MORRISON SWCD BOARD MEETING

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2011

9:00 A.M.

USDA SERVICE CENTER, LITTLE FALLS, MN  56345

Present:  Supervisors Dahmen, Brutscher, Holmgren, Stangl, and Anez.  Staff:  Hanson, Zapzalka, Ringwelski, and McLennan.  Commissioner Don Meyer.  Guests:  Dave Copeland, AC; Gerry Maciej and Katie Winkleman, Benton SWCD.

Introductions of the guests were made.

Secretary’s Report:  MSC by Holmgren/Stangl to approve as read.

Treasurer’s Report:  MSC by Anez/Brutscher to approve as presented.

Staff Reports: Helen shared that much of the week had been monopolized by two WCA issues.  One very agitated Todd County resident (M. Smieja) complaining about what he perceived to be a WCA violation on a property in Morrison County (Dan Waldoch).  He had placed many phone calls to this office, different DNR divisions, Todd County, Todd SWCD, FSA in both counties, and the Army Corps.  The site had been visited by a Conservation Officer, then Josh and Helen, and then the full TEP and found to be upland.  Another problem occurred with the Vern Froelich draining violation and the confrontation with the contractor involved, Steve Waytashek.  Both situations had developed into much anger and slander.

Alan stated that tiling work had just ended the first week of December.  Some jobs would have to be completed in the spring.  Tree sales were going very well.  He has been working on the Jason Bakke Environmental After the Fact CUP Review.

Terry said that CSP payments were being processed, and quite a few modifications were necessary.  He and Steve Girard were doing quite a bit of surveying for EQIP funded ag waste sites.  The new survey equipment really lessened the time spent on surveying.  Three control structure sed basins were done this fall.  There aren’t a lot of EQIP applications yet for the January deadline.   They had attended WinPST training for pesticide detection.

Josh said the EQIP deadline was set for January 20^th to allow adequate time to work up the contracts.  There is also a CSP deadline of January 13^th.  The landscape stewardship area of 10 mile radius to Camp Ripley had been set to receive bonus points for the forestry incentive through EQIP.

Commissioner Don Meyer:  Don reported that the Truth in Taxation hearing had gone rather calmly.  He was very upset that Jason Bakke had violated county ordinance by operating a Tier 2 feedlot without a CUP permit when he sits on the BOA and Planning Commission task force.

Guest Report – Dave Copeland, NRCS Area Conservationist:  Dave said that the reorganization had given him four more counties and he would try to make one meeting a year.  The area had 278 CSP contracts and Morrison held the lion share of those so he thanked the NRCS staff for their hard work.  The CRP contribution agreement funding should be available in the spring.  He was happy to have Josh’s experience on the area team since so many of his DCs are very young.  The EQIP budget for MN should be approximately $21,000,000.    There is new technology coming for drainage water management and NRCS is trying to develop some wetland banking credits for producers to mitigate small impact wetlands in their fields.

Gerry Maciej  and Katie Winkleman – Benton SWCD  Little Rock TMDL news:  Gerry and Katie shared a few handouts that highlighted the findings of the TMDL studies, and what was presented in the work plan.  Funding had been received through the Clean Water Legacy grants to work towards irrigation management and phosphorus reduction.  They will also be working with Golden Plump to hopefully change the feed makeup to allow the poultry to utilize the phosphorus of the feed.  Katie will be the primary contact for both counties working with producers and the residents within the watershed.

OLD BUSINESS:

1.  WCA Violation – Vern Froelich  (reported above)
2. Cost Share Amendment:  Jason Walcheski increase of $3,889.52  MSC by Brutscher/Stangl to approve the increase.
3. Cost Share Payment Approvals: MSC by Brutscher/Anez to approve:
1. Dale Stewart   #06-11                   well sealing    $ 292.50
2. Jason Walcheski  #FWQ 08-10   ag waste          $ 128,889.50
3. Gerald Girtz   #FWQ 09-10          ag waste          $ 29,414.45
4. Dustin Wroolie   #09-11                well sealing    $ 234.00
5. Roger Lanners    #08-11                terrace/tile     $ 1,808.75
6. Cancel Cost Share  MSC by Stangl/Holmgren to cancel:
1.  Jason Boser FWQ 10-10     ag waste          $ 2,750.00
2.  ACUB Update 2011 recap:  BWSR was awarded $2.5 million this year.  We still have slightly over a million to encumber.  It’s unknown how well ACUB will survive in 2012.
3. Tree Open House Summary – Dec. 7^th, 2011:  It was a very successful day with a steady stream of customers and nearly 12,000 trees sold. 

