Minutes from the November 9th, 2023 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 5:00 p.m.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen, Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir, Nancy Dunnell
Members absent: none
Others present: Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer
A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the amended agenda. The motion was seconded by Krause.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause to approve the October 10th, 2023 minutes. The motion was seconded by Sonstegard.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The October 2023 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the bills as listed on the agenda. The motion was seconded by Dunnell.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business
Employee wages and benefits
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Kruase, to have the personnel committee meet to review employee wages and benefits for the upcoming year.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Special Reports
NRCS partner updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist – see the board packet for a copy of Steinhauer’s report.
New Business
Approve stipend rates for online soil health training and soil health summit
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize funding from the Lake of the Woods Watershed-Based Implementation funds for a $500 per person stipend to attend the Midwest Soil Health Summit on March 13th and 14th in Mankato, and a subscription for the Understanding Ag online courses at $200 per course, minimum of 10 courses, to be offered to producers in Lake of the Woods and Roseau counties.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Final payment for Baudette Arena Association Stormwater Outfalls
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize final payment for the Baudette Arena contract 2023-01-CS/SP in the amount of $4,650.00 from State Cost Share FY22 and $1,550.00 from the District Special Projects fund.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Final payment for Pierson’s 2023 FMP-02 Stewardship Plan
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve Pierson’s 2023 FMP-02 stewardship plan final payment in the amount of $393.00, with funding from the Lake of the Woods watershed-based implementation funds.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Clifford Comstock Forest Management Plan Cost Share Application
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize Clifford Comstock’s Lake of the Woods Watershed Forest Management Plan Cost Share Application in the amount of $300+$6.50 per acre, not to exceed 160 acres.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Final payment for Pieper’s 2023 FMP-01 Stewardship Plan
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize Dan Pieper’s 2023 FMP-01 stewardship plan final payment in the amount of $1067.00, with funding from the Lake of the Woods watershed-based implementation funds.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Training and Travel Requests
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize Hirst’s travel to the MPCA County Feedlot Program Continuous Improvement Project Meeting in Little Falls on November 30th – December 1st.
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
Williams Creek Mitigation Site proposed settlement – see attachment to the board packet.
Present draft 2024 budget and 2023 expense vs actual review – the draft budget was presented.
The next regular board meeting has been set for December 14th, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Krause Seconded: Dunnell
Meeting adjournment time: 6:19 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________