Minutes from the January 13, 2022 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 5:00 p.m.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen, Roger Krause, Nancy Dunnell. Frank Sindelir joined remotely (health).
Members absent: none
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Joining remotely: Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask and NRCS Team Lead, Jody Peek
A motion was made by Krause to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Dohmen.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Annual Business Items:
Officer Elections
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the 2022 Officer Positions as follows: District Chair, John Sonstegard; Vice Chair, Frank Sindelir; Treasurer, Nancy Dunnell; Secretary, Monica Dohmen; Public Relations, Roger Krause.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to authorize the Annual Business Items as follows:
Monthly Meeting date, time and location – Second Thursday of each month at 5:00 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the location will be the County Boardroom in the Government Center with a remote access option available.
Designate Official Depositories – Border Bank of Baudette, Multi-Bank Securities, Inc.
Check Signing Authority – Josh Stromlund, District Manager; Nancy Dunnell, Treasurer; Mike Hirst, Resource Technician; Corryn Trask, Resource Technician; Becky Buegler, Office Assistant
Supervisor Compensation Rate – $125 per meeting. This rate is per day, no matter how many meetings attended. Supervisors may receive a per‐diem for travel days necessary for attending out of town meetings.
Mileage Rate – set on a quarterly basis to reflect the most current IRS rate. Any changes to the IRS mileage reimbursement rate will apply to all mileage occurring on or after the first day of the new quarter, and will remain as such until the following quarter.
Meal Allowances – Maximum meal allowance for supervisors and employees is $75.00 per day for approved meetings.
Spending Limits ‐ District staff have permission to: *Pay all district related bills prior to the next board meeting including: payroll, payroll liabilities, fuel account at Howard’s Cenex, Marco copier, other invoices not exceeding $100. *Pay invoices for: emergency vehicle repairs exceeding $100 or other emergency items exceeding $100 as authorized by the SWCD manager or Board Chair.
*Purchase miscellaneous supplies up to $100.
Designated Official Newspaper – Northern Light Region
Annual membership dues for 2022
Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts $ 3,332.49
MASWCD North Central Area (VIII) $ 275.00
Minnesota Association of Conservation District Employees $ 125.00 $25/employee
C/C/OGA Membership Dues $ 81.00
Minnesota Association of County Feedlot Officers $ 125
National Association of Conservation Districts $ 775.00
Committee Assignments
Staff are preapproved for reimbursement for out of town travel expenses incurred for serving on these committees. In the event that the appointed staff member is unable to attend, an alternate staff person may take their place.
| Committee | Board | Staff | Mtgs/yr (approx.) |
| Area VIII Meetings | All supervisors | All staff | 3 |
| North Central MN JPB | Frank Sindelir | Josh Stromlund, Alternate: Corryn Trask | 2 |
| County/SWCD Joint Powers Agreement Liaison Committee | Monica Dohmen Roger Krause | Stromlund | |
| Ditch Committee | John Sonstegard | ||
| Personnel Committee | John Sonstegard, Nancy Dunnell | ||
| IT Committee | John Sonstegard, Frank Sindelir | ||
| Area VIII Envirothon Committee | n/a | Corryn Trask | 5 |
| Financial Committee | Nancy Dunnell | Stromlund, Buegler | |
| Giziibii RC&D Council | John Sonstegard; alternate: Nancy Dunnell | Alternate: Corryn Trask | 4 |
| International Multi-Agency Technical Advisory Committee | n/a | Mike Hirst | 3 |
| Lake of the Woods Control Board | Nancy Dunnell | Mike Hirst | 3 |
| International Rainy Lake of the Woods Watershed Board | n/a | Mike Hirst | 10 |
| Rainy/Rapid Board Citizen’s Advisory Committee | Nancy Dunnell | Mike Hirst | 2 |
| Rainy-Rapid One Watershed One Plan* | Nancy Dunnell, John Sonstegard | 12 | |
| School Forest Committee | n/a | Corryn Trask | 12 |
| Wetlands TAC Committee | n/a | Mike Hirst | 12 |
| Lake of the Woods Watershed Joint Powers Board | Nancy Dunnell Alternates: John Sonstegard, Frank Sindelir | ||
| Local Work Group | Frank Sindelir, Nancy Dunnell | ||
| AIS/Keep it Clean Committee | Monica Dohmen | Mike Hirst | 6 |
| AIS/Keep it Clean Committee (at large member) – $40 per diem | Mike Larson |
Review Fixed Assets List – the board authorizes the removal of the following items:
*Canon ImageClass Printer – recycled, *Quickbooks Desktop Pro 2018 software – replaced
*Frogg Togg size 9 chest waders – dispose, *Boots – Rocky Chest Waders-size 12 – dispose
*Rod – metal, 8 foot – dispose, *Mr.Long Arm (6624) 8′-24′ -dispose
*Keep it Clean – 2 RV Dump Station Banners vinyl 72″x36″ on frame – dispose
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Dohmen to approve the December 9th, 2021 minutes. The motion was seconded by Dunnell.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The December 2020 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
The 4th Quarter Budget vs Actual report was reviewed..
A motion was made by Krause 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 – continue or suspend. No action was taken.
Special Reports
NRCS Team Lead – Jody Peek – Peek reported on EQIP and CSP applications
New Business
Purchase of replacement printer
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the purchase of a printer under the District’s emergency purchase policy.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Conservation Corpsmember for Summer 2022
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the application for a Conservation Corpsmember position for the summer of 2022.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
DNR Delegation Agreement
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to authorize the DNR Delegation Agreement For Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Inspection of Water-related Equipment.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Keep it Clean Dump Station Incentive
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the purchase of $100 gift cards from Howards Oil and Log Cabin Bait. Funding will come from the Keep it Clean account.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Keep it Clean Memorial Donation for Dave Larson
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the receipt of donations to the Keep it Clean Program in honor of Larson. Donations were received from: Karen and Roger Peterson, Bob and Sharon Johnson, Dr. Cecil and Ann Leitch.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Giziibii RC&D Membership Correspondence
No action was taken.
Pay Equity Report
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the submission of the Pay Equity Report.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Livestock Producer Workshop
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize $1,000 from the Feedlot Program to be used towards a Livestock Producer Workshop. Funding will cover presenter fees, room rental, food, and other general workshop expenses.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Load Monitoring Contract
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the amendment to extend the Water Pollutant Load Monitoring Contract with the MN Pollution Control Agency for two more years, contingent on the District Manager’s approval of the final work plan and budget.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, 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 – Hirst reported on the Keep it Clean Committee. There is current discussion with other groups on the use of the Keep it Clean logo and model. The committee is also partnering with Tom’s Tackle to produce a lure which would have the Keep it Clean logo on it. Part of the proceeds from the sale would go towards Keep it Clean efforts.
General Information and Discussion
Ellenson shoreline engineering assistance
MASWCD 2021 accomplishments
Set date and time for first quarter special meeting
The next regular board meeting has been set for February 10th, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Dohmen Seconded: Dunnell
Meeting adjournment time: 7:08 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________