Minutes from the December 14, 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 Frank Sindelir at 5:00 p.m.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir, Nancy Dunnell
Members absent: Monica Dohmen
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS District Conservationist, Jody Peek
A motion was made by Krause to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Dunnell.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sonstegard to approve the November 9th, 2023 minutes. The motion was seconded by Krause.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause to approve the November 14th, 2023 Special Meeting minutes. The motion was seconded by Sonstegard..
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The November 2023 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 Sonstegard.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Fourth quarter supervisor expense reports were reviewed.
Special Reports
NRCS partner updates – NRCS District Conservationist, Jody Peek presented NRCS program updates
Old Business
2024 Employee Wages and Benefits
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to move the Office Assistant from a Specialist level to a Senior level position.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to set wages effective January 1, 2024 as follows: Resource Conservationists, Sr. Hirst and Trask from Grade 14, Step F6 to Grade 15, Step F6; Office Assistant, Sr. Buegler from Grade 8, Step D4 to Grade 9, Step D4; Water Resources Technician Vrtacnik, Sp. from Grade 11, Step C3 to Grade 12, Step C3.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
New Business
2024 Budget
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the 2024 Budget as presented.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Increase Special Projects fund balance
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to increase the Special Projects Fund Equity Account using District funds to $20,000.00 effective January 1, 2024.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Operating funds – SWCD State Aid Assigned Account
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to establish a SWCD State Aid Operating Funds Assigned Equity Account designated for current and future SWCD State Aid payments.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Request to purchase checks for the Border Bank checking account and envelopes
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to approve the purchase of 500 checks and envelopes from Intuit Quickbooks with funds from the office supply account.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Authorize winter newsletter expenses
The board was in consensus to move forward with expenses related to publishing the biannual newsletter.
Final payment for Keelan abandoned well sealing
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize final payment for Kevin Keelan’s FY22-02SP Abandoned Well Sealing project in the amount of $500.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Final payment for Estling abandoned well sealing
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize final payment for Rod Estling’s FY23-06SP Abandoned Well Sealing project in the amount of $500.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Gerulli Rainy-Rapid Forest Management Plan cost share application
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to authorize the Rainy Rapid Forest Management Plan Cost Share contract with Nick Gerulli in the amount of $300 plus $6.50/acre, not to exceed 137 acres total.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Kukowski Rainy-Rapid Forest Management Plan cost share application
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the Rainy Rapid Forest Management Plan Cost Share contract with Jim Kukowski, White Tail Ranch of Baudette, in the amount of $300 plus $6.50/acre, not to exceed 320 acres total.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Thompson abandoned well sealing cost share application
This item was tabled.
Livestock Workshop
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize up to $1,000 in feedlot program funds for a livestock producer workshop in 2024.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
MPCA Keep It Clean contract amendment and change order
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to amend the MPCA Keep it Clean #227227 contract from $97,560.00 to $117,560.00 and add public outreach events to allowable costs.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Keep It Clean volunteer expenditures for MASWCD Convention Booth
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize a $200 per person stipend for Robyn and Brian Dwight and $100 stipend for Ann Bruccianni Lyon for staffing the Keep it Clean convention booth during the MASWCD convention in Minneapolis with funding to come from the MPCA Keep it Clean contract.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Beltrami SWCD – Keep It Clean wheelhouse use agreement
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to agree to the terms and conditions of the Keep it Clean Ice House Rental Agreement with Beltrami SWCD and to allow the District Manager to enter into the agreement as events are scheduled.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Adopt policy for Earned Sick and Safe Time
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to adopt the interim earned sick and safe time policy for expanded uses of sick leave.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
See attachment to the December 14th, 2023 board packet for a copy of the policy language.
Keep It Clean Donation – Tom’s Tackle
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to accept a Keep it Clean donation from Tom’s Tackle.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, 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
Personnel committee – items were covered during the wage and benefit review.
General Information and Discussion
Human resources legal support – the staff will pursue options for covering costs related to updating the personnel policy.
AIS promotional contracting services – discussion regarding contracting costs for AIS promotion.
Vehicle needs and purchasing options – staff presented a current inventory of vehicles, use and options for upgrading.
MN Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board Correspondence
The next regular board meeting has been set for January 11th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Sonstegard Seconded Krause
Meeting adjournment time: 7:33 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________