LINN COUNTY, IOWA, CONSERVATION BOARD MINUTES OF THE MONDAY, JULY 24, 2017, BOARD MEETING

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1 LINN COUNTY, IOWA, CONSERVATION BOARD MINUTES OF THE MONDAY, JULY 24, 2017, BOARD MEETING The following is a true copy of the minutes of the meeting of the Linn County, Iowa, Conservation Board held on Monday, July 24, 2017, at the Wickiup Hill Learning Center, Morris Hills Rd, Toddville, Iowa. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT John Hanson, Hillary Hughes, George Kanz, and Cindy Burke BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT Steve Emerson STAFF PRESENT Dennis Goemaat, Deputy Director; Randy Burke, Planner; and Ryan Schlader, Community Outreach; OTHERS PRESENT John Harris, Linn County Board of Supervisors; and Debbie Scott CALL TO ORDER Conservation Board President Hughes called the meeting to order at 12:03 PM. PUBLIC COMMENT No comments received ITEM R1. APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA MOTION by Burke, second by Kanz. To approve the consent agenda. VOTE: aye; all present The consent agenda was approved and involved the following items: ITEM C1. APPROVE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 26, 2017 REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING ITEM C2. APPROVE CLAIMS AND EXPENDITURES CLAIMS LIST # Claims and Transfer list # involving claim #1-1 through claim #1-56. ITEM C3. ITEM C4. RECEIVE AND PLACE ON FILE THE JUNE 2017 FINANCIAL/BUDGET REPORT RECEIVE AND PLACE ON FILE THE JUNE 2017 ACTIVITY REPORT

2 ITEM C5. ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS 1. Gift # , Angela Wery monetary donation ($700) for a limestone memorial bench to be placed at the Matsell Bridge Natural Area. 2. Gift #1-2018, Linn County Pheasants Forever Chapter #45 monetary donation ($5,000) toward the Toms land acquisition as an addition to the Buffalo Creek Natural Area. ITEM C6. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT UPDATES Not Available REGULAR AGENDA: ITEM R2. DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON RESOLUTION #2018-1, APPLICATION FOR FUNDING ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE RESOURCES ENHANCEMENT AND PROTECTION (REAP) GRANT PROGRAM THROUGH THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CONCERNING THE ACQUISITION OF 14 ACRES (MORE OR LESS) OF LAND ADJOINING THE BUFFALO CREEK NATURAL AREA. Goemaat reviewed the proposed Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant application with the Board. This proposal is for a 14-acre acquisition as an addition to Buffalo Creek Natural Area. MOTION by Burke, second by Hanson. To approve and adopt Resolution # and authorize staff to submit the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) grant application to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 2

3 ITEM R3. DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON APPROVAL OF AND TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD PRESIDENT OR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO SIGN THE TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM (TAP) FUNDING AGREEMENT (17-TAP-131) BETWEEN THE CONSERVATION BOARD AND IOWA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE GRANT WOOD TRAIL CONSTRUCTION AND SURFACING PROJECT, LCCB PROJECT #5-14. Randy Burke reviewed the Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) grant funding agreement between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Conservation Board. MOTION by Kanz, second by Burke. To authorize the Board President to sign the Transportation Alternative Program funding agreement #17-TAP-131 with the Iowa Department of Transportation. ITEM R4. DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON AUTHORIZING STAFF TO PREPARE AND SUBMIT A LETTER OF INTENT AND THE ASSOCIATED GRANT APPLICATION IN RESPONSE TO THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS INVITATION FOR THE CEDAR-WAPSI RECREATIONAL CORRIDOR TO APPLY FOR FUNDING FROM THE IOWA GREAT PLACES PROGRAM DURING THE 2017 GRANT CYCLE. Goemaat reviewed the letter of intent to apply for and submit a grant application to the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs for funding through the Iowa Great Places program. This grant application involves a Wapsipinicon River scenic overlook development in Pinicon Ridge Park. MOTION by Hanson, second by Burke. To authorize staff to submit the letter of intent and associated grant application to the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs for funding under the Iowa Great Places program. 3

