Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

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

(507) 235-6680


Minutes of the April 16, 2010 Regular Board Meeting

 Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

Fairmont, Minnesota

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

The Pledge of Allegiance

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

Members absent:       None

Others present:         Kathy Smith – District Manager, Cathy Thiesse-Technician and Administrative Assistant, Greg Johanson – Farm Bill Specialist, Rich Perrine-Water Plan Coordinator/Water Conservation Act, Carissa Spencer–NRCS, District Conservationist, Kristy DuBois – LCCMR Project and Jack Potter-Martin County Commissioner

Additions or changes to the Agenda

Old Business:             LCCMR Grant – Prairie Ecosystem Restoration Project

New Business:            Supervisor Elections

                                    Leadership Institute Alumni Workshop

                                    Privacy Data Policy Approval

A motion was made by Roberts to approve additions to the Agenda second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Secretary’s Report

A motion was made by Flohrs to approve the March 11, 2010 Secretary’s Report second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Treasurer’s Report

Smith presented the report with corrections and changes.  A motion was made by Roberts to approve the March 31, 2010 Treasurer’s Report second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

Smith reviewed with the Board the 2010 Six Month Operating and Administrative Expenses.  A motion was made by Roberts to accept the Six Month Operating Budget second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

Bills

Additional bills:

Kristy DuBois – lights and bulbs (LCCMR In-Kind)                          $357.81

Shipping Plus                                                                                          58.53

State Auditor – Audit Review                                                                92.00

Fleet & Farm – Weed Management Grant, LCCMR                          94.32

Boekett Building Supply – LCCMR In-Kind                                       181.26

Fairmont Building Center – LCCMR                                                   41.55

Kathy Smith – expenses                                                                       55.55

                                                                                                              $881.02

Cost-Share Programs

Cancelled Projects

None

Amended Projects

None

State Cost-Share Program

Completed Projects

None

New Projects

#3-10   Howard Kautz               FSSB   Amount Requested:  $105.08   75% of Project Cost FY10

Total Project Cost:  $140.10

A motion was made by Roberts to encumber $105.08 for contract #3-10 second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

#4-10   Daryl Hoewisch   FSSB   Amount Requested:  $747.00  75% of Project Cost FY10

Total Project Cost:  $997.25

A motion was made by Petrowiak to encumber $747.00 for contract #4-10 second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

#5-10   David Henrickson   FSSB   Amount Requested:  $800.00  75% of Project  Cost  FY10

Total Project Cost:  $1067.66

A motion was made by Flohrs to encumber $800.00 for contract #5-10 second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

#6-10   Wayne Rice   Well Sealing   Amount Requested:  $300.00  50% of Project Cost  FY10

Total Project Cost:  $600.00

A motion was made by Roberts to encumber $300.00 for contract #6-10 second by Petrowiak.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

#7-10   Wayne Rice   Well Sealing   Amount Requested:  $300.00   50% of Project Cost FY10

Total Project Cost:  $600.00

A motion was made by Roberts to encumber $300.00 for contract #7-10 second by Petrowiak.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

#8-10   Dale Kettner   FSSB   Amount Requested:  $223.65  75% of Project Cost   FY10

Total Project Cost:  $298.20

A motion was made by Rode to encumber $223.65 for contract #8-10 second by Roberts.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

#9-10   Mike Barfnecht   FSSB   Amount Requested:  $123.75   75% of Project Cost  FY10

Total Project Cost:  $165.00

A motion was made by Roberts to encumber $123.75 for contract #9-10 second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

#10-10   Brian Schmidt   FSSB   Amount Requested:  $116.33   75% of Project Cost   FY10

Total Project Cost:  $155.00

A motion was made by Flohrs to encumber $116.33 for contract #10-10 second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

#11-10   Gail Sutter   Well Sealing   Amount Requested:  $500.00   50% of Project Cost  FY10

Total Project Cost:  $1000.00

A motion was made by Petrowiak to encumber $500.00 for contract #11-10 second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

Amendment

None

Native Buffer Cost-Share Project

New Projects

NB# 6-09    Robert Mensch    Native Buffer    Amount Requested:  $4948.50  75% of Project Cost  FY10

Total Project Cost:  $6598.00

A motion was made by Rode to encumber $4948.50 for contract NB#6-09 second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

Completed Projects

None

Amendment

None

New Projects

RG #02-10   Brian & Debra Hartwig   Rain Garden   Amount Requested:  $1150.00                       34% of Project Cost   FY10

Total Project Cost:  $3380.00

Maintenance Fee:  $400.00

A motion was made by Petrowiak to encumber $750.00 for the rain garden and $400.00 for the maintenance fee contract RG#02-10 second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

Permit Program

The Board reviewed a Public Notice of Intent from the MPCA to reissue National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System for the Fairmont Wastewater Treatment Facility.   

AgBMP Loan Program

Smith reported that the County Commissioners signed and approved an amendment for the multi-lender AgBMP.   

Clean Water Legacy Program

Smith reported that applications for funding are due September 2010 and LCCMR applications will be due July 2010.

