Okay, there it is. So, with this new year, commissioners, welcome. Um, staff are just going to go ahead and help lead through the meetings to alleviate any undue stress or inconvenience to the commissioners. So, I will just go ahead and call the meeting to order. This is the February 23rd, 2026 meeting of the Scott Watershed Planning Commission. Uh, as you may have noticed, we have a new commissioner joining us. Um, maybe you recall in November, uh, Commissioner Schmidt had, uh, been with the WPC kind of as many times as he could. We have to have little breaks, although we would love to have you forever. um we do have to have little breaks and then you can come back. So he had had a this was kind of one of his break years. Uh and that allowed us to bring in a lovely new commissioner. We have Commissioner Jim Malcin here and he as you were listening maybe uh is from Credit River and so we'd like to welcome Commissioner Mulin and would you like to tell us a little bit about yourself and maybe what brings you here? >> Okay, great. Thank you all. I'm excited to be involved with the group. I grew up in Scott County. My family uh we lived in Prior Lake for my high school and um a little bit after that. Um my wife and I built a home out in Credit River. She is from New Market, so we're we've been in Scott County our whole lives. And I I'm in uh p the public safety field and also we have a home healthc care agency that we operate as well. So, I've been in in the uh health and public safety all my whole career. Um just love Scott County and excited to help out with the group and I'm very interested in the watershed and the planning and conservation of our great resources here. >> Okay. Thanks, Commissioner Mulan. Um, in addition this evening we have Commissioner Phillips. Just so you know everybody that's here, uh, we also have Commissioner Phillips, Commissioner Thil, Commissioner Wagner, Commissioner Barton, and Commissioner Frederick's. So, the other nice thing we try to do is to spread our commissioners around kind of different subwaterheds or different resources around the WMO. So you'll notice that if you put a map out there and you kind of put a pin where everybody lived, um we get a good representation of kind of the whole WMO across the county. So you guys are a really good collection um for that respect. So that's who we have on the WPC right now. Uh the one we are the one who's not with us at the moment is Comm Oh, there he is. Commissioner Creer. He is here. Welcome, Commissioner Creer. I wasn't sure like with like like football season and stuff. So welcome. >> Happy new year. >> Yeah, happy new year too. Awesome. Okay, so we have everybody here today. Wonderful. Uh so for the agenda today, um we don't have minutes from the workshop because that was an interactive workshop with the the S SWCD board which was really wonderful. We appreciate those of you who were there. Um but we can just then uh kind of go over the agenda which is you know we have four items on the agenda. Three are informational, one is action. Uh and that's really the draft education opportunities and we just want to know if you approve of the ones we've got listed so far and of course we would move add more. Uh and then that's really kind of after that some updates and we're about it. So it's a kind of a short agenda for today but that is okay. Um, we'll move on. If there's no questions, we can move right on into new business then. So, for new business every year, uh, we always want to present the WPC with the WPC meeting calendar. So, the WPC, uh, is officially slotted to meet the fourth Monday of every month. The window is from 4 to 6 per 4 to 6:00 pm. Uh there are two exceptions to that. We have to move the May one because nobody really wants to meet on Memorial Day. Uh and nobody wants to pay us overtime to be here on Memorial Day. And then so May we always bump up to the third Monday and then we don't ever meet in December. Kind of the same thing. It's just around the holidays as well. So, these are the meeting dates as we know them for 2026. Obviously, if there is no action, if there's no action items, we don't really have anything for an agenda, we'll send out an email to alert you maybe a week ahead of time that we probably will cancel that meeting. Um, meetings are virtual unless we let you know at least a month in advance because we have a an inerson meeting option. Uh, we do that, as Ryan noted, for workshops, for that really wonderful boat tour we'd had this last year. Um, and for a couple other things, just to bring you guys face to face once in a while as well. Uh, does anybody have any questions about the calendar? I know it's really exciting. It's calendar. All right, go ahead and move on. So, uh, I will present for Melissa today. She is actually on vacation. I'll let you tell I'll let her tell you about her vacation when she comes back, but she is currently on vacation today. So, uh, she did put together a really wonderful kind of education and outreach support program plan, I want to call it, uh, for the WPC and and other volunteers that we interact with a lot, a lot of our partners. Um the the hope and the goal is that by improving your water resource education and knowledge building. Um it will happily kind of help increase our engagement by helping you feel more empowered, helping you feel more comfortable. Uh it really helps enable our volunteers and our commissioners to provide better input and take actions that are important to those water resources in your lives. That also helps us because it increases those more meaningful and productive conversations that kind of guide how we are going to protect the lakes and water resources in Scott County. So that's kind of the the purpose behind why we really do spend time focusing on uh educating and providing outreach to our volunteers and WPC members. So to that end, we've kind of started a list of different topics that we thought could be useful for you that was sent out in the packet. Uh some of these we have in the past actually made a short littleformational video on. Uh some of them we have partners that have made a really great little video on because obviously some water resource topics are just universal. regardless of where you live in the metro, they're probably universal. So, some of these are, you know, kind of who's who the in in water resource management. Um, this one I would, if I had to pick one to go look, I would probably read this one. And I'm even saying that over the ones we've made because folks struggle with understanding the different layers of water resources agencies and understanding who does what and it can seem really overwhelming even to those who are in water resources who's supposed to be doing what. So, for example, uh the DNR manages what's going on in a lake below the ordinary high water level, but at the ordinary high water level and above, it can be a WMO or it can be an LGU, a city or or a township. So, you know, most people might not realize that there is an there is a boundary there. And so, if it's below the OW, you'd be like, we'll call the DNR. If it's below that OW, it's like, well, call your local city and and you're just sitting there going, "But I just want to put in a dock." And you're like, "But I don't know who to call." Right? And and so that's kind of why I kind of like this particular document. It helps also understand like how the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is really talking about point source pollution, Department of Health manages the health implications, roles of watersheds, that kind of thing. So that those kinds are usually my my first and foremost go-to. Um, there's also one about the planning process. Uh, for those of you who have been here a little while, you've been very inundated by our planning process, but we only do that really once every 10 years. So, you get to hang your hat once you've done it once for a while. Uh, Ryan, if you want to scroll down, we do a lot of vegetation management, too. So, there's a video on that. Um, there's a really good one Ryan put together uh on our technical assistant and cost share program. Keeping in mind that our cost share program are our is a part of like 70% of our budget. So we put a lot into these programs each year, land and water treatment and this is a large part of it. So it's a good one to know about our capital improvement projects. So those are those really large restorations that we take on on behalf of everybody usually along San Creek or something like that. Those are usually our most expensive projects overall. Those usually range between 300,000 and a million dollars. So, those are kind of the big ones. Storm water quality monitoring, uh, macro invertebrates, those are those, uh, bugs and critters that live in the water. Understanding the health of those can really help you understand the overall health of a water resource. And then there's farm planning, groundwater, soil health, and then the soil food web. So, those are kind of the topics that we've started putting together information for you guys so far. Are there other ideas or other topics that we could start putting together for you and provide a resource document on or add to this resource document that would help you uh learn more about water resources and make you feel more empowered or just interested? >> Hey, Vanessa Clayton here. are how are you cascading these out to the community? I I mean this is great for us. Love it. Um but I can see a number of these being super beneficial to just folks in Scott County in general, for example, tax. Um I I guess how how are you how are you getting these videos so so they're more readily accessible to citizens? >> Great question, Commissioner Wagner. So, first and foremost, we we try to keep a landing pad of of all the kinds of information on our website. Now, that being said, it is a little bit behind because we don't have the staffing to really keep our website updated at the moment. But the whole goal on this is to have, you know, kind of our website be that that landing padin information center where all theseformational resources are. The videos that we've created are definitely up there, but not necessarily all of these, of course. Commissioner Barton, I was thinking the same thing, Clayton, that you know, even just this PDF posted, I'm looking at the website right now. This PDF posted somewhere on the website, I think would be a really good um resource. >> Yeah, we could definitely >> general public. Um yeah, I don't know. You can decide where that lives. I'm kind of clicking through things to There's not really like a education and outreach section, you know, we have programs and projects, reports and documents. Um, so yeah, I don't know if there's an education and outreach or additional learning opportunities or whatever it could be. um on the main Scott Wmo page navigation on the left there >> or would sorry to interrupt. Can I jump in Commissioner Barton? >> Yeah, go ahead. >> Would would uh do we have any poll in the Scott County scene? Would they let us put like a hyperlink one of them barcodes ever? >> So, that is a great question actually. Okay. So, I'll answer the first one and then the second one. So, to your point, Commissioner Barton, actually, we can look into asking if we can have an education outreach page added for us. So, we will do that for sure and then that would give us a landing pad for all of that. And then to the second question, the Scott County scene to some Yes. I mean, we oddly enough, the Scott County scene was actually started as a natural resources um production uh since then. Obviously, it has evolved to the entire county, but we do still uh get to be a part of that with everybody else. So, uh we do submit uh for every Scott County scene, but obviously with the large a number of wonderful submitts, we don't always make it in. So sometimes you have to try five or six times, but we will absolutely we could do that and put that in there too. So um we'll make a note of that and try to see if we can get it in that as well. I'm not sure about QR codes. I'll have to check with the policy on the QR codes specifically, but because they're easy for me obviously, but I don't I don't know off the top of my head what the policy is on that, but I could see if that even because it'd be small, right? Take up a little bit of space. And I will ask about that as well. >> Hey Vanessa. Yeah, >> Jim Mulan here. I would I agree with both commissioners before me here. That's exactly what I was thinking. Um, and we're probably not getting in the scene