Minutes from the May 20th, 2009 Regular Monthly Board Meeting
The meeting of the East Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation District was held at the USDA Service Center Conference Room at 801 Jenny Ave. S.W., Perham, MN on May 20th, 2009.
The meeting was called to order at 7:26 a.m. by Chairperson Lyle Dittmann.
Members Present:Chairperson – Lyle Dittmann
Vice Chairperson – Steve Inwards
Secretary – Marion Gill
Public Relations – Denny Reynolds
Members Absent:Treasurer – Gary Zeise
Others Present: County Commissioner – Doug Huebsch
Area Conservationist – Colleen Oestreich
WesMin RC & D Coordinator – Dean Schmidt
District Conservationist – Bruce Becker
District Manager – Darren Newville
Office Manager – Deb Werner
Adopt Agenda: Motion made by Reynolds, seconded by Gill to approve the agenda as presented.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Approve April Board Meeting Minutes: Motion made by Gill, seconded by Dittmann to approve the April Board Meeting Minutes as presented.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Approve Treasurer’s Report: Motion made by Inwards, seconded by Gill to approve the Treasurer’s Report subject to audit.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Approve Bills Paid and Payable: Motion made by Inwards, seconded by Gill to approve the Bills Paid and Payable.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
County Commissioner’s Report: There was discussion on a possible Feedlot Officer. Currently in Otter Tail County there are 659 registered feedlots.
Wetland restoration is taxed as wasteland.
There was discussion on Green Acres.
WesMin RC & D Coordinator Report: Schmidt discussed with the board the process of how proposals get to be WesMin projects and the progress of the current projects.
There was discussion on projects in our area: Dry Fire Hydrants, Stimulus projects, Rain Gardens and Biomass.
Hybrid Poplar harvested has a 30% waste. It takes 14 years to produce 1 cord of wood. Pulp sells for $20-$30 a ton.
A Biomass Tour is set for July 10th2009 in Wadena.
Doug Huebsch left meeting at 8:16 a.m.
Dean Schmidt left meeting at 8:21 a.m.
Cost Share: Motion made by Gill, seconded byInwards to approve a State Cost Share contract 11-CSW-2008, Hoeft, Dan; authorization for payment on a Field Windbreak with a cost of $617.31 with cost sharing not to exceed $462.98 or 75% which ever is less in Rush Lake Township Section 8.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Reynolds, seconded by Inwards to approve contract 6-CSW-2009, Krack, Don; authorization to approve State Cost Share on a Critical Area Stabilization with a cost estimate of $876.00 and cost sharing not to exceed $657.00 or 75% which ever is less in Otter Tail Township Section 4.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Gill, seconded by Inwards to approve contract 7-CSW-2009, Sturdevant, Tammy; authorization to approve a Critical Area Stabilization with a cost estimate of $7,580.00 and cost sharing not to exceed $5,685.00 or 75% which ever is less in Corliss Township Section 31.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Reynolds, seconded by Gill to approve contract 8-CSW-2009, Lahr, Curt; authorization to approve a Livestock Waste Management with a cost estimate of $4,950.00 and cost sharing not to exceed $3,712.50 or 75% which ever is less in Dora Township Section 5.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Gill, seconded by Reynolds to approve contract 9-CSW-2009, Greenwaldt, Alyn; authorization to approve a Field Windbreak with a cost estimate of $3,500.00 and cost sharing not to exceed $2,625.00 or 75% which ever is less in Compton Township Section 30.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Gill, seconded by Inwards to approve contract 8-ABWS-2007, Van, Mark; authorization to approve an Abandoned Well Sealing with a cost estimate of $100.00 and cost sharing not to exceed $75.00 or 75% which ever is less in Dunn Township Section 6.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Gill, seconded by Reynolds to approve contract 9-ABWS-2007, Flatau, Harvey or Gary; authorization to approve an Abandoned Well Sealing with a cost estimate of $250.00 and cost sharing not to exceed $187.50 or 75% which ever is less in Hobart Township Section 35.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Gill, seconded by Inwards to approve contract 10-ABSW-2007, Riepe Farms/Jim Riepe; authorization to approve an Abandoned Well Sealing with a cost estimate of $300.00 and cost sharing not to exceed $225.00 or 75% which ever is less in Perham Township Section 20.