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

The Pledge of Allegiance

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

Members absent:         Wendell Rode

Others present:            Kathy Smith - District Manager; Cathy Thiesse, Technician and Administrative Assistant, Greg Johanson, Farm Bill Specialist, Rich Perrine, WCA/Water Plan Coordinator, Carissa Spencer, District Conservationist, Jack Potter, Martin County Commissioner, and Chris Hughes, BWSR – Board Conservationist.

Additions to the Agenda

New Business: 

            1) Collaboration with U of M on Elm Creek Proposal, Linda Meschke

            2) 2009 Martin County Fair Booth, Smith

Old Business:

            1) MPCA CWP, Peterson

Agreement A motion was made by Flohrs to accept Additions to the Agenda second by Roberts.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Secretary’s Report

A motion was made by Meschke to approve the March 12, 2009 Secretary’s Report second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

Treasurer’s Report

A motion was made by Flohrs to approve the March 31, 2009 Treasurer’s Financial Report second by Roberts.  Discussion ensued on how to report LCCMR funds in the Treasurer’s Report.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Bills

Additional Bills for approval:

County Market                             $144.96

Meester Machine Works, Inc.      $  30.00                                      

                                                    $174.96

A motion was made by Meschke to approve payment of Additional Bills second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

Cost-Share Programs–

State Cost-Share Program

Completed Projects

None.

Amended Projects

None

New Projects

#20-08  Jason Ahrens  Well Decommissioning  $471.25 Requested – 50% of Project Cost – FY 2008

Total Project Cost:  $942.50

Landowner Cost:  $471.25

A motion was made by Flohrs to encumber $471.25 for contract #20-08 second by Roberts.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

#21-08  Robert Leet   FSSB  $206.70 Requested  - 75% of  Project Cost – FY 2008

Total Project Cost:  $275.60

Landowner Cost:  $68.90

A motion was made by Roberts to encumber $206.70 for contract #21-08 second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

#22-08 Darwin Roberts  FSSB  $257.25 Requested – 75% of Project Cost - FY 2008

Total Project Cost:  $343.00

Landowner Cost:  $85.75

A motion was made by Meschke to encumber $257.25 for contract #22-08 second by Flohrs and Roberts abstained from voting.  Affirmative:  Chair Petrowiak, Meschke, Flohrs.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

#5-09  Eugene Lehman  FSSB  $1054.50 Requested - 75% of Project Cost – FY 2009

Total Project Cost:  $1406.00

Landowner Cost:  $351.50

A motion was made by Roberts to encumber $1054.50 for contract #5-09 second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

#6-09  John Goodrich  FSSB  $1459.13 Requested – 75% of Project Cost – FY 2009

Total Project Cost:  $1945.50

Landowner Cost:  $486.38

A motion was made by Meschke to encumber $1459.13 for contract #6-09 second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

#7-09  Todd Thedens  FSSB  $903.58 Requested – 41.5 % of Project Cost – FY 2009

Total Project Cost:   $2178.10

Landowner Cost:  $544.52

A motion was made by Roberts to encumber $903.58 for contract #7-09 second by Meschke.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

#8-09  Steve Morrow  FSSB  $2599.13 Requested – 75% of Project Cost – FY 2009

Total Project Cost:  $3465.50

Landowner Cost:  $866.38

A motion was made by Meschke to encumber $2599.13 for Contract #8-09 second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

Cancelled Projects

None

Native Buffer Cost-Share Project

New Projects

None

Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

Completed Projects

None

Amendment

None

New Projects

None

Water Permit Program

None

AgBMP Loan Program

Smith reported on the Amendment to Attachment A – 2009 Allocation:  $34,000.00 Multi-Lender System.  Approved by the Martin County Commissioners.  

Old Business

MPCA CWP

Peterson reported on the MPCA-CWP Grant Agreement for the $40,000 grant for the Okamanpeedan Project.  This will be used in conjunction with in-kind for monitoring in the East Fork Tributaries.  The purpose of the grant is to be used to determine which of the four existing tributaries is the most polluted and focus on cleaning that one first.  The overall goal is for productive agriculture and non-agriculture working together to clean up while combining the SWAG funds available ($46,000).  Peterson will send written request to landowners asking for permission to access property for this project.  NRCS are interested in being a partner and will look at protocol.  Discussion followed on keeping communication lines open between adjoining counties, County Commissioners, corn & soybean producers, commodity groups, Iowa Soybean Association, Fox Lake, Farm Bureau, etc. 

A motion was made by Roberts to approve MPCA-CWP Grant Agreement and to host an informational meeting between the aforementioned groups second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

Meschke motioned FOIA Requirements for SWCD Staff:  Kathy Smith and Greg Johanson to sign Conservation Plans second by Roberts.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

New Business

Memo of Understanding

Spencer discussed existing Agreement that is reviewed every year based on the 2002 Farm Bill.  The Agreement states:  Each party of the NRCS and SWCD is responsible for their own staff and working together on training and working together for the good of Natural Resources, Common Boundaries, and Marketing Programs together.  The Technical Job Approval Authority will be shared as will funding, fees and accountability.  Each Party will need 60 days to terminate said Agreement.  A motion was made by Roberts to accept the existing Cooperative Working Agreement second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

Freedom of Information ACT (FOIA)

See attachment – Spencer reported that all NRCS and SWCD employees and Supervisors will be required to read and sign the FOIA form in order for NRCS to discuss programs. 