NEW BUSINESS:

1.  Evaluations summary:  Helen said that all three hourly employees had received high scores on their evaluations and she was very pleased with the staff for the whole office now.  LeaAnn has been a real pleasure to work with and Josh coming in as the DC this year has really made the workplace thrive.
2. State Cost Share Applications:  MSC by Stangl/Holmgren to approve:
   1. #10-11/01-12    Cel Gall           windbreak        $ 1,071.00
   2. #02-12                Dale Sauer      windbreak        $    165.00
   3. #03-12                Dave Kliber    windbreak        $    624.93
   4.  Finance Committee Report:  Helen shared the changes in the budget and where some areas were over or under budget.  The budget included one step for Alan and Helen and four steps for Lance to bring him up to where he should be.
      1. 2012 Budget approval:  MSC by Holmgren/Stangl.
      2. Slate of Officers for 2012  MSC by Brutscher/Anez

Chairman            Robert Holmgren

V. Chair                Tom Brutscher

Secretary             Cynthia Anez

Treasurer             Marvin Stangl

Public Relations  Claude Dahmen

Meeting adjourned at 11:35 a.m.

Morrison SWCD Board Meeting
Thursday, November 17, 2011
9:00 a.m.
USDA County Offices

Present:  Supervisors Stangl, Brutscher, Anez, Dahmen, and Holmgren.  Staff:  McLennan, Nouis, and Ringwelski.  Absent:  Commissioner Don Meyer

SECRETARY’S MINUTES:  MSC by Stangl/Holmgren to approve as read.

TREASURER’S REPORT:  MSC by Holmgren/Anez to approve as presented.

STAFF REPORTS:  LeaAnn Nouis thanked the board for the BWSR Academy training session and how it allowed her a better understanding the history of programs and the roles of BWSR to districts.  She attended 10 sessions altogether and also enjoyed the networking opportunity.  The elink sessions and financial reporting sessions were especially helpful.

Alan gave the NRCS report in their absence.  CSP payments are being made and 148 recipients that brings a boost to the local farm economy.  NRCS is also working on wetland certifications and tile line issues.  A new EQIP sign up will be held with a January 15^th, 2012 deadline and ranked by Feb. 1.

Alan also reported that the Walcheski, Girtz, and Bilmaier ag wastes were nearly completed.  The Poster, Fussy, and Capko sediment basins will likely be postponed due to tile not being available.  At the BWSR Academy he attended a class on geomorphology, water quality, drainage laws and plant identification.

Helen shared that the audit was still not completed and a lot of confusion over the ACUB funding that crosses over more than one calendar year.  She also shared the changes that were coming in the State Cost Share program.  The board can take action in 2012 to allow her to sign cost share contracts on behalf of the district.  The board still will approve contracts, but document signing can be delegated.  Also, farmstead shelterbelts will only be funded at a maximum of 50%.

OLD BUSINESS:

1.  Capko Brothers Amendment:  Due to increased costs, an additional $2,138 is needed to meet the 75% cost share for state and federal combined.  Total cost share will be $7,138.  MSC by Holmgren/Stangl to approve the amendment.
2.  Motley erosion project update on the Long Prairie River:  Helen explained that all of the participants will be meeting in Motley on Monday the 21 to discuss the final design.  Getting signatures from all the interest holders were difficult since they were corporations with headquarters out of state.  The job will likely take place in 2012 unless weather holds out.

NEW BUSINESS:

1.  Cost savings measures taken for 2013:  Helen shared that NRCS was issued a new copier/scanner.  This district has always supplied one for the office but it was timely since the lease was up in November.  It will mean over $400/month savings to the district.  Also, due to little use of the cellular phone, the Verizon plan was dropped and a prepaid phone was purchased instead.  One phone line will be able to be discontinued as well since the office no longer will have a fax machine.
2. Finance Committee meeting before December meeting:  December 13^th, 9:00 a.m. for Bob and Tom.
3.  Extensions for Kevin Poster and John Fussy due to tile shortage:  MSC by Anez/Stangl to approve a one year extension.
4. Web Page:  Helen explained that there had been a great deal of difficulty in the web page management lately.  BWSR requires certain things to be posted and for some reason, the site was rejecting current postings.  LeaAnn is working with a local company that will redesign the web site and make it more user friendly.  MSC by Stangl/Brutscher to hire FireFly Design Studio to re-create a new website, at a cost not to exceed $765 which included one year’s maintenance and some training time.  The cost may be less once we see how much we need.

