Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

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

(507)- 235-6680


Minutes of the May 8, 2008 Regular Board Meeting

 Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

Fairmont, Minnesota

 

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, Wendell Rode, Steve Flohrs, Linda Meschke

Members absent:                                              None

Others present:             Kathy Smith - District Manager; Cathy Thiesse - District Technician & Administrative Assistant; Greg Johanson - Program Specialist; Rich Perrine – WCA/Water Plan Coordinator; Tim Peterson – CWP Coordinator; and Jack Potter – Martin County Commissioner

Additions to the Agenda

New Business:    Poster/Mural/Video Contest

A motion was made by Flohrs to accept the addition as stated above seconded by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Secretary’s Report

An Emergency Meeting was held April 23, 2008.  Discussion followed on the proper procedures to notify the public if an Emergency Meeting is being held.  A motion was made by Petrowiak to approve the April 10, 2008 Secretary’s Report seconded by Rode.    Affirmative:  Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Treasurer’s Report

Report submitted by Kathy Smith.  A motion was made by Rode to accept the April 2008 Treasurer’s Report seconded by Flohrs.   Affirmative:  Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Bills

Lee’s Nursery - Trees                                                  $1356.64

County Market                                                             $    19.20

Vets Oil                                                                        $    34.12

D & R Repair                                                               $    26.95

Martin Co. Highway Dept.                                            $  721.65

Total:                                                              $2158.56

A motion was made by Meschke to approve paying the bills seconded by Petrowiak.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

CREP

Report was given by Greg Johanson.  Smith informed the Board that the District has received notification of funding for the Program Specialist position from the Farm Bill with a 30% match from the District and local conservation organizations.  A motion was made by Flohrs to request the funds for this position seconded by Rode.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Discussion followed regarding the Drainage Ditch Buffers and that many areas are over the 16’ ft.  It was noted that many landowners are doing a good job.

Cost-Share Programs–

State Cost-Share Program

Completed Projects

None

New Projects

#11-08  Robert Lenort  FSSB 

75% of Project Cost - $4702.00 requested.

A motion was made by Petrowiak and seconded by Flohrs to encumber $4702.00 in FY2008 funds. Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

#12-08 James & Sonja Olson  FSSB

75% of Project Cost - $2562.00

A motion was made by Rode and seconded by Meschke to encumber $2562.00 in FY2008 funds.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Smith reported to the board that $1900.00 of funds remain available to be encumbered in 2008 funds.

A motion was made by Meschke to approve the previous Cost-Share projects from the Emergency Meeting seconded by Rode.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

CWP Program

New Projects

None

GBERBA

New Projects

None

Water Permit Program

A Work Permit was received for the Hobo/Nature Trail – which was approved by DNR.  An Appropriation Permit for Vera-Sun was reviewed.

AgBMP Loan Program

Report given by Smith. 

Rain Barrel Program

Update given by Thiesse.

Rain Garden Program

Update given by Thiesse.  Discussion followed on charging a flat fee of $50.00 for planning/design but was not put to a motion.

Old Business

Lease Update

Report given by Carissa Spencer.  FSA, NRCS and District Staff met on April 15-16 to meet individually with each representative that submitted a bid.  Best and Final offers will be received by May 12th.   Each offer will be ranked based on a point system at the USDA office in Kansas City and sent back for review. 

New Business

RC&D - Trail Project.

Report given by Smith.  Lisa Buckner, RC&D Coordinator met with Martin County Commissioners asking for their support and approval on May 6, 2008 to proceed with coordinating trail systems through Martin County.  Buckner and a District Staff person will meet with the Martin County Parks Board on May 14th to ask for their support and cooperation in establishing these trails.

Smith asked the Board for their support and approval of this project.  A motion was made by Meschke to approve this project upon sending a written submittal to RC&D formally requesting their assistance seconded by Rode.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Resolutions

Smith reported to the Board that Resolutions need to be submitted by June 4, 2008 at the Area VI meeting.  Discussion followed that research needs to be done on (1) what are MASWCD needs and (2) Watershed Leadership and their support of Districts.

Break

Special Meetings

  • I-Wheel Implementation, Mankato, MN was attended by Roberts, Jack Potter and Johanson.

District Conservationist Report

Report given by Spencer – see attached.  NRCS is currently waiting on TSP funding.  Rode acknowledged Spencer’s dedication and the great job she has done on Wetland Determinations.

District Manager Report

Report given by Kathy Smith – see attached.  A motion was made by Rode to sell the Xerox Copier C20 within a $400 - $500 range and pay off the Service Agreement when sold seconded by Flohrs.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Discussion followed regarding staff checking into FreePrinter.com for the District’s printing needs. 

Martin County West (MCW) High School Team placed 2nd at the 2008 Envirothon at Lake Hanska.  A motion was made by Meschke to donate up to $300 to MCW for expenses toward their State trip competition seconded by Rode.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

The City of Fairmont is hiring a Planning & Zoning Technician.

DNR will be holding meetings state-wide updating participants on Shoreland Rules.  A local meeting will be held June 9, 2008, Windom.

Water Plan Advisory Committee

Perrine reported that the next meeting will be June 19, 2008, Human Service Building Basement, 7:00 pm.

Water Plan/WCA Report

Perrine reported that monitoring on the East Fork of the West Des Moines River has begun.  Four people have volunteered to do the monitoring and still looking for 2-4 more.  

Perrine updated the Board that public resources can’t be used for Wetland Banking.  The District and Zone 10 were be reimbursed by the City of Fairmont.  A new Wetland Bank will be established and will be located at Fairmont Industrial Park. 

On May 14, 2008, Kelly Marshall, MPCA, will do 6 presentations at MCW High School.

Clean Water Partnership

Peterson reported on the three schools that received money from CWP for fall 2008:

  • St. Paul’s Lutheran School, Fairmont    $  465.00
  • Blue Earth Area School                        $  465.00
  • Five Lakes Elementary, Fairmont          $1255.00

A motion was made by Meschke to approve these educational grants seconded by Petrowiak.  Affirmative: Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Zone 10

Petrowiak reported that the next meeting will be May 22, 2008.    

Three Rivers RC&D Report

Report given by Spencer. 

  • Currently, working with MSU on a program that is similar to Ag in the Classroom and producing conservation on working lands. 
  • Applying for an Economic Grant
  • Looking for donations for an organic garden located at the Putting Green in New Ulm.
  • Amboy bridge has been tabled
  • A Grad Student has been elected as Student-At-Large and the Committee is still looking for a Minority Student-At-Large.
  • A workshop on Wind Farms will be scheduled at a later date.
  • Soil Tunnel reservations are being taking at this time.
  • A summer meeting will be held July 7, 2008, Blue Earth County with Teresa Kitridge as the main speaker.

Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

Chair Roberts reported that the next meeting will be May 9 at Mankato.  Smith reported about a Tech Meeting her and Meschke attended.  Jim Klang, Kieser & Associates presented about Nitrogen Training. 

Discussion followed on Soybean Association concerns about TMDL’s. 

County Commissioner Report

Report given by Jack Potter. 

A motion was made by Meschke to adjourn the meeting at 12:10 p.m. seconded by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Roberts, Vice-Chair Petrowiak, Flohrs, Meschke, and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

The next regular meeting will be held on June 12, 2008 at 9:00 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

____________________Date Approved        ____________________Secretary-Treasurer

 
 

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