DAKOTA COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT Dakota County Extension and Conservation Center 4100 220 th Street West, Suite 102 Farmington, Minnesota 55024 Phone: (651) 480-7777 Fax: (651) 480-7775 www.dakotacountyswcd.org MEETING MINUTES BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING DAKOTA COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT Thursday, April 3, 2014 8:30 a.m. 4100 220 th Street, Suite 102 Farmington, Minnesota SWCD Members Present: SWCD Staff Present: Others Present: Joe Meyers, Chair Brian Watson, Staff Michelle Wohlers, NRCS* Chris Nielsen, Vice Chair Lana Rotty, Staff Laura Zanmiller, Secretary Jim Davidson, Staff* Kevin Chamberlain, Treasurer Joe Barten, Staff* Marian Brown, Public Relations Todd Matzke, Staff* *Denotes Partial Attendance 1. Call to Order Chair Meyers called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. A quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Chair Meyers led the Board of Supervisors in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Audience There were no comments from the audience. 4. Approval of Agenda 14.039 Motion by Nielsen, second by Zanmiller to approve the agenda as presented. All members voting yes. Motion carried. 5. Secretary s Report March 6 2014 Board Meeting Minutes Chamberlain noted that on page 2, Treasurers Report, Item 7.1 should read: Motion by Chamberlain, second by Nielsen to approve the March 6, 2014 Accounts Payable. Members voting yes: Zanmiller, Brown, Chamberlain, Nielsen, Meyers. Motion carried. 14.040 Motion by Zanmiller, Second by Brown to approve the March 6, 2014 Meeting Minutes as corrected. Motion carried.
6. Treasurer s Report April 3, 2014 Accounts Payable 6.1 April 3, 2014 Accounts Payable 14.041 Motion by Chamberlain, second by Nielsen to approve the April 3, 2014 Accounts Payable. Members voting yes: Zanmiller, Brown, Chamberlain, Nielsen, Meyers. Motion carried. 6.2 March 2014 Financial Report 14.042 Motion by Chamberlain, second by Nielsen to approve the March 2014 Financial Report; subject to audit. All members voting yes. Motion carried. 7. Consent Agenda 7.1 Authorization to Execute Contract with Randall McCoy for Reconstruction of a Grassed Waterway and Installation of Water and Sediment Control Basins (13-FRG-03) Authorization to execute contract with Randall McCoy for reconstruction of 2,350 feet of grassed waterway and construct two water and sediment control basins in Douglas Township, Section 35, Cannon River watershed at 90% cost share, not to exceed $12,420. 7.2 Authorization to Execute Contract with Molitor Brothers for Installation of Water and Sediment Control Basins (13-FRG-18) Authorization to execute contract with Molitor Brothers to construct 5 water and sediment control basins in Douglas Township, Section 19, Cannon River watershed at 90% cost share, not to exceed $49,950. 7.3 Authorization to Amend Grant Agreement with Metropolitan Council for Cannon River Watershed Outlet Monitoring Program Authorization to amend contacted with Metropolitan Council for Cannon River Watershed Outlet Monitoring Program to include additional water monitoring task at a cost not to exceed $2,450 through December 31, 2014. 14.043 Motion by Nielsen, second by Chamberlain to approve the Consent Agenda. Members voting yes: Brown, Chamberlain, Nielsen, Meyers, Zanmiller. Motion carried. 8. Community Development Committee 8.1 Authorization to Execute Contact with John Dudley for Installation of Grassed Waterways and Critical Area Planting (14-IPP-01) Nielsen stated John Dudley is requesting cost-share funds to construct two grassed waterways and a critical area planting. The estimated project cost is $3,100. John has applied for USDA EQIP funding. 14.044 Motion by Nielsen, second by Chamberlain to execute contract with John Dudley to install two grassed waterways and critical area planting in Waterford Township, Section 28, Cannon River Watershed at 85% cost share, not to exceed $2,635. Members voting yes: Chamberlain, Nielsen, Meyers, Zanmiller, Brown. Motion carried. 8.2 Authorization to Execute Contract with Dennis Mainz for Installation of Grassed Waterway (14-IPP-02) Nielsen stated that Dennis Mainz is requesting cost-share funds to re-construct 525 feet of grassed waterway. The estimated project cost is $2,100. Dennis has applied for USDA EQIP funding. 14.045 Motion by Nielsen, second by Brown to execute contract with Dennis Mainz to install grassed waterway in Douglas Township, Section 3, Vermillion River Watershed at 85% cost share, not to exceed $1,785. Members voting yes: Nielsen, Meyers, Zanmiller, Brown, Chamberlain. Motion carried. 8.3 Authorization to Execute Contact with Edward Graff for Installation of Water and Sediment Control Basins (14-IPP-03) Nielsen stated that Ed Graff is requesting cost-share funds to construct seven water and sediment control basins. The estimated project cost is $25,100. Ed has applied for USDA EQIP funding. 2