Meeting closed at 10: 40 a.m.

___________________________________________Tom Brutscher, Secretary

MORRISON SWCD BOARD MEETING
Thursday, October 20, 2011
9:00 a.m.
USDA County Offices

Present: Supervisors Dahmen, Brutscher, Holmgren, Stangl, and Anez. Commissioner Don Meyer. Staff: McLennan, Ringwelski, and Hanson.

Secretary’s Report: MSC by Stangl/Holmgren to approve as read.

Treasurer’s Report: MSC by Anez/Brutscher to approve as presented.

Staff Reports : Helen reported that it was a concern that some 2010 funded projects were not going to get done on time due to a tile shortage. She and LeaAnn had continued to supply the auditor’s with any requests. She was also working on printing the employee’s policy but first had to do the Table of Contents. She and Dan Steward had completed the LSOHC reports on the 2010 update, and completed the accomplishment plan for the 2012 award which had a deadline of October 24th.

Alan said that the following landowner’s project were either completed or nearing completion since the last meeting: Walcheski ag waste, Girtz ag waste, Platte River stabilization, Billmaier ag waste, Omann wetland restoration repair, Doucette wetland bank, Dickmann’s ag waste, Poster was scheduled to start his sed basins, as was John Fussy. They are working on the Long Prairie River survey.

Josh said that being moved to Area 3 won’t present much of a change but could be more EQIP and CSP dollars since not as many of the counties were agricultural. Morrison County was first in the state for 2011 funding. They have had 120 wetland compliances. NRCS was approved for some additional space for storage to try to get Steve Girard out of the storage room as an office.

Commissioner Report: Don Meyer thought that we would be receiving $10,000 more on our county allocation. They eliminated two positions at Public Works. The homestead credit loss to landowners will create anywhere from an 8% increase in property taxes to a high of 18-19% increase for communities like Buckman. He expected a lot of anger would be generated when people realized the implication.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Report on Roundtable Advisory Group: Helen shared the goals of the work group on September 29th regarding water plan coordination by watershed and also perhaps seeing more sharing of staffing across county lines.

2. MASWCD Tidbits

a. Revenue summary on state budget was shared.

3. BWSR Grants for FY 2012 (comparison to 2011): Helen shared the comparison of 2012 funds from last years. Some decline, some improvement.

4. State Cost Share: MSC to approve payments and amendment by Brutscher/Stangl.

a. Little Falls Twp payment 21-09/06-10 $15,961.39

b. John Fussy amendment #05-10 additional $6840 for total $11,840

5. Little Rock Meeting Report – Marvin shared the discussion at the Oct. 11th meeting. Much discussion was centered on the tiling issues.

6. Nitrate Clinic results – 39 wells were tested with 15% over 10 ppm.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. State Cost Share applications: MSC by Stangl/Holmgren to approve:

a. Bob Determan 03-11 380 $1,122.74

b. Jason Boser FWQ #10-10 for pit closure: $2,740.00

c. Roger Lanners #08-11 terraces $2,000.00

d. Justin Wroolie #09-11 well decommissioning $234.00

e. Technical assistance option 2011 up to $10,000

2. Out of state travel policy: Helen read the policy: MSC by Anez/Stangl to approve as written and amend the 2011 policy of June 1 to include the language.

3. Grant Agreement approval: $51,490 MSC by Brutscher/Anez to accept.

General Services $20,252; Easement $1,588; State CS $29,650

4. Convention MASWCD December 4, 5, 6 the packets were distributed and board members were instructed to let Helen know by next week who would be attending.

5. WCA/Swampbuster state agreement: Although a document has been signed, it appears that it will only be for the prairie pothole regions of the state at this time.

6. MASWCD Resolution voting: The board voted on their resolutions at this time and signed a ballot form that will be forwarded to MASWCD.

Meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.

________________________________________Tom Brutscher, Secretary

Morrison SWCD Board Meeting
Thursday, September 22, 2011
9:00 a.m.
USDA Service Center

Present: Supervisors Dahmen, Brutscher, Stangl, and Holmgren. Commissioner Don Meyer. Staff: Ringwelski, McLennan, and Hanson. Absent: Cynthia Anez

Secretary’s Minutes: MSC by Holmgren/Brutscher to approve.

