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, January 3, 2013 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 Curt Coudron, Staff* Kevin Chamberlain, Treasurer Brad Becker, Staff* Marian Brown, Public Relations Todd Matzke, Staff* *Denotes Partial Attendance 1. Call to Order Treasurer Chamberlain called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. A quorum was present. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Chamberlain led the Board of Supervisors in the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Administration of Oath of Office Newly elected Supervisors Laura Zanmiller (District 1), Marian Brown (District 2) and returning Supervisors Chris Nielsen (District 4), and Joe Meyers (District 5) each recited, agreed to, and signed the Oath of Office. Chamberlain welcomed Laura Zanmiller to her first term, Marian Brown to her second term, and welcomed Meyers and Nielsen both back for consecutive terms. 4. Election of Officers Supervisor Chamberlain opened nominations for Chair. Nielsen nominated Joe Meyers as Chair. Chamberlain called for nominations three times; hearing no further nominations, nominations were closed. Chair Meyers opened nominations for Vice-Chair. Chamberlain nominated Chris Nielsen as Vice-Chair. Meyers called for nominations three times; hearing no
Chair Meyers opened nominations for Treasurer. Nielsen nominated Kevin Chamberlain as Treasurer. Meyers called for nominations three times; hearing no Chair Meyers opened nominations for Secretary. Chamberlain nominated Laura Zanmiller as Secretary. Meyers called for nominations three times; hearing no Chair Meyers opened nominations for Public Relations and Information Officer. Chamberlain nominated Marian Brown as Public Relations and Information Officer. Meyers called for nominations three times; hearing no 13.001 Motion by Chamberlain, second by Nielsen to approve the election of officers as nominated. All members voting in favor. Motion passed. 5. Audience There were no comments from the audience. 6. Approval of Agenda Brown requested moving consent agenda items to the regular agenda. 13.002 Motion by Nielsen, second by Chamberlain to move the consent agenda items to the regular agenda. All members voting yes. Motion carried. 7. Meeting Minutes from December 20, 2012 13.003 Motion by Nielsen, Second by Chamberlain to approve the December 20, 2012 Meeting Minutes as presented. Motion carried. 8. Designation of 2013 Financial Depository Watson stated that the primary financial institution is the Castle Rock Bank located in Farmington and our secondary financial institution is the Vermillion State Bank located in the cities of Vermillion, Inver Grove Heights and Hastings. The primary financial institution is used for operations, while the secondary is used for investments and savings account. 13.004 Motion by Chamberlain, second by Nielsen to designate the Castle Rock Bank as the primary savings and checking account and to designate the Vermillion State Bank as secondary savings and checking account. All members voting yes. Motion carried. 9. Designation of 2013 Official Newspaper Watson stated that the District should select a single newspaper for printing mandatory public notices required under State law. This does not include routine press releases which are sent to multiple media outlets and printed at their discretion. 13.005 Motion by Chamberlain, second by Nielsen to designate the Farmington Independent as the official newspaper of the Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District. All members voting yes. Motion passed. 10. Amendment of Board Operating Rules and Guidelines The 2013 Board Operating Rules and Guidelines were reviewed. Clarification was requested on some sections. Watson stated that he would print the District policies that were specifically referenced and provide them at an upcoming meeting. 13.006 Motion by Chamberlain, second by Nielsen to Adopt the Board Operating Rules as presented. All members voting yes. Motion passed. 2
11. Treasurer s Report January 3, 2012 Accounts Payable 13.007 Motion by Chamberlain, second by Nielsen to approve the January 3, 2013 Accounts Payable. Members voting yes: Zanmiller, Brown, Chamberlain, Nielsen, Meyers. Motion passed. 12. Fiscal Year 2013 State Cost Share Program Technical Assistance Option Watson stated that the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) has continued to allow soil and water conservation districts to use state cost share program funds for staff time to implement projects. 13.008 Motion by Nielsen, second by Chamberlain to approve allocation up to $28,671 of Fiscal Year 2013 State Cost Share Base Grant for technical assistance. Member voting yes: Brown, Chamberlain, Nielsen, Meyers, Zanmiller. Motion passed. 13. David Shonning Contract Approval and Partial Payment (12-FRG-15) David Shonning has requested 2012 Flood Relief Grant funds to establish 1,750-feet of grassed waterway with tile located in Section 27 of Eureka Township, Vermillion River Watershed. The estimated total project cost is $9,000. Perennial vegetation previously existed at the site and therefore the project is eligible for up to 100% cost-share. David has completed the earthwork and dormant seeded the waterway channel with a cover crop of winter wheat. Final seeding will occur in the spring. 13.009 Motion by Nielsen, second by Chamberlain to approve contract and partial payment to David Shonning for construction of grass waterway at $8,644.75 (100%). Members voting yes: Chamberlain, Nielsen, Meyers, Zanmiller, Brown. Motion passed. 14. Establish 2013 Committees and Assignments Watson reviewed the Committee assignments and responsibilities. He asked if there were any requested changes and comments regarding the committees and assignments. 