Regular Meeting
June 9, 2008

The regular meeting of the Webster County Conservation Board was called to order at the Kennedy Park Reception Center on Monday, June 9, 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:
     None

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

The board reviewed three proposals for trail engineering from McClure Engineering, MER Engineering, and Kirkham Michael Engineering.  Following the scoring of the firms, Mark Thompson made a motion to contact McClure Engineering for a cost estimate to provide preliminary engineering and cost analysis for designing a trail from Kennedy Park to Harlan Rogers Sports Complex and to have the director contact the board members with the cost for final approval.  Jerry Beck seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

The director presented an agreement with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation that would allow INHF to acquire the property between Kennedy Park and Harlan Rogers Sports Complex for a recreational trail.  The agreement states that the county will purchase the property after receiving a grant for acquisition, engineering, and construction.  Mark Thompson made a motion to approve the agreement with the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and authorize the director to sign the agreement upon approval of the Webster County Board of Supervisors.  Brad Luke seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

The board discussed funding for the trail project.  Kirk Seltz made a motion to authorize the director to apply for State Recreational Trail Funds with the $80,000 match from the County’s REAP Funds.  Jerry Beck seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

The director presented a Recreational Needs Assessment that looks at existing facilities, future needs, and funding sources.  The board reviewed the document and suggested a few additions before final approval and presenting to the supervisors.  The board will review the final draft at the July Board Meeting.

The board reviewed staff salaries and salary schedules.  Mark Thompson made a motion to approve the salary schedules and following salaries for 2008-09: Matt Cosgrove, Director - $48,607.13, Dave Scherff, Park Ranger - $39,909, Pat Shehan, Park Ranger - $39,909, Darren Herzog, Park Ranger - $33,707.76, Karen Hansen, Naturalist - $38,312.64, Erin Ford, County/DNR Naturalist - $30,381.99, (Rural Basic) Cody Peterson, Vegetation Specialist - $33,431.48.  Brad Luke seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

Land Acquisition Updates:

Badger Lake Watershed Project – Mary Breen has donated ½ acre to the WCCB to complete the land acquisition. Water testing continues until fall. Design work will follow.

Miller Marsh – Work to begin when weather permits. Mark Thompson made a motion to pay the bills presented by Ubben and request reimbursement from Ducks Unlimited and the Webster County Soil & Water District.  Jerry Beck seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

Additional Business

The director presented a proposal from Allers Associates Architects to design a regional environmental education center.  Mark Thompson made a motion to authorize $4,000 from the Conservation Trust Fund for the project if the Friends of Webster County Conservation will match the $4,000, with preliminary design work to be completed by the WCCB 50th Anniversary Celebration.  Kirk Seltz seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

The director informed the board that the county area tour for the 50th Celebration would be scheduled, due to flooding. The last four events have been cancelled or rescheduled because of rain and flooding.

The director invited the board to the Fall IACCB Conference in Dubuque September 11 – 13, 2008.

The director presented a bill from the Messenger to create an 8-page insert to run in the paper for the 50th Anniversary for $1,210.00.  Kirk Seltz made a motion to pay the bill.  Jerry Beck seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

Jerry Beck made a motion to fix the chipper that was damaged by the Department of Natural Resources and file a tort claim for reimbursement from the DNR.  Mark Thompson seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

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

Mark Thompson made a motion to adjourn. Brad Luke seconded the motion.  The motion unanimously carried.

Submitted by,
Matt Cosgrove, Director,Webster County Conservation