January 2011 Meeting
Friday, April 15, 2011 at 10:38AM MINUTES OF THE LINN COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS MEETING
Marion, IA
January 3, 2011
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Laura Krouse called the January 3, 2011 meeting of the Linn Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners to order at 2:20 PM at the USDA Service Center, 3025 7th Avenue, Marion, IA.
Present:
Commissioners Staff and others
Laura Krouse John Bruene, District Conservationist
Sue Ellen Hosch Jon Gallagher, County Soil Conservationist
Dan Abel **Donna Walton
Mary Hepker, District Secretary
Assistant Commissioners
Larry Jons
Bruce Frana
ADOPT AGENDA
11-01 Hosch moved to adopt the agenda. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
11-02 Abel so moved that a unanimous ballot be cast for Laura Krouse to serve as Chairman,
Sue Ellen Hosch as Vice-Chairman, Robert Broulik as Treasurer and Mary Hepker to serve as Secretary/Co-Treasurer. Hosch seconded the motion. Motion carried.
APPOINT ASSISTANT COMMISSIONERS
Krouse appointed Larry Jons and Bruce Frana to serve as Assistant Commissioners.
REVIEW OF MEMORANDUMS OF UNDERSTANDING AND CIVIL RIGHTS
The commissioners reviewed the following current Memorandums of Understanding:
· Cooperative Working Agreement with NRCS USDA, State of Iowa and Linn SWCD regarding cooperation in the conservation of natural resources – entered into on 09/02/2009.
· Agreement with Linn County Board of Supervisors regarding county soil conservationist position entered into on 11/09/1979. Addendum added 03/13/1996.
· Agreement with Food and Agricultural Council USDA (FAC) regarding use of postage meter entered into on 05/01/2009.
· Agreement with the City of Mount Vernon regarding cooperation in the conservation of natural resources entered into on 04/20/1976.
· Agreement with Linn County Board of Supervisors, Linn County Soil Conservation Department,
Iowa DNR and Linn County Assessor regarding administration of the Slough Bill Property Tax Exemption on Natural Areas entered into on 1/14/2010.
John Bruene conducted the annual Civil Rights review of Title VI – Delivery of Services and Title VII Equal Employment Opportunity.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the December meeting and the conference call meeting were presented for approval.
11-03 Hosch moved to approve the December meeting minutes. Abel seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
11-04 Hosch moved to approve the conference call meeting minutes. Abel seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT
11- 05 Hosch moved to approve the December reports. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
BILLS
The following bills were presented for approval:
Bills – To be Paid
USPS Postage $ 250.00
USPS Bulk Mail Permit $ 185.00
Bills – Paid, already approved
IDALS Nursery Dealer Certificate $ 25.00
Dry Creek Development Grant Expenses
Donna Walton Salary 11/12/10-11/25/10 $ 336.61
Donna Walton Mileage to Waterloo $ 47.89
IPERS Period of 11/01/10-11/30/10 $ 60.97
Donna Walton Salary 11/26/10-12/09/10 $ 448.39
Donna Walton Mileage to Cedar Rapids $ 7.96
Donna Walton Mileage to Cedar Rapids-(2) $ 23.84
Donna Walton Salary 12/10/10-12/23/10 $ 383.62
11-06 Hosch moved to approve the bills. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner and Assistants
Frana talked about the Dry Creek meeting that was held at Wickiup Hill. He was quite pleased with the turnout. There were several farmers there and also a number of interested people from Palo. The main focus point was what the vision is for the Cedar River. He shared a poster that was made during the session which highlighted those visions. Ideas from the meeting will be compiled together and shared at a later date.
Jons talked about the upcoming Blood Drive that will be held at Farm Bureau on January 20th.
NRCS – DC & Others
Bruene talked on EQIP and CSP. The CSP ranking deadline is now January 21, 2011.
Shaun Holcomb will be back in the office the end of January after serving the last three months as Acting District Conservationist in Malcom.
County Conservationist
Gallagher discussed meeting with County Conservation about the water quality projects that were discussed at the December meeting. County Conservation felt that it made the most sense to target the Indian Creek watershed. Dennis Gomat will get more information on grant opportunities that are available. Krouse asked if the County had a person that could write the grant. In the past, the County has hired a grant writer so the District wouldn’t need to hire a writer. The commissioners felt that they wouldn't be able to offer much in the way of funding but would be able to provide office space.
Gallagher presented some information with the District on the Linn County budget. He will be attending a budget meeting in the near future.
Gallagher talked about the recent Dry Creek IJOBS practices that were approved during the conference call meeting.
District Secretary
Hepker presented the 2011 Tree Sales brochure. Leo Frueh recently sent out an email about the bundle sizes. They will now be in bundles of 5 or 10, depending on the size of the tree. The brochures and prices were reviewed and approved.
Hepker also presented the Wildflower/Native Grasses listing from Allen’s Grove Greenhouse. Prices will be a little higher this year but it was felt that the price should remain the same as last year at $10 per six pack.