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Gill, seconded by Inwards to approve contract 01-NPBG-2009, Wild Ones/Otter Tail Chapter; authorization to approve a Bio-Retention Pond with a cost estimate of$4,500.00 and cost sharing not to exceed $3,375.00 or 75% which ever is less in Fergus Falls TownshipSection 2 & 3.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Gill, seconded by Inwards to approve contract 02-NPBG-2009, Ferguson, Debra; authorization to approve a Shoreland Habitat Restoration with a cost estimate of $5,981.00 and cost sharing not to exceed $4,485.75 or 75% which ever is less in Aurdal Township Section 31.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Inwards, seconded by Gill to approve contract 03-NPBG-2009, Hogan, Betty Ann; authorization to approve a Shoreland Stabilization with a cost estimate of $1,353.00 and cost sharing not to exceed $1,014.75 or 75% which ever is less in Everts Township Section 5.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Inwards, seconded by Gill to approve contract 04-NPBG-2009, Michaelson, Paul; authorization to approve a Shoreland Habitat Restoration with a cost estimate of $750.00 with cost sharing not to exceed $562.50 or 75% which ever is less in Amor Township Section 36.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Gill, seconded by Inwards to approve contract 05-NPBG-2009, Holsen, Dave or Jill; authorization to approve a Shoreland Habitat Restorationwith a cost estimate of $1,625.00 and cost sharing not to exceed $1,218.75 or 75% which ever is less in Lida Township Section 29.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Gill, seconded by Inwards to approve contract 01-NBG-2009, Dignan, Tom; authorization to approve a Restoration & Management of Declining Habitat witha cost estimate of $370.00 and cost sharing not to exceed$277.50 or 75% which ever is less in Inman Township section 15.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Gill, seconded by Inwards to approve contract 02-NBG-2009, Simmons, Raymond; authorization to approve a Shoreland Habitat Restoration with a total cost estimate of project to be $2,856.00 (3-WPLS-2008 contract approved for $2,200.00) and cost sharing not to exceed $1,042.00 or 75% which ever is less in Lida Township Section 29. (Currently contact 03-WPLS-2008 cost share is 50%. This would increase cost share on total project up to 75%)
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Gill, seconded by Inwards to approve contract 03-NBG-2009, Jensen, Gordon; authorization to approve a Shoreland Habitat Restoration with a total cost estimate of project to be $3,222.00 (5-WPLS-2008 contract approved for $2,900.00) and cost sharing not to exceed $966.50 or 75% which ever is less in Dora Township Section 32. (Currently contract 5-WPLS-2008 cost share is 50%. This would increase cost share on total project up to 75%)
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Gill, seconded by Inwards to approve contract 04-NBG-2009, Olson, Larry & Judy; authorization to approve a Shoreland Habitat Restoration with a total cost estimate of the project to be $912.00 (6-WPLS-2008 contract approved for $740.00) and cost sharing not to exceed $314.00 or 75% which ever is less in Dora Township Section 32. (Currently contract 6-WPLS-2008 cost share is 50%. This would increase cost share on total project up to 75%)
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Inwards, seconded by Gill to approve contract 05-NBG-2009, Robideaux, James; authorization to approve a Shoreland Habitat Restoration with a total cost estimate of the project to be $2,945.00 (4-WPLS-2008 contract approved for $2,200.00) and cost sharing not to exceed $1,108.75 or 75% which ever is less in Lida Township Section 29. Currently contract 4-WPLS-2008 cost share is 50%. This would increase cost share on total project up to 75%)
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Reynolds, seconded by Gill to approve contract 06-NBG-2009, Freeman, Phyllis or Mervin; authorization to approve a Shoreland Habitat Restoration with a total cost estimate of project to be $2,839.00 (1-WPLS-2008 contract approved for $2,500.00) and cost sharing not to exceed $879.25 or 75% which ever is less in Dead Lake Township Section 31. (Currently contract 1-WPLS-2008 cost share is 50%. This would increase cost share on total project up to 75%.)
