MARCH 7, 2019 Cass County Commissioners Meeting Room Cass ...

SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

REGULAR MEETING

MARCH 7, 2019

Cass County Commissioners Meeting Room Cass County Courthouse Walker MN

10:00 AM

10:00 A.M. Call to Order - Chairman

Approval of Regular Meeting Agenda Approval of Consent Agenda 1. February Bank Statement 2. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of 02/07/2019

10:10 A.M. Request to be Heard

10:13 A.M. John Ringle Report

Request Authorization to Sign Grants on Behalf of Cass SWCD

10:23 A.M. Candi Fuller NRCS Report

March Update

10:38 A.M. Kelly Condiff Report

Envirothon Update Deerfield Notification Letter

10:53 A.M. Supervisor Reports

Area VIII Report TSA Report for Area VIII Reveiw and Sign Signature Cards for all Bank Accounts

11:15 A.M. Cost Share Applications (if any)

11:20 A.M. Administrative Actions

Approve Bills Paid for February

11:30 A.M. Adjourn

AGENDA APPOINTMENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE. PLEASE CALL THE SWCD OFFICE TO CONFIRM.

218-547-7399

CASS SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CONSENT AGENDA

DATE: March 7, 2019

Items on the Consent Agenda are reviewed in total by the SWCD Board and may be approved through one motion. Any item of the Consent Agenda

may be removed by any Supervisor for separate consideration.

CASS COUNTY ITEM: February Bank Statement

REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION

Requested Board Date: March 7, 2019

Originating Department: Soil and Water Conservation District

Presenter: Brenda Davis

Requested Time:

For Discussion:

Consent Agenda Item

Insert Summary of item

MOTION: Review and Approve

Supporting Documentation: February Bank Statement-p0001 - p0006

Distribution List: Brenda Davis Pending

1

Packet Pg. 3

1.a

Packet Pg. 4

Att

ach

men

t: F

ebru

ary

Ban

k S

tate

men

t-p

0001

- p

0006

(31

50 :

Feb

ruar

y B

ank

Sta

tem

ent)

1.a

Packet Pg. 5

Att

ach

men

t: F

ebru

ary

Ban

k S

tate

men

t-p

0001

- p

0006

(31

50 :

Feb

ruar

y B

ank

Sta

tem

ent)

1.a

Packet Pg. 6

Att

ach

men

t: F

ebru

ary

Ban

k S

tate

men

t-p

0001

- p

0006

(31

50 :

Feb

ruar

y B

ank

Sta

tem

ent)

1.a

Packet Pg. 7

Att

ach

men

t: F

ebru

ary

Ban

k S

tate

men

t-p

0001

- p

0006

(31

50 :

Feb

ruar

y B

ank

Sta

tem

ent)

1.a

Packet Pg. 8

Att

ach

men

t: F

ebru

ary

Ban

k S

tate

men

t-p

0001

- p

0006

(31

50 :

Feb

ruar

y B

ank

Sta

tem

ent)

1.a

Packet Pg. 9

Att

ach

men

t: F

ebru

ary

Ban

k S

tate

men

t-p

0001

- p

0006

(31

50 :

Feb

ruar

y B

ank

Sta

tem

ent)

CASS SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING

February, 7, 2019

IT IS THE MISSION of the Cass Soil and Water Conservation District to provide leadership and technical assistance to landowners and cooperating agencies in the wise use, conservation, and

management of Cass County’s natural resources.

Meeting was called to order by Chair David Peterson at 10:00 AM followed by the Pledge of

Allegiance.

Attendee Name Title Status Arrived

Kenneth LaPorte Vice Chair Present 9:50 AM

Williard Pehling Member Present 9:50 AM

James Ballenthin Secretary Present 9:50 AM

David Peterson Chair Present 9:50 AM

Tom Kuschel Treasurer Present 9:50 AM

Others Present:

John Ringle - SWCD/ESD, Brenda Davis - SWCD/ESD, Mike Tauber and Jim Etzel.

Approval of Regular Meeting Agenda

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Kenneth LaPorte, Vice Chair

SECONDER: Williard Pehling, Member

AYES: LaPorte, Pehling, Ballenthin, Peterson, Kuschel

Approval of Consent Agenda, January Bank Statement, SWCD Meeting Minutes of 1/03/2019.

RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: James Ballenthin, Secretary

SECONDER: Tom Kuschel, Treasurer


John Ringle Report:

John received a request from Enbridge Energy to present at the next SWCD Board Meeting. John

felt that if the SWCD board let Enbridge Energy present at the SWCD meeting, they would have to

let that those that were in opposition to the pipeline present also. He would rather see Enbridge

submit a document that could be made part of the SWCD Meeting Agenda/Packet as information

only. After some discussion the supervisors agreed that this was the better route to go. John will

email Enbridge to let them know.

Approval of the SWCD Annual Plan & Budget for 2019 as presented.

2

Packet Pg. 10

Min

ute

s A

ccep

tan

ce:

Min

ute

s o

f F

eb 7

, 201

9 10

:00

AM

(C

all t

o O

rder

- C

hai

rman

)

John presented the proposed budget to the board at this time. Ken discussed adding Shelter

Belts and Tree Planting to allowable Cost Share projects. He also suggested that the

supervisors should start attending Township meetings just to explain to them what an SWCD

is and the assistance that could be available to them. John mentioned that we really need to

come up with projects to spend money on! We have funds available and we really do not

want to send any back to the state. The AIS Budget was approved by the County

Commissioners on February 5, 2019.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]

MOVER: Williard Pehling, Member

SECONDER: Kenneth LaPorte, Vice Chair


Approval of the 2018 Audit Bid from Peterson Company LTD at a cost of $2,500.00.

Signed by Chair David Peterson.





Approval to pay the MACDE Membership Fee for John Ringle at a cost of $25.00.





Approval of the MN DNR/AIS Prevention Inspection Agreement as presented.

John explained that this agreement, once signed, it is good for three years. The Agreement

requires that an AIS prevention plan be approved by DNR. The plan must include inspection

location and times. This will help DNR avoid duplication at inspection sites. The agreement

also allows DNR to train AIS inspectors and upon completion of the training, certify the

individual as an authorized inspector. The training will allow an inspector to stop any

infested water related vehicle from entering the water until decontaminated and to give the

vehicle operator instructions information on where/how to get their vehicle decontaminated.

John needs to fill in a few blanks with names and phone numbers. He will call Dave when it

is ready to be signed.

2

Packet Pg. 11

Min

ute

s A

ccep

tan

ce:

Min

ute

s o

f F

eb 7

, 201

9 10

:00

AM

(C

all t

o O

rder

- C

hai

rman

)





Approval of the 1W1P Mississippi Headwaters MOU as submitted.

John explained the that the WRAPS results could be found on the Beltrami County website.

Beltrami is acting as the fiscal agent for this project. Most of Cass County that is in this

1W1P area is forested. John reminded the board about the Comprehensive Watershed

Management Plan for Leech Lake River Watershed Public Hearing scheduled for February

15, 2019 in the Cass County Commissioners Meeting Room.


MOVER: Williard Pehling, Member



Approval of the Leech Lake Associaiton Partnership Grant as submitted.

Phytoplankton analysis is the key to determining ecosystem changes when a lake is infected

with Zebra Mussels. Leech Lake Association partnered with RMB labs to do phytoplankton

analysis for two years but RMB is no longer offering this. Leech Lake Association has a

plan to partner with Natural Research Institute University of MN Duluth. The total cost of

this project is $1,000.00. They are looking at Cass SWCD/AIS funds to help pay for this

project.


MOVER: Tom Kuschel, Treasurer



Motion to table approval of the Townline Lake Weevil Project at this time.

John explained that the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is proposing to use native weevils to

control Eurasion Milfoil on Townline Lake. Townline lake has had a lot of problems with

Eruasion Milfoil in the past. Current practices are working but are costly. The Leech Lake

Band has been working with Dr. Sheldon, who studied at Middlebury College VT. She

developed a process to catch weevils and release them into the lake to feast on Eurasion

Milfoil. MN DNR is not completely sure if this will work yet. After some discussion, John

was directed to contact the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe or Dr Sheldon and see if they could

give a presentation at a SWCD meeting.

