

New Business

Certificate of Deposit

A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the reinvestment of the four certificates of deposit which are expiring in September through December 2023 back into certificates of deposit with Multi-bank Securities.  Length of new certificates authorized is 6 months to one year, as approved by the District Manager.   
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to authorize up to $300,000 deposited into a 12-month certificate with Border Bank.  Becky Buegler, Office Assistant, is authorized as the signer on the certificate of deposit. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Dodge truck repairs 

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize front and rear brake replacements and new tires for the Dodge truck through Custom Auto.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

2022 Audit

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to approve the Management Representation Letter and the 2022 Audit from Peterson Company Ltd..
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Dunn forest management plan cost share payment  
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve final payment for Dunn’s Lake of the Woods Watershed FMP-05 forest management plan cost share contract in the amount of $2,159.00. 

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

Keep It Clean purchases  

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the following expenses for the Keep it Clean Program using MPCA grant funds: $2,500 for a geofencing campaign with Star Tribune, $848 for banners through SandPieper Design, and an incentive payment program for resorts with winter ice roads to print the Keep it Clean message on road passes at a cost of $250 per resort not to exceed 16 total participants.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Replenish Petty Cash account   

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize $62.19 to replenish the petty cash account.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Outstanding Conservationist nomination   

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to name Jeff Birchem and Gretchen Mehmel as the 2023 Outstanding Conservationists for Lake of the Woods County.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Health insurance renewal 2024 

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to maintain the current health insurance plan offered by the SWCD for 2024.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to not elect any supplemental health insurance programs for the 2024 year.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

A motion was made  by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to set the open enrollment period for health insurance from September 15th through November 22nd, with flexibility to extend with approval from the NW Service Cooperative. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to cover 100% of the premium for family coverage and 100% of the premium plus a $200 monthly HSA contribution for single coverage for the 2024 year.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried  

Health Insurance Settlement Refund  

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to split the 2022 health insurance settlement refund from the Minnesota Healthcare Consortium equally between the three covered employees. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Request to purchase survey equipment
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize $7,453.10 of TSA8 Engineering funds to reimburse the LW County Public Works Department for the purchase of a TSC-7 Controller which will be shared between the SWCD and Public Works Department.  

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

2024 Buffer Law Implementation Grant Agreement
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to enter into the 2024 Buffer Law Implementation grant agreement and to authorize Chairperson Dohmen to sign the agreement. 

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

Rainy-Rapid Watershed-Based Implementation Grant Agreement

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to enter into the 2024 Rainy-Rapid Watershed Based Implementation grant agreement upon review and approval by the District Manager and to authorize Chairperson Dohmen to sign the agreement. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Training and Travel Requests

A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize staff and supervisors to attend the Area Tour and Meeting in Park Rapids on October 12th-13th.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to authorize staff to attend the BWSR Academy in Brainerd on October 24th-26th.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, 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

Cost share Policy Memo – see attachment to the board packet
Annual well testing clinic summary – see attachment to the board packet

The next regular board meeting has been set for October 10th, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.  *Change from regular date due to scheduling conflicts

Adjourn: Krause Seconded: Sindelir

Meeting adjournment time: 7:30 p.m.

Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________

Minutes from the September 8th, 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 Acting Chair, Frank Sindelir, at 5:00 p.m.

Members present: Monica Dohmen, Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir.  Nancy Dunnell arrived during the presentation of the Treasurer’s report.

Members absent: John Sonstegard

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

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

A motion was made by Krause to approve the August 11th, 2022 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Dohmen.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.

The August 2022 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.  

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

Old Business – none

Special Reports

NRCS Partner Updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist
See attachment to the September 8th, 2022 board agenda for a copy of Steinhauer’s report.

New Business

LOW SWCD – LOWWJPB Agreement for Ag Specialist
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the Lake of the Woods Joint Power Board FY22-13 Ag Specialist agreement for watershed-based implementation funding.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.  

Carlson abandoned well sealing cost share application  
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to authorize Laurel Carlson’s abandoned well sealing cost share application in the amount of $500 or 75% of the total project cost, whichever is less. The project must be completed within one year of approval.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried. 

Hendrickson abandoned well sealing cost share application   
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize Rylan Hendrickson’s abandoned well sealing cost share application in the amount of $500 or 75% of the total project cost, whichever is less. The project must be completed within one year of approval.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried. 

Estling shoreline protection project cost share application 
The engineering cost estimates for Rod Estling’s shoreline protection project were not available at the time of the board meeting.  Due to timing of construction and logistics and cost to hold a special meeting, the staff requested that the District Manager be authorized to set rates and cost share contract requirements for Estling’s shoreline protection project. 

