May 2011 Meeting
Wednesday, June 29, 2011 at 01:10PM MINUTES OF THE LINN COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS MEETING
Marion, IA
May 6, 2011
CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Laura Krouse called the May 6, 2011 meeting of the Linn Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners to order at 8:00 AM at the USDA Service Center, 3025 7th Avenue, Marion, IA.
Present:
Commissioners Staff and others
Laura Krouse 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
11-41 Jons moved to adopt the agenda. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the April meeting were presented for approval.
11-42 Abel moved to approve the April meeting minutes. Jons seconded the motion.
Motion carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s Reports were presented for approval
11-43 Jons moved to approve the April reports. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
BILLS
The following bills were presented for approval:
Bills – To be Paid
|
Butch Neumeyer |
Reimbursement for Tree PickUp |
$ 125.00 |
Bills – Paid, already approved
|
Marion Times |
Subscription |
$ 30.00 |
|
Menards |
Totes |
$ 16.92 |
Bills – Paid, but not approved
|
Staples |
Tree/Wildflower Sales Supplies |
$ 25.98 |
|
Treasurer-State of Iowa |
1st Quarter Sales Tax |
$ 52.64 |
|
Walmart |
Tree Day Supplies |
$ 61.00 |
|
Caseys |
Tree Day Supplies |
$ 6.99 |
|
Mary Hepker |
Reimbursement/Tree Supplies |
$ 19.21 |
|
Iawisil Nursery |
Trees |
$ 3,138.56 |
Dry Creek Expenses
|
IPERS |
Reporting 03/01/11 - 03/31/11 |
$ 52.64 |
|
Donna Walton |
Salary 03/04/11 – 03/17/11 |
$ 20.21 |
|
Donna Walton |
Salary 03/18/11 – 03/31/11 |
$ 202.16 |
|
Donna Walton |
Salary 04/01/11 – 04/14/11 |
$ 144.88 |
11-44 Jons moved to approve the bills. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
COST SHARE
There were no cost share applications.
Hepker informed the commissioners that cost share application # 25120 – Elliott, which was approved at the April meeting, was cancelled per the applicant’s request.
REAP
|
Janet Obando/Drago Family Farms, LLC |
Windbreak |
$1,500.00 |
11-45 Jons moved to approve the application. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Bills
|
Cletus Brecht |
Grassed Waterway |
$ 3,501.45 |
|
Gary Schuch |
Windbreak |
$ 1,100.82 |
11-46 Jons moved to approve the Cost Share bills. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Plans and Agreements
There were three plans and three agreements presented for approval.
11-47 Abel moved to approve the plans and agreements. Jons seconded the motion. Motion carried.
STAFF/COMMISSIONER REPORTS
Commissioner and Assistants
Frana discussed the recent event he attended at GE Capital. He stated that he felt the two hour event was very nice. He was able to talk to quite a few people and answered a lot of questions. GE Capital stated that they will be glad to have us again next year.
Frana also presented a publication he received at home titled, “Getting Into Soil & Water 2011.” This book was put together by the Iowa State University Soil & Water Conservation Club. Frana felt that this book was very informative and would be great for handout or to have in the office for viewing. Hepker will see if we can get additional copies for the office.
NRCS – DC & Others
Bruene stated that he has reviewed 6 or 7 new CSP contracts. Discussion followed.
Bienemann stated that the Spring construction season is in full swing. Things are getting very busy and he has been working on getting everything scheduled while the weather holds out.
County Soil Conservationist
Gallagher discussed his recent correspondence with the City of Springville. They are looking to add a wildlife educational area to their city park. Gallagher has been working with them on a native prairie plan, wetland area and trees. Trees Forever is providing funds for additional trees.
Gallagher will be submitting a letter to the District explaining the scope of the project and project benefits. He suggested that maybe some of the Cargill Grant funds could be used to help the city out with additional expenses. Discussion followed.
