Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

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

(507)- 235-6680

Minutes of the September 13, 2007 Regular Board Meeting

 Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

Fairmont, Minnesota
 

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

The Pledge of Allegiance
 

 Members present:                          Steve Flohrs, Chair

                                                      Linda Meschke, Member

                                                      Duane Petrowiak, Member

                                                      Darwin Roberts, Member
 

Members absent:                            Wendell Rode, Member
 

Others present:                              Kathy Smith, District Manager

                                                     Cathy Thiesse, District Technician & Administrative Assistant
                                                     Greg Johanson, Program Specialist
                                                     Scott Bohling, CWP Coordinator
 

Additions to the Agenda

New Business:                               DNR Well Observation
                                                      RIM Clean Energy Tech Committee - Linda Meschke, conflict with Board Meetings in December and
                                                               January
                                                      State Financial Report
Old Business:                                  Nature Trail Update
                                                      Area VI Convention Planning Update

A motion was made by Roberts to accept the additions to the agenda seconded by Meschke. 

Affirmative:  Flohrs, Meschke and Rode
Opposed:  None

Motion Carried
 

Secretary’s Report

A motion was made by Meschke and seconded by Chair Flohrs to approve the Minutes from the August 9th Regular Board Meeting.  Discussion followed to approve the Minutes with the additions of Members Absent:  Duane Petrowiak and Darwin Roberts.              Affirmative:  Chair Flohrs, Meschke, Petrowiak, and Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

Treasurer’s Report

Report submitted by Kathy Smith.  A motion was made by Chair Flohrs and seconded by Roberts.  Affirmative:  Chair Flohrs, Meschke, Petrowiak, and Roberts.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

Bills

Vets Oil:                                   $104.43

Hawkins:                                  $178.72

Scott Bohling/CWP:                 $201.04

County Market:                        $  19.81

Total:                                        $504.00          

A motion was made by Roberts to approve and pay the additional bills seconded by Petrowiak.

Affirmative:       Chair Flohrs, Meschke, Petrowiak, and Roberts

Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried
 
CREP

Report given by Greg Johanson; currently waiting for final Title Commitment Insurance Policies on two contracts and waiting for easements on three contracts.  The sign-up deadline for CREP II is October 15, 2007.

 

Cost-Share Programs–

State Cost-Share Program
 

Rescind Motion

#5-07   Jon Eversman – FSSB - $352.00 requested

A motion was made by Meschke to rescind payment of $352.00 as previously adopted August 9, 2007 seconded by Chair Flohrs.   Roll call vote was taken:

 Chair Flohrs – yes, Meschke – yes, Petrowiak – yes,  Roberts – yes. 

 Motion Carried
 

Amendment

##5-07  Jon Eversman – FSSB - $989.34 requested

$1319.12 encumbered 

Total Project Cost:  $1319.12 

Slippage - $180.88 returned to State.

A motion was made by Meschke to approve the Amendment at 75% State Cost-Share seconded by Petrowiak.

Affirmative:  Chair Flohrs, Meschke, Petrowiak, and Roberts

                        Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

 

Completed Projects

#8-07   Harold Cooper – FSSB - $1237.95 due

A motion was made by Petrowiak and seconded by Meschke to approve contract #8-07 in the amount of $1237.95. 

Affirmative:       Chair Flohrs, Meschke, Petrowiak, and Roberts

                        Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

New Projects

#16-07 Beatrice Pesta - Well Sealing - $225 requested

A motion was made by Roberts and seconded by Meschke to encumber $225 or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is less, for a well sealing project.

Affirmative:       Chair Flohrs, Meschke, Petrowiak, and Roberts

                        Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

 

#17-07 Bill Truesdell - Well Sealing - $500 requested

A motion was made by Roberts and seconded by Petrowiak to encumber $500 for 2 wells or 50% of the total project cost, whichever is less, for a well sealing project.

Affirmative:       Chair Flohrs, Meschke, Petrowiak, and Roberts

                        Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

 

Discussion followed that seven (7) additional requests for well sealing exist and there will be an EQIP sign-up starting October 1, 2007.  Kathy Smith disclosed that Chris Hughes completed audit of 2004 Fiscal Year End done August 2007.  No citations resulted. 

