Red Lake County
Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors Meeting
Monday, January 13, 2020
20-01-01 David Miller, Chairman, called the meeting to order on Monday, January
13, 2020 at 9:03 A.M., at the MN Wheat Growers Building in Red Lake Falls.
20-01-02 Red Lake County SWCD Board Members and Staff Present:
David Miller, Chairman Tanya Waldo, District Manager Mark LaCrosse, Vice Chairman
Linda Mickelson, Secretary Kevin Reich, Reporter Also Present:
Allen Remick, Red Lake County Commissioners Matt Fischer, BWSR Board Conservationist
Dale Krystosek, Performance Review and Assistance Program Coordinator
20-01-03 Linda Mickelson motioned to approve the January agenda with the
following addition: BWSR PRAP Report, and WCA Option decision. Mark
LaCrosse seconded the motion and the motion passed. Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson, and Kevin Reich.
20-01-04 Election of Officers:
Linda Mickelson motioned to have the Election of Officers remain the
same as in 2019. Mark LaCrosse seconded the motion and the motion passed. Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson,
and Kevin Reich.
▪ David Miller as Chairman
▪ Mark LaCrosse as Vice-Chairman
▪ Linda Mickelson as Secretary
▪ David Bachand as Treasurer
20-01-05 Kevin Reich motioned to approve the December 19th board meeting
minutes. Linda Mickelson seconded the motion and the motion passed.
Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson, and Kevin Reich.
20-01-06 In December, there were $29,031.86 total payments and $50,042.37 total
deposits, leaving a cash checking balance of $864,556.12. Linda
Mickelson motioned to approve the December Treasurer’s Report. Kevin Reich seconded the motion and the motion passed. Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson, and Kevin Reich.
20-01-07 Board Member Reports:
There were no board member reports.
20-01-08 Hanson’s Report:
Feedlot Program:
Completed the required feedlot inspections in TEMPO for 2019. Completed a registration update in TEMPO.
Completed the 2019 Annual Feedlot Report, the Financial Report, and the
Discrepancy List for Red Lake County. These documents have been submitted to MPCA for approval.
Registered for the 2020 Annual Feedlot Conference which is scheduled for March 24th
– 26th.
Wetland Conservation Act Program:
Completed the 2019 eLink report and Bob completed the 2019 Written WCA report. The Financial report was attached in eLink for approval.
Shoreland Program:
The Shoreland Activity Survey for 2019 was completed and submitted to DNR for
approval. The Shoreland report and financial report were completed in eLink for BWSR approval.
Water Plan Program:
The Water Plan Program report and financial report was completed in eLink for BWSR approval.
Completed a Cover Letter and a Resolution requesting an extension for the
Comprehensive Local Water Management Plan which is due to end on March 24, 2020. The request was until 12/31/2023; to give us enough time to complete the Clearwater River 1W1P.
District:
There was one Ag BMP Loan Application completed for Chris Kolstoe.
Attended the PRAP Conference Call on January 7th to go over the DRAFT Performance
Review and Assistance Report for the Comprehensive Local Water Management Plan and the Wetland Conservation Act Program.
The MARCO Copier service technician came to the office on January 8th to set-up the
AIS Program:
Ordered promotional items and a Zebra Mussel retractable banner for the Red Lake County AIS program.
Brought Red Lake County Central the $200.00 check and the promotional items they requested for the educational event they are planning on January 17th. They also plan
to do a classroom presentation to the third grade students. eLink Reporting:
All of the required grant program eLink reports, 34 out of 37, have been completed for BWSR approval. The three remaining eLink reports are for the SSTS program. Plans are to meet with Kurt Casavan this afternoon to complete the three remaining eLink SSTS reports.
• Buffer Program (2019, 2020) and Buffer Cost-Share Program (2018)
• Conservation Delivery (2019-2021), Conservation Easement (2019-2021), and State Cost-Share (2017-2021)
• 2016 and 2017 Multi-purpose Drainage Management • 2016 BWSR Clean Water Fund – Red Lake River Watershed • Aquatic Invasive Program (2019)
• Cooperative Weed Management Program (2018) • SWCD Local Capacity (2018, 2019, and 2020) • SSTS Program and Upgrade (2018-2021)
• Red Lake River 1W1P (2018-Present) Upcoming:
January 14 – RRVCSA Manager’s Meeting – Mahnomen January 15 – Manager’s Meeting – Hallock
January 16 – Planning Work Group Meeting (RLR 1W1P) - TRF
20-01-09 Bohland’s Report
WCA:
Worked with members of NRCS on wetland banking credits Completed end of year WCA reporting and forwarded to BWSR
Provided information related to purchasing Ag Banking Credits to landowners Went through the WCA PRAPS interview with BWSR wetland staff
Began assembling a WCA informational checklist for Ag Banking and Tiling for landowners
Attended the County Commissioners meeting to get updated WCA authority assigned to the district
Buffer Program:
Sent out additional NONs to landowners that are not compliant Updated Buffcat and GIS for compliance
Spoke with several landowners regarding the Notifications of Noncompliance they received
Gave information regarding alternative practices to landowners District Capacity:
Took trees orders
Began updating tax records in the GIS database
Helped a landowner get started with the Ag BMP loan process Attended the PRAPS draft conference call with BWSR
20-01-10 Simonson’s Report
There was no report.
