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Blue Earth County Soil and Water Conservation District
1160 South Victory Drive, Suite #3
Mankato, MN 56001
Board Meeting Minutes
October 8, 2009
Supervisors Present: Staff Present:
Allen Marble, Vice Chairman Jerad Bach, District Manager
Bill Gardner, Chairman Michael Schultz, Big Cobb
John Shanahan, Supervisor Lynette Ziegler, OfficeTech
John Rollings, PR & I Guests Present:
Harold Loeffler, Sec/Treas Brooke Hacker, Ecosystem
Guests Absent: Ryan Braulick, Dist. Con
Kip Bruender, Commissioner WillPurvis,Commissioner
Proceedings:
Meeting called to order by Chairman, Gardner, at 4:03 pm.
Housekeeping:
Agenda: Marble moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Rollings. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
Introduction: Gardner called for introductions of new members to the meeting.
Minutes: Loeffler moved to approve the September 10, 2009 minutes, seconded by Shanahan. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
Treasurer’s Report: (see attached)
Balance on hand $ 255,291.73
Receipts $ 133,849.67
Disbursements $ 165,974.33
Total $ 223,167.07
Disbursements and receipts were reviewed and Supervisor monthly Per Diem/Expenses read. Rollings made a motion to pay the annual dues for NACD, Shanahan seconded, all voted yes. A motion was made by Marble to pay Supervisors Per Diem/Expenses as submitted and to accept the Treasurer’s Report subject to audit, seconded by Rollings. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
Open Communications:
Guest Speaker: Will Purvis, Co. Commissioner (see attached) Rollings presented a question regarding updates relating to septic regulations. Purvis stated a meeting is scheduled for later in month to review the revised regulations.
Maple River Watershed: Bach stated no report at this time, waiting for confirmation of final report.
Big Cobb – 319 Grant: (see attached) Schultz presented report.
District Conservationist: (see attached) Braulick noted poor attendance at the CSP meeting held September 16th. Braulick gave statistics of the WRP/RIM signup: MN ranked #1 in signups, #2 in number of acres, and #2 in dollars obligated to program. One project was accepted from our district and we are waiting to hear on the request to increase the originally submitted acres.
District Manager: (see attached) Bach presented report. Bach also noted as chairman of the SCMACDE a meeting was held this morning. Two committees have been formed to evaluate opportunities for employee training and districts’ education outreach. Bach is a member of the training committee and Ziegler is a member of the education committee.
Committees:
State Cost-Share:
FG2FY09: Rodney Gens: Bach is requesting to encumber $5676.00 for Clean Water Diversion and Waste Treatment Strip associated with a feedlot improvement located in Ceresco Township Section 5, with a total cost $7568.00. Marble moved to encumber $5676.00 for feedlot improvement, seconded by Rollings. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
FG3FY09: Richard Walser: Bach is requesting to encumber $3283.00 for Clean Water Diversion and Waste Treatment Strip associated with a feedlot improvement located in Danville Township Section 14 with total cost of $4738.00. Marble moved to encumber $3283.00 for feedlot improvement, seconded by Shanahan. Marble, Shanahan, Loeffler, and Gardner voted yes, Rollings opposed, motion passed.
Other Business:
MASWCD 2009 Resolutions: Ziegler presented two additional resolutions received following our last meeting. Ziegler requested each supervisor vote on the addendum resolutions and sign the revised ballot. Ballot will be submitted to be counted for the state convention in December.
MASWCD Convention: Ziegler presented a detailed agenda for the State Convention requesting each supervisor fill out attendance form to be submitted no later than November 5, 2009 along with payment to attend the event.
Water Resource Center (tile project): Bach presented a request by the Water Resource Center to contact all landowners in the Beauford and County Ditch 5 Watersheds to map all tile lines and tile intake locations, completion by December 2009. Bach expressed concern of time line for completion in conjunction with fall construction and landowner’s harvest in progress. Discussion was held and general consensus was to extend time line, possible increases in funding to meet our cost associated with project, and gather more information relating to the use of accumulated information. Marble suggested, District Manager Bach to review the facts and determine if project should be completed by the district.
Holiday Schedule: Bach presented general consensus of the employees to maintain the historical holiday schedule. Rolling moved to allow staff to use annual leave for the Friday following Thanksgiving and close the office, seconded by Shanahan. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
Personnel: Bach stated the Maple River Watershed Staff payroll was extended previously to year end. Bach is requesting to hire Billings, Technician, for a permanent position for 2010 using the rollover dollars from the Maple River Watershed Grant with an option of using grant funds if available if the district were given an award. Bach also requested extension of Fett’s, Assistant Technician, position to complete tasks currently neglected: such as Web Site, site inspections, stream monitoring, and educational events. Rollings requested Bach to return with job descriptions for each position. Gardner tabled for next meeting.
Poster Contest: Ziegler presented information on ideas relating to participation in the poster contest. Discussion was held and at this time it was determined to delay participation due to cost and time required to implement in area schools.
Supervisors/Chairman: Marble noted RC&D is currently looking for funding and is within 164 acres of meeting the Production Working Land units. Rollings attended the Garden City Rod and Gun Club held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month to discuss Mills Lake. Shanahan attended the Soybean Growers Twain Trade Team event held at the Ziegler farm. It was a really interesting time. Loeffler attended the GBERBA meeting and was impressed by Ron Harnack’s (Water Resource Consulting) presentation on sub-watershed evaluations. Gardner noted the fall kick-off was held with a decreased attendance than projected; expect to hold it again next year. Note for next year to have tree order form ready and available at event.
Adjourn:
A motion was made by Marble and seconded by Shanahan to adjourn the meeting. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
•Meeting adjourned 5:58 pm
•Next meeting will be held November 5, 2009
•Minutes submitted by Lynette Ziegler, Office Technician
Signature: Harold Loeffler, Secretary/Treasurer
Signature: William Gardner, Chairman
approved at November 5, 2009 board meeting |