14.046 Motion by Nielsen, second by Chamberlain to execute contract with Edward Graff to install seven water and sediment control basins in Greenvale Township, Section 29, Cannon River Watershed at 85% cost share, not to exceed $21,335. Members voting yes: Meyers, Zanmiller, Brown, Chamberlain, Nielsen. Motion carried. 8.4 Authorization to Execute Contract with Robert Bedard for Installation of Grassed Waterway (14-IPP-04) Nielsen stated that Robert Bedard is requesting cost-share funds to reconstruct 1,425-feet of grassed waterway. The estimated project cost is $4,250. Bob has applied for USDA EQIP funding. 14.047 Motion by Nielsen, second by Brown to execute contract with Robert Bedard to reconstruct grassed waterway in Hampton Township, Section 3, Vermillion River Watershed at 85% cost share, not to exceed $3,612.50 Members voting yes: Zanmiller, Brown, Chamberlain, Nielsen, Meyers. Motion carried. 8.5 Authorization to Execute Contract with John Sauber for Installation of Water and Sediment Control Basin (14-IPP-05) Nielsen stated that John Sauber is requesting funds to construct water and sediment control basin. The estimated project cost is $7,200. John has applied for USDA EQIP funding. 14.048 Motion by Nielsen, second by Brown to execute contract with John Sauber to construct water and sediment control basin in Eureka Township, Section 6, Vermillion River Watershed at 85% cost share, not to exceed $6,120. Members voting yes: Brown, Chamberlain, Nielsen, Meyers, Zanmiller. Motion carried. 9. Community Development Committee 9.1 Authorization to Execute Contract with Dakota County for Inver Glen Library Stormwater (14-CCP-01) Zanmiller stated that Dakota County Facilities Management is requesting Community Conservation Partnership funds to retrofit a 1,611 square foot bioretention cell to provide treatment of stormwater runoff from a 0.21 acre parking area located on the northwest side of their existing library building. 14.049 Motion by Zanmiller, second by Brown to execute contract with Dakota County Facilities Management for stormwater retrofit improvements at the Inver Glen Library, City of Inver Grove Heights, Mississippi River Watershed at 65% cost share, not to exceed $12,174.50. Members voting yes: Chamberlain, Nielsen, Meyers, Zanmiller, Brown. Motion carried. 9.2 Authorization to Execute Contract with City of Inver Grove Heights for Bohrer Pond Bridgewood Stormwater Retrofit (14-CCP-02) Zanmiller stated that the City of Inver Grove Heights is requesting Community Conservation Partnership funds to divert stormwater runoff from 1.19 acres of impervious surface away from an eroded slope that leads to Bohrer Pond and to provide treatment of the stormwater runoff in a 2,200 square foot bioretention cell on city owned property. The diversion is part of the project, but is not part of the cost share funded project. Currently the stormwater discharges untreated into Bohrer Pond. The project cost estimate is $55,080. 14.050 Motion by Zanmiller, second by Brown to execute contract with City of Inver Grove Heights for Bohrer Pond stormwater retrofit project in the City of Inver Grove Heights, Mississippi River Watershed at 65% cost share, not to exceed $35,802. Members voting yes: Nielsen, Meyers, Zanmiller, Brown, Chamberlain. Motion carried. 9.3 Authorization to Execute Contract with City of Inver Grove Heights for College Trail Stormwater Retrofit (14-CCP-03) The City of Inver Grove Heights is requesting Community Conservation Partnership funds to retrofit a 4,370 square foot bioretention cell with an iron enhanced sand filter outlet to provide treatment of stormwater runoff from a 15.2-acre watershed. Currently the stormwater discharges untreated to a wetland complex located in the Mississippi River Watershed. The project cost estimate is $87,910. 14.051 Motion by Zanmiller, second by Brown to execute contract with City of Inver Grove Heights for stormwater retrofit project including bioretention cell with iron enhanced sand filter outlet in the City of Inver Grove Heights, Mississippi River Watershed at 65% cost share, not to exceed $50,000. Members voting yes: Meyers, Zanmiller, Brown, Chamberlain, Nielsen. Motion carried. 3
10.1 Legislative Updates Watson provided the legislative update. He distributed three flyers; the 2014 MASWCD Legislative Platform and SWCD Funding Initiatives, the latest Legislative Report from MASWCD, and the flyer the Dakota SWCD provided to legislators during recent meetings at the capitol. The flyer focused on projects completed in the aftermath of the June 2012 flood as well as conservation projects installed prior to the flood that significantly reduced flooding impacts. The flyer was used to validate that conservation projects are beneficial, and to express thanks for the flood relief grant funding that was provided for Dakota County. Watson also provided an update on the bill to elect SWCD Board Supervisors based on same nomination districts as County Commissioners. 10.2 Supervisor Elections and District Boundaries It was stated that the filing period for Supervisor elections is May 20 and to June 2. Supervisor Districts up for election this year are District 1 and District 3. The SWCD will be providing press releases and information regarding the upcoming elections to our media outlets over the upcoming months. It was further stated that as the election period approaches, it is a good time to discuss current supervisor districts and whether there is interest to pursue change boundaries. Any change would not take effect in time for upcoming filing dates or have impact on the November election. However, if examining new options to our current 5-member Board Districts is something the Board wishes to pursue; staff can pull together options for consideration. Discussion ensued and Chair Meyers suggested Watson pull some options together for consideration at a Board meeting after this legislative session. 