Wetland Conservation Act Discussion/Meeting

Smith reported that a meeting will take place April 21, 2009 at 1:00 pm, Martin County Commissioner Board Room for contractors, Commissioners, NRCS and SWCD to discuss WCA rules. 

Tree Program

Smith informed that trees will be ready for pick up April 23-25 at the Fairgrounds.  Discussion on the Emerald Ash Borer discovered in Lacrosse, WI and that the District should submit an article for the local papers.

Call for Resolutions

Smith discussed that Area VI needs to set a date for Resolutions to be brought forward.  Possible resolutions discussed were:

1.      TMDL

2.      Lanning Bill

3.      Poster/Video Contest at State Level.

A motion was made by Roberts to write a Resolution whereas MASWCD would make a position against the Lanning Bill proposal submitted by Darwin Roberts second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

A discussion followed of working with Farm Bureau as a possible sponsor/host for the Poster/Video Contest at the State Level. 

Collaboration of U of M on Elm Creek Proposal

Meschke discussed an opportunity for the District to receive an additional $3,000 each year for collaborating with U of M on the Elm Creek project with a minimal of participation.  The District would house a part-time position but would need to evaluate our staffing needs and the minimum wage we would require per year ($15,000).

Special Meetings

• Area VI Meeting, Lafayette, MN  April 7, 2009 – Smith, Meschke, Roberts, Flohrs attended. 
• Water Plan Advisory Committee Meeting, March 31, 2009 – Meschke, Perrine, Roberts
• Zone 10, April 1, 2009 - Petrowiak

Reports

Martin County Commissioner Report

Jack Potter reported on JD #72 & JD #52.  Requested bids are due by 4-24-09.  There have been 30 ditch re-determinations completed with 9 current projects and 10 projects pending.   

District Conservationist Report

Spencer reported - see attached.  Betsy Norland and Spencer both received non-monetary awards for “Excellent Work on Maintaining Files” from the Area Office.  Spencer consistently receives great feedback from many area farmers who work with her.

District Manager Report

Report given by Smith – see attached.  Leah Rode will be returning as a summer employee in June.  The District has an opportunity to work with MVAC this summer by utilizing two or more people employed by MVAC to do work for the District part-time collecting seeds.  A motion was made by Roberts to enter into an Agreement with MVAC to use their staff and it will be up to Smith to determine the number of staff the District will need from MVAC second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

2009 Lakes and Rivers Conference, Rochester, MN will be held May 7-8, 2009.  A motion was made by Meschke to approve Smith attending this conference second by Roberts.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

Water Plan Advisory Committee

Meschke reported that the committee met March 31, 2009.  Meschke, Perrine and Thiesse were in attendance.  Thiesse presented on Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels.

Water Plan/WCA Report

Perrine reported that there was good discussion from the Advisory Committee Meeting and that all future meetings will be the last Tuesday in the months of June, September and December.

Clean Water Partnership Report

Peterson reported that all of the stations are set-up and sampling has begun. 

CWP Program

New Project

None

CWP Program

Amendment

None

Completed Project

Faribault SWCD  Digitizing Tile  $20,000 Requested

Total Project Cost:  $20,000

Four installments:  $5000.00

A motion was made by Meschke to pay the second installment of $5,000.00 to Faribault SWCD for digitizing second by Roberts.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

CWP #057-07  Charles Nilson  Waterway  $663.38 Due – 75% of Project Cost – FY 2007

Total Project Cost:  $884.50

Landowner Cost:  $221.12

CWP #057-07  Charles Nilson  Waterway (Earth work)  $1276.00 Due – 56% of Project Cost – FY 2007

Total Project Cost:  $6,297.02

Landowner Cost:  $1421.02

A motion was made by Flohrs to pay $1276.00 for Contract CWP #057-07 second by Meschke.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Zone 10 Report

Chair Petrowiak and Smith discussed concerns with charges regarding TA. 

Three Rivers RC&D

No Report.  Next meeting will be May 4, 2009 

Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

None.

Other:

Area VI Meeting, April 7, 2009

Kandiyohi and Meeker are in another Area and requested a refund of their percentage of the cash balance as of 12-31-08.  Items Discussed:

v  Kasey Taylor presented on FOIA. 

v  Resolutions

v  Treasurer

v  Conservation Funding Guide – this website has every practice listed and the list of payments in comparison to other practices. 

v  Living Snowfence Presentation

Roberts motioned to adjourn the meeting at 12:16 p.m. second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Meschke, Flohrs, Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

The next regular meeting will be held on May 14, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

____________________Date Approved       ____________________Secretary-Treasurer