2

Packet Pg. 12

Min

ute

s A

ccep

tan

ce:

Min

ute

s o

f F

eb 7

, 201

9 10

:00

AM

(C

all t

o O

rder

- C

hai

rman

)

RESULT: TABLED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 3/7/2019 10:00 AM




Approval to donate $300.00 to the 2019 Area VIII Envirothon to cover expenses.

Kelly is at SSTS training so John will give his report at this time. The Area VIII Envirothon

is scheduled for May 1, 2019 at the Lake Bemidji State Park. Several of the supervisors were

concerned with the lack of participation from Cass County schools. Mike Tauber expressed

some interest in this topic and agreed to contact the schools on behalf of Cass SWCD. He

stated that he knows the Nevis School sends several teams to the Envirothon.



SECONDER: James Ballenthin, Secretary


Approval to accept the bid submitted by AW Research Laboratories and to pay up to 100%

of the bid amount no to exceed $2,770.00

John presented two bids for the board to review and discuss. Ken mentioned that maybe the

land owner should pay for a portion of the water sampling. Jim B. and Mike T. thought that

people may not be willing to participate if that was the way the program was presented.

There was some questions about who will enter and keep the information that is collected.

While the results will be sent to MN DNR Well/Public Health Division, no one really knows

what they will do with the information. Cass SWCD will map the results and create our own

data base. Jim E. stressed the fact that the results of the water sampling need to made public

and forwarded onto the County Commissioners.



SECONDER: James Ballenthin, Secretary


Candi Fuller NRCS Report:

Candi was not able to be here today because of the weather but she did provide a narrative for the

board to view.

Supervisor Reports:

Jim will attending Legislative Days at the Capitol. He also mentioned that the 1W1P Pine River

policy committee moved the goals forward to the advisory committee for approval.

Tom attended the 1W1P Pine River.

Dave attended the 1W1P Mississippi Headwaters along with John, Kelly and Dick Downham.

2

Packet Pg. 13

Min

ute

s A

ccep

tan

ce:

Min

ute

s o

f F

eb 7

, 201

9 10

:00

AM

(C

all t

o O

rder

- C

hai

rman

)

Ken mentioned that funding for 1W1P was a big topic at the MASWCD board of directors. He

minded everyone that the next Area VIII meeting is scheduled for March 1, 2019 in Bemidji.

The SWCD Self Assessement can be discussed at the March Cass SWCD meeting.

Cost Share Applications (if any):

Approve and Pay the Jon Lee CS198-18 - PFM in the amount of $1,000.00.





Administrative Actions:

Thomas Kuschel read aloud the prepared checks at this time and requested that they be approved for

payment as presented.

Adjourn:

12:01 Noon

Secretary, Board of Supervisor’s

Date

2

Packet Pg. 14

Min

ute

s A

ccep

tan

ce:

Min

ute

s o

f F

eb 7

, 201

9 10

:00

AM

(C

all t

o O

rder

- C

hai

rman

)

CASS COUNTY ITEM: Authorization to Sign Grants on

Behalf of Cass SWCD REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION




Requested Time:

For Discussion:

Regular Agenda Item


MOTION: Discuss and Approve

Supporting Documentation:

Distribution List: Brenda Davis Completed 02/28/2019 11:13 AM

Packet Pg. 15

CASS COUNTY ITEM: March Update





Requested Time:

For Discussion:

Correspondence


MOTION: Review and File

Supporting Documentation: District Conservationist SWCD Cass March Report


Packet Pg. 16

District Conservationist’s Report – March 7, 2019

Cass SWCD Board Meeting

Acting District Conservationist

Joshua Hanson

NRCS Conservation Programs Update

Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP):

• 2019 payments are completed.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)

• There will are two ranking periods for FY 2019 EQIP funding. The first application deadline was

January 18th, 2019, and the second will be April 19th, 2019. The ranking deadline for the first sign

up will be March 1, 2019. We are still in the process of cleaning up planning.

• There currently have 38 eligible and pending EQIP applications in the Baxter FO for FY2019

consideration, 19 are for Cass. We already have a few applications for the second for the second

sign up. More to be expected.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) - RCPP-EQIP

• The application cut off for the FY2019 EQIP-RCPP deadline will be April 19, 2019. The planning

and ranking for those application will be completed by May 17, 2019. The Baxter FO has eight

RCPP applications that were deferred from 2018.

