Regular Meeting
April 14, 2008

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

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

Staff present:
      Matt Cosgrove, Cody Peterson

Guests present:
     None

Mark Thompson made a motion to approve the minutes of the March Board Meeting as presented.  Jerry Beck seconded the motion.  Motion unanimously carried.

The board reviewed the job description for the Vegetation Specialist Position for the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Program. Mark Thompson made a motion to change Cody Peterson’s Job Description from Vegetation Technician to Vegetation Specialist to include Weed Commissioner Duties. Brad Luke seconded the motion. The motion unanimously carried.

Cody Peterson gave a brief update regarding the changes to the IRVM Program and the plans for 2008. The update included: weed complaints, bridge spraying, the spray contract with B&W Control Specialists, and new prairie plantings.

The board reviewed the Garbage Contract for Kennedy Park. Walters Sanitation submitted the only bid, in the amount of $2,659.45 per year.  The contract is for a two-year period, beginning in June of 2008.  Jerry Beck made a motion to accept the bid of $2,659.45 per year for a two-year period.  Brad Luke seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

The director presented a spreadsheet for future recreational needs for the Conservation Department.  The list included: road repairs, a warming house, shelter replacements, organized sporting equipment, bake improvements, trails, and an environmental learning center. The board advised the director to determine costs and possible funding options to include in the Conservation Board Long Range Plan.  The plan is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2008.

The director presented a 28E Agreement between the Conservation Board and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for a shared-Naturalist Position.  The contract is for a three-year period to employee a full-time Naturalist that provides environmental education in Kennedy Park, Dolliver State Park, Brushy Creek State Recreation Area, and in the parks and schools in Webster County.  The total contract cost is $45,000.00 to be split fifty percent county and fifty percent state.  Mark Thompson made a motion to approve the agreement, subject to the approval of the Board of Supervisors and the Iowa DNR.  Brad Luke seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

The board continued discussion regarding Conservation Department staffing and salaries.  Brad Luke made a motion to request a three percent increase in salaries from the Board of Supervisors and to approve the salary schedules that were presented by the Salary Committee with the additional increases coming from the Conservation Board Budget for 2008-09.  Mark Thompson seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

The director gave brief updates on land acquisition projects:

Badger Lake Watershed Improvement Project – Eric Eide is working with Mary Breen on the donation of a ½ acre.  Eide is drafting a Quit Claim Deed to transfer the property to Webster County. NRCS will begin surveying the area when weather allows.

Miller Marsh –Work will begin as soon as conditions allow.

Additional Business

The director informed the board that there is a problem with the outlet tile at Moorland Pond. Pederson Construction cannot place the riprap on the shoreline until the tile is fixed.  Mark Thompson made a motion to allow Pederson Construction to fix the tile.  Jerry Beck seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

The director presented a schedule of events to celebrate the WCCB 50th Anniversary.  The board members received an invitation to a river clean up scheduled for May 30th.
           
The director presented a request from a paddling group that is requesting permission to camp at Lost Acres on June 2, 2008.  The group is re-enacting a float from Humboldt to Des Moines that was conducted by Tac Hussey.  Mark Thompson made a motion to approve the request.  Jerry Beck seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

The director informed the board that he was contacted regarding a possible land donation near Badger.  The board discussed the property and decided to not to accept the property.

The director presented information from the Messenger regarding an insert into the paper about the 50th Anniversary of the Conservation Board.  Mark Thompson made a motion to authorize the Messenger to print the insert if the cost could be spread over two budget years.  Jerry Beck seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

Jerry Beck made a motion to approve the bills as presented.  Mark Thompson seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

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

Submitted by,
Matt Cosgrove, Director,Webster County Conservation