LINCOLN SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Minutes of the Lincoln Soil and Water Conservation District, Regular Meeting, USDA Building, Ivanhoe, MN, March 19, 2008.

Meeting called to order by the Chairman, Daniel Christianson, at 10:04 a.m.

Members Present:    Daniel Christianson, Chairman

                                Glen Sorensen, Vice Chairman

                                Joe Weber, Treasurer @ 10:50 a.m.

                                Conrad Schardin, Secretary

                                John Boulton, PR&I

Others Present:        Pauline VanOverbeke, District Manager

Terry Dybsetter, Education Coordinator

Ron Madsen, Engineering Technician

Dale Sterzinger, Conservation Technician

Randy Kraus, Farm Bill Assistant

MINUTES: The minutes from the February 20, 2008 meeting, were approved as mailed.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Motion by Schardin, seconded by Boulton to approve the Treasurer’s Report for February, 2008.

Affirmative:  Christianson, Sorensen, Schardin, and Boulton.

            Opposed:  None

Motion Carried.

BILLS: Motion by Sorensen, seconded by Boulton to approve the payment of the bills for $135651.59 (see attachments).

Affirmative:  Christianson, Sorensen, Schardin, and Boulton.

            Opposed:  None

Motion Carried.

TRANSFER OF FUNDS: Motion by Boulton, seconded by Weber to approve the transfer of $17,000 from the Money Market Savings Account to the checking account for payroll; and $116,000 from Money Market Savings to the Checking Account.

Affirmative:  Christianson, Sorensen, Schardin, and Boulton.

            Opposed:  None

Motion Carried.

FY08 NATIVE BUFFER COST-SHARE GRANT AGREEMENT: Motion by Boulton, seconded by Sorensen to approve the FY08 Native Buffer Cost-Share Grant Agreement with BWSR and to have the staff come up with a strategy on how the District is going to handle the program for discussion at the next board meeting.

Affirmative:  Christianson, Sorensen, Schardin, and Boulton.

            Opposed:  None

Motion Carried.

ACTUAL AND BUDGETED INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT: VanOverbeke handed out the monthly and yearly actual and budgeted income and expenditure statement for February, 2008.

FIRST SECURITY BANK-MMS-PLEDGE SECURITIES DESIGNEE: At the last meeting VanOverbeke was designated to accept and sign the bank pledges for securities when needed by the First Security Bank of Hendricks.  Motion by Boulton, seconded by Schardin to designate both VanOverbeke, District Manager, and Christianson, Chairman, to accept and sign the bank pledges for securities when needed by the First Security Bank of Hendricks.

Affirmative:  Christianson, Sorensen, Schardin, and Boulton.

            Opposed:  None

Motion Carried.

WCA APPROVAL: Motion by Schardin, seconded by Sorensen to approve Dale Sterzinger as the WCA Administrator to make decisions on exemptions, no-loss, replacement plans, banking plans, wetland boundary and type determinations. 

Affirmative:  Christianson, Sorensen, Schardin, and Boulton.

            Opposed:  None

Motion Carried.

WCA TECHNICAL PANEL: Motion by Schardin, seconded by Sorensen to appoint Dennis Johnson on the WCA Technical Panel.

Affirmative:  Christianson, Sorensen, Schardin, and Boulton.

            Opposed:  None

Motion Carried.

SWCD BOARD ELECTION PROCESS: Discuss on changes in supervisor nomination district boundaries.  Motion by Boulton, seconded by Sorensen, to approve of the SWCD Board Election process to remain on a county-wide basis leaving the nomination district boundaries as they are currently.  It was decided by the Board not to publish the process or put the option up to the voters of the county.

Affirmative:  Christianson, Sorensen, Schardin, and Boulton.

            Opposed:  None

Motion Carried.

REPORTS:

EDUCATION COORDINATOR’S REPORT: Terry Dybsetter, Education Coordinator, reported on the following: Environmental Fair donations; Soil Stewardship materials sent out; Teacher Contacts; Poster Contest presentations and poster to be judged at next meeting; 4th Grade Field Day.

Weber present at this time.

ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN’S REPORT: Ron Madsen, Engineering Technician, reported on the Manure Management Application Training he attended and cost-share.

EMPLOYEE POLICY: VanOverbeke reviewed with the board and staff the draft Employee Policy Handbook with changes/additions/deletions.  These changes will be reviewed the next board meeting after the supervisors have had the opportunity to review the draft copy of the Employee Policy.  In regards to the question concerning overtime during workweek of a holiday versus Annual or Sick Leave asked at the February Board meeting, VanOverbeke checked with MCIT and also attended a training session that covered the topic, in which both responses were the same; overtime hours worked during a workweek when there is a holiday; annual leave or sick leave is taken, then the overtime is considered time for time and no time and one-half can be taken. 

DISTRICT MANAGER’S REPORT: Pauline VanOverbeke, District Manager’s report is attached.  Items covered in report are: computers; copier contract; building lease agreement, HF 2536; Legislative Day; SW/WC Meeting; and other items.

CONSERVATION TEHCNICIAN’S REPORT: Dale Sterzinger, Conservation Technician, reported on the following:

·        Old Accounts Receivable: $338.43.  All 2007 accounts receivable paid up.

·        Tree plans; have 60,150 trees sold with arrival April 17th.

·        Agro forestry training March 20th.

·        WCA:

·        Violations reported last month; waiting for responses.

·        Working on new violations.

·        Two permits for the Highway Department.

·        Application for exemption; 350 sq. ft. of excavation with rock crossing.

·        WCA Administrative training; roles will increase in enforcement; reviewed changes.

·        Enforcement Training March 21st, WCA plant communities training April 9th.

·        Appeals public hearing process.

DISTRICT CONSERVATIONIST’S REPORT: Sterzinger gave Dennis Johnson’s District Conservationist report as follows: EQIP-two unfunded applicants; extra funding may come from other states.  Swampbuster-three possible violations.  Area Conservationist Position-application deadline closed.  Bill Hunt will make the selection.

EASEMENT TECHNCIAN’S REPORT: Randy Kraus, Farm Bill Assistant, reported on the following:

·        Still no farm bill; extended to April 18th.

·        CP38 practice coming yet.

·        CRP signup; not many; increase rates.

·        The Rural Water Board needs to increase rural water dollars again towards incentive payments on CRP to get some interest.

The next meeting of the Lincoln SWCD will be on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 7:00 a.m.

The meeting declared adjourned by the Chairman, Christianson, at 11:55 a.m.

APPROVED:    ______________________________     __________________________________

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