WINONA COUNTY SWCD MINUTES

SPECIAL MEETING

Ag Service Center, Lewiston, MN

May 5, 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 –Rich Biske, The Nature Conservancy; Commissioner Kaehler; Tim Terrill, SWCD.

CONTRACT EMPLOYEE INTERVIEWS

The board interviewed Timothy Radatz.

The board had a discussion to review the interview.

The board interviewed Brent Coggins.

The board had a discussion to review the interview.

The board interviewed Carrie Halliday.

The board had a discussion to review the interview.

The board interviewed Brian Bakalar.

The board had a discussion to review the interview.

ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 12:53 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by:

Tom Choinski, Secretary of the Board

WINONA COUNTY SWCD MINUTES

Ag Service Center, Lewiston, MN

May 12, 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 Commissioners; Mary Kells and Donald Buckhout, BWSR; Keith Beech, Jack Roberts, and Duane Wirt, SRMC Watershed; Tim Terrill, Daryl Buck, and Brein Maki, SWCD; and Sue Glende; NRCS.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA –Jim made a motion to approve the May 12, 2010 agenda adding Cost-Share amendments for Earl Prigge, amendment for Rick Nahrgang, and new Flood Cost-Share applications under Cost-Share, Phase I report from Don Buckhout and Rush-Pine Creek Watershed update under Old Business, and move the Whitewater report after the consent agenda items..  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

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

WHITEWATER JPB REPORT – Megan reported on the turbidity TMDL, EQIP contract update, Olmsted County’s enforcement actions of Shoreland Buffer, her work with SE Minnesota Water Resource Board to set up a buffer workshop, and the Agra News article on Whitewater JPB.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT – Commissioner Kaehler updated the board on current county board information including the zoning ordinance and the public hearing that was held, building construction update, and a new bill that Senator Ropes is working on regarding mandate rules.

WINONA COUNTY PLANNING REPORT – No report given. 

D.C. REPORT –Sue Glende updated the board on the CSP, EQIP contracts, and status reviews. The new State Conservationist will be visiting the office on June 2, 2010.

SUPERVISOR REPORTS –

John attended a staff meeting.

Tom discussed his opinion on the need for the district to replace the 2000 GMAC truck.

Arlene reported on a report done by Organic Valley about measuring carbon impacts.

Jim reported on the special meeting for the Rush-Pine Creek Contract position.  He encouraged the district to participate in the Sustainable Farming-Grazing day that will be help on September 11, 2010 at the Winona County Fairgrounds.  He also reported on the Winona County EDA Community Gardens at the landfill.

Rudie reported on the special meeting for the Rush-Pine Creek Contract position.

COST SHARE

1.      John made a motion to approve the FY-10 CWL Feedlot Water Quality Management Grant agreement from MN BWSR for $267,390.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

2.      Tom made a motion to approve the amendment request for FY-07, #07 – Richard Keehn to extend the completion date of his project to June 9, 2010.  This project has been started, but not able to complete by the current due date.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

3.      Jim made a motion to approve the final payment request for FL-08A, #29 – Keith Schossow for waterway repair. Total project cost and final payment requested is $980.00. John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

4.      John made a motion to approve the final payment request for FL-09C, #16 – Allen Rahn – for critical area planting repair.  Total cost of the project and final payment requested is $2,595.00.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

5.      Arlene made a motion to approve the final payment request for FL-09D, #06 – Kevin Bronk – for new grade stabilization structure.  Total cost of this project is $20,356.39.  Final payment requested (80%) is $16,285.11.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

6.      John made a motion to approve the final payment request FL-08B, #35 – Barkeim Farms, LLC – for pond repair.  Total cost of this project is $16,637.18.  Other funding is $6,808.  Final payment requested is $5,068.45.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

7.      Arlene made a motion to approve the final payment request for FL-08DB, #28 – Thomas Krage – for sediment basin repair.  Total project cost and final payment requested is $5,068.45.  John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

8.      Arlene made a motion to cancel contract FL-08A, #22 – Harlan Sebo – The landowner did this repair on his own.

9.      Tom made a motion to cancel contract FL-08B, #22 – John Botten – The landowner did this repair on his own.

10.  John made a motion to cancel contract FL-08A, #37 – Luke & Rob Miller – The landowners did this repair on his own.

11.  John made a motion to approve the amendment request for FY-08, #11 – Rick Nahrgang to increase his funding by $2,308.18 from the FY-09 Cost-Share fund.  The other funding source is at a lower rate than originally expected.  This will get the landowner closer to 80% Cost-Share.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

12.  John made a motion to approve the amendment request for FL-08A, #20 – Earl Prigge to increase his funding by $10,993 from the Flood A Cost-Share fund. The new cost estimate done by the engineer is higher than the original estimate done in 2007.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

13.  John made a motion to approve the new Flood Cost-Share application for Beverly Benter for Streambank and Shoreland protection.  Cost estimate and contract approval amount is $6,676.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

