The Tama County Conservation Board met in regular session on Wednesday, December 3, 2008, in the main activity room, Tama County Nature Center, Otter Creek Park.

 

Chairman Benda called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.. Members present were: Adolphs, Anderson, Benda, and Wrage. Also present: Etzel, Kendall Jordan, Larry Vest and Dan Wilkens.

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

The following bills were presented:

BILLS SUBMITTED, BOARD MEETING, DECEMBER 3, 2008

TO BE PAID FROM GEN'L FUND

 

 

 

 

 

Amount of Bill

Category Total

0001-22-6100-000-26100 Magazines, Books

 

 

 

Traer Star Clipper

1 yr subscription- Star Clipper

41.60

41.60

0001-22-6100-000-40000 Off Publ/Legal Notice

 

 

 

Tama/Grundy Publishing

#0140312   5K camp fee receipt envelopes

390.00

390.00

0001-6100-412-22 Postage

 

 

 

Etzel, Robert

As per two (2) receipts

26.76

 

Tama/Grundy Publishing

shipping- Grainger

8.94

 

 

 

35.70

35.70

0001-6100-413-22 Employee Mileage

 

 

 

Adolphs, Carolyn

For 2008, 504 mi @ $0.37/mi

186.48

 

Anderson, Eugene

For 2008, 165 mi @ $0.37/mi

61.05

 

Benda, Roger

For 2008, 170 mi @ $0.37/mi

62.90

 

Little, Jim

For 2008, 75 mi @ $0.37/mi

27.75

 

Keenan, John

For 2008, 68 mi @ $0.37/mi

25.16

 

Wrage, Nathan

For 2008, 504 mi @ $0.37/mi

186.48

 

 

 

549.82

549.82

0001-6100-414-22 Telephone

 

 

 

Iowa Telecom

17Nov08, 484-2231 (office), 484-4157 payphone

116.88

 

 

17Nov08,  484-5314 (shop)

55.00

 

Verizon

16Nov08, 484-2231 (office)

18.54

 

 

19Nov08, 484-4157 (payphone)

11.69

 

 

16Nov08, 484-5314 (shop)

10.44

 

 

 

212.55

212.55

0001-6100-422-22  School of Instruction

 

 

 

Etzel, Robert

19Nov08 Parking while attending ISAC in Johnston

8.00

8.00

0001-6110-101-22-223 Salary- Main Supervisor

 

 

 

Wise, Craig

14-Nov-08

1481.60

 

 

28-Nov-08

1481.60

 

 

 

2963.20

2963.20

0001-6110-101-22-226 Salary- Conservation Tech

 

 

 

Dolash, Ron

14-Nov-08

1368.00

 

 

28-Nov-08

1368.00

 

 

 

2736.00

2736.00

0001-6100-250-22-050 Mt Veh- fuels

 

 

 

New Century FS, Inc.

17Oct08 #347084  268.4 gals unleaded gasohol @ $2.7195/gl

729.91

 

 

FET (LUST)

0.27

 

 

State MFT gasohol @ $0.19 per gal

51.00

 

 

DX Gold Dyed B5 15 ppm @ $3.4487/gal

482.82

 

 

FET (LUST)

0.14

 

 

HazMat Material Handling fee

3.81

 

 

soy biodiesel- 15.0 gals @ $3.4487/gal

51.73

 

 

FET (LUST)

0.02

 

 

 

1319.70

1319.70

0001-6110-254-22-050 Mt Veh- Minor Repair

 

 

 

J&V Auto Parts

#388698 hose end, oil absorb

17.36

 

 

#388763 fuel fil, hyd fil, trans fil (Ford 5600), solvent

32.29

 

 

#388028 oil fil (2),fuel fil (2), oil, gear oil (Galion)

169.28

 

 

#388507 air fil (2) JD 4030, lamp, reflectors (4)

86.69

 

Southard Implement Co.

#216333 oil fil, fuel fil, 15W40+50 (JD 4030)

81.37

 

 

#216378 bal (12), o-ring (2), kit, lubrication (2) JD 4030

27.59

 

 

#215359 hose fit (2), fiitting (2), 1/2" hyd hose (IH 4900)

37.92

 

 

#215351 Replace gear box (Land Pride Mower)

505.11

 

 

 

957.61

957.61

0001-6110-290-22-050 Min Equip- hand tools

 

 

 

J&V Auto Parts

#388763 socket 3/4"

3.77

3.77

0001-6110-292-22-052 Main & Supplies

 

 

 

Chyma's Welding

#27433 weld bracket

10.00

 

Dolezal Farm Supply

#0014934 straw bales (12) @ $4.50 ea

54.00

 

Fastenal

#IAMAR82623 disp cups, Nat pump gal w/grit (4)

91.52

 

Iowa DNR

Wildlife Salvage Permit- three years

15.00

 

Iowa Fire Equip Co

#210854 repair alarm;#210548 ann inspec, #210855 credit memo

202.50

 

Menard's

#62625 sealant, lock set

25.31

 

Poweshiek Water Supply

Water- TFCP for November (21Nov08 meter read)

34.00

 

Schade Lime & Rock

Trucking 89.11 T stone to McCoy, Manatt's & IA River Nat Area (FEMA)

483.65

 

Scharnweber Water Cond

31Oct08 Replace two hydrants in elec camp section (C'Hill & Beach)

659.20

 

Tama County Solid Waste Disposal Comm.

Landfill charges for November

47.40

 

Tama County Treasurer

for returned check- camping  Jeffrey or Kathy A. Anderson

75.00

 

 

 

1697.58

1697.58

0001-22-6110-000-43000 LP Gas

 

 

 

New Century FS, Inc.