because some people might not think we're interesting enough, but I think we could probably get in the scene with being interesting. I was I was looking at the videos and I was thinking the exact same thing as the other two commissioners mentioned that this stuff is pretty interesting. And I got to thinking, you know, we have an audience at those landings, too. I you know I'm new and I don't know if this would make any sense but um those little I don't know what they call them hyperlinks or whatever at a landing to just educate uh people that are using our resources or their resources and because it is interesting and if there's something about that lake or about you know cleaning your vessel or whatever that maybe we could do something like that just just the thought that came to me I am we can look into that and I am going to just quickly pause on that one because I actually will be talking about something related to that at the end during my updates which that will actually tie into. >> I'll bring that up into that point later as well because that's also another good point. Yeah, this is all really great feedback. Any other thoughts? Any other topics you're just like dying to hear more about? >> I have a question. Yeah. Um, do we ever do we have any input or any feedback on the water bottling plant that's new in New Market? >> That depends. >> Okay. >> Um, >> and don't worry, I'm not a plant or anything. I'm just we um my wife and I run a food shelves and they donate a ton of water to every two weeks we get water from that and I think it's a great resource but I hear a lot of background from it and so when I when I saw this topic I thought wonder if we learn anything about that so this is a question I had. >> Yep. So that is a really great question. It's actually one we get a lot >> and understandably so. Uh, so it's it's part of also why that first topic about who does what in water resources is like probably still one of my favorite topics. And I can actually come back and just bring you more local information on that too if you're interested. Um, but the very very short answer is as a WMO um, we have decided that the cities and township should be the permitting authority. So, we will provide comments and we certainly have some standards that they have to create ordinances to follow, but above and beyond that, it's it's really in their hands and they really are the best entities because it's they're the ones working on that type of work daytoday when it comes to permitting and things like that. >> And that's always been kind of the direction of the WO. Now, in addition to that, because we're also the same staff for the county's natural and water resources department, um the county also can provide comment and input when it comes to things like that are really large and and may be drawing on a large resource and they and our board's always been really good job of doing that and and meeting with the the township to provide any help or assistance that they can. Um but from a regulatory like role responsibility that would more lie in a groundwater plan which once we're finished with the watershed management plan we will actually be rolling into the groundwater plan and that's county comprehensive and that provides guidance for all the cities and townships kind of an agreement of how we see users and and use of groundwater in the county. And that was that is actually driven by all of our cities and townships including Elco New Market. Um when the bottling facility came in they actually one of their biggest comments was you know if we'd had a groundwater plan this probably would have gone faster. So uh you know to that and then that created the divement for everybody in the county. So those are the those are kind of our two big roles that we play at a really high level. Is that helpful? >> Yes. Thank you. Cool. I would just wrap up my Commissioner Barton, I just wrap up my comments. I understand you're dealing with, you know, the overall county website, which is a beast. Um, I know in Dakota County it's hard to get any updates at times, but I think you can you can start simple like I said with just, you know, even if it's just a new page and this PDF as a simple start and then when there is time in the next however long, you know, I think it's getting the information out there is the important part even if it's not perfect, which but again, I know you have to work. there's probably somebody else at the county that needs to review what the content looks like and all that, but from our perspective, it doesn't need to be perfect to be to be helpful, I guess. >> Wonderful. It's good to hear that. Thank you so much, Commissioner Barton. Uh we will definitely find a way one way, shape, or form. The first I get, like I said, the first goal would be to get an education outreach page. Um, but barring that, we can at least find a place to put this PDF. Any other thoughts? Any other topics? Commissioner Barton? Otherwise, to your original question, I think that it's a a good breadth of different information to start with. >> Great. Okay. Okay. Well then with that being said uh because this is a an action item we will do a roll call to approve or one way or the other vote on it. Uh so I will go through the list of for those of you who are new I go through the list of commissioners and ask for either a yay or a nay and that's how we do vote on via zoom. So >> you need a motion. No. Uh, at this point we're going to kind of start leaning away from having to do those. Um, and we'll just do a roll for a yay or nay. If we were in person, we would actually just do a straight hand vote. But great question, Commissioner W. >> Vanessa, sorry. What are we voting on >> on approving this document or this uh PDF of education and outreach topics and uh items for the WPC and other volunteers to use to learn more about the WMO and the work we do in natural resources >> as opposed to nope, you can't use it. >> Yeah. If you really don't like it, if you're just like, man, I just think this is the worst list ever created. No. Like, I don't think this is stuff people need to worry about, learn about. I, you know, it's just not worth my time and effort. No. >> Um, now, nobody's forcing you obviously to go and read all of these, but, you know, it would be like it's a provided resource for you if you feel >> I'm just surprised we have to vote on that, but okay. Um, we're so to be fair like we're choosing these as we're choosing these as an action item to vote on because we want to make sure that we've got your either agreement or support to continue to provide information on them which is why. So, we commit because it's a good question actually like why vote on this? uh because we do commit time and resources to providing these educational and outreach opportunities and so therefore if it was something you just really didn't think we should be doing, we would certainly want to know that and not go in that direction. So fair question. Absolutely. With that being said, uh we will vote on whether or not to approve this list of education and outreach opportunities and information to the WPC and other volunteers throughout the WMO. And I will do a roll. Commissioner Phillips. >> Hi, >> Commissioner Theal. >> Hi, >> Commissioner Wagner. >> I support it. Yes, >> Commissioner Barton. >> Hi. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Commissioner Frederick's. >> Oh, I had Commissioner Fredericks. Commissioner Frederick's. Hi. >> Thank you. And Commissioner Mulin. >> Hi. >> And Commissioner Kreer. >> I support it. Thank you so much, commissioners. >> Commissioners, good afternoon. Um, so the next item on the agenda is to go over um, we thought it'd just be a good idea to go over when a larger grant closes and to give you some highlevel information about it. You know, what did the funds go towards? What did we all accomplish um, with those goals? So, you know, what were the goals and did we hit those? Um, did we exceed or did we not hit some of them? So, um, this one is a grant that, uh, closed on December 31st of 2025. It was our watershed based implementation funding. So, if you recall, these are going on through different um, cycles. So, we've actually closed uh, one of these already. um it was for a capital improvement project. So it seems odd that it was actually a 2023 WBF that closed before this one. Um but you can close them early if you complete all the tasks in them. So um this would represent the second round the 2021 grant would u was the second round of this funding that we received. Um so this one was extended once. So we did extend it to um 2025. It was originally supposed to expire in 2024. We just needed a little bit extra time to uh hit the goals, get all the funds spent both match and grant. Um so uh and that is perfectly fine to do that to work with the grant agency to extend it. There's no penalty or issues with doing uh such thing. So and I wouldn't say it's common but it does happen that we have to extend them just to u meet everything. So u two major kind of activities with this grant. Uh one was a focus on our education program. Uh specifically for our uh youth education program and developing program assessment tools. Uh we've talked about outdoor education days. Uh you know we volunteer at that every fall. Um the soil and water is the one that hosts that event. And basically it's youth from within Scott County that gets busted out to Cedar Lake Farms and they go through a series of stations where they learn about that conservation topic. Um wildlife is one of them. Um soil is one of them, water is one of them. So various topics, conservation is another one. Um and so what what one of the activities that we were focusing on is the materials that are used at that event. Um you know like anything they get outdated and so there was a consultant that was hired by the so water office to basically ac um assess that program and update it and develop the curriculum that gets uh taught at that event. And so, um, that was a big piece of that. A good chunk. It was, um, 40ish thousand of this grant went towards, uh, those efforts. Um, and it was a huge success. Uh, I can personally say from myself being out at the event, uh, the materials being updated are fantastic. uh they did a really nice job with with um updating everything and just you know making it really easy for that age group to digest and understand. Um so that was a huge success. So um everything that we had in terms of goals of of what we're trying to achieve and and update these the curriculum and everything that was all met. Um so um that was really helpful for us to be able to utilize grant funds to do that. Um and then the second piece of this was our cost share program. So it's very common that these uh watershed based implementation grants have a component of them for the cost share program. It just supplements some of the local funds that go towards the program for whatever period of time that grant is uh available. Um, and it just helps bolster the program. Um, so I actually put in a table here that shows everything that went in. Um, a total of 44 uh different projects were implemented with those funds. Um, you know, which is tremendous. And we'll get into the financials here in a little bit. Um, that'll be the next thing. But as you just look down the list here of you know quantity and units and then the sediment and phosphorus savings um once again it it kind of echoes the education component as being very successful. The goals for the sediment and phosphorus reduction were both around 800. Um you one was a little bit less, one was a little bit more. Um and so we have to set those goals before we start. it's just based on how many projects do we think we're going to implement and then what do we think the average of those savings will be and then that's what we set out as a goal. Well, you can see here that um you know we we exceeded those by quite a bit. Um so with sediment reductions being close to 1,800 and and phosphorus reductions being close to 1,600 and that's a per year reduction. So that you know through the life of those projects a lot of them you they do vary. Cover crops can be as low as one year but a lot of the other projects are 10-year projects. So you know when you multiply that out by 10 years that's substantial um you know what that equated to. Uh one of the things that we did add in this grant and we did talk about that at a past WPC meeting was our residue and nutrient management. Now, nutrient management doesn't get a lot of benefits, but we still wanted to add it because what