Old Business

Seeding Program – Brillion Drill

Johanson discussed the trade-in value.  No trade or purchase of a drill will be made at this time.

Joint Powers Agreement

Martin County Attorney, Martin County Coordinator and Jackson County Coordinator reviewed the Joint Powers Agreement.  Both Coordinators want approval from the Iowa Attorney General.  Petrowiak acknowledged and thanked Perrine for all of the work he has done on this project. 

LCCMR Grant – Prairie Ecosystem Restoration Project

Smith gave an update.  Ideas were discussed regarding collaborating with volunteers and businesses such as Valero, 3M and Wal-Mart.  DuBois discussed the focus of the LCCMR grant that was recently submitted.  Perrine reminded the Board of the First Rite of Spring Tour, April 18, 2010, meeting at SWCD office at 2:15 p.m.

Copier Update

New copier is working well.  Old copier will be donated to Kinship.

Summer Hours

Spencer discussed working summer hours on Fridays only.  Great Plains business day closes on Fridays at 4:00 pm now through Labor Day.  A motion was made by Roberts for SWCD staff to be able to choose to leave at 4:00 or continue working until 4:30 as the building doors will be locked at 4:00 pm for summer hours second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

Resolutions

Resolutions must be approved at the May Board Meeting for the June 3, 2010 Area VI Meeting.  It was suggested to resubmit the RIM value Resolution.

New Business

Volunteer Banquet

Smith addressed the success of the luncheon

WCA Issues

Smith reported that WCA Issues will be discussed at the Martin County Commissioner Meeting, April 20, 2010.  Board Members were encouraged to attend. 

U of M LCCMR

Meschke presented the focus of this grant and other working partners involved.  The goal is to have the District be the local liaison for three years allocating time when staff can work on project. 

Performance Review Assessment Program (PRAP)

Smith presented a District Data Privacy Policy to the Supervisors.  A motion was made by Petrowiak to approve the Data Privacy Policy second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.  A motion was made by Flohrs to appoint the Data Privacy Policy Responsibility to Kathy Smith as the primary person and to Greg Johanson as the secondary second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.  A motion was made by Roberts to approve the Data Practices Compliance Official Report with Greg Johanson as the primary and Kathy Smith as the secondary second by Petrowiak.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

Supervisor Elections

The District will run media releases for the upcoming filing period elections.    

Leadership Institute Alumni Workshop

Conference will be held May 22, 2010, Minneapolis, MN.  A motion was made by Petrowiak for Smith and other Leadership participants to attend if able per $60 registration fee and $95 hotel expense per person second by Roberts.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

Interlaken Heritage Days Committee

Meschke is on the committee and looking for volunteers to participate on the Hobo Trail area to talk about conservation and BMP practices June 12, 2010. 

Reports

Special Meetings

  • Upcoming - Area VI Meeting, June 3, 2010, St. James, American Legion.
  • Area VI Meeting, March 31, 2010, Lafayette, MN, attended by Flohrs, Meschke, DuBois and Thiesse.

County Commissioner Report

Jack Potter reported on the following:

  • WCA issues will be discussed at the next Commissioner meeting. 
  • A mini-strip mall will be south of Trimont will be developed. 
  • STS will continue
  • Career Day at Fairmont High School was successful and over 600 students attended.

District Conservationist Report

Spencer reported – see attached report.  EQIP Audit will start Monday, April 19, 2010 and Don Baloun will be the new MN State Conservationist April 22, 2010.

·         2 CSP Contracts accepted

·         RIM/WRP sign-up April 1-May 14, 2010

·         ACE Program

District Manager Report

Smith reported that this is the last year for Stewardship Material based on State Auditor opinion – see attached report.

Water Plan Advisory Committee

Meschke reported on the March 30, 2010 meeting and that the District needs to utilize the media, web site and radio to reach more people.  Next meeting will be June 29, 2010. 

Water Plan/WCA Report

Perrine gave an update. 

Clean Water Partnership Report

No report.

CWP Program

New Project

CWP#01-2010   Kimberly Fast    Rain Garden      Amount Requested: $1150    56% of Project Cost     FY10

Total Project Cost:  $1338.07

Maintenance Fee:  $400.00

A motion was made by Rode to encumber $750 for the rain garden and $400.00 for the maintenance fee for contract #CWP#01-2010 second by Roberts.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

 CWP Program

Amendment

None

 Completed Project

None 

South Central Technical Service Area

No Report.

Three Rivers RC&D

Rode reported that the Annual Plan was not completed and the Trail Grants were submitted.

Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

Smith reported that the next meeting will be April 28, 2010.

 Other

None

A motion was made by Rode to adjourn the meeting at 12:17 p.m. second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode, Roberts and Petrowiak.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

 The next regular meeting will be held on May 13, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

____________________Date Approved       ____________________Secretary-Treasurer

 
The contents are the property of Martin SWCD.  The District's goal is to provide quality and accurate information.  All information within this site is subject to change and should only serve as a guideline for the District's services and procedures.  For the most Current and accurate information please contact the District at (507) 235-6680.