Board Minutes

for

May 8, 2001

 

 

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, May 8, 2001; 10:10 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Einar Sundin, Doug Grindall, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Claybundy; Reporters Laurel Beager and Roger Jerome

2001/05-21 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/05-22 Motion by Chezick, seconded by McBride to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2001 regular meeting with an addendum to the discussion on the proposed Economic Development Strategic Plan that per the KEDA Chair there has been no formal position taken by the KEDA supporting the proposed plan. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/05-23 Motion by Chezick, seconded by McBride authorizing Board Chair’s signature to the Auditor’s April vendor payment listing verifying its review and to approve payment to Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A. in the amount of $948.00 ($822.00 to be reimbursed by KEDA) for personnel legal service. Payment detail on file in the Auditor’s Office. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/05-24 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick rescinding Board Motion 84/06-50 as this meeting room policy is outdated. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair tentatively set September 18, 2001 for the Board to meet in the Birchdale area as requested by the residents. Meeting tentatively set for 6:30 p.m.

2001/05-25 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by McBride to approve a one-year extension of the Ranier Area Waterline System Repair and Maintenance Escrow Fund Agreement with the City of Ranier in the amount of $40,000. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Board received reports from AMC and their lobbyist on proposed legislation impacting the County. The Board agreed to set a conference call with their lobbyist at the next meeting to receive an update on specific legislative issues impacting the County. The AMC report stated concern on proposed legislation bringing back the levy limit and establishing a reverse referendum on levy increases.

000 The Board received information from St. Louis Commissioner Dennis Fink describing a planning process called the “Gateway Community Approach” and requested their review and feedback as to whether this process would work for resolving our issues with management of Voyageurs National Park. Commissioner McBride received information from a constituent comparing a Wilderness Inquiry event to the Radar Run event with a question as to why the Wilderness Inquiry is allowed but not the Radar Run. In addition, the information stated that campsites were reserved for the Wilderness Inquiry and questioned whether the reservation system was implemented even though the GMP in not approved. The Superintendent’s actions were questioned as to whether she is following law and policy or making discretionary and arbitrary decisions. The Board agreed that the Superintendent’s letter stating her intent to keep the special use zone for the Kabetogama area gave nothing and was no more than a way to mislead the people and receive media attention. However, the Board did agree that her decision to keep the special use zone verifies her latitude in interpreting and applying law and policy. The Board stated opposition to her position on the special use zone as any event that would provide financial opportunity to the area businesses would not meet the criteria.

2001/05-26 Motion by McBride, seconded by Pavleck directing that the VNP Superintendent be contacted and asked to respond to how the Wilderness Inquiry event differs from the Radar Run event and allowed and why this Organization received reserved campsites. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Highway Engineer provided the Board a report showing a number of public requests for construction at the county and township level. In addition the report listed work that will be done this summer and work that will be done if time and equipment permits. Mr. and Mrs. Claybundy received property in the Indus area as a wedding present and have established their homestead on the property. Access to their property is 3,000 feet beyond the part of the UT road that is currently maintained. The cost to bring this section of road up to the remaining road standard could be as high $78,000. The Engineer pointed out that routing school buses back on these roads requires a higher level of maintenance and stated that there are many situations of non-maintained UT roads throughout the County. Mr. Claybundy requested minimum maintenance and snowplowing in the winter and that the school bus issue is not a factor now. Currently they can not get their car into their property. He stated that their house is already on the property and most of the heavy work is done so they do not need maintenance for heavy truck traffic. Commissioner Chezick stated that we have to be absolutely consistent in applying policy and that we should retain the correct amount of right-of-way so we do not run into problems maintaining the road. Commissioner Hanson stated that this request is unique as this area had residents living there before and is verified by the utilities to the property. Commissioner Pavleck stated his support to provide gravel to minimally repair the road and snowplowing in the winter. The Highway Engineer stated that providing a minimal amount of gravel would not fix the road. Commissioner Chezick asked what this property was zoned but the Engineer did not have this information available.

2001/05-27 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Chezick directing the Highway Engineer to provide several options with cost for minimum repair and maintenance to make the 3,000 foot section of UT 297 to the Claybundy’s homestead passable and to include right-of-way needs and to provide the current zoning classification of the property. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Highway Engineer stated that a public meeting will be held to receive comment on the Gold Shores construction project and that he has received a number of public request for blacktop work due to the fact that blacktop work will be done on the Gold Shores road. A public meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 22, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. Highway Engineer informed the Board that an ad seeking interest in the proposed dust control program is going out very shortly. The survey was a request of the Board.

000 After investigating the condition of the bike trail, the Highway Engineer stated that there are scrapes and cuts in its surface which is due to snowmobile use. At each intersection, there is major scraping due to the acceleration of the machines. In addition, studs and carbide runners have cut the surface. Though the Department has taken precautions and not allowed use when there is inadequate snow cover, the surface has received damage. The Board agreed to set a committee meeting with the area snowmobile club, City of Ranier and other interested parties to discuss the situation and find a solution to the problem.

000 The Highway Engineer stated that after reviewing the patchwork need at Forest Hill Cemetery, approximately 40 cubic yards of hot mix is needed rather than patching material. The cost of the hot mix is estimated at $1,200. In the original agreement the Highway Department was going to provide a minimum amount of cold mix and allow Highway forces to conduct the patchwork. The Department will still provide the forces to haul and lay the bituminous but should not provide the hot mix. The Board agreed and directed the Engineer to discuss the cost with the Cemetery Association and let them decide if they want to expend the funds on the hot mix.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:40 a.m. No comment was provided.

000 The Board discussed the proposal by Commissioner Chezick to create a subordinate taxing district for the area within the boundary of School District 361, including its cities. The Coordinator provided a review of the statutory provisions for creation of a subordinate taxing district and stated that revenue created by the subordinate taxing district levy would provide approximately 97% of the revenue in its first collection year. The Board discussed tax increases to these residents and the need to hold public meetings to seek comment before giving consideration to the process. Commissioner Chezick agreed and stated this was a means to get officials to think out of the box to find solutions to our community problems. The Coordinator stated that with the State applying and removing levy limits with each legislative year, it will be very difficult to maintain a program of this size under a subordinate taxing district as its levy is a part of the County’s levy and levy limit.

2001/05-28 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to adjourn the meeting at 11:55 a.m. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.