Olmsted SWCD March 23, 2017 Minutes
Approved April 27, 2017
Olmsted Soil and Water Conservation District
March 23, 2017
Olmsted County Campus
2122 Campus Drive SE, Conference Room A
Rochester, MN 55904
MINUTES
Facilitator:
Claron Krogness
Note taker:
Dorothy Miller
Board Present:
Andy Hart, John Keefe, Claron Krogness, Paul Uecker
Staff Present:
Dorothy Miller, Skip Langer, Angela White, Scott Bennett
Guests Present:
Mike Muzzy, NRCS; Michael Sheehan, Olmsted County; Dave Copeland,
BWSR; Shelia Harmes, WWJPB; George Poch, Hiawatha RC & D; James
Rentz
Minutes Topics
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
CALL TO ORDER
INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
PUBLIC COMMENT
ADOPT AGENDA
GUEST SPEAKERS
A. Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Report – Mike Muzzy
VII.
CONSENT AGENDA
Action
A.
Minutes of February 23, 2017
B.
Treasurer’s Report
C.
Accounts Payable $ 26,829.79
D.
Journal Vouchers $ 9,892.76
E.
Supervisor Compensation
John Keefe
$ 75.00 1 meeting
John Keefe
$ 16.05 mileage
Steve Connelly $ 75.00 1 meeting
Steve Connelly $ 13.91 mileage
Andy Hart
$ 75.00 1 meeting
Andy Hart
$ 14.44 mileage
F. State Cost Share
VIII.
DISTRICT REPORT
A. State Cost Share (Items not included in Consent Agenda)
Action
 Non-Structural Land Management Practices 2016 Funds
Action
B. State of MN Professional and Technical Services Master JPA (RIM) Action
C. 2016 Financial Report
D. WCA Update
E. South Branch Cascade Creek Update
 Conservation partners Legacy Grant
Action
F. Miscellaneous
 Tree Update
 Prairie Seed Packet Update
IX. COMMITTEE’S REPORT and/or SUPERVISOR REPORT
A. Hiawatha Resource Conservation & Development (RC & D) Report
B. Whitewater Joint Powers Board Report (WWJPB)
C. Zumbro Watershed Partnership (ZWP)
D. Environmental Commission (EC)
E. Root River One Watershed One Plan Policy Committee
F. Miscellaneous
X. SET NEXT MEETING DATE April 27, 2017 8:00 AM
Olmsted County Campus
2122 Campus Drive SE, Conference Room A
Rochester, MN 55904
XI. ADJOURN
*Highlighted items reflect changes to the agenda.
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Olmsted SWCD March 23, 2017 Minutes
Approved April 27, 2017
I.
II.
III.
Call to Order: Claron called the meeting to order at 8:05 AM.
Introduction of Guests: James Rentz introduced himself.
Public Comment: None
John Keefe entered at 8:08 AM.
IV.
Conclusions:
Action Items:
Discussion:
Ayes:
4
Adopt Agenda
Claron Krogness
Andy moved to approve the agenda as presented.
Paul second.
Motion carries.
Nays:
0
Abstain:
0
V. Guest Speakers:
Mike Muzzy – NRCS
Mike reviewed a handout of his activities and addressed questions.
Shelia Harmes - Whitewater JPB
Shelia provided a handout of a press release regarding the Whitewater WMA Management Plan. She stated
DNR will be holding open houses for public comments.
Shelia stated Ag Certainty Program has reached 200,000 acres statewide. She has been performing an
internal audit on each region in the state to verify all documents are complete. April 13th she will be auditing
SE MN.
Shelia applied for a 319 grant for nitrogen reduction. Notification will be sometime this summer.
George Poch – Hiawatha RC&D
George stated he is a member at large for Olmsted County and also the Chair for Hiawatha. If Olmsted SWCD
withdraws support from the organization he will have to resign.
George provided and reviewed the 2016 Annual Report with the Board. He highlighted the goat grazing
project and spoke about the group’s interest in the Fugle’s Mill site. He also spoke on the mission and
priorities of RC&D.
Claron requested John Beckwith and George present to the board at a future meeting (April or May) explaining
why the District should support Hiawatha RC&D.
Dave Copeland – BWSR
Dave provided handouts which he reviewed with the board. (BWSR update March 2017, MN CREP, Buffer
Program Key Dates and Buffer Law: Alternative Practices Overview.)
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Olmsted SWCD March 23, 2017 Minutes
Approved April 27, 2017
VI.
Conclusions:
Consent Agenda Paul Paul
Andy moved to approve the consent agenda as follows:
f.
Claron Krogness
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
Approve the Minutes of February 23, 2017
Approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented.
Approve Accounts Payable for February $ 26,829.79
Approve Journal Vouchers for February $ 9,892.76
Approve Supervisor Compensation for February 2017
John Keefe
$75.00 1 meeting
John Keefe
$16.05 mileage
Steve Connelly
$75.00 1 meeting
Steve Connelly
$13.91 mileage
Andy Hart
$75.00 1 meeting
Andy Hart
$14.44 mileage
f.
