DISTRICT REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Monday, January 7, 2008

4:30 P.M.

Conservation Building

Preston, MN  55965

 

Minutes

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:           Pam Mensink, Margaret Ness, Tim Gossman, Brian Hazel

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:             Richard O’Connor

 

OTHERS PRESENT:             Kevin Kuehner, Jeanette Serfling, Rick Grooters, Donna Rasmussen, Susan Glende (NRCS), Stafford Hansen (County Commissioner)

 

Gossman called the meeting to order at 4:47 p.m.  A quorum is present.

 

I.         AGENDA

 

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

 

 

II.       TREASURER’S REPORT/PAYABLES

 

Motioned by Mensink seconded by Hazel to approve the December 2007 Treasurer’s report, subject to audit.  Affirmative: Mensink, Hazel, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed: none.  Motion carried.

 

                Motioned by Mensink seconded by Ness to approve the January 2008 payables.  Affirmative: Mensink, Hazel, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed: none.  Motion carried.

 

Motioned by Hazel seconded by Ness to approve the October-December 2007 supervisor’s vouchers.  Affirmative:  Mensink, Hazel, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried.

 

 

III.      CONSENT AGENDA

 

Motioned by Ness seconded by Mensink to approve the following consent agenda items:

 

1.      Secretary’s Report – December 12th, 2007 Regular Board Meeting Minutes

2.      Secretary’s Report – December 21st, 2007 Special Board Meeting Minutes

3.      Approve payment of Envirothon Donation of $175.00 to the Goodhue SWCD

4.      Approve payment of $500.00 to Joel Groten 2007 College Scholarship recipient.

Affirmative: Mensink, Hazel, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed: none.  Motion carried.

 

 

IV.       OLD BUSINESS

 

          1.                 Discuss National Convention

 

Due to the absence of O’Connor, this item will be discussed at the Special Board Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 15, 2008.

 

          2.                 Review 2006 audit

 

Motioned by Mensink seconded by Hazel to approve the 2006 audit.  Affirmative: Hazel, Mensink, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed: none.  Motion carried.

 

3.                 Discuss Renewable Energy Event.

 

Ness presented information she and O’Connor had obtained regarding a renewable energy event at the county fair.  A 30’ x 30’ tent, which can be expanded to 30’ x 50’, could be rented from the Ostrander Lions Club for $200 for 3 days or for a longer period for an additional sum.  Ness requested Board input for topics to be addressed, the number of days at the fair, and number of presenters per day.   Suggested topics include small scale wind and solar energy, cellulosic ethanol, on-farm bio-diesel and geothermal heat pumps. 

 

It was suggested that the District could possibly partner with the Hiawatha RC&D.  A meeting with the RC&D director, Kuehner, Ness, and a member of the fair board was suggested to see how they could partner to promote a successful event.

 

This will be discussed further at the Annual Planning Meeting.

 

 

III.      NEW BUSINESS

 

          1.                 Election of Officers

 

Chair Gossman called for nominations for Chair.  Ness nominated Hazel for Chair.  Hazel nominated Mensink for Chair.  Gossman called for more nominations three times.  Voting proceeded by written ballot.  Mensink received three votes.  Hazel received one vote.  Mensink was elected Chair. 

 

 Chair Mensink called for nominations for Vice-Chair.  Mensink nominated Gossman for Vice-Chair.  Ness nominated Hazel for Vice-Chair.  Chair Mensink called for more nominations three times.  Voting proceeded by written ballot.  Hazel received two votes.  Gossman received two votes.  The tie was broken by flipping a coin.  Gossman won and was elected Vice-Chair. 

 

Chair Mensink called for nominations for Treasurer.  Hazel was nominated for Treasurer. 

 

Motioned by Gossman seconded by Ness to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Hazel.  Affirmative: Hazel, Mensink, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed: none.  Motion carried.

 

Chair Mensink called for nominations for Secretary.  O’Connor was nominated for Secretary. 

