WINONA COUNTY SWCD MINUTES

Ag Service Center, Lewiston, MN

June 9, 2010

Meeting was called to order at 9:00 A.M. by Chairman Rudie Spitzer.

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

Also present were – Mena Kaehler, County Commissioners; Mark Gernes, Winona County; Jack Roberts, SRMC Watershed; Tim Terrill, Daryl Buck, and Brein Maki, SWCD; and Sue Glende; NRCS.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA –Jim made a motion to approve the June 9, 2010 agenda adding under Cost-Share O’Neil, Storm, Keehn (2), Holden (2), Goss, Johnson, and Welle; Personnel Policy Proposal and New Truck under New Business; and NRCS Contribution Agreements and copy machine under D.C. Report.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

CONSENT AGENDA - Jim made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda items with changes to the minutes amended; Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

WINONA COUNTY PLANNING REPORT – Mark Gernes handed out an update on current Board of Adjustments and Planning Commission requests. 

D.C. REPORT –Sue Glende updated the board on the CSP, EQIP contracts, and status reviews. The new State Conservationist visited the office on June 2, 2010. Sue updated the board on the lease of the building. 

a)         Copy Machine: Sue addressed the possible agreement between the NRCS and SWCD to share a new copy machine.  The district would be responsible for supplying the paper and NRCS would provide the machine and maintenance.  Tom made a motion to partner with NRCS on a new copy machine.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

b)         PII (Personal Identification Information) – Sue reminded everyone of the need to make sure that these requirements are being met and that everyone is adhering to the rules.  If something is quoted from NRCS they need to get that information directly from Sue.

c)         Contribution Agreements – Sue discussed the ideas of using Contribution Agreements between the District and NRCS.

The board discussed a meeting held with the County Administer regarding the collaboration of services with the county, SWCD, BWSR and Watershed district.

Jim made a motion to invite the County Administer to the July board meeting.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

WHITEWATER JPB REPORT – Megan reported on the turbidity TMDL, Wabasha Field Day, ARA Cost-Share, EQIP payments, Olmsted County’s enforcement actions of Shoreland Buffer, and reported on grazing technical assistance specialist position and efforts to expand this position. 

SUPERVISOR REPORTS –

Arlene reported on the Personnel Committee and Don Buckhout’s work on district policies.  They will be meeting again June 17, 2010 to continue their work.  She reported on the RC&D meeting (Grazing Workshop June 19).  She also had educational information for those interested.

Jim reported on the special meeting for the Rush-Pine Creek Contract position, District 2011 Budget Committee and the approval of the 2011 Budget meeting, Grazing Field Day held June 7, and the meeting with the new State Conservationist.

Rudie reported on the meeting with the new State Conservationist and the special meeting for the approval of the 2011 Budget Meeting.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT – Commissioner Kaehler updated the board on current county board information including the zoning ordinance and updated on county building construction.

COST SHARE

1.      Tom made a motion to approve the amendment for the 2008 Clean Water Legacy Grant Agreement (with BWSR) to extend the contract end date to June 31, 2011.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

2.      Jim made a motion to approve the Phase X Farm Bill Assistance Application as prepared by staff for July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 for a 25% full-time employee.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

3.      Jim made a motion to discontinue the policy requiring $1,000 earnest money from FWQM Cost-Share Contract landowners.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

4.      Tom made a motion to approve the 9 contracts (Kieffer, Urban, Schroder, L. Schroeder, Hershey, Heim, Lundeen, Mote, and Groth) for a total of $200,542.48.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

5.      Arlene made a motion to approve the final payment for FL-08B, #27 - Larry Kronebusch for sediment basin repair.  Total cost of the project is $1,811.50.  Other funding payment is $1,680.00.  Payment requested is $131.50.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

6.      Tom made a motion to approve the final payment for NB-09, #03 - Jim Roth for his Native Buffer Cost-Share contract.  Total cost of the project is $11,806.38.  Other funding payment is $3,810.00.  Payment requested is $5,044.70.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

