WINONA COUNTY SWCD MINUTES

Ag Service Center, Lewiston, MN

August 11, 2010

Meeting was called to order at 9:02 A.M. by Chairman Rudie Spitzer.

Present were supervisors – Rudie Spitzer, Arlene Nelson, John Bronk, Jim Riddle, and Tom Choinski.

Also present were –Jim Pomeroy, County Commissioner; Mark Gernes, Winona County; Tim Terrill, Daryl Buck, Marlow Mielke, and Brein Maki, SWCD; Sue Glende; NRCS; Naomi Corey, Rush-Pine; and Megan Kranz-McGuire, WWJPB.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA –Jim made a motion to approve the August 11, 2010 agenda adding under Cost-Share Salway (2 contracts), Bain, Louks, Speltz, Buckbee, McGuire, and Fritz; Shoreland Buffer Ordiance and Nitrate Testing under Old Business; and County Watershed Water Summit and Supervisor Handbook discussion under New Business. Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

CONSENT AGENDA – An addition to Bill’s Payable was made to pay Naomi Corey $2,826.77 ($2,250 time and $576.75 mileage).  John made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda items as amended; Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

Brein was encouraged to continue to use the Cash-Flow spreadsheet added to the Finanical Packet.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT – Commissioner Pomeroy update the Board on current County work; including the 2011 budget development, phase retirement program, Zoning Ordinance, organizational structure within the County, and the Water Plan coordination.

WINONA COUNTY PLANNING REPORT – Mark Gernes updated the Board on current Board of Adjustments and Planning Commission requests.  There was discussion on the Shoreland Buffer program.  Mark informed the Board that they are working on researching and gathering factual information.  There have been internal discussions at the County.  He expressed his concerns regarding the District’s time and commitment level for the program.  The Board discussed ideas and concerns.

SENATOR SHARON ROPES – Senator Ropes addressed the Board on her ideas of decisions and change.  “Anyone affected by a decision needs to be part of the conversation and decisions”, said Ropes.  She asked the District about how their budget has been affected by the State’s cuts.  There was discussion about Flood Recovery, Rural Preserve, 3/8th Amendment, State’s Emergency Fund, and the 2012 Farm Bill.

D.C. REPORT –Sue Glende updated the board on current NRCS workload, including CSP, CRP, EQIP contracts, and the DVD on the 75th Year of NRCS.

WHITEWATER JPB REPORT – Megan handed out a report on current WWJPB work.  She reported on the County Water Plan draft relating to Shoreland Buffers, CWL grants and grazing management opportunities, bacteria reduction sampling, TMDL Civil Engagement job posting, and the Watershed Restoration Project at Logan Creek final report summary.

SUPERVISOR REPORTS – No reports were given.

BWSR MEDIATOR REPORT – Don Buckhout was unable to attend the meeting. 

Tom made a motion to have a closed door meeting to discuss Personnel; Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.  The meeting was set up for August 16, 210 at 1:00 P.M.  Tim will post accordingly.  Commissioner Pomeroy asked the Board to make sure it is legal.

COST SHARE

1.      Arlene made a motion to approve the amendment request for Feedlot FY-09, #06 – Leroy Kronebusch to extend his contract completion date to November 10, 2010.  John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

2.      John made a motion to approve the amendment request for Feedlot FY-09, #01 – Gary Buehler to extend his contract completion date to November 20, 2010.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

3.      Arlene made a motion to approve the final payment for FL-09C, #18 – Tim Fort for his shoreland and streambank repair.  The total cost of the project and final payment requested is $3,237.10.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

4.      Jim made a motion to cancel FL-08A, #13 – Lowell Goss.  After further technical review, no repair is required.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

5.      Jim made a motion to approve the CWA Feedlot Cost-Share application as written (14 applicants for a total of $717,527 in BWSR Cost-Share, technical, administrative, and engineering grant request and $314,209 in Ag BMP loan request.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

6.      Arlene made a motion to approve the FY2011 BWSR Grant Agreement; John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