**Donna Walton enters the meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Dry Creek Watershed
Walton talked about the obligated funds for each of the IJOBS projects in the Dry Creek Watershed. She went through each project and shared the engineer drawings for each.
Walton also discussed the recent classes that she has attended. After testing, she is now a certified Rainscaper.
It was suggested that funds from the Dry Creek Toolbox be used to reimburse Donna for her educational class fees.
11-07 Hosch moved that Donna be reimbursed for her educational fees from Dry Creek Toolbox funds.
Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Conservation Partnership Day – January 26, 2001
Broulik, Abel and Krouse are planning on attending. Krouse would like to meet prior to this event to go over specific talking points.
CDI Resolutions
No resolutions at this time.
NEW BUSINESS
Agren Conservation Planning Tool
There was much discussion on this tool and whether it would be a good purchase for the District to make. It was felt that it may be beneficial for our urban work but not for our agricultural work. Discussion followed.
2010 Winter Gardening Fair
Hepker presented the invitation from the Linn County Extension Office for the 2011 Winter Gardening Fair to be held on February 19 at Kirkwood Community College. Krouse talked about the event last year and the fact that it was not only a lot of fun, but a huge success. She is planning on working it this year and another volunteer is needed. A list has been made of items needed for the event. Hepker will begin preparing for the event.
OTHER
Krouse presented a post card that she received on the upcoming Iowa Water Conference that will be held on March 7-8. Discussion followed.
CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence was reviewed.
There was discussion on the Trees Forever request to become a supporter.
11-08 Hosch moved to donate $50.00 to Trees Forever. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
NEXT MEETING DATE – ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 3:55 PM. The next meeting of the Linn Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners will be held at 6:30 PM, Tuesday, February 1, 2010.
11-09 Hosch moved to adjourn. Abel seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned.
Presented Approved
Secretary Date Chairperson Date
Reader Comments (2)
MINUTES OF THE LINN COUNTY
SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS MEETING
Marion, IA
June 7, 2011
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Sue Ellen Hosch called the June 7, 2011 meeting of the Linn Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners to order at 5:15 PM at the USDA Service Center, 3025 7th Avenue, Marion, IA.
Present:
Commissioners Staff and others
Sue Ellen Hosch John Bruene, District Conservationist
Dan Abel Mark Bienemann, Soil Conservation Tech
Larry Jons Jon Gallagher, County Soil Conservationist Donna Walton, District Employee
Mary Hepker, State Secretary
Assistant Commissioners
Bruce Frana
ADOPT AGENDA
11-52 Jons moved to adopt the agenda. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the May meeting were presented for approval.
11-53 Abel moved to approve the May meeting minutes. Jons seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s Reports were presented for approval
11-54 Jons moved to approve the May reports. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
BILLS
The following bills were presented for approval:
Bills – Paid, Already Approved
Jordan Neighbor Scholarship Winner $ 500.00
Calvin McBride Scholarship Winner $ 500.00
Polly Carrico Scholarship Winner $ 100.00
Dan Abel Mileage – 1st Quarter $ 81.12*
Laura Krouse Mileage – 1st Quarter $ 72.93*
Bruce Frana Mileage – 1st Quarter $ 20.28*
Larry Jons Mileage – 1st Quarter $ 70.20*
Butch Neumeyer Tree Pick-Up $ 125.00
Maura Frana Brochure Work $ 100.00
Cassidy Steines 1st – Poster Contest Winner $ 20.00
Samantha Smith 2nd – Poster Contest Winner $ 10.00
Mackenzie Smith 3rd – Poster Contest Winner $ 5.00
Nathaniel Marti 1st – Poster Contest Winner $ 20.00
Rachel Reimann 2nd – Poster Contest Winner $ 10.00
Lynaea Kiefer 3rd – Poster Contest Winner $ 5.00
Mikayla Raue 1st – Poster Contest Winner $ 20.00
Jenna Casey 2nd – Poster Contest Winner $ 10.00
Connor Moyle 3rd – Poster Contest Winner $ 5.00
Bills – Paid, but not approved
Iawisil Nursery Payment for late tree order $ 262.44
Postmaster Postage to mail Posters $ 5.20*
Linda Fischer Wildflower Refund $ 10.70
Mark Ogden Wildflower Refund $ 42.80
Mike Steffeck Wildflower Refund $ 10.70
Maurita Krotz Wildflower Refund $ 21.40
Kate Hawkins Wildflower Refund $ 10.70
*Reimbursable through 1M
Dry Creek Expenses
U.S. Treasury Quarterly Fed Tax Return $ 176.09
Treasurer-State of Iowa IA Withholding Quarterly Return $ 5.00
Iowa Workforce Dev. Contribution & Payroll Report $ 1.23
Koppenhaver & Assocs Payroll Processing $ 238.00
IPERS Reporting for 04/01/11-04/30/11 $ 46.80
Donna Walton Salary for 04/15/11 – 04/28/11 $ 202.16
Donna Walton Salary for 04/29/11 – 05/12/11 $ 226.11
Donna Walton Mileage-CR Watershed Mtg $ 62.40
11-55 Jons moved to approve the bills. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
COST SHARE
Amendments
Mickey Alsager Grassed Waterway $ 280.80
11-56 Jons moved to approve the amendment. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Applications
IFIP
*None at this time
REAP
*None at this time
Low Interest Loan
*None at this time
Bills
Winnie Henderson Grassed Waterway $ 5,135.62
Mary Lu Robinson Grassed Waterway $ 3,249.56
Brian Nowak-Thompson Conservation Cover $ 711.00
Mickey Alsager Grassed Waterway $ 2,568.70
11-57 Jons moved to approve the bills. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Plans and Agreements
There was one plan presented for approval.
