Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

923 N. State Street, Suite 170, Fairmont, MN  56031

(507)- 235-6680

Minutes of the April 10, 2008 Regular Board Meeting

 Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

Fairmont, Minnesota

Meeting called to order by Chair Roberts at 9:00 a.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance

Members present:       Darwin Roberts – Chair, Duane Petrowiak – Vice Chair, Wendell Rode, Steve Flohrs, Linda Meschke

Members absent:          None

Others present:            Kathy Smith - District Manager; Cathy Thiesse - District Technician & Administrative Assistant; Carissa Spencer - District Conservationist; Rich Perrine - WCA/Water Plan Coordinator; Greg Johanson - Program Specialist; and Tim Peterson – CWP Coordinator

Old Business: 

Surface Water Assessment Grant

Secretary’s Report

A motion was made by Rode to approve the March 13, 2008 with these changes:

• Under District Manager Report:  Smith included information about the Green Saturday Event to be held in Watonwan County, April 5, 2008…..

A motion was made by Rode to accept the Secretary’s Report with above changes seconded by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Treasurer’s Report

Report submitted by Kathy Smith.  A motion was made by Flohrs to accept the March 2008 Treasurer’s Report seconded by Petrowiak.   Affirmative:  Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Bills

Truman Tribune                        $  23.00

CREP

Report was given by Kathy Smith regarding Tow’s Easement file.  Supervisors will follow up with attorney.  Greg Johanson reported on CREP easements.

Cost-Share Programs–

Completed Projects

None

#21-07  Dennis & Deb White  FSSB 

#22-07  Mark Sauck  FSSB

25% of Project Cost - $259.15 requested.

#23-07  Dennis Janssen  FSSB

#24-07  Stephen Olson  Well Sealing (2)

#25-07  Calvin Bremer  FSSB

#7-08  Lois Handevidt  FSSB

New Projects

GBERBA

Water Permit Program

AgBMP Loan Program

Report given by Smith. 

Old Business

Banquet for Volunteers – report given by Smith.

Rain Barrel Workshop – update given by Thiesse & Peterson.  Discussion followed regarding the “Green Team” and working with the Martin County Park Board, Fairmont Lakes Association, etc.  Staff needs to work on developing contest ideas and prizes for the best environmental idea(s) and practice(s). 

City of Fairmont – Rain Gardens; update given by Peterson.

Copy Machine – Smith updated the Board regarding FSA copier which has 12,000 copies on it and received a bid from Davis Typewriter for $500.00 to repair and put the copier under a year contract.  A motion was made by Rode to repair the copier seconded by Flohrs.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Cooperative Weed Management Area Grant – report given by Smith.  The district applied for $70,000 in funding and was approved for $20,000.  A motion was made by Rode to approve the revised budget and application seconded by Meschke.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Okamanpeedan Watershed Alliance Organizational Meeting/Watershed Rapid Assessment/Joint Powers Agreement Proposal – presented by Smith.  The Board reviewed a Draft Copy of the Project.  Discussion followed with regard to dues. 

Lease Update – report given by Smith.  Five sealed bids were received and will be reviewed with FSA, NRCS and SWCD representatives on April 15-16, 2008. 

Computer Update – report given by Smith.  The District will receive service on one computer through NRCS the other four will be disconnected in September 2008.

New Business

Area VI MASWCD Quarterly Meeting held in Lafayette, April 2, 2008.  Three Martin County Commissioners attended:  Dan Schmidtke, Jack Potter, and Gerald Boler and the Martin County Drainage Authority:  Deb Mosloski. 

Campaign Finance Request – presented by Vice-Chair Roberts that each Supervisor should have received information requesting changes or an update that needs to be submitted. 

Summer Interns/Volunteers – presented by Smith seeking Board Approval to hire a Summer Intern from funding through LCCMR and other grants.  Meschke motioned to hire one intern at this time within parameters of the grant for pay range and also within SWCD pay rate/structure and to work with NRCS for Earth Team Volunteers seconded by Rode.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Tree Pick Up - presented by Smith which will be held April 17-18, 2008. 

Urban Stormwater Management Presentation – presented by Thiesse.  Event was held April 8, 2008 and was well attended.

Special Meetings

• Conservation Drainage Symposium, April 9 in New Ulm – Roberts
• I-Wheel – Drainage, April 4, Mankato – Johanson & Roberts
• MACDE – April 9, St. Peter - Smith

District Conservationist Report

No Report Given.

District Manager Report

Report given by Kathy Smith – see attached.  A motion was made by Meschke for Martin SWCD not to participate in individual District Donations of $100 for FarmFest seconded by Flohrs.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

2008 Annual Meeting and Conference:  June 23-25, Breezy Point and Smith requested approval for two staff to attend.  A motion was made by Meschke to approve two staff to attend – cost needs to be evaluated and if deemed too high, only one staff may attend seconded by Rode.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Water Plan Advisory Committee

Smith reported that the next meeting will be June 19, 2008.  The place where meetings will be held TBD.

Water Plan/WCA Report

None

Clean Water Partnership

Peterson reported that monitoring has started.  

Zone 10

Petrowiak reported on the April meeting. 

Three Rivers RC&D Report

Lisa Buckner, RC&D Coordinator gave an update.  The Board recognized Buckner’s efforts and how helpful she has been in her role.

Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

Chair Roberts reported that Steve Donnelly, Martin County has been re-elected and will remain on the GBERBA Board. 

County Commissioner Report

None

A motion was made by Rode to adjourn the meeting seconded by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke, and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

The next regular meeting will be held on May 8, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.

____________________Date Approved        ____________________Secretary-Treasurer