Motion to approve the CREP field plans: Dahl/Brost.  Motion carried.

D. Boettcher presented G. Borzick with a certification of appreciation for five years of service to Chippewa County.

Item #2 - Report; Overview of 2004-2005 Engineering Projects and Service Commitments.

D. Nashold and G. Borzick presented a PowerPoint report.  The report (on file) documents the type of engineering services provided through the LCD, the number and type of projects completed by  engineering staff in 2004, and the number and type of projects which are scheduled to be completed in 2005.

Discussion focused on:

1.         The type of engineering services that are provided to encourage the installation of best management practices to improve water quality.

2.         The number of site specific stormwater management, non-metallic mine reclamation, and livestock facility plans which were reviewed to assure that state mandated standards are met.

3.         The number of public recreational facility projects which are being designed and implemented.

Additional discussion focused on the public costs and benefits of providing these services, the system used to plan and establish priorities, and the revenue sources used to cover the costs of services provided.

Item #3 - Discuss Service Needs; Review Revised Position Description; Project Agronomist.

D. Masterpole distributed and the Committee reviewed the following material:

1.         Diagram titled: Diagram Illustrating Implementation of 5 Year Staff Transition Plan Land Conservation Department, (4/13/05).  The diagram illustrates the number of LCD staff funded through county levy, service fees, and state grants from 1990 - 2006.

2.         Position description titled:  Draft revision of Chippewa County Position Description - Project Agronomist (4/20/05).

D. Masterpole reported that the Project Agronomist position (vacated 10/30/04), had been evaluated using criteria for filling vacancies, issued by the Personnel Committee (2/27/05).

Based upon this evaluation, the department has made minor modifications to the job description to:

            •Eliminate responsibilities to conduct general public information and education outreach activities.

            •Clarify existing responsibilities to:

            -Conduct farm evaluations, develop compliance status reports, and compile management options for consideration by landowners.

            -Review soil erosion, resource conservation, and nutrient management plans developed by private sector service providers.

            -Provide technical services and information to assist rural landowners to adopt management practices to protect environmentally sensitive areas.

There was general discussion regarding the roles and responsibilities of the position.  Further discussion focused on the stability of funding sources which are used to support the position (state grants/service fees). 

There was general agreement that if the position is not filled, the County will not be able to verify that public cost-share funds allocated to landowners through State contracts are properly applied, or that cropland performance standards required through local or State permits are actually met. 

Motion to recommend that the Project Agronomist position be filled and to forward the request to the Personnel Committee for consideration: Brost/Dahl.  Motion carried.

Item #5 - Review Corporate Grant Opportunity; County Stewardship Fund.

D. Masterpole provided an oral summary of a corporate matching grant opportunity which may be available through the Wal-Mart Corporation to enhance the viability of the Chippewa County Stewardship Fund. 

The LCD will develop a site specific conservation proposal for consideration by Wal-Mart and other potential project sponsors.

The next LCC meeting was scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 2005, at 8:45 a.m.

Motion to adjourn: Licht/Rineck.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 10:30 a.m.