we can do sometimes is once we hit the goal, you know, we already are at the sediment phosphorus savings that we said we would achieve, we could actually take some of those projects that maybe aren't the highest benefit and still utilize this funding because we've already hit that that goal. Um but residue management was um you know that alone as you look at the sediment and phosphorus savings the fact that we added that in there you know that that basically hit our goals just with that one practice. So it was a really good pivot to do that and add funds to it. Um, and so it it turned out really well. And then you look at some of the acres, you know, 1300 acres of residue management, over 800 acres of cover crops, 10 grade control structures, which those tend to be fairly spendy. Um, so the list goes on and on um with with really good projects. the financials of it. So the grant itself uh was 325,500 from the board of water and soil resources uh utilizing clean water funds. Um the required match is 10% so you know 32,500 um was our required amount but we actually ended up contributing $64,04320 for a grand total between grant and local funds at you know close to $400,000. So um you know the education component of it was roughly 40,000. and we had some technical assistance in there. That was another 36,000 and then the rest was all you know uh funds for Kasha projects. Um some of the things that we utilize in terms of our match is we can utilize in kind stuff in terms of staff time. Um we utilize the soil and water you know their technical assistance that they provide for these projects. Uh the landowner match we can actually count that. So a lot of the these projects it's cost shared. So meaning we fund a portion of it and the land owners fund a portion of it and we can actually utilize their local contributions um or their landowner contributions as local match. So um all in all, you know, done a great job. We had to report on that February 1st to close out. Um we haven't heard anything, you know, yet from Bowser, which is a, you know, a good thing. Um, so but if they, you know, have any questions, that's what we're kind of here for is to, you know, answer those and work together on resolving anything that might might need to be taken care of. But, um, we feel, you know, really good about this grant and and, um, it's kind of one of those on to the next. You know, we have another round of this that we're, you know, working on as well. So we we take our moment to um you know count our successes and then we we move on to the next grant that we have to work on. And I'll end uh the memo saying that there is a substantial amount of staff time that goes into it. So, you know, we had 36,000 for TA and staff and that's between soil and water and the WO and Troy can attest he's got way more into it than his portion of that TA and you know I think we split it like 30,000 and 6,000 and we certainly have way more into it than than that as well. um you know the the focus is more on the projects but uh we also just don't want it to get lost that we do put a lot of effort into this and making sure that we report correctly on it. Um you know Commissioner Bart knows all about this kind of stuff too that you you you know we we get it down the total is 389,543 and 20. If we're off by one penny on that we have to go find that penny. So, um, we take a lot of pride in making sure that, um, that all that gets done and done correctly and, um, that we're, you know, fiscally responsible for for that grant when we take it on. So, um, with that, I guess that's a lot of information, but I'll stand for any questions. >> Thank you, Ryan. I will add two pieces. Again, Ryan did say it does take a lot of time. And what does that mean? It means uh pretty much 100% of Ryan's time in the month of January is dedicated towards grant reporting. So that's pretty much 30% of our staff time in January is just grant reporting. So it is a large commitment to be really accurate and not um and and make sure that we're following through on these grants. Uh and it's good to let people know what that takes right in in in dollars and cents. So uh that's kind of where that piece is. And then I would also add with the WBIF grant, with this one specifically, uh it was really important to us that we update outdoor ed to meet educational standards. Uh because it's really hard for teachers and schools to take kids to any type of event uh when they have to teach to the test and make sure kids are getting really specific educational information. they just have so few windows uh to take kids out and do things unless they can actually utilize that time to also cover stuff that they're required to do. So updating outdoor ed to make sure that it was actually meeting the educational standards really helps increase our ability to get teachers and students out here and makes it a lot more helpful for the teachers and the schools uh to incorporate it back into their programs back at the school. So that was a big reason from our perspective. Ironically, the board of water and soil resources did not intend for this grant to target children and we did have to push pretty hard uh to say that the original language in the grant allowed it and so they allowed this grant to go through this time, but afterwards they do no longer allow us to target children specifically for their watershed based implementation funding grants which is really unfortunate. Uh so I we would not probably be able to do this type of thing again. Um, but I think we're proud of our loophole that we found or we we're proud of how they wrote the grant originally and we wish they did. Um, and but we probably won't be able to redo it. Uh, but that being said, at least we know for now it is consistent at least with educational standards and it can really help our schools uh create better students and better educational outcomes. So, >> Vanessa, >> Commissioner Mulan, >> do we have any video of the education or is it just is it something we could actually look at or is it I'm just reading this trying to understand it, but it'd be great to see some of it. >> Oh, I'm so glad you asked that question, Commissioner Malcin. So, we have a couple of things. Yes, we do a report on outdoor ed. Um, I don't know about videos specifically. We definitely do a lot of photos, but every year at outdoor ed, there's an opportunity for our WPC commissioners to also go out there and volunteer and we do have some takers every year. So, you could get firsthand experience volunteering on our head and we would love to have you. >> Otherwise, yes, we could always uh you know, work with the schools to do a really neat little video too as an alternative. >> Okay. >> Ryan and Vanessa uh Commissioner Phillips here. Um I could expand on that too. Um I did have the opportunity to um well chaperone my child. Uh it was this is two years ago now. Um and I um got to participate in it as a chaperone. Um her school went went to outdoor ed and I can attest um after observing several of the stations out there. It's great education. You know they're talking about like the environmental health department. They bring out a um they do some like solid waste and recycling. um the WMO's there talking about water quality. Um I got a chance to go to Ryan. I got to see your presentation which was really great on water use which I learned how much um water it takes to produce chocolate which I mentioned that before at a a previous meeting but um I just want to um say how much I support the outdoor head. I think it's great. We're t we're targeting kids. I think we should target kids. It's very concerning to me, Vanessa, too, that you mentioned we cannot use that grant in the future for it. So, I hope there's a way that we can find some other avenue to support staff and funding possibly if needed to to continue with outdoor ed. So, I'm huge proponent of it. I think it's great. Um, and whatever I think we we should do to continue to to support it is is to me is the right thing to do. So, >> hello Ryan. >> Yeah. >> Uh, I think you did a great job on this. I was reading it and wow, good good kudos to you on that. I got a question from something that we did in the past. Did we ever sell that one strip of land that we did all the stuff on? >> Commissioner Creer. Um, yes. So, you're recalling uh one of the CIPs where we actually bought a property to facilitate that project being implemented. >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, well, your question is very timely. So we actually have um a meeting with um it's called the board vice chair board um so it's basically the board you know the chair and vice chair on Thursday of this week where we're actually going to go in and and kind of talk about different options um with that. Um so there will be more to come on that. Uh so I I guess you know post that meeting we'll be able to kind of give an update. So it's still kind of I would say it's um you know kind of in limbo right now. There has been some amount of interest that internally has been uh driven for you know reasons to potentially keep that parcel. Um so I guess more to come but really good question and it like I said it's in a couple a few days from now is when we're actually going to be kind of going for some more direction on it I guess. >> Well thank you for that update. >> Yep. You're welcome. >> It's Commissioner Frederick. So, quick question. So, if I understand correctly, the grant money was used to develop the curriculum. Is that right? And then the actual school trips, that's not, you know, the grant money didn't pay for that, right? So, and I I guess the question there is, do we know that th those schools that participated are going to continue to participate going forward leveraging that curriculum? >> Uh, yeah, Commissioner Frederick's. Um, great question. So, you're right. Uh, none of the funds actually go towards the event, you know, itself, the busing, the the costs or anything associated with it. um it went towards the consultant that did develop that curriculum and then the teachers are then given materials that they can actually use in their classrooms. Um Troy, you can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it's even pre and post the event where they get some of, you know, they kind of want to prime the kids before they get to this event um to get them thinking about some of these topics. Um and so they're given some of this material. Now they can change whether on a year-to-year basis whether they want to um attend you know the the event or not. So you know I think a lot of it is reoccurring schools but there can be instances where a school might attend one year and it just doesn't work for the next year or whatever the case is. But um you know they try to pack in you know as as many as staff and stations will allow during that 4-day event. So there's you know thousands of I think it was roughly 1,500 per year. Troy, does that number sound correct for um students that attend the outdoor ed? >> Yeah it uh Ryan it it ranges. Um, this year we had 900 because there was a couple of schools that couldn't make it, but normally it's around 11,200. >> Okay. >> The 1500 includes uh what we call conservation in the classroom for those that can't make it to outdoor ed or they would uh maybe want supplementary um presentation and and and uh the same type of content as we actually go to the schools and in the classroom and present as well. So when you add them all up, that 1,500 number is pretty close. >> Gosh. Thanks, Trev. >> I would also >> maybe >> Oh, go ahead. Sorry, Commissioner. >> No, no, finish your thought. >> Oh, I was just going to say and also in case it's not clear, um, outdoor ed is also for the whole all the counties in the school, not just the WO. So, yes, we certainly enabled this grant and and was kind of the driving supporter of it. Uh, it's not like it's just the schools within the WMO. It's all the schools in Scott County. >> How is the how is the what whatever you called it event or whatever being paid for and and you know that's not coming out of the water um budget, right? That's coming from some other budget. Then >> it does come >> Yep. So Troy, you'll probably know the full breakdown off the top of your head, probably better than I do, but uh we contribute a portion of it as do the other watershed districts and wershed agencies as well as um the SWCD does as well. Um Troy, do you remember the exact breakdown? We contribute like for example $60,000 a year to all of the SHW activities. So I know that's a portion of that. >> Let me interrupt. I I