CALL TO ORDER:

A meeting of the Fremont Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners was called to order by Chairperson Darwin Bugg at 7:00 p.m. on February 12, 2008 at the USDA Building, Sidney, Iowa.

 

PRESENT:   

Commissioners:  Darwin Bugg, Chairperson

                               Maurice King

                               Harold Mitchell

Sheryl Sanders

Phil Wing

 

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

 

ADOPT AGENDA:

                 The agenda for the February 12, 2008 meeting was adopted with the addition of the Old Building.

 

APPROVAL OF JANUARY 2, 2008 MINUTES:

                 After review, the minutes of the January 2, 2008 meeting of the Fremont Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners were approved as presented.

 

APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT:

07-08       It was moved by Wing and seconded by Mitchell to approve the Treasurer’s report of the Fremont Soil and Water Conservation District. Motion carried unanimously.

 

BUSINESS:

Computer Equipment

                 An interested party contacted the office to purchase the district’s computer equipment that will no longer be on the server. Prior to considering the sale of the equipment, Sanders will check with the Visitor Center to see if they are in need of a computer.

 

Watershed Inspections

                 It is time to schedule watershed inspections. Two names were suggested, Billy Forney and Brian Laughlin, to inspect the watersheds for 2008. Both individuals will be contacted to see if they are interested in doing the inspections.

 

Fire Training - Lucas          

08-08       A motion was made by Mitchell to pay $50.00 to Pottawattamie County Conservation for the registration fee for Lucas Forney to attend the fire training. Wing seconded the motion that carried unanimously.

 

National Watershed Coalition Membership

09-08       Wing made a motion, seconded by Sanders to pay the National Watershed Coalition Membership the same as was paid last year Organization/Association - $75. Motion showed all in favor.

 

Letter from IRS Regarding Taxes for March, 2007 Tax Period

                 Grebert informed the board that another letter was received from IRS regarding Form 941 for March, 2007 tax period had not being received by IRS.  The letter was taken to Kassie at Sidney Tax & Accounting. Kassie contacted IRS and sent copies of the form that was initially sent April 2, 2007.

 

WSPF Extension of Funding Request

10-08       A letter requesting an extension of the WSPF funding agreement was reviewed. Wing made a motion to send the letter to Jim Gillespie, IDAL-DSC, with a copy to Cathie Graves. King seconded the motion that carried unanimously.

 

Fremont/Mills Private Lands Conservationist Position

                 Figures were presented to fund a two year position as Private Lands Conservationist beginning July 1, 2008. Two proposals were presented: 1) Fremont County SWCD contributing 83% and Mills County SWCD 17% and 2) Fremont County SWCD contributing 100%. Gross will contact Marvin Freed, District Conservationist in Mills County, to see if their district would be satisfied with only 17% of the time in Mills County or if they can come up with additional dollars to get additional time in Mills County.

 

Scholarship Dollars

11-08       There are still scholarship recipients that have not picked up there scholarship check for 2008. Grebert received a call asking to mail the check to the recipients. After discussion, Sanders made a motion to require scholarship recipients to stop by the office and personally pick up the checks. Wing seconded the motion that carried unanimously.

 

Contractor’s Meeting - meal

12-08       Wing made a motion to pay for the meal for the contractor’s meeting. The motion was seconded by Wing and passed with all in favor.

 

Old Building

                 The contract between Grape Community Hospital and Fremont Soil and Water Conservation District to purchase the property located at 301 South Main, Sidney, Iowa was reviewed and discussed.

 

SIGNED APPROVALS

         Conservation Plans

Ryan Slater

J & J Farm Co

Thomas V. Skahill

David Luke McGargill

Justin and Larry Owens

 

Contracts/Contract Modifications        

Ryan Slater

J & J Farm Co

Thomas V. Skahill

David Luke McGargill

Justin and Larry Owens

 

         Cost-share Certification

                  James Doyle - #2313

                  James Doyle - #3487

                  Justin and Larry Owens - #2900

                  Ann Owens - #2220

                  Olson Investments LP - #286

        

         Maintenance Agreements

                  Michael Doyle - #2313

                  Mary Patricia Baran, et al - #3487

                  Justin and Larry Owens - #2900

                  Ann Owens - #2220

                  Olson Investments LP - #286

 

         LWPP Application/Amendment

                  Ryan Slater

                  Justin Owens

                  Larry Owens

 

 

         Stewardship Initiative

                 

         Cooperator Agreement

 

         Statement as to Soil Conservation Refund

                  Leota Brandt

 

         Application for Impoundment Structure Property Tax Exemption

                                 

 MEETING ADJOURNED:  9:00 p.m.

 

 

 

/s/                                                                                                                                    /s/                                                                                

Secretary                                                                                                                       Chairman

 

 

Date Approved      March 4, 2008