The Tama County Conservation Board met in regular session on Wednesday, May 7 , 2008, in the main activity room, Tama County Nature Center, 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 and Wise, Paul Sleeper and Brett Reece of the Iowa DNR, and Paul Upah, Bob Tesar, Pat Johnson, Vic Bjork, Roger Zeman, and Cathy Fencl.

Minutes from the regular session of April 2, 2008, were read. Moved by Anderson, seconded Wrage to approve the minutes as read, carried. (All voting aye)

The following bills were presented:

BILLS SUBMITTED, BOARD MEETING, MAY 7, 2008
TO BE PAID FROM GEN'L FUND
		Amount of Bill	Category Total
0002-6100-113-22-013 Health Ins- Co Share
Health Ins Fund	Etzel family for May	1,203.08	1,203.08
0001-6100-400-22 Publications
Tama Grundy Publishing	Ads	58.16	58.16
0001-6100-412-22 Postage
Etzel, Robert	as per six (6) receipts	26.10	26.10
0001-6100-414-22 Telephone
Iowa Telecom	17Apr08, 484-2231 (office), 484-4157 (pay phone)	117.42
	17Apr08, 484-5314 (shop)	55.06
Verizon	16Apr08, 484-2231 (office)	18.00
	19Apr08, 484-4157 (pay phone)	11.69
	16Apr08, 484-5314 (shop)	10.88
		213.05	213.05
001-6100-422-22 School of Instruction
Etzel, Robert	Dist 1 mtg (Etzel, Wise)	14.00
	Wise- regis- Plant ID workshop	50.00
		64.00	64.00
0001-6100-480-22 Dues & Membership
IACCB	Annual dues (2008- 2009)	600.00	600.00
0001-6110-101-22-223 Salary- Main Supervisor
Wise, Craig	4-Apr-08	1,439.20
	18-Apr-08	1,439.20
		2,878.40	2,878.40
0001-6110-101-22-226 Salary- Conserv Tech
Dolash, Ron	4-Apr-08	1,328.80
	18-Apr-08	1,328.80
		2,657.60	2,657.60
0001-6110-101-22-224 Salary- seasonal
Bergmann, Sandi	4-Apr-08	20.50
Zody, John	4-Apr-08	21.00
		41.50	41.50
0002-6110-113-22-013 Health Ins- Co Share
Health Ins Fund	Wise family for May (Life Insurance)	1.25
	Dolash Family for May	1,203.08
		1,204.33	1,204.33
0001-6110-250-22-050 Mt Veh- fuels
New Century FS, Inc.	#345518 7Mar08 271 gals gasohol @ $2.6812/gl	726.59
	FET (LUST)	0.27
	State fuel tax @ $0.19 per gl	51.49
	181.7 gals dieselex #2 LS Dyed 500 ppm @ $3.1679/gl	575.61
	FET (LUST)	0.18
	Hazmat handling fee	4.07
		1,358.21	1,358.21
0001-6110-253-22-050 Mt Veh- Tires
Z Line Tire & Repair	#1-48506 tire repair (2); #1-48281 tire repair (1)	32.25	32.25
0001-6110-254-22-050 Mt Veh- Minor Repair
Central Iowa Farm Store	#62475 blades (6), elements, filters, cartridge	325.58
CQ Auto Parts	#2580-51936 washer pump ('89 Dodge_	22.39
J&V Auto Parts	#380229 cable, refrig;#380690 wiper blades (2);#379937 wiper
	motor ('89 Dodge)	188.00
Southard Implement Co.	#02-207264 link chain	28.29
		564.26	564.26
0001-6110-290-22-050 Min Equip- hand tools
Mennard's	#33201 rake handle, angle broom, housing wrench	20.83
Wilkerson Hardware	#B41457 8x8 head tamper	28.99
		49.82	49.82
0001-6110-292-22-052 Main & Supplies
Central Iowa Distributing	#31843 misc supplies (cleaning, insects, odor control)	750.50
Iowa Outdoors	3 yr subscription to Iowa Outdoors	21.00
Lab Safety Supply	#1011249821 safety glasses (frames) (4), paint	58.73
	#1011313026 paint (4)	26.00
Menard's	#33201 paint (4), misc supplies;#22285	358.48
Poweshiek Water Assoc.	Water, TFCP for Apr	34.00
Premier Office Equipment	#45414 Service agreement- Canaon 210S	39.00
Radio Communications Co.	#1788 batteries (2) for GE Ericcson hand- helds	84.71
Schade Lime & Rock, Inc.	Trucking 230.95T road stone (OCP-East) Apr 28, 29 & 30	1,616.65
Scharnweber Water Conditioning	misc supplies, blow air in lines- tent section	330.75
Sevde Fire Extinguisher	#9529 annual inspect (33), 6 yr main (3), hydro test (2), misc	186.00
Spahn & Rose Lumber	#2631334 4x6x12' treated (2); #2631747 bolts (60), misc	82.20
Tama Co Solid Waste Disp. Comm.	Landfill charges for March, April	50.00
Wendling Quarries	#336944 15.24T screenings (Wolf Creek Trail)	152.40
	#338920 153.8T 1" rd stone @ $7.50/T, 28Apr08 OCP	1,150.35
	46.77T 1" rd stone to OCP 29Apr08	350.78
	30.8T 1" rd stone to OCP 30Apr08	231.00
Wilkerson Hardware	#B39966, A31054, B40401,A32051,B42269,B42530 misc supplies	142.00
		5,664.55	5,664.55
0001-6110-430-22 LP Gas
New Century FS, Inc.	#730478 13Mar08 1,350 gals LP @ $1.569/gl	2,118.15
	LPER (300- MAIN RES;350- Trailer; 700- shop)	8.10
	Hazmat handling fee	12.15
	#730521 25Mar08 775 gals LP @ $1.569/gal (hog house)	1,215.98
	LPER	4.65
	Hazmat handling fee	6.98
		3,366.01	3,366.01
0001-6110-431-22 Electricity
Grundy Co REC	OCP thru 2Apr08, 5,960 kwh- meter #1, 3,520 kwh- NC	772.87	772.87
Total Bills Submitted, Gen'l Budget
	Total Bills Submitted		$ 20,754.19
FROM NATURE CENTER TRUST
0031-6120-292-22-072 Main & Supplies
Des Moines YMCA Camp	Env. Ed. Activity, 15Apr08, NT- 4th grade (46 students @ $8.75 ea)	402.50	402.50
0031-6120-296-22-072 Art Supplies
Wild Wilngs	misc items, Fun Nite 2008 & 2009	274.01	274.01
Total Bills Submitted, Nature Center Trust			$ 676.51
Total All Bills Submitted			$ 21,430.70