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
District Manager’s Report: As attached.
Area Conservationist’s Report: Annual visit to the board meeting. Oestreich gave the board some background on her experience with natural resources.
1.8 million dollars of EQIP funds are available in the state of Minnesota for organic farming.
Area II has $95,000.00 available for WHIP projects.
District Conservationist’s Report: A proposed 42 wind turbines are to be built in the Parkers Prairie area.
Currently 27 EQIP applications have been received for $450,000.00. These contracts need to be ranked by Friday May 22nd, 2009. There would be 75% cost share on structural applications.
There was discussion on strip tillage.
East Otter Tail has 29 WHIP contracts for $105,000. These projects would be for 2010.
Letters have been sent out on 151 expiring CRP contracts giving them possible available options.
WesMin RC & D: Reynolds handed out an update on WesMin.
JPB: No Report.
Ag Advisory Committee Update: No report.
Water Plan Update: There was a meeting on Tuesday, May 19th, 2009. The updated water plan is getting closer to being completed.
Building Update: No report.
Meetings and Training to be approved: Motion made by Inwards, seconded by Gill to approve any Supervisor to attend the Refresher Course to be held in St. Cloud on July 14th & 15th, 2009.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
Motion made by Inwards, seconded by Gill to approve any staff to attend the Streamline Ecology Workshop to be held June 9th & 10th, 2009 in Detroit Lakes or June 16th & 17th, 2009 in Fergus Falls.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
2009 Conservation Farmer Award: The board is to make a recommendation on a 2009 Conservation Farmer at the June Board Meeting.
Personnel: Motion made by Inwards, seconded by Gill that Aaron Salo has successfully completed his probationary period and will receive his cost of living increase effective 5/18/2009.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
The board discussed the possibility of hiring an Intern or a Seasonal Part Time Employee to help out the Shoreland Specialist. Motion made by Dittmann, seconded by Inwards to hire a Seasonal Part Time Employee to help the Shoreland Specialist.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.
MEETINGS AND TRAINING SESSIONS ATTENDED:
Forum on Agricultural Practices in Shoreland Areas, Frazee – April 15th, 2009 (Steve Henry attended)
SM-1 Soils Training, Fergus Falls – April 16th, 2009 (Aaron Salo attended)
Tree Pickup, Perham – April 24th & 25th, 2009 (Darren Newville, Arnie Rethemeier, Aaron Salo, Diane Sazama & Deb Werner attended)
Conservation Days at Walker Lake – April 28th, 29th & 30th, 2009 (Arnie Rethemeier, Steve Henry, Jean Eken & Jim Pendroy attended)
Minnesota Water Conference, Rochester – May 7th & 8th, 2009 (Steve Henry attended)
Envirothon, Fergus Falls – May 8th, 2009 (Deb Werner attended)
Personnel Committee Meeting, Perham – May 12th, 2009 (Steve Inwards, Lyle Dittmann & Darren Newville attended)
Water Plan Meeting, Fergus Falls – May 19th, 2009 (Denny Reynolds & Darren Newville attended)
Minnesota Science Museum, Perham – May 19th, 2009 (Deb Werner attended)
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND TRAINING SESSIONS:
WCA TEP Panel Meeting, Perham – May 20th, 2009 (Darren Newville attending)
WCA TEP Panel Meeting, Perham – May 27th, 2009 (Darren Newville attending)
MCC Crew, Perham June 8th – 11th, 2009 (Steve Henry attending)
Loon Lake Meeting, Vergas – June 6th, 2009 (Steve Henry attending)
Open House Freemans on Dead Lake – June 6th, 2009 (Steve Henry attending)
Lida Lake Open House – June 13th, 2009 (Steve Henry attending)
Area I Meeting, Grant County Hosting – June 16th, 2009
West Battle Lake Annual Meeting –June 27th, 2009 (Steve Henry attending)
MASWCD State Convention, Duluth – December 6th, 7th & 8th, 2009
Motion made by Reynolds, seconded by Inwards to adjourn the meeting at 9:57 a.m.
Affirmative: Dittmann, Inwards, Gill & Reynolds.
Opposed: None. Motion carried.