Minutes from the September 8th, 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 Acting Chair, Frank Sindelir, at 5:00 p.m.
Members present: Monica Dohmen, Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir. Nancy Dunnell arrived during the presentation of the Treasurer’s report.
Members absent: John Sonstegard
Others present: Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund; Resource Conservationist, Mike Hirst; NRCS Resource Conservationist, Michael Steinhauer
A motion was made by Dohmen to approve the agenda. The motion was seconded by Krause.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
A motion was made by Krause to approve the August 11th, 2022 minutes. The motion was seconded by Dohmen.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir Opposed: None Motion carried.
The August 2022 Treasurer’s Report was reviewed.
A motion was made by Krause to approve the bills as listed on the agenda. The motion was seconded by Dunnell.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Old Business – none
Special Reports
NRCS Partner Updates – Michael Steinhauer, Resource Conservationist
See attachment to the September 8th, 2022 board agenda for a copy of Steinhauer’s report.
New Business
LOW SWCD – LOWWJPB Agreement for Ag Specialist
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize the Lake of the Woods Joint Power Board FY22-13 Ag Specialist agreement for watershed-based implementation funding.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Carlson abandoned well sealing cost share application
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to authorize Laurel Carlson’s abandoned well sealing cost share application in the amount of $500 or 75% of the total project cost, whichever is less. The project must be completed within one year of approval.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Hendrickson abandoned well sealing cost share application
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to authorize Rylan Hendrickson’s abandoned well sealing cost share application in the amount of $500 or 75% of the total project cost, whichever is less. The project must be completed within one year of approval.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Estling shoreline protection project cost share application
The engineering cost estimates for Rod Estling’s shoreline protection project were not available at the time of the board meeting. Due to timing of construction and logistics and cost to hold a special meeting, the staff requested that the District Manager be authorized to set rates and cost share contract requirements for Estling’s shoreline protection project.
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize the District Manager to set the cost share rate, funding level and deadline for Estling’s shoreline protection cost share project.
Health insurance renewal 2023
Set plan option – a motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause to remain with the current health insurance plan offered through the Northwest Service Cooperative.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Select supplemental programs – this item was tabled until the October meeting.
Establish open enrollment period – a motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen, to set open enrollment for the SWCD as September 9th through November 30th.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Contribution rates 2023 – a motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Dohmen to establish the following SWCD health insurance contribution rates for 2023:
Single = $471.45 plus $200 per month HSA contribution
Family = $1,275.75 with $0 HSA contribution
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Request to reserve trees for the 2023 Tree Sale Program
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Krause, to authorize staff to reserve trees for the 2023 spring tree sale program.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Replenish petty cash
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to authorize a check for $72.47 to replenish the petty cash account to $100.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Keep It Clean purchases
A motion was made by Dunnell, with a second by Krause, to authorize the purchase of digital marketing, 10,000 beverage coasters, 500 tabletop tents, 5 Keep it Clean banners and 5 human bio-waste banners for a total cost of $4,950.00 through the FY22-05 LW WBIF grant funds.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Extension for H&S Hunting (Steinbach) forest management plan cost share
A motion was made by Dohmen, with a second by Dunnell, to extend the H&S Hunting forest management plan cost share contract to September 30th, 2023.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Training and Travel Requests – none
Staff Reports – the board reviewed staff reports as presented with the agenda.
Committee Reports – none
General Information and Discussion
NRCS Leadership Team Tour, September 13th from 1:30-5:30
The NRCS Leadership Team Tour will be held in Lake of the Woods County on September 13th. The session will be posted according to open meeting laws to allow all SWCD board members to attend.
Shoreline cost share ranking
The staff has updated the shoreline cost share ranking sheet which is used to score and fund shoreline protection projects.
Outstanding Conservationist
A motion was made by Krause, with a second by Dunnell, to select Bill Bendickson as the 2022 SWCD Outstanding Conservationist.
Affirmative: Dohmen, Krause, Sindelir, Dunnell Opposed: None Motion carried.
Annual well testing clinic summary
The 2022 annual well testing clinic was completed on September 2nd. A summary of the event is attached to the board packet.
The next regular board meeting has been set for October 13th, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. in the Boardroom of the County Government Center.
Adjourn: Dohmen Seconded: Dunnell
Meeting adjournment time: 7:18 p.m.
Secretary:_________________________________ Date:_____________________