Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

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

(507)- 235-6680

Minutes of the December 12, 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, Duane Petrowiak, Wendell Rode, Linda Meschke, Darwin Roberts

Members absent:          None

Others present:             Kathy Smith - District Manager; Cathy Thiesse - District Tech. & Admin. Assistant; Carissa Spencer - District Conservationist; Rich Perrine - WCA/Water Plan Coordinator; Greg Johanson - Program Specialist; Kasey Taylor, Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations
 
Additions to the Agenda

New Business:              December 24, 2007 - Smith
                                      RIM Clean Energy – Meschke
A motion was made by Rode to accept the additions as stated above seconded by Roberts.
Affirmative:       Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, Roberts and Rode.   Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

Secretary’s Report

A motion was made by Rode to approve the November 8, 2007 with these changes:
State Cost-Share Program: 
      Amendment:  #9-07-01  Mike Steuber – change wording of to $625.00 to by $625.00.
  • Special Meetings -RIM/Energy Clean Meeting – location should read St. Paul.
  • Water Plan/WCA Report – from draining wetlands to wetland restoration.  Roberts seconded the motion.
Affirmative:   Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, Roberts, and Rode.   Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

Treasurer’s Report

Report submitted by Kathy Smith.  A motion was made by Petrowiak to approve the Treasurer’s Report seconded by Chair Flohrs.  Discussion ensued to always check with 2-3 financial institutes for the best interest rate for CD’s. 

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

Bills

Fairmont Sentinel:         $ 98.00 
Vets Oil:                       $ 11.90
Total:                            $109.90
 

Kathy Smith Convention Expenses: 

Kodak Camera:            $160.48 (includes batteries, camera and card)
Kathy Smith:                 $327.36 (includes Basket/Poster/Hotel)
Total:                            $487.84    

A motion was made by Meschke to purchase the Kodak Camera for the District and to approve the convention expenses incurred by Smith seconded by Roberts.
Affirmative:  Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, Roberts and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
Rode motioned to approve to pay the bills seconded by Roberts. 

Affirmative:  Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, Roberts and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

CREP

Report given by Greg Johanson – currently there are 6 easements that are completed and paid in full.  Discussion followed that Supervisors should meet with FSA Board for a luncheon to be scheduled after the first of the year.  Smith reported on the Tow Easement and her meeting with them, November 16, 2007.  Martin County Attorney, Terry Viesselman will be contacted by Chair Flohrs to act as our attorney with direction from the Supervisors and to verify legal fees under the State Statute. 

 

Cost-Share Programs–

State Cost-Share Program

Completed Project
#17-07  William Truesdell – Well Sealing - $500.00 due
$500.00 Encumbered
Total Project Cost:  $1075.00
No slippage.
A motion was made by Rode to approve payment of contract #17-07 in the amount of $500.00 seconded by Petrowiak.

Affirmative:  Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, Roberts and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

 
A motion was made by Rode to approve the amendment on contract #9-07-01 to increase the cost-share encumbered by $625.00 seconded by Petrowiak.

Affirmative:  Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

#4-08  Dave Nawrocki – Well Sealing - $342.50 due
$342.50 Encumbered
Total Project Cost:  $685.00
No slippage.
A motion was made by Petrowiak to approve payment of contract #4-08 in the amount of $342.50 seconded by Rode.

Affirmative:  Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, Roberts and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

 

New Projects

None
 

CWP Program
Completed Project
None
 
New Project
None
 

Water Permit Program
None
 

AgBMP Loan Program

Kathy Smith and Greg Johanson reported on the meeting they attended, 12-7-07, Redwood Falls.   
 

Old Business

Convention Update:  A motion was made by Meschke to approve one District Staff to attend the convention seconded by Rode.

Affirmative:  Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, Roberts and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

 

MPCA – Watershed Assessment Grant was reported by Perrine that this application is for CWL – Des Moines River Watershed.  A motion was made by Rode to approve submission of grant seconded by Roberts.
Affirmative:  Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, Roberts and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

LCCMR – Prairie Ecosystem Restoration Project.  Update given by Perrine that he is completing the work plan.  Petrowiak motioned to approve submission of the work plan for the LCCMR project seconded by Chair Flohrs. 

