April 2011 Meeting
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 01:09PM MINUTES OF THE LINN COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS MEETING
Marion, IA
April 5, 2011
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Laura Krouse called the April 5, 2011 meeting of the Linn Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners to order at 6:40 PM at the USDA Service Center, 3025 7th Avenue, Marion, IA.
Present:
Commissioners Staff and others
Laura Krouse Mark Bienemann, Soil Conservation Tech
Sue Ellen Hosch Mary Hepker, District Secretary
Dan Abel
Robert Broulik
Assistant Commissioners
Bruce Frana
Larry Jons
Guests
Tom Fuller – Pheasants Forever
Gene Jahncke
ADOPT AGENDA
11-28 Hosch moved to adopt the agenda. Broulik seconded the motion. Motion carried.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the March meeting were presented for approval.
11-29 Hosch moved to approve the March meeting minutes. Abel seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s Reports were presented for approval
11-30 Hosch moved to approve March reports. Broulik seconded the motion. Motion carried.
BILLS
The following bills were presented for approval:
Bills – To be Paid
|
Marion Times |
Subscription |
$ 30.00 |
Bills – Paid, already approved
|
Iawisil |
Down payment for Trees |
$ 877.80 |
|
Newton Mfg. |
District Magnets |
$ 226.75 |
|
Tama SWCD |
Spring Regional Registrations |
$ 60.00 |
|
Gazette Communications |
Tree/Wildflower Ad |
$ 360.00 |
Bills – Paid, but not approved
|
DeWayne Beckner |
Refund-Overpayment for Trees |
$ 10.70 |
|
Khimaira |
Web Host |
$ 99.00 |
|
Rebecca Mumaw Communications |
Down Payment for Web Development |
$ 150.00 |
|
The Gazette |
Subscription |
$ 85.95 |
Dry Creek Expenses
|
IPERS |
Reporting 02/01/11 – 02/28/11 |
$ 46.80 |
|
Donna Walton |
Salary 02/18/11 – 03/03/11 |
$ 249.07 |
|
Donna Walton |
Mileage |
$ 22.85 |
11-31 Hosch moved to approve the bills. Broulik seconded the motion. Motion carried.
COST SHARE
IFIP
Applications
|
Mary Lu Robinson |
Grassed Waterway |
$ 3,262.50 |
|
Mary Rose Elliott |
Grassed Waterway |
$ 5,816.50 |
|
Richard Hoke |
Water & Sediment Control Basin |
$ 5,568.00 |
The Cost Share applications were reviewed and discussed.
11-32 Hosch moved to approve the Cost Share application for Mary Lu Robinson using Bonding 2 funds. Broulik seconded the motion. Motion carried.
11-33 Hosch moved to approve the Cost Share application for Mary Rose Elliott based on Iowa Code
Chapter 10, 10.60(6). Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
11-34 Hosch moved to approve the Basin Cost Share application for Richard Hoke, Jr. on the stipulation that it is part of an approved Conservation Plan. Broulik seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Amendments
|
Mickey Alsager |
Grassed Waterway |
Completion Date 09/15/2011 |
11-35 Abel moved to approve the amendment. Broulik seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Bills
|
John Collins |
Grassed Waterway |
$ 1,417.42 |
|
Ruth Collins |
Grassed Waterway |
$ 854.31 |
11-36 Hosch moved to approve the Cost Share bills. Broulik seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Plans and Agreements
There were no plans or agreements.
STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner and Assistants
Frana shared information on the Cedar River Watershed meetings he has been attending.
Frana and Walton stated that the next Cedar River Committee meeting will be held on April 8th and the
Cedar River Coalition meeting will be held on May 6th. They both will continue to update the District as more information becomes available.
NRCS – DC & Others
On behalf of John Bruene, Bienemann discussed CSP and EQIP.
District Secretary
Hepker presented the updated brochure to the commissioners. There was much discussion on the feasibility of hiring a graphic artist to possibly help finish the brochure before printing. Frana suggested to Hepker that she check with Tara at Grant Wood AEA for assistance. She will do so.