#730918, 4Oct08  1200 gals LP gas @ $2.109/gl

2548.80

2548.80

 

Main res= 300, trailer=300; shop=425; showerhouse= 175

 

 

0001-22-6110-000-43100 Electricity

 

 

 

Grundy Co REC

OCP thru 5Nov08, 7,670 KWH- meter #1

638.08

 

 

1,030 kwh- meter #2 (NC)

44.29

 

 

security light charge

18.00

 

 

main. Light charges

96.00

 

Traer Municipal Utilities

TFCP thru 12Nov08, 388 KWH

90.99

 

 

 

887.36

887.36

 

 

 

 

 

Total Bills Submitted, Gen'l Budget

14,351.69

 

 

 

 

TO BE PAID FROM LAD Account

 

 

 

0027-0210-600-22 Land Acquisition

 

 

 

Hansen, Louisa E.

As per offer to buy, acquire 51.82 acres in Sec. 30,T84N, R14W of the 5th PM

119035.72

 

 

Total Bills Submitted, LAD Account

119,035.72

 

 

 

 

 

Total All Bills Submitted

133,387.41

 

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

 

Reports and Correspondence. Staff /Work. Etzel reported on work projects during November. Work included shutting down facilities in preparation for winter and equipment repair./ Fish Habitat Grant Application A grant application had been filed for a 3.6 acre silt pond to be located in Parcel A- Hansen Addition. If successful the county share of the $36,800.00 estimated project cost would be $3,680. The grants will be scored during January./Hansen Addition- Parcel B It is anticipated that closing on Parcel B- Hansen Addition will occur around December 20. Etzel reminded those in attendance that a Wildlife Habitat Stamp Grant had been awarded in the amount of $88,427.00. This grant will make the county share $30,608.72 of the $119,035.72 acquisition cost./15 Mile Grove Wrage reported that attempts are still being made to find a person (or persons) that can step in to save the property from being cleared. By purchasing the ground and placing a conservation easement on the tract a person could receive significant State and Federal Tax incentives depending on their financial situation. Etzel shared they have been receiving assistance from the staff of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. Board members were encouraged to spread the word and to share the urgency of the attempt to save this historically and naturally significant parcel. Any interested person should contact Etzel or the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation immediately./Wolf Creek Nature Trail- Repair Estimate  Etzel relayed a quote submitted by Peterson Contractors, Inc. for repair work on the Wolf Creek Nature Trail near Gladbrook. Estimates show a cost of $84,231.50 to perform the work. He pointed out that the estimate did not include repair of damage that was inflicted on the far west end of the trail. That portion of the trail does not qualify for FEMA assistance. That work would raise the cost of repair to nearly $92,000. Etzel will be working with FEMA officials to determine how much they will cover before proceeding further on the work.

 

The Conservation Board (CCB) welcomed newly elected County Board of Supervisors Dan Wilkens (Montour) and Kendall Jordan (Toledo) as well as current Supervisor Larry Vest (Traer). An AV presentation and notebooks with information was shared with the gentlemen to help orient them to the history of the CCB, ongoing programs and facilities, and future challenges for conservation in Tama County. A question and answer period followed.

 

A camping revenue report was shared with the Board comparing camper nights and camping revenues generated during the summers of 2005- 2008. It was apparent the extremely wet weather and area wide flooding encountered during May and June of 2008 had a substantial negative impact on camping. However, in July and August an increase in folks coming to the campgrounds was noticed.

Otter Creek Lake & Park

Camping Revenues & Camper Nights Comparison

 

2008

2007

2006

2005

Month

Camper Nights

$

Camper Nights

$

Camper Nights

$

Camper Nights

$

April

0

0

213

695

331

1034

58

208

May

1,405

5737

2,090

7941

2,271

10353

2,541

9669

June

847

4545

1,588

7654

2,823

11250

2,152

9473

July

1,718

8098

1,797

6745

1,654

6788

1,549

6224

August

1,874

7532

1,549

5590

1,578

5182

1,250

5300

September

866

4433

750

3645

800

3456

992

4034

October (to off-season)

271

1197

237

857

265

1143

306

1254

Offseason- 31Dec

 

182

 

182

 

 

112

296

 

6,981

$31,724.00

8,224

$33,309.00

9,722

$39,206.00

8,960

$36,458.00

 

 

Ben Cecak, Toledo, is interested in doing a project at Otter Creek Lake & Park in his quest to attain Eagle Scout status. Etzel had met with Ben and his father to discuss potential projects. Ben originally proposed a sheltered sand box for placement in the campground. Also discussed was a fish habitat project for Otter Creek Lake. After discussion the Board preferred the fish habitat project if it was acceptable to Ben. Etzel will relay this information to him.

 

Etzel shared information with the Board that he received while working on the pond design with staff of the NRCS office. He was told the new owner of the former Ruthie Dvorak property, immediately west of Otter Creek Park, has plans to row crop this parcel. The ground has been in pasture longer than anyone can remember. This news is extremely disheartening in light of the progress being made to protect Otter Creek Lake through the Hansen Addition acquisitions and future water quality practices which will be applied on this property. The parcel is very steep and has a very high percentage of HEL ground. Conservation staff will perform a silt survey of the NW silt pond to serve as a baseline from which to gauge future impacts from increased silt loads. The Board requested that Etzel write the Tama Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners and the current owner of the property regarding their concern.

 

After discussion of assorted conservation topics it was moved by Adolphs, seconded Anderson to adjourn, carried, Adjourned 9:45 p.m..

 

 

 

 

 

______________________                                               ______________________

CHAIR                                                                            VICE-CHAIR