WINONA COUNTY SWCD MINUTES

Ag Service Center, Lewiston, MN

March 10, 2010

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

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

Also present were – Mena Kaehler, County Commissioner; Mark Gernes, Winona County Planning; Mary Kells, BWSR; Tim Terrill, Daryl Buck, and Brein Maki, SWCD; and Sue Glende; NRCS.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA –Jim made a motion to approve the March 10, 2010 agenda adding Supervisor Handbook and Money Market Rates under New Business; and Feedlot FY-09, #07 - Mueller and an application from Donn Corey for Flood Cost- Share under Cost-Share; and Mary Kells, BWSR Report under Supervisors’ Reports.  John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

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

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT – Commissioner Kaehler updated the board on current county board information including Census update, building construction, the landfills surrounding land usage, Zoning Ordinance, and Commissioner Voegeli announcing that he will not seek re-election.  There was also discussion on standardize radios for emergency cooperatives and wind turbine debate/codes.

WINONA COUNTY PLANNING REPORT – Mark Gernes handed out an update on current Board of Adjustments and Planning Commission requests.  There was also discussion on the Zoning Ordinance and regulations on winter manure spreading. 

D.C. REPORT –Sue updated the board on the CSP contracts approved, EQIP and WHIP applications, Area 7 NRCS meeting, State Conservationist position opening, Honor Flights program, and upcoming meetings and activities.

WHITEWATER JPB REPORT – Megan updated the board on current Whitewater JPB work; including the MPCA Turbidity monitoring project, Logan Creek modeling report draft, LCMR Grant, Agra News Farm Show (March 24-25), and Goodhue SWCD buffer payment program.

Mena addressed the board about her concerns of the culture of the district board and concerns that she had at the Whitewater Joint Powers Board meeting.

SUPERVISOR REPORTS –

John attended a staff meeting on February 4, 2010, Legislative Day at the Capital, Budget Committee, and the special meeting held February 22, 2010. 

Tom will attend the BALMN meeting.  He attended the Legislative Day at the Capital, Budget Committee meeting, special meeting held February 22, 2010, and the Pickwick Mill Board meeting.

Arlene attended the Organic Conference and the special meeting held February 22, 2010.  She is continuing her work on the Soils Education Day. 

Jim reported on the Organic Conference, his work training NRCS on the organic requirements, Soils Education Day, Local Foods Expo, and the Bio-Region workshop on the Driftless Area.  

Rudie reported on the Legislative Day at the Capital.  He addressed the Winona County Conduct Ground Rules.

BWSR REPORT – Mary Kells presented a hand-out on BWSR operating reductions from John Jaschke, Executive Director of BWSR.  BWSR budgets are frozen.  She gave a SE Flood update, local staffing, RIM update, and Legislative reports that are available online at the BWSR website. She reported on the Rural Preserve, CWL Fund, PRAP, and Flood Progress Reports.

COST SHARE

1.      Tom made a motion to approve the policy change for Regular State Cost-Share for up to 75% Cost-Share for approved practices, not to exceed $4,500.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

2.      John made a motion to approve the amendment request for FL-09C, #10 (FL-09D, #05) – William Gardner grade stabilization repair to increase his Cost-Share to $85,670.50.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

3.      Jim made a motion to approve the amendment application for FL-09D, #02 – Richard Louks for pond repair to increase his Cost-Share to $76,495.00.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

4.      Arlene made a motion to approve the Flood Cost-Share application for Kevin Bronk for a new grade stabilization project for 80% Cost-Share or a maximum of $45,500.  Project estimate for this project is $27,752.30.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

5.      Tom made a motion to approve the amendment application for Feedlot FY-09, #07 – Mike Mueller for his Feedlot Repair to be change to a Milkhouse Waste Repair (partial fix) and apply for the additional repair in the next CWL application.  This request has been approved by Mary Kells, BWSR.  John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

6.      Jim made a motion to approve the Flood Cost-Share application for Donn Corey for a new grade stabilization project for 80% Cost-Share or a maximum of $45,500. Project estimate for this project is $27,158.25.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

OLD BUSINESS

1.      Tom made a motion to formally request a 30 day extension from Mary Kells, BWSR for the 2010 Annual Plan and a committee (John & Jim) will meet with staff to work through the plan and present it at the April Board meeting; Jim seconded it and carried by an affirmative vote.

Mary Kells was present at the meeting and verbally approved this request.  A formal email request should be made to confirm promptly by the District Manager.

2.      Tom made a motion to table the 2010 Budget approval to be included with the approval of the Annual Plan and presented at the April Board meeting.  John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

3.      Reminder of the district’s involvement at this event scheduled for March 13, 2010.  Brein will be working the booth.

4.      Arlene and Brein updated the board on the Soils Education Day work they have been doing.

5.      John made a motion to accept the contract from the Nature Conservancy; Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

NEW BUSINESS

1.      Tom made a motion approving the 2009 Annual Report and Financial Statements.  John seconded it a carried by affirmative votes.

2.      Brein updated the Board on the change in rate with the Security State Money Market account as of March 15, 2010.  She presented additional rates available at area banks.  No action or changes were made.

3.      Tom made a motion to table the Personnel Wage Review; John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

4.      The Area 7 Spring Meeting will be April 1, 2010 at Ironwood Springs in Stewartville.  All 5 Board members plan on attending.

5.      The board by consensus appointed Arlene to serve on the RC&D Committee.

MISCELLANEOUS DISTRICT NEWS AND INFORMATION – Ag Service Center Food Drive for March Food Shelf Month.

PUBLIC COMMENTS – None.

SUPERVISOR HANDBOOK – The board reviewed several sections of the handbook in order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the Supervisor duties and responsibilities.

ADJOURNMENT – Meeting adjourned at 2:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by:

Tom Choinski, Secretary of the Board