REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, April 16, 2002; 9:30 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Barb West, Ann Scholler, Carol Clauson, Corey Elmer via conference call; Reporter Roger Jerome

2002/04-19 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Chezick to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/04-20 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick to approve the minutes of April 9, 2002. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board received notice that Michael Felton was hired as a part time Correctional Officer/911 Dispatcher on 4/4/02 and James Boyd was hired as the full time Information Systems Technician on 4/22/02.

2002/04-21 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick to approve payment of the Highway bills in the amount of $49,194.21 with detail on file in the Highway Department and to approve payment in the amount of $291.00 to Griffith Law Office for legal service on Voyageurs National Park matters with payment from the 2002 Board Legal Budget. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/04-22 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper to authorize Board’s attendance to the May 8 through 10, 2002 Tribal and County Government Summit as an approved activity. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Commissioner Lepper informed the Board and the VNP Superintendent that he received a call that the federal discretionary funding for the Park’s ferry boat was cut, even though MnDot approved the project. Apparently there were more projects submitted than available funding. The request submitted was for $500,000 with the Park’s share at $125,000. The Superintendent received information that the cut was made because the project did not qualify for the discretionary funding. She stated that in light of this, they have made this their number one priority in the Park budget. Commissioner Lepper suggested a letter from the County Board to Representative Oberstar for his support in reconsideration of the funding. Commissioner Chezick suggested that the letter reference the joint effort made by the County and Park to secure this funding for the Park. In addition, he suggested an application be submitted next year to the LCMR for funding. The Superintendent stated that under Park rules, they could lease capital with the contingency that it is paid off in three years so this is also an option to look at. Commissioner Lepper stated that DOT enhancement funding is also an option but receipt of the dollars, if approved, would not come until 2006 or later. The Superintendent stated that if no cut is made to their submitted budget there would be funding to operate the leased tour boat this year from June to September.

2002/04-23 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Board Chair to send a letter to U.S. Representative James Oberstar requesting his assistance in obtaining discretionary funding for the ferryboat in Voyageurs National Park to provided visitors a mode of transportation in the Park. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Assistant Auditor and Court Administrator provided the Board a proposal to contract out court appointed attorney service to better manage the service for the court and cost for the County. When the State took over the court system, the cost of court appointed attorneys was left with the County with the State taking the cost for public defenders (court appointed attorneys are for non-criminal matters and public defenders are for criminal matters). The legal service is provided to individuals when it is determined by the Judge that they have insufficient income to acquire their own legal defense. The proposed court appointed attorney contract sets a flat fee and requires the attorney to assign legal representation at his/her own cost should a conflict of interest arise. The flat fee would be paid in monthly installments regardless of the amount of activity or number of cases. Commissioner Pavleck expressed concern with the possibility that the contracted service would diminish an individual’s legal defense but agreed that the proposal would allow the County and Court to better manage the service. The Coordinator stated that the contract has a termination clause that could be invoked should the County find a need to terminate the service. After proposals are received and reviewed, the matter would come back to the Board for further consideration.

2002/04-24 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Auditor to seek proposals for a service contract to provide court appointed attorney service for eighteen months beginning July 1, 2002 through December 31, 2003. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Lobbyist Corey Elmer updated the Board on legislative activities via a conference call. Work continues at a very slow pace and it appears the session will go until May 20, 2002, the date they must adjourn. It is anticipated that when things do get moving, it will go at a very fast pace. With regards to bills introduced on usage of ATVs on public lands, he stated that the House bill provides more moderate regulation of ATV’s where the Senate proposal is more restrictive. He also heard that the House might just propose a study on the more restrictive proposal and pass nothing this year. With regards to the SCORE funding, the program provides $14 million for 2002 and 2003 and with the first phase of budget cuts, reduces the yearly amount by ten percent. The second phase of budget cuts as proposed by the House, cuts the annual amount again by $5 million for 2004 and 2005. With regards to the Utility Tax Based Replacement Aid, it provides funding to counties whose tax base consist of 40% or more of utility property. It appeared from the information he had that Koochiching County would not be eligible. In summarizing, if the House and Senate agree on a budget bill, it will be better for the county as their goal is to impact local governments as little as possible. However, if they do not meet their budget obligation, it will be back in the hands of the Governor, whose budget plan is to impact local governments.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 10:20 a.m. No comment was presented.

2002/04-25 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Highway Engineer to seek bids for the Gold Shores Road Project with a letting date of May 13, 2002 and with bid results presented to the Board on May 14, 2002. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/04-26 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 a.m. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.