Treasurer’s Report: MSC by Brutscher/Stangl to approve as presented.

Staff Reports: Helen shared that a lot of time had been spent with the auditors and seeing that things were definitely slipping in how it was being tracked. LeaAnn is trying to get a grasp on the Program Log and bring it up to date. She’s been asked to serve on the MASWCD Round Table group which will meet the 29th of September in the cities.

Alan and Lance conducted a wetland delineation on Peavy Lake. They are beginning the Billmaier project. The Omann’s RIM wetland restoration was being repaired. The Walcheski ag waste was nearing completion. Little Falls Twp. job on the Platte should be starting any day. The Doucette bank was still waiting for a contractor.

Josh said 4-5 ag waste systems were underway. As of October 1, Morrison NRCS will be a part of Area 3, and that means a new AC, Dave Copeland out of Duluth. There are a lot of tile requests but because of the price, not as many actually go through with it. Morrison Ag Center won the 2 month food drive that USDA had as a challenge.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Water Festival Re-cap: The festival went off without a hitch this year. A little rain. Cooperating agencies were Planning and Zoning, DNR Fisheries and Waters, USFW, Camp Ripley, NRCS, SWCD, and a couple of Water Plan delegates.

2. Clean Water Fund Application: An application had been submitted on September 19th for funding for a Lake Alex erosion site, rain gardens, accelerated implementation for septic inspection on Lake Alex and Fish Trap lakes, for a total of approximately $153,000.

3. WCA Report

a. Snowmobile Association: Trail crossing by Dunder pond, required replacement plan.

b. Pierz Township: Meeting with Paul Tschida at TEP regarding drainage issues.

4. Directory Update: Chris Staebler had completed the Area 2 directory which includes an updated photo with LeaAnn.

5. Audit

a. Policy for out of state travel: Will be presented next month

6. FWQ Amendment: Jason Walcheski, increase of $5,000 for a total of $125,000. MSC by Stangl/Holmgren.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Motley erosion project on Hwy. 10: Helen explained that the erosion site on the Long Prairie River was going to be funded by MnDot and Todd SWCD, and being designed by Steve Girard. Helen needs to find the other two landowners that share in the property ownership.

2. Tree Order Form: LeaAnn has already sent out the Tree Order form to the past three year’s customers. A sample is furnished in the board materials. Prices remained the same.

3. Financial services to Benton SWCD: Jerry Maciej had visited with Helen regarding the possibility of having a shared agreement for financial services like they had with Sherburne SWCD. Sherburne had discontinued the agreement due to a reduction in staff. The board felt it wouldn’t be feasible at this time with LeaAnn being so new and that the job had only been posted for Morrison SWCD.

4. Change October and November board meetings: Due to BWSR Academy in October, and the Thanksgiving holiday, October and November board meeting dates were moved up one week. The next two meetings will be

Thursday, October 20th and Thursday November 17th.

The board adjourned at this time to go to tour Jeff Schilling high tunnel vegetable farm.

Meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.

_______________________________________Tom Brutscher, Secretary

Morrison SWCD Board Meeting
Thursday, August 25th, 2011
8:00 a.m.
USDA County Offices, Little Falls

Present: Supervisors Dahmen, Stangle, Brutscher, Anez, and Holmgren. Commissioner Don Meyer.

Staff: Ringwelski, Hanson, and McLennan.

Secretary’s Minutes: MSC by Stangl/Holmgren.

Treasurer’s Report: MSC by Brutscher/Anez

Staff Reports: Alan stated there were 6 new irrigation permits to write plans for. They had surveyed a severe erosion project on Lake Alexander affecting four homes. Also surveying ag waste sites. The rain has delayed a lot of construction because of water table issues.

Josh also remarked on the weather related delays. In EQIP, 6 ag waste, 2 sediment basins, and 4 rotational grazing contracts were funded, at approximately 1.9 million.

Helen thanked Josh for working with Lance on Toolkit training.

OLD BUSINESS

1. BWSR Aug 24th Tour re-cap – Tom shared the sites that were seen and remarked that he was impressed with Todd SWCD work. Helen said she felt that Todd and Morrison were very similar in getting work on the ground. Marvin shared the news of the award given to Helen for the ACUB work done. Helen said the award should have been given to the District since Lance was instrumental in the success of ACUB.

