Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

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

(507) 235-6680

Minutes of the February 11, 2010 Regular Board Meeting

 Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

Fairmont, Minnesota

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

 The Pledge of Allegiance

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

Members absent:         Duane Petrowiak and Darwin Roberts

Others present:            Kathy Smith – District Manager, Cathy Thiesse-Technician and Administrative Assistant, Rich Perrine-Water Plan Coordinator/Water Conservation Act, Carissa Spencer–NRCS, District Conservationist, Jack Potter-Martin County Commissioner, Lisa Buckner-Three Rivers RC&D Coordinator and Jennifer Ronnenberg-Urban Specialist/GBERBA

 Additions or changes to the Agenda

Additions:       New Business:   Native Buffer Contributions Agreement

Delete:  Elections from Agenda

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 Flohrs to approve the January 14, 2010 Secretary’s Report with a change under the Treasurer’s Report so that is reads:   A motion was made by Rode (deleting Roberts) second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Flohrs and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

Treasurer’s Report

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

Bills

Additional Bills:         Hy-Vee:                      $144.80

                                 Truman Tribune           $  72.50

                                             Total:               $217.30

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

#3-09   Jim Christensen   FSSB   Amount Due:  $543.75  75% of Project Cost FY09

Total Project Cost:  $725.00

Landowner Cost:  $181.25

TA:  $135.94

Slippage:  $339.25

Re-Encumber:  $339.25

A motion was made by Rode to approve payment of contract #3-09 in the amount of $543.75 and to re-encumber $339.25 second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None

#5-09   Eugene Lehman   FSSB   Amount Due:  $921.26  75% of Project Cost FY09

Total Project Cost:  $1537.68

Landowner Cost:  $384.42

TA:  $230.32

Slippage:  $133.24

Re-Encumber:  $133.24

A motion was made by Flohrs to approve payment of contract #5-09 in the amount of $921.26 and to re-encumber $133.24 second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None

#6-09   John Goodrich    FSSB   Amount Due:  $777.04  75% of Project Cost FY09

Total Project Cost:  $1036.06

Landowner Cost:  $259.02

TA:  $194.26

Slippage:  $682.09

Re-Encumber:  $682.09

A motion was made by Flohrs to approve payment of contract #6-09 in the amount of $777.04 and to re-encumber $682.09 second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None

#7-09   Todd Thedens   FSSB   Amount Due:  $564.07  75% of Project Cost FY09

Total Project Cost:  $1920.10

Landowner Cost:  $480.03

TA:  $141.02

Slippage:  $339.51

Re-Encumber:  $339.51

A motion was made by Rode to approve payment of contract #7-09 in the amount of $564.07 and to re-encumber $339.51 second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None.

#11-08    Robert Lenort    FSSB   Amount Due:  $4702.00  75% of Project Cost FY08

Total Project Cost:  $6270.32

Landowner Cost:  $1567.58

TA:  $1175.50

A motion was made by Flohrs to approve payment of contract # 11-08 in the amount of

$4702.00 second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None.

New Projects

#10-09    Fred W. Krahmer   FSSS   Amount Requested:  $1256.25  FY09

Total Project Cost:  $1675.00

A motion was made by Rode to encumber $1256.25 for contract #10-09 second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None.

Amendment

#24-08   Doug Closs   Waterway   Amount Requested:  $1946.08       FY08

A motion was made by Flohrs to approve the time amendment with a completion date of May 10, 2010 for contract #24-08 second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None.

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

None

AgBMP Loan Program

Smith reported to the Board that the District put in a request for an additional $100,000. 

Clean Water Legacy Program

Smith reported that grants had been submitted and will be resubmitted for the next round.

Old Business

Lease

The corrected Lease Agreement for 2009 has not been received at this time.  Smith reported on the 2010 Storage Lease Agreement that was renewed in January 2010 for $2340.00.  A motion was made by Rode to approve the 2010 Lease for storage space with Arthur Andrews second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None.

New Business

2010 Annual Plan

Smith reported on the Draft 2010 Annual Plan which must be submitted by March 15, 2010.  A motion was made by Rode to approve the Draft of the 2010 Annual Plan with changes as needed and discussed with a final draft to be approved at the March 11, 2010 meeting second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None.

