Martin SWCD February 2009 Minutes

Minutes of the February 12, 2009 Regular Board Meeting

Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

Fairmont, Minnesota

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 Wendell Rode

Members absent: Darwin Roberts

Others present: Kathy Smith - District Manager; Carissa Spencer, District Conservationist, Cathy Thiesse, Technician and Administrative Assistant, Greg Johanson, Farm Bill Specialist, Jack Potter, Martin County Commissioner, and Kasey Taylor, NRCS - Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations.

Additions to the Agenda

Old Business:

1) Martin County Budget

2) Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment

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

Secretary’s Report

A motion was made by Meschke to approve the January 14, 2009 Secretary’s Report second by Flohrs. Affirmative: Meschke, Flohrs, Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried. A motion was made by Rode to approve the January 27, 2009 Secretary’s Report second by Meschke. Affirmative: Meschke, Flohrs, Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.

Treasurer’s Report

A motion was made by Meschke to have the District Manager review checking funds and determine the District’s needs for the next few months and move the extra funds from checking into a LISA account at Profinium Bank, Fairmont, MN second by Rode. Affirmative: Meschke, Flohrs, Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.

A motion was made by Rode to approve the January 31, 2009 Treasurer’s Financial Report second by Flohrs. Affirmative: Meschke, Flohrs, Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.

Bills

Additional Bills for approval:

Area VI Dues $300.00

County Market $ 11.77

DeWar Electric $ 8.85

$320.62

A motion was made by Flohrs to approve paying the bills second by Meschke. Affirmative: Meschke, Flohrs, Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.

Cost-Share Programs–

State Cost-Share Program

Completed Projects

None

Amended Projects

None

New Projects

1) GBERBA – Project 1: Highway Department - County Road #26

A motion was made by Meschke to approve funds being submitted to GBERBA on this project contingent on having the necessary paperwork being submitted at GBERBA’s next meeting second by Flohrs. Affirmative: Meschke, Flohrs, Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.

2) GBERBA – Project 2: Highway Department

A motion was made by Rode to move forward on property east of Granada, MN second by Flohrs. Affirmative: Meschke, Flohrs, Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.

Cancelled Projects

None

Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

Completed Projects

Amendment

New Projects

1) GBERBA – Project 1: Highway Department - County Road #26

2) GBERBA – Project 2: Highway Department

A motion was made by Rode to move forward on property east of Granada, MN second by Flohrs. Affirmative: Meschke, Flohrs, Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.

Water Permit Program

The Supervisors reviewed the policies on Biofuels Energy from Cargill and the Public Notice of intent to recharge for the City of Dunnell.

AgBMP Loan Program

Smith and Johanson gave an update. In 2008 - $380,000 loaned out.

Old Business

Annual Plan

A motion was made by Rode to submit the attached Annual Plan to Chris Hughes, BWSR for his review and approval second by Flohrs. Affirmative: Meschke, Flohrs, Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.

Legislative Days

Smith reported that 4 staff and 2 or3 supervisors will be attending depending on the weather.

2008 Final Financial Plan

A motion was made by Meschke to approve the attached 2008 Final Financial Plan second by Flohrs. Affirmative: Meschke, Flohrs, Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.

Martin County Budget

Each Martin County Department will take a 5% cut to help offset the upcoming deficit.

Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment

The letter submitted by Rural Advantage to Senator Julie Rosenberg, Rep. Bob Gunther, regarding disbursement of funds from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment does not represent Martin SWCD’s opinions.

New Business

None

Reports

Kasey Taylor, NRCS - Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations reported on the following:

Farm Bill – comments and review of the program
EQIP
FY09 closes September 30, 2009
RIM/WRP - four successful contracts from Martin County and now working on Phase II.
Update on FOIA
Update on Audit

Martin County Commissioner Report

Jack Potter reported on the Martin County budget, deficit and 5% reduction from each department.

Special Meetings

Upcoming meetings: Corn & Soybean will meet March 3, 2009, VFW.
U of M is sponsoring a Nutrient Management Workshop February 27^th at the Martin County Library.
Area VI Chairman’s Meeting, Duane Petrowiak
RC&D, Wendell Rode, February 2, 2009

District Conservationist Report

Report given by Spencer – see attached.

District Manager Report

Report given by Kathy Smith – see attached.

Water Plan Advisory Committee

Report prepared by Perrine – see attached.

Water Plan/WCA Report

Report prepared by Perrine – see attached. Smith reported on the Native Buffer Plan.

Clean Water Partnership Report

Update given by Smith on year end reporting.

CWP Program

New Project

CWP #61-09 Butler Farms Inc. – Grassed Waterway Project, $8,223.10 requested FY 2009

Total Cost of Project: $38,905.00

CWP Funds Requested: $8,22

Seeding will be done this spring. A motion was made by Meschke to encumber $8,223.10 for contract CWP #61-09 contingent on paperwork getting signed second by Flohrs. Affirmative: Meschke, Flohrs, Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.

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 Flohrs to pay the first installment of $5,000.00 to Faribault SWCD for digitizing second by Rode. Affirmative: Meschke, Flohrs, Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.

Zone 10 Report

Chair Petrowiak updated Board on legal aspects for Zone 10. Next meeting will be in March.

Three Rivers RC&D

Rode reported on the election of officers for Three Rivers RC&D. The summer meeting will be July 23, 2009, hosted by Sibley SWCD.

Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

Update given by Meschke.

Rode motioned to adjourn the meeting at 12:05pm second by Flohrs. Affirmative: Meschke, Flohrs, Rode. Opposed: None. Motion Carried.

The next regular meeting will be held on March 12, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

____________________Date Approved ____________________Secretary-Treasurer