Koochiching County Board Minutes 12-11-01

Board Minutes

for

December 11, 2001

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, December 11, 2001; 10:15 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick

MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Pavleck

OTHERS ATTENDING: Doug Grindall, Pam Lagoo, Ann Scholler, Aaron Carew, Linda Dreher, Christy Bubolz, Al Eggebroten, Richard Lehtinen, Terry Glowack, Duane Nelson, Florence Hervey, Dennis Hummitzsch; Reporters Terri Buller and Roger Jerome

2001/12-01 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2001/12-02 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to approve the minutes of the November 27, 2001 special meeting with corrections to motions 2001/11-55 and 2001/11-56. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

000 The Chair acknowledged that the request for an increase in the on-call rate by the public health nurses was deferred until after the Board meets with the Public Health Director next month to discuss home care service.

2001/12-03 Motion by Chezick, seconded by McBride denying an additional salary increase for the County Recorder in 2002 based on comparative data in salary, duties, and responsibility. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

2001/12-04 Motion by Chezick, seconded by McBride to table a response on the Engineer’s request for an additional salary increase for 2002 until the second week in January to allow more time to gather information. Voting yes: Chezick, McBride; voting no: Hanson, Lepper. Motion failed.

2001/12-05 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to review the Engineer’s salary request with other proposals received when the Board opens negotiations next year. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper; voting no: Hanson, Chezick. Motion failed.

2001/12-06 Motion by Chezick, seconded by McBride to table a response on the Engineer’s salary request until the full Board is present. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

2001/12-07 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper appointing Marty Cody to fill the term of County Assessor as of February 6, 2002 when the position becomes vacant with the retirement of the current Assessor. The current term of office for the Assessor is January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2004. Appointee possesses AMA licensure and will acquire Senior Accreditation within two years from appointment. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

2001/12-08 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper to approve a B21 Auditor Clerk position to service the Auditor and Treasurer Departments and serve as payroll backup (in lieu of payroll assisting the Auditor and Treasurer Departments) and to authorize the Auditor to fill the position with hire contingent on a vacancy occurring in an office clerk position. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

2001/12-09 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride adopting the following resolution to combine the elected Auditor and Treasurer positions:

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute 375.10 Subdivision 5 provides for the combination of the
offices of auditor and treasurer as either an elective or appointive position;

WHEREAS, it is the wish of the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners to have the offices of auditor and treasurer combined into a single elective office of Auditor–Treasurer, thereby terminating the Treasurer’s Office for the purpose of providing for the election to the single office;

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners, through combination of these offices, shall not diminish, prohibit or avoid the duties to be performed by these offices as required in statute;

WHEREAS, the combination of offices and the creation of the single elected Auditor-Treasurer position shall take effect with the term of office beginning January 1, 2003 or sooner should a vacancy occur in the positions prior to this date;

WHEREAS, the persons last elected to the positions of auditor and treasurer before adoption of this resolution shall serve in those offices and perform the duties of those offices until the completion of the terms to which they were elected;

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Board of Commissioners to use this opportunity to streamline their administrative departments and create a needed information systems unit for the purpose of reducing cost for the taxpayer and to better serve the public.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that this resolution by the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners will be published once each week for two consecutive weeks in the official newspaper of the county. The purpose of the publication is to notify the public of the Board's intent to make the offices of Treasurer and Auditor a combined office with a single elected Auditor-Treasurer position for the term beginning January 1, 2003.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution giving the Board of Commissioners authority to combine the offices will be implemented without a vote of the people unless within 30 days after the second publication of the Board resolution ordering the combination, a petition equal to ten percent of those voting in the County at the last general election is received by the county auditor. Filing of this petition will prohibit the Board of Commissioners from combining the offices unless authorized by a majority of the voters at an election. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

2001/12-10 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick to approve payment of the Auditor bills in the amount of $163,392.63 to include non-board expense of $41.40 and authorizing Board Chair’s signature to the Auditor’s November Vendor Payment listing verifying its review. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

2001/12-11 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper to approve the following 2002 Tobacco Licenses as recommended by the License Committee: LBC Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Lu’s, Christiansen’s Store, Island View Lodge, Nelson’s Store, Rainy Lake Spirits, Inc., 65 Express, The Y, Roadhouse, Sha Sha; to approve the following 2002 Liquor Licenses as recommended by the License Committee: Milette Properties, Inc. – On/Off/Sunday Intoxicating Liquor; 19th Hole, Inc. – On/Sunday Intoxicating Liquor; LBC Enterprises, Inc. “Lu’s” – On/Off/Sunday Intoxicating Liquor; Island View Lodge – On/Off/Sunday Intoxicating Liquor; Rainy Lake Spirits, Inc. – Off Sale Intoxicating Liquor; The Y – On/Off Intoxicating Liquor and On/Off Sale 3.2% Malt Liquor; Christiansen’s Store – On/Off 3.2% Malt Liquor; Nelson’s Store – Off Sale Intoxicating Liquor; 65 Express – Off Sale 3.2% Malt Liquor, H&B Investments, Inc. Roadhouse – On Sale Intoxicating Liquor. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

2001/12-12 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper to table reconsideration of the appointment of Paul Nevanen to the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Chezick; voting no: Hanson. Motion to table carried.

000 The Chair stated that the IJC delayed combining of the International Rainy Lake Board of Control and the Rainy River Pollution Board to allow the public more time to obtain information on the proposal and that the County Board expressed this position at the roundtable and public hearing held by the IJC on November 27, 2001.