4 ITEM R5. DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CONSERVATION BOARD AND IOWA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES REGARDING THE 2017 FALL OPERATION RELEAF PROGRAM. Goemaat reviewed the memorandum of understanding between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Conservation Board to administer the 2017 ReLeaf program this fall. MOTION by Burke, second by Kanz. To approve the memorandum of understanding with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources regarding the Operation ReLeaf program and authorize the Board President to sign the memorandum on behalf of the Board. ITEM R6. DISCUSS AND DECIDE ON CREATING A NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT POSITION TO OVERSEE THE NATURAL RESOURCES WORK UNIT Goemaat reviewed with the Conservation Board, a proposed job description and position vacancy form for a management position to oversee the natural resources work unit. MOTION by Kanz, second by Hanson. To approve creating the Natural Resources Manager position and authorize the Board President to sign the position vacancy form and authorize staff to submit the vacancy form to the Board of Supervisors. ITEM R7. UPDATE AND DISCUSSSION REGARDING THE LINN COUNTY WATER AND LAND LEGACY BOND INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: 1. Status regarding the two new funded positions for FY2018 Conservation Ecologist/ Land Protection Specialist and the Project Coordinator. Goemaat reported that the staff ecologist/land protection specialist position will be posted in August with a goal of filling the position in late September or October. The Project Coordinator position will be posted later this fall. 4

5 2. Update, review and discussion regarding projects being planned, in progress and completed using bond funds. Goemaat reviewed the proposed format and associated projects for bond funding. Hughes asked that information detailing grant funds considered or applied for be included in the write-ups. Kanz would like information detailing life cycle costs of a project. 3. Upcoming / future communications / news releases regarding bond funds. Schlader detailed communications plan in educating and informing county residents on how bond dollars will be spent. The plan is consistent with the draft presented earlier this year. 4. Open House / Listening Post regarding the Pinicon Ridge Park dam future needs assessment 5:30 7:00 PM, Wednesday, July 26, Falcon Community Center in Central City. Schlader reviewed a proposed survey with the Board for use at the open house. Feedback from the public to date has mostly been related to fishing near the dam. 5. Prairieburg Park Tornado Damage Assistance Request Randy Burke informed the Conservation Board concerning a request from the Linn County Board of Supervisors to assist the town of Prairieburg with a REAP grant application to help fund the replacement of a park shelter at the town park that was recently destroyed by an EF2 tornado. ITEM R8. BOARD MEMBER AND STAFF REPORTS 1. Community outreach activities Schlader reported on the following items: Oak Hickory newsletter will be released in early August. Media inquiries were received about the Pinicon Ridge Park Dam Open House/Listening Post and elk in the Alexander Wildlife Area. Linn County Conservation and Wickiup Hill Learning Center were represented at the Linn County Fair with a booth on Kids Day. New maps are being created for the kiosk going up at the Center Point Historical Depot along the Cedar Valley Nature Trail. New bike racks also have been added. Conservation is coordinating with the Linn County Trails Association for an event in Center Point in August, celebrating the completion of a segment of hard surfacing the trail through Center Point. Burke commented the hard surfacing the Grant Wood Trail south of Ely to the Johnson County line is underway Goemaat commented that Pinicon Ridge Park campgrounds are expected to receive significant flooding this week and preparations are underway. Hanson will attend a Soil Conference and also speak at an upcoming Isaac Walton League meeting. Hughes will present with Schlader for a Cedar Rapids West Rotary. 5

6 ITEM R8. PUBLIC COMMENT Debbie Scott commented on a recent television report regarding the condition of the Elk held at the Alexander Wildlife Area at Pinicon Ridge Park. She is concerned about the health of the animals. Hughes clarified information related to the news story and said that additional fecal samples are being collected for additional testing. Staff will continue to follow the advice and recommendations of veterinarians in providing care. John Harris said he talked with the Harstad family inquiring about recognition for the property purchase at Morgan Creek Park. The recognition component will be part of the park planning underway at this time. ITEM R9. FUTURE CONSERVATION BOARD REVIEW / DISCUSSION ITEMS Two items for future discussion include: 1. Current / proposed Conservation Board policies Kanz expressed concerns about reviewing all policies when most efforts should be focusing on bond projects. Hughes asked Hanson to develop a plan for efficiently reviewing the policies. This matter could be added to the annual agenda. 2. Strategic Planning Board discussion focused on concentrating review, discussion and actions on bond-funded projects. ITEM R10. ADJOURN The meeting adjourned at 1:17 PM. Amanda Bieber typed the above minutes. SEAL Recording Secretary Board Secretary 6