Minutes from the June 9th, 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, Frank Sindelir, Nancy Dunnell
Members absent: Roger Krause
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer (via conference call from 5:00-5:45).
A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the agenda, with the addition of Old Business: Employee Sick and Vacation Leave Policies. The motion was seconded by Dohmen.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Dunnell to approve the May 12th, 2022 minutes. The motion was seconded by Dohmen.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The May 2022 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Dohmen to approve the bills as listed on the agenda. The motion was seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business
Correction to Petty Cash
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to correct the petty cash amount on the May 2022 agenda. The correct amount should be $61.74, not $62.01.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Employee Sick and Vacation Leave Policies
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to update employee sick and vacation leave accrual rates based on the following table:
| LW SWCD CURRENT | ||||
| Type | Years of Service | Rates/Hr | Hours per year for FTE | Days per year for FTE |
| Vacation | 0-2 | 0.0375 | 78 | 9.75 |
| 3-9 | 0.0625 | 130 | 16.25 | |
| 10-15 | 0.075 | 156 | 19.5 | |
| 15+ | 0.0875 | 182 | 22.75 | |
| Sick | n/a | 0.0375 | 78 | 9.75 |
| LW SWCD PROPOSED | ||||
| Type | Years of Service | Rates/Hr | Hours per year for FTE | Days per year for FTE |
| Vacation | 0-2 | 0.03846 | 80.00 | 10.00 |
| new | 3-5 | 0.05 | 104.00 | 13.00 |
| 6-9 | 0.065385 | 136.00 | 17.00 | |
| 10-15 | 0.076925 | 160.00 | 20.00 | |
| 15+ | 0.08846 | 184.00 | 23.00 | |
| Sick | n/a | 0.03846 | 80.00 | 10.00 |
Increases to leave accrual will take place beginning on June 20, 2022.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Special Reports
Michael Steinhauer, NRCS Resource Conservationist – Steinhauer presented his report. See attachment to the June agenda for a copy of the report. Following his report, Steinhauer dismissed himself from the meeting.
New Business
Keelan Abandoned Well Sealing Application
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize Keelan’s abandoned well sealing application in the amount of $500 or 75% of the total cost to seal the well, whichever is less.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Resolution – Keep it Clean Program
Hirst presented a joint resolution with Beltrami SWCD in support of a statewide Keep it Clean Program to be submitted to the Area VIII association as part of the MASWCD resolutions process.
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the resolution in support of the Keep it Clean Program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Accept Donations for the Keep it Clean Program
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to accept private donations from Gretchen Mehmel, Wanda Kuechle, Pamela Dille, Elaine Riehle and Kari Larson for the David Larson Memorial Funds in support of the Keep it Clean Program.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Permission to Pay Conservation Corps Invoices
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the payment of the Conservation Corps invoices for the summer internship position upon receipt.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Request for Dodge Truck Repairs
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the thermostat repair of the Dodge truck.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, 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 – none
General Information and Discussion
2022 Flood Report – see attachment to the board packet
Update on Repair of Water Level Sensor – see attachment to the board packet
Report from 2022 Tree Sales – see attachment to the board packet
Contracting with Sustainable Farming Association
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to enter into a fee-based agreement for education and outreach services with the Sustainable Farming Association.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Well Sealing in LW County – see attachment to the board packet
The next regular board meeting has been set for July 14th, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Dunnell Seconded: Dohmen
Meeting adjournment time: 6:55 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________