Koochiching County Board Minutes 10-23-01

Board Minutes

for

October 23, 2001

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, October 23, 2001; 9:45 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Cindy Ellefson-Oswald, Ann Coulombe, Susan Congrave, Marie Mettler, Christy Bubloz, Richard Lehtinen, Steve Blair, John Bowers; Reporters Laurel Beager and Roger Jerome

2001/10-19 Motion by McBride, seconded by Pavleck to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-20 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2001 regular meeting. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board received an updated Home/Health Aide Hire Roster with the resignation of Amber Vohler and hire of Sheena Pearson, Michelle Krueth, Lynda LaCombe and Tracy Krueger.

2001/10-21 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to approve payment in the amount of $1,440.00 to Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A. for personnel legal service with payment from the Administration Legal Budget. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-22 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to table action on petitioning the City of International Falls to vacate a portion of 7th Avenue for a Veterans Memorial Park. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-23 Motion by McBride, seconded by Pavleck to add proposed Anti Terrorism Legislation to the agenda. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-24 Motion by McBride, seconded by Chezick authorizing attendance at the Highway 11 Task Force meetings (ARDC established committee to recommend changes to Highway 11, including possible upgrade to ten ton) and at the October 29th Emergency Management Meeting to discuss with community representatives establishment of an emergency management network. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-25 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper approving the termination of the office space lease in the Forestland Annex with A.E.O.A. at their request and approving revised office space leases for 2001 with O.D.C. and Falls Hunger Coalition for additional space vacated by A.E.O.A., effective November 1, 2001. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board received a proposal from Dr. Pamela Parkinson, d.b.a. Parkinson Group, to prepare a comparison of the first draft VNP General Management Plan to the revised draft. Commissioners McBride and Pavleck stated that comments are being submitted on behalf of Koochiching and St. Louis Counties to the National Park Service Director and did not feel any further action to review the draft plan was necessary.

2001/10-26 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper to approve payment of Community Service’s social service and financial claims and administrative expenditures as presented with detail on file in the Community Service Agency. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-27 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper directing the Board Chair to send a letter to Representative Irv Anderson supporting his endeavor to pass Anti Terrorism Legislation, which will also address Eco Terrorism. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-28 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck approving the following timber auction dates for 2002: January 18, May 10, August 7 in Big Falls and November 13. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-29 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper approving the renewal of the AEOA Congregate Meals Service Agreement, the renewal of the AEOA Home Delivered Meals Service Agreement, the renewal of Blue Heron Service Agreement, and the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Service Agreement contingent on receipt of insurance coverage documentation. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-30 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to approve a new AEOA SELF Program Service Agreement funded with State dollars to facilitate self-help programs for foster kids with the contract to terminate in one year to ensure no long-term funding commitment by the County. Approval contingent on receipt of insurance coverage documentation. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-31 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper to approve the Kootasca Senior Coordinator Service Agreement which includes a nine and one-half percent rate increase due to the State mandated COLA increase, administration cost and a salary step increase ($2,000 total increase). Approval contingent on receipt of insurance coverage documentation. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-32 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to approve the renewal of River Oaks Home Health Care Service Agreement with a three percent State mandated rate increase (no county dollars). Approval contingent on receipt of insurance coverage documentation. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-33 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick to approve payment of the following burial cases: #843114 in the amount of $521.50 and #590413 in the amount of $697.50 and accepting the following day care license recommendation: #56273 to relicense for group family day care for ten children. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was notified that approval was given by Koochiching County Community Services to St. Louis County Social Services to develop a SLS residential setting for supervised/supportive living for a vulnerable individual residing in Koochiching County.

2001/10-34 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to approve payment of the Public Health claims in the amount of $50,433.31 with payment detail on file in the Public Health Department. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Public Health Director reviewed the Department’s Quarter 3 Financial/Statistical Report with the Board and stated that revenues look good and visits are up. She stated that due to the Anthrax scare, emergency personnel within the County are meeting regularly to keep informed. The Director provided the Board the 2002-2003 Community Health Plan for review at a future Board meeting.

000 The Extension Coordinator and Health Educator provided the Board an update on the County’s Water Testing Program. The Program has been in existence for six years and is funded by State Water Plan dollars. The Public Health Department is responsible for the Program’s administration, publicity and lab testing. The Extension Department is responsible for contamination education and providing options to fix the contaminants, testing for iron and hardening and evaluation. The Program does not regulate but educates the public on managing their water systems for health and safety reasons. All testing is kept private and used to educate the individual(s). They have thirteen collection sites and charge $10 per test, which is half the price due to State grant dollars. From 1996 to 2000, 518 residents were tested and in 2001 another 113 new homes were added. The majority of testing is done in greater Koochiching County and the results of a recent survey showed positive feedback and support of the Program. Informational handouts were provided to the Board.

000 The Board Chair opened a public hearing at 11:00 a.m. for the purpose of amending the Zoning Ordinance to increase membership on the Board of Adjustment from three to five. In attendance were the full Board, Coordinator, Environmental Service Director and Zoning Technician. No members of the public were present for the hearing. The Director stated that no written comment was submitted. With no comment from the Board the Chair closed the hearing at 11:05 a.m.

2001/10-35 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride that since there was no negative comment received from the public, to approve an amendment of the Zoning Ordinance to increase membership on the Board of Adjustment from three to five as recommended by the Planning Commission. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-36 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck accepting the recommendation of the Planning Commission to require Thomas Kellner to file an application for rezoning of his property and not to waive the application fee as he had requested the County Board at their September 18, 2001 meeting. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-37 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper accepting the recommendation of the Planning Commission to approve a Conditional Use Permit #0106 to Keith Stevens (CSS, Inc.) in order to construct and operate a RV Park and Campground with stipulation that said project must comply with all rules, regulations, requirements and standards at all levels of government. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-38 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to approve a Billboard Policy as recommended by the Planning Commission allowing billboards only in C-1 and C-2 zoning districts subject to a Use Permit (and within State guidelines). Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2001/10-39 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride authorizing the Environmental Service Department to enter into a brush grinding agreement with Harbo Wood Waste Reducers at a price of $3.00 per cubic yard and $3,500.00 minimum. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

000 John Bowers of MCIT/Meadowbrook Insurance Group met with the Board to provide the annual Risk Management Report from Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust. The Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust is a joint power risk pool of 81 of the 87 Minnesota counties. Mr. Bowers reported on the Trust’s administration, coverage, and health, training and education programs. The Trust has been very successful and has provided its members dividend payments and rate reductions for the last five years. Koochiching County has aided in this success by its continued low claims.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:55 a.m. No comment was received.

2001/10-40 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting at 11:55 a.m. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.