2. E-link Reporting: Lance had submitted the Clean Water Fund and Native Buffer info on time, only to learn that 2009 grants all needed to meet that same deadline which were going to be late.

3. ACUB Update: Another $1.5 million had been awarded to BWSR and since it was DOD funds, needs to be tied to the REPI.

4. Cost Share Payment Approval: MSC by Stangl/Anez to approve:

a. Gordon Oldakowski trees $837.88

b. Tyler Gangelhoff well decommissioning $487.50

5. FWQ Cancellation: Tracey Thomsen $54,000

MSC by Stangl/Dahmen to cancel.

6. Discussion on tax exemption for wetlands: Helen shared the discussion held with the County Assessor Glen Erickson regarding tax exempt wetlands. The county board will be discussing the matter further at a future meeting, and Glen would like Helen to attend. Evidently there’s some thought that all wetlands should be exempt due to farming incapability, but the vast number of acres that would be forgiven would be astronomical and landowners are not giving the benefit that they enjoy from the wetland for other reasonable use.

7. MCIT dividend notice: $4,145 for workman’s comp and property/casualty: Info only

NEW BUSINESS

1. Clean Water Fund application approval: MSC by Stangl/Anez to approve the staff’s application to meet the Sept. 20th deadline. Amount of application is undetermined at this time.

2. Water Plan Report: Lake and River Day, 6th Grade Water Festival: Lake and River Day had been cancelled due to the state shutdown, but the Water Festival will proceed as planned on Sept. 20 and 21st, at Camp Ripley.

3. Invitation from Commissioner Jeff Schilling for Sept 22 The board accepted Jeff’s invitation and will car pool to his high tunnel following the Sept. board meeting.

4. Cost Share Applications: MSC by Anez/Brutscher to approve:

a. Dale Steward well decommissioning $292.50

5. Area 2 Meeting – September 8th in Ortonville Helen stated that she would be unable to attend due to testifying for the LSOHC grant application late the day before. None of the board members felt they could make this meeting. Helen will notify Big Stone SWCD.

6. BWSR Academy – MSC by Holmgren/Stangl to approve staff attendance

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m.

__________________________________________Tom

Morrison SWCD Board Meeting
Thursday, July 21, 2011
9:00 a.m.
USDA County Offices

Present: Supervisors Dahmen, Brutscher, Stangl, Holmgren, Anez. Staff: Ringwelski, McLennan, Hanson, and Zapzalka.

Secretary’s Minutes: MSC by Stangl/Anez to approve the minutes.

Treasurer’s Report: MSC by Brutscher/Holmgren to approve. Helen stated that there were errors in the receipts journal from the month of May and she’s trying to figure out how it needs to be fixed. The corrected reports will be distributed following corrections.

Terry reported on the ag waste work for the Dickmann farm, and sed basins for Capko Bros.

Josh stated that the USDA had reached a settlement in the Garcia/Love case which claimed discrimination. An additional EQIP ag waste had been funded for Dickmann for $300,000, and possibly two more would be funded for an additional $400,000. He secured a Contribution Agreement for the district for Lance to complete the CRP plans. They were also busy with sed basins, drainage issues, and certifications on some high tunnel practices.

Alan said they were working with Gerald Girtz and Richard O’Hotto’s ag waste. He was hoping some additional construction would begin soon. Delays were for a variety of reasons. The Doucette bank still needed to complete construction as well. He has prepared and sent some of the tree orders.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. State Budget Review: A brief outline of the budget approvals was shared.

2. ACUB Update: $1,000,000 had been allocated for REPI funds. Landowners have already been working up their contracts with Lance. We hope to have it all obligated very soon in order to hopefully receive additional funding.

3. Cost Share Payments: (State Cost Share/Sullivan Lake Partnership) MSC by Anez/Stangl to approve. (These payments are half cost share/ half Sullivan Lake Association funds)

a. Squaw Pt. Village Riparian Planting $1,092.76

b. James Dahlquist Riparian Repair $ 191.40

4. Geologic Atlas Review: Lance was working on some corrections on well logs and then we should be in good shape to proceed with the geo atlas.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. State Cost Share Application: MSC by Brutscher/Stangl to approve:

a. Tyler Gangelhoff #08-10 well decommissioning $550.00

b. Dan Seanger #09-10 sed basin $1,500

2. Personnel Committee recommendation: MSC by Brutscher/Stangl to offer the position to LeaAnn Nouis at $18.00/hr, to begin whenever her notice to her present employer has expired. If she does not accept the position, Helen was directed to offer it to Julie Sievert with a wage up to $16/hr.