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

Reports and Correspondence. Staff /Work. Wise reported on work addressed during April./ Park Ranger Etzel reported that he is interviewing for a seasonal ranger position./TFCP Fee Collector Etzel inquired as to names of possible college age youth in the vicinity of TF Clark Park to be recruited as a fee collector for the 2008 season./Nature Center Exhibit Team Meeting The Exhibit Team is to meet on May 12 to review the draft copy of the Conceptual Design Document. Copies were provided to the board members./Environmental Education Activities Etzel will be presenting environmental education activities on the following dates during May: 12, 13, 14, 19, and 27^th.

Paul Sleeper, Fisheries Biologist, Iowa DNR, gave an update on the fishery of Otter Creek Lake. Sleeper reported there has been concern regarding the status of the fish population since gizzard shad and yellow bass entered the basin during the early to mid-1990’s. He also mentioned that other undesirable fish species present in the lake also included carp and bull head. He feels gizzard shad were either eliminated or considerably reduced during the winter of 2001.

Shocking and netting surveys of the lake during the past few years are showing a general downward trend in the body weight and length of game species such as bluegill, crappie and largemouth bass. They are also showing an increase in the yellow bass population. Sleeper indicated the DNR will continue to monitor the fish population. He indicated there are still some very nice fish in the basin however the undesirable fish are making up an increasing percentage of the total biomass.