7.      Jim made a motion to cancel FL-08B, #37 and FL-09B, #38 – Elden Salwey for sediment basin and diversion repair at the landowner’s request.  John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

8.      Arlene made a motion to approve the final payment for FL-08B, #34 – Bob Bain for sediment basin repair.  Total cost of this project is $6,395.00.  Other funding is $733.30.  Payment requested is $5,661.60.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

9.      Jim made a motion to approve the final payment for FL-09D, #02 – Richard Louks for sediment basin repair.  The total cost of the project and payment requested is $67,774.09.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

10.  Arlene made a motion to approve 2011 State Cost-Share application for Bruce Speltz for a new sediment basin (eligible for up to 75% Cost-Share).  The total estimate for this project is $32,700.00 and other funding sources are working with this project.  The total Cost-Share requested is $2,025.00.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

11.  Arlene made a motion to approve the 2011 State Cost-Share application for Steve Buckbee for a new sediment basin (eligible for up to 75% Cost-Share).  The total estimate for this project is $10,450.00 and other funding sources are working with this project.  The total Cost-Share requested is $854.00.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

12.  John made a motion to approve the Cost-Share application (FL-09C/FL-09D) for Lavern Fritz for Streambank protection.  The total estimate for the project is $45,045.00.  This project is eligible for 100% Cost-Share.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

13.  John made a motion to approve the Cost Share application (FL-09D) for Kathleen McGuire for streambank protection.  The total estimate for the project is $98,187.50.  This project is eligible for 100% Cost-Share.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

OLD BUSINESS

1.      John made a motion to approve the 2010 District Capacity Report as presented in the Board packet.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

2.      Arlene made a motion to approve David Walch of Altura as the 2010 Winona County Outstanding Conservationist of the Year.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

3.      The Shoreland Buffer discussion was discussed during the Planning Report.  No action was taken.

4.      Brein reported on the Free Nitrate Testing clinic that was held on Thursday, July 29, 2010 from 2-7:00 P.M. at the Ag Service Center.  There were over 96 tests done.

NEW BUSINESS

1.      The board discussed the changes in MN Statute – Section 273.114 sub. 1-2 regarding the Rural Preserve. No action was taken.

2.      The board discussed the District Manager Interaction Policy.  The Employee Handbook was sent to the County Attorney.  It was not returned to John Bronk.  Tim will send a copy of the present (current) Employee Handbook to Jim.

 

MISCELLANEOUS DISTRICT NEWS AND INFORMATION

1.      Tim gave an update report on the MRB; including $37,500 technical assistance money.  Naomi gave an update on her activities.

2.      Tim reported on all the truck quotes, pricing, and warranties.  Tom made a motion to buy the new truck.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

PUBLIC COMMENTS – None.

ADJOURNMENT – Jim made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

Meeting adjourned at 1:34 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by:

Tom Choinski, Secretary of the Board

 

WINONA COUNTY SWCD

SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

Ag Service Center, Lewiston, MN

August 16, 2010

 

Meeting was called to order at 1:00 P.M. by Chairman Rudie Spitzer.

Present were supervisors – Rudie Spitzer, John Bronk, Tom Choinski, Arlene Nelson, and Jim Riddle.

Also present were –Tim Terrill, SWCD.

I.                    Review & Discuss Partner Survey

a.       Each Board Supervisor gave their comments concerning their thoughts about the survey.  No action was taken.

II.                 Discuss the Employee Handbook

a.       After discussing the Employee Handbook verses the Winona County employee handbook the Board noted differences.

b.      A motion was made by John and seconded by Tom to contact an attorney to review the SWCD Employee Handbook and the Winona County handbook then revise the SWCD handbook.  The attorney selected will also have knowledge and experience in dealing with employee conflict in order to help resolve personnel issues.

III.               Discussion of work hours

ADJOURNMENT – Jim made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

Meeting adjourned at 4:24 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by:

Tom Choinski, Secretary of the Board

                 

 

 

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Winona County Soil & Water Conservation District
P.O. Box 39, 400 Wilson Street
Lewiston, MN 55952
Phone: (507) 523-2171 Ext. 3       Fax (507) 523-3717