Minutes from the February 12th, 2026 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 5:05 p.m.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen, Nancy Dunnell, John Sopkowiak. Roger Krause attended remotely. Votes were taken by roll call.
Members absent: none
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; County Commissioner, Joe Grund
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve the agenda as presented.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve the January 8th, 2026 minutes. Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The January Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Sopkowiak, with a second by Dunnell, to approve the bills as listed on the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business – none
Special Reports – none
New Business
Always There Staffing Agreement
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve the 2026 Agreement with Always There Staffing, Inc for recruiting and hiring Aquatic Invasive Species Inspectors.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
MN Grazing Lands Conservation Association
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to approve the 2026 Grazing Mentorship Program Partnership Agreement with the MN Grazing Lands Conservation Association in the amount not to exceed $1,400.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Peterson Company LTD 2025 audit bid
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the 2025 audit bid from Peterson Company LTD in the amount of $5,300.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Replenish Petty Cash Account.
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve replenishing the petty cash account with $70.01, bringing the total to $100.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Reinvestment of maturing CD with Multi-Bank Securities
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve the District Manager to reinvest the maturing $125,000 CD with Multi-Bank Securities for a term of up to two years.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Keep it Clean Donation
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to accept a donation to the Keep it Clean Program in the amount of $720.00 from the Sporting Journal Radio.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Envirothon
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to approve a contribution to the Envirothon program in the amount of $300, payable to Clearwater SWCD.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Dodds FMP-RR cost share application
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to approve funding for John Dodd’s Rainy Rapid Forest Management Plan cost share application in the amount of $2,625.00
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Levasseur FMP-RR cost share application
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to approve funding for Steve Levasseur’s Rainy Rapid Forest Management Plan cost share application in the amount of $735.00
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Mehmel FMP-RR cost share application
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve funding for Gretchen Mehmel’s Rainy Rapid Forest Management Plan cost share application in the amount of $2,625.00
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Colbert FMP-RR cost share application
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve funding for Kyle Colbert’s Rainy Rapid Forest Management Plan cost share application in the amount of $1,552.50
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, 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
Strategic Planning
Giziibii RC&D Correspondence
The next regular board meeting has been set for March 12th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Dunnell Seconded: Sopkowiak
Meeting adjournment time: 6:15 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________