Gallagher also discussed the AmeriCorps handout he provided to those in attendance. There are opportunities for the District to utilize the skills of the AmeriCorps volunteers. They would be willing to come to a future meeting to discuss these possibilities with the District. Hepker will make the necessary contacts to see if they would be able to attend the June meeting.
District Secretary
Hepker discussed the recent Tree Day and shared the profit information.
The Wildflower/Native Grasses pick-up date has been set for May 23rd. It was decided to have the pick-up in the yard near the office. Jons will provide a tent. Times will be shared closer to the event.
District Employee
Walton talked about the Cedar River Coalition meeting which is to be held today. Both Walton and Frana are planning on attending. They will be going on a tour of the storm water management systems being done at the UNI campus. She will take the camera and share more information at the June meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
Dry Creek Watershed
Walton discussed that the Dry Creek Watershed Development Grant report is due the end of May. Jeff Tisl has shared some input with her and she currently has the outline completed. She will be meeting with Tisl to finalize the report. She would like to have it done by May 26th.
There was also discussion on the remaining Dry Creek funds and if there were any beneficial educational purchases that could be made before the end of the agreement. Walton would like to see some of the money be used for Rain Garden kits, Rain Garden Design & Installation Manuals, and possibly a Rain Garden Display. It was also suggested that more visual educational items need to be purchased. The District would also like to purchase some signage to put in practice areas. Hepker will contact Jerry Neppel at DSC to see if these items would be eligible.
Agren Software
Bruene discussed the software that is available to the Districts at a reduced cost. There was much discussion on this product. There is not an interest to purchase the software at this time.
IDALS Pheasants Forever Contract
Hepker presented the contract received from IDALS. Review and discussion followed.
11-48 Jons moved that the District approve the contract as written. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Poster Contest
Hepker discussed the judging of this year’s poster entries. Gene Jahncke’s Environmental Task Force Group at his church volunteered to do the judging this year. They chose 3 winners in 3 different age groups. Prizes were discussed.
11-49 Jons moved that the District award $20.00 to each 1st Place Winner, $10.00 to each 2nd Place Winner and $5.00 to each 3rd Place Winner. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
Audit
There was further discussion on the completion of the audit. Krouse will contact Hosch to get a date and time set to complete the audit.
District Website
Hepker discussed the current issues with getting the website up and running. Certain securities set on the government owned computers have delayed the site’s completion. Hepker will contact Rebecca, the web developer, to see if she foresees future issues with being able to update the web site from the office. Discussion followed.
Other
Frana requested that a donation be made to Maura for her work on a District brochure that she started putting together last year for the District.
11-50 Jons moved that the District pay Maura $100.00 for previous brochure work completed. Abel seconded the motion. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
2011 Resolutions, Pre-Conference Voting
Hepker provided copies of the current resolutions to each commissioner. She suggested that they review each one prior to the June meeting so voting could be completed then. Krouse suggested that time be set aside at the next meeting for review prior to voting.
Linn County Ag in the Park Day-May 13th
Hepker was notified by Jennifer with the Linn-Mar FFA Group about the annual Ag in the Park Day on May 13th at the Linn County Fair Grounds. They were hoping that the District would like to have a booth at the event this year. Abel volunteered to go. Hepker will get some items together for him to hand out to the children.
Alburnett Senior Awards Program
There are two District Scholarship winners in the Alburnett School District. The Senior Awards Night is scheduled for May 11th at 6:30 p.m. Jons will attend the Awards Night and present the scholarship awards on behalf of the District.
OTHER
Nothing at this time.
CORRESPONDENCE
Correspondence was reviewed.
NEXT MEETING DATE – ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 AM. The next meeting of the Linn Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioners will be held at 5:00 PM, Tuesday, June 7, 2011.
11-51 Abel moved to adjourn. Jons seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned.
Presented Approved
Secretary Date Chairperson Date
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