Minutes from the January 9th, 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 Board Chair, Monica Dohmen 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; County Commissioner, Joe Grund
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to approve the agenda as presented.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Annual Organizational Meeting Items:
Officer Elections
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to nominate Nancy Dunnell as Chair.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Nancy Dunnell took over as Chair.
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to nominate Frank Sindelir as Vice-Chair.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to nominate Monica Dohmen as Treasurer.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to nominate John Sonstegard as Secretary.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to nominate Roger Krause for Public Relations.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dohmen, to set the following business items for 2025:
Monthly Meeting date, time and location – Second Thursday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom at the County Government Center.
Designate Official Depositories – Border Bank of Baudette, Multi-Bank Securities, Inc.
Check Signing Authority – Josh Stromlund, District Manager; Nancy Dunnell, Chair; Mike Hirst, Resource Conservationist; Corryn Trask, Resource Conservationist; 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 – Mileage compensation will reflect the most current IRS mileage rate.
Meal Allowances – Maximum meal allowance for supervisors and employees at $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 Northdale, Marco copier, other invoices not exceeding $200. *Pay invoices for: emergency vehicle repairs exceeding $200 or other emergency items exceeding $200 as authorized by the SWCD manager or Board Chair.
*Purchase miscellaneous supplies up to $200.
Designated Official Newspaper -Northern Light Region
Annual membership dues for 2025
Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts $ 5,402.27
MASWCD North Central Area (VIII) $ 275.00
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, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Committee Assignments
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to set the committee assignments for 2025 as follows:
| Committee | Board | Staff | Mtgs/yr (approx.) |
| Area VIII Meetings | All supervisors | All staff | 3 |
| North Central MN TSA 8 | Frank Sindelir | Josh Stromlund, Alternate: Corryn Trask | 2 |
| 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 | Nancy Dunnell | 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 | |
| AIS/Keep it Clean Committee | Monica Dohmen | Mike Hirst | 6 |
| AIS/Keep it Clean Committee (at large member) – $75 per diem | Mike Larson | 6 |
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Review Fixed Assets List – the fixed asset list was reviewed.
Housekeeping items – the following housekeeping items were reviewed: updated list of current Memorandums of Understanding and Agreements, policy handbook, campaign finance and public disclosure, PERA membership.
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to approve the December 12th, 2024 minutes.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The December 2024 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
The 2024 fourth quarter budget vs. actual report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause to approve the bills as listed on the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business
PRAP Assistance Grants – the Board reviewed the Performance Review and Assistance Program grant agreement with the Board of Water and Soil Resources that was approved at the December 2024 meeting.
Special Reports
NRCS partner updates – Jody Peek, District Conservationist – Peek informed the board that Michael Steinhauer had taken a new position and would no longer be serving in the Baudette Field Office. The board discussed the three vacancies that now currently exist in Baudette and directed staff to write a letter asking NRCS to address these vacancies.
New Business
Livestock Producer Workshop
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize a budget of $1,000 to host a livestock producer workshop.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Always There Staffing Agreement
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize the 2025 General Agreement for recruiting and employment services with Always There Staffing, Inc. for the Aquatic Invasive Species Inspector Program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
DNR Delegation Agreement – AIS Prevention Inspection of Water-related Equipment
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to enter into a Delegation Agreement for Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention: Inspection of Water-related Equipment with the MN Department of Natural Resources.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Edwards abandoned well sealing cost share final payment
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the final payment for Edwards’ 2024-12SP abandoned well sealing project in the amount of $1000.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Henning Forest Management Plan cost share final payment
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize final payment for Henning’s 2024-01 FMP-RR forest management plan in the amount of $1,717.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Ravndalen forest management plan cost share application
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize Milo Ravndalen’s forest management plan cost share application in the amount of $300 base payment plus $6.50 per acre, not to exceed 320 acres.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
2025 MN Pay Equity Report
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sindelir, to approve the 2025 MN Pay Equity Report for submission.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Inventory/Asset List items for removal
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize the following removal and disposal of items from the inventory list:
- Screen protectors – Dispose
- Step ladders – 4 on hand, donate 2
- Wheel chocks – 4.5 on hand. Donate to Keep it Clean.
- Projector Epson 2002 -Donate
- Computer, docking station, cords – HP Elitebook 2018 -Destroy hard-drive and recycle
- Computer, docking station, cords – HP Elitebook 2019 -Destroy hard-drive and recycle
- Computer, docking station, cords – Dell Optiplex, 2018 -Destroy hard-drive and recycle
- Quickbooks Desktop Pro 2021 – Updated TO 2024 (digital only)
- RAM memory module on Buegler computer – Destroy and recycle
- Gauge station – replacement 7Ah sealed battery (2018) – donate
- Hip Waders, size 7 – Disposed
- Charge It – Battery maintainer – Donate
- VanDorn Sampler -Return to MPCA
- VanDorn Sampler -Return to MPCA
- YSI – 50 foot cable -Return to MPCA
- YSI 6920 V2 Sonde S/N 08E100535 -Return to MPCA
- YSI MDS Hand Pad S/N 08F101766 -Return to MPCA
- YSI sonde to computer cable #006067 -Return to MPCA
- YSI Model 6560 Conductivity/Temperature Probe Replacement kit -Return to MPCA
- YSI handpad -Return to MPCA
- 2004 Chevy -Returned to County
Training and Travel Requests
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to approve staff and supervisor registrations for those wishing to attend the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Water Quality Forum on March 12th-13th.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve Hirst’s attendance at the MN Association of County Feedlot Officer’s Conference on March 25th-27th.
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 – the board discussed the current job posting and directed the District Manager to conduct screening interviews on candidates who have submitted full applications. The board directed the staff to continue to post the position and actively recruit.
General Information and Discussion
First Quarter Special Meeting – the staff will work on setting a first quarter special meeting. Possible discussion topics include strategic planning and 5-year outlook and staffing needs.
Correspondence – the MASWCD Key Achievements and Milestones report was presented.
The next regular board meeting has been set for February 13th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Dohmen Seconded: Krause
Meeting adjournment time: 7:35 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________