Minutes from the January 8th, 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 Nancy Dunnell at 5:00 p.m.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen, Roger Krause, Nancy Dunnell, John Sopkowiak
Members absent: none
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to approve the agenda as presented.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Annual Business Meeting
Officer Elections
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to nominate John Sonstegard as Chair. A call for further nominations was made three times. No further nominations were made.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to nominate Nancy Dunnell as Vice Chair.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to nominate Monica Dohmen, Treasurer; John Sopkowiak, Secretary; Roger Krause, Public Relations.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Monthly meeting date, time and location
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sopkowiak, to set the SWCD regular monthly meetings on the second Thursday of the month at 5:00 p.m. in the boardroom of the County Government Center.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Official depositories
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to set the official depositories as Border Bank of Baudette and Multi-Bank Securities, Inc.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Check signing authority
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve check signing authority for Josh Stromlund, Corryn Trask, Mike Hirst and Nancy Dunnell.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Supervisor compensation rates
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to set the Supervisor compensation rates at $125 per meeting. This rate is per day, regardless of the number of meetings attended. Supervisors may receive a per-diem for travel days necessary for attending out of town meetings.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Mileage Rates, Meal Allowances and Spending Limits
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve the following:
The 2026 mileage rate will reflect the most current IRS mileage rate.
Meal allowance for supervisors and employees is set at $75 per day.
District staff have permission to pay all District related bills prior to the next board meeting, including: payroll, payroll liabilities, fuel account at Northdale, Marco copier, or invoices not exceeding $200. Invoices for emergency vehicle repairs or other emergency items exceeding $200 may be paid upon authorization by the Board Chair or SWCD Manager.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Official Newspaper
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to designate the official newspaper as the Northern Light Region.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Membership Dues
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to approve the annual membership dues as follows:
Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts $5,564.17
MASWCD North Central Area (VIII) pending
Minnesota Association of Conservation District Employees $ 25/employee
C/C/OGA Membership Dues $ 84.00
Minnesota Association of County Feedlot Officers $ 150.00
National Association of Conservation Districts $ 775.00
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Committee Assignments
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to approve 2026 Committee Assignments as follows:
| Committee | Board | Staff | Mtgs/yr (approx.) |
| Area VIII Meetings | All supervisors | All staff | 3 – Bemidji |
| North Central MN TSA 8 | Nancy Dunnell | Josh Stromlund, Alternate: Corryn Trask | 2 – Bemidji |
| Personnel Committee | John Sonstegard, Nancy Dunnell | Minimum 1 | |
| International Multi-Agency Technical Advisory Committee | n/a | Mike Hirst | 3 |
| Lake of the Woods Control Board | Monica Dohmen | Mike Hirst | 3 |
| International Rainy Lake of the Woods Watershed Board | n/a | Mike Hirst | 10 |
| Rainy-Rapid One Watershed One Plan Policy Committee | Monica Dohmen, John Sonstegard | 6 | |
| School Forest Committee | n/a | Corryn Trask | 8 |
| Lake of the Woods Watershed Joint Powers Board | Nancy Dunnell Alternates: John Sonstegard | 4 – Warroad | |
| AIS/Keep it Clean Committee | John Sopkowiak | Mike Hirst | 6 |
| AIS/Keep it Clean Committee (at large member) – $75 per diem | Mike Larson | 6 |
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Fixed asset list -no items were presented for removal
The housekeeping items listed on the agenda were reviewed.
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the December 11th, 2025 minutes.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The December 2025 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen to approve the bills as listed on the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business – none
New Business
UMN Extension Contract Agreement
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the agreement with the UMN Extension for strategic planning services.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Presentation
Jody Horntvedt, MN Extension met with the board and worked through strategic planning items in preparation for the upcoming workshop. Chad Severts, BWSR, participated remotely.
Special Reports
NRCS partner updates – Jody Peek, NRCS District Conservationist Team Lead, joined the meeting remotely to provide updates to the board. She announced two retirements which will impact Lake of the Woods County including Steve Cole, Assistant State Conservationist along with the Area Engineer. Local funding pools have now been established for EQIP funds, which should make the work of the local workgroup more impactful. CSP and EQIP application periods are still open.
New Business
Strategic Planning Session
A motion was made by Sopkowiak, with a second by Dunnell, to set the strategic planning session for January 28th from 8:00-10:00 at the Baudette Ambulance Garage.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Check reorder request
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the request to order 500 SWCD checks.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Mollberg abandoned well sealing cost share payment request
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to approve Mollberg’s 2025-07SP abandoned well sealing cost share final payment in the amount of $1,000.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Beltrami County SWCD Keep It Clean Wheelhouse Rental Agreement
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the rental agreement for the Keep it Clean fishhouse, along with a $250 rental fee and $5,000 damage deposit.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Correction to October Minutes
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to change all instances of Sindelir to Sopkowiak in the October 9, 2025 meeting minutes.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Williams Creek Settlement agreement amendment and supplemental agreement
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the board chair to sign the revised Williams Creek Settlement Agreement and supplemental agreement.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
WPLMN Draft Work Plan / Contract with MPCA
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the District Manager to sign the pending amendment to the Watershed Pollution Load Monitoring Network grant to extend the grant until 6/30/28 and add two additional seasons of water monitoring.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Rainy-Rapid WBIF Cooperative Agreements
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to approve the Rainy Rapid Cooperative Agreements for the implementation of the FY26 Rainy-Rapid Watershed Based Implementation Funding.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Sustainable Farming Association Agreement
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve the 2026-2027 Professional Services Agreement for agriculture workshops, field tours and producer coaching services from the Sustainable Farming Association not to exceed $20,000.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Event Services Contract with Sustainable Farming Association
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to approve the Event Services Contract with the Sustainable Farming Association in the amount of $3,000.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
2026 Buffer Law Implementation Grant Agreement
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve the P26-0143 2026 Buffer Law Implementation Grant Agreement with the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Northdale gas card for house charges
The board was in agreement to allow the staff to make an internal decision on retaining a Northdale Oil charge account and obtaining charge cards.
Training and Travel Requests
Rainy-LOW Watershed Forum
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to authorize staff and supervisors attendance at the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum in International Falls.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.
Committee Reports – none
General Information and Discussion
Election memo from BWSR/MASWCD
MASWCD milestones report
Memo – Peterson CPA
County Board Resolution Drainage Exemption Language
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to support the county board resolution #25-12-07, in support of the reinstatement of statutory language removing cropping history as a factor in determining eligibility for drainage practices.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The next regular board meeting has been set for February 12th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Dunnell Seconded: Sopkowiak
Meeting adjournment time: 7:35 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________