DISTRICT SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
Wednesday,
January 30, 2008
4:30 P.M.
MEMBERS
PRESENT: Pam Mensink, Margaret Ness, Tim Gossman
MEMBERS ABSENT: Brian
Hazel, Richard O’Connor
OTHERS
PRESENT: Kevin Kuehner, Jeanette
Serfling, Mary Kells (BWSR)
Mensink called the meeting to order at 4:57 p.m. A quorum is present.
I. AGENDA
Motioned by Gossman seconded by
II. OLD BUSINESS
1. Overview
of District Assessment
Kells
reviewed the process taken to perform the District Assessment and the
recommendations made by the District Assessment Team. She had prepared a form listing each of the
recommendations which were then discussed for priority, who would perform the
operation and a start and completion date.
Internal Operations:
·
Adopt a set of by-laws to guide board
function was set as a high priority. A draft copy will be prepared by the District
Administrator with completion by and adoption at the March 12, 2008 board
meeting.
·
Revisit mission as a district. Ask the
questions. This was reviewed at the Annual Planning
Meeting held on January 22, 2008.
·
Board members assess their
roles/responsibilities. Ask themselves
questions. This was given high priority. This will be started in May, 2008 when
supervisors will be considering re-election.
Supervisors will use this as a self-reflection exercise. Roles and responsibilities of supervisors
could also be published in local newspapers to promote public awareness of the
position.
·
Personnel committee structure and role
in staff relationships/management. Kells suggested the board chair and one
supervisor work with the District Administrator. The roles will be incorporated into the
by-laws.
·
Participate in the MASWCD sponsored
leadership program. This is the responsibility of the District
Administrator and is ongoing.
·
Develop policy of staff attendance at
board meetings. At present staff is welcome to attend meetings,
but not required to attend. A list of
expectations will be developed by the District Administrator and reviewed in
August.
·
Incorporate policy for board/staff
management in personnel committee structure. This item will be performed by the District
Administrator with completion by the March board meeting.
·
Develop follow-up plan and establish a
schedule to report on activities. Items will be listed on the calendar of
events and included in the board folder.
External
Operations:
·
Manager will meet regularly with
federal partners to coordinate program delivery.
District Administrator is working with partners to develop CRP and
Grazing/NMP/Feedlot workgroups which will meet quarterly. Staff meetings are conducted every other
week.
·
Manager meet regularly with
·
Include partner agencies in annual
planning and implement. NRCS usually attends and will be included in
2009.
2. Development of timeline and
by-laws
Examples of by-laws and
governance documents were reviewed.
Board consensus was to develop a draft set of by-laws for review at the
February meeting with a goal of adopting them at the March meeting.
Kuehner provided a copy of the
Winona SWCD bylaws. The Board reviewed
the document, agreed that it was a good starting point and made changes as
necessary to fit the needs of the District.
Kuehner will make the changes as
discussed and a draft copy will be sent in the next board packet.
VII. ADJOURNMENT
Motioned by Gossman seconded by
The
meeting was adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Pamela Mensink
Board Chair