REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, January 8, 2002; 10:00 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Jaci Nagle, Ron Peterson, Dennis Hummitzsch, Doug Grindall, Duane Nelson, Richard Lehtinen, George and Becky Nelson, Jerry Shermoen, Chris Kuffenkam; Reporters Terri Buller and Roger Jerome

2002/01-01 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-02 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of December 18, 2001. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Ron Peterson presented a proposal for an alternate snowmobile trail to the City of Ranier which would lessen traffic on the County Road and bike trail which are currently used to access the City. The cost to establish the trail is estimated at $400 and the snowmobile club is agreeable to maintain the trail. The trail proposes to cross two Tax Forfeited parcels, another parcel in which the County and City of International Falls has undivided one half interest, Mr. Peterson’s property and State Highway 11 just beyond the overpass. To proceed with the trail, authorization needs to be obtained to establish and use the trail from the County and City of International Falls.

2002/01-03 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper that contingent on approval from the City of International Falls to cross the portion of property in which they have interest and on completion of a County/Club Trail Agreement with the respective snowmobile club, the County Board authorizes the establishment of a snowmobile trail through Tax Forfeited land located in Section 31, 71-23 and the NE-NW, Section 31, 71-23 which is owned by the County and City of International Falls for an alternative route to the City of Ranier. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-04 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to establish the elected Attorney, Sheriff, Auditor, Treasurer and Recorder positions’ minimum salary range for the term of office starting January 1, 2003 per MN Statute: beginning salary of 90% and increment 5% in six months with 100% salary in one year. Salary range includes the combination of any elected positions as authorized in MN Statute and approved by the County Board. Said minimum salary range will be utilized when vacancies occur in the elected office and an appointment has to be made by the Board. Those elected to the office will receive 100% of the salary set for the position. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-05 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick approving a revised County position description template as recommended by the Comparable Worth and Personnel Committees and authorizing the Administration Department to assist department heads in completing the new position description form as positions come up for review. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board received notification that Marge Raastad, Compu Learn Employee, was temporarily hired in the Extension Office, that Becky Flynn was hired to the Appraiser position as of January 1, 2002, that Dana Routier was hired to the Assessor Clerk position as of January 1, 2002 and Roberta Museta was hired to the position of Auditor Clerk as of January 22, 2002.

2002/01-06 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Assessor to fill the Assistant Assessor position which will become vacant on February 6, 2002. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-07 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to award the low and only 2002 publication bid to the Daily Journal and Northome Record as a joint bid with a 3.5% rate increase from 2001 rates. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-08 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve payment of the Highway bills in the amount of $64,021.38 with payment detail on file in the Highway Department, authorize Board Chair’s signature to the Auditor’s December 2001 vendor payment listing verifying its review, payment to Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A. in the amount of $42.00 for personnel legal service with payment from the 2002 Administration Legal Budget, and to approve payment of the 2002 AMC membership dues in the amount of $5,430.00 to be split between General Revenue, Highway and Community Services Funds and to approve 2002 membership dues for the MN Association of County Social Service in the amount of $381.00 and the Local Public Health Association in the amount of $405.00 with payment from the respective County Departments. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-09 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to appoint Information Systems Manager Jaci Nagle to the MCIS Board of Directors with an alternate appointment to be made at a later date. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-10 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper appointing Kathleen Przybylski to the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors as requested by the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair requested from the Board members a listing of their preferred and non-preferred Board appointments for the year 2002 and that until such time as the Chair makes its appointments, members will retain their 2001 appointments.

2002/01-11 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick that the Koochiching County Board does hereby resolve that, pursuant to the requirements of MN Statute 176.011, subd. 9 (6), that all officers of Koochiching County who are elected or appointed to a regular term of office, or to complete the unexpired portion of a regular term, shall be included within the definition of “employee” as that term is defined in MN Statute 176.011, subd. 9 for the purposes of coverage under the Workers’ Compensation Laws of the State of Minnesota. It is further resolved that this resolution recognizes that Koochiching County has in the past included said officials in all Workers’ Compensation reports and audits and that this resolution is intended to meet the statutory requirements and confirm an existing practice, not to establish a new practice. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried. Amended 2002/02-19

2002/01-12 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Chezick acknowledging redistricting meetings as a County Board activity. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-13 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Highway Engineer to request fuel bids with results presented to the Board at their February 5, 2002 meeting. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Sheriff presented the bid results for two patrol vehicles and stated that the bid price with trade-in exceeds the amount provided in the 2002 Budget by about $7,000. The Coordinator suggested the Sheriff look at using his E911 dollars to cover some of the radio work he has listed in his 2002 budget and use the budget dollars to cover the vehicle shortfall. The Sheriff agreed to look at this and stated that if this was not feasible he would delay some of the radio work to the 2003 budget to offset the cost.