Affirmative:       Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, Roberts and Rod.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried. 

 

DNR – Shoreland Habitat Program Grant – Update given by Perrine and Thiesse who met with Phil Nasby, DNR last month regarding proposed project and will know this month if Martin SWCD will be chosen. 

 

Truman JD #47/Grant Proposals – report given by Thiesse that Monte Rohman, Truman City Clerk-Treasurer is interested in the most cost-effective and efficient way of dealing with the situation and will work with Martin SWCD for technical support. 

 
U of M project, Center Creek Township, Section 2, report was given by Perrine.
 
Lease – report by Smith, effective 2-1-08, Martin SWCD board meetings will be held in our office and solicitations for office space is moving forward.
 
Trimont Bike & Nature Trail report by Perrine.  Supervisors supported the roles of Perrine and Thiesse for technical support for these types of projects.
 

Break

 
New Business

2008 Service Agreements/Martin County report by Smith.  Roberts motioned to approve the 2008 Service Agreements between the District and Martin County Services provided for The Water Plan and Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) seconded by Meschke.

Affirmative:   Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, Roberts and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

DNR Financial Assistance 2008 Programs reported by Smith that funds are now available.
 

Personnel Update report by Smith that all Staff and District Manager received employee reviews.  Meschke motioned to approve the recommendations for the proposed wage schedule seconded by Petrowiak.

Affirmative:  Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, Roberts and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried

 
District/NRCS computer/Software/TA report given by Kasey Taylor, that each District will be allowed one computer on NRCS T-1 Line which will include software, internet, and access to phone line free of charge.  Each additional computer will cost $3,000 per year.  NRCS is tentatively looking for these changes to occur summer 2008. 
 
12-24-07 reported by Smith, Federal Employees are not working on that date.  Per the District’s Personnel Manual, 12-24-07 is ½ day working day with 4 hours paid vacation.  Meschke motioned for the District to close 12-24-07 with employees taking 4 hours personal vacation with 4 hour as Holiday pay seconded by Roberts.  Discussion to post District hours to be closed in local newspapers. 

Affirmative:  Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, Roberts and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 
Budget report by Smith, a motion was made by Meschke to accept the revised 2008 Budget seconded by Rode.

Affirmative:  Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, Roberts and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 
RIM Clean Energy update given by Meschke, next meeting will be 12-13-07.
 

Special Meetings
  • Personnel Committee – Chair Flohrs, Roberts and Smith
  • Minnesota BMP Challenge & Water Quality Trading Workshop – Perrine, Roberts, Thiesse, Owatonna, November 26, 2006
  • 25th Annual Rural Legislative Forum – December 7, Mankato – Roberts & Thiesse.
 

District Conservationist Report

Report given by Carissa Spencer – see attached. 

 

District Manager Report

 No report given. 

 

Water Plan Advisory Committee
Report given by Perrine - next meeting will be December 13, 2007 at Rural Advantage, 7:00 p.m.
 

Water Plan/WCA Report

Report given by Perrine – working with Martin County Highway Department for a re-grading project and continues to work on wetland issues north of Wal-Mart in Fairmont. 

 

Clean Water Partnership
Update given by Smith, Personnel Committee interviewed three candidates and offered the job to Tim Peterson, who accepted the position and will start January 2, 2008.    
 

Zone 10

Petrowiak reported that the next meeting will be held December 19, 2007.
 

Three Rivers RC&D Report

Rode reported that the next meeting will be held in January and the upcoming conference will be March 9-11, Rochester.
 
Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

No report given. 

 

County Commissioner Report

No Report. 

 

A motion was made by Rode to adjourn the meeting at 12:18 pm seconded by Petrowiak. 

Affirmative:  Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, Roberts and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

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

____________________Date Approved        ____________________Secretary-Treasurer
 
 

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