The Tama County Conservation Board met in regular session on Monday, January 7, 2008, in the Nature Center library, Otter Creek Park.

Chairman Benda called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Members present were: Adolphs, Anderson, Benda and Wrage. Also present: Etzel. [Note: Adolphs to serve as acting vice-chair in Little’s absence.]

Minutes from the regular session of December 5, 2007, were read. Moved by Anderson, seconded Adolphs to approve the minutes as read, carried. (All voting aye)

The following bills were presented:

BILLS SUBMITTED, BOARD MEETING, JANUARY 7, 2008
TO BE PAID FROM GEN'L FUND
		Amount of Bill	Category Total
0001-6100-113-22-013 Health Ins- Co Share
Health Ins Fund	Etzel Family for January	1,203.08	1,203.08
0001-6100-261-22 Books, Magazines
Chicago Distribution Center	#5296415 1- "Country So Full of Game" Dinsmore	22.58	22.58
0001-6100-414-22-990 Telephone
Iowa Telecom	17Dec06, 484-2231 (office), 484-4157 (payphone)	117.37
	17Dec06, 484-5314 (shop)	58.48
Verizon	16Dec06, 484--5314 (shop)	10.78
	19Dec06, 484-4157 (payphone)	11.39
	16Dec06, 484-2231 (Office)	20.57
		218.59	218.59
0001-6110-101-22-223 Salary- Main Supervisor
Wise, Craig	14-Dec-07	1,439.20
	28-Dec-07	1,439.20
		2,878.40	2,878.40
0001-6110-101-22-224 Salary
Dolash, Ron	14-Dec-07	1,324.80
	28-Dec-07	1,324.80
		2,649.60	2,649.60
0001-6110-113-22-013 Health Ins- Co Share
Health Ins Fund	Dolash family for January	1,203.08
	Wise for January (life insurance only)	2.60
		1,205.68	1,205.68
0001-6110-253-22-050 Mt Veh- Tires
Z Line Tire & Repair	#1-45417 1- 16.5Lx16.1 10 ply tire, disposal fee	228.86	228.86
0001-6110-254-22-050 Mt Veh- Minor Repair
CQ Auto Parts	#44639 oil (12), filter	34.56
Southard Implement Co.	#02-204929 ball bearing, eccentric	24.00
	#02-204913 ball beqaring, eccentric, pressed flange	21.00
		79.56	79.56
0001-6110-290-22-050 Min Equip- hand tools
CQ Auto Parts	#45750 torx bit, tap;#45526 1/4 20 tap;#44639 T30 bit, T27 bit	19.79	19.79
0001-6110-292-22-052 Main & Supplies
Dolezal Farm Supply	#0006007 bird food for NC (sunflower, cracked corn)	23.00
Hygienic Lab	23Oct07 total coliform test- west and east well	22.00
Premier Office Equip	#41810 service agreement (Platinum) Canon IR-210S copier	39.00
Scharnweber Water Conditioning	30Nov07 Work on water system- west side- OCP- tent section
	replace curb box and two hydrants	949.70
Tama County Highway Dept	20T road salt (29Nov, 13& 26 Dec), hearing tests (31Oct07)	1136.66
Tama County Solid Waste Disposal Comm.	31Dec07 Landfill fees- December	30.80
Thomas Co.	10Dec07 replace thermocoupler @ main res- boiler	96.04
Wilkerson Hardware	#A28695 elec tape (3), cable clamp (8)	18.19
		2,315.39	2,315.39
0001-6110-430-22 LP gas
New Century FS, Inc.	6Dec07 1,200 gals LP @ $1.539/gal	1,862.40
	19Dec07 550 gals LP @ $1.569/gal	870.10
		2,732.50	2,732.50
001-6110-431-22-990 Electricity
Grundy Co REC	OCP thru 5Dec07, 5,970 KWH- meter #1, 3,630 KWH- (NC)	796.03
	Credit- patronage dividend 1986, 87, and 88	-132.88
		663.15	663.15
	Total Bills Submitted, Gen'l Budget		14,217.18
TO BE PAID FROM NATURE CENTER TRUST
0031-6120-610-22-642 Permanent Improvements
Museum Professionals, Inc.	As per contract, fourth payment- design fees 90% complete	10,500.00
	Total Bills Submitted, Nature Center Trust		10,500.00
	Total All Bills Submitted		24,717.18

Moved by Anderson, seconded Adolphs to approve bills, carried. (All voting aye).

Reports and Correspondence. Staff /Work. Etzel presented the staff report in Wise’s absence. Staff have worked on the following during December: removal of snow and ice from park roads and sidewalks, prepare memorial benches for placement in the spring, repace stolen cable at Ike’s Tract parking lot, repair floor of ’89 Dodge dump box, repair and rebuild salt spreader, 2004 JD1445 is being repaired at Southard’s for front engine seal failure, currently working on annual shop inventory, Parcel A- Hansen Addition has been signed./ Steveson donation Richard and Colleen Steveson, Toledo, have indicated they would like to donate serving trays to the Nature Center. Etzel is to research this request./Wildlife Habitat Stamp Grant Application Etzel reported that the field inspection team will be viewing Parcel B & D- Hansen Addition on Thursday, January 10, relative to the grant application that has been filed on the parcels. The grant review will be held in Des Moines on January 11.

Etzel reported that Parcel A- Hansen Addition land acquisition had been closed on December 28. Title has been transferred to Tama County on the approximately 71.28 acres. Temporary signage has been placed on the property to notify the public of the change in ownership. The Board discussed Parcel A and the management intended for the parcel. Plans for Parcel A include construction of a larger silt pond to replace the existing silt pond in the park, planting of vegetation to enhance the wildlife habitat and scenic properties, possible future road realignment and group camp/cabin area, and some wildlife food plots. Previously because of the close proximity of the main residence and the Nature Center the board had indicated the parcel would not be open to public hunting but rather would be treated as a wildlife refuge as the original acres of Otter Creek Lake and Park are. After discussion it was moved by Anderson, seconded Wrage that Parcel A be designated (and signed) as a wildlife refuge, carried. (All voting aye)

The Board discussed salaries for conservation staff for FY ’09. Etzel relayed the request made by the Board of Supervisors suggesting a 3% cost of living increase for all non-union employees. After short discussion it was moved by Adolphs, seconded Anderson that conservation staff receive a 3% cost of living increase for FY ’09. (Note: This makes the FY ’09 salaries as follows: Director: $41,846 (tentative awaiting comp board decision setting elected officials salaries), Maintenance Supervisor/Park Ranger: $18.27/hr (base) + $0.25 (longevity bonus) = $18.52/hr, Conservation Technician: $16.80/hr (base) + $0.30 (longevity bonus) = $17.10/hr

The following proposed FY ’09 budget was presented.:

2008- 2009 TAMA COUNTY BUDGET WORKSHEET					Approved by Board:
Dept Name: Conservation Dept No.: 22
					Proposed
CAPITAL PROJECTS	Actual	Actual	Budgeted	Re-estimated	Budget
Description	2005-2006	2006-2007	2007-2008	2007-2008	2008-2009
Buildings-Perm Improvmnt
001 0210 610 22 642	27,296.00	33,774	33,774	33,774	33,774
Buildings-Perm Landscape
001 0210 624 22 000
Activity Totals	27,296.00	33,774	33,774	33,774	33,774