11-58 Abel moved to approve the plan. Jons seconded the motion. Motion carried.
STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner and Assistants
Nothing to report at this time.
NRCS – DC & Others
Bruene stated that he has been working on compliance reviews/status reviews. He has found low residue levels in many areas. Bruene has also been working on the EQIP annual reviews. He also stated that spring work is wrapping up.
Bruene also discussed the current budget situation.
County Soil Conservationist
Gallagher stated that he has been working with NRCS staff doing field work and status review work with John.
Gallagher also discussed the progress the Downtown District is making on the bio-retention cell. The planting is complete and Gallagher stated that he will continue to monitor the progress over the summer.
He continues to work with Springville on planning the park area discussed at the May meeting. He will follow-up with the group on possible funding options. He suggested that maybe some of the Cargill funds could be used for this educational and native area. The District felt that this may be a good fit for these funds. Discussion followed.
Gallagher informed the commissioners of the engineering work he assisted the area engineer with in Palo. They surveyed 2500 feet of streambank in that area.
District Secretary
Hepker discussed the recent Wildflower fundraiser. She will have a better idea of what the profit was at the July meeting.
District Employee
Walton informed the commissioners that the tour for the Cedar River Coalition scheduled for June 16th in Charles City has been cancelled.
Walton informed the commissioners of the calls from Palo residents that herself and Gallagher received after the spring rains this year. There were quite a few calls from residents experiencing a high amount of water in their yards. Some were looking for assistance to put in Rain Gardens. Gallagher and Walton will get the applications going to possibly get them approved before July 1.
OLD BUSINESS
Dry Creek Watershed
Walton discussed the Dry Creek Development Plan Report that she has been working on. Jeff Tisl has been working with her to get this completed. Approval was granted from DSC to extend the agreement another three months and also to amend the line items to include educational materials.
Walton suggested that we order one of the Rain Garden kits from Wisconsin to take a look at before purchasing several for public use. Gallagher suggested that he take a look to see if these kits would be useful in Iowa. Hepker will get together with Walton and prepare an order or do more research online to take a look at these kits.
Resolutions
Tabled until next month.
Audit
There was further discussion on the completion of the audit. Abel and Jons volunteered to assist Krouse and Hosch to complete the audit.
District Website
Hepker discussed the progress being made on the District website. Previous issues with securities have been worked out and she was able to make changes to the page without any problems. Hepker stated that she will share more information at the next meeting.
Other
Abel discussed the recent Ag in the Park Day at the Linn County Fair Grounds. He stated that he ran out of items to hand out to the children. Would need a lot more erasers or something else to hand out next year. He suggested that maybe the District could put together a coloring book or something more educational to hand out or display.
NEW BUSINESS
Jesh Harbaugh-Williams/Green Iowa AmeriCorps
Jesh discussed what Green Iowa AmeriCorps does. Their main focus is on environmental education. Areas in which they work include energy efficiency, residential weatherization and energy audits. They are currently involved in additional activities in community outreach which includes a community garden and Meals on Wheels Garden.
Jesh also talked about the group’s recent Rainscape Training. They are interested in residential rain gardens, rainscaping and water management. All services are free. He asked if there was anyone interested, that we knew of, that wanted to put a rain garden in. They could provide the labor for those who may not have the resources to put one in. Discussion followed.
A new crew of AmeriCorps volunteers will be coming in September. Gallagher asked if the crew would be interested in doing streambank assessments. They could do water quality assessments in specific watersheds. Jesh felt that this would be of great interest to the new crew. He stated that they would need to get the proper training but that shouldn’t be an issue. He will pass the word on to the next crew leader. They will be in contact with us.
Green Day-CR Farmers Market, July 16th.
Hepker stated that the Green Day event will be here before we know it. She wanted to give the commissioners time to check their schedules to see who could work the event. The new Conservation Station will also be at the event. Hepker and Gallagher will work out the details on what is needed for the District booth for handouts. More discussion will be held at next month’s meeting.
OTHER
Nothing at this time.
CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence was reviewed.
NEXT MEETING DATE – ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 6:23 PM. The next meeting of the Linn Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners will be held at 8:00 AM, Tuesday, June 28, 2011.
11-59 Jons moved to adjourn. Abel seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned.
Presented Approved
Secretary Date Chairperson Date
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