REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, September 17, 2002; 9:30 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Richard Lehtinen, Jennifer Hasbargen, Doug Grindall, Betty Boquist, Steve Fecker via conference phone; Reporters Laurel Beager

2002/09-22 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/09-23 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes of the September 10, 2002 special meeting. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was notified that Cindy Griffith was promoted to the Family Based Services Provider position in Community Services on August 28, 2002 and Marilyn Busch resigned and Kimberly Rasmussen and Marian Rutkowsky were hired as Home Health Aide/Homemakers in the Public Health Department.

2002/09-24 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper to approve payment of the Highway bills in the amount of $147,365.72 with payment detail on file in the Highway Department. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/09-25 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the Assessor granting the following abatement: parcel # 07-55-00110 for market value adjustment for years 2001 and 2002. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/09-26 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck releasing a grant of $5,000.00 to the City of Ranier (approved in motion 2001/05-40) for an engineering study on replacement of water lines in French and Jamison Additions. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/09-27 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson acknowledging the employment separation of Bob Hanson in the Environmental Service Department. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/09-28 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Environmental Service Director to fill the vacant transfer station operator position. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/09-29 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to close session to confer with legal counsel on the Gold Shores Road Project litigation at 10:00 a.m. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried. (Present were Commissioners McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck, Attorney Hasbargen, and County Coordinator.)

2002/09-30 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to open session at 10:15 a.m. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/09-31 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson certifying final value for Project SAP 36-598-23 (CR 101) of $94,781.00 with worked performed by Korby Contracting Inc., as recommended by the Highway Engineer. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/09-32 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper promoting Eric Norstad to Senior Engineer Technician as of September 17, 2002 as recommended by the Highway Engineer, subject to a six month probation period. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/09-33 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Highway Engineer to call for bids and set letting dates for CSAH 22, CSAH 30, CSAH 31, CSAH 45, and CSAH 48. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

000 Betty Boquist, representing the Northome Library Board, met with the Board to answer questions on their request for a resolution of support for a new library location and establishment of a bear education center in the City of Northome. The plan is very tentative but they envision at least two floors for the library and a third floor for the bear education center. The current facility is located in the basement which makes accessibility for the handicapped an issue. In addition, many of their books were recently destroyed due to flooding. They have received money from the insurance company for the damage and would like to put the money into a new facility with ADA accessibility and better protection of their assets. They have also raised money with sales and raffles. They are not looking for any monetary contribution from the County but a resolution supporting their efforts would greatly help in seeking grants for the project. They estimate the facility to cost $300,000 and will find the means to meet annual operating and maintenance costs. Commissioners supported their efforts and were willing to assist where they could, however, they want to see the City of Northome out front on the project.

2002/09-34 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners support the efforts of the Northome Library Board to establish a new facility to better serve and expand library services for the public as current services are located in a basement which is inaccessible for the handicapped and inadequate for safekeeping the library’s assets. Further the facility will expand services with the establishment of a bear education center and provide more space to support youth programs such as the Kids Plus Program. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/09-35 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to close session at 2:00 p.m. for negotiation strategy. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried. (Present were Commissioners McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck, County Coordinator and Attorney Fecker via conference call.)

2002/09-36 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to open session at 2:55 p.m. and adjourn the meeting. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.