CALL TO ORDER & ATTENDANCE: Chairman Ronald Buentemeier called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. in the conference room.
Members present: Ronald Buentemeier, Chairman; Mark Siderius, Vice Chairman; Ken Meckel, Secretary/Treasurer; Pete Woll, Supervisor; Dan Bangeman, Supervisor; being a quorum of the Board. Members not in attendance: Frank De Kort, Supervisor. Absence is excused:
Also in attendance were: Marc Spratt, Associate Supervisor; Patti Mason and Ginger Kauffman, FCD staff; Angel Rosario, NRCS; Sean Conrad, City of Kalispell-Planning; Eric Mulcahy, City of Columbia Falls.
MINUTES: Discussion held. Dan Bangeman made a motion “to approve the minutes of the meeting January 9, 2012, 310-meeting as amended, to add information that John Muhlfeld attended the meeting, submitted Trumbull Creek assessment and answered questions.” Ken Meckel seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Email from Jeff Tiberi – Elk Brucellosis Working Group meeting, Thursday, January 26, 1:00 PM at MT FW&P office, Bozeman, 1400 S. 19th St.
2. City of Whitefish Notice of public hearing on the Resolution of Intention to modify the boundaries of Urban Renewal District to include a blighted area in need of re-development and rehabilitation.
3. Flathead River Commission 2012 meeting dates. All meetings are held in the Earl Bennett Building conference room A&B, second floor.
4. Robert’s Rules of Order on-line training, February 29, 10:00 A.M. to noon. Cost is $77.
5. Email from Jeff Tiberi regarding Cooperative Projects
6. EPA January Watershed News
- EPA & partners release “Climate Change Handbook for Regional Watershed
Planning” to assist water managers to plan for climate change.
- The www.epa.gov/recoverypotential/ website provides a technical assistance tool for surface water quality protection and restoration programs
- Federal Geographic Data Committee launches Geospatial platform website making it possible for users to create customized maps, or to integrate their own data into maps.
9. Newsletter from National Watershed Coalition, January 2012 issue
FINANCIAL: The following bills were reviewed:
1. Blue Cross Blue Shield $3087.31
2. Byte Savvy $225.00
3. CenturyLink $275.71
4. MACD $7000.00
5. VISA $2172.99
Ken Meckel made a motion “to approve the bills as presented.” Marc Siderius seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT: No one was present to comment on items not on the agenda.
CITY OF KALISPELL: Sean Conrad, City of Kalispell Planning Dept., presented the Kalispell Future Land Use map, stated that the city is starting an update of its growth policy, and is meeting with Kalispell City Boards, Rural Fire Departments, School Districts, county boards and others . He asked if the Flathead CD had issues, concerns or comments as the city updates the growth policy.
The board stated:
- The 1945 CD boundaries need to be on the map, and compared with the City boundaries. Areas outside of the 1945 boundary are still under the CD’s jurisdiction, and landowners get conflicting information regarding permits that are needed and who has jurisdiction when areas are annexed in to the city. The board suggested the city review the CD Adopted Rules so there is no conflict between the CD and City of Kalispell permits.
- Floodplain and ACOE permits need to be taken into consideration. (CD offices were notified by DNRC & ACOE that emergency sandbagging also requires a permit. The CD has an emergency permit, but the ACOE does not.)
- Stormwater and roof runoff (rain gutters) increase slumps along streams and bluffs. I.E. The bluff area above River View Green (and continuing both north and south) is a good example of slumping. Other local homes that were built too close to the top of the banks, putting extra weight on the banks, where gutters, stormwater, sprinkler systems, paved driveways, manmade ponds, and hot tubs drained down the banks – have caused those homes to slide down into the streams (Stillwater River, Ashley Creek and others).
310:
SAPA, FL2011028C, Trumbull Creek, complaint/technical review: Ronald Buentemeier excused himself and sat in the audience. Mark Siderius took over as acting Chairman. Discussion held. Mark Siderius made a motion “to send a letter to Mr. Sapa stating that the 310 violation will be on the February 310-meeting, there will be action taken, and invite him to attend.” Ken Meckel seconded. Motion carried unanimously. Ronald Buentemeier abstained from voting, and returned to the Chairman’s seat.
BUSINESS
NRCS REPORT: Angel Rosario reported:
EQUIP (Environmental Quality Incentive Program)
- Completed 15 payments and modifications, and 4 contract cancellations in Dec./Jan. period.
- 19 applications for 2012 funding have been received.
- Completing cost estimates and ranking for 2012 applications.
- Have not received county allocation yet for 2012.
WRP (Wetland Reserve Program)
- One active application in process.
- Two final payments processed for practices completed (tree planting and ditch plug).
Other
- Budget reductions and office closures
- 12% reduction ($3 billion) on USDA budget
- 250 proposed USDA office closures nationwide (no NRCS office affected in MT.)
