Minutes from the September 14th, 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: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; Resource Conservationist, Corryn Trask; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer; County Commissioner, Joe Grund
A motion was made by Dunnell to approve the agenda as presented. The motion was seconded by Sonstegard.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sindelir to approve the August 10th, 2023 minutes. The motion was seconded by Sonstegard.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
The August 2023 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Sonstegard to approve the bills as listed on the agenda. The motion was seconded by Sindelir.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business – none
Special Reports
AMI Engineering – Zac Morris and Ryan Dagger joined remotely to present information on shoreline engineering services
NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer: see attachment to the September board packet
New Business
Certificate of Deposit
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize the reinvestment of the four certificates of deposit which are expiring in September through December 2023 back into certificates of deposit with Multi-bank Securities. Length of new certificates authorized is 6 months to one year, as approved by the District Manager.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to authorize up to $300,000 deposited into a 12-month certificate with Border Bank. Becky Buegler, Office Assistant, is authorized as the signer on the certificate of deposit.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Dodge truck repairs
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sindelir, to authorize front and rear brake replacements and new tires for the Dodge truck through Custom Auto.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
2022 Audit
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to approve the Management Representation Letter and the 2022 Audit from Peterson Company Ltd..
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Dunn forest management plan cost share payment
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to approve final payment for Dunn’s Lake of the Woods Watershed FMP-05 forest management plan cost share contract in the amount of $2,159.00.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Keep It Clean purchases
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the following expenses for the Keep it Clean Program using MPCA grant funds: $2,500 for a geofencing campaign with Star Tribune, $848 for banners through SandPieper Design, and an incentive payment program for resorts with winter ice roads to print the Keep it Clean message on road passes at a cost of $250 per resort not to exceed 16 total participants.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Replenish Petty Cash account
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to authorize $62.19 to replenish the petty cash account.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Outstanding Conservationist nomination
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to name Jeff Birchem and Gretchen Mehmel as the 2023 Outstanding Conservationists for Lake of the Woods County.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Health insurance renewal 2024
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to maintain the current health insurance plan offered by the SWCD for 2024.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Sindelir, to not elect any supplemental health insurance programs for the 2024 year.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to set the open enrollment period for health insurance from September 15th through November 22nd, with flexibility to extend with approval from the NW Service Cooperative.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to cover 100% of the premium for family coverage and 100% of the premium plus a $200 monthly HSA contribution for single coverage for the 2024 year.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried
Health Insurance Settlement Refund
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Sonstegard, to split the 2022 health insurance settlement refund from the Minnesota Healthcare Consortium equally between the three covered employees.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Request to purchase survey equipment
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize $7,453.10 of TSA8 Engineering funds to reimburse the LW County Public Works Department for the purchase of a TSC-7 Controller which will be shared between the SWCD and Public Works Department.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
2024 Buffer Law Implementation Grant Agreement
A motion was made by Sindelir, with a second by Krause, to enter into the 2024 Buffer Law Implementation grant agreement and to authorize Chairperson Dohmen to sign the agreement.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Rainy-Rapid Watershed-Based Implementation Grant Agreement
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Sonstegard, to enter into the 2024 Rainy-Rapid Watershed Based Implementation grant agreement upon review and approval by the District Manager and to authorize Chairperson Dohmen to sign the agreement.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Training and Travel Requests
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize staff and supervisors to attend the Area Tour and Meeting in Park Rapids on October 12th-13th.
Affirmative: Sonstegard, Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Sonstegard, with a second by Krause, to authorize staff to attend the BWSR Academy in Brainerd on October 24th-26th.
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
Cost share Policy Memo – see attachment to the board packet
Annual well testing clinic summary – see attachment to the board packet
The next regular board meeting has been set for October 10th, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center. *Change from regular date due to scheduling conflicts
Adjourn: Krause Seconded: Sindelir
Meeting adjournment time: 7:30 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________