Karen Bunkowski

The agenda for the upcoming meeting on March 10, 2026, includes several key discussion points spanning consent and general business items. Consent business covers accepting the Certificate of Performance and authorizing final payment for the CSAH 21 Grading and Concrete Surfacing project, approving funding from Opioid Settlement Funds for the WRAP+ Program, approving the "Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Day," approving the migration of existing parcel data to ESRI's Parcel Fabric Platform, approving a contract with Driftless Region Vector Control LLC for vector control services, and confirming the payment of disbursements. General business items include a report on 2025 Real Estate Highlights and Six-Year Land Sale Report, an update on Minnesota City School Property, and a discussion on a potential contribution to a homeless shelter. The Committee of the Board section addresses reaffirming direction on the Shotgun Zone Repeal and discussing the potential use of the Annex for an emergency homeless shelter.

The primary focus of this meeting was to consider a petition from Jake and Edna Shetler for two after-the-fact variances related to a newly constructed dwelling. Specifically, the variances concern allowing the dwelling within a 1000-foot setback from a neighboring feedlot (seeking a 275-foot allowance) and permitting the dwelling to be located on prime (Class III) soils instead of required non-prime soils. Key discussions included staff analysis detailing practical difficulties due to prime soil coverage and limited development sites, the need for the petitioners to obtain a Conditional Use Permit for the dwelling on less than 40 acres, and review of township and DNR comments. The Board also conducted an annual review and adoption of the Rules of Procedure and held the election of officers.

Discussions included public comments concerning the recent ransomware incident. The board approved several consent business items, such as recommendations for Health and Human Services Advisory Committee Appointments, renewal of Purchase of Service and Business Associate Agreements with Hiawatha Valley Mental Health Center, contracts for Building Elevator Inspections and Repairs, 2026 Solid Waste Collection, Transportation and Facility Licenses, and the Purchase of a Replacement Paging Repeater, in addition to confirming disbursements. A presentation was received from the MN Department of Agriculture regarding Proposed Spongy Moth Management. The board also approved the appointment of an additional member to the County Extension Committee and set a public hearing for the Shotgun Zone Repeal for February 24, 2026.

The scheduled meeting agenda includes the Call to Order, Approval of the Agenda, Election of Officers (President and Vice President), review of Financial Reports and Loan Updates for October, November, and December 2025, and discussion of New Business. Key new business items involve the Coordinators Report/2026 Work Plan, a Comprehensive Plan Workshop, review of membership/vacancies, and establishment of the 2026 Meeting Schedule. The October 23, 2025, minutes indicate the election of Dan Wilson as Vice Chair for the remainder of 2025, updates on CEDA happenings, discussion of the Comprehensive Plan progress (Phase 1 completion, public review forthcoming), and a presentation on the Winona Makerspace, resulting in a motion to draft a letter of support.

The meeting involved several key business items, including the election of officers, review and approval of Policy Committee Bylaws, selection of the Fiscal Agent (Root River SWCD) and Day-to-Day Contact (Winona County), and acknowledgment of financial reports and invoices for September 2025 through January 2026. The committee reviewed the Calendar Year 2026 Work Plan. Updates were provided on the WinLaC Grant, including the FY27 Work Plan timeline. A revision to the Local Funding Policy was discussed, specifically concerning the adjustment of the Well Decommission Cost Share Cap. The committee approved an amendment to the Sub-agreements regarding partner indemnification language. Regarding a well-sealing cost share request from Winona SWCD for an unusually expensive project, the committee moved to require the landowner to obtain a second bid before authorizing a one-time cost share increase from $3,000 to $5,000, contingent on the second bid. Updates were given on the FY23 grant status, noting that 93% of agricultural practices funds are encumbered or paid out. Martin Larsen presented the SE Minnesota Nitrate Strategies Collaborative Work Group's Report of Recommendations, which focused on increasing living roots, supporting alternative crops, implementing nitrogen BMPs, and education/outreach. The Stream Subcommittee provided an update on assessment work for Rollingstone Creek and identified potential project locations for Pine Creek and Rollingstone Creek.