Minutes from the July 11th, 2024 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 Monica Dohmen at 5:10 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, Corryn Trask; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer; County Commissioner, Joe Grund, Conservation Corps Intern, Amy Lein
A motion was made by Dunnel to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Krause.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the June 13th, 2024 minutes. The motion was seconded by Sonstegard.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The June 2024 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
The 2nd quarter budget vs actual reports were reviewed.
The 2nd quarter supervisor expense reports were reviewed.
A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the bills as listed on the agenda. The motion was seconded by Krause.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business
Local Work Group – Other suggestions or needs
No further comments were provided.
Special Reports
NRCS partner updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist – Steinhauer presented updates on the recent job posting for the Baudette office, and the status of EQIP and CSP contracting. The next EQIP signup deadline is September 6th.
New Business
Lake of the Woods WBIF Forest Management Plan Cost Share Agreement
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to enter into the FY24 Lake of the Woods WBIF Forest Management Plan Cost Share Agreement with the Lake of the Woods Joint Powers Board.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Rainy-Rapid WBIF agreement
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to enter into the FY24 Rainy-Rapid Watershed Based Implementation funding agreement for Streambank and Shoreland Projects.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Rainy-Rapid WBIF Forest Management Plan agreement amendment
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to amend the existing FY Rainy-Rapid Watershed Based Implementation Funding Agreement for forest management plan cost share to increase the allocation from $16,000 to $28,000.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Forest Management Plan Cost Share applications
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the following Rainy-Rapid WBIF forest management cost share contracts as follows:
- Ant Farm Inc. – 264 acres max
- James Marken – 320 acres max
- Joseph Fjerstad – 240 acres max
- Christopher Kvarnlov – 178 acres max
Cost share is not to exceed $300 base payment plus $6.50 per planned acre not to exceed the maximum acreage.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Sonstegard abstained.
Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the Lake of the Woods WBIF forest management cost share contract for Thomas Goldsmith in the amount of $300 base payment plus $6.50 per planned acre, not to exceed 300 total acres.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Rundall abandoned well sealing cost share application
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize the Rundall abandoned well sealing cost share application in the amount of $1,000 or 100% of the total practice cost, whichever is less.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Arsenic well testing clinic
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the staff to organize a well testing clinic for arsenic and to offer a $15 (50%) cost share during the clinic. Funding will come from the county allocation.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Cost share application – cover crops
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize staff to pre-approve cover crop cost share applications prior to an SWCD board meeting.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Abandoned well sealing application for Woodsmen Properties LLC
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize the abandoned well sealing cost share application for Woodsmen Properties, LLC in the amount of $1,000 or 100% of the total practice cost, whichever is less.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Training and Travel Requests
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize Hirst’s travel request to the International Rainy-LOW Watershed Meetings in Kenora from Aug 13th-15th.
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
General Information and Discussion– none
The next regular board meeting has been set for August 8th, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Sindelir Seconded: Krause
Meeting adjournment time: 6:30 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________