guess my my biggest point is how do we make sure that this continues in a healthy way? you know, meaning that it's, you know, awesome that the grant funded the curriculum and the associated study materials, but, you know, that that would be kind of an empty, you know, victory if, you know, next year it's half of the people and the year after it's half again and then it's like fizzles out. I mean I you know I think this is awesome even supporting kind of from a young age people's interest and and um uh advocacy for this. So I guess you know I hope let's put it this way you don't even have to give an answer. I hope that there's the mechanisms in place to continue to fund the actual events and I hope that there's the mechanisms in place to track and make sure that as many schools students as possible take advantage of this because I think it's great and look I remember my kind of conservation type field trips from you know when I was a kid and and it you know it's something that you I think makes an impression for your whole life in some cases. >> Yeah. Yeah, Commissioner Fredericks, I'll give you one good example. I was myself a fifth grader at outdoor education days. So, fast forward 30 years later, it made quite the impression on me. So, I I I think uh yeah, through various things, I mean, the volunteers and the the you know, the schools provide the busing in their lunches and so that you we try to keep cost down. Um I don't know if Troy if there's anything you want to add but >> yeah I'll I'll just add that this has been a core program. The soil and water's running for over 3540 years now and the WO pays 60 to 70% of all the education program and that includes this and they have a big role in identifying the priorities. Every year we we go through the priority education uh programming countywide and and this is a core project in there and if it ever got near the chopping block or question mark, Vanessa and Ryan and Melissa will be right there to say no ain't happening. So and the WPC you know whatever uh to whatever extent you guys weigh in on the importance of that um I don't foresee it being having any threat on it by the way. So, >> context. >> Yep. >> Hey, Ryan. >> Yeah, >> Commissioner Mulan. Um, this all seems so interesting to me. I was curious when we started talking about this how it becomes interesting to kids. Do you have something that you can remember from fifth grade that really stuck with you? >> Commissioner Malin, yes. There was a gentleman in a not necessarily conservation related, but it's a comical story and I think it's at least worth passing along. So, I remember coming off the bus and being greeted by some of the uh presenters. One of them long trench coat uh who would then go on to be my coworker 20 years later. >> And he still serves on the soil and water board. So I I distinctly remember his name's Doug. I distinctly remember coming off the bus and seeing him. Um but yeah, I I still remember bits and pieces of it and obviously it must have resonated with me. I I have known for a long time that this is kind of what I wanted to do. But um that event and I I share that story actually with a lot of um of the youth that come through. I I tell them I was a fifth grader in your spot um all those years ago and and look, you know, you never know where you're going to end up in your career path. So um >> that's great. >> Yeah, >> Vanessa mentioned that there's opportunity to volunteer at this. >> Yeah, >> put me down because I'd love to see how you can make how this becomes interesting for kids and and to be able to help. So >> yeah, and Commissioner Morgan certainly. And if you want to shadow too for a day, you're, you know, certainly, you know, you can tag along with myself or Vanessa or Melissa or whoever. Um, and you can kind of get the feel of it and then, yeah, you're you're more than welcome. So, I'll put that note that that you'd be willing to uh in some capacity help out that >> and we'll ask again closer. It's in September, so we'll ask again closer to September when uh folks know their schedules maybe a little bit better. Thank you. >> That being said, Vanessa, um Commissioner Phillips here, um you mentioned that we won't be able to use grant money moving forward for that. Are there other avenues to continue to support it through other grants or other uh funding sources? >> That is a great question, Commissioner Phillips. education grants are hard. Environmental education grants are harder. So, uh really the most consistent stable funding is going to be your local levies. Um we will continue we will always pursue educational grants and opportunities to provide education within the grants that we can like finding this opportunity. Um but uh they're going to be definitely few and far between. Um that I know of. So this is included in the budget for this upcoming year. Is that what you're saying? >> Yep. Correct, Commissioner Brennan. So, outdoor ad is a part of the Scott Clean Water Education Partnership uh that we commit to every year. So, it is a line item in our budget. Uh and it's the line item in our budget is for $60,000 for we call it schwap just shorthand, but it's Scott Clean Water Education Partnership. And of that $60,000, a part of it goes towards funding outdoor education. Yeah. And I'll just add one more item to that. So the the grant funds that went towards this didn't go towards the event, which is kind of why we're saying like feeling confident that this is always going to, you know, be an important thing. So the grant funds weren't used towards like a singular event and when the grant goes away, the event goes away. It was more of the updating the curriculum, right? Making sure that the materials that are being used are more current. um and and they will stay current for you know quite a while still. Um so I just wanted to kind of make that distinction in there too. >> All right, this is some great conversation. Uh we should though keep things moving. I know it's a busy Monday for everybody. So if it's all right um we can move on to the next item. All right. So, commissioners, now this is one we are bringing back to you because there was some really great conversation at our last WPC meeting um about the budget and kind of how we do our fund balance. It's not something that has generally been asked about in the past because if it was, we would have brought it to you at the draft budget in um kind of August, September time. Uh so we did promise to come back and and bring back some more information on again the budget process and our fund balance as of December and then a little bit and then I provided a little bit of additional previous fund balances just so those of you who haven't been with us for that long get a little bit more history um about our fund balances. So just for those of you who are are newer or maybe don't recall, uh the WMO is a unique entity. Uh we are a state recognized entity uh as a watershed management organization. Uh we are funded as a special taxing district which makes us also a special taxing district agency. And then we are also a division of Scott County. So, we're a part of kind of all three of those things, which means we actually go through the budget and review process for each of those agencies each year, which pretty much means at minimum we're presenting as staff our budget about eight times before it gets final approval and adoption. So, uh we will sometimes accidentally talk your ear off about the budget, but even then, sometimes little questions get missed that we maybe haven't been asked before. So we will happily always bring you more. Uh and then just so you know a required financial audit is performed annually. This is actually a requirement of both counties but it's also a requirement of WOs wershed agencies. Uh and that goes to because we're a county and WO not just the state auditor but it also goes to the state auditor and the board of water and soil resources for review. So it goes to two separate state agencies for review. that's available in July each year. So, we also receive a financial audit as well. So, if your financial questions aren't answered here, uh we can always provide you with the audit and you're more than welcome to dig into that as well because a lot of people put a lot of time into that each year. Um just again a little bit of background information, the WMO's revenue and expenses are published in the wershed management plan and annual report which includes an activities work plan. We present that levy and budget during the county budget workshop process first. That's early on in the fall. Uh then the preliminary levy and budget are presented to the WPC for public comment because you are members of the public and to the board for final appro for preliminary approval. Uh followed by a final levy and budget which is presented to you again uh usually in November. the board usually ends up we actually get usually the first uh board in December for that and you guys in November. So while the approval of the WO levy and budget does rest entirely with the WO board uh for those of you who remember the WO board is also the county board but they do wear two hats. So they get to do both. Um and they're a great board. Uh the WPC does play a very helpful role in this process. So, uh, please understand that your participation in this is very meaningful to staff. It's why we put so much time into it. Uh, the so the role of the WPC in our budget process is to provide comments or recommendations to our board regarding our budget expenses. Again, that annual work plan and activities as they relate to our watershed management plan. So you're looking at the budget and reviewing it specifically for consistency with that annual report that we publish every year and the watershed management plan. If you find areas of inconsistency like we're suddenly doing things that you haven't seen identified as priorities or things we had committed to doing uh or it it doesn't look like something we should be committing to is listed. Um, you know, those are the kinds of things we definitely want to make sure that the WPC is reviewing for because the board is so busy and they see so many things that they might not get into the nitty-gritty like you do. And so, it's your rule to make definitely make sure that the things we're budgeting for are the right things to be budgeting for. So if you find any inconsistencies uh between what we have committed to doing in our annual report or in our wershed management plan and in our budget, we bring those comments then to the WMO board for further review and consideration and may adjust things accordingly. So if it's it's most important of course then that we get those comments and and also comments brought to us by any member of the public because the public can always provide us comments and we always take them all seriously. Um but it's really most important that we get those during the draft budget period and that is because it allows staff time to actually address those questions and adjust the budget if necessary and get communication from the board on direction. uh because by the time we get to the final budget and the final budget presentation, you know, pretty much things are locked in. The final budget is really kind of for those minor adjustments uh when we know more information about grants. We know more information as to how our consultants uh have spent their contracts and where they are in their contract period. So, generally speaking, the final budget really shouldn't contain any significant surprises. Um, and that's because significant increases to our final budget uh would be challenging to accommodate because the WO's final levy cannot be increased above the preliminary levy. So when we certify our preliminary levy, which is due September 30th each year, uh we can't go any higher than that in the levy. We if we go higher in the budget, it has to come from either a grant or it has to come from our fund balance. We can't go any higher in the levy. We can go down, you can't go up. So, we do have a a very helpful kind of summary and chart process I I will I will show at the very end that kind of steps through, you know, the regulatory requirements and and where we go through that timeline. Um, but I'll just kind of finish kind of covering all of this first. So, once approved by the WO board, the WO's annual budget also cannot be exceeded without an RBA for board approval. So if we exceeded our total budget for the year or we are anticipated exceeding our total budget for the year, we need to go to board and get official