Approve State Cost Share: N/A
John second.
Action Items:
Discussion:
Motion carries.
Ayes:
Nays:
4
VIIA.
Conclusions:
Abstain:
0
0
State Cost Share
Skip Langer
Non-Structural Land
Management Practices
Implementation Plan for 2017
Conservation Cost-Share Base
Grant
Andy moved to adopt Nonstructural Land Management Practices Implementation Plan for
2017 Conservation Cost-Share Base Grant utilizing 2016 Capacity Funding and policy
presented.
Action Items:
Discussion:
Paul second.
Motion carries.
Angela, Martin and Skip reviewed the program and policies.
Ayes:
Nays:
4
VIIB.
Conclusions:
Action Items:
Discussion:
Ayes:
4
0
Abstain:
0
State of MN Professional and
Skip Langer
Technical Services Master JPA
(RIM)
Paul moved to enter into the State of MN Professional and Technical Services Master Joint
Powers Agreement as presented.
John second.
Motion carries.
Skip stated the agreement is for promoting and processing RIM from the State of MN. He
briefly went over the breakdown (see agreement for payments).
Nays:
Abstain:
0
0
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Olmsted SWCD March 23, 2017 Minutes
Approved April 27, 2017
VIIC.
2016 Financial Report
Conclusions:
Action Items:
Discussion:
Ayes:
4
Dorothy Miller
Andy moved to accept the 2016 Financial Report as presented.
John second.
Motion carries.
Nays:
0
Abstain:
0
VIID.
WCA Update
Skip stated the Gamehaven Bank application would be coming to the board at a future board meeting.
This bank is south of the Public Works Service Center and being implemented by the City of
Rochester and Olmsted County. If approved the credits would be utilized for future City and County
projects.
As the weather changes staff will begin on site delineation reviews.
VIIE.
South Branch Cascade Creek Update
Skip stated the project is back on track. Progress on the stream channel restoration and flood plain
excavation are almost complete with BMP created and in place. They have a few items left,
installation of toe wood structures and rock riffles.
The contractor, Fitzgerald will be moving in and starting as soon as possible. There is a meeting with
DNR staff scheduled later this morning on site.
VIIE.
Conclusions:
Action Items:
Discussion:
Ayes:
4
Conservation Partners Legacy
Skip Langer
Grant
Andy moved to accept the Conservation Partners Legacy Grant prior to receipt of the
contract. The chair is authorized to sign the contract when received.
John second.
Motion carries.
Skip stated the district has been awarded the DNR Conservation Partners Legacy Grant
for $198,800 to complete the South Branch Cascade Creek project. These funds will be
utilized to create 5 wetland complexes and 20 acres of native prairie seeding. The funds
are from the Lessard-Sams Legacy Funding.
Nays:
Abstain:
0
0
VIIF. Miscellaneous
 Tree Update: Skip stated the tree program is underway. Tree week is scheduled April 17-21 with
distribution April 21st 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
 Prairie Seed Packet Update: Skip stated the District will be purchasing a prairie seed packet for
distribution at the Arbor Day Event sponsored by RPU. The District decided to focus on pollinators
this year and felt the packets would be a good way to do that. Cost per packet will be $.35 for 10,000
units. Other agencies will be joining in the order to help offset the total cost.
IXA. Hiawatha Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Report – Claron Krogness
George presented.
IXB. Whitewater Joint Powers Board Report (WWJPB) – Claron Krogness
Shelia presented.
IXC. Zumbro Watershed Partnership (ZWP) - Steve Connelly
Not present. Skip said the RAPPS is in process and on their website for review. All agencies in the area have
decided to delay submitting an application for One Watershed One Plan for 1 year.
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Olmsted SWCD March 23, 2017 Minutes
Approved April 27, 2017
IXD. Environmental Commission Meeting - Steve Connelly
Not present.
IXE. Root River One Watershed One Plan – Steve Connelly
Not present. Skip shared the plan has been approved by BWSR and partnering agencies. Work plan for
2017 consists of education/outreach and training for staff on the PTM application.
John Keefe left the meeting.
IXF. Miscellaneous: Legislative Day at the Capitol – Skip Langer
Skip stated he attended, however, Steve was unable to attend. On Monday SWCD staff had the opportunity to
visit with MASWCD staff on topics and things going on at the legislature. Skip met with 4 Representatives and
1 Senator discussing who Districts are, needs and concerns.
X.
Next Meeting Date: April 27, 2017
2122 Campus Drive SE, Conference Room A, Rochester, MN
XI.
Adjourn: Andy moved to adjourned at 9:40 AM, Paul second. Motion Carries.
Respectfully Submitted,
Claron Krogness
Chair
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