 

Motioned by Mensink seconded by Gossman to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for O’Connor.  Affirmative: Hazel, Mensink, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed: none.  Motion carried.

 

2.                 Appointment of committees

 

As O’Connor was absent, the appointment of committees was postponed until the special board meeting scheduled for January 15, 2008.

 

          3.                 Set board meeting dates and times

 

Motioned by Gossman seconded by Ness to schedule 2008 board meetings for the second Wednesday of each month at 4:30 p.m.  Affirmative: Hazel, Mensink, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed: none.  Motion carried.

 

          4.                 Set per diem and mileage rates

 

Motioned by Ness seconded by Hazel to set the mileage reimbursement rates for 2008 at $.50 per mile and set the per diem rate at $70.00 for all meetings and functions.

 

Motion amended by Gossman seconded by Hazel to set the mileage reimbursement rate for 2008 at $.505, the approved IRS rate, and set the per diem rate at $70.00 for all meetings and functions.  Affirmative: Hazel, Mensink, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed: none.  Motion carried.

 

 

5.                 Select district depositories.

 

Motioned by Gossman seconded by Hazel to select Security State Bank, Wykoff; Canton State Bank, Canton; Bank of the West, Mabel; First State Bank, Fountain; First Southeast Bank, Harmony; Home Federal Savings Bank, Spring Valley; First State Bank, Spring Valley; Root River State Bank, Chatfield; Security State Bank, Spring Valley; Associated Bank of Lanesboro, Lanesboro; Associated Bank, Rushford; Rushford State Bank, Rushford; Security State Bank, Ostrander; F&M Community Bank, Preston as depositories.  Affirmative: Hazel, Mensink, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed: none.  Motion carried.

 

6.                 Designate newspaper

 

Motioned by Gossman seconded by Hazel to designate the River Valley Reader as the official newspaper.  Affirmative:  Hazel, Mensink, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried.

 

7.                 Consider payment of the annual MASWCD dues in the amount of $2,480.00

 

Motioned by Ness seconded by Gossman to approve the payment of the 2008 MASWCD annual dues in the amount of $2,480.00.  Affirmative:  Hazel, Mensink, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried.

 

8.                 Consider Flood Relief RIM applicant ranking recommendations

Kuehner explained the RIM program is a land retirement program with a permanent easement.  Twenty inquiries were received with fourteen expressing interest to sign the application by the deadline of January 15, 2008.  BWSR reviews the applications and allocates funds to those who rank the highest.

 

Local staff developed the ranking criteria and ranked those interested. 

 

Hansen left the meeting at 6:06 p.m.

 

Motioned by Ness seconded by Gossman to give staff the authority to rank the applicants.  Affirmative:  Hazel, Mensink, Ness, O’Connor, Gossman.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried.

 

9.                 Consider multiple applicants for AgBMP loan

Kuehner reported several individuals had asked whether multiple applicants would be eligible for an AgBMP loan for one piece of conservation equipment which would be used by all parties. 

 

Motioned by Ness seconded by Gossman to         allow multiple applicants for one project up to a maximum of $50,000 for conservation equipment.  Affirmative:  Hazel, Mensink, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried.

 

10.               Consider final payment of Special Flood Relief Cost-share Contract FR07-16 Roger Bothun Structure Repair in the amount of $850.00.

 

Motioned by Ness seconded by Gossman to approve final payment of Special Flood Relief Cost-share Contract FR07-16 Roger Bothun Structure Repair in the amount of $850.00.  Affirmative:  Hazel, Mensink, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried.

 

11.               Consider final payment of District Cover Crop Cost-share for Brett Broadwater in the amount of $420.00 (40 acres @ $10.50 per acre).

 

Motioned by Ness seconded by Hazel to approve final payment of District Cover Crop Cost-share for Brett Broadwater in the amount of $420.00 (40 acres @ $10.50 per acre).  Affirmative:  Hazel, Mensink, Ness, Gossman.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried.