- $20 million approved for EQIP in MT ($3 million reduction from last year).
- Snow Report
RC REPORT: Larry Van Rinsum submitted the following report:
1. The district is in discussions with Mark Lorang to pull together all the data on the lower Flathead River into a comprehensive report or “state of the river” report. Patti Mason and I plan to meet with Mark this week and “hammer out the details”.
2. The Montana Water Impact Mitigation Program is showing modest interest with some districts, but many are asking for a presentation to better understand the program before committing. I will work with Jeff Tiberi, MACD, to figure out the best way to convey what is expected of a district if they participate.
3. I attended the Compact Commission meeting in Polson on November 30th. Very little to report about, the technical teams are working out details for an agreement.
4. I met with Peter Steele, Flathead County Attorney’s office, on a variety of 310 and administrative issues.
5. Additional funding has been made available to the district for further research into Trumbull Creek. ($3000–$5000)
6. I attended the River to Lake meeting on December 14. The group is continuing to work on a new communication plan to better reach landowners and raise their name recognition in the community.
7. I attended the TMDL update meeting on January 17th. I met the following day with Ron Steg, formerly of EPA and now a consultant with Tetra Tech. He is trying to gather as much information as possible for the TMDL model. The next meeting will be a technical group gathering in February. EPA and DEQ have requested that we host a tour of the lower Flathead River to examine how erosion is happening and the scale of the problem.
8. The Trumbull Creek technical review is complete. The next step will entail meeting with Mr. Sapa, reviewing the findings, and deciding what “next steps” will be taken to satisfy the violation.
9. I have had a series of meetings with AE2S on the topic of nutrient trading. Conservation Districts are the logical entity to implement and manage the program. Essentially, point source polluters will have to work with an entity that can do restoration/enhancement projects. This is only in the formative stages, so further discussion with the FCD board will be needed.
10. AE2S is developing the scope of work for the 319-grant with the Flathead River Commission. They will be creating a presentation to explain how the TMDL program will impact ag/forestry operations in the valley. It (the program) will additionally be tailored for landowners who have property near water.
OUTREACH & WATERSHED REPORT: Patti Mason reported:
Education
1. Field Guide to Outdoor Education Sites in NW Montana. This is an old publication of Flathead Community of Resource Educators. It is being updated. A subcommittee of CORE was formed to work on this, which met on 12/6 and 12/8. I looked at what is out there from other works of a similar nature, and helped put together an organizational framework for the information we want to include, and a priority list of sites. The intention is to put it on the CORE website, and also produce some hard copies to distribute to local teachers.
2. Flathead Community of Resource Educators (CORE) general meeting was held 1/19. As yet, the website is still not up and running. We are looking into some things before we commit to being involved with the Earth Day activities at Depot Park this year. We will be conducting a workshop on 10/18 that will be a combination PLT/Trunk workshop with a Reconnecting Children to Nature theme. This is a preconference workshop requested by the State Association for Early Childhood Education. Their conference runs 10/19-20.
3. Get Out. Work has begun to try to organize another peer mentoring field experience for Flathead High School, Fair-Mont-Egan Elementary and Montessori middle school.
Outreach
1. Montana Watershed Coordination Council (MWCC). I was asked by several people at convention if I would be willing to be on the Education and Outreach committee of MWCC. It is possible to participate in the quarterly meetings via conference calls.
2. MACD conference call. I participated in a “post-mortem” discussion on the Area V meeting. FCD staff brought up 3 main points. I spoke on the confusion about the project activity we worked on at the meeting, and its subsequent grant application.
3. NW MT Fair. Do we want to reserve a fair booth this year? Discussion held. Patti Mason will contact the fairgrounds to see if Resource booths can be co-located, and bring the information back to the board.
Watershed Coordination
1. Flathead River planning grant. I have been in communication with Mark Lorang about the project, and would like some clarification from the board. I also participated in a conference call about the grant with DNRC on 1/9. Discussion held. Ronald Buentemeier requested that Larry Van Rinsum call him when he returns to work. The board directed Larry and Patti to put together what is being proposed and emailed to the FCD board for quick “turn around”, as this needs to get done right now. Mark Lorang, Yellow Bay, is asking for information so he can put it on his work schedule and DNRC wants the application now.
2. TMDL. I attended the 1/17 update meeting on the Flathead Lake basin model. I sent Jim Bond a copy of the map that Mark Lorang produced showing where all the erosion is occurring on the lower Flathead, as it sounded like this would be useful information to them.
3. Haskill Basin Watershed Council (HBWC). I prepared and submitted a grant application to the Future Fisheries Improvement Program for funding for the Reimer restoration. I traveled to Helena to present the project to the Commission on 1/5 and was funded in full.
