Minnesota Pest Management Association
January 19, 2016Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Moe’s Restaurant, Mounds View, MN
The following is a listing of those in attendance:
Dr. Hao Yu: Guardian Pest Solutions
Rob Greer: Rove Pest Control
Richard Turbett: Terminix
Stephen Kells: University of MN
Matt Ferguson: Rainbow Pest Control
Joe Spitzmueller:Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture
Jenny Williams: Plunkett’s Pest Control
Larry Rufledt: Westside Pest Control
Larry Rufledt Jr.: Westside Pest Control
Dr. Mohammed El Damir: Adam’s Pest Control
Kathy Watrin: Granite Pest Control
Joe Watrin: Granite Pest Control
Gary Williamson: Pest West
Allison Forcier: Meeting and Incentive Travel Planner
Mike Fresvik: Minnesota Pest Management Association
MPMA 2016 President Todd Leyse was unable to attend this meeting.
2015 MPMA President Matt Ferguson opened the meeting at11:30 AM, and calling for any old business, being none, he opened the meeting to new business.
MPMA President Matt Ferguson requested a roll call of those present.
Joe Spitzmueller: Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Joe first discussed links to Minnesota workshops. The links below will lead to the workshop calendar that was discussed at today’s meeting. The first link is the front page for the site. From there a person needs to click on the commercial, noncommercial, or structural applicator link. Then click the link to the 2016 Recertification Workshops to access the calendar of workshops.
The second link will lead directly to the 2016 calendar of recertification workshops.
Joe then discussed Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) legislative proposals. MDA does have a number of legislative language proposals. At this time, the proposals have been sent to the Governor’s office for review. When proposals are at the Governor’s office it’s very difficult to determine the status of the individual proposals. Joe did mention that one proposal would impact the structural pest control industry; it deals with pesticide use notification in multihousing units and public areas.
Joe then discussed 2015 MDA inspections. Last year MDA did ten inspections relating to the structural pest control industry. Four of the inspections were routine and six inspections were for cause. Three of the cases remain open, but at this point no violations have been determined.
Dr. Stephen Kells: University of Minnesota
Dr. Kells opened with a discussion of the March 2016 Structural Pest Management Conference. The conference agenda has been finalized. Dr. Kells handed out a complete copy of the agenda. Dr. Kells indicated that some intended speaker had conflicts, but he was able to find a substitute. The conference will start at 8:00 AM with a welcome introduction. The morning session will include MDA updates, bed bugs, pest ID workshop, new technologies in pest management, and IPM in public housing.
The March 7 PM session includes a presentation by the MN Pest Management Association, spider control in the Midwest, bees and wasps, and presentation by Cindy Mannes, National Pest Management Association.
At the conclusion of the session, MPMA will be sponsoring a reception for Managers and Supervisors.
The March 8 session will open with rodent control and prevention, healthcare, pest scenarios, and pest prevention in commercial and other buildings. The afternoon session deals with mosquitoes, biting flies, and fumigation. In addition, NESDCA canine recertification for bed bug dogs and handler teams.
Allison Forcier, Meeting & Incentive Travel Planner and Mike Fresvik, MPMA:
The remainder of the meeting dealt with planning for the MPMA Reception March 7 after the conclusion of the afternoon session. The reception will approximately 4:30 PM and last for one hourbegin. The reception is for owners, supervisors, technical managers (decision makers) and will feature a Taco Fiesta food station and beverages. The reception will be held in the exhibit area which will allow for visiting with vendors, agenda speakers, conference planners and organizers, other attendees, and MPMA members. When conference attendees register they will see MPMA Reception invite information. The overall reception goal is to increase company membership in MPMA/NPMA.
MPMA 2015 President Matt Ferguson asked for any new items, being none the meeting was adjorned.
Mike Fresvik, MPMA
Secretary/Treasurer
2414 Elm Drive
White Bear Lake, MN 55110
651-402-8837