14.  Jim made a motion to approve the new Flood Cost-Share application for Tim Fort for Streambank and Shoreland protection.  Cost estimate and contract approval amount is $9,040.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

15.  Alrene made a motion to approve the new Flood Cost-Share application for Mark Volkman for sediment basin repair.  Cost estimate and contract approval amount is $10,880.00.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

16.  Tom made a motion to approve the new Flood Cost-Share application for Charles Egland for a new sediment basin. Cost estimate and contract approval amount $5,300.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

17.  John made a motion to approve the new Flood Cost-Share application for David Heublein for sediment basin repair.  Cost estimate and contract approval amount is $18,625.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

18.  Jim made a motion to approve the new Flood Cost-Share application for Steve Nahrgang for sediment basin repair.  Cost estimate and contract approval amount is $7,170.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

19.  John made a motion to approve the new Flood Cost-Share application for Tim Pozanc for sediment basin repair.  Cost estimate and contract approval amount $11,688.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

OLD BUSINESS

1.      MEDIATOR – Donald Buckhout, BWSR – Donald reported to the board his Phase I findings and recommendations. 

a.       Jim made a motion to request BWSR to do a “BWSR District Assessment” of partners.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

b.      Tom made a motion for the district to continue to work with Don Buckhout and BWSR to “Clarify the strategic direction of the Winona SWCD” and “Review and revise the District Manager Interaction Policy and/or finalize the Personnel Handbook to address the concepts in the Policy.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

2.      Rush-Pine Creek Update:  Tim informed the board that he offered the Rush-Pine Creek Watershed Contract position to Tim Radatz, but he turned the position down.  Tim will be meeting with Rich Biske, Nature Conservancy, to reassess.

NEW BUSINESS

1.      Jim made a motion to approve the Supervisor Committee Per Diem Resolution (removing the Whereas…..economic crisis).  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

2.      SRMC Watershed District – Jack, Duane, and Keith presented the board with a draft contract for a list of services they would like the district to provide for them.  The board discussed.  Tom made a motion for Tim to organize a meeting with members from SRMC, SWCD, Winona County, and BWSR to discuss collaboration of services.  John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

3.      Tim informed the board that the 2011 County Allocation is due to Pat Moga, County Financial Director, on May 21, 2010.  The Budget Committee will meet on May 13, 2010 to draft a 2011 Budget.  The board will hold a special meeting on May 17, 2010 at 9:00 A.M. to approve the 2011 District Budget and County Allocation request.

MISCELLANEOUS DISTRICT NEWS AND INFORMATION

1.      Mena discussed concerns about the Rush-Pine Creek Watershed Contractor hiring practices and that a Data Request has been made.

2.      John encouraged the supervisors to make sure that their Supervisor Timesheets be filled out completely when turned in for per diem at the end of the quarter.

PUBLIC COMMENTS – None.

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

Meeting adjourned at 12:37 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by:

Tom Choinski, Secretary of the Board

WINONA COUNTY SWCD

SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

Ag Service Center, Lewiston, MN

May 17, 2010

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

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

Also present were –Tim Terrill and Brein Maki, SWCD.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA –Jim made a motion to approve the May 17, 2010 agenda.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE 2011 BUDGET - Jim made a motion to approve the 2011 Budget; Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

APPROVAL OF THE 2011 COUNTY REGULAR ALLOCATION REQUEST – Arlene made a motion to request $109,000 from Winona County of 2011.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

MISCELLANEOUS DISTRICT NEWS AND INFORMATION

1.      The board discussed the filing period and term of being a Winona County SWCD Supervisor.

2.      Jim addressed his concerns with management’s prioritization when it came to the County’s request for the 2011 Regular Allocation, received on May 3.  Jim stressed the need to be conscience of district costs and workload when it comes to special meetings.  The County's request could have been addressed at the May 12, 2010 regular board meeting, if management had prepared a draft of the 2011 Budget for consideration, avoiding the need for a special meeting. 

3.      The board discussed Supervisor per diems and when they should turn in special events and meetings.

PUBLIC COMMENTS – None.

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

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 A.M.

Respectfully submitted by:

Jim Riddle, Acting Secretary of the Board

WINONA COUNTY SWCD MINUTES

SPECIAL MEETING

Ag Service Center, Lewiston, MN

May 28, 2010

Meeting was called to order at 12:03 P.M. by Chairman Rudie Spitzer.

Present were supervisors – Rudie Spitzer and Jim Riddle.

Also present were –Rich Biske, The Nature Conservancy and Tim Terrill, SWCD.

MEETINGS POTENTIAL CONTRACTORS FOR RUSH-PINE WATERSHED PROJECT

The board met with Naomi Corey.

The board met with Jordan Vitse.

The board met with John Reiman.

There was no quorum, so this was a committee meeting to provide input on the Rush-Pine contract.  Jim submitted minor changes, which were accepted.

ADJOURNMENT – The meeting adjourned at 1:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by:

Jim Riddle, Acting Secretary of the Board