approval. We can't just exceed it and be like, "Oops, we missed." Doesn't work that way. Um the WO's annual levy again cannot be changed once final certification has been submitted in December. It is what it does. So those two things are locked into place. Now our fund balance is a combination of kind of three different types of funds. It's operational, restricted, and dedicated funds. A maximum fund balance usage is approved by the board as part of the annual budget. We cannot exceed the maximum fund balance approved without an RBA for board approval. Again, back to earlier where I said, you know, you just can't go higher than you've approved without getting board approval. The fund balance is absolutely never used to cover core services, lights, eating, insurance, staffing, annual programs that the things that we must do every year consistently by staff such as like uh Melissa doing those those lake surveys that we just kind of have to do. That's just that's never covered by fund balance. That's not what it's intended for. Um a little bit about what each of those different types of fund balances are dedicated towards. Uh the operational fund balance we must maintain a 30% operational fund balance. This provides a safety net in case of emergencies. Natural usually it's natural disasters such as floods. Uh we have a pretty good example of this. several years ago um during one of the 2016 2019 uh 2016 floods we helped provide the purchase of a sandbag machine um and we had the fund balance to do that uh because it's an emergency you can't plan for. So we are generally a resource for our cities and townships during any type of natural disaster. uh any additional operational fund balance over that 38% may actually be used for projects in the annual budget. Operational fund balances over 30% those primarily originate from activities coming in under budget or occasionally unanticipated grants being awarded after budget approval. A really good example of that is PIA and Xanadu. uh we end up getting a grant right before we put them in the ground and we'd already been saving up money for it so we had a little bit of money left over. Um and then sometimes we have partners land owners that just end up providing more match than originally committed. So Ryan gave a good example you know with the last uh wershed based implementation funding grant we have residents and land owners commit a certain portion. Sometimes they commit more. Like we have to say they have to commit a minimum. But sometimes they commit more. If they commit more than we had originally planned um because we have to guess, right? Because we don't know who they're going to be at the beginning of the year because they're going to submit their application in March and we've already set the the budget. Then we actually have a little bit of extra funds and that goes into the operational fund balance. Restricted. The WO's restricted fund balance is primarily pregrant payments. So several grant programs provide 10 to 50% grant funds out front. Watch basic momentum funding is exactly one of those. However, we cannot recognize those restricted funds until they are encumbered. Until we have spent them, we are not moving them into our available funds. Basically, this protects the WLO from overspending in case for whatever reason grant funds just can't be spent and must be returned. So, if for example, we got a large grant in and we moved it right into our operational fund balance and then it turns out we only got 10 projects in instead of the 20, we would still have to return the extra grant funds and now that could put the WMO in a really difficult position. So even though the state may send us funds in advance, we separate those into a restricted account and do not move them into the operational account until we've actually encumbered that expense until we put that project in the ground and paid the bill. We do not move that fund over and we actually we do that at the end of the year during reconciliation. So we're not doing it throughout the year. We're just doing it reconciliation. Uh the third portion of our fund balance is actually a dedicated fund balance. Now, these are committed funds being held for very specific purpose approved by the board. Um, our most common committed funds include grant match. Like Ryan said, we usually have to do 10 to 25% grant match. So, when we sign that grant agreement and we collect the levy for it, we put it into a dedicated fund balance so that it is there because we have committed to it and we have it available during that grant spending period. Um, saving up for large capital improvement projects, both Xanadoo and PIKA. um that is generally preferential. Uh saving funds would be preferential to bonding for example or taking out a loan. So Xanadu and Pika like we said are very expensive for our budget. Uh they can be 600 to 600,000 or over a million dollars. And so for us to to pay for those if we don't have a grant available, we definitely want to try to save up money. So for those, as a good example, in uh 2020, the board directed us to start saving money for those so we could get them in before the plan expired. So you could see, you know, through 2021, 222, 23, we started saving actually up funds each year um towards being able to pay to put those projects in the ground instead of using a bond or loan. So that's kind of that's part of one of the purposes of the dedicated fund balance. Uh an also very common use is multi-year contracts that may be under spend in previous years and uh we still have to spend those funds within the contract period. So for example, we may have a contract that's $80,000 and it's a two-year contract. The consultant says that they'll complete 50% of that in year one. Now, we get towards December of year one and oops, they're only at about 30% of that contract. Well, we levied for 50%. So that means we have to find we have to take that $16,000 that we already levied for in 2025, for example, and put that into fund balance. So that when they close out their contract and finish the work in 2026, it means that they're actually getting paid $40,000 out of the levy that year plus the $16,000 from the year before that they didn't spend the year before. And the reason why we do it that way is to ensure that we don't double levy for something. So we levied for for example that first half of the contract in 2025, but we don't want to make we don't want to accidentally levy for it again in 2026. So that's why we put it into fund balance and take it out of there. Um and that way we ensure that we're meeting our contract obligations, not double levying for anything. Um and making sure everything gets completed. So just so you know, I I did put together a little table of the general fund bal the overall sorry the total fund balance for 2019 to 2026. So 20209 we're actually kind of low. We actually got below 30% and that was because we were finishing up another grant that was very large and we dipped in a little hard into the fund balance to complete that grant. But then starting in 2020 we started saving for some large expenses. We actually got a couple of good grants. So, we actually have a little bit of a higher fund balance now than we actually need, which is why you could see between 2024 and 2025 and 25, we're starting to spend down some of that additional operational fund balance uh to bring us down a little bit closer to that 30%. And then if Ryan, if you could Yep. Thank you very much. So, the second piece of this is this is kind of a helpful document we made for the board a few years ago. Um the first page here is just uh we actually operate both the Scott WO and the Vermillion River Wershed JPO. So this works for both of them just so you know. Uh but this is all of the actual required plans, reports, and regulations that we must follow uh each year with our budgeting process. So uh I'm not going to go into this one. You are more than welcome to look all of these up. Ryan, if you want to scroll to the second page. Um, this one tends to be one of the more helpful documents that folks tend to look back on. Uh, just so you understand our budgeting process and timeline. So, we start by looking at the watershed plan and our annual report to identify our priority issues for the next year actually in July and August kind of middle year. And then we draft our proposed levy and budget outline. So it'll have maybe program categories but it might not might not have line items under each of those programs. So it might have monitoring as a whole but not maybe literally every project under monitoring. That goes in August. Uh and then end of August we are bringing the proposed levy outline and budget to the WPC for you again to do that first review make sure that everything is consistent and if you see anything that's inconsistent we bring that to the board in September. And then as part of that draft budget and le and proposed levy, uh the board must certify the levy portion by September 30th. Uh then between September 30th and November, kind of the end of the year, uh we're still taking in some final budget details for the rest of the year. So we unfortunately it's also kind of the time of year we get some grant information from state agencies when grants are being awarded, how much where we're at with certain grants. Uh that's so that's kind of that's how we adjust the final, you know, the final uh budget kind of at the end of the year. We we start hearing from our consultants and getting a better idea from our consultants where they might be within their contracts. uh we'll hear from the S SWCD kind of, you know, where they are with some of the cost share projects. Are any of them going to carry over to next year? Uh you know, which are the ones that they're going to be able to close out. So that's kind of what's going on in October. We're cleaning everything up. Um making sure we're getting really targeted numbers uh as much as possible. And so that allows us to bring the final levy and budget to the WPC kind of the October, November time. Uh, and then that goes to the board. Usually, um, there's a the board budget processes in there, too. Um, but the deadline is for uh usually December 20th to certify that final levy. So, and then of course too, there is still the the state audit too if you have additional questions as well. But with that, I'm happy to answer uh any questions related to the fund balance or the budget process or anything else you might have. I know it's a lot. So, Vanessa, one quick question on the you gave the example of like the budget being used for sandbags or whatever at one point. So, was not that it matters. I guess I'm just curious. Was that something that you were told you were going to do or is that something that you were involved in deciding to do? meaning that, you know, is is in and and I can see it either way, but in a time of emergency, is it just like, okay, well, hey, we need money for this and so we're going to take it from here, or is it something that you participated in? >> Got it. Uh, great question. Uh, I full disclosure, I was not actually here at the time. Uh, but I've undergone similar emergency fundings and I, this one I happen to know at least a little bit about. This is one where, right, there was a major flood in the county. Um the everybody was looking for somebody that had money to help provide some flood resources. We had extra funds in our operational budget. So we offered and they took it because the county took it and the cities took it so that they could provide a sandbanking machine for everybody. So yeah, it was definitely the the WMO was was deeply involved in that decision. um the board is the only uh are the only ones capable of just taking money from our budget. It it begins and ends with them. And in that case, it sounds like it was kind of mission adjacent as opposed to, you know, something completely unrelated in any way to water or anything like that. >> Yep, absolutely. That's a great question. And so yes, you can find the alignment to like our wershed management plan and we have a priority or a goal that is kind of flood management, flood reduction. It's kind of one of those those goals or priorities. And so that's how you align it to is this a reasonable expense. Now, if it was like a karaoke machine or you know that would not be that would not be adjacent. Um if it was for unfortunately like medical emergency buses for for human beings it would actually not be adjacent. So you know in this case you're right you can make the connection to the watershed plan which is what the