2002/01-14 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper accepting the low bid of Sheridan Motors after taking into account trade-in value, in the amount of $42,825 for a 4x4 pickup and 4x4 SUV for the Sheriff Department contingent on the Sheriff covering the budget funding shortfall. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-15 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper adopting the following resolution authorizing acceptance of a Traffic Safety Award Grant:

Whereas, the Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office desired to protect the health of its citizens by improving traffic safety and participating in the Safe & Sober Challenge; and

Whereas, under the provision of the Highway Safety Act (P.L. 89-563), the Minnesota Department of Public Safety has federal funding to promote traffic safety; and

Whereas, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety had judged the Koochiching County Sheriff's Office efforts to decrease impaired driving and increase seat belt use to be exceptional. And wants to reward those efforts by providing additional funding for the department;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Koochiching County Sheriff's Office enter into an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety for the period December 1, 2001 to June 30, 2002.

The Sheriff of Koochiching County is hereby authorized to execute such agreements as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of the Koochiching County Sheriff's Office.

Be it further resolved that the Sheriff of Koochiching County is hereby authorized to be the fiscal agent and administer the grant on behalf of Koochiching County Sheriff's Office. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-16 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck authorizing the Land Commissioner to seek bids for two 4x4 pickup trucks as approved in the 2002 Budget and per the bid spec presented with bid results presented to the County Board at their January 22, 2002 meeting. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Discussion was held on the set up for the preliminary hearing for the proposed Jackfish Bay Sewer Project to be held in the Ranier Community Building on January 15, 2002 at 6:30 p.m. Due to the number of people anticipated to attend the hearing, the Environmental Service Director was asked to ensure that microphones and speakers are set up and that the Coordinator will take minutes and tape the hearing.

2002/01-17 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve a service agreement with Ratwik, Roszak and Maloney, P.A. to assist the department with legal support on land use issues. Cost for the service is provided for in the department’s 2002 budget. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-18 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the Planning Commission to approve REZ #0105 and CUP #0108 (zone change from R-3 to C-2 and Use Permit) for an antique shop/storage building for George and Becky Nelson at 3655 Highway 11 East with stipulations as set by the Planning Commission in its approval of the rezoning and conditional use. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The request from Patrick and Larry Roche for rezoning of their 160 acre land parcel from O-1 to R-1 was discussed. Attorney Shermoen representing the new buyer of the property stated that a plat was drawn up many years ago to divide this property but that nothing official was ever done with the plat. The new buyer wants the property for recreational uses and to build a retirement home in the future. He has no plans to subdivide the property and is willing to enter into an agreement to that fact. Landowners adjoining the property stated concern with the property’s subdivision and creation of a housing development as they do not want the area developed. They also stated concern with the impact a housing development would have on the area’s limited well water supply. Commissioner Pavleck asked why the area in which the new buyer wants to build his home is not changed to R-1, why the whole parcel? Commissioner Lepper, member of the Planning Commission, stated that this is spot zoning and that the Commission is trying to get away from that and the fact the new owner does not know at this time where he wants to locate his building(s). Attorney Shermoen stated that adjoining properties are zoned R-1.

2002/01-19 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick accepting the recommendation of the Planning Commission to grant REZ #0106 (rezone 160 acre parcel from O-1 to AF-1) to Patrick and Larry Roche on County Road 98 between Rogers Corner and Ericsburg with covenant that only one residence is allowed on the entire parcel, parcel retained intact and the private road will not be upgraded by the County. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick; voting no: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-20 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Chezick accepting the recommendation of the Planning Commission to grant REZ #0108 (rezone from C-2 to R-3) to Thomas Kellner at 3548 Highway 11 East. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

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

2002/01-21 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to adjourn the meeting at 11:41 a.m. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.