The Tama County Conservation Board met in regular session on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, in the library, Tama County Nature Center, Otter Creek Park.

Chairman Wrage called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.. Members present were: Adolphs, Anderson, Keenan and Wrage. Also present: Etzel and Wise.

Minutes from the regular session of February 11, 2009, were read. Moved by Adolphs, seconded Keenan to approve the minutes as read, carried. (All voting aye)

The following bills were presented:

TO BE PAID FROM GEN'L FUND
		Amount of Bill	Category Total
0001-22-6100-000-41200 Postage
Etzel, Robert	As per two (2) receipts	9.61
USPS	400 stamps @ $0.42 ea	168.00
		177.61	177.61
0001-22-6100-000-41400 Telephone
Iowa Telecom	17Feb09, 484-5314 (shop)	54.81
	17Feb09, 484-2231 (office), 484-4157 (payphone)	122.58
Verizon	16Feb09, 484-2231 (office)	12.41
	19Feb09, 484-4157 (payphone)	23.06
	16Feb09, 484-5314 (shop)	10.67
		223.53	223.53
0001-22-6100-000-42200 School of Instruction
Etzel, Robert	Reimburse parking at ISAC 4&5Mar09	14.00
	Reimburse- Regis.- Etzel & Wise CCPOA training- Polk Co	20.00
		34.00	34.00
0001-6110-101-22-223 Salary- Main Supervisor
Wise, Craig	6-Feb-09	1,481.60
	20-Feb-09	1,481.60
		2,963.20	2,963.20
0001-6110-101-22-226 Salary- Conservation Tech.
Dolash, Ron	6-Feb-09	1,368.00
	20-Feb-09	1,368.00
		2,736.00	2,736.00
0001-6110-250-22-050 Mt Veh- Fuels
New Century FS, Inc.	11Feb09, #347885 262 gals unleaded gasohol @ $1.4352/gl	376.02
	FET (LUST)	0.26
	State fuel tax @ $0.19/gl	49.78
	Hazmat Handling fee	2.36
		428.42	428.42
0001-6110-254-22-050 Mt Veh- Minor Repair
CQ Auto Parts	#69108 battery for 5600, anit-freeze, radiator hose, filters	287.73
J&V Auto Parts	#392418 pres hose, pwr str fluid for '95 Chevy	35.10
Southard Implement	#217965 spring	3.66
		326.49	326.49
0001-6110-292-22-052 Main & Supplies
Carlson Painting Service	top out three trees @ OCP, one tree @ Manatt's Landing	500.00
Crop Production Services	#S009308498.001 Pathfinder II (10 gal) @ $42/gal	420.00
Dolezal Farm Supply	#0018184 black sunflower seed, cracked corn- NC	21.50
Electric Supply of Marshalltown	#1055368 GFI breakers (2);#1055232 oarts for crimper tool	295.29
IACCBE	Hotel room (Etzel) while attending Winterfest, 1&2Feb09	99.90
Menard's	#75731 materials to finish shower stall @ NC;#76766 lampholders	182.14
MyCountyParks.com	Member fee & annual fee for IACCBE website	500.00
Tama Co. Solid Waste Disposal Commission	Landfill charges, Feb for OCP	20.00
Wilkerson Hardware	#B59683 connec (4), plug, switch (2);#B59687 250' serv cord
	#B59834 screen, spline;#B60555 liq nails (4), adh remover	123.82
		2,162.65	2,162.65
0001-6110-430-22 LP Gas
New Century FS, Inc.	27Feb09 2,150 gals LP @ $2.179/gal	4,684.85
(Main res- 350, Trailer- 325, Shop-725	LPER	12.90
bt store- 750)	Hazmat handling fee	19.35
		4,717.10	4,717.10
0001-6110-431-22 Electricity
Grundy Co REC	OCP thru 3Feb09, 5,610 KWH- meter #1,	498.56
	7,710 kwh- meter #2 (NC)	331.53
	Security light charge	18.00
	maintenance light charge	96.00
	OCP thru 5Jan09, 6,850 KWH- meter #1,	575.47
	8,270 kwh- meter #2 (NC)	355.61
	Security light charge	18.00
	maintenance light charge	96.00
		1989.17	1,989.17
Total Bills Submitted, General Fund			15,758.17

