Minutes from the November 6th, 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 Nancy Dunnell at 5:20 p.m.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Roger Krause, Nancy Dunnell, John Sopkowiak
Members absent: Monica Dohmen
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve the October 9th, 2025 minutes.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The October 2025 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard to approve the bills as listed on the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business – none
Special Reports – none
New Business
Replenish Petty Cash Account
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve replenishing the petty cash account with $63.29 to bring the total to $100.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Estling cover crop payment
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve the Estling’s 2025-03 SH cover crop cost share final payment in the amount of $2,000.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Rennemo Forest Management Plan cost share final payment
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve Rennemo’s 2024-12 FMP-RR forest management plan cost share final payment in the amount of $2,380.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Reichert contract extension
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve Reichert’s 2025-01 LW WBIF contract extension until September 30th, 2026.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
2026 Health Insurance
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to renew the current NW Service Cooperative health insurance plan and provide full coverage for family health insurance or full coverage of single health insurance plus an additional $300 monthly stipend payable to the employee’s HSA account. Open enrollment will be November 7th through November 21st.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Office closure request
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve closure of the SWCD office on November 28th.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Krause, Sopkowiak, 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 Control Board – see attachment to the board packet
Lake of the Woods Watershed JPB – see attachment to the board packet
Rainy-Rapid Policy Committee – see attachment to the board packet
General Information and Discussion
MN Paid Leave Law Administrator Designation and Policies
The board discussed policies that will need to be adopted for the MN Paid Leave Law. More information will be presented at the December board meeting.
November invoices
Due to the change in the November board meeting date, the staff will need to pay invoices prior to board approval in order to avoid late fees. The staff reminded the board of the SWCD policy authorizing this action.
The next regular board meeting has been set for December 11th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Krause Seconded: Sonstegard
Meeting adjournment time: 7:05 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________