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Martin Soil and Water Conservation District |
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923 N. State Street, Suite 170, Fairmont, MN 56031 |
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(507)- 235-6680 |
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Minutes of the December 11, 2008 Regular Board Meeting |
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Martin Soil and Water Conservation District |
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Fairmont, Minnesota |
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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, Steve Flohrs, Linda Meschke, Wendell Rode Members absent: None Others present: Kathy Smith - District Manager; Carissa Spencer, District Conservationist, Cathy Thiesse, Technician and Administrative Assistant, Greg Johanson, Farm Bill Specialist, Rep. Bob Gunther, Jack Potter, Martin County Commissioner, and Tim Peterson, Clean Water Partnership.
Additions to the Agenda New Business: Native Buffer Personnel Issues A motion was made by Meschke to accept the above additions second by Flohrs. Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.
Chair Roberts introduced Rep. Bob Gunther, recently appointed to the Lessard Council. Rep. Gunther discussed the following: § Subject to sales tax collection § LCCMR - $23-25 Million annually and it is estimated that Lessard will be four times more. § Some fear that money will be spent on research instead of utilizing current research and applying methods. § Priorities are: 1) operating procedures, 2) identifying core staffing needs, 3) obtaining information on conservation issues, 4) obtaining information on background allocation of spending and utilizing what other states have done successfully, and, 5) conducting listening sessions. § TMDL Bill (Linda Meschke) talked of co-authoring the bill. § Lanning Bill
Secretary’s Report A motion was made by Rode to accept the November 13, 2008 Secretary’s Report second by Meschke. Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.
Treasurer’s Report Report submitted by Smith. A motion was made by Meschke to cancel all outstanding two year checks with discussion that report should reflect the check number second by Rode. Checks to be cancelled: § #3875 $ 56.20 § #4515 28.95 § #4948 54.00 § #4935 15.00 § #5610 22.00 § Total $176.15 Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried. A motion was made by Meschke to approve the Treasurer’s Report dated 11-30-08 second by Petrowiak. Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.
Bills Additional Bills for approval: Rich Perrine $488.00 Kathy Smith $379.06 County Market $ 29.57 $896.63 A motion was made by Petrowiak to approve paying the bills second by Flohrs. Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke, and Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.
CREP Update given by Johanson that Wetland Restorations have been planned for this spring.
Cost-Share Programs– State Cost-Share Program Completed Projects None
Amended Projects None
New Projects None
Cancelled Projects None
CWP Program New Program None
Amendment None
Completed Project None
Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance Completed Projects Amendment None
New Projects None
Water Permit Program No Report.
AgBMP Loan Program Report given by Smith that Welcome State Bank reported that they are currently without funds for the program and that a waiting list has been started.
Old Business Lease/Storage Shed Lease and Moving Update given by Smith that a signed copy of the shed lease has been received. A letter regarding leasing of the shed was also received November 15, 2008, detailing payment options either on a monthly or an annual basis. Upon reviewing the options, Smith and Chair Roberts, approved a one year lease with an annual payment option for a savings of $15 a month. Meschke would like staff to inquire if Martin County or Martin County Fair Grounds have any extra space for the District to lease. A motion was made by Rode to approve the action taken on the four year lease for rental of the shed and payment option second by Meschke. Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.
Office Lease The actual lease has not been received at this time and the District will sublease through NRCS. It is estimated that FSA will be moving the week of December 26 and the District is scheduled to move the week of January 6, 2009.
New Business 2009 Mileage Rate effective January 1, 2009 The new rate will decrease to $0.50.5.
Joint Lunch with Martin County Commissioners Smith reported that a tentative date of January 6, 2009 has been set at Holiday Inn at noon. Discussion followed regarding the purpose of the meeting and it was a general consensus that the Board invite Pam Flitter, Deb Mosloski and Greg Johanson.
2009 Martin County WCA & Water Plan Service Agreements Smith reported that the Martin County WCA and Water Plan Service Agreements were approved on 12-2-08. Martin County Commissioners passed a resolution to appoint Rich Perrine as Authority for WCA. The District is the LGU and Rich Perrine is designated to sign WCA forms. A motion was made by Rode to approve the 2009 Martin County WCA & Water Plan Service Agreements second by Petrowiak. Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.
Native Buffer Smith presented a $45,000 grant proposal for FY09 that would allow Perrine to utilize this grant with the Seed Source Program. The proposed grant has a $15,000 match (local or landowner). A motion was made by Meschke to approve the $45,000 grant application second by Rode. Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.
Break
Reports Special Meetings
Martin County Commissioner Report Report given by Jack Potter that budget cuts are expected in Early Childhood and other Human Service Programs. Martin County Court House will have a Christmas Concert that is be hosted by volunteers on December 5, 2008. Salvation Army is in need of money and other items this year.
District Conservationist Report Report given by Spencer – see attached.
District Manager Report Report given by Kathy Smith – see attached.
Water Plan Advisory Committee Smith reported that the next Water Plan Advisory Meeting will be December 18, 2008 at the Martin County Library, 7 p.m.
Water Plan/WCA Report Smith presented that NRBG Grant Agreements were received last Friday and will be presented at the December 16, 2008 Martin County Commissioner meeting.
Clean Water Partnership Report Report given by Peterson. He will be meeting with the Martin County Highway Department and is working on three projects; 2 on Elm Creek and 1 on Center Creek.
Rain Garden Completed Projects – Clean Water Partnership Program Funds None
CWP Program Amendment None
Completed Projects None
Zone 10 Report Report given by Petrowiak that all is well at this time according to Jared Bach, Blue Earth SWCD
Three Rivers RC&D None
Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance Report given by Chair Roberts that their focus will be on BMP’s.
Personnel Issues A motion was made by Meschke to accept personnel recommendations as submitted from the committee second by Flohrs. Discussion was that the Board was in full support for the 2009 increases but there are serious concerns for what might happen in 2010.
The next regular meeting will be held on January 8, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________Date Approved ____________________Secretary-Treasurer |
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