CALL TO ORDER:  

A meeting of the Fremont Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners was called to order by Chairperson Phil Wing at 8:00 p.m. on May 5, 2009 at the USDA Building, Sidney, Iowa.

 

PRESENT:   

Commissioners:  Mark Kilpatrick, Sheryl Sanders, Phil Wing

 

Staff:                     Lucas Forney, Brian Gross, Tammy Grebert

 

Guest:                   Brian Ettleman

 

ADOPT AGENDA:  

The agenda for the May 5, 2009 meeting was approved as presented

 

APPROVAL OF APRIL 7, 2009 MINUTES:

27-09     Sanders made a motion to approve the minutes of the April 7, 2009 meeting of the Fremont Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners. The motion was seconded by Kilpatrick and approved with all in favor of the motion.

 

APPROVAL OF TREASURER’S REPORT:

28-09     It was moved by Sanders and seconded by Kilpatrick to approve the Treasurer’s report of the Fremont Soil and Water Conservation District. Motion carried unanimously.

 

BOARD DEVELOPMENT

                Gross gave a presentation on the tolerance value of soils in Fremont County

 

BUSINESS:

Ř       Watershed Maintenance – Brian Ettleman

29-09     Ettleman presented a total bill for the maintenance work on Ledgewood Watershed. He said he is not quite finished but could have the project complete tomorrow (Wednesday, May 6, 2009). Ettleman also asked for an extension of two to three weeks to finish the work on Hound Dog. Hound Dog will be complete and a bill presented at the June meeting. Ettleman stated he was to have pins removed from his knee and would not be able to complete Hamburg Watershed maintenance work until fall, 2009. Sanders made a motion to present the bill for Ledgewood to the County Supervisors for payment; to extend the deadline for completion of the maintenance work on Hound Dog Watershed by three weeks (Ettleman to present a bill at the June, 2009 meeting) and to grant an extension to Fall 2009 to complete the work on Hamburg Watershed.  Kilpatrick seconded the motion that showed all in favor.

 

Ř       Tolerance Value

                Gross reviewed the proposed changes by the national office of T values in Fremont County.

 

Ř       Additional Help for Terrace Layout

                Gross made a request for additional help to layout terraces, mid September to mid December.  Grebert is  to work up estimated costs and options and present them at another meeting.

 

Ř       A-200 Hamburg Watershed

                Information was not available for the meeting and will be presented at a later date.

 

Ř       Donation to CDI Annual Conference Scholarship Program

30-09     Kilpatrick made a motion to donate $50.00 in beef certificates to the CDI Annual Conference Scholarship Program. Sanders seconded the motion and passed with all in favor.

 

Ř       CDI Letter – Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund

                A letter was received from Conservation Districts of Iowa/Deb Ryun requesting support for the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. This fund, if passed by the citizens of Iowa, would provide a much needed permanent and constitutionally protected funding source for conserving and enhancing water quality and soil conservation, and natural areas in this state, including parks, trails, fish and wildlife habitat. The trust fund was approved by Iowa legislators in 2008 and 2009. In November, 2010 Iowans will have an opportunity to vote in support of the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. Financial funds are needed to implement a message-driven campaign plan that includes research, grassroots outreach and direct voter contact through various communication channels and direct mail. The financial support will ensure voters have the information they need to vote yes in November 2010.  

 

Ř       Bulk Mailing Renewal

                Sanders made a motion to renew the bulk mailing permit in the amount of $180.00 if additional 1-M funds become available.  The motion was seconded by Kilpatrick and passed unanimously.

 

Ř       Response Letter to Carl Leffingwill

                The response letter to Carl Leffingwell was reviewed. It will be sent to Leffingwell.

 

Ř       Grape Community Hospital Annual Golf Tournament Donation Request

Died for lack of motion

 

Ř       Donation to Practical Farmers of Iowa

                Died for lack of motion

 

Ř       Poster Contest

                The posters were judged. Awards will be given as in the past and the first place winners will advance to the regional competition.

 

June Meeting Date will be changed back to Tuesday, June 2, 2009 – Gross will not be on leave.

                               

 

SIGNED APPROVALS

        Conservation Plans

Richard J. Faust

SWETT LLC

 

Contracts/Contract Modifications          

                Leeka Farms, Inc.

                Ambrose Doyle

                Leeka Farms, Inc.

                John Rohwer, Steve Douglas, Denise Rohwer

                John Walter, Dorothy Walter Funnel Trust

                McIntyre Family Limited Ptn

                Walter Wolford Farms, Dorothy Walter Funnel Trust, Robert Wolford Revocable Trust

                Walter Wolford Farms, Dorothy Walter Funnel Trust, Robert Wolford Revocable Trust

 

        Cost-share Certification

                Shirley B Inc.

                John Scott

                Vern Lightfoot

                Olson Investments (from April Meeting, did not get signed)                                     

 

        Maintenance Agreements

                Shirley B Inc.

                John Scott

                Vern Lightfoot

                Olson Investments (from April Meeting, did not get signed)

 

        Buffer Initiative

                                               

        Stewardship Initiative

               

        Cooperator Agreement

 

        Statement as to Soil Conservation Refund

               

        Application for Impoundment Structure Property Tax Exemption

               

        Information Items

  • 5th Grade Conservation Field Day – May 8, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
  • Next Meeting – June 2, 2009, 7:00 p.m.

 

MEETING ADJOURNED:  9:50 p.m.

 

 

 

                /s/                                                                                                                           /s/                                                          

Secretary                                                                                                               Chairperson

 

Date Approved    June 2, 2009