Minutes
Benton County Conservation Board Meeting
Monday, November 17, 2025 at 5:30pm
Benton County Nature Center, 5718 20th Ave Drive, Vinton, IA
Board Members Present: Mike LaGrange, Randy Scheel, Dan Hill, Samantha Hunter, Becky Van Wey, Tracy Seeman BoS liaison
Staff Present: Cecilia Dirks, Cara Harrill, Will Souer, Austin Wille, Shelby Williams, Zach Parmater
Public Present: Brad Routier, Kelly Williams, Steve Hepker
- Call to Order at 5:32pm by Van Wey
- Approve Agenda – motion to amend minutes to add disc golf update and approve updated minutes by Hill, seconded by LaGrange. All in favor, motion passed.
- Discuss/Action Consent Agenda – Motion to approve by LaGrange, seconded by Scheel. All in favor, motion passed.
- 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
- Business
a. Disc Golf Volunteers – Routier, K. Williams, and Hepker gave an update and MOU was discussed.
Motion to sign and file MOU by Hill, seconded by Hunter. All in favor, motion passed.
b. Discuss/Approve Annual Report – Motion to approve and file updated annual report by
LaGrange, seconded by Hill. All in favor, motion passed.
c. Discuss/Approve Animal Shelter and Cherveny Properties – S. Williams gave update - Board Member/Staff Reports
a. IRM Update – S. Williams gave update
b. Education Update – S. Williams gave update
c. Law Enforcement Update – Introduced the North Unit Park Ranger, Austin Wille. S. Williams gave update
d. Property Update – S. Williams and Parmater gave updates
e. Director Update – Van Wey gave update on director Williams’ review - Other discussion – park ranger swear in ceremony for Park Ranger Austin Wille
- Set next regular meeting Monday, December 8th, 2025 at 5:30pm, Nature Center 5718 20th Ave Drive, Vinton, IA.
- Adjourn – Hill moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 PM, Scheel seconded. All in favor, motion passed.
Minutes Submitted by: Cecilia Dirks
Jim Magdefrau 