Minutes from the October 10, 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 5:00 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, Mike Hirst; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer
A motion was made by Krause to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the September 12th, 2024 minutes. The motion was seconded by Sonstegard.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The September 2024 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
The 3rd Quarter budget vs. actual reports were reviewed.
The Supervisor expense reports were reviewed.
A motion was made by Sonstegard 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 – none
Special Reports
NRCS partner updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist – see the board packet for a copy of Steinhauer’s report.
New Business
MASWCD Resolution Voting
The Supervisors voted on the MASWCD 2024 resolutions.
Health Insurance Renewal 2025
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the following 2025 health insurance options: maintain the current SWCD health insurance plan with SWCD coverage at 100% for a family plan and 100% for a single plan. The open enrollment period will be set from October 11th until November 22nd. No supplemental programs will be offered.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Personnel policy update
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to initiate a personnel policy update and seek BWSR financial assistance to help with costs.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
2025 Buffer Implementation Grant Agreement
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the 2025 Buffer Implementation Grant Agreement P25-0606 with the Board of Water and Soil Resources.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Lake of the Woods county abandoned well sealing cost share application
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the Lake of the Woods County abandoned well sealing cost share application at 100% funding, with total cost to exceed the $1000 maximum due to community benefit. The District Manager is authorized to set the maximum payment allowed upon receiving the contractor’s cost estimate.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Hoscheid abandoned well sealing cost share application
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize Hoscheid’s 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.
Marken R-R Forest Management Plan cost share final payment
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to authorize James Marken’s 2024-07 FMP-RR forest management plan cost share final payment in the amount of $2,081.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
2023 Audit and Management Representation Letter
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the 2023 draft audit from Peterson Company Ltd with corrections to page 11 leave amounts as noted in the board packet and to approve the Management Representation letter.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Keep It Clean purchases
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize Keep it Clean promotional expenses as submitted in the board packet for a total of $6,150 with funding to come from the MPCA contract.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Keep It Clean use of McAtee Memorial Fund
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize the use of the McAtee Memorial fund as match towards the Lake of the Woods WBIF funding.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
AIS purchases
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize the purchase of 1,200 towels to be used for AIS promotions with funding to come from the State AIS grant.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Rice cost share project final payment
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize final payment for the Lake of the Woods County (S. Rice) cost share contract in the amount not to exceed $20,035.39 or 100% of the final invoiced amount.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
SWCD signs
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize up to $500 towards the cost of updating the SWCD signs.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Training and Travel Requests
MASWCD Annual Convention
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize staff and supervisors to attend the MASWCD annual convention.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.
Committee Reports
The Personnel Committee met to discuss wage and benefits for 2025.
General Information and Discussion
International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board’s updates
The next regular board meeting has been set for November 14th, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Krause Seconded: Dunnell
Meeting adjournment time: 6:30 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________