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Blue Earth County Soil and Water Conservation District
1160 South Victory Drive, Suite #3
Mankato, MN 56001
Board Meeting Minutes
March 5, 2009
Supervisors Present:
Allen Marble, Vice Chairman; Bill Gardner, Chairman; John Shanahan, Supervisor; John Rollings, PR & I; Harold Loeffler, Sec/Treas
Staff Present:
John Billings, Maple River Tech; Michael Schultz, Big Cobb Tech
Staff Absent:
Jerad Bach, District Manager; Lynette Ziegler, Office Technician
Guests Present:
Will Purvis, Co. Commissioner; Chris Hughes, BWSR BC; Ryan Braulick, Dist. Conservationist
Guests Absent:
Kip Bruender, Co. Commissioner
Proceedings:
Meeting called to order by Chairman, Gardner, at 4:00 pm.
Housekeeping:
Agenda: Billings presented a revised agenda. Marble moved to approve the agenda as revised, seconded by Rollings. Unless otherwise noted all voted yes.
Minutes: Rollings moved to approve the February 5, 2008 minutes, seconded by Marble. Unless otherwise noted all voted yes.
Treasurer’s Report: (see attached)
Balance on hand $ 13,212.28
Receipts $ 17,526.33
Disbursements $ 17,720.43 Total $ 13,018.18
Disbursements and receipts were reviewed and Supervisor monthly Per Diem/Expenses read. A motion was made by Loeffler to pay Supervisors Per Diem/Expenses and to accept the Treasurer’s Report subject to audit, seconded by Marble. Unless otherwise noted all voted yes.
Open Communications:
Guest Speaker: Commissioner Purvis noted the new Justice Center is scheduled to be ready for departments to move in for business mid March. Commissioner Purvis also mentioned a federal stimulus package coming to Blue Earth County for a bridge project and a project with County Road 12.
Guest Speaker: Chris Hughes explained the details that he is aware of about the Lessard and Clean Water Land and Legacy (CWLL) funds. Hughes passed around a few handouts about the voting results from each county, and how the new funding could affect BWSR. Hughes expressed how much money could be available. He mentioned perhaps 70-80 million dollars from both the Lessard and the CWLL funds which could potential bring 6 times the cost-share dollars that we currently have. Rollings asked if non-profits could apply for the funds, and if there was an application to fill out? Hughes noted that there is not a set application for the funds. Hughes also talked about small changes happening with RIM. Hughes also informed everyone that there is a highly rated 28 million dollar RIM-WRP proposal right now.
Maple River CWP: (see attached) Billings reported that the Maple CWP passed mid-project review.
Big Cobb – 319 Grant: (see attached) Schultz reported on the MDA meeting with Beauford Watershed landowners.
District Conservationist: (see attached) Braulick reported on EQIP ranking potentially starting in the middle of April. Braulick also noted that he wanted to remind his local partner that the NRCS is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
District Manager: (see attached)
Committees:
Maple River CWP Cost-Share:
Maple River Education Grant:
Billings is requesting payment of $395.00 for the cost of the Ecology Bus for the Faribault County Environmental Day camp. Rollings moved to make payment of $395.00, seconded by Shanahan. Unless otherwise noted all voted yes.
State Cost-Share:
Contract #1FY06: David Schultz, Terrace; District Manager Bach is requesting to amend the project deadline with a BWSR BC approved extension. Rollings moved to amend the date from 4/5/09 to 6/30/09, seconded by Marble. Unless otherwise noted all voted yes.
Contract #2FY06: Vonda Britton, Grade Stabilization; District Manager Bach is requesting to amend the project deadline with a BWSR BC approved extension. Rollings moved to amend the date from 4/5/09 to 6/30/09, seconded by Marble. Unless otherwise noted all voted yes.
Other Business:
DNR Foresters: Billings presented a letter drafted on behalf of the SWCD that expresses opposition to the eliminating of the forester office in Mankato. Comments were made in support of our local DNR foresters. Braulick noted that he agreed with the letter. Marble stated that the letter should also be forwarded to our regional representatives. Rollings moved to sign the letter, seconded by Marble. Unless otherwise noted all voted yes.
Area VI Meeting: Billings presented the information for the upcoming Area 6 meeting in Lafayette, MN on April 7, 2009. Marble said he would be in attendance and Shanahan said he would try to attend.
MASWCD Legislative Day: Marble provided a review of his experience at this year’s Legislative Day in St. Paul. Marble commented about how they attempted to stop and talk with everyone available. He engaged in an interesting conversation with Bob Gunther about the funding an urban forestry project in Rochester. Chris Hughes asked Marble about Gunther’s opinion about the process of the new funding. Marble commented that Gunther was in favor of the system in place already because of the transparency.
Minnesota River Basin-Wide Meeting: Billings presented the information about the meeting on March 6, 2009. Billings explained the letter of support sent by Shannon Fisher and read the response from Marilyn Bernhardson. The explanation was followed by a discussion on what the meeting was about. Chris Hughes expressed who would be in attendance and said Tom Fisher was planning to attend. None of the Supervisors thought that they would be able to attend.
Water Quality Trading Specialist-GBERBA: Billings noted that GBERBA had requested the SWCD’s submit proposals to fill this position. Billings, Schultz, and Hughes explained where the position came from and why there was a need to hire so quickly. Billings informed the Board that Bach was unsure at this point if there would be a proposal from the Blue Earth SWCD. The Supervisors agreed that they were apprehensive to vote on approving any proposal at this meeting, but would be willing to hold a special meeting to discuss the proposal.
Supervisors/Chairman: Marble informed everyone that he was now the Chairperson for RC&D for a year. Shanahan mentioned that the meeting for new supervisors had been cancelled this past month. Gardner presented information about a recent purchase of land by Minnesota Pheasants Inc. The property is a little over 45 acres next to the O A VEE Wildlife Management area off of US Highway 169. No additional comments by supervisors.
Adjourn:
A motion was made by Marble and seconded by Loeffler to adjourn the meeting. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
• Meeting adjourned 5:55 pm
• Next meeting will be held April 9, 2009
• Minutes submitted by John Billings, Maple River Tech
Signature: ____________________________________________
Harold Loeffler, Secretary/Treasurer
Signature: ____________________________________________
William Gardner, Chairman
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