Koochiching County Board Minutes 6-24-02

Board Minutes

for

June 24, 2002

EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Monday, June 24, 2002; 9:00 a.m.

OTHERS ATTENDING: Doug Grindall, Walt Buller, Harry Swendson, Duane Nelson, Bob Byman, Pam Matthews; Reporters Kelly Cameron, Wayne Kasish

000 The Board Chair opened the meeting at 9:06 a.m. Based on the events over the weekend with more rain and flooding, the Chair set the meeting today to provide assistance and direction to the Sheriff and to publicly thank the many volunteers who provided assistance over the weekend to those in need.

The Sheriff stated that more sandbags are needed and that he could get them within a day (travel to Minneapolis is required). He also stated that the Highway Department, contractors and pit owners are providing sand. He is unclear as to how the County prioritizes in an emergency situation whose home to save. Sandbagging the property is mostly protecting homes from waves. We can supply the public with bags and sand but we do not have the resources to sandbag individual properties. He stated that numerous volunteers showed up on Saturday and Sunday to help sandbag two homes. Volunteers called by the Sheriff become the County’s responsibility for workers compensation and thus volunteers have to be registered. With the number of people turning up and not having enough staff, he could not keep up with registering volunteers. Also with that many people working around heavy equipment, there is a great potential for injury and that he witnessed a few near misses during this event.

The Board agreed that the County does not have the resources to assist property owners in building protective walls but that the County should supply the sandbags and sand and that volunteers organized through the Sheriff’s Office could be used to fill sandbags so they are readily available for the public.

The Sheriff went on to say that Red Cross has been of great assistance as well as our National Guard. Again the Board Chair stated that many people are to be thanked for the great show of support on Saturday and Sunday.

The Sheriff was asked if he called the State’s National Guard? He informed the Board that they will come to provide security, help with evacuations or emergency rescues but not to sandbag.

The Sheriff stated he would get the sandbags, have the sand hauled, and set up volunteers to fill the bags. At this time he will keep the location at the City Beach and if different locations are needed, he will set them up. He will also make an announcement on the radio and place an ad in the newspaper. With the mention of assisting those unable to assist themselves with sandbagging or hauling, Red Cross, Public Health and the Sheriff will discuss how to get notice and assistance to those in need. The Board concurred.

The City of International Falls Mayor is aware of the County’s decision to use City Beach as a sand bag location. It was also suggested that North Star Electric be called to assess the power boxes in the lake area should they become submersed.

Commissioner Hanson stated that Northome received five inches of rain at one time. The Sheriff stated that his deputy assessed the situation and that water levels were high but have receded somewhat.

Commissioner Pavleck stated that IJC’s position is they won’t open any more gates but they won’t close anymore either and he feels the dam at Kettle Falls should be closed to let Rainy Lake catch up. He is awaiting a call from the IJC’s engineer advisor.

2002/06-51 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson that due to the flooding emergency and need to provide sandbags to the public, authorizing the Highway Engineer to purchase a bobcat with expenditure from the 2002 Highway Budget with the understanding that if expenditure can not be covered within the set 2002 Highway Budget, that additional expenditure of Highway Fund reserves are authorized to cover the purchase. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.