I worked with Andy Hyde, of Carver Engineering, to do a review of the Whitefish Water Treatment Plant relative to current operating procedure. He produced a report that was shared with HBWC, which met on 1/11. John Phelps met with John Wilson (Public Works Director). He will be attending the next HBWC meeting on 2/8 to discuss Andy Hyde’s comments and update us on improvements to the Whitefish water intakes.
FLATHEAD COUNTY PLANNING BOARD REPORT: No report.
FLATHEAD BASIN COMMISSION (FBC) REPORT: Dan Bangeman reported the next meeting is February 15. Dan has been placed on the Monitoring Committee, which will meet 3-5PM February 14th, place to be determined. There has been discussion regarding if the Basin Commission is still needed. Dan asked if the FCD board had any comments:
1. AIS leadership should come from a statewide organization, not the FBC.
2. FBC is not productive, agencies are not showing up to the meetings, nothing is getting done on the ground, work plan is not followed or specific products identified, definite direction is needed.
MACD REPORT: Pete Woll reported that 6-7 people will be attending the NACD, as five of the seven proposed resolutions are on the NACD agenda.
WHITEFISH CITY-COUNTY PLANNING BOARD: Ken Meckel reported a meeting was held January 19th; the agenda included:
1. A request on behalf of Greg Carter for a Conditional Use Permit to allow a parking lot associated with a professional office building at 307 Spokane Avenue. The proposed parking lot is in WR-4 (Multi-Family Residential) zoning district.
In a 5 to 3 decision, the board recommended approval after revising the lot to fewer spaces and expanding the landscaping requirements.
2. A request by the City to modify the Urban Renewal Plan and the tax increment district boundaries to include the Whitefish High School. This involves using TIF funds for a renovation of the High School. This passed unanimously.
FLATHEAD RIVER COMMISSION: Mark Siderius reported Todd Tillinger, ACOE, met with the commission at the last meeting. Discussion included a blanket permit for bank stabilizations projects on the lower river system, a study of the lower river system, mitigation, funding, studies done by Mark Lorang (Yellow Bay), a field trip on the lower river, biological assessments, the lake effect on the lower river, and ACOE permits on rivers that were deemed for commerce.
CLARK FORK TASK FORCE: Marc Spratt reported meetings were held December 5 and January 23; discussions included the CSKT compact, formal solicitation process to hire the coordinator, organization and legislative issues. March 11-17 is Groundwater Awareness week – Marc asked Patti Mason if she could do some outreach on this. Marc also encouraged the CD to look into Timber certification.
NEW BUSINESS
BUDGET: Ginger Kauffman reviewed the handouts of the Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss (P&L) Sheets, ending December 2011 with the FCD board. The P&L Budget Performance/General Budget Items sheet and the P&L Budget Performance/Grants sheet ending December 2011 were also handed out.
RECORDS DISPOSAL: Discussion held. Dan Bangeman made a motion “to approve the Request for Records Disposal and send into the Department of Administration.” Ken Meckel seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
MWCC EDUCATION & OUTREACH COMMITTEE: Discussion held. Ken Meckel made a motion “to approve Patti Mason serving on the MWCC education & outreach committee for one year.” Mark Siderius seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
STORMWATER CERTIFICATION TRAINING: Keith Ouzts, Training & Education Director of the Montana Contractors’ Association contacted Patti Mason regarding sponsorship for the SWPPP Administrator Certification Training program that will be held in conjunction with the MT Stormwater conference. Discussion held. Mark Siderius made a motion “to approve $1000 for the Montana Contractors Association for the MT Stormwater certification training.” Pete Woll seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
MACD CONVENTION ISSUES DISCUSSION: The MACD board asked Jeff Tiberi to survey the conservation districts regarding possible changes to the annual MACD. This will be placed on the February 310-meeting agenda to give the FCD board time to review the issues listed.
PERSONNEL POLICY UPDATES: Discussion held. Ken Meckel made a motion “that by attachment of these minutes to the personnel policy, the Vice-Chairman will be responsible for the day-to-day personnel matters and the performance evaluation of the Resource Conservationist for a one-year trial period.” Dan Bangeman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
Discussion held regarding breaks and lunches. Mark Siderius made a motion “to table the discussion on hours of work until the February business meeting.” Dan Bangeman seconded. Motion carried unanimously.
MATTERS OF THE BOARD/STAFF:
- Signers for next payroll
- Bank stabilization techniques discussion
The next 310-meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 13, 2012, 7:00 P.M. in the conference room of the USDA building at 133 Interstate Lane, Kalispell, MT.
ADJOURNMENT: Dan Bangeman made a motion “to adjourn.” Ken Meckel seconded. Motion carried unanimously. As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 P.M.
Submitted By:
Ginger Kauffman, Administrator
Minutes approved by FCD Board motion made on:
_2/13/2012_____ ____Ronald Buentemeier_____________ ___Chairman____________________
(Date) (Signature) (Title – Chairman, Vice-Chairman, etc.)