Helen shared that much of the additional work created by the Water Plan, the geo-atlas, elink reporting, website management etc, had all been assumed by Lance. He has stepped up to accept any and all additional responsibilities necessary. Due to the additional workload and his performance, it was recommended that he be given a bonus of an additional 40 hours vacation awarded. MSC by Anez/Brutscher to approve.

3. Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Grant application $3,097,900. MSC by Brutscher/Stangl to approve the application for funding to piggy back ACUB for the high value properties on the Crow Wing and Mississippi River and the Eisel property. Dan Steward had volunteered his time to help get it in by the July 15th deadline and Dan, Helen, and Lance pulled it together in time. It will likely be converted back to a BWSR application at some point.

Meeting adjourned at 11:15 a.m.

___________________________________________Tom Brutscher, Secretary

Morrison SWCD Board Meeting
Thursday, June 30, 2011
9:00 a.m.
USDA County Offices

Present: Supervisors Dahmen, Stangl, Anez, Holmgren, and Brutscher. Staff: McLennan, Ringwelski, and Hanson. Absent: Commissioner Don Meyer

Secretary’s Report: MSC by Holmgren/Brutscher to approve minutes as read.

Treasurer’s Report: MSC by Anez/Brutscher to approve as presented. Helen shared that she was

going to request the services of Atwater Bookkeeping to come in a do some of the reports and taxes to keep everything running smoothly until a new hire. MSC by Stangl/Anez to approve the expenditure.

Staff Reports: Alan said there was a problem at the Glen Boser feedlot site that was not meeting MPCA standards and the board members might hear feedback. They were working with a Faust on a new feedlot situation, Lake Alex storm damage, Camp Shamineau on some sed basins, and surveying Hoheisel for another sed basin project. There was also considerable activity in WCA.

Josh said there were 18 new CSP contracts. Dickmann had been approved for $300,000 on ag waste. They were completing wetland requests, and conducting compliance reviews.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. RC and D – Claude said the RC and D office was looking for takers of their office furniture. The Wadena tree replanting efforts were going well. Dean Schmidt is working in a floating position wherever needed.

2. Tree Program Evaluation MASWCD Advice: Helen shared the letter from MASWCD regarding evaluating district’s tree programs for how they handle invasive species and other concerns.

3. Nitrate Clinic Summary: Only 48 tests were done the previous week but still had a 15% rate of not meeting the acceptable standards of 10 ppm.

4. Technical Evaluation Panel report on Dean Zimmerman: Dean Zimmerman could not meet the sequencing requirements under WCA and therefore withdrew his application.

5. Cost Share Payment approval: MSC Stangl/Brutscher to approve Allan Czech FWQ 12-07 $3,750 ,Little Falls Twp #21-09 $24,750, Gordon Oldakowski #28-09 $837.88; Rose Kowalzek #26-09 $455; LF Twp #21-09 $13,707.06.

6. Cost Share Amendment: FWQ 7-10 Increase of $16,375 for total of $115,000 on O’Hotto contract. MSC by Anez/Stangl to approve.

7. Cancel Gerald Waldoch FWQ: Due to the cost share being picked up totally through EQIP, the landowner does not need the state funds. MSC by Holmgren/Stangl to cancel.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Ob Well Agreement approval: $1,800 MSC by Anez/Stangl to approve

2. County Board budget request: MSC by Holmgren/Stangl to approve a request for $80,000.

3. FWQ FY10 Rollover approval: Gerald Girtz $30,750 MSC by Brutscher/Anez

4. State Cost Share Application: MSC by Brutscher/Stangl to approve: Camp Shamineau – sed basins $2,500; #06-10 and Lawrence Guck #07-10 $2500 for well decommissioning; Tyler Gangelhoff #08-10 well decommissioning$550.00; Dan Seanger #09-10 sed basin $1,500, Capko Bros. #10-10/01-11 Sed basins

5. Grant Agreement approval: Feedlot performance grant $6,783.00 MSC by Brutscher/Stangl to approve.

6. Potential State Govt. shutdown and it’s affects on the district: Helen shared that BWSR would be furloughed so that would affect RIM, grants, ACUB, and WCA.