board had done at the time. >> Yep. >> Commissioner Fredericks I can just elaborate slightly on it. So I'll preface it with it would be our former um administrator at the WO Paul Nelson would have been that's why Vanessa is saying it predates her. So in 2014 we had flooding where we had a presidential disaster declaration that occurred. And so I believe my understanding would be the need sort of came from that event sort of happening that led to that sort of um message or you know the that there was a need for this sandbagging thing that sort of came to light once that flooding happened. Thanks. >> Hey, Ryan. >> Yeah, >> Commissioner Malin. So, is that machine do is that do we give that to somebody or is that how does that work? >> I I'll answer that one, Ryan, because that's a great question. Uh because that goes a little bit back to how the WO has been chosen to operate. It we prefer not to operate in owning a lot of things. So some watershed agencies do and we just don't. So it actually became a county uh we purchased it for the county and it and it became a county sandbagging machine. So it's not something we would have wanted to keep. About the only thing we own is a boat and a trailer. All right, that's what I figured. I just >> Yep, that's No, it's a great question because you'll see it come up sometimes like we'll work a lot with the SWCD for different equipment and we would prefer the S SWCD is the equipment owner, not us. >> Got it. >> Yeah, it's a great question, >> Vanessa. Um, >> yeah, >> you kind of added this additional information, right? because of conversation that we had in person in that joint work session, right? >> Yes. >> Does anybody recall who that was who kind of requested that information? >> I unfortunately >> I apologize. I had no voice at that meeting. So I and I was a little bit under the weather so I did not because it wasn't an official official meeting. I didn't take the notes so I don't >> Sounds good. Yeah. I I'm trying to rack my brain too and I'm just thinking, you know, people were maybe wondering about the budgeting process, how the WMO budget is set, what's >> role, >> that's what I had some questions. >> I had some questions for sure. Um and again I was just trying to understand um in in you know comparing it which is probably not a good thing to more of like almost a corporate environment setting of like okay well you set a budget you meet it or you don't and you know some some of those types of things. So um I had asked some questions about just trying to understand how we carried money forward and then looking at the trends you know where the the carryover continues to go down and at some point does that become an issue or not. So um anyway I I know I had asked some questions at least. >> Sure. Yeah. And that's kind of what I recall too. And then so now I'm you know trying to put these pieces together um and again also being no new trying to understand what what is our role um as a WPC what information are we given what information do we want to have to be able to fulfill that role you know if we are providing a recommendation to the county board that says yep in whatever time it is July August September we the WPC board we think this budget looks great and should be forwarded on to approval to the county board. So the first question is is that the case? Are we asked annually to approve the budget provide a recommendation to the county board? And if so, looking back at the packet materials, you know, I'm looking at August for example, you know, we basically get a summary of revenues and expenditures from the past two years and then for the upcoming year is that level of information. So the first question is to um staff I guess and the second question then is to other um board members. Is that level of detail that we got for example in August is that sufficient for us to feel like we can provide a thorough recommendation to the full county board. >> All right. Okay. Wonderful. Okay. I can help with that one. So yeah, I did kind of put in the memo a little bit because I I wasn't sure if folks were quite familiar with what the role is of the WPC. So that's kind of where you start, right? If you know your role, then you know what to look for. And really, it is the W the role of the WPC to provide comment to the the board. Uh the WPC cannot overall, you know, approve or disprove the budget. You can only provide comment. Um your role is really to review the budget for consistency with the plan and the annual report. So does the budget meet what we agreed to do in the annual report in the annual work plan and the wershed plan and is it consistent with what we're fun and how we're funding it. So you know th that's really the resources that you need are the draft budget levy and then you need to have obviously available the annual report and the watershed management plan to make sure that the things are consistent as commissioner Frederick's pointed out to make sure that things that we're paying for are actually things we should be paying for right >> uh so those are kind of the resources need now if you need additional detail in the budget that we provide you in August you have a couple of different options ions, right? If you see prior to August that maybe there's some additional things you might want for that review and you ask staff to provide those in advance, we will absolutely put that together for August. Um, or if we don't have them, we'll let you know, of course. uh if you realize during August that you wanted to provide comments on something but now you're not sure you have the right information on a specific item after asking staff that is again what that period of August to November is for. It provides us the time to go back at that information bring it to you for you to take a look at as well so that uh we can continue working towards the final budget. So you actually get multiple opportunities. >> Sure. >> So just to clarify that. Thank you Vanessa. >> Yeah. Our role is to comment and provide a recommendation. Do we typically in the past have we provided um a board motion to recommend approval of the budget to the county board >> or have we just done general comments and those get forwarded on? >> We generally in the past have probably done more motions although moving forward it'll probably be more comments. I will say I don't we don't review them any differently per se other than like having to be like Robert's rules in person versus virtual telling people where you are but nuance but they'll be viewed the same whether or not you make a formal motion or it's just a list of comments they will be reviewed and taken with the same level of seriousness. Um, another way to look at it is it also meets the qualifications for uh providing opportunities for public comment um because it's a public meeting. So we could also get uh comments from the act the nonWPC public as well which we do sometimes uh get comments from the general public as well which we also take in during that time. Since we're still on the topic, my my second part of the question, um I do feel like it would be nice, you know, in my mind comments should be available to anyone, any member of the general public. You know, my preference would probably be that this board is providing a recommendation from us as a board to the county board. It would be my personal preference. Um, as you know, people that are appointed that do have a level of responsibility to review things in more depth. And um, so to that end, I think, you know, it would be nice again just looking at like the summary information if some of those columns could be expanded upon. you know, when we have I like that we have a couple years of past data and then the draft for the following year budget. Um, so you know, like and this might have been part of your discussion too about use use of fund balance um to my fellow commissioner um Mr. Frederick's that um you know it' be nice to see like where did we end up? You know, we had a budget for 2024. Where did we end up? we had a budget for 25, where did we end up? And then that'll help us as commissioners inform what we think, you know, how we are meeting our responsibilities for future budget budgets as well. So that'd be two potential changes, Vanessa, that I'd suggest or uh request is budget versus actual numbers for at least the last year. And then maybe just a little bit more detail. you know, when we're talking about expenses, what we have in the packet is, you know, a million dollars towards land and water treatment. So, is there a little bit more detail? You know, maybe there's 10 categories that fall under that. We don't need to see every dime, but a little bit more detail in where, for example, that large um line item goes to. >> Yep. Absolutely, Comm. We can do part of that. Part of that's already provided. um where we ended up last year is always in the annual report uh for where we fell last year and how we did. Uh we would not be able to provide that for like the last meeting in December only because we don't do end of year until like I'm in the middle of doing it right now for 2025. So that would not be able to be provided but I could provide it for 2024 and it is already available in the annual report. uh we could provide even uh I'd have to talk to finance and see what we have but that but that is already available um providing additional detail for like specific projects under each program we can absolutely certainly do that as well so you kind of understand right like monitoring is $60,000 you know what are those 10 things that are going on under monitoring that make up that $60,000 uh we already have that already uh so uh we can certainly provide that that's not a problem either. For sure. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I'm looking at the annual report, at least the 2024 one. >> Um 2024 revenue 2024 expenses. I'm not seeing like a what I'm thinking of is like the budget versus the actual final numbers. And um so for example, like when we start talking about the 2027 budget, we would be looking at the 2025, right? we kind of have to skip a year because you're not going to have the data from 26 yet. So, I get that. >> Yep. >> So, yeah, I'm not saying that we need to have the actuals for 2026 cuz Yeah, you're not going to have those until after year end >> and you're already past the budgeting phase, but yeah, have the kind of the budget versus the actuals for the one following year that we do have a full year of data. So, >> hopefully that makes sense. We're on the same page. Yeah, sounds good. Any other thoughts or questions from commissioners? All right, hearing none, then we can move back to the agenda. Move on to our ongoing business, our staff report from the S SWCD. Troy, >> good. Thanks, Vanessa. Um, good afternoon, commissioners. So, uh, you'll find the, uh, staff report in your packets. Um, and let's see here. I'll just highlight some of the uh or give some of the highlights uh rather than bore you with all the details um and just kind of maybe go over a bit how it's laid out maybe uh for the benefit of the new commissioner. So the first graph there shows the number of active service requests. So this is part this and all the other graphs that follow there on that first page are associated with the technical assistance and cost share program and it's just intended to provide a quick dashboard on on where things are at um at the time of reporting with this first uh graph bar chart showing uh the number of active service requests. So every year we receive anywhere from 200 to 250 uh requests from land owners throughout the Scott WO for technical assistance and maybe help with funding a project. Um so the blue line indicates how many of those are active currently and the green bar shows how many of those are actually um service requests that have a project associated with them. And those are projects that are at any phase of development from planning to maybe final payment. So you can see that over half of all the service requests that come in are associated with a project. And and we kind of it's it's not um critical, but it's a kind of a nice indicator. Not every project or every request we receive is to do a project. A lot of times it's just to receive information and get ideas and guidance on how to maybe do something or address an issue that they have. Um the next the brown bar chart is soil health practices. We include that because that's a high priority practice area or group of practices that we've been promoting um god it's got to be over five years maybe six years or more even. So