MINNEHAHA CONSERVATION DISTRICT SUPERVISORS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
DATE – TIME – LOCATION
November 19, 2012, USDA Service Center, 9:30 am
CALL TO ORDER
The regular meeting of the Minnehaha Conservation District Supervisors was called to order by Chairman Oyen.
SUPERVISORS PRESENT
Jeff Oyen, Tom Wolles, Ronald Johnson, Reid Christopherson
SUPERVISORS ABSENT
Jim Pfeifer
OTHERS PRESENT
Amy Van Dam, John Parker, Deron Ruesch, Gordon Heber, Jim Jackson
AGENDA
The agenda was mailed out prior to the board meeting.
MOTION by Christopherson; seconded by Johnson to approve the agenda as printed along with the additional items. Four ayes.
MINUTES
The minutes of the regular October meeting were emailed or mailed out prior to the board meeting.
MOTION by Christopherson; seconded by Wolles to approve the minutes of the regular October board meeting. Four ayes.
TREASURER’S REPORT
MOTION by Johnson; seconded by Christopherson to accept the Treasurer’s Report as printed. Four ayes.
NOVEMBER BILLS APPROVED
MOTION by Johnson; seconded by Wolles to accept the bills as presented. Four ayes.
ACTIVITIES REPORT
WETLANDS:
- To date, we have 130 outstanding requests for determinations on file.
CONSERVATION RESERVE PROGRAM (CRP):
- We are at a standstill at this time.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY INCENTIVE PROGRAM (EQIP):
- We are beginning to work on eligibility and control of land on approximately twenty applications
- Need to complete two payment applications.
- Need to complete twelve Annual Status Reviews.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
- November 27-29, 2012: Advanced Wetland Training
- December 7, 2012: CSP/General EQIP Eligibility Deadline
- December 11, 2012: Soil Health Workshop, Mitchell
OLD BUSINESS
5525 TRACTOR: The board said to check with Phil Kappen and see what his commission is. They also said to check on tradint tires on the tractor. It would sell quicker.
EMPLOYEE MANUAL: The changes will be emailed so we can approve at the December board meeting.
WETLAND DETERMINATION STATUS: It is going well. A fact sheet was designed and mailed to all tiling contractors. The board said to add our website to the fact sheet.
GEVIK TOUR/SIGNS: The signs will be put up on Wednesday. The stumps will be moved when the ground freezes.
PAYROLL COMPANIES: Wuebbens sent in a quote for their charge to do payroll for the District. The minimum would be $1500 per year. Amy will check with Fait, Rider, and Franken to get a quote.
CHANGE CHECK SIGNERS: At this time the signers will remain the same.
WATER QUALITY MEETING — NRCS: John and Amy met with Barry Berg, Mike Cook, and Deron Ruesch. There is a possibility to work 30 hours per week to help with water quality projects.
WRP PAYMENT: We received our payment from SDACD.
PROMOTIONAL WEAR: John has not had a chance to look into this yet.
NEWSLETTERS: We need to get a newsletter done and get prices from surrounding town printing companies. Our tree flyer will be priority for December mailing.
EMPLOYEE REVIEWS: Employee reviews will be done in December.
NEW BUSINESS
BUDGET REPORT: The draft budget was reviewed.
PROFIT AND LOSS REPORT: The profit and loss previous year comparison report was reviewed.
HEALTH INSURANCE: Health insurance will go up 11.4% in 2013.
TOWNSHIP MEETING: John is invited to attend the Minnehaha County township meeting tonight. He will talk about our services we offer.
OVERSEEDER: The board discussed hiring Al Kuehl to use his overseeder for grass seedings. Options would be to rent the seeder from Al for $60/hour or have him run it for $80/hour.
ATV: The board said to call Interlakes and get a price on a new ATV.
WORKSHOP: Millborn will help sponsor a workshop when a date is set. The board talked about possibly having something along with NRCS if they have a workshop or have our own workshop in August. We could possibly have a demo spot for cover crops.
NEW WEBSITE: The new website is up and running.
POLICIES OF DISTRICT OPERATIONS:
MOTION by Johnson; seconded by Christopherson to approve the following changes:
- The charge for replacement plantings will be a flat fee of $100 plus $1.50 per tree plus the cost of the tree
- Change the minimum charge to $750 for machine tree plantings
- Increase bareroot machine planting to $3.50 per tree and $5.25 for potted/plugs
- Increase bareroot handplants to $3.00 per tree or $62.50 for bundles of 25
- Increase potted conifers to $4.60
- Instead of giving a discount for first year replacements, a $25 gift certificate will be distributed to be used on replacements or any of our products.
Four ayes.
CONSERVATION PLAN APPROVALS:
MOTION by Johnson; seconded by Christopherson to approve the plans as presented. Four ayes.
OTHER BUSINESS
Tom and Jeff will meet with John and Brian tomorrow to discuss what to propose to surrounding districts on helping with the map copies for wetland determinations.
ADJOURN MEETING
MOTION by Christopherson; seconded by Wolles to adjourn the meeting. Four ayes.
Amy Van Dam, Recording Secretary
