Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

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

(507)- 235-6680


Minutes of the November 8, 2007 Regular Board Meeting

DC report nov 2007.htm

 Martin Soil and Water Conservation District

Fairmont, Minnesota

 

Meeting called to order by Chair Steve Flohrs at 9:03 a.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance

Members present:        Steve Flohrs, Chair, Duane Petrowiak, Wendell Rode, Linda Meschke

Members absent:          Darwin Roberts

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; Jack Potter – Martin County Commissioner

 
Additions to the Agenda

Budget Report to be addressed under the Treasurer’s Report by Smith

 

Secretary’s Report

A motion was made by Meschke to approve the October 11, 2007 Minutes and seconded by Rode.
Affirmative:       Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, and Rode
                        Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 
A motion was made by Rode to accept the revised Minutes from September 13, 2007 Board Meeting with accurate wording pertaining to Cost-Share projects seconded by Petrowiak
Affirmative:       Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

Treasurer’s Report

Report submitted by Kathy Smith (see attached).  A $10,000 grant was received from GBERBA on behalf of Martin County Planning & Zoning.  Pam Flitter requested that the District deposit funds until P & Z is ready to use them in the summer of 2008.  Smith will check with Jim Forshee, Martin County Auditor on details of releasing funds.  Grant will be put into a six month CD.
A motion was made by Rode to accept the Treasurer’s Report seconded by Chair Flohrs.
Affirmative:       Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke, and Rode
                        Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
Budget Report – submitted by Kathy Smith was reviewed and discussed.
 

Bills

County Market:            $ 36.03
Shipping Plus:               $ 64.45
A motion was made by Petrowiak to approve and pay the additional bills seconded by Rode.
Affirmative:   Chair Flohrs, Petrowiak, Meschke and Rode.  Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.
 

CREP

Report given by Greg Johanson – currently 229.8 acres enrolled in CREP II. Smith talked about the Tow Easement.  A motion was made by Rode to file a Lien on the Tow Easement and to add staff labor involved in clearing up the Title seconded by Meschke. 

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

 

Cost-Share Programs

State Cost-Share Program

Amendment

#9-07-01  Mike Steuber – FSSB - FY08 - $625.00 requested

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.

 

Completed Projects

#9-07-01  Mike Steuber – FSSB – FY07-08 - $2125.50 due

$2125.00 Encumbered
Total Project Cost:  $2834.00 
No slippage.
A motion was made by Petrowiak to approve contract #9-07-01 in the amount of $2125.50 seconded by Rode.

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

 

#1-07  Dennis Bremer – FSSB – FY07 - $1562.25 due

$3008.00 Encumbered
Total Project Cost:  $2083.00 
Slippage - $1445.75 (to be re-encumbered)
A motion was made by Rode to pay contract #1-07 in the amount of $1562.25 seconded by Chair Flohrs.

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

 

New Projects

#5-08  Steve Loos – FSSB – FY08 - $1752.00 requested

A motion was made by Petrowiak to encumber $1752.00 or 75% of the total eligible cost, which ever is less seconded by Meschke for contract #5-08. 

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

 

CWP Program

Completed Project
None
 
New Project
None
 

Water Permit Program

#2008-259  Rutland Township, request for a culvert to be installed was reviewed by the Board – project previously approved by DNR.
 

AgBMP Loan Program

Kathy Smith reported that the District will apply for a Clean Water Legacy loan collaboratively through GBERBA for Ag Waste Restoration and Waste Management – deadline is November 15, 2007.
 

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, and Rode.   Opposed:  None.  Motion Carried.

 

MPCA Letter of Inquiry/Grant:  Smith and Thiesse reported on the status of proposal.

 
LCCMR – Prairie Ecosystem Restoration Project.  Update given by Perrine that grant proposal was approved and will be reviewed at the 2008 Legislature for consideration and approval.  Perrine will be working on developing the work program.  Perrine is applying with a CWL application for a Surface Water Assessment Grant through MPCA - due date,  November 15, 2007.

A motion was made by Petrowiak for the district to submit the Surface Water Assessment Grant seconded by Rode.

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

 

Leasing Agreement:  Update given by Spencer that she has received the clearance to sign with the provision of office space being set at 4826 s.f. allowed.  Ads for space have been placed and 13 interested inquiries have been received.  Each inquiry will receive a Solicitation Packet. 

 

 New Business

CWP Job Posting
Discussion was led by Smith regarding Personnel Committee meeting and reviewing applications received.
 

Break

 

Special Meetings

  • RIM/Energy Clean Meeting – Linda Meschke to be held week of November 13, St. Paul. 
  • Zone 10 Meeting attended by  Duane Petrowiak – 10-17-07
  • RC & D Meeting attended by Wendell Rode – 11-5-07
  • Next Area VI Meeting to be November 20, Lafayette,
 

District Conservationist Report

Report given by Carissa Spencer – see attached.  Website has been updated reporting EQIP sign-up and MN NRCS web site link has been added.  It is very possible to have 5-6 CRP contracts for December.  2004 CSP Contracts:  44 – Tier 1, 27 – Tier 2, and 3 in Tier 3.  2005 CSP Contracts:  11 – Tier 1, 17 – Tier 2. 

 

District Manager Report

Report given by Kathy Smith – see attached. 

 

Water Plan Advisory Committee

Next meeting to be scheduled in December, 2007.
 

Water Plan/WCA Report

Report given by Rich Perrine – Hobo Camp Trail has WCA issues that he is currently working on.  He is also working with two landowners on wetland restoration and creating banking credits.
 

Clean Water Partnership

Update given by Kathy Smith. 
 

Zone 10

Duane Petrowiak reported that a discrepancy in budgeting occurred resulting in financial difficulty.  Discussion led to request funding through GBERBA and/or CWL.   
 

Three Rivers RC&D Report

Rode reported that Greg Roiger, Chairperson, turned in his resignation effective 1-1-08.
 
Greater Blue Earth River Basin Alliance

No report given.  Next meeting will be November 9, 2007 in Mankato.  Perrine updated the board on a $25,000 funding request through GBERBA for CWL dollars for a modification on a stream channel located in Section 2 in Center Creek, to help deflect the flow and to divert the channel back on to the flood plain. 

 

County Commissioner Report

Jack Potter gave the report. 
 

A motion was made by Rode to adjourn the meeting at 11:45 am seconded by Petrowiak. 

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

 

The next regular meeting will be held on December 12, 2007 at 9:00 a.m.

 

____________________Date Approved        ____________________Secretary-Treasurer

 
 

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