Webster County Conservation Board
Meeting Minutes

Regular meeting
January 14, 2008

The regular meeting of the Webster County Conservation Board was called to order at the Kennedy Park Reception Center on Monday, January 14, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

Board members present were:
      Kirk Seltz, Jerry Beck, Jim Eslick, Mark Thompson, Brad Luke

Staff present:
      Matt Cosgrove

Guests present:
      Noon Sertoma Members – Terry Moehnke, Terry Allers, Pam Moehnke, Dave O’Brien, Chris Behrens

New officers were appointed for 2008. Mark Thompson made a motion to appoint Eslick (Chairperson), Kirk Seltz (Vice-Chairperson), and Jerry Beck (Secretary).  Jerry Beck seconded the motion. The motion unanimously carried.

Mark Thompson made a motion to approve the minutes of the December regular board meeting as presented.  Kirk Seltz seconded the motion.  Motion unanimously carried.

Terry Moehnke, Noon Sertoma Member, discussed a plan to build a Veteran’s War Memorial. Chris Behrens, Allers Architects, gave a brief presentation on the concept and proposed an area in the Children’s Forest for the memorial.  He presented an artist’s drawing of what the area could look like with memorial trees, lighting, a concrete path, flags, and a memorial area overlooking the lake.  Moehnke presented an estimated budget of approximately $100,000, to be funded by Noon Sertoma and donations. The club hopes to begin fund-raising and start construction on the project in Spring 2008.  Mark Thompson made a motion to approve the Veteran’s Park Memorial Plan and discuss the project with the Izaac Walton League. Jerry Beck seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

The Director presented the proposed budget for 2008-09. The budget consisted of $321,031 for Administration, $249,700 for Maintenance, $95,947 for General Supplemental, $100,000 for REAP, $275,000 for the Conservation Trust Fund, and $5,000 for Supplemental Environmental Projects.  Jerry Beck made a motion to approve the budget as presented.  Kirk Seltz seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

The Board reviewed the proposed budget for the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Program for 2008-09.  The Director presented a budget of $111,247 for IRVM activities.  Mark Thompson made a motion to approve the budget as presented.  Jerry Beck seconded the motion. The motion unanimously carried.

The Board discussed policies and set fees for the 2008 season.  After reviewing fees from other counties in District 1, Mark Thompson made a motion to increase camping fees by $1.00 on all sites ($17- full hook-up, $15 – electric only, $11 – primitive sites). Brad Luke seconded the motion. The motion unanimously carried.  Brad Luke made a motion to set the cabin rental at $40/night on Sun-Thurs. and $50/night on Friday and Sat.  Mark Thompson seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

Land Acquisition Updates:

  1. Badger Lake Watershed Project - The Director invited the board to an informational meeting about the watershed project on Jan. 24th for landowners in the watershed. The Department is still working on a ½ acre donation to complete the acquisition.

  2. Miller Marsh Addition – The Director informed the board that the Habitat Grant was unsuccessful this round. The increase in land price and a reduction of acres caused the funding to be cancelled. He presented an alternate plan to continue with the restoration and cease the purchase of 18.2 additional acres.  The Director and the NRCS are meeting with the Board of Supervisors to discuss drainage and the DOT to get the new plan approved before going to bid on the project. Completion date is still set for June 30, 2008.

The Director gave a brief trail update regarding the progress of the Fort Dodge to Kennedy Park Trail. 

Additional Business

Kirk Seltz presented two checks and statements to the board for the Miller Marsh Project.  The checks were in the amount of $6,867.00 for CRP Payments and $14,664.69 for rent.  Jerry Beck made a motion to accept the payments and use the funds for the Miller Marsh Project.  Brad Luke seconded the motion.  In favor – Beck, Thompson, Luke. Seltz did not vote. The motion carried.

The Director presented a calendar of events to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Conservation Board. Staff is working on events, dates, partners, and sponsors.

Mark Thompson made a motion to pay the bills.  Jerry Beck seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

Jerry Beck made a motion to adjourn.  Kirk Seltz seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

 

Submitted by:
Matt Cosgrove, Director