February 2011 Meeting

MINUTES OF THE LINN COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS MEETING

Marion, IA
February 4, 20011

CALL MEETING TO ORDER 

Laura Krouse called the January 4, 2011 meeting of the Linn Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners to order at 11:04 AM at the USDA Service Center, 3025 7^th 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

Robert Broulik                      Mark Bienemann, Soil Conservation Tech

                                            Mary Hepker, District Secretary

Guest – Kathy Hall                                

ADOPT AGENDA

11-10     Hosch moved to adopt the agenda.  Broulik seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the January meeting were presented for approval.

11-11     Hosch moved to approve the January meeting minutes.  Abel seconded the motion. 

              Motion carried.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The Treasurer’s Reports were presented for approval.  There was discussion on the 1M funds and the concern of mileage reimbursement for commissioner events.  It was decided that mileage would continue to be reimbursed to the commissioners.

11-12     Broulik moved that District funds be used for mileage reimbursement.  Hosch seconded the                      motion.  Motion carried.

11- 13    Hosch moved to approve the January reports.  Abel seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

BILLS

The following bills were presented for approval:

Bills – To be Paid

ISWEP

Dues

$ 209.00

Bills – Paid, already approved

USPS	Postage	$ 250.00 *
USPS	Bulk Mail Permit	$ 185.00 *
Trees Forever	Donation	$   50.00

Bills – Paid, but not approved

Donna Walton	Reimbursement for food for Legislative Reception	$   12.99
Treasurer-State of Iowa	4th Quarter Sales Tax	$     1.00
OfficeMax	Paper for Tree/Wildflower Brochures	$   45.96
USPS	Mailing of Tree/Wildflower Brochures	$ 105.74

Dry Creek Development Grant Expenses

Donna Walton	Rainscaping/Rain Garden  Registration fees	$ 190.00   (Dry Creek Toolbox Funds)
Donna Walton	Registration fees Trees Forever Symposium	$   15.00   (Dry Creek Toolbox Funds)
IPERS	Reporting 12/01/10-12/31/10	$ 158.44
Donna Walton	Salary 12/24/10 – 01/06/11	$ 278.76
United States Treasury	Quarterly Federal Tax Return	$ 396.80
Treasurer-State of Iowa	IA Withholding Quarterly Return	$   37.00
Iowa Workforce Development	Contribution & Payroll Report	$     2.43
Koppenhaver & Assocs	Payroll/Returns preparation	$ 345.00
IPERS	Reporting 01/01/11 – 01/31/11	$   60.97
Donna Walton	Salary 01/07/11 – 01/20/11	$ 188.69

11-14     Hosch moved to approve the bills.  Broulik seconded the motion.  Motion carried. 

STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Commissioner and Assistants

N/A

NRCS – DC & Others

Bruene talked on EQIP and CSP.  EQIP funds total $201,000 for Linn County.  There is also going to be a general CRP sign-up in March.

Bruene also informed the District that Shaun Holcomb is now back from detail in Malcom. 

Bienemann stated that this has been a slow time of year.  Not much going on right now but have had some inquiries on projects when the weather turns around.

County Conservationist

Gallagher has been working with Bruene on conservation plans for General and Continuous CRP.  He also talked about EQIP and is hoping to get some ag waste applications.

Gallagher also talked about his recent talk to a local Girl Scout group.  He explained to them what the District does and pointed out things they can do for conservation.

Gallagher discussed the grant application that was discussed at the December and January District meetings.  Dennis Goemaat with Linn County will talk to Senator Rob Hogg about these discussions.  Gallagher is hoping to have more information to share at the March District meeting.

**Donna Walton enters the meeting

Walton talked about the recent finalization of the cost share application process for Dry Creek.  She would like to see one more push before the end of the agreement period to see if more interest could be obtained from local landowners.  She would like to discuss this with the Benton County District.  It was suggested that she contact Jaime Benning for suggestions. 

Walton talked about the Army Corps of Engineers event at Wickiup Hill.  She has kept in contact with four local Palo farmers that were in attendance at this meeting and is currently working with them.  They have been very receptive to some of her suggestions. 

District Secretary

Hepker suggested that the District begin advertising their annual Tree/Wildflower fund raisers.  She had great success with advertising in 2010 in the Penny Saver.  This year, she thought about advertising in the Marion Times in addition to the Penny Saver.  It was suggested that she advertise in the Penny Saver and extend the advertisement for a week longer.  She was also asked to check with some local cable TV stations to see if free advertising was available.

There was also discussion on putting together an electronic address book for tree and wildflower customers to potentially save on postage costs for next year.

Hepker presented the District brochure that she has been working on.  The District would like more urban information and photos added to the brochure.  She will work on this with Walton and Krouse.

Hepker discussed times and dates for Butch’s retirement party.  She will check with Butch and the restaurant on possible dates.

OLD BUSINESS

Dry Creek Watershed

See minutes above. 

Audit

Hepker discussed the need to get the District Audit completed.  It was decided that the District would begin working on this after March 1^st.  There was also much discussion on the need for more guidance from DSC on how to put together an audit.  Hepker will pass this information on to DSC.

Winter Gardening Fair

Hepker talked about the upcoming Winter Gardening Fair on February 19^th.  There was much discussion on what is needed for this event.  The District would like magnets ordered with the District information on them and also two new table banners with the District information listed. 

11-15     Broulik moved that the District Secretary order District magnets and banners.

              Abel seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Other

There was discussion on the District commissioner vacancy.  There is an interested party.   Hepker stated that a recommendation letter needs to be sent to the State Soil Conservation Committee.  There will be more discussion at the March meeting.  Hepker will do some more checking on procedural guidelines.

**Hosch exits the meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

Rob Roman-Linn Secondary Roads

Mr. Roman was unable to attend today’s meeting.  He would like to be added to the March Agenda.

2010 Winter Gardening Fair  

Hepker presented the 2011 Slough Bill applications for review and approval.  There were nine new applicants this year.  There were a total of 114 applications presented for 2011.   

11-16     Broulik moved to approve the 2011 Slough Bills.  Abel seconded the motion.  Motion 

Spring Regional

Hepker presented the information for the Spring Regional to be held in Tama on March 16^th in Tama.  Discussion followed.  She will need a count of attendees at the March meeting.

OTHER

Krouse discussed the District website.  Hepker will begin working on the development with Rebecca Mumaw.  There will be more discussion at the March meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence was reviewed.

NEXT MEETING DATE – ADJOURN

The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 PM.  The next meeting of the Linn Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners will be held at 6:30 PM, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. 

11-17     Broulik moved to adjourn.  Abel seconded the motion.  Meeting adjourned.