Minutes from the February 11, 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.  Due to the COVID-19 Emergency declared by MN Governor Walz, board members and members of the public were allowed to join via Zoom conferencing.  All votes were taken via roll call.

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Sonstegard at 5:00 p.m.

Members present: In person – John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen.  Remote – 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 Dunnell to approve the agenda.  The motion was seconded by Dohmen. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

A motion was made by Krause to approve the January 14th, 2021 minutes.  The motion was seconded by Dohmen.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

The January 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 Krause.  

Old Business

Peterson CPA bid and letter of engagement for 2020 JPB/SWCD Audit
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to accept the revised audit bid of $2,850 for the SWCD and $500 for the JPB. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Third grade pollinator planting
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize $500 to conduct a pollinator planting with third graders at Lake of the Woods School. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Special Reports

NRCS Partner Updates- Michael Steinhauer updated the board on the status of CSP and EQIP applications in the county.  He also discussed the current status of the open NRCS position in the Baudette field office. 

New Business

MOA between NRCS and SWCD   

A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to approve the Memorandum of Agreement #N2721MOU0011071 Between the USDA NRCS and the Lake of the Woods SWCD. 

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

Conservation Corps of MN Fee-for-service Work Order  

A motion was made by Krause, with as second by Dohmen, to approve the MN Conservation Corps Project Number 501-18412 Work Order for the summer intern position.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Request to purchase pin flags for the tree program   

A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to approve up to $292 of tree program funds for the purchase of pin flags for resale.  
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Request to purchase rain gauge certificates of appreciation   
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to authorize $150 for the purchase of gift certificates from Howards for the 15 rain gauge volunteers. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Request to purchase Tablets for AIS watercraft inspections   
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize $1,050 for the purchase of 7 Samsung tablets plus cases and screen protectors for the AIS inspector program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried. 

Request to purchase ‘Stop Spiny’ towels for AIS program    

A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize $1400 for the purchase of 833 Stop the Spread towels for the AIS program in partnership with Roseau SWCD and Beltrami County.  

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

Always There Staffing 2021 Agreement  

A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the 2021 agreement with Always There Staffing, Inc, to hire Aquatic Invasive Species inspectors for the AIS program.  

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

Roseau River 1W1P Plan Participation    

A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to approve the following resolution:

Resolution #02-11-2021 – 01 TO SUPPORT A ROSEAU RIVER WATERSHED
ONE WATERSHED, ONE PLAN PROJECT

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources has developed policies for coordination and development of comprehensive watershed management plans, also known as One Watershed, One Plan, consistent with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103B.801, Comprehensive Watershed Management Planning Program; and,

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103B.301, Comprehensive Local Water Management Act, authorizes Minnesota Counties to develop and implement a local water management plan; and,

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103D.401, Watershed Management Plan, authorizes Minnesota Watershed Districts to develop and implement a watershed management plan; and, 

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103C.331, subdivision 11, Comprehensive Plan, authorizes Minnesota Soil and Water Conservation Districts to develop and implement a comprehensive plan; and, 

WHEREAS, the counties, soil and water conservation districts, and watershed districts within the Roseau River Watershed (#46), as delineated in the attached One Watershed, One Plan Suggested Boundary Map, have interest in developing a comprehensive watershed management plan for this area. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District recognizes and supports watershed-scale planning efforts consistent with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103B.801, also known as One Watershed, One Plan; and, 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the counties, soil and water conservation districts, and watershed districts within the Roseau River Watershed for watershed-scale planning efforts in the future; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors supports an application to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for a planning grant to develop a comprehensive watershed management plan and it is anticipated full participation is not warranted; however, staff will be able to provide comments on an as needed basis.

Lower Rainy Rapid 1W1P Plan Participation    

A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to approve the following resolution:

RESOLUTION #02-11-2021-02 TO SUPPORT A RAPID AND LOWER RAINY RIVER WATERSHED
ONE WATERSHED, ONE PLAN PROJECT

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources has developed policies for coordination and development of comprehensive watershed management plans, also known as One Watershed, One Plan, consistent with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103B.801, Comprehensive Watershed Management Planning Program; and,

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103B.301, Comprehensive Local Water Management Act, authorizes Minnesota Counties to develop and implement a local water management plan; and,

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103C.331, subdivision 11, Comprehensive Plan, authorizes Minnesota Soil and Water Conservation Districts to develop and implement a comprehensive plan; and, 

WHEREAS, the counties and soil and water conservation districts within the Rapid and Lower Rainy Watershed (#50) as modified in the attached One Watershed, One Plan Suggested Boundary Map, have interest in developing a comprehensive watershed management plan for this area.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District recognizes and supports watershed-scale planning efforts consistent with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103B.801, also known as One Watershed, One Plan; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the counties and soil and water conservation districts within the Rapid and Lower Rainy Watershed for watershed-scale planning efforts in the future; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors supports an application to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for a planning grant to develop a comprehensive watershed management plan and anticipates entering into a Memorandum of Agreement with the counties and soil and water conservation districts within the Rapid and Lower Rainy Watershed, to collaborate on this effort, pending selection as a recipient of a planning grant.

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

Request to purchase water sampling rod for WPLMN
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to authorize the purchase of a water sampling rod through the Load Monitoring Program in the amount of $175.75 plus shipping. 
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.

Training and Travel Requests

A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize interested staff and supervisors to register for the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Virtual Water Quality Forum on March 10-11.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried. 

A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize Trask and Vrtacnik to receive CPR training at the ambulance garage.
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

Shoen cost share update- the contractor is waiting for the right conditions to start the project
Hydroseeder purchase- discussion of the possibility of assisting the Public Works Department with the purchase of a hydroseeder to help with erosion control on projects. 
Board member eligibility for PERA– SWCD board members are eligible for PERA
Health and Life insurance enrollment periods – the personnel committee may be requested to assist with setting insurance enrollment periods for the SWCD
Legislative outreach – the SWCD presented the letter from the MASWCD regarding legislative outreach
Hard Water Angler 4-H Curriculum for Keep it Clean – presentation of information prepared by U of M Extension to promote the concept of the Keep it Clean on a statewide basis.   

The next regular board meeting has been set for March 11th, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.  

Adjourn: Krause Seconded: Dohmen

Meeting adjournment time: 7:15 p.m.