2002-04-18_AgendaPacket - Laserfiche WebLink

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BWSR Meeting Minutes January 23, 2002 Page Seven Chair Coe had two requests during the break. Mr. Schunk understood that he would be on the agenda about 10:00 a.m. Also, we will move up the Budget discussions because ** Mr. Morse will need to leave for another meeting. Moved by Jerome Deal, seconded by o2-oa Victor Ormsby, to adjust the agenda to accommodate requests by Mr. Schunk and Mr. Morse. Motion passed on a voice vote. ** 02-05 Information and Discussion Petition by Keefe Schunk, citizen - Mr. Schunk stated that the Board asked him to submit information in reference to the petition. All Board members received the petition information in their Board packets. Larry Samstad, consulting engineer, spoke on behalf of Keefe Schunck, asked that the petition for the dissolution of the Hennepin Conservation District be put on the ballot. Chair Coe suggested that the Administrative Advisory Committee further investigate, gather more information and report back to the full Board. If there is new or other pertinent information that should be reviewed, please submit to the Advisory Committee. Moved by JoAnn Coover, seconded by Jerome Deal, that the Administrative Advisory Committee further investigate, and report back to the full Board. Motion passed on a voice vote. Mr. Schunk offered his assistance to answer any further questions regarding this issue. Budget Reductions Steve Morse, Department of Natural Resources, distributed a summary packet regarding DNR's budget reductions. Steve highlighted some issues of interest to LGUs. It totals $15.5 dollars almost six percent of our biennial general fund budget. DNR will be eliminating 50 positions in layoffs and possibly more. The Minnesota Conservation Core is one. of the programs. proposed to be eliminated with an impact of $2.1 million dollars a year. We value all of these programs, however we had to make decisions. Regarding the Forest Stewardship Programs in the counties, there are ongoing reductions of $99,000 a year. The one time reduction this year will. reduce the Forest Management Plans. There are no reductions in the Water Resources Programs at this point in time. DNR will continue to use volunteers in the State Parks and will try to increase the use of volunteers through the system, and use the Sentence to Serve Program. State budget cuts will impact DNR's capability to become more involved at the local levels. The planning positions in DNR regional offices assist local government, inter-disciplinary work, and facilitation; these positions will be reduced from six to three. This is increasingly important and we want to continue to support people working on these planning and local government issues.. Sharon Clark, .Department of Agriculture, reported that MDA would have no layoffs. Salary savings will be made through retirements and vacancies. BWSR might be interested in MDA's Gypsy Moth Program. There are 14 seasonal trappers that MDA will hire later in the season so that the program is not harmed. This may be become a