7.      Jim made a motion to amend contract NB-09, #01 – to reflect the contract for Don O’Neil not as the City of Minnesota City.  This contract should be with Don O’Neil as the landowner.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

8.      Jim made a motion to approve the final payment for FL-09C, #14 – Kelly O’Neil for sediment basin repair contract.  Total cost of the project is $19,183.00.  Other funding payment is $7,900.  Payment requested $7,446.40.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

9.      Arlene made a motion to approve the final payment for FL-09C, #15 – Rudolph Storm for waterway repair.  Total cost of the project is $3,228.65.  Other funding payment is $966.00. Payment requested is $2,262.65.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

10.  Jim made a motion to approve the final payment request for FY-07, #07 – Richard Keehn for a new pond structure.  Total cost of the project is $26,136.25 and is eligible for 80% Cost-Share.  Other funding payment is $7,570. Additional State Cost-Share funding from Flood B in the amount of $9,939.  Payment requested is $3,400.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

11.  Arlene made a motion to approve the final payment request for FY-07, #07 – Richard Keehn for a new pond structure.  Total cost of the project is $26,136.25 and is eligible for 80% Cost-Share.  Other funding payment is $7,570.00. Additional State Cost-Share funding from 2007 Regular Cost-Share in the amount of $3,400.00.  Payment requested is $9,936.00.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

12.  Tom made a motion to approve the amendment request from FL-08B, #41 – Holden Farms.  The landowner is requesting an additional $10,606.25 in Cost-Share.  At the time of the approval, it was thought that another funding source would be assisting with the project.  Due to eligibility requirements, they are unable to.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

13.  Tom made a motion to approve the final payment request from FL-08B, #41 – Holden Farms for pond repair.  Total cost of the project and payment requested is $22,148.75.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

14.  Arlene made a motion to approve the amendment request FL-08A, #13 – Lowell Goss to extend his contract completion date to September 8, 2010. Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

15.  Jim made a motion to approve the Native Buffer Cost-Share application for Shirley Johnson.  The total cost of the project is estimated at $7,221.50 and the practice is eligible for up to 75% or $5,416.13, whichever is less. Alrene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

16.  Arlene made a motion to approve the Native Buffer Cost-Share application for Hank Welle. The total cost of the project is estimated at $9,326.81 and the practice is eligible for 75% Cost-Share or $2,665, whichever is less.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

OLD BUSINESS

1.      Tim reported on a meeting with the County, BWSR, SRMC Watershed, and two Winona SWCD board members.  At this time, the county will absorb the water plan work.

Jack Roberts, SRMC Watershed, noted that he was not at the meeting to enter into an agreement at this time with the District. Many ideas on how the district and the watershed could work together were discussed.  The district staff would be willing to meet with the Watershed District to explain what they do as the SWCD.

Jim suggested a focus discussion with all agencies to work together and build healthy relationships. 

A meeting will be set up with the District Staff, Watershed, and the Winona County Planning Department.

NEW BUSINESS

1.      A reminder of the Area 7 Resolution Meeting on June 30, 2010.

2.      Jim made a motion for Brein to pursue the free nitrate testing clinic this year for Winona County residents.  Alrene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

3.      Tim updated the board on the consensus that was made to offer Naomi Corey the position for the Rush-Pine Creek/Nature Conservancy on May 25, 2010.  Tom made a motion to approve the Rush-Pine Creek/Nature Conservancy Contractor as Naomi Corey.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

4.      The board discussed the drafted Contractor Contract as presented.  Changes and ideas were given.  Jim made a motion to approve the contract with changes to Contractor/Subcontractor language.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

5.      Tim presented a bid for a new truck from Lewiston Auto.

6.      Tom made a motion to approve the Personnel Policy (In/Out Board) as presented by the Personnel Committee.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

MISCELLANEOUS DISTRICT NEWS AND INFORMATION

1.      Tom made a motion to approve Rudie to attend the Water Summit on July 12, 2010.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

PUBLIC COMMENTS – None.

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

Meeting adjourned at 11:43 A.M.

Respectfully submitted by:

Tom Choinski, Secretary of the Board