2001/12-13 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper to send a letter to the IJC commending them for delaying the combination of the two Boards and allowing the public more time to look at the issue and to request information on how to apply for membership to the IJC and whether there were vacancies on the Commission. Motion further authorizes the Board Chair to send thank you letters to Representative Oberstar and Senator Wellstone for their support on this matter and other local matters. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

2001/12-14 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick to establish the Heritage Committee for historical consultation and planning for the Courthouse and appointing citizen members Ed Oerichbauer, Muriel Severt, Doug Skrief and Betty Jean Hendrickson to the committee along with Commissioner Chezick as the Board’s representative. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

2001/12-15 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride empowering the Heritage Committee and Complex Superintendent to manage the Courthouse projects funded in the 2002 Budget. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

000 Christy Bubloz and two members of the Extension Committee met with the Board to request expenditure of the funding in the 2001 and 2002 Extension Coordinator budget to offset additional hours worked by Bubolz due to the vacancy in the sixty percent job share position and to request the filling of the job share vacancy when the University of Minnesota lifts the hiring freeze. In addition they are requesting seventy to seventy-five percent support staff for the office. Bubloz stated that she can not run the office at her current sixteen hours a week and is willing to work up to twenty-two hours a week until the vacancy is filled. Commissioner Hanson stated that in talking with the Regional Extension Director, the vacancy might be filled by April 1, 2002. Commissioner Chezick expressed concern with making any future commitments until the County has a better handle on what will happen to the County’s funding due to the State’s budget deficit. Commissioner Hanson stated that filling of the vacancy will provide the County 100% of a position (prior job share position was 120%) at the same cost to the County. Commissioner Hanson also suggested that the Extension Committee and the County Board meet in committee to discuss the mission and goals of the Extension Service for Koochiching County.

2001/12-16 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper authorizing the expenditure of the remaining balance of the 2001 Extension Coordinator budget to the University of Minnesota to cover additional hours worked by Christy Bubolz from October to December, 2001 due to a vacancy in the job share position. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

2001/12-17 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride authorizing the expenditure of additional funds in the 2002 Extension Coordinator budget to cover additional hours worked by Christy Bubloz until the job share vacancy is filled. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

2001/12-18 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper authorizing the filling of the vacant sixty percent Extension Coordinator position at the time the University of Minnesota lifts the hiring freeze. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

2001/12-19 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick to table action on the request to provide support staff to the Extension Office until more information is available on internal staff changes and the impact to the State’s budget deficit on the County. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:35 a.m. No comment was presented.

000 The Board was notified that Mitchell Lee Lessard was hired as a part time deputy sheriff contingent on obtaining a POST license.

2001/12-20 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Sheriff to obtain bids for a four-wheel drive pick-up and a four-wheel drive blazer which are funded in the 2002 Sheriff’s budget. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

2001/12-21 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride authorizing the reallocation of the DNR In Lieu dollars in the 2001 Budget giving the General Revenue Fund an additional $100,000 and reducing Environmental Service’s allocation by $30,000 and Highway’s allocation by $70,000. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Chezick. Motion carried.

000 The Highway Engineer received a proposal from the 2001 successful bidder in supply culverts to the Department that the company will extend the 2001 bid prices for 2002 and that these prices are lower than the State contract. The Highway Engineer stated that there is a possibility that bidding for the culverts in 2002 may result in lower prices.

2001/12-22 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the Highway Engineer to follow policy and seek bids for culverts in 2002. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director provided the Board a listing of the most important land use issues identified by the member counties of the Northern Counties Land Use Coordinating Board. The most common by almost all counties is local control of land use and input on State and Federal land use decision-making.

000 The Board Chair informed the Environmental Service Director that setting of the public hearing on the Jackfish Sewer Project is deferred until the full Board is present. The Director advised the Board not to defer the setting of the hearing too far in the future as it could delay construction this year if the project moves forward. Per Statute, a three week hearing notice is required. The Board agreed to place the item on the December 18, 2001 agenda for further review.

000 The Complex Superintendent, Sheriff and Jail Administrator met with the Board to review an order from the State Fire Marshal to place smoke detectors in all sleeping cells in the medium and maximum security areas of the Jail. The Complex Superintendent stated that the cost to install these smoke detectors is up to $20,000 due to the need to drill and run lines through the cell blocks and stated that household smoke detectors can not be used in the cells. The Jail Administrator wondered if this type of cost could be levied for. The Coordinator stated that it is too late for the 2002 levy but this cost and others should be reviewed again for a 2003 special levy for jail operation expense. The Board raised concern with this large expense and whether they had any options. In addition there were concerns with other orders that may be presented in the future so the Board agreed to request the Fire Marshall to meet with them in person to discuss this order and any future issues he may see in the jail. Coordinator will set up a meeting.

000 The Land Commissioner presented the results of the November 14, 2001 timber auction – sold 23,384 cords for a total sale value of $686,157. In addition he reviewed year-end revenue projections and possible apportionment results for the 2002 budget based on these projections. Deferred revenue and permit reports were reviewed with the Board which were produced by the Department’s new timber sale tracking software.

000 The Land Commissioner provided the Board an outline of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Program of which the Department is involved with and stated that there is improved activity documentation in the Department due to this program. The program not only gets department staff on the same track but ensure Forest Management objectives are not forgotten. The checklist is used by the foresters to remind them of objectives and is used to communicate site activity to contractors or loggers. The Land Commissioner provided the Board with articles on the Sierra Club’s law suit against the Forest Service for logging of aspen in three upper Midwestern states. The Board requested a logging operation tour this winter season.

2001/12-23 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting at 2:55 p.m. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.