2009 Financial Report

Smith discussed 2009 Financial Report.  A motion was made by Flohrs to approve the 2009 Financial Report second by Rode.  Discussion on the Budget was due to grant money that has been issued for reimbursement for personnel cost.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None.

2010 Legislative Days

Three rooms have been reserved with Flohrs, Johanson and Smith planning on attending.

Copy Machine

Smith discussed the cost of maintaining the current copy machine compared to purchasing a new machine.  A motion was made by Rode to approve the purchase of a new copy machine from Davis Typewriter for $4748.00 plus tax along with a confirmation of the maintenance agreement second by Flohrs.  Chair Meschke suggested that the old copier be donated to Kinship for their fundraiser in May.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None.

South Central Minnesota Trials Network/Grant and Okamanpeedan Watershed

Lisa Buckner, Three Rivers RC&D Coordinator told the Board about efforts to have a trail meeting and goals that she hopes to achieve.  Thiesse will compile a list of names that were discussed to be forwarded to Buckner for possible contact purposes and partnerships.  Buckner gave a brief update on the Okamanpeeden Watershed.

Contribution Agreement

Spencer reported that the last Agreement was incomplete as Status Reviews were absent.  Spencer contacted the State Office requesting 49 status reviews based on 2008 at $75.00.  A motion was made by Flohrs to approve signing the Contribution Agreement with NRCS second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None.

Reports

Special Meetings

Chair Meschke attended Area VI Chairpersons Meeting, January 15, 2010 in LeSueur.  The 2010 meetings will be hosted by LeSueur (March), Watonwan (June) and Waseca (November).   2011 meetings will be hosted by Martin, McLeod and Renville.  Area VI is seeking a Nomination Committee for 2011 for candidates to fill officer positions.  Area VI is also asking for Topics of Interest to be presented at future meetings.

Thiesse attended a three day Grant Writing Workshop, January 27-29, 2010, U of M, Minneapolis, MN.

County Commissioner Report

Jack Potter reported on the Department Head Meeting that went well.  Potter congratulated Duane Petrowiak and Fairmont Photo Press on their awards from MASWCD and that they were well deserved.

District Conservationist Report

Spencer reported – see attached report.   

District Manager Report

Smith reported – see attached copy, and GBERBA will be joining the District at the KSUM Spring Expo, March 12-14 and will split the cost of two booths.  Additional items discussed were the LCCMR Project that DuBois and Perrine are currently working on a proposal to continue this project.   The deadline to submit the proposal is April 9, 2010.  The Board requested a presentation or review of proposal by the next board meeting specifically to address funding for staff time.  A motion was made by Rode to pursue continued funding for the existing LCCMR project second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None.

Water Plan Advisory Committee

Meschke reported that the next meeting will be March 30, 2010.

Water Plan/WCA Report

Perrine reported – see attached report. 

Clean Water Partnership Report

None

CWP Program

New Project

None

CWP Program

Amendment

None

Completed Project

None

South Central Technical Service Area

Smith reported that SCTSA is requesting a $300 donation for 2010 Services.  A motion was made by Flohrs to donate $300 for SCTSA 2010 Services second by Rode.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None.

Three Rivers RC&D

Lisa Buckner, Three Rivers RC&D Coordinator, reported that the Council is in the process of working on a Needs Assessment with LeSeuer.  Joe Doherty is the new Council Chair and Funding for RC&D has been zeroed out for 2011.

Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

Jennifer Ronnenberg, Urban Specialist introduced herself to the Board and gave a brief update.  Smith gave an update regarding GBERBA developing their long range planning.  A motion was made by Flohrs recommending Lisa Buckner, Three Rivers RC&D Coordinator act as a facilitator at the next Strategic Planning Meeting with the Policy and Tech committees second by Rode.  Discussion followed that Martin County Commissioner Jack Potter and the Supervisors will complete paperwork and/or forms if necessary for this process.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None.

Other

Meschke gave an update on the Lessard Sams Outdoor Council – see attached copy.  Meschke reported that there is an opening on the Clean Water Board and she is considering applying. 

A motion was made by Rode to adjourn the meeting at 11:49 a.m. second by Flohrs.  Affirmative:  Chair Meschke, Rode and Flohrs.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

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

Respectfully submitted,

____________________Date Approved       ____________________Secretary-Treasurer