we try we show the trends on that in terms of what kind of results we're seeing with respect to all our promotion and outreach and efforts to promote soil health practices. And you can see over the last couple years how that trend has shot up um as a result of those efforts. And that's uh largely in part of the funding that WO provides to the tax program in addition to a significant amount of funding that so and water district uh gets in terms of grants from state and federal agencies as well. And you combine that together and we muster those resources towards this uh soil health practices. And you can see the results there. We already got uh quite a few acres starting to line up in 2026. The equipment rental program is another uh program that is help supported by the WO. Uh that's a program where we have uh different types of equipment that are available for farmers to use to do uh tillillage and planting practices that um help conserve soil. So the more acres we have of that, that means the more farmers are using those types of implements on either an experimental or just a trial basis. And and so that's a good another good indicator we use to um track how well our efforts are doing terms of reaching out to especially the farm community. Uh the the next graph on the lower left is approved cost shift funds. So this is used to track um the total amount of funds that we've encumbered uh for each year and we go back to 2019 to show a trend analysis. Uh you can see last year for example in 25 we encumbered more funds and than we had in the previous six seven years. Um, and then the open cost share grant status. That's more of a table just to give the commissioners a a snapshot of how much funds are available through the tax program for projects. So the uh under the award column is is how much we have in actual awards or budget available for 2026. The incumbranted amount is how much of that's already been used. And then of course the available there shows how much is available for spending the rest of the year. And you can see in this case as of the time of this report we had a little over $533,000 available. Any questions on that part before I move on? Okay, moving on to clean water education program. Uh so um we talked a bit about this earlier. Uh and whatever um ideas the commission or staff have on things that we can push out to the public and promote, we can definitely do it and amplify it through the clean water education program. We'll also do it on the Scott Solen Waters website. So there'll be multiple opportunities to get that word out and and new materials, new information out to the public uh through the SW program. Um I'll just report on the activity for this past month has been to really complete the 2025 annual reports or if you're interested uh I'm sure Ryan or Melissa or Vanessa can get you a copy of that annual report of accomplishments. We've been putting that report together for many years. And then also to look at the 2026 work plan. In other words, what do we want to do? What are the priorities for the coming year? Every year we have a work plan as well. And to to prepare th the work plan, we get together all the squat partners. So the W mo is the major funding partner but there's also Pry Lake Spring Lake watershed district the vermilion watershed lower minershed and we have cities and and townships that contribute as well uh along with the the water conservation district. So many partners to it um and we all kind of get together twice a year to identify priorities and and work do some work planning. Um, moving on to water quality. So, we don't have any current activity going on. Of course, this kind of a a quiet time of year when it comes to monitoring. Um, and as the spring starts to break and summer moves on, you'll start to see more activity in this category. The one thing we do report annually or monthly rather is the precipitation. We actually have a countywide um volunteer monitor program. It's uh actually through the DNR and we have 13 sites around the county where we collect uh precipitation data and we collect that and submit that to the state and it's used for various purposes uh official and unofficial. But the data you see in front of you is kind of just give you a indication of what those precipitation levels were for each month uh compared to what the average is here at the Jordan Field Office. So we have one of those um rain gauges and we collect that data. So you can see January for example we had about average precipitation uh in terms of um snowfall construction erosion control. Um this number here actually I should take off Credit River. We no longer do them in Credit River, but uh it basically shows the a number of inspections that our staff did on permits issued through the Scott County. And the reason we are out there is to uh verify and confirm that they're doing the proper erosion control measures as required for their permit. Those numbers are indicated by the blue bar. And then the purple line shows how many plan reviews. So that's how many new permits have come through the door um during that time period. Uh wetland conservation act. Uh I used to record this or report on this monthly. Uh I didn't mention this Vanessa, but I'm just going to do it quarterly now only because we're moving to a more quarterly time reporting system and we won't have all the current data each month. So just at the end of each quarter, we'll report on that activity. We uh skip down to buffer law. So um so water conservation district is responsible for um inspecting compliance with the state's buffer law. And what we do is we've split the county up into three areas and we do one area each year. So every every parcel that's subject to the buffer law gets inspected at least once every three years. And then uh we follow up with letters um to those individuals that maybe are out of compliance for one reason or another and we work with them initially to get their buffers back into compliance. Last year uh we did um uh our compliance investigations and had 15 sites that were not compliant. So not a bad number. Um and then finally a report on the tree program. Uh so we this is a long-standing program and as of uh the time of this report we had a little over 190 orders and sold over 10,500 trees. So we typically sell anywhere from 25 to 30,000 trees a year. Um I don't know if we'll hit that this year. It seems to be tracking a little slower than normal. Um but yeah we get we get many individuals and and at this program also offers us opportunity educational opportunity to do other things. One of the things we do for example during tree pickup uh day is offer a nitrate clinic and land owners can bring in their uh water samples and we'll test them for nitrate. We get a lot of uh folks come to the program just to do that even if they didn't have trees. It's also an opportunity to promote other programs. The WOS programs, we can use that opportunity and have a table out there promoting the tax program for example and other programs. I'll finish up just by looking at the uh tables there. Uh so this just reports out to uh the WPC the actions that our board have taken uh since the last meeting to um on the technical assistance and kosher program. This includes new applications. So the first uh rows on top show the projects that are receiving funding. So you can see a total of $45,844.50 50 cents was approved in funding uh in in January and February. And then the next uh table is payments. So these were the payments that were made in in that same time period. And you can see in the bottom a little over $22,385 in payments were issued. So this is important because this is all used to track and Ryan uses these numbers to keep his grant reporting up to up to date. And um and and for the obviously the information for the commission to see what kind of activity is occurring within this this program specifically. >> So with that I'll complete my report unless there's any questions. All right, Troy. Thank you very much. Ryan, you want to provide your updates? Commissioners? Yes. Uh I don't have as many um this month. So the the big one was our grant reporting is all due around the same time of the year, uh that February 1 time frame. So February 2nd's like a day you circle on the calendar as a a day to celebrate getting everything done. >> Um to just so you're kind of aware and it might not sound like a lot. Um personally I had six grants to report on and not all of them are that intensive but um some of them certainly are. Especially like the one we talked about where it's closing. Um you're you're rechecking numbers a lot and making sure everything aligns. Um, so got everything submitted on time. Um, so it it always feels good when that's all completed for the year. Um, moving on to the next things that we've got upcoming. So annual report, that'll be what we're working on uh over the next couple months. Um, kind of getting that uh established and and moving along. Uh, so staff were already kind of pulling together pieces to pull that that report together. Uh this is also the same time of the year where we have to start working on our key performance indicators. So they're measures that we track by department. Uh each of us are assigned different um indicators that we have to pull the data for update the numbers and it basically is just seeing you know how some of these program areas within the departments um are doing. So um working on both of those. Uh also kind of a neat opportunity that came about. So, we had submitted an article for the scene. I know we've talked about the scene a number of times here tonight uh about a grant that actually ended in August of last year. So, we wanted to do a success story on that grant. Um you know, we we hadn't finished this WBF, so that's why we didn't we weren't choosing that one at this time. Um, so when we had reached out to MPCA, you know, to see if they were all right with us using, you know, their name, you the agencies that are involved in that grant, uh, they kind of were curious and wanted to get some more information. Long story short, uh, it it basically ended up, we're still going to run our article, unfortunately, did get pulled for the next edition, so don't look for it there. It'll it'll happen. We're going to make it one of these editions. But, uh, this one was jam-packed with, uh, good stuff. So, um, we'll get it into a future one. Uh, but NPCA wants to run their own success story as well. It kind of piqu their interest that we were going to run a story on this. So, kind of a neat, um, way to work collaborative collaboratively together with them. So, basically, I'm in the process of pulling all that information for them, sending it over to them, and then they can kind of, you know, write their own success story based on that information. and and they're going to obviously run it past us and we'll know what outlets they're going to use, but I thought that was at least um something noteworthy to pass along to the uh the WPC. Um two more items here. So, I was fortunate enough to attend a soil health workshop last Thursday that was put on by the soil and water uh office. Um they did a fantastic job. It's been a few years since I had attended one of them and I'm certainly glad I did. A lot of good information. One of the things that they had heard as staff that producers wanted was more local information. So, it was really heavy with, you know, what um what people are doing right now in Scott County. uh what are some of the you know potential technical assistance and cost share opportunities out there both from a local end and a federal end. Uh so it was largely you know driven by the soil and water staff and so the three members that they had did a fantastic job. They also had a representative from NRCS there um giving information to producers and it was just really a good discussion. Um, uh, you know, one of the staff members did a great job of most of the people, if not everyone that was in attendance is a cover crop, uh, producer and she would just have them kind of explain, you know, what's working well, what they're doing, so the kind of the whole group could kind of hear that. It was good back and forth. Um, so once again, I was really happy I was able to to get to that workshop and um, so water did a really nice job with it. Um, last thing, this is actually an item that we had asked in the past, but I want to double check. This only applies to Commissioner Dill, Commissioner Kreer, and Commissioner Barton. if you have a preferred contact method. So, after we send out the um the WPC packet, do you prefer like email, uh text, a phone call, just to make sure to see if you're there or not? And if I've been doing email and if you don't say anything, I'll just assume that that's what we'll continue to go with. But, uh, you can either say it now or reach out to me afterwards if you got a preferred method other than email, uh, if you want me to contact you for. So, um, >> go ahead. >> Um, Ryan, I would say a text would be great if that's not too much more work for you. >> Yeah. Nope, that totally works. