SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, January 29, 2002; 11:50 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck

MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner McBride (family emergency)

OTHERS ATTENDING: Doug Grindall, Richard Lehtinen, Jim Leinum; Reporter Laurel Beager

2002/01-59 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Hanson to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-60 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Chezick to approve the minutes of the January 22, 2002 regular meeting with correction. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-61 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Chezick to approve payment in the amount of $2,500 from the Board’s Resource Management Budget for one half of the 2002 NCLUCB dues. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-62 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Chezick accepting the recommendation of the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board to appoint Chris Mostad to the at-large position. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/01-63 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Chezick accepting the recommendation of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board to re-appoint Delmer Anderson of Northome for another five-year term. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was provided an e-mail from Representative Anderson with his comments on submitted State redistricting plans. The Coordinator stated that commissioner district boundaries can cross congressional and legislative boundaries, however, because congressional and legislative districts use census block boundaries and we use township boundaries for our precincts, we may face some boundary problems if the State or Court adopt a plan to split the county into different congressional and legislative districts. The Board’s position is to retain the County in one congressional and legislative district due to the difference in boundary lines. Commissioner Chezick is available to attend a hearing on the State redistricting plans scheduled for Wednesday, February 6, 2002 in Minneapolis to represent the Board’s position.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 12:03 p.m. No comment was provided.

2002/01-64 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck authorizing the Highway Engineer to seek bids for a 90HP dozer and a tandem axle dump truck. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/01-65 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation and certification by the Highway Engineer for inspection of bridges under Koochiching County jurisdiction in accordance with state statutes with no changes in weight postings at the time of certification. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.
2002/01-66 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck approve Conditional Use Permit #01110 to Jim Leinum of L&S Northland Holdings, LCC on Highway 53, to erect a billboard per the County’s Billboard Policy as recommended by the Planning Commission. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.
000 The Environmental Service Director provided the Board a draft letter to the Executive Director of the Board of Water and Soil Resources requesting a one year delay in revising the Wetland Conservation Act rules to allow a more thorough review of the impact in light of budget constraints. NCLUCB requested their county membership support this delay and send a letter. It appears the delay may happen regardless but the Director recommended the letter be sent stating the County’s support to delay the rules.
2002/01-67 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck authorizing the Board Chair’s signature to a letter to the Executive Director of the Board of Water and Soil Resources, requesting a one year delay in revising the Wetland Conservation Act rules to allow a more thorough review of the impact in light of budget constraints. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/01-68 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson adopting the following resolution authorizing application, match and signature to the Board of Water and Soil Resources Natural Resources Block Grant for Calendar Years 2002-2003:

WHEREAS, Koochiching County has a State approved comprehensive local water plan, which has been locally adopted pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 103B; and

WHEREAS, Koochiching County may assess a levy under its general levy authority to match such grants by BWSR pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 103B.335;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners approves of the Koochiching County entering into a Grant Agreement with the State of Minnesota to receive state funds for the implementation of its comprehensive local water plans, the administration of the wetland conservation act, administration of the DNR shoreland program, MPCA ISTS program and MPCA feedlot permit program, under the terms of the Grant Agreement and all statutory requirements. That the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners authorizes the expenditure of cash and in-kind contributions to match the Natural Resources Block Grant as specified in Laws of Minnesota and the Grant Agreement.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners and the County Auditor or County Administrator are authorized to execute the Grant Agreement together with all related documents. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/01-69 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck accepting the Assessor’s recommendation to grant abatements for parcel numbers #21-13-43000, #50-15-44000, and #65-28-21000 to exempt property held by the County and KDA. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.
2002/01-70 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to adjourn the meeting at 2:10 p.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.