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

Reports and Correspondence. Staff /Work. Wise reported on work projects during Febuary which included cutting and pruning of hazard trees, removal and stump treatment of autumn olive, mechanical repairs, stain roadside park sign, repair of showerhouse sump pumps./Training Etzel & Wise attended law enforcement training in Polk County on March 9, Etzel attended CCDA workshop at ISAC on March 4 & 5./Fun Nite for the Nature Center The presenter for the Fun Nite fundraiser for the Nature Center will be Robert Fassbinder of Elgin. He is a beekeeper and will speak on the importance of honeybees and challenges facing their populations. Tickets were handed out to the Board members. Fliers for the event will be mailed around March 16 with news articles appearing the week of March 23./FEMA Update Etzel had met with FEMA officials for a close out meeting on March 6. This marks the end of the benefits analysis portion of the project and where repair construction begins./Crop Leases- Hansen & Reinig Etzel reported that ads will be appearing in the local papers to accept bids for crop rental on Hansen Addition- Parcel B and the Reinig Wildlife Refuge and Nature Study Area. The bids will be opened at the April meeting.

Etzel spoke with the Conservation Board regarding the website MyCOuntyParks.com. This project has been in the works for the last two years and came out of discussions of the Board of Directors- Iowa Association of County Conservation Board Employees (IACCBE). Etzel has served on the website committee since its inception. The project took on a new dimension when the counties of Linn, Polk, and Black Hawk became involved as part of their joint effort to develop e-commerce and reservation capacities. The site is envisioned as a “one stop shop” for persons seeking a quality outdoor recreation experience in Iowa and an excellent opportunity to promote and market county conservation boards as a statewide entity rather than individually.

Each county can receive a static one page presence on the site for no charge. To step up to a full presence with the ability to update and change content for a county program including maps, photos, etc. a one time membership fee and an annual fee must be paid. When dues are paid the county will receive a log-on password and free training on how to develop their portion of the site.

Fees are as follows for full access to the website. Does not include fees to participate on the e-commerce portion of the site:

County Size	Member Fee (one time fee)	Annual Fee
< 10,000 population	$150.00	$150.00
> 10,000 population	$250.00	$250.00

Etzel recommended the board keep their original website presence on the Tama County website but suggested this would be an affordable way of marketing facilities in Tama County.

After discussion the board members felt this was an excellent marketing opportunity. Motion made by Keenan, seconded Adolphs that the Tama County Conservation Board become members in MyCountyParks.com, carried. (All voting aye)

The Board discussed the Sustainable Funding Initiative being considered in the Iowa Legislature and the great potential impact for natural resources/outdoor recreation and environmental education in the state. This is a significant piece of legislation. It was clarified that passage of the bill will allow 3/8 of one cent of any future income tax increase to go towards natural resource management in the state if the initiative is passed by vote of the people at the 2010 November election. To fin out more about the Sustainable Funding Initiative go to: http://www.iowadnr.gov/sustainablefunding/files/progress_ppt.pdf

A Fish Habitat Agreement was presented to the Board. The agreement is to accept state funds ($33,120) from the Iowa DNR’s Fish Habitat Stamp grant program to help fund construction of a 3.6 acre fishing/silt pond on newly acquired ground lying directly east of the park. This parcel is known as Parcel A, Hansen Addition to Otter Creek Park. After discussion it was moved by Wrage, seconded Keenan to accept the agreement as presented, carried. (All voting aye)

Wrage requested that a letter be drafted to the Lennox Charitable Foundation seeking a financial donation to the Fun Nite fundraiser. The Foundation donated $250 to last year’s event. Etzel will draft a letter and forward it to Wrage.

The Board discussed the Pheasants Forever Reload Iowa campaign. The goal of the campaign is to step up efforts to promote and increase habitat on the ground and to push pheasant populations across the state to 1970’s levels. This period of time was known as the “glory days” of Iowa pheasant hunting. To find out more about Pheasants Forever Reload Iowa campaign click on the following link: http://www.iowapf.org/page/1100/ReloadIowa.jsp

After discussion of assorted conservation topics it was moved by Anderson, seconded Keenan to adjourn, carried, Adjourned 8:50 p.m..

______________________ ______________________

CHAIR VICE-CHAIR