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, you're >> Ryan Commissioner. Yeah, email's fine. No problem. Perfect. >> I was going to teach just say yes. All the above, but email's fine. >> Sure. Sounds good. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, you're welcome. >> Oh, Commissioner Thrian. Um, I'm just going to wrap up here tonight. We are going to be out of here before 6. I with just three quick updates. Uh first and foremost, unfortunately, we did not get any of our four applications for invasive aquatic plant management. So, for those of you commissioners that remember, each year we apply to the DNR uh to do aquatic invasive plant management, generally curly leaf pondweed treatment on Thor, Odow, McMahon, and Cedar Lakes. It's the first year we haven't gotten at least one of them. and DNR said that they were just overwhelmed with applications this year and they have less funding. So while our match percentage doesn't change, uh the match percentage of the lake associations and the residents uh will change based upon that uh or we reduce the treatment area or things. It doesn't mean that none of the lakes will get treated, but it can definitely affect the treatment plan. So that was kind of unfortunate. Uh the DNR did say that uh they do make sure that 20% of the applications within the regions uh at least get awarded. And I said, "Well, how many of those in Scott County even got awarded?" And they said, "One." So only one lake in all of Scott County received an aquatic invasive species plant management. And those do range between five and 15,000 for the ones that we apply for. So it is a notable amount of money each year. So that was kind of a bummer. uh but we will have an alternate plan available. Uh the second thing is the one thing I'm going to circle back on which is that uh a lot of the boat launches obviously are public boat launches and they're owned and operated by the DNR. And coincidentally, um, if you remember, Commissioner Phillips brought up the really great idea of looking at seeing if we could do some sort of, uh, boat inspection station at one of the boat launches. And the coincidental part is we had a we have a high school student from Shakape High School's in the environmental program who was looking for a very specific aquatic invasive species project to do for their senior project. And wouldn't you know it, they just aligned like kismmet. And so we have a Shakapei High School student who is actually leading that project in that initiative. They just got started, but in a couple of months we'll be able to bring you an update as to if we're able to uh get one of these uh boat inspection stations at one of the public boat launches and how much it'll be and that kind of thing. So, uh, Melissa's working with the student. So, unfortunately, I don't have quite all the details, uh, specifically, but the student is in charge of kind of that's their whole project, pursuing with the DNR, working with the DNR and the cities and residents and getting the funding and understanding the cost and then bringing all of that to you guys here uh, to present to decide if that's something we want to move forward with. And it ties back to Commissioner Milin's previous comment about having information stations like a QR code or something at the boat launches. We could maybe incorporate that um or do it separately on the side. Uh keeping in mind of course that the boat launches are actually DNR owned, so we have to get their permission to do things like that. Uh but we can certainly consider that as well into that kind of package project. So, we'll keep working on that and we should be able to bring you some information here in a month or two with an update and ideally obviously we would love the student to present to you. Uh, if that doesn't work for them and their timing, we would obviously present on their behalf, but ideally we would have them present to you specifically. Um, and then as Ryan said too, you know, we're working on our annual report. Uh, we're also still working on the wershed management plan. So, just so you know, we've been meeting with the TAC every month and the TAC recently reviewed all of that great information that you came up with at the joint workshop with the SWCD board. We brought that information to the TAC, that's the technical advisory committee that's made up of the city's professional staff and and the state agency professional staff. Uh, and uh they uh took that in and provided their own comments which Melissa is working on as well. So uh the TAC is currently going through program review and then after that they go we go into working on the implementation section which are all the projects. So I just wanted to provide you a really quick update on that as well. And with that I stand for any final questions. >> Vanessa this is Bill Phillips. Um what lake did you say the student is working on the boat cleaning station on? Did you say to >> didn't I would say okay >> probably our first target because I think that's the one we've heard about the most from the different residents >> but we've left it open so um Melissa will know more after the student has done more research >> that's really great >> yeah I know is that great >> yeah that's great um Prior Lake I think it was mentioned at the m last meeting Prior Lake Sandpoint Beach Boat Access does have a new one installed. I was just down there ice fishing and I saw drove down there and it's a it's a smaller one, but it's it's it's a nice one. It's um I took a picture of it and um but I don't know how much it costs. I guess I didn't I could maybe look into that and ask them. I know they have all that information, but um one was put in. I was really happy to see it there. I think it'll help boers to clean off their boats and you know it all helps and prevention what prevent whatever future AIS we're trying to prevent. You know there seems to be always something new we're trying to prevent to get in our lakes and I think it'll be a great thing and kudos to that student for for uh you know doing their senior project on that. So >> thank you very much >> Vanessa. Yes, >> Mr. Malin. Um, can we follow up with that student uh or just keep a tab on what how that's working and and such? I'd love to see it in process sometime as well. >> Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, Melissa, I apologize. She's on vacation and apologize. She's on vacation. I apologize. I don't have the information. Uh she is working like mentoring them through the process. So, uh, she's got, you know, a close relationship and would have been able to provide you more information than I had available at the time. Uh, so we can definitely at the next meeting provide you an update. And like I said, the goal of course is also to help have them present to you when their project is finished because obviously if we were going to do something like that, you have to review and make a comment, you know, recommendation as to whether or not you want us to move forward with it. Right. So, >> perfect. Thank you. >> Yeah. Uh I do know it would have to it'll have to all be done within the next, you know, two, three months. Uh because it is their senior project for high school. So I love kids doing that kind of thing because we need the service done and he needs the, you know, education on it. It's perfect. Win-win. >> Thank you. >> All right. Vanessa, this is Commissioner Barton. I got a couple questions on the AIS grants you mentioned that we did not get. Um, is that still planned to go forward? I mean, it's either you keep you do it anyways, even if you didn't get the money or you don't do it. Um, if it goes forward, where does the where do you make up that, you know, not having the funding you were expecting? Is that the WMO takes up that extra cost? Is that a lake association or the city or a combination? Yep. Great question. I touched on it very briefly, so I apologize. A little bit more in depth. Uh we commit a very specific amount to like $25,000 for example per lake. And so we will never exceed our match. And so if it's higher than our match, we have one or two options. Uh the lake association has to come up with the missing difference. A lot of times they do, but sometimes they don't. If the lake association cannot come up with the difference, uh we do an alternative treatment which is generally a reduced treatment area. We'll instead of maybe we can't do all of the largest bays, we may only hit some of the smaller bays. >> Sure. Just work with the budget that you have but still do treatment. >> Yeah, we are we are hoping for one more side grant for Thle. It's a completely different new grant. We haven't heard whether we'll get it or not, but that would be great. But it's not a normal grant. So, >> Gotcha. Okay. And then I have another item. Um, and we could, this could maybe be a question for today or for the next meeting and add it to the agenda. >> Um, >> but I was just kind of reminded and you mentioned this at the beginning, but you kind of led the meeting for us and it's different than what we had last year. So, I apologize. Did I miss a discussion at a previous meeting about kind of board operations and no longer having a chair and vice chair for us as a WPC? >> You did, but it was probably a little bit before it might have been a little bit even before your time. So, I will circle back with you probably that's more than I could probably cover here in the next few minutes. So, um I can bring it back to the next WPC meeting and connect with you um offline as well and kind of bring you up to speed on that one as well. I'd be happy to do that. >> Sure. >> Whichever you >> um Well, I just have a little Yeah, I looked at last year we had um we had voted as a board to have a you know, a chair and a vice chair last year in January >> and we missed the January meeting this year. Um, so yeah, I guess and then some background information if we want to wait till next month that's fine, but then maybe if we could bring forward or have in the packet materials um like do we have a do we have any bylaws as a board? Do we can we see the JPA for the WMO that might outline outline things like that or what our role is specifically? And I feel like it's relevant because depending on what our role is, that might dictate how formal we do or don't want to operate as a board. >> So, if we could see maybe the WMO bylaw or the WO JPA and if there's any bylaws and then even tied into like some of the previous discussion about financial policies. Do we have as a board um any financial policies or as an organization as a WMO rather? >> Um so that would be nice to just see that background information because that might inform I think discussion by us about how we want to function during board meetings going forward. >> Absolutely. Yep. We can definitely do that. Would you do you want to start a um just after this meeting? You know, I can reach out to you or do you just want me to bring it to the next meeting? Which would you prefer? >> We could just have it on Yeah. as an agenda item for the next meeting. I don't know how everybody else do other people feel, you know, do other board members, do you want to have a chair and a vice chair and have board members kind of lead their meeting more or have staff do it? That's kind of >> kind of the discussion and the overarching thing. >> Commissioner Barton, I I was surprised, too. I I didn't realize that things had been adjusted. So, I some clarity would be great. And uh if you need a motion to nominate you as chair, I'd be super on board with that. if that's not >> I'm not I'm not going there another time but uh yeah the change in operations so I just want to echo what you're saying >> awesome all right well we'll bring it to uh the next WPC meeting then for sure all right >> thank you >> awesome not a problem all right with that we can adjourn the WPC meeting for February I want to thank you all very much and have a wonderful evening. >> Thank you. You too. Bye everyone. >> Thanks. >> Thank you. >> And then Ryan, you can end the recording.