WINONA COUNTY SWCD MINUTES

Ag Service Center, Lewiston, MN

October 13, 2010

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

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

Also present were –Mena Kaehler, County Commissioner; Mark Gernes, Winona County; Tim Terrill, Daryl Buck, Marlow Mielke, and Brein Maki, SWCD; Jerry Hildebrandt, WWJPB; and Wayne Valentine, County Commissioner candidate.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA –Jim made a motion to approve the October 13, 2010 agenda adding under Cost-Share Corey (FL-09D, #04) final payment, McGuire (FL-09D, #11) amendment and final payment, Gardner (FL-09D, #05) final payment; and add 2010 tax forms to Bill’s Payable. John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

CONSENT AGENDA – Jim made a motion to approve the Consent Agenda; Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

COUNTY COMMISSIONER REPORT – Commissioner Kaehler update the Board on current County work; including the 2011 Budget development, Shoreland Ordinance Plan, and the Zoning Ordinance.

WINONA COUNTY PLANNING REPORT – Mark Gernes updated the Board on the Ordinance and Shoreland Ordinance plan.   He also updated the Board on current Board of Adjustments and Planning Commission requests and approvals. 

D.C. REPORT – Brein handed out the monthly workload report and Local Work Group EQIP ranking report for Sue Glende, D.C.  Jim Riddle updated the Board on their work on the EQIP ranking and changes to the ranking.

WHITEWATER JPB REPORT – Rudie reported to the Board that Megan has resigned.  They have sent out notices requesting resumes to fill the position.  Jerry Hildebrandt introduced himself to the Board as the Whitewater Outreach Coordinator.  His position is funded through MPCA.

RUSH-PINE REPORT – Tim reported on Naomi’s work.  She has been working on cover crops, Lidar, GIS & Land Survey, and held a partners meeting.  She is unable to work on Toolkit because she is a contractor.

SUPERVISOR REPORTS –

John reported that he attended a staff meeting and the Area 7 meeting.

Tom reported that he attended the Area 7 meeting.  He brought up staff and the minute concerns from the special meeting held in August.

Arlene reported on the Area 7 meeting and a presentation on October 23, 2010 from 1-4 PM by Ralph Lentz.

Jim reported the Area 7 meeting, Local EQIP Work Group, and a meeting with Ann Goering.  He also attended an Ordinance meeting on his own behalf.

Rudie attended the Area 7 meeting, Executive Board meeting, Altura Wellhead Protection meeting, Garvin Brook meeting, and rehiring for WWJPB.

COST SHARE

1.      Jim made a motion to approve the final payment for FL-09C, #19 – Mark Volkman for his sediment basin project.  The total cost of the project and final payment requested is $10,377.00.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

2.      John made a motion to cancel CWA Feedlot FY-10, #06 – Louis Heim at the landowner’s request; Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

3.      Jim made a motion to approve the amendment request from Leroy Kronebusch to encumber an additional $4,208.34 to his contract from slippage money from CWA Feedlot FY-10, #06 to get Kronebusch to 75% Cost-Share.  This request has been approved by Matt Drewitz, BWSR.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

4.      Jim made a motion to approve the final payment request from Feedlot FY-09, #06 – Leroy Kronebusch for his feedlot repair.  The total cost of this project is $20,714.21.  Payment requested is $11,327.32.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

5.      Jim made a motion to approve the final payment request from Feedlot FY-09, #06 – Leroy Kronebusch for his feedlot repair.  The total cost of this project is $20,714.21.  Payment requested from CWA Feedlot FY-10 is $4,208.34.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

6.      Alrene made a motion to approve the CWA Feedlot application from Curtiss and Andy Mundt for a milkhouse waste project in the amount of $12,086.76 (75% Cost-Share) using slippage from CWA Feedlot FY-10, #06.  This request has been approved by Matt Drewitz.  John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

7.      Jim made a motion to approve the second CWA 2011 Feedlot application (2 landowner applications) as presented to the Board.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes. 

8.      Jim made a motion to approve the final payment for FL-09D, #04 – Don Corey for sediment basin repair.  The total cost of the project is $23,366.00 and the project is eligible for 80% Cost-Share.  Final payment requested is $18,692.80.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

9.      Arlene made a motion to approve the final payment for FL-09D, #05 – William Gardner for sediment basin repair.  The total cost of the project and payment requested is $87,767.50.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

10.  John made a motion to approve the Cost-Share amendment (2) for FL-09D, #11 for Kathleen McGuire for Streambank protection.  Due to observations from the September 2010 flooding, the project had to be extended roughly 200 feet to complete the Streambank Stabilization.  This additional amount requested is $19,311.00.  Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

11.  Tom made a motion to approve the final payment for FL-09D, #11 – Kathleen McGuire for Streambank protection contingent of the engineer’s final technical certification.  The total cost and payment requested $125,273.00.  Arlene seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

OLD BUSINESS      

1.      Tim reported that SRMC Watershed District gave $1000 for cover crop payments in their watershed and $50 per landowner for administration to the District.  Three of the applicants are from their District.

Richard Kreidermacher            40 acres           $800.00

Dave Tveten                            13.2 acres        $264.00

David DeLano                          27.5 acres        $550.00

Warren Hoppe                         20.2 acres        $404.00           SRMC

Eugene Marxhausen                 14.6 acres        $292.00           SRMC

Tim Marxhausen                       4.3 acres          $86.00             SRMC

Jim made a motion to approve the six cover crop payments to the producers who have been field verified.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

NEW BUSINESS

1.      Tom made a motion to enter in the 2011 Grant Agreement with BWSR and authorize Rudie Spitzer, Chairman to sign the grant as soon as it has been received in the mail.  If a second signature is requested by BWSR, the Vice-Chairman is authorized to sign.  John seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

Tom made a motion to formally request a copy of the contract with Ann Goering and the Winona County SWCD; Jim seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

2.      John made a motion to table the discussion and approval of the 11MRBI Grant Agreement with BWSR for increased technical assistance for MRBI in the amount of $37,500 until the November 10, 2010 Board meeting.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

3.      Each Board member turned in their 2010 Resolution votes and signed the official ballot.

4.      Rudie, John, and Tom plan on attending the 2010 Convention.  Tim will check with staff on who will be attending.

5.      Brein handed out the Contribution Agreement information for Sue Glende, D.C.  This included the contract deliverables and reimbursement amounts.  There are 39 plans available for the District to enter into contract to do.   John made a motion to enter into the NRCS Contribution Agreement for 13 CRP contracts that Tim will be completing.  Tom seconded it and carried by affirmative votes.

MISCELLANEOUS DISTRICT NEWS AND INFORMATION

1.      Mary Kells, BWSR, arrived at the meeting and gave a brief update.  Dave Peterson will be helping out one day a week with back workload.  The Board discussed the new County Shoreland plans and programs available for Cost-Share programs.

2.      Naomi Corey, Rush-Pine Contractor, arrived at the meeting and did a follow-up on the report she sent to the meeting with Tim.

PUBLIC COMMENTS – None.

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

Meeting adjourned at 12:00 P.M.

Respectfully submitted by:

Tom Choinski, Secretary of the Board