The Tama County Conservation Board met in regular session on Wednesday, April 2, 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, Benda, Little and Wrage. Also present: Etzel and Wise.

Minutes from the regular session of March 5, 2008, were read. Moved by Adolphs, seconded Wrage to approve the minutes as read, carried. (All voting aye)

The following bills were presented:

BILLS SUBMITTED, BOARD MEETING, APRIL 2, 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 April	1,203.08	1,203.08
0001-6100-412-22-22 Postage
Etzel, Robert	as per two (2) receipts	5.19	5.19
0001-6100-414-22-990 Telephone
Iowa Telecom	17Mar08, 484-2231 (office), 484-4157 (payphone)	117.22
	17Mar08, 484-5314 (shop)	53.89
Verizon	16Mar08, 484-2231 (office)	19.89
	19Mar08, 484-4157 (payphone)	11.52
	16Mar08, 484-5314 (shop)	10.85
		213.37	213.37
0001-6100-422-22 School of Instruction
Etzel, Robert	Regis- CCPOA Workshop- Muscatine Co.- Etzel, Wise	20.00	20.00
0001-6110-101-22-223 Salary- Main Supervisor
Wise, Craig	7-Mar-08	1,439.20
	21-Mar-08	1,439.20
		2,878.40	2,878.40
0001-6110-101-22-226 Salary
Dolash, Ron	7-Mar-08	1,328.80
	21-Mar-08	1,328.80
		2,657.60	2,657.60
0001-6110-113-22-013 Health Ins- Co Share
Health Ins Fund	Wise family for April	1.25
	Dolash Family for April	1,203.08
		1,204.33	1,204.33
0001-6110-290-22-050 Min Equip- hand tools
Pamida	#340403 broom	6.70	6.70
0001-6110-292-22-052 Main & Supplies
Auto Glass Center	#4644183 Windshield- '95 Chevy Pickup	254.68
Barco Products Co.	#020801141 Smoker's outpost, rugs, planters for NC	727.25
Grainger	#9591368049 canvas tarp, squeegee	78.35
Pamida	#340403 batteries, coffee, towels, dish clloths, cat food	28.76
Premier Office Equip.	#43571 Premier Monthly Plan, Canon IR-210S copier	39.00
Rapids Wholesale Equip. Co.	#0678639 1.9L coffee pots (5), Utiility cart for NC	261.83
Tama County Highway Dept.	22Feb08 4.2T road salt @ $54.55/T, 2 copies of county road maps	239.11
Thomas Mfg. Co.	#00119484 XTH/G-6FR/E ADA(3) frame only, XT/G-8FR (2) frameonly	1,129.72
		2,758.70	2,758.70
0001-6110-431-22 Electricity
Grundy Co REC	OCP thru 5Mar08, 6,120 kwh- meter #1, 7,020 kwh- NC	935.58	935.58
Total Bills Submitted, Gen'l Budget			11,882.95
FROM NATURE CENTER TRUST
0031-6120-292-22-072 Main & Supplies
My Mother's Place	Fun Nite (29Mar08), 179 adults catered meals @ $8.25/meal	1,476.75
	9 children @ $5 ea	45.00
Outdoor Recreation Products	#5854 Du-mor bench (2) 98-62C (Coleman)	1,726.00
Rapids Wholesale Equip. Co.	#0679210 6 cs (24/cs) 12" x 16" cafeteria trays @ $39.99/cs	239.94
Thomas Mfg. Co.	#00119484 OWRB/P/G-6CO (2) benches- Sevcik, Vest	1,078.28
		4,565.97	4,565.97
0031-6120-296-22-072 Art Supplies
Wild Wings	#99182, #98641 Items for Fun Nite	1,921.98
Zach Wildlife Art	#51401 Dream Bucks II, Winter Pair Juncos (matted & framed)	345.00
		2,266.98	2,266.98
Total Bills Submitted, Nature Center Trust			$ 6,832.95
Total All Bills Submitted			$ 18,715.90

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

Reports and Correspondence. Staff /Work. Wise reported that March work included repair and construction of picnic tables, assembling memorial benches, preparation for Fun Nite, repair of Manatt’s Landing sign (vandalism), painting ceiling of Nature Center display room, replacing thermostat in Nature Center basement, and evaluation of damage to Wolf Creek Nature Trail./ Whitetails Unlimited Contribution Etzel reported the Tama County Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited had presented a $2,000 check to the Conservation Board. $1,500 is for use to enhance habitat on existing county areas and the remaining $500 is for use by the Tama County Hunter Safety Program./Meeting- Hansen Addition to Otter Creek Lake and Park. During March Etzel had met with Rick Trine, Wildlife Biologist and Joe Herring, District Forester, both for the Iowa DNR on site to discuss ideas for habitat enhancements on the addition. Trine and Herring will assist Ettzel in making plans for the site. Etzel had also met with representatives of the Tama County Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited to bring them up to speed on the project./Crop Lease- Hansen Addition The three year lease for 14.93 acres in Parcel A had been signed and payment received for the current crop year./Fun Nite Financial breakdown for the fundraiser will be forwarded to board members when complete. It was reported that donations from Lennox Industries ($250) and Thrivent Financial ($500) are anticipated in support of the Fun Nite event./Rain Gutter (warehouse) It was reported the rain gutter and down spout on the west side of the warehouse was ripped from the building by sliding ice this winter (60’). Wise recommended replacing the gutter with a 6” gutter including downspout. Based on preliminary estimates the work will cost about $250- $400.

Graphic images made for use at the Fun Nite fundraiser by Janet Danek, designer, for the Nature Center Exhibits, were reviewed by the board members. Etzel fielded questions.

Camp fees for 2008 were discussed. Concern was voiced by Adolphs regarding substantial increases in utility rates by Traer Municipal Utilities (TF Clark Park). It was Adolphs’ understanding that increases may be forthcoming from other utilities also. After considerable discussion it was moved by Little, seconded Adolphs that camp fees for the 2008 camp season shall remain the same as 2007, carried. (All voting aye) [Note: The board agreed that if electrical rates change substantially that this topic may be revisited later in the camp season.]

ALL RATES ARE PER ADULT LIVING UNIT PER NIGHT. Rates for 2008 camp season are as follows:

Facility	Electrical Units	Tents w/o electrical	Tents w/electric
Otter Creek Lake & Park	$15	$9	$10
TF Clark Park (all units)	$5
	21 Day Book	14 Day Book	7 Day Book
Otter Creek Lake Only (Camp coupons)	$252	$182	$98

After discussion of conservation topics of interest it was moved by Wrage, seconded Adolphs to adjourn, carried. (All voting aye) Adjourned 8:25 p.m.

______________________ ______________________

CHAIR VICE-CHAIR