8 Interagency Reports and Announcements Natural Resources Conservation Service Michelle Wohlers provided the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS) agency report. She referenced a civil rights document that was included in the Board packet. She further reviewed the Civil Rights and Responsibilities and requested the Board sign and date an Affirmation of Review Form to acknowledge this information had been provided. Wohlers stated that they have 39 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) applications for 2014. She anticipates that the funds will be allocated toward contracts in June. She added that with their existing contracts they have 105 practices scheduled for installation this year. A staff member from the area office will be assisting. Wohlers stated that a Pollinator Health and an Organic Initiative are two new programs that will be part of the EQIP docket. Requests for funding will be ranked on a statewide basis. The Pollinator Health program includes forage management. Chamberlain stated that several meetings he has recently attended have included discussion on the loss of Honeybee and their importance to pollinating plants and crops. There are currently legislative bills regarding pollinators. Zanmiller added that she attended an informational meeting on Honeybees and it drew a large crowd. Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources Watson provided the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources report. He stated that the 2014 Clean Water Fund Grant Work Plans have been approved and grant agreement execution is in process. Watson also provided information on the Biennial Budget Request (BBR) and the BWSR grants administration manual. He stated that he and other SWCD staff from across the State have concerns with how the grants administration manual was being established and revised. He also learned that BWSR staff has directed how billable rates should be determined for SWCDs through their grant verification process which is essentially an audit of BWSR grants. Their interpretation is in opposition of County management recommendations. In order to be proactive and avoid pitfall during a future grant verification process, Watson indicated that he has provided BWSR staff with all of our worksheets on how our billable rates were developed. It was stated that those worksheets were obtained from Dakota County Financial Services Department to create consistency and he will keep the Board updated on this issue. Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Chamberlain and Brown provided the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts report. Chamberlain stated that they both attended the Area Meeting. Chamberlain stated that Jason Moeckel, DNR provided information on groundwater management. His report included groundwater quality and quantity 4
affected by land use, consumption patterns, and surface water, creating the need for planning groundwater management strategies. Chamberlain stated that in the absence of Tim Wilson, the NRCS report was provided by Winnie Chen. Brad Wozney provided the BWSR Report which included a presentation that was given to the House Environmental and Agriculture Finance Committee and provided latest overview on BWSR s Clean Water Fund appropriations, programs, and non-point source pollution reductions. His report also included examples of projects, accelerated implementation grants available, riparian buffers for water quality, and soil erosion and drainage law compliance program grants. Mary Wetter provided a Supervisor election refresher. Chamberlain also added that Sherburne SWCD will host the summer tour and it is tentatively set for June12th. Metro Conservation Districts Joint Powers Board There was no Metro Conservation Districts Joint Powers Board (JPB) report. Brown and Zanmiller attended the meeting on Wednesday, March 26 but there were no significant Board actions or updates. The Hennepin request to be a partner with the JPB was tabled. Dakota County There was no Dakota County report. Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization There was no Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization (VRWJPO) report. However, Watson added that the VRWJPB is holding a series of public meetings throughout the watershed to seek input and as they begin to update their 10 year watershed plan. North Cannon River Watershed Management Organization There was no North Cannon River Watershed Management Organization report provided. Other Watershed Management Authorities There were no other Watershed Management Authorities reports. Watson added that the SWCD will prepare Biennial Budget Request documents for the North Cannon River and Lower Mississippi River Watershed Management Organizations. 9 Upcoming Meetings and Events The upcoming events were reviewed. It was mentioned that the upcoming North Cannon River Watershed Management Organization meeting is scheduled for April 23 and that the Black Dog Watershed Management Organization meeting for April 16 has been cancelled. 11. District Managers Report Watson stated that there has been a significant amount of landowner contacts regarding the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources new water appropriation permit review process. Jason Moeckel, DNR, has been to many recent meetings and has been providing information regarding new State law and groundwater sustainability efforts. This issue continues to be controversial and Watson indicated that the DNR Water Appropriations permitting process has been disengaged at all levels for years. For example, he indicated that there is a question on the DNR application asking if landowners have a Conservation Plan from their local soil and water conservation district. There has never been any guidance on what DNR is seeking or any State funding provided to allow development of a conservation plan. In the past, permits seemed to be issued by the DNR with or without a conservation plan. Watson stated that the SWCD will provide written comments to the DNR. 12. Adjourn 14.052 Motion by Nielsen, second by Zanmiller to adjourn the meeting. All members saying aye. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:32 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Laura Zanmiller, Secretary 5