A limited agenda didn’t keep the regular O’Brien County Conservation Board meeting from being lengthy on Wednesday February 8. The contracts proposed for the campground hosts were discussed under old business. The contracts were presented in January and revisited in February. Duties about cleaning, collecting camp fees and working hours were part of the contract contents. Director Travis Scott favored requiring a minimum of Wednesday through Saturday night, with cleaning done before leaving Sunday, for camp host attendance. Scott felt that for the hosts that have full time employment the seven days may be cumbersome. Discussion continued on giving a stipend for cleaning cabins and bins. A difference in compensation for the additional cleaning was addressed. Cabin (and bins) cleaning is a weekly duty. Restroom cleaning in all parks is a daily duty and done by technicians during the week and proposed weekend cleanings by camp hosts. Scott also proposed all cash handling be removed from camp host duties. The additional duties will be included into the contracts with Douma hosts getting $525 and the Mill Creek and Dog Creek hosts getting $575 due to the additional cleaning. The contracts were approved with the changes.
Scott requested approval to submit an O’Brien County Community Foundation Grant for upgrades around the old concession stand at Mill Creek Park. The building is currently being used to store kayak and other watercraft rentals. Scott described the intended work. Concrete replacement, repair the old windows, a widened door, a good roof and a foot wash station for the beach. He described the building as historic so the upgrades would be limited. He also spoke of adding a shade area, but that would require more extensive carpentry skills. The maximum amount that can be requested by this grant was changed this year to $15,000. The board approved making application.
Scott also asked for approval to submit a request for ARPA funding from O’Brien County and from Wellmark. His interest in these 2 funding sources is to upgrade the electric so each pad can have 50 amp service, connect to Osceola Rural Water and a septic system and sewer lines installed by contractors; a playground, a trail around the park, add 4 campsites (10 total) and build a two-stall restroom using staff. His estimate for the project is $162,000. He wants to ask $100,000 from American Rescue Funds and $62,000 from Wellmark. Discussion of the well water as well as water sources for the other parks followed. Scott noted that he is hoping to “get that pit cleaned out” in the future. He went on to say he was looking to tie Tjossem Park into Sneakers’ Run near Primghar. He also remarked that he was looking forward to making Tjossem long-term camping and increase revenues from $1500 per year to $15-20,000 per year. Approval of the request was moved by Kathy Ludeke and seconded by Jack Wallinga and passed.
Conservation currently has openings for a Naturalist and a technician. Scott presented to the board the idea of changing that position to a ranger position. The first reason for making the switch given by Scott was to take pressure off himself and Mark Wilson. Scott no longer qualifies for comp time. Wilson also serves as Operations Manager. Following that, Scott stated that he felt making the position a ranger position would increase interest from persons with more conservation background. Scott feels that is the most important piece. His main focus for this view was to get a person with a passion for conservation. The board visited with Wilson about his experience and duties when employed with Cherokee County Conservation, a similar organization without any rangers. A long discussion ensued, discussing the pros and cons of hiring an additional law enforcement officer verses a skilled trades employee. OCCB finally decided to search for both positions, a technician and a ranger. It was decided to consider the applications received to decide what the job duties will be.
The park rules as submitted for approval. Office Manager Sarah Fiddelke explained that the park rules are the same except refund policy to meet online reservation requirements. Alcohol rules got a lot of discussion also. State law does not allow any alcoholic containers larger than 1 gallon. Enforcement and discretion was a big part the conversation. Pets in the cabins got a lot of attention as well. Consensus came down to identifying 1 cabin at each park and 1 bin that allows pets. President Tom Konz noted that he feels a $25 deposit is not enough.
Scott gave the director’s report and the meeting adjourned.