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

 The Pledge of Allegiance

 Members present:        Linda Meschke – Vice-Chair, Steve Flohrs and Wendell Rode

Members absent:         Chair Duane Petrowiak and Darwin Roberts

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 and Jack Potter - Martin County Commissioner

2010 Election of Officers

Election of Officers:  Chair

Vice-Chair Meschke called to open the floor for election for Chair.  Flohrs nominated Linda Meschke for Chair position.  Vice-Chair Meschke called for other nominations three times.  Meschke motioned to cease nominations and for the members to cast a unanimous vote for Linda Meschke second by Rode.  No other nominations were received.  By unanimous vote Linda Meschke was elected as Chair of Martin SWCD for 2010.

Election of Officers:  Vice-Chair

Chair Meschke called to open the floor for election for Vice-Chair.  Flohrs nominated Wendell Rode for Vice-Chair.  Chair Meschke called for other nominations three times.  Flohrs motioned to cease nominations and for the members to cast a unanimous vote for Wendell Rode second by Meschke.  No other nominations were received.  By unanimous vote Wendell Rode was elected as Vice-Chair of Martin SWCD for 2010.

Election of Officers:  Secretary

Rode motioned to appoint Cathy Thiesse as Secretary second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Election of Officers:  Treasurer

Flohrs motioned to appoint Greg Johanson as Treasurer second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

2010 District Committee Assignments will remain the same as in 2009.

Check Signing Authority

Flohrs motioned for Chair Meschke to have authority to sign checks and all other financial transactions necessary or pertaining to fiscal operation at State Bank of Fairmont and/or Profinium Financial Fairmont in addition to Darwin Roberts and Duane Petrowiak second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Additions or changes to the Agenda

Additions:       Programs:  Clean Water Legacy

                        Old Business:   Approval of Weed Management Report

                                                  Contribution Agreement – NRCS Lease

                        Additional Bills:  River Bend Business    $26.93

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

Secretary’s Report

A motion was made by Rode to approve the December 1, 2009 Secretary’s Report second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Treasurer’s Report

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

Bills

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

Cost-Share Programs–

Cancelled Projects

None

Amended Projects

None

State Cost-Share Program

Completed Projects

None

New Projects

#12-09   Karen King   Well Sealing   $375.00 Requested – 50% of Project Cost  FY 2009

Total Project Cost:  $750.00

Landowner Cost:  $375.00

A motion was made Flohrs to encumber $375.00 for contract #12-09 second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

#13-09   Karen King   Well Sealing   $750.00 Requested – 50% of the Project Cost  FY 2009

Total Project Cost:  $1500.00

Landowner Cost:  $750.00

A motion was made by Rode to encumber $750.00 for contract #13-09 second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

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

The Board reviewed an Air Emission Permit issued to Valero Renewable Fuels Company, LLC by MPCA.

AgBMP Loan Program

None

Old Business

Weed Management Grant Report

An update was given by Perrine on the Close-Out Report he prepared for FY09.  Copies were distributed for Board Approval.  The District Treasurer’s signature is required for this report.  A motion was made by Rode to approve the Weed Management Report second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Contribution Agreement – NRCS - Lease

Smith reviewed this Agreement from NRCS with the Board for their approval contingent on receiving the corrected copy with the LAN-WAN portion deleted.  A motion was made by Flohrs to approve the Contribution Agreement – NRCS – Lease with the above corrections made to the document second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

New Business

Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA)

Spencer reviewed Section 1619 compliance of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act that is required to have Board Approval by March 1, 2010.  A motion was made by Flohrs approve the Section 1619 compliance second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Feedlot Inspection/Digitizing

Smith discussed the role of SWCD in this program is strictly digitizing.  Pam Flitter, Martin County Planning and Zoning is responsible for any and all issues relating to this program. 

Area VI Chairperson’s Organization Meeting

Chair Meschke will attend the January 15, 2010 meeting and will discuss utilizing communication via emails, Hosting Information and By-Laws and Procedures. 

Grant Writing Training

A motion was made by Rode to send one staff to attend this training January 27-29, 2010, U of M, Minneapolis, MN at a cost of $595 plus hotel, mileage and meals, staff will present information to other staff and Board Members second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Reports

Special Meetings

Chair Meschke participated in a conference call, January 13, 2010 discussing NRCS/USDA programs. 

County Commissioner Report

Jack Potter gave an update.

District Conservationist Report

Spencer reported – see attached report.   

District Manager Report

Smith reported – see attached copy.  A motion was made by Flohrs for the District pay the fee to participate in the KSUM Spring Expo March 12-14, 2010 second by Rode.   Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Water Plan Advisory Committee

Perrine and Peterson presented at the December 29, 2009 meeting.  They reviewed projects, the different agency partners, grants submitted and other related projects.

Water Plan/WCA Report

None

Clean Water Partnership Report

Peterson reported on the FY09 Reports for both the EFODR and SWAG Grants have been submitted and accepted

CWP Program

New Project

None

CWP Program

Amendment

None

Completed Project

None

South Central Technical Service Area

None

Three Rivers RC&D

Rode reported on the January 4, 2010 Executive Meeting.

Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

Smith reported that the Executive Committee will meet January 15, 2010 and Perrine will address the Weed Management Grant.

Other

None

A motion was made by Rode to adjourn the meeting at 11:41 a.m. second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

The next regular meeting will be held on February 11, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

____________________Date Approved       ____________________Secretary-Treasurer