Minutes
Benton County Conservation Board Meeting
Monday, July 14, 2025 at 5:30pm
Benton County Nature Center 5718 20th Ave Drive, Vinton, IA
Board : Sam Hunter, Randy Scheel, Mike LaGrange, Dan Hill, Tracy Seeman
Staff : Cara Harrill, Shelby Williams, Cecilia Dirks
Public : Nancy Baldwin, Melody Snow, Derrick Parker

1. Call to Order LaGrange 5:29 PM
2. Approve Agenda – Hunter motion to approve Scheel seconded, All aye, motion passed.
3. Guests or public participation (kept to a maximum of 3 minutes, the Board will not take any action on public comments at this meeting but may do so in future meetings) – None
4. Discuss/Action Consent Agenda: Scheel motion to approve, Hill seconded, all aye, motion passed.
   a. Approve minutes from last regular meeting
   b. Approve Conservation and IRM expenditures and revenues
   c. Receive and file activity report
   d. Tabled Items
   i. City of Atkins – Atkins Roundhouse: Lease
   ii. One-acre properties
   iii. Conservation Easements
5. Business:
   a. Discussion/Action: 5:40 pm Atkins Roundhouse Replant Bids – Hill motion to accept Option B from Frazier Nursery for $105,590.98 – Scheel seconded, all aye, motion passed.
   b. Old Creamery Nature Trail Update – Scheel and Williams gave update with discussion from Baldwin and Parker
   c. Vinton Unlimited Project – Snow gave update
   d. Discussion/Action: Leash-less areas – Scheel made motion to adopt new rule: 26. Designated OffLeash Areas and Seasonal Restrictions
   The following Benton County Conservation areas are designated as off-leash for dogs from July 16 to March 14: Winegar Tobin Wildlife Area, Mount Auburn Boat Ramp, Edna Shain Fen and Wetland, Albert Wetland, Wyman Memorial Park Dogs are not allowed in these areas in any capacity during the restricted nesting period (March 15 – July 15), in accordance with Iowa Code section 481A.6. , Hunter seconded, all aye, motion passed.
6. Board Member/Staff Reports
   a. IRM Update – 1154 miles sprayed, IRM Tour 5:00pm July 22nd, 2025
   b. Education Update
   c. Law Enforcement Update Property Update
   d. Director Update
7. Other discussion
8. Set next regular meeting in August 11, 2025 at 5:30pm, at the Nature Center
9. Adjourn – Hill moved to adjourn Scheel seconded, all aye, motion passed. 6:46 PM
   Minutes Submitted by : Cecilia Dirks

Approved Date