Minutes from the October 13, 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, Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir, Nancy Dunnell
Members absent: none
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Soil Conservationist, William Lee; County Commissioner, Joe Grund
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 8th, 2022 minutes. The motion was seconded by Dunnell.
The September 2022 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
The Third Quarter budget vs actual report was reviewed.
The third quarter supervisor expense reports were reviewed.
A motion was made by Dunnell to approve the bills as listed on the agenda with the addition of Sandpieper Design Website #7347 ($645). The motion was seconded by Dohmen.
Old Business
Health Insurance Supplemental Programs
The board did not select any supplemental programs to offer to employees. No action was taken.
Special Reports
Chad Severts, BWSR – Severts presented on the future of the TSA8 structure, as it relates to engineering services. A recent Performance Review report was completed by Houston Engineering which provides recommendations on possible restructuring.
William Lee, Soil Conservationist – Lee presented the NRCS report to the board. See attachment to the October 13, 2022 agenda for a copy of the report.
New Business
MASWCD Resolution voting
The board conducted voting on the 2022 MASWCD resolutions.
Hahn 2022 FMP-05 final payment for forest management plan cost share
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize final payment for Hahn’s 2022 FMP-05 forest management plan cost share contract in the amount of $1,372.50.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Stodgell abandoned well sealing cost share application
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the abandoned well sealing cost share application for Stodgell in the amount of $500 or 75% of the total cost, whichever is less.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Slick abandoned well sealing cost share application
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the abandoned well sealing cost share application for Stodgell in the amount of $500 or 75% of the total cost, whichever is less.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Estling shoreline protection cost share payment request
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize final payment for Rod Estling’s #2022-06-CS/WBIF shoreline protection project in the amount of $31,875.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
FY23 State of MN BWSR CWF Local Capacity and Buffer Law Implementation grant agreement
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to enter into the FY23 Local Capacity and Buffer Law Implementation grant agreement.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
See attachment to the October 13, 2022 agenda for a copy of the agreement.
FY23 Soil Health Cost Share Grants
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dohmen, to enter into the FY23 Soil Health Cost Share grant agreement.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
See attachment to the October 13, 2022 agenda for a copy of the agreement.
Grant extension for FY20 Local Capacity
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the FY20 Local Capacity grant extension.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
See attachment to the October 13, 2022 agenda for a copy of the agreement.
Outstanding conservationist – convention expenses
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the following expenses for the 2022 Outstanding Conservationist: round trip mileage for one vehicle from home to event at federal rate, one hotel room at convention rate, and the following at SWCD meal allowance rates: evening meal for two people, breakfast for two people, outstanding conservationist luncheon for two people.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
AIS watercraft inspector appreciation stipends
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize two $100 stipends for the AIS watercraft inspectors in Lake of the Woods County for the 2022 inspecting season with funding to come from the state Aquatic Invasive Species grant.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Keep It Clean Website
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize $450 of the Keep it Clean Larson Memorial fund to be utilized to develop a Keep it Clean website and fund one year of hosting in partnership with Regional Keep it Clean members.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried
2021 Audit
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to approve the management representation letter to Peterson Co. Ltd and to approve the 2021 draft audit.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried
Training and Travel Requests
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize all interested staff and supervisors to attend the MASWCD Convention on December 12-14th in Minneapolis.
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
Arena stormwater outfall – Trask notified the board of a potential cost share project to repair the stormwater outfalls at the arena building. The project would be installed in the spring of 2023.
Cost share and landowner assistance – the board was informed of challenges regarding lack of cost share funding and multiple requests due to the flooding. The board discussed holding a special meeting to discuss how to be equitable to NW Angle residents but also address issues such as cost-benefit ratios.
The next regular board meeting has been set for November 10th, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Dohmen Seconded: Krause
Meeting adjournment time: 7:05 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________