Minutes from the May 8th, 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 regular meeting was preceded by the Local Work Group session.
The board convened the Local Work Group meeting at 4:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by Frank Sindelir, acting Chair.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen, Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir. Nancy Dunnell joined at 5:15 p.m.
Members absent: none
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS District Conservationist Team Lead, Jody Peek
NRCS 2025 Local Work Group Meeting
Peek presented the rankings from 2024. The board reviewed the rankings and discussed changes to make for 2025. Peek recorded the changes to the Pasture and Farmland categories for 2025. The board also commented that there is reduced landowner outreach due to lack of staffing in the Baudette Field Office. This lack of staffing has an impact on technical assistance provided and also overall participation in programs.
The Local Work Group meeting concluded at 5:25 p.m.
Dunnell called the regular SWCD board meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sindelir, to approve the amended agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dohmen, to approve the April 10, 2025 minutes.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The April 2025 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Sonstegard, 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 – none
Special Reports
MN Star Tribune – a representative from the MN Star Tribune presented the results of the Keep it Clean Digital Marketing Campaign funded by a grant through the MN Pollution Control Agency.
NRCS partner updates – Jody Peek, NRCS District Conservationist Team Lead, presented to the board. She noted that the Baudette Field Office has been deemed mission critical so there is strong support for keeping it open. Peek also discussed the proposed NRCS staffing schedule to cover the current office vacancies.
New Business
Donation request from Take-A-Kid Fishing
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to authorize a contribution of $500.00 from the Keep it Clean account towards the purchase of shirts for participants of the Take a Kid Fishing program. The shirts would include the Keep it Clean logo.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Multi-year cover crop cost share contracts
The board discussed landowner eligibility for multiple years of cover crop contracts. No action was taken.
Load Program Purchase
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to approve the purchase of a replacement pH module for $211.00 with funding from the MPCA Load Program.
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
Lake of the Woods Joint Powers Board – the JPB is proposing an amendment to the current watershed plan to help simplify it.
Keep it Clean Committee – presentation from the Star Tribune representative.
General Information and Discussion
MASWCD Call for Resolutions – the board was notified that the resolution period was now open.
The next regular board meeting has been set for June 12th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Krause Seconded: Sindelir
Meeting adjournment time: 7:10 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________