Conservation Technical Assistance(CTA):

• We continue to plan projects for conservation projects in the county.

Events and Trainings

• February 8, 2019 - SWCD tree open house, NRCS had a booth

• February 21, 2019 – Protecting North Central MN lakes at Ruttgers Bay Lake lodge. NRCS

presented.

• March 1, 2019- Seed Plan Training, Waite Park, MN and Area 8 Meeting.

• Annual civil rights update!

NRCS Staffing

Current Baxter NRCS Office Staff include:

• Pam Loftis, Ultima Clerk

• Brian Steffen, Soil Conservationist

• Candi Fuller, Resource Conservationist

• Ginger Kopp, HFRP Forester

• Joshua Hanson, Acting District Conservationist (temporary detail)

• The Baxter Conservation Delivery Team Lead position has been advertised and closed.

a

Packet Pg. 17

Att

ach

men

t: D

istr

ict

Co

nse

rvat

ion

ist

SW

CD

Cas

s M

arch

Rep

ort

(31

66 :

Mar

ch U

pd

ate)

CASS COUNTY ITEM: Envirothon Update





Requested Time:

For Discussion:

Correspondence


MOTION: Insert Motion

Supporting Documentation: Revised Envirothon School Letter 2019 - (Mike Tauber)


Packet Pg. 18

February 21, 2019 To : Area High Schools/Middle Schools Subject : Area VIII 2019 Envirothon

From : Kelly Condiff Technical Resource Specialist, Cass Soil & Water Conservation District Hello Everyone! The Cass County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) would very much like to promote the 2019 Area 8 Envirothon and toward that end they asked that I do a little outreach to schools in the county to gauge interest.

The Envirothon is a very valuable life experience because students collectively apply their learning as a mock consulting firm to solve complex problems in a current real-

world scenario. This year's topic is one that is seeing a lot of fast developing innovation, Agriculture and the Environment: Knowledge and Technology to

Feed the World.. We all know this is not an overly light commitment to take on, but the potential positive results of involving kids in the thought experiments that Envirothon encourages are enormous. It is understood that finances (travel costs and paying for substitutes) are often an obstacle to formation of an Envirothon team or teams within a school. The Cass County SWCD has agreed to pay travel costs for teams and will consider requests for additional funding if there are teachers and students who would like to take part in competitions. If you would like to take a few minutes to lobby for additional funding of teams by SWCD it would be best to contact Kelly Condiff at 218-547-7246 or at [email protected] Teachers who have guided previous Envirothon teams say:

• Building the topics of the competition into curriculum has worked well.

• Aquatics, forestry, soil and wildlife are always part of the competition.

• Seniors make an oral presentation with visual aids.

Cass Soil and Water Conservation District P.O. Box 3000 Phone: 218-547-7399 Walker, MN 56484 Fax: 218-547-7249

a

Packet Pg. 19

Att

ach

men

t: R

evis

ed E

nvi

roth

on

Sch

oo

l Let

ter

2019

- (

Mik

e T

aub

er)

(31

51 :

En

viro

tho

n U

pd

ate)

https://northcentralareaenvirothon.webs.com/2019%20%20Current%20Issue%20Resources.pdf




mailto:[email protected]


• Involving junior high students (6th graders are eligible) helps them accumulate experience and become more competitive in later years.

• Serious student competitors with experience may be self-driven to coordinate a team’s presentation, so the teacher/mentor may not be necessary on the day of the final presentation field trip. Parent chaperones can sometimes provide the guidance on competition day.

