Minutes from the February 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 Nancy Dunnell at 5:00 p.m.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen, Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir, Nancy Dunnell
Members absent: none
Others present: Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Team Lead, Jody Peek; County Commissioner, Joe Grund
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the January 16th, 2025 minutes.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The January 2025 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to approve the bills as listed on the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Frank Sindelir joined the meeting.
Old Business
Feedlot Dues
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to amend the January 9th motion setting Feedlot Program dues at $125.00 to the correct amount of $150.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Special Reports
NRCS partner updates – NRCS Team Lead, Jody Peek, presented a report on the current hiring and funding freezes. Program payments are being impacted.
New Business
Letter of support for the Phase II – Lake of the Woods Southern Shore Barrier Island Erosion Investigation
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to approve a letter indicating support for Lake of the Woods County to pursue LCCMR funding for Phase II of the Lake of the Woods Southern Shore Barrier Island Erosion Investigation.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Reinvestment of called CD
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the reinvestment of a $125,000 certificate of deposit at Multi-Bank Securities which was recently called.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Replenish Petty Cash
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to approve replenishing the petty cash fund with $57.02 to bring it back to $100.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Envirothon
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to approve a contribution of $300.00 for the Area VIII Envirothon program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Replacement of lost checks
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dohmen, to approve reissuing check #9113 to Bradley Levasseur in the amount of $2,360.50 with a stop-payment and reissue check #9163 to Sun Life Financial in the amount of $95.24.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Peterson Company LTD 2024 audit bid
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to approve the audit engagement letter and bid from Peterson Company LTD for the 2024 audit.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Check signing authority
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to authorize the removal of Rebecca Buegler from all Border Bank financial accounts and online access effective February 28th, 2025.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
2024 Rain Gauge Volunteer recognition
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve $20 per volunteer ($320 total) for the purchase of gift cards from Northdale Oil and Subway.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
DNR Joint Powers Agreement
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize the District Manager to sign the Joint Powers Board agreement with the Department of Natural Resources for Phase 1 Winter Road Peatland feasibility study.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Abstain: Dohmen Motion carried.
Paulseth-Bautch forest management plan cost share payment request
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to approve Paulseth-Bautch’s 2024-04-FMP forest management plan cost share final payment request in the amount of $1,340.00
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Johnston abandoned well sealing cost share payment request
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve Johnston’s 2024-17-SP abandoned well sealing cost share payment in the amount of $1000.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Keep It Clean Legislation – Letter of Support
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sindelir, to approve a letter of support for the proposed 2025 Keep it Clean Legislation.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Microsoft Suite purchase
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the purchase of replacement Microsoft Suite software for the Office Assistant computer seat.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Training and Travel Requests
Area VIII Meeting – a motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize staff and supervisors to attend the Area meeting in Bemidji.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Legislative Days – a motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize staff and supervisors to attend Legislative Days in St. Paul on March 4th and 5th.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.
Committee Reports
Hiring committee
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to extend an offer to Jacqueline Becklund for the position of Office Assistant with a starting wage of Grade 8/3.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
General Information and Discussion
Giziibii RC&D Correspondence
Registration reminder for WQ forum
The next regular board meeting has been set for March 13th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Krause Seconded: Dohmen
Meeting adjournment time: 7:20 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________