Preston, MN 55965

Minutes

MEMBERS PRESENT: Tim Gossman, Pam Mensink, Margaret Ness, Richard O’Connor

MEMBERS ABSENT: Brian Hazel.

OTHERS PRESENT: Kevin Kuehner, Jeanette Serfling, Rick Grooters, Doug Keene, Donna Rasmussen, Anne Koliha, Adam King, Dawn Bernau, Jeff Duchene, Randy Dahl (County Commissioner), Duane Bakke (County Commissioner), Stafford Hansen (County Commissioner)

Mensink called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. A quorum is present.

I. AGENDA

Motioned by Gossman seconded by O’Connor to approve the agenda as amended. Affirmative: O’Connor, Mensink, Ness, Gossman. Opposed: none. Motion carried.

II. OLD BUSINESS

1. 2008 Budget and Computer Service Expenditures

Kuehner explained NRCS will be charging the District $3,000 per computer for services and software beginning October 1, 2008. He provided the board with a draft of the annual and one-time expenditures for the purchase and maintenance of a stand-alone network for the District with some County assistance.

He reviewed the budget for 2008 indicating where some of the additional funds might be obtained to pay for the computer expenditures.

Ness entered the meeting at 4:53 p.m.

III. CONDUCT ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING

a. District Assessment

Kuehner reported Mary Kells (BWSR) had suggested that by-laws be developed for guidance and rules to govern the district board. A special meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. to develop by-laws.

b. TMDLs

Kuehner explained that the District will be a sponsor for the Turbidity TMDL within the Root River Watershed. The TMDL will be a three year project starting in the spring of 2008 to install monitoring stations within the watershed. The SWCD will have seven sites, DNR-Fisheries three sites and MDA four sites. Samples will be taken 20-30 times between April and October. By being a sponsor for the TMDL, more opportunities for funding will be available for the District.

Kuehner is proposing Rasmussen would work half-time as the coordinator of the project and King half-time assisting Rasmussen. A detailed work plan will be ready for the board to review at the February meeting.

c. Shoreline Ordinance

Bakke reported the shoreline ordinance had been sent to the DNR for review as the setbacks are not consistent throughout the state.

d. Soil Loss Ordinance

Bakke reported the soil loss ordinance had been set aside as other items were more pressing at year end. He said it will now be brought back to the table. He suggested a sub-committee meeting with Kuehner, Hazel and O’Connor along with county members be scheduled. The county is looking for better enforcement from the District.

e. Buffer Initiative

Kuehner explained the buffer initiative is a program to promote continuous CRP, specifically a CP-21, filter strip. King, the Farm Bill Technician, will be working on identifying eligible acres and sending letters to those landowners.

f. Renewable Energy Fair

Ness spoke with the Fillmore County Fair Board Chairman Don Bluhm regarding a possible renewable energy event at the fair. He told Ness the cost to put up a tent for activities and/or speakers at the fairgrounds would be $10.00 per square foot. Bluhm encouraged the supervisors to attend a fair board meeting to present a proposal. Grooters volunteered to attend the fair board meeting with the supervisors.

Ness learned of an Energy Expo in Austin being organized by Southeast Minnesota CERTS that is scheduled for September. Few details are available at this time.

Board consensus was to contact Jeff Koster, the new RC& D Coordinator and set up a meeting with Kuehner, Ness and O’Connor to explore possibilities of coordinating an event with the RC&D. Koster had been coordinating a similar event before coming to Minnesota.

Dahl left the meeting at 6:00 p.m.

The annual planning meeting was conducted. All goals and objectives were reviewed and prioritized with additional comments and suggestions added.

A draft of the annual plan with changes will be reviewed at the February Regular Board Meeting.

IV. ADJOURNMENT

Motioned by Gossman seconded by Ness to adjourn the meeting. Affirmative: O’Connor, Mensink, Ness, Gossman. Opposed: none. Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:36 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Richard O’Connor