7. Interview process for Bookkeeping/Adm. Asst. position: Approximately 70 applications were received with a number of well qualified candidates. The board directed Helen to prescreen applicants down to 8-10 potential interviewees for the Personnel Committee to meet. First interviews will be Tuesday July 12 and Thursday July 14. Finalists will be interviewed the afternoon following the Board meeting on July 21st.

Due to a conflict for Cindy, the July board meeting was reset for one week earlier, July 21st, instead of the 28th.

Meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m.

_________________________________________Tom Brutscher, Secretary

 MORRISON SWCD BOARD MEETING
Thursday, May 26, 2011
9:00 a.m.
USDA County Offices

Present: Supervisors Dahmen, Brutscher, Holmgren, Stangl, and Anez. Commissioner Don Meyer. Staff: McLennan and Hanson.

Jenni addressed the board and informed them that she had submitted her resignation last week giving a two week notice. Her family owned businesses are becoming so time consuming that she needed to let something go. The board thanked her for her 12 years of service and presented her with a gift, wishing her success.

Secretary’s Report: MSC by Stangl/Brutscher to approve as read.

Treasurer’s Report: MSC by Brutscher/Stangl to approve as presented.

Staff Reports: Helen shared that she had been working with Jenni to make sure things ran smoothly after her departure. A lot of road project work was being looked at for townships. They were getting better about making sure their reporting was done with wetland impacts. Buh, Bellevue, Little Falls, Granite, and Pike Creek townships had all called for consults.

Josh reported that 31 CSP contracts were accepted, 14 EQIP, 1 WHIP. They are conducting the 5% compliance reviews, doing the 1026 field reviews, a sed basin on Jerry Kapsners. If weather allows, feedlot work will begin as well.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Tree Program Summary: Helen explained that an extra person had been hired this year which caused a little impact to the bottom line but all trees were sold, with no leftovers and not a single mistake had been reported. Profit on the tree program was $12,189.53.

2. Manager’s meeting recap: Ron Shelito had hosted an informal meeting with a number of district managers to discuss the potential replacement method for funding programs in the future, and also the change from Elink to another reporting system. Jason Wienerman had also held a meeting near Foley for managers to share problems and address the potential cutbacks.

3. Little Rock TMDL Report – Lance had attended the meeting on May 16th where an update of the engineer’s report was shared.

4. Spot checks – Jim Krych non-compliance: The county has sent Krych a letter of non-compliance and Helen followed it with a letter telling him that if he is also in violation of his Operation and Maintenance Agreement for the FWQ grant he received in 2006. He would be required to repay the money if he doesn’t meet the county’s deadline for compliance. Jim Krych had responded and technical staff will be meeting with him to resolve the issue.

5. Cost Share Payment approvals: MSC by Brutscher/Anez to approve the following:

a. 27-09 Joe Malinowski 380 $595.29

b. 02-10 Pat Altrichter 380 $511.00

c. 32-09 Jim Hilmerson 380 $1,289.06

d. 04-10 Toby Schneider 380 $716.07

e. 01-10 Joe Copa 380 $325.50

f. 25-09 Kevin Kasella 380 $306.56

g. 29-09 Gerard Waldoch 380 $716.07

h. 31-09 Mike Schwinghammer 380 $305.96

i. 30-09 Allan Stangl 380 $1,080.00

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Lake and River Day July 23rd Scandia Valley Townhall: The speakers are lined up and the notices have gone out to Lake Associations.

2. Nitrate Clinic – June 13-17 An article was submitted to the Record to announce the clinic and will air it on the radio that week as well.

3. Area 2 Meeting on June 2 at Alexandria: Registrations were sent in for Bob, Marvin, Cindy, Claude, Helen, and Josh.

4. ACUB 2011: Still no word on 2011 REPI funding but should know soon after June 1st. Hopefully $1.5 million to BWSR

5. Vacation approval – Helen June 16-27 MSC by Brutscher/Anez to approve.

6. Change June Board meeting date: MSC by Anez/Stangl to change the board meeting to June 30.

7. BWSR Board tour Aug. 24th plans: Helen introduced Mary Jo Anderson and Dan Steward to the board and presented what the tour will entail. Claude and Tom will attend representing the board. Marvin will be an alternate if another seat is available.

8. Ford 150 Recall: There has been a recall on the District truck for an airbag problem. It will be taken to Mills Ford in Baxter on Monday, June 6.

