SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, April 9, 2002; 9:55 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Dennis Hummitzsch, Tom Morris, Corey Elmer via telephone conference, Einar Sundin; Reporter Roger Jerome

2002/04-14 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board received notice that Norm Krueger resigned from his part time position in the Sheriff’s Office as of March 22, 2002.

2002/04-15 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2002 regular meeting. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/04-16 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper to authorize Board Chair’s signature to the Auditor’s March vendor payment listing verifying its review and approving the 2002 Boat and Water Safety Agreement with the State of Minnesota allocating funds to Koochiching County and further authorizing Board Chair’s signature to said Agreement. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/04-17 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Chezick appointing John Siats to the vacant seat on the Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board as recommended by the Executive Director. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner provided a year end summary of the Tax Forfeited Trust Fund 2001 statement of revenue and expense and apportionment of the net proceeds. He then reviewed a 2001 activity report which included timber auctions, county parks, spring fishing season, road grading and maintenance, aerial seeding, site preparation, tree planting, demolition of structures on tax forfeited lands, land sale and clover seeding. This report is only part of the activities that the Department is involved with.

000 Lobbyist Corey Elmer updated the Board on legislative activities since their last meeting. Very little has transpired as House and Senate leaderships are not in agreement and need to set targets on the budget, bonding and transportation to get matters in to conference committees so work can begin. The House and Senate plans have not changed from the last review but it is more likely there will be a tax bill. The tax bill does contain the tree growth fix and a provision that reserves the 2001 disparity reduction aid level for the County. The Coordinator asked that he research the proposed Utility Tax Based Replacement Aid provision to see if it pertains to Koochiching County as the County’s power and light tax revenue has been reduced substantially due to the new tax reform. Commissioner Pavleck expressed concern with the Senate’s proposal to further cut the SCORE Grant as Koochiching County subsidizes their recycling program even with the full grant (due to our distance from the market). The first phase of the budget cut reduced SCORE Grants by 10% or $5,500 for Koochiching County. The additional reduction proposed by the Senate is not known at this time but the lobbyist will research the matter and report at the next meeting. The Lobbyist stated that compromise on a gas tax increase and funding formula might be reached. Under the current formula, the County would receive $461,000 from the new revenue produced from the gas tax increase. In the proposed formula based on 50% need and 50% population, this amount would be reduced to over $100,000. The compromised formula would bring this total to $249,000. It was agreed that the Coordinator would call the lobbyist later this week to see if there is development to schedule another legislative update for April 16.

2002/04-18 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.