 

12.               Consider final payment of District Cover Crop Cost-share John Mulvihill in the amount of $336.00 (32 acres @ $10.50 per acre).

 

Motioned by Hazel seconded by Gossman to approve final payment of District Cover Crop Cost-share John Mulvihill in the amount of $336.00 (32 acres @ $10.50 per acre).  Affirmative:  Ness, Mensink, Hazel, Gossman.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried.

 

13.               Consider final payment of District Cover Crop Cost-share Mitch Mulvihill in the amount of $409.50 (39 acres @ $10.50).

 

Motioned by Gossman seconded by Ness to approve final payment of District Cover Crop Cost-share Mitch Mulvihill in the amount of $409.50 (39 acres @ $10.50 per acre).  Affirmative:  Ness, Mensink, Hazel, Gossman.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried.

 

14.               Consider final payment of District Cover Crop Cost-share John Snyder in the amount of $420.00 (40 acres @$10.50 per acre).

 

Motioned by Ness seconded by Hazel to approve final payment of District Cover Crop Cost-share John Snyder in the amount of $420.00 (40 acres @ $10.50 per acre).  Affirmative:  Mensink, Ness, Hazel, Gossman.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried.

 

15.               Consider final payment of District Cover Crop Cost-share Phil Kruegel in the amount of $199.50 (19 acres @ $10.50 per acre).

 

Motioned by Hazel seconded by Ness to approve final payment of District Cover Crop Cost-share Phil Kruegel in the amount of $199.50 (19 acres @ $10.50).  Affirmative:  Mensink, Ness, Hazel, Gossman.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried.

 

16.               Consider final payment of District Cover Crop Cost-share Lynn Aggen in the amount of $112.00 (14 acres @ $8.00).

 

Motioned by Hazel seconded by Gossman to approve final payment of District Cover Cost-share Lynn Aggen in the amount of $112.00 (14 acres @ $8.00 per acre).  Affirmative:  Hazel, Ness, Mensink, Gossman.  Opposed:  none.  Motion carried.

 

 

 

VI.       REPORTS

 

1.       Supervisor’s activity report

 

Ness reported attending a meeting with Jeff Copley from the City of Rushford, Danny Nubbe from Mineral Services Plus, Rasmussen, Kuehner and Grooters on December 13th and attending the special board meeting on December 21st.

 

          Mensink reported attending the Rushford City Council meeting on December 27th.

 

          Hazel reported attending the Rushford City Council meeting on December 27th. 

 

 

 

          2.       Staff reports

          A written report was given the board members for review.

         

          Grooters gave a brief report on the success of the 65th Anniversary Open House.

 

3.       Administrator’s report

Kuehner reported Wednesday, January 9th is the deadline for Ron Greenslade to respond regarding his wetland issue.

 

The Root River Turbidity TMDL work plan is in the process of being developed.  

A small watershed grant is also being worked on.  A meeting was held to choose one or two watersheds on which to focus.  This would involve intensive water sampling and could coordinate information between the two projects.

 

Kuehner will be scheduling a personnel committee meeting before the February board meeting to discuss staffing needs for these projects. 

 

Kuehner reported Trout Unlimited has designated $240,000 for a seven county area to be used to protect stream banks.  Six miles of demonstration stream bank stabilization will be developed.

 

Kuehner informed the Board about a meeting held with Jennifer Lee and Tim Grady. The couple was upset about a decision made by the Newburg Township board.  The couple was offered technical and financial support from the SWCD.

 

4.       NRCS

Glende handed out a spreadsheet showing the amount of money paid out in area counties since October 1, 2007 for federal programs.

 

Fourteen EQIP contracts were funded in the amount of $287,000.  Practices include pasture management, terraces, and cover crops. 

 

VII.     ADJOURNMENT

 

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

 

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

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

Pamela Mensink

Board Chair