9. Cost Share Applications: MSC by Brutscher/Stangl to approve the following

a. FWQ rollover of 2010 funds: Jason Walcheski $120,000.00

Richard O’Hotto $ 98,625.00

b. Native Buffer Program: Mark Krinke $ 3,750.00

Richard Varriano $ 3,750.00

Richard Weaver $ 3,750.00

Tom Monahan $ 3,750.00

Cancel Robert Gruber $ 54,000.00

10.Employee Policy discussion: The board had read the draft policy and did not have any changes to make at this time. Helen recommended one final change now that a new employee would be hired and that was to have new employees earn the privilege of compressed schedules. She recommended that an employee be with the district 5 years before a compressed schedule would be offered. That would guarantee better coverage on Mondays and Fridays.

MSC by Stangl/Holmgren to approve the new policy with that change, effective June 15th which allow time to revise the Table of Contents, print, and have the policy available for applicants for the District Adm. position. Amendments can always be approved at a later date, but it was felt that this policy should be in place for new hire inquiries.

Meeting adjourned at 11:31 a.m.

_________________________________________Tom Brutscher, Secretary

 MORRISON SWCD BOARD MEETING
Thursday, April 28, 2011
USDA County Offices
9:00 a.m.

Present: Supervisors Dahmen, Brutscher, Holmgren, Stangl, and Anez. Staff: McLennan and Hanson. Absent: Commissioner Don Meyer.

Secretary’s Minutes: MSC by Stangl/Brutscher to approve as read.

Treasurer’s Report: MSC by Brutscher/Anez to approve as presented.

Staff Reports: Josh said that they were slowly starting field work as weather allowed. They conducted all 31 site visits for CSP. Twelve of the 40 EQIP applications were funded. Four WHIP were submitted but one cancelled and one did not qualify, so two were funded. They are working on wetland compliance. Their budget was approved until October.

Helen stated that with tree week going on, she was fielding all other activity in the office.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. MASWCD Dues: MSC by Holmgren/Stangl to remove the item from the table for further discussion. MSC by Stangl/Holmgren to re-join this year at the pro-rated rate but accompany the check with a letter stating specifically that the district wants the association to update their county information on tax base.

2. RC & D Report: Claude and Josh shared that the RC and D has been closed and Dean Schmidt has been reassigned. How any remaining funds will be disbursed is unknown.

3. ACUB 2011 Funding: Camp has announced that BWSR will likely get $1.5 million to begin and possibly another $1.5 million if able to obligate very quickly. The new REPI list was developed and outreach has already begun.

4. Rental agreement discussion: Helen shared that Lyle Katterhagen has discussed the rental rate reduction and how the space might be just what FSA and NRCS need as expansion. That would mean that the board would either have to move, or pay the agreed upon rate that FSA negotiates.

5. Manager meeting regarding funding proposal: Helen shared that BWSR held a meeting for several area managers to discuss how grants and annual funding will all be one check in the future and how they wanted to see districts handle accountability by program.

6. Noxious weed program / township officials meeting: Helen attended the annual township board meeting that centers around noxious weed control. Bob Holmgren was recognized for his 30 years as weed manager. Bob shared that many of the townships do nothing to control noxious weeds in the right of way ditches and some species are really becoming prolific.

7. Contractor workshop summary: Approximately 40 contractors attended the March 30 workshop where wetlands, zoning, and septic issues were discussed.

8. Green Acres law change: Rep. LeMieur successfully passed a bill that has reversed the Green Acres changes back to 2008 rules. Therefore, the district is not going to be writing conservation plans.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. State Cost Share Applications: MSC by Stangl/Brutscher to approve the following:

a. Pat Altrichter #2-10 #380 $ 511.00

b. Kevin Poster #3-10 #638 $5,000.00

c. Toby Schneider #4-10 #380 $ 716.07

d. Amendment 7-09 for John Fussy $2500 for a total of $5,000

2. BWSR Board Tour in August: Helen outlined the preliminary tour plans for the BWSR Bd. In August. Due to the space limitations of the bus, only one supervisor will be invited to represent the District on the tour, and it was somewhat requested that Tom Brutscher attend, since he is also an ACUB participant.

3. Resolution by Stearns SWCD was read. There will be an Area 2 meeting in June in Benton County.

Meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m. _________________________________________

Tom Brutscher, Secretary