Minutes from the February 16th, 2022 Regular Board Meeting
The meeting of the Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District was held in the Ambulance Garage in Baudette, MN due to a weather-related meeting reschedule.
The meeting was called to order by John Sonstegard 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
A motion was made by Krause 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 Dunnell to approve the January 13, 2022 minutes. The motion was seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Dunnell to approve the February 3rd, 2022 work session minutes. The motion was seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The January 2022 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Dohmen 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
Personnel policy waivers – continue or suspend
No action was taken
Update to personnel policy – Holidays
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the following language change to the Employee Policy regarding Holidays:
Article X: Holidays
Holiday pay is granted for the following holidays as observed by the federal government: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Juneteenth will not be observed.
Employees have the option of working Columbus Day in exchange for receiving Holiday pay for the day after Thanksgiving.
There will be no Holiday pay for permanent part-time employees.
In the event of a USDA early release, all SWCD staff may observe these times along with USDA NRCS staff, but must use Annual Leave for this time. If the office will be closed, staff must notify the District Manager and post the closing on the main entrance of the building.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Special Reports
NRCS partner updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist, reported on the current CRP signup, possible Area-wide training in April, and EQIP and CSP contracting.
Steinhauer excused himself from the meeting.
Keep It Clean program expansion update – Joe Henry, Lake of the Woods Tourism joined the board via Zoom to discuss the expansion of the Keep it Clean program. There is an interest from other groups to use the Keep it Clean logo and concept for their own cleanup programs. The Keep it Clean committee is discussing how to navigate this new development.
New Business
Peterson CPA bid and letter of engagement for 2021 audit of SWCD
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize the Letter of Engagement from Peterson CPA for the 2021 financial audit.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The board requested that the staff acquire 2 or more additional quotes for 2022.
Request to purchase rain gauge certificates of appreciation
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to utilize $150 to purchase 15 gift certificates from Howards Oil for the rain gauge volunteers.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Request to purchase checks for Border Bank checking
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to purchase 500 checks from Intuit Quickbooks for $168.98.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Accept donations for the Keep It Clean Program
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to accept donations from Lake of the Woods Brewing Company, Alfred Kasid, and Arlyn and Donna Wendlandt for the Keep it Clean Program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Forest Stewardship Plan cost share application – Olson Land, LLC
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize the cost share application for the Olson Land, LLC for 79.42 acres at $300 + $6.50 per planned acre, not to exceed 100% of the total invoiced amount.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Forest Stewardship Plan cost share application – Olson Family, LLC
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize the cost share application for the Olson Family, LLC for 117.3 acres at $300 + $6.50 per planned acre, not to exceed 100% of the total invoiced amount.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Always There Staffing Agreement for AIS Inspectors
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the 2022 Always There Staffing Agreement for AIS Inspectors.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
See attachment to the February 16, 2022 agenda for a copy of the agreement.
Invoices for Newsletter
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to authorize the payment of the invoice from the Northland Trading Post for newsletter distribution.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Replenish Petty Cash
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to replenish the petty cash account with the amount of $55.82.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Conservation Corps Fee-for-Service Work Order
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to approve the Conservation Corps Fee-for-Service Work Order for the 2022 summer internship position.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
See attachment to the February 16, 2022 agenda for a copy of the agreement.
Training and Travel Requests
2022 Int’l Rainy-LOW Water Quality Forum March 9 &10 Online
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize expenses for interested staff and supervisors to attend the online Water Quality Forum.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Pesticide applicators license renewal – online
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize Trask to take the online pesticide applicators license renewal training.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
MASWCD Legislative Days March 9th and 10th
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to authorize interested staff and supervisors to attend the MASWCD Legislative Days.
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 presented
General Information and Discussion
SWCD Wellness fund on Balance Sheet – discussion on what to do with this existing account.
Virtual meetings and board attendance policy – staff reviewed Open Meeting Law requirements regarding virtual meeting attendance.
Aquatic Invasive Species 2021 summary of accomplishments – see attachment to the February 16th, 2022 board packet for a copy of the report.
The next regular board meeting has been set for March 10th, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Krause Seconded: Dohmen
Meeting adjournment time: 7:30 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________