 

Grant Agreements for State Cost-Share:

            Easement Services        $13,680

            General Services:          $23,105

            Cost-Share                   $33,528
 

CWL Funds:  $26,000 for Cost-Share allocated to be used by next summer – sedimentation, grassed waterways and water intakes. 

Requested:  $10,000 for Septic System Inventory

Meschke motioned to approve for District Manager to sign and accept grant agreements seconded by Petrowiak.

Affirmative:       Chair Flohrs, Meschke, Petrowiak, and Roberts

                        Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

CWP Program

New Projects - Faribault SWCD

#CWP-056-0  Morris Hanson EQIP–Grassed Waterway $2731 requested

A motion was made by Meschke to encumber $2731 at 25% Cost-Share seconded by Roberts. Discussion ensued that Faribault County SWCD previously voted and approved the other 25% State Cost-Share. 

Affirmative:       Chair Flohrs, Meschke, Petrowiak, and Roberts

                        Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

Water Permit Program

No Report.
 

State Revolving Fund

CWL has appropriated $1 million and an additional $1 million after October 1, 2007.  Martin SWCD has one request for tillage equipment and three requests for Ag Waste.  Mark Stoffel has applied to be a multi-lender program.
 

Old Business

LCCMR Proposal:  Linda Meschke presented Open Ditch Riparian Initiative grant that was submitted – see attached. 

 

Prairie Ecosystem Restoration Project – presented by Kathy Smith and submitted by Rich Perrine.
 

Personnel Policy Handbook was completed by Kathy Smith and passed out to supervisors for their review with changes or comments to be brought forward at October 11 Board Meeting.  The Board sincerely thanked Kathy for her work on this project.
 

DNR Well Observation contract was presented.  Meschke motioned to approve the continuation of the program seconded by Roberts.

Affirmative:       Chair Flohrs, Meschke, Petrowiak, and Roberts

                        Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

New Business

DNR Shoreland Restoration Grant to focus on Fairmont Chain of Lakes.  Meschke motioned to submit proposal seconded by Roberts.

Affirmative:       Chair Flohrs, Meschke, Petrowiak, and Roberts

                        Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

RIM/Clean Energy Tech Committee – Linda Meschke, conflict with Board Meetings in December and January.  The board agreed to move the Board dates to December 12, 2007 at 9:00 am and January 9, 2008 at 9:00 am at the Work Force Center's Conference Room located at 923 North State Street, Suite #110, Fairmont, MN.  Discussion on the absence of Darwin Roberts during January, February and March and the absence of Duane Petrowiak in February and March and to check on the language needed for a motion for next months meeting to incorporate teleconferences for missing supervisors. 

 

Disclosure Report

Discussion ensued.
 

Special Meetings
  • Linda Meschke – has been appointed to the RIM/Clean Energy Tech Committee.
  • Duane Petrowiak attended a State Finance Committee on September 12, 2007.  Reported that dues will not increase and that the Poster/Mural/Video Contest will be eliminated at the State Level in 2008.  Discussion on drafting a letter to Education Board to be brought up at the Area VI meeting in McLeod County on September 20, 2007.  MASWCD State Finance Committee has agreed to hire a consultant for $4,000. 
 

District Conservationist Report

Carissa Spencer and Betsy Norland were attending a Wetland Training in St. Peter.  Report attached.
 

District Manager Report

Report given by Kathy Smith.

 

Water Plan Advisory Committee
Meeting to be held September 20, 2007 at Rural Advantage at 7 pm.  Two new people will be presented  to the County Commissioners meeting for approval of appointments. 
 

Water Plan/WCA Report

No report.

 

Clean Water Partnership

Scott Bohling reported his resignation effective September 28, 2007.  

 

Zone 10

No Report Given.
 

Three Rivers RC&D Report

No Report.
 

Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

Report given by Darwin Roberts that the last meeting was July 13, 2007.  There are funds available for each District to write a request for. 

 

County Commissioner Report

No Report.
 

Chair Flohrs motioned to adjourn the meeting seconded by Roberts.

Affirmative:       Chair Flohrs, Meschke, Petrowiak, and Roberts

                        Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried
 

The next regular meeting will be held on October 11, 2007 at 9:00 a.m.
 

____________________Date Approved        ____________________Secretary-Treasurer
 
 

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