20-01-11 NRCS Report
There was no report.
20-01-12 Old Business:
Discussion was held on the 2020 BWSR Clean Water Fund Application results. Tanya informed the board that the 2020 BWSR Clean Water Fund Grant results were not yet available. She informed the board that she would email the results once BWSR had made a decision.
Discussion was held on the MN Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure. All of the board members have completed the MN Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure information to the state.
20-01-13 New Business:
Discussion was held on the BWSR Performance Review and Assistance Program (PRAP) report. Dale read through and made comments
regarding the PRAP report results. The recommendations were reviewed. The board accepted the comment letter submitted by the District
Manager to BWSR. The next step is to review this information with the County Commissioners. BWSR will be working on finalizing the PRAP report.
20-01-14 Discussion was held on delegation of an Official District Bank. Linda
Mickelson motioned to continue with Unity Bank North as the Districts’
Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson, and Kevin Reich.
20-01-15 Discussion was held on delegation of an Official District Newspaper. Kevin
Reich motioned to continue with the Gazette and the Oklee Herald as the
Districts’ official newspapers. Linda Mickelson seconded the motion and
the motion passed. Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson, and Kevin Reich.
20-01-16 Discussion was held on authorizing the District Manager to sign all the
Grant Agreements that Red Lake County SWCD receives. Kevin Reich
motioned to authorize the District Manager to sign all of the Grant
Agreements that are received by Red Lake County SWCD. Mark LaCrosse
seconded the motion and the motion passed. Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson, and Kevin Reich.
20-01-17 Discussion was held on authorizing the District Manager to sign all the
Cooperative Weed Management Grant Program Contracts. Kevin Reich
motioned to authorize the District Manager to sign all of the Cooperative Weed Management Program Contracts. Mark LaCrosse seconded the
motion and the motion passed. Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson, and Kevin Reich.
20-01-18 Discussion was held on authorizing the District Manager to sign all the
Cover Crop Incentive Program Contracts. Mark LaCrosse motioned to
authorize the District Manager to sign all of the Cover Crop Incentive Program Contracts. Linda Mickelson seconded the motion and the motion passed. Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson,
and Kevin Reich.
20-01-19 Discussion was held on BWSR’s Flexible Spending Policy #10-55. Mark
LaCrosse motioned to approve the BWSR Flexible Spending Policy #10-55;
the interchanging of program funds between the Water Plan Program and the Wetland Conservation Act Program if needed. Linda Mickelson
seconded the motion and the motion passed. Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson, and Kevin Reich.
20-01-20 Discussion was held on Minnesota Area Soil and Water Conservation
District Dues. Kevin Reich motioned to pay the 2020 Minnesota Area Soil
and Water Conservation District Dues in the amount of $2,503.62. Mark
LaCrosse seconded the motion and the motion passed. Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson, and Kevin Reich.
20-01-21 Discussion was held on paying Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust District
Insurance. Mark LaCrosse motioned to pay the 2020 Minnesota Counties
Mickelson seconded the motion and the motion passed. Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson, and Kevin Reich.
20-01-22 Discussion was held on the 2020 Lakes County Service Cooperative Dues.
Kevin Reich motioned to pay the 2020 Lakes County Service Cooperative
Dues in the amount of $109.00. Linda Mickelson seconded the motion and
the motion passed. Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson, and Kevin Reich.
20-01-23 Discussion was held on the IRS Mileage Rate. The IRS Mileage Rate will
decrease from $0.58 per mile in 2019 to $0.575 per mile in 2020.
20-01-24 Discussion was held on PERA Retirement. The PERA Rate will remain the
same as in 2019, with the employee contributing 6.5% and the District contributing 7.5% in 2020.
20-01-25 Discussion was held on the Capital Assets Threshold. Mark LaCrosse
motioned to increase the Capital Assets Threshold from $500.00 to
$2,500.00. Linda Mickelson seconded the motion and the motion passed.
Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson, and Kevin Reich.
20-01-26 Discussion was held on the 2020 SWCD Local Capacity Matching Funds.
Tanya informed the board that Red Lake County Commissioners approved an allocation increase of $30,000.00 for 2020.
20-01-27 Discussion was held on the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) Option 1 or
Option 2 as it relates to the WCA decision making process. Linda
Mickelson motioned to approve WCA Option 1: The SWCD Board will make
all the final decisions and the decisions are only appealable to the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR). Kevin Reich seconded the motion
and the motion passed. Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson, and Kevin Reich.
20-01-28 Linda Mickelson motioned to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 am. Mark
LaCrosse seconded the motion and the motion passed. Affirmative votes: David Miller, Mark LaCrosse, Linda Mickelson, and Kevin Reich.
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________ ___________________ Linda Mickelson, Secretary Date approved Red Lake County SWCD
