WINONA COUNTY SWCD MINUTES

Ag Service Center, Lewiston, MN

July 14, 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 – Duane Hebert, County Administrator;  Mark Gernes, Winona County; Keith Beach, SRMC Watershed; Tim Terrill, Daryl Buck, Marlow Mielke, and Brein Maki, SWCD; Sue Glende; NRCS; Naomi Corey, Rush-Pine; Don Buckhout, BWSR; and Megan Kranz-McGuire, WWJPB.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA –Jim made a motion to approve the July 14, 2010 agenda adding under Cost-Share Verthein and Nahrgang; Naomi Corey introduction under WWJPB report, and Annual Tour under Miscellaneous.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

CONSENT AGENDA - Jim made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda item as written; Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT – No report given.

WINONA COUNTY PLANNING REPORT – Mark Gernes updated the Board on current Board of Adjustments and Planning Commission requests. 

D.C. REPORT –Sue Glende updated the board on the CSP sign-up, EQIP contracts, high tunnel projects approved, Organic webinar to be held August 25, 2010, and various training opportunities that were canceled because of heavy workload.  They will be beginning a workload analysis for NRCS soon.  She also informed the board of a possible CRP sign-up.

WHITEWATER JPB REPORT – Megan handed out a report on current WWJPB work.  She reported on current contracts, low-interest septic loan program, Shoreland buffers, and ARRA extension.

The board discussed different strategies and approaches regarding enforcing the Shoreland Buffer ordinance.  Jim made a motion for Winona County, in cooperation with the SWCD, to work on a plan of action for the Shoreland Buffer Ordinance.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.  Duane will follow-up with the County Board of Commissioners.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR – Duane addressed the board on future relationships between the SWCD and the County.  He expressed the need to locally address budget, workload, and services needs effectively and through the organizational structures.  He asked the board to think about the question: “How do we change our structure to prevent the SWCD from not being here in 5 years?”  Duane will be working on an issue paper for the SWCD and the County Board to start discussing long-term viability of the District and the County.

RUSH-PINE – Naomi Corey introduced herself to the Board.

SUPERVISOR REPORTS –

John reported on the County Budget Committee meeting and the Area Resolutions meeting.

Tom reported on the County Budget Committee meeting, SMRC meeting with Jack Roberts, and the BALMN meeting is coming up.

Arlene reported on the Hiawatha RC&D tour being held July 26.

Jim reported on the Water Summit, Land Stewardship meeting, and U of MN Organic Field Day.

Rudie reported on the Area Resolutions meeting and the Water Summit.

BWSR MEDIATOR REPORT – Don Buckhout updated the board on the partnership survey that is being done.  He will have a full report at the August meeting.

COST SHARE

1.      Tom made a motion to approve the close-out request and return the slippage funds to BWSR for the amount of $197.37 for slippage in the 2007 State Cost-Share.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

2.      Arlene made a motion to approve the final payment for FL-09C, #17 – Beverly Benter for Streambank protection.  The total cost and payment requested is $6,767.50.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

3.      John made a motion to approve the amendment request from FL-08B, #42 – Kunst Farms.  The engineer’s estimate was higher and a second sinkhole was found.  The additional Cost-Share requested is $12,888 from the Flood D Cost-Share.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

4.      Jim made a motion to approve the Cost-Share application for Lloyd Kreidermacher for Streambank protection.  The total estimate on the project is $34,360.00.  This project is eligible for 100% Cost-Share.  John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

5.      Tom made a motion to approve the final payment for FL-08A, #24 – Steve Verthein for waterway repair.  The total cost and payment requested is $1,195.00.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

6.      John made a motion to approve the final payment for FL-09D, #09 - Steve Nahrgang for sediment basin repair.  The total cost and payment requested is $7,613.20.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

OLD BUSINESS

1.      Brein updated the board on her work putting together the Free Nitrate Testing clinic.  The clinic will be held on Thursday, July 29, 2010 from 2-7:00 P.M. at the Ag Service Center.

NEW BUSINESS

1.      Rudie plans to attend the SESWCD Technical Support JPB meeting will be held on July 28, 2010 at 9:30 A.M. in Rochester.

2.      Jim made a motion to approve the bid for the 2009 Audit from James Maiser in the amount of $2,200.00.  John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

3.      The board reviewed the District Capacity Report. 

                                                                          i.      Rudie suggested inviting currently elected Legislators to regular board meetings.

4.      The board discussed possible nominations for the 2010 Outstanding Conservationists.  More discussion will take place at the August meeting.

MISCELLANEOUS DISTRICT NEWS AND INFORMATION

1.      FarmFest will be August 3-5, 2010.  No action was taken.

2.      The Board agreed by consensus to wait to hold a tour until July 2011 focusing on Shoreland issues and solutions.

3.      Jim Riddle informed the Board that he will not be able to make the August meeting and would like to change the date because of the agenda and content of that meeting.

4.      Tim updated the Board on pricing he got for new trucks. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS – Bob Bambenek asked Brein to inform the Board that current land sales are available for viewing on the County Recorder’s website.

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

Meeting adjourned at 11:55 A.M.

Respectfully submitted by:

Tom Choinski, Secretary of the Board