Minutes from the October 9th, 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 5:00 p.m.
Members present: John Sonstegard, Monica Dohmen, Nancy Dunnell, John Sopkowiak
Members absent: Roger Krause
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; Guest Dick Nash
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the agenda as amended.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve the September 11th, 2025 minutes.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The September 2025 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
The 2025 third quarter profit vs loss reports were reviewed.
The third quarter supervisor expense reports were reviewed.
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak to approve the bills as listed on the agenda.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business – none
Special Reports
Dick Nash, Lost Woods Whiskey Company – Nash introduced himself and updated the board on recent local developments with Lost Woods. He stated that the mission of Lost Woods is to give back to communities, specifically for environmental projects. They are interested in the mission of the SWCD and ways to partner in the future.
Nash excused himself from the meeting.
New Business
MASWCD Resolution Voting
The SWCD Supervisors voted on the 2025 MASWCD Resolutions.
FY23 Local Capacity Grant amendment – extension request
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the FY23 Local Capacity Grant amendment to extend the end date of the grant until December 31st, 2026.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Blanch abandoned well sealing cost share application
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak, to authorize Blanch’s abandoned well sealing cost share application in the amount of $1,000 or 100% of the cost to seal the well, whichever is less.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak,, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Goldsmith forest stewardship plan cost share payment request
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dohmen, to approve Goldsmith’s 2024-05 FMP-LW forest management plan cost share final payment in the amount of $2,029.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Klein cost share contract extension
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve Klein’s 2025-03 LW-WBIF cost share contract extension until October 31st, 2026.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Gillie and Bendickson cover crop cost share applications
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve cover crop cost share applications for Bruce Gillie at 67 acres/$50 per acre and Bill Bendickson at 80 acres/$50 per acre.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Cover crop final payments
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve cover crop cost share final payments for Hancock 2025-01 SH, $3,750.00; Rennemo 2025-02 SH, $3,500.00; Reinhart 2025-04 SH, $3,400.00; Bendickson 2025-05 SH, $4,000.00; Gillie 2025-06 SH, $3,350.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Keep It Clean purchases
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve purchases for the Keep it Clean program in the amount of $1,000 for lures and an ice road sign.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Drone footage for Winter Road Peatland Project
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve $500.62 payment to Roseau River Watershed District for the acquisition of drone footage.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Olson abandoned well sealing final payment
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve final payment for Olson’s 2024-15 SP abandoned well sealing contract in the amount of $1,000.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
2026 Cost Share Programs
The board reviewed current cost share programs and policy of the SWCD.
Plantskydd purchase
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve the purchase of 1 case of wettable powder concentrate and 22 pounds bulk powder concentrate Plantskydd from Tree World.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
FY26 and FY27 Programs and Operations Grant Agreement
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sopkowiak, to approve the FY26 and FY27 Programs and Operations Grant P26-0247 and P26-0337 with the State of MN Board of Water and Soil Resources
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Training and Travel Requests
MASWCD Annual Convention – a motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Sopkowiak, to authorize staff and supervisors to attend the MASWCD Annual Convention.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Sopkowiak, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.
Committee Reports
Area 8 Tour and Meeting – Sonstegard presented information from the Area 8 tour and meeting
Personnel Committee Updates – the board discussed the 2026 rate increases and options for employee health insurance
General Information and Discussion
No information was presented.
The next regular board meeting has been set for November 13th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Dohmen Seconded: Sopkowiak
Meeting adjournment time: 8:01 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________