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Blue Earth County Soil and Water Conservation District
1160 South Victory Drive, Suite #3
Mankato, MN 56001
Board Meeting Minutes
December 10, 2009
Supervisors Present: John Shanahan, Chairman: William Gardner, Vice Chairman: Allen Marble, PR&I: John Rollings, Secretary/Treasurer: Harold Loeffler
Staff Present: District Manager: Jerad Bach, Big Cobb Technician: Michael Schultz, Office Technician: Lynette Ziegler
Staff Absent: Technician: John Billings
Guests Present: County Commissioner: Will Purvis
Guest Absent: District Conservationist: Ryan Braulick, County Commissioner: Kip Bruender
Proceedings:
Meeting called to order by Chairman: Gardner, at 4:05 pm.
Housekeeping:
Agenda: Rollings moved to approve the agenda, seconded by Marble. Unless otherwise noted, all present voted yes.
Minutes: Shanahan moved to approve the November 5, 2009 minutes, seconded by Marble. Unless otherwise noted, all present voted yes.
Treasurer’s Report: (see attached)
Balance on hand $ 646,949.44
Receipts $ 6,502.20
Disbursements $ 20,852.15
Total $ 632,574.54
This record notes total dollar activity held by Blue Earth County SWCD.
Disbursements and receipts were reviewed and Supervisor monthly Per Diem/Expenses read. Marble made a motion to pay Supervisors Per Diem/Expenses as submitted and to accept the Treasurer’s Report subject to audit, seconded by Shanahan. Unless otherwise noted, all present voted yes.
Open Communications:
Guest Speaker: Co. Commissioner Will Purvis noted the year end budget has been completed for the county. Reductions have been taken in the workforce with a voluntary furlong for further payroll decrease. Purvis complemented the union and staff on the negotiation process to work out a solution.
Big Cobb – 319 Grant: (see attached) Schultz presented a letter of resignation to the board effective December 31, 2009. Gardner noted the board acceptance of his resignation and congratulated him on the new position. Schultz noted at this time the Grant funding will continue to June 2011 for the staff position.
District Conservationist: (see attached) Braulick was unable to attend the meeting but submitted a report for review.
District Manager: (see attached) Bach presented report. Bach noted several meetings were held with landowners for a river bank green-fix restoration. Bach reported that several grants have been submitted, with our office waiting for notification.
Committees:
State Cost-Share:
07FY07: Jerome Pluym: Bach is requesting payment of $1,848.00 for the installation of a Water Sediment Control Basin, total cost of $3,310.00. Rollings moved to make payment of $1,848.00, seconded by Loeffler. Unless otherwise noted all present voted yes.
Other Business:
MASWCD Convention: Gardner noted the “Shipwrecks of Lake Superior: Elmer Engman” was excellent. Gardner conducted an interview with Lynn Ketelsen, Linder Farm Network during the convention, hoping to air on KEYC over the next couple of weeks. Loeffler felt the convention ran smoothly, with the Low Impact Development session proving to be very interesting along with the closing presentation by DOT representative Dwayne Stenlund, showing us turtle crossings, green grow mulch and environmental issues that require additional funds reducing the dollars remaining to fix roads. Rollings visited trade booths looking for new opportunities for the district and new solutions for erosion reduction and invasive species control. Marble noted types of ravine and road way stabilization applications the DOT are using, question is “would stabilization rods be cost effective for our area?” Marble noted the opportunity to network with members’ to share knowledge throughout the state is a very important part of attending the convention. Shanahan, attending the convention for the 1st time, was impressed by the SWCD Collaboration session and participated in the breakout groups to address different topics.
Budget Review: Ziegler presented a draft of the 2010 Budget pointing out major issues. Rollings mentioned to keep a staff that is informed and trained it may be necessary for the District to have an unbalanced budget, to increase the effectiveness of the District.
Personnel Review: Marble & Gardner reviewed District Manager Bach performance and found him in good standing. Marble visited with Co. Commissioner Bruender to research the possibility of personnel pay increases. District Manager Bach noted staff has been reviewed and Billings, Fett, Schultz and Ziegler are found to be in good standing. Bach is recommending an increase in pay for staff. Marble moved to approve a 1 step pay increase for Ziegler to $17.77 and Bach to $21.37 effective on the 1st pay period of 2010. Fett and Billings pay scale was discussed during November 5, 2009 meeting. Due to resignation of Schultz pay scale will remain unchanged.
Bach presented information for the Big Cobb – 319 Grant technician position. The Big Cobb Grant defines payroll at $14.68 effective 1st pay period in January 2010 and $15.00 effective July 2010 continuing to June 2011. Rollings moved to offer the position to Billings as already existing staff, seconded by Shanahan. Unless otherwise noted all present voted yes.
Ziegler requested board approval to make payment of all vacation hours to Michael Schultz during the final payroll issue on December 31st, last day of employment. Marble moved to include vacation time with the last payroll issue, Rollings seconded. Unless otherwise noted all present voted yes.
Supervisors/Chairman: Marble attended the Area 6 meeting and noted resolutions that were presented were not approved during the convention. Marble participated in the RC&D internal audit and found everything to be in good standing. Shanahan noted the convention was a good experience.
Adjourn:
A motion was made by Marble and seconded by Rollings to adjourn the meeting. Unless otherwise noted, all voted yes.
•Meeting adjourned 6:10 pm
•Next meeting will be held January 7, 2010
•Minutes submitted by Lynette Ziegler, Office Technician
Signature: Harold Loeffler, Secretary/Treasurer
Signature: William Gardner, Chairman
minutes waiting approval at January 7, 2010 meeting |