The website for the Area 8 Envirothon has scheduling, resources and registration information. You can find it at this address: https://northcentralareaenvirothon.webs.com/

It would be fantastic to see all the Cass County schools involved this year, since this year's topic is one that is quickly becoming a focal point for everyone. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. And Teachers, thanks for doing all that you do. Registration deadline is March 29th, 2019

Sincerely, Kelly Condiff Technical Resource Specialist Cass Soil & Water Conservation District

a

Packet Pg. 20

Att

ach

men

t: R

evis

ed E

nvi

roth

on

Sch

oo

l Let

ter

2019

- (

Mik

e T

aub

er)

(31

51 :

En

viro

tho

n U

pd

ate)

https://northcentralareaenvirothon.webs.com/

https://northcentralareaenvirothon.webs.com/

CASS COUNTY ITEM: Deerfield Notification Letter





Requested Time:

For Discussion:

Regular Agenda Item


MOTION: Discuss and Approve

Supporting Documentation: Deerfield Township Notification Letter


Packet Pg. 21

February 26, 2019 To : Deerfield Township Board Subject : Voluntary Well Testing From : Kelly Condiff Technical Resource Specialist, Cass Soil & Water Conservation District Dear Township Board Members On Feb. 7th, the Cass SWCD board voted unanimously to fully fund voluntary water testing of domestic wells located in sections 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30, 31 and 32 of Deerfield Township. AW Research Laboratories along with an SWCD representative will be conducting tests for both nitrate and E.coli on all consenting properties. The information gathered from the tests will be used to develop a baseline in the event of any future water testing. The data will be sent to the MN. Dept. of Health and will become public data. Cass SWCD will notify each consenting property owner of the result of the test on their well. There will be no charge to the property owner. Cass SWCD will contact included property owners, and those who wish to participate in the voluntary well testing will have their domestic wells tested starting this spring when weather is longer an issue. Please contact me if you have any questions. Kelly Condiff at 218-547-7246 or at [email protected]

Sincerely, Kelly Condiff Technical Resource Specialist Cass Soil & Water Conservation District

Cass Soil and Water Conservation District P.O. Box 3000 Phone: 218-547-7399 Walker, MN 56484 Fax: 218-547-7249

a

Packet Pg. 22

Att

ach

men

t: D

eerf

ield

To

wn

ship

No

tifi

cati

on

Let

ter

(31

52 :

Dee

rfie

ld N

oti

fica

tio

n L

ette

r)



CASS COUNTY ITEM: Area VIII Report





Requested Time:

For Discussion:

Report





Packet Pg. 23

CASS COUNTY ITEM: TSA Report for Area VIII





Requested Time:

For Discussion:

Report




Distribution List: Brenda Davis Completed 02/28/2019 11:17 AM Kelsey Schwartz Skipped 02/28/2019 11:17 AM Not required Josh Stevenson Skipped 02/28/2019 11:17 AM Not required Soil and Water Conservation District Skipped 03/07/2019 10:00 AM Not required

Packet Pg. 24

CASS COUNTY ITEM: Reveiw and Sign Signature Cards for

all Bank Accounts REQUEST FOR BOARD ACTION




Requested Time:

For Discussion:

Report


MOTION: Review and Sign



Packet Pg. 25

CASS COUNTY ITEM: Approve Bills Paid for February





Requested Time:

For Discussion:

Regular Agenda Item


MOTION: Approve and Pay

Supporting Documentation: BILLS PAID BY CASS SWCD 2/1/19-2/28/19

Distribution List: Brenda Davis Pending

Packet Pg. 26

BILLS PAID BY CASS SWCD February 1 – February 28, 2019

Check #7223 – MN BWSR - $349.43

Check #7224 – MN WSR - $20,000.00

Check #7225 – Kelly Condiff - $49.69

Check #7226 – David Peterson - $194.21

Check #7227 – James Ballenthin - $335.39

Check #7228 – Kenneth LaPorte - $245.25

Check #7229 – Thomas Kuschel - $201.17

Check #7230 – Willard Pehling - $208.95

Check #7231 – Jon Lee - $1,000.00

Check #7232 – MACDE - $25.00

Check #7233 – Crow Wing SWCD - $52.00

Check #7234 – Crow Wing SWCD - $13.00

CCARD – Cancellation Fee - $4.50

Check #72

a

Packet Pg. 27

Att

ach

men

t: B

ILL

S P

AID

BY

CA

SS

SW

CD

2/1

/19-

2/28

/19

(31

53 :

Ap

pro

ve B

ills

Pai

d f

or

Feb

ruar

y)

MARCH 7, 2019 Cass County Commissioners Meeting Room Cass ...

Documents

Transcript of MARCH 7, 2019 Cass County Commissioners Meeting Room Cass ...