Sleeper answered questions of those in attendance and a general discussion followed regarding timing of a possible kill down. Etzel shared information on the water quality project that was currently underway which entailed purchasing additional acres adjacent to Otter Creek Lake & Park. The project will also involve establishment of native vegetation and wetlands on these new acres to substantially reduce silt loads reaching the basin. He felt it would be wise to complete the water quality project prior to undertaking any major fishery renovation. A holistic renovation should include removal of silt, placement of new fish structure, and formation of underwater islands in addition to a total kill down and restocking of the lake. He estimated that the fishery renovation work probably would not occur before 2010 and possibly as late as 2012.

The Board thanked the interested residents who attended the meeting to discuss the issue of the Otter Creek Lake fishery.

Etzel reported to the board regarding damage to the Wolf Creek Nature Trail during recent flooding. Initial estimates generated by Etzel reflected at least $41,000 worth of damage was incurred. Etzel feels these figures, produced for Emergency Management in Tama County, are actually low as they do not refelect any funds for clean up of the debris following the flood. Also they do not take into consideration that the work will have to be contracted out because of the small staff of the conservation board.

The Board discussed the difficult task of funding repair of this magnitude from the existing budget. Concern was also shared if this magnitude of damage would continue in future years. Etzel pointed out the Supervisors provided $5,000 in the FY ’09 (starting July 1, 2008) budget for ongoing maintenance of the Wolf Creek Trail.

Recent legislative changes provide for designees of certain bodies to serve on the local REAP Committees. Prior to the legislative change the representative for the County Conservation Board had to be a member of the Board. Now the Conservation Board may appoint a designee to serve as their representative on the committee. Etzel volunteered that he would be willing to serve in this role if the board wished. After short discussion it was moved by Wrage, seconded Adolphs that Etzel serve as the designee of the County Conservation Board on the county REAP committee, carried. (All voting aye)

The Board discussed the grant application to be made for funding consideration under the State Wildlife Habitat Stamp Grant Fund. As part of the process the board needs to adopt a resolution before making application. After discussion it was moved by Anderson, seconded Wrage to adopt the following resolution, carried. (Roll call vote: Adolphs- aye, Anderson- aye, Benda- aye, Wrage- aye)

WHEREAS, the Tama County Conservation Board is interested in acquiring and/or developing wildlife habitat by means of the above-named project (Parcel D- Hansen Addition), AND Wildlife Habitat Stamp funds are required for the project, NOW THEREFORE, the Tama County Conservation Board does hereby make application for assistance, AND further agrees to abide by all the covenants of Section 110.3, Code of Iowa 1981, and Chapter 23 (290), Iowa Administrative Code, AND further certifies this resolution was officially adopted by the Tama County Conservation Board at a legal meeting held on the 7^th day of May in the year 2008 .

Relative to the grant application requesting Wildlife Habitat Stamp funds for acquisition of Parcel D, Hansen Addition, it was moved by Wrage, seconded Adolphs that Etzel shall serve as the agent for the Board in dealings with the DNR during this process, carried. (All voting aye)

The Board discussed acquiring a ¾ T, four wheel drive pickup. Etzel recommended the Board consider an extended cab to allow more room in the cab making it possible for more than two people to be transported. Etzel relayed prices from the State of Iowa contract and from Family Auto of Toledo. The Board reviewed what was contained in each bid submitted. The Family Auto bid did not include many of the specifications provided in the state bid.

Family Auto	CK20903- 2500 HD, 4x4, 3/4T, long box, regular cab	$22,750
Family Auto	CK20753, 2500 HD, 3/4T, 4x4, extended cab, short box	$26,638.65
Gabus Ford (State bid) 5 HPU 10.1	Ford, 3/4T HD, 4x4, 3/4T, extended cab, short box	$23,911

After discussion it was moved by Anderson, seconded Adolphs to purchase the Ford pickup under State of Iowa contract from Gabus Ford for $23,911, carried. (All voting aye)

After discussion of conservation topics of interest it was moved by Anderson, seconded Adolphs to adjourn, carried. (All voting aye) Adjourned 9:15 p.m.

______________________ ______________________

CHAIR VICE-CHAIR