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Blue Earth County Soil and Water Conservation District
1160 South Victory Drive, Suite #3
Mankato, MN 56001
Board Meeting Minutes
August 6, 2009
Supervisors Present:
Allen Marble, Vice Chairman;Bill Gardner, Chairman;
John Shanahan, Supervisor;John Rollings, PR & I Supervisors Absent: Harold Loeffler, Sec/Treas
Staff Present:
Jerad Bach, District Manager; Michael Schultz, Big Cobb; John Billings, Maple River Tech
Staff Absent: Lynette Ziegler, Office Tech
Guests Present:
Ryan Braulick, Dist. Conservationist;Sarah Duda, Crystal, Loon, Mills CWP;Matt Ribikawskis, Graduate Student MSU
Guests Absent:
Will Purvis, Co. Commissioner; Kip Bruender, Co. Commissioner
Proceedings:
Meeting called to order by Chairman, Gardner, at 4:00 pm.
Housekeeping:
Agenda: Marble moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Gardner. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
Minutes: Rollings moved to approve the July 9, 2009 minutes, seconded by Marble. Unless otherwise noted all voted yes.
Treasurer’s Report: (see attached)
Balance on hand $ 34,099.96
Receipts $ 219,402.25
Disbursements $ 86,987.19
Total $ 166,515.02
Disbursements and receipts were reviewed and Supervisor monthly Per Diem/Expenses read. A motion was made by Marble to pay Supervisors Per Diem/Expenses including Loeffler when submitted and to accept the Treasurer’s Report subject to audit, seconded by Rollings. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
Open Communications:
Guest Speaker: Sarah Duda and Matt Ribikawskis: Ribikawskis summarized the sample collection methods and results related to the Crystal, Loon, Mills Clean Water Partnership, Lake Crystal TMDL, and his thesis. Much of the results were related to phosphorus levels in the lake and watershed. Gardner asked about any differences occurring this year with the lower seasonal temperatures. Ribikawskis explained that the lake water temperatures were still pretty similar to last year even though the air temps have been lower. Rollings inquired about the difference between these lakes compared to other lakes in the region. Ribikawskis agreed that there does seem to be some special issues with the lake. Shanahan asked about the lake levels with the lack of moisture in the area. Ribikawskis explained the levels have definitely decreased. Gardner then asked what they thought the landowner opinions are in the watershed and how the SWCD could help to educate the landowners more. Ribikawskis expressed his belief that SWCD needs to continue to focus on projects in the watershed. Duda also mentioned the need to encourage the landowners to change certain practices before mandatory enforcement becomes a reality. Duda mentioned that from what she has heard enforcement could be an issue soon.
Maple River CWP: (see attached) Billings presented final report
Big Cobb – 319 Grant: (see attached) Schultz presented report. Shultz mentioned a continuation grant for the Cobb watershed was submitted and was denied.
District Conservationist: Braulick explained a few details that he learned about the new CSP. The current CSP is nationwide and not watershed based. The sign-up starts Monday 8/10/09 and the public meetings closest to Mankato will be held in Waseca and Winnebago on Wednesday 8/12/09
District Manager: (see attached) Bach presented report. Bach noted the success of the fair booth and overall fair attendance numbers. Bach explained that the four 319 grants that were connected to the SWCD were all denied.
Committees:
Big Cobb Cost-Share:
Cobb-BMP-07-03: Ellen Howley: Schultz is requesting payment of $14,898.00 for a Grade Stabilization Structure in Beauford Township Section 8. Rollings moved to make payment of $14,898.00 for the construction of the Grad Stabilization Structure, seconded by Shanahan. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
Cobb-BMP-07-05: Minnesota Valley Lands, Inc.: Schultz is requesting payment of $13,036.00 for an Upland Wildlife Habitat Management in Beauford Township Sections 13 and 14. Rollings moved to make payment of $13,036.00 for the Upland Wildlife Habitat Management, seconded by Marble. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
Other Business:
South Central Technical Service Area - Agreement: Bach gave an update to the Board on the status of the South Central TSA changes.
Blue Earth County Fair: Everyone that attended the booth at the fair made comments on the amount of people the booth attracted.
Crystal Loon Mills: Bach presented the final report for the Clean Water Legacy.
Maple River CWP: Billings answered a couple more question regarding the CWP closeout.
Area Conservationist: Bach presented a list of potential Conservationist of the Year nominees to the supervisors. Gardner moved to nominate Tamra and Eugene Braam for the 2009 Outstanding Conservationist Award, seconded by Marble. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
Rental Agreement: Bach presented a list of equipment and communication costs that will be associated with the office relocation. Bach also summarized the final lease draft. As members of the committee assigned to help with the negotiations, Marble and Shanahan explained how the lease discussions went. Rollings moved to approve the rental agreement and up to $20,000.00 for start up costs associate to the office move. Marble seconded. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
Supervisors/Chairman: Shanahan attended the supervisor training in St. Cloud. He said the training went well and he enjoyed the event. He also complimented Lynette and Allen on a job well done with the KEYC promotion. Shanahan finished by noting how he is really starting to enjoy his position as a supervisor. Marble informed the Board that RC&D didn’t receive the 319 grant that they had applied for. Marble remarked on how well the fair went, but also expressed his disappointment in other county agency representatives that were not in attendance. Rollings noted that hog and dairy industries are showing issues and creditors are predicting a tough future ahead. Rollings also requested permission to attend the Garden City Rod and Gun Club meeting to talk about Mills Lake. Gardner apologized for not being in attendance at the fair. He gave an update of the progress of the fall kickoff planned for this fall with the MN Pheasants, Inc. and Ducks Unlimited.
Adjourn:
A motion was made by Marble and seconded by Rollings to adjourn the meeting. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
• Meeting adjourned 6:40 pm
• Next meeting will be held September 9, 2009
• Minutes submitted by John Billings, Maple River Watershed Technician
Signature: _________________________________ Harold Loeffler, Secretary/Treasurer
Signature: _________________________________ William Gardner, Chairman
Approved September 10, 2009
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