CALL TO ORDER:  

A meeting of the Fremont Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners was called to order by Chairperson Darwin Bugg at 8:00 p.m. on May 1, 2007 at the USDA Building, Sidney, Iowa.

 

PRESENT:   

Commissioners:  Darwin Bugg

                              Maurice King

                              Harold Mitchell

Sheryl Sanders

Phil Wing

 

Staff:                     Brian Gross, Kevin Brannen, Lucas Forney, Eric Nelson, and Tammy Grebert

 

ADOPT AGENDA:  

                The agenda for the May 1, 2007 meeting was adopted with the following additions:

                Compliance Issues

                Visitor Center

                LWPP Applications – Larry Ratashak and John Walter

               

APPROVAL OF MARCH 6, 2007 MINUTES:

                The April 3, 2007 minutes of the Fremont Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners were approved as written.

 

APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT:

26-07     It was moved by Wing and seconded by Sanders to approve the Treasurer’s report of the Fremont Soil and Water Conservation District. Motion carried unanimously.

 

27-07     A motion was made by Sanders, seconded by Mitchell to add $10,000.00 from checking to CD80291 when it renews on May 9, 2007. Motion passed with all in favor.

 

The DSC Fund Obligation Report was reviewed.

 

BUSINESS:

Ψ       Don Spencer Project

28-07     Darwin Bugg and Brian Gross visited with Don Spencer and viewed the project site. Bugg and Gross gave a report of the findings. After discussion, a motion was made by Mitchell and seconded by Sanders to send a letter to Mr. Spencer indicating the REAP dollars are no longer available and that the project would have needed additional work done to meet specifications. Motion passed unanimously.

 

Ψ       Waubonsie Watershed Letter

29-07     Sanders made a motion to send letters to landowners in all five watersheds with watershed structures on their property reminding them of their maintenance obligations. These letters are to be sent after inspections are completed (June 1, 2007). Motion showed all in favor.

 

Ψ       June Meeting Date

                After discussion, the June meeting will be held on Monday, June 4, 2007.

 

Ψ       CDI Resolution Process

                No resolution will be sent to CDI.

 

Ψ       EPA Grant    

30-07     Wing made a motion to support the new grant opportunity with EPA at the same dollar level as was contributed in 2007. Sanders seconded the motion that passed unanimously.

 

Ψ       Promotional Items for Fair/Parade/Tours

31-07     Mitchell made a motion to allow $800.00 to purchase promotional items for the fair/parades/tours. Wing seconded the motion that showed all in favor.

 

Ψ       Educational Update

                Nelson gave an overview of the Earth Day Event held with area high school students and the tree planting project with Sidney Schools. An invitation was extended to the board to attend the Conservation Field Day event to be held on May 11, 2007 for area 5th grade students.

 

Ψ       Tree Sales Update

                An update of the 2007 tree sales was given by Nelson.

 

Ψ       Trailer Painting Update

                Fremont Mills school is working on the painting room and not able to paint the trailer until next fall.

 

Ψ       Awards

Names were discussed for 2007 awards. Decisions will be made at the June meeting.

 

Ψ       Education Outreach Center Name

32-07     Names for the Education Outreach Center were discussed. It was decided in a motion by Sanders, seconded by King to use Nishnabotna Educational Research Area as the official name. Motion carried unanimously.

 

Ψ       Poster Judging

                Posters were judged and the following received first, second and third places as indicated:

                                Bryson Duncan – 1st Place – Division 1

                                Elizabeth Lang – 2nd Place – Division 1

                                Tayte Smith – 3rd Place – Division

                                Brianna Wiertsema – 1st Place – Division 2

                                Savannah Apperson – 2nd Place – Division 2

                                Andrew Welch – 3rd Place – Division 2

                                Roni Robles – 1st Place – Division 3

                                Olivia Ware – 2nd Place – Division 3

                                Makayla Oakes – 3rd Place – Division 3 

 

SIGNED APPROVALS

       

Conservation Plans

 

John W. Steedly – t3209 – 17.6 acres

 

Carl E. Roberts Revocable Trust – t1426 – 225.3 acres

 

Wayne Andersen – t3528 – 15 acres

 

William Windhorst – t1479 – 43.8 acres

 

Barbara Kilpatrick – t423 – 141 acres

 

William E. Shaw Revocable Trust – t987 – 236.8 acres

 

Richard Walter Estate – t331 – 5 acres

 

Larry Ratashak – t1517 – 54 acres

 

Mark Costello – t334 – 110 acres

 

 

Contracts/Contract Modifications

 

Lynn Costello Inc. – t334 – 2 acres

 

Mark Costello – t6919 – 2.9 acres

 

 

Vouchers

 

Darrell Vanatta

 

 

Buffer Incentive

 

 

Maintenance Agreements

 

Kevin Aistrope

 

Warren Aistrope

 

 

Stewardship Initiative

 

 

Cooperator Agreements

 

 

Statement as to Soil Conservation Refund

 

 

Application for Impoundment Structure Property Tax Exemption

 

 

 

 

 

 MEETING ADJOURNED:  10:50 p.m.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Secretary                                                                                                               Chairman

 

 

Date Approved