13.010 Motion by Nielsen, second by Zanmiller to accept the 2013 SWCD Board Committees and Assignments as listed. All members saying aye. Motion carried. Committee Member Member Community Development... Laura Zanmiller... Marian Brown Finance... Kevin Chamberlain... Joe Meyers Personnel... Joe Meyers... Chris Nielsen Rural Land... Chris Nielsen... Kevin Chamberlain Assignment Primary Alternate Member Metropolitan Joint Powers Board... Marian Brown... Laura Zanmiller Legislative Assignment... Kevin Chamberlain... Brian Watson (staff) NRCS Local Work Group... Joe Meyers... Chris Nielsen Vermillion River Watershed JPO... Kevin Chamberlain... Marian Brown North Cannon River WMO... Chris Nielsen... Joe Meyers Black Dog WMO... Laura Zanmiller... Marian Brown Gun Club Lake WMO... Laura Zanmiller... Marian Brown Lower Mississippi River WMO... Laura Zanmiller... Marian Brown 15. Membership Dues National Association of Conservation Districts Watson stated that we received the 2013 National Association of Conservation Districts dues invoice. 13.011 Motion by Chamberlain, second by Zanmiller to approve payment of the 2012 National Association of Conservation District dues of $775. Members voting yes: Nielsen, Meyers, Zanmiller, Brown, Chamberlain. Motion passed. Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Watson stated that we received the 2013 Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts dues invoice and added that the Metro Area Conservation dues were set at $225 for which we have not yet received an invoice. 3
13.012 Motion by Chamberlain, second by Nielsen to approve payment of the 2013 Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation District dues at $2,866.50 and the Metro Area Conservation Districts dues at $225. Members voting yes: Zanmiller, Brown, Chamberlain, Nielsen, Meyers. Motion passed. Metropolitan Conservation Districts Joint Powers Board Watson stated that the Metropolitan Conservation District Joint Powers Board dues have been set at $250 and that we should be receiving the invoice soon. 13.013 Motion by Brown, second by Chamberlain to approve payment of the Metropolitan Conservation District Joint Powers Board dues of $250. Members voting yes: Meyers, Zanmiller, Brown, Chamberlain, Nielsen. Motion passed. 16. Interagency Announcements and Reports Natural Resources Conservation Service Michelle Wohlers introduced herself and the Natural Resources Conservation Services agency. She stated that the she is the District Conservationist and the office provides financial and technical assistance to constituents of Dakota County. The office consists of 3 staff members. They cover Dakota, Washington, and Ramsey counties. Currently they are working on 105 contracts that provide financial incentives to producers. There are 55 additional requests for funding this year. The workload is significant; Wohlers has requested assistance from the Area Office to assist with five engineering projects. She further stated that they have been working with the SWCD on several projects as a result of the summer floods, and mentioned that at times we combine funding sources to maximize the allocation to the landowner. FY 2013 program EQIP allocations received. The ranking of applications and funding awards will happen as soon as the signup period ends and awards are announced by the state office. Contract management, certifying, closing, and paying out contracts remains a priority. Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources Watson provided the Board of Water and Soil Resources report. He stated that staff are currently working on end of year reporting requirements for all State funded grants. The reports are due to BWSR by February 1. Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Watson provided the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts report. He stated that they recently moved their office to downtown St. Paul off Kellogg Blvd. Metro Conservation Districts Joint Powers Board Watson provided the Metro Conservation Districts Joint Powers Board report. He stated that the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 30, 2013. Watson added that the Board packets are distributed via email; however staff will print and mail the packet to the designated Supervisors. Watson also stated that at that meeting we will have a request on the agenda for $29,119 of Non-point Engineering Assistance Program funds for the Miesville Ravine Park Reserve project. Dakota County Watson provided the Dakota County report. He stated that he attend the Dakota County Commissioner Orientation last week. Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization Watson stated that he will be presenting a 2013 work plan to the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Board at their January 24, 2013 meeting. North Cannon River Watershed Management Organization There was no North Cannon River Watershed Management Organization report. However, Nielsen stated that Brad Becker is doing a great job at the North Cannon River Watershed Management Organization meetings and their next meeting is scheduled for January 30, 2013. 4
Other Watershed Management Authorities Watson indicated that the Gun Club Lake WMO has taken action with their governance structure and are proposing no changes. They have been moving forward with developing their next generation water plan but it has been done in an uncoordinated fashion with limited agency and public input or with any identified timelines. A recommendation by the member city public works directors indicated that another entity, outside of city staff, serve as their Administrator. Watson will keep the Board updated. Watson stated that the Lower Mississippi River WMO has changed their meeting date to the first Thursday of the month at 9:00 a.m. which conflicts with our Board meeting. 17. Upcoming Meetings and Events The upcoming events were reviewed. 18. District Managers Report Watson reminded Supervisors that the Statement of Economic Interest is required to be on file. He stated that the Minnesota Flood Recovery Task funding request is still in process. Staff has set a deadline that applications must be received by February 8 th to be eligible to receive flood relief grant funding. Public announcements will be provided on the deadline. 19. Adjourn 13.014 Motion by Chamberlain, second by Nielsen to adjourn the meeting. All members saying aye. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Laura Zanmiller, Secretary 5