Hepker discussed the tree and wildflower sales. She will provide the District with profit totals at the May meeting. There will be expenses incurred during the pick-up days.
OLD BUSINESS
Tom Fuller – Pheasants Forever
Mr. Fuller introduced himself and gave a brief description on what he does for Pheasants Forever. He stated that John Bruene, two other District Conservationists and an IDALS Field Representative met with him regarding the Pheasants Forever program called “Reload Iowa.” They discussed the possibility of hiring a Farm Bill Biologist for this area.
The Farm Bill Biologist would assist in technical assistance on Federal and State programs. This person would basically go door-to-door speaking with each landowner and in turn, would meet with the District Conservationist in that county to discuss what program would best suit the landowner.
The goal is to meet with every landowner in Linn County during their tenure. There are currently five Farm Bill Biologist positions in the State of Iowa, the closest one being in Mahaska and Poweshiek counties. These five positions cover a total of twenty-two counties in Iowa.
This position would cover Linn, Jones and Johnson counties and would be housed in Linn County. The salary package would be $50,000, which includes health and retirement benefits. A nationwide job search will take place.
Jim Gillespie has offered $5,000 per year, per position from IDALS with the stipulation that it be ran through the local District for approval. Pheasants Forever are asking that each District provide $2,500 per year, if able. These positions would be based on a three year contract. Pheasants Forever is providing $15,000 per year, per position.
Krouse recommended that the District discuss this further later in the meeting after taking a look at the District budget.
Dry Creek Watershed
Walton talked about the meetings which were held in Atkins and Palo. Jeff Tisl put together and presented the “Dry Creek Stream Corridor & Hydrologic Assessment” book. Walton expressed her disappointment that a book like this wasn’t made available at the beginning of the Dry Creek process. She felt that the information provided in this book would have been a very important educational tool for all involved.
District Website
Hepker discussed the District website and where we currently are in the development. Hepker has emailed all the information requested to the developer except for some pictures. The next step is to get SquareSpace set up so Rebecca Mumaw with Mumaw Communications can get the initial page set up for viewing and adjustments. Hepker stated that she would like to have a committee to help in the process so there would be more input on what the District would like on the site. Frana and Abel volunteered to help out with the project and upkeep.
Audit
Hepker stated that she has completed the District Financial report so is ready for the audit to be completed. Krouse and Hosch will try to get into the office when time and weather allows them to work on it. Hepker stated that the next audit will need to be completed sometime after the first of July.
CDI Scholarship
Three commissioners came to the office and reviewed the three scholarship applications at different times throughout March. Each commissioner voted on the applications. Hepker shared the applications with the commissioners and which applicant was sent on to the Regional level. Awards were discussed.
11-37 Abel moved that the District award $500 to the First and Second place selections. Broulik seconded the motion. Motion carried.
11-38 Abel moved that the District award $100 to the Third Place selection. Broulik seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Pheasants Forever
Discussion continued on the Farm Bill Biologist position discussed earlier with Tom Fuller, Pheasants Forever.
11-39 Hosch moved that the District pay $2,500 towards the position for the first year with an annual
review after that first year to determine continuation of the contract. Broulik seconded the motion. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Poster Contest
The District has received numerous posters from Mt. Vernon and also from CP-Urbana Middle School. Hepker suggested that a committee be put together to choose the winners. All agreed.
OTHER
Gene Jahncke was a guest for the meeting. He is a member of a church group and they are willing to work on projects. He mentioned that they would like to do some work within McCloud Run, tree day pick-up and anywhere else they may be needed. They want to be of help and support to the District. Krouse stated that we will definitely keep this in mind and Hepker stated that she will pass the tree day pick-up information on to Gene as soon as she gets the location and times set up.
CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence was reviewed.
NEXT MEETING DATE – ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 PM. The next meeting of the Linn Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners will be held at 6:30 PM, Tuesday, May 3, 2011.
11-40 Broulik moved to adjourn. Abel seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned.
Presented Approved
Secretary Date Chairperson Date
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