A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the District Manager to set the cost share rate, funding level and deadline for Estling’s shoreline protection cost share project.

Health insurance renewal 2023  

Set plan option – a motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause to remain with the current health insurance plan offered through the Northwest Service Cooperative.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell   Opposed: None Motion carried. 

Select supplemental programs – this item was tabled until the October meeting. 

Establish open enrollment period – a motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to set open enrollment for the SWCD as September 9th through November 30th.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell   Opposed: None Motion carried. 

Contribution rates 2023 – a motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen to establish the following SWCD health insurance contribution rates for 2023:

Single = $471.45 plus $200 per month HSA contribution

Family = $1,275.75 with $0 HSA contribution

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

Request to reserve trees for the 2023 Tree Sale Program 
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to authorize staff to reserve trees for the 2023 spring tree sale program. 

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

Replenish petty cash  
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize a check for $72.47 to replenish the petty cash account to $100.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell   Opposed: None Motion carried. 

Keep It Clean purchases  
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to authorize the purchase of digital marketing, 10,000 beverage coasters, 500 tabletop tents, 5 Keep it Clean banners and 5 human bio-waste banners for a total cost of $4,950.00 through the FY22-05 LW WBIF grant funds. 

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

Extension for H&S Hunting (Steinbach) forest management plan cost share
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to extend the H&S Hunting forest management plan cost share contract to September 30th, 2023.

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

Training and Travel Requests – none

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

Committee Reports – none

General Information and Discussion

NRCS Leadership Team Tour, September 13th from 1:30-5:30
The NRCS Leadership Team Tour will be held in Lake of the Woods County on September 13th. The session will be posted according to open meeting laws to allow all SWCD board members to attend.  

Shoreline cost share ranking 
The staff has updated the shoreline cost share ranking sheet which is used to score and fund shoreline protection projects. 

Outstanding Conservationist
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to select Bill Bendickson as the 2022 SWCD Outstanding Conservationist.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell   Opposed: None Motion carried.

Annual well testing clinic summary

The 2022 annual well testing clinic was completed on September 2nd.  A summary of the event is attached to the board packet. 

The next regular board meeting has been set for October 13th, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.  

Adjourn: Dohmen Seconded: Dunnell

Meeting adjournment time: 7:18 p.m.

Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________

Minutes from the September 9, 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, 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; County Commissioner, Joe Grund; NorthRisk Partners, Mike Reishus

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

A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the August 12th, 2021minutes.  The motion was seconded by Dohmen.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

The August 2021 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.  

A motion was made by Dunnell 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

Personnel policy waivers – continue or suspend – no action was taken

Special Reports

NorthRisk Partners, Mike Reishus – Reishus presented 2022 health insurance plan information to the board.  The provider is switching from Blue Cross to Medica for 2022.  Following his presentation, Reishus excused himself from the meeting.  

NRCS partner updates: Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist – Steinhauer presented information to the board on current NRCS programs.  He also covered current COVID updates.  

New Business

Health insurance renewal

Set plan option for 2022 – a motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to offer the Medica version of the 2021 SWCD Blue Cross Blue Shield health plan option for 2022. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Establish open enrollment – a motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to establish the open enrollment period for SWCD employees to select their health care option as September 10th – November 30th. This time period will be set annually.  

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

Forest Management Cost Share Program Application – Calvin Fadness
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to approve the Lake of the Woods Watershed Forest Stewardship Plan Cost Share Agreement with Calvin Fadness. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

BWSR 2022-2023 SWCD Programs and Operations Grant Agreement
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the FY22 and FY23 Programs and Operations Grant Agreement and authorize the chairman to sign. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Memorandum of Agreement with LOW County for the Rainy-Rapid One Watershed, One Plan 
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the memorandum of agreement with Lake of the Woods County to begin development of the Rainy-Rapid One Watershed One Plan.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Investment CDs with Multi-Bank Securities – no action was taken

Request to reserve trees for the 2022 Tree Sale Program
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize staff to reserve stock for the 2022 tree sales program. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Request to reimburse for SWCD newsletter
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize staff to pay invoices from Northland Trading Post and Arrow Printing upon receipt.  Total payments are not to exceed $1,200. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Training and Travel Requests
Stormwater Management Online Recertification – a motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize Vrtacnik’s expenses for online recertification for Construction Installer and Site Management.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, 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

Board packet distribution in advance of meetings 

Watch rainfall simulator

Well testing clinic summary

The next regular board meeting has been set for October 14th, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.  

Adjourn: Dohmen Seconded: Sindelir

Meeting adjournment time: 7:24 p.m.