SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, September 24, 2002; 9:30 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Dennis Hummitzsch, Terry Murray, Richard Lehtinen, Tom Toratti, Larry and Elaine Beach, Neva Santine, Marleen Bryan, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mielke, Raoul Lufbery, Bob Peterson, Ron Laurion, Herb Fuller, Melissa Fuller, Einar Sundin; Reporters Laurel Beager and Roger Jerome

2002/09-37 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Hanson to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Chezick; absent for vote: McBride, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/09-38 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Chezick to approve the minutes of the September 17, 2002 regular meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Chezick; absent for vote: McBride, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2002/09-39 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Pavleck to approve payment of the election judge claims for the primary election in the amount of $10,062.71 with payment detail on file in the Auditor’s Office, to approve payment in the amount of $882.00 to Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A. for personnel legal services with payment from the Administration Legal Budget, to approve payment of the Public Health bills in the amount of $18,847.77 with payment detail on file in the Public Health Department, to approve payment of Community Service social service and financial claims and administrative expenditures as presented with payment detail on file in the Community Service Department and to approve payment of a registration fee in the amount of $35.00 for a Department of Employee Relations Pay Equity Training with payment from the Administration Budget. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Pavleck, Chezick; absent for vote: McBride. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner informed the Board of a request from the Army National Guard to use a tax forfeited parcel (gravel pit) as a training site under a three-year agreement with a waiver of liability making each party responsible for its actions. The site is not adjacent to any private property and gravel extraction, if needed during the agreement timeframe, would be given priority. As administrator of the tax forfeited land, the County would enter into this agreement with the National Guard. The Board requested that a representative from the Guard meet with them to further discuss the matter to ensure the public is informed about the type and timelines of the activities occurring at the training site. The Board was also notified that Potlatch forestland was certified under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

2002/09-40 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve an addendum to the REM North Star Inc. Service Agreement for an additional occupancy as recommended by the KCCS Director. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck; absent for vote: McBride. Motion carried.

2002/09-41 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve a Northome, Inc. Service Agreement for supervised visitation as recommended by the KCCS Director. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck; absent for vote: McBride. Motion carried.

000 The Board was notified that Jennifer Heppner was hired as a Case Aide with a starting date of September 25, 2002.

2002/09-42 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson authorizing the filling of the vacant Accounting Technician position due to an internal transfer. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck; absent for vote: McBride. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director requested appointment of County representation to the MPCA Basin Committee charged with the task of preparing the Rainy River Basin Plan. The work of the five sub-area committees is almost done and the next step is creation of the Rainy River Basin Plan. Commissioner Lepper stated it is important that we have membership on this committee to ensure local plans are used in its creation. The Director stated that Boise Cascade has appointed members and the Soil and Water Technician would also be on the Committee if approved by his Board. The Director and Commissioner Lepper requested their appointment to the Committee.

2002/09-43 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson appointing the Environmental Service Director and Commissioner Lepper to represent Koochiching County on the MPCA Basin Committee charged with the task of preparing the Rainy River Basin Plan. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck; absent for vote: McBride. Motion carried.

000 The Director provided the Board a list of questions and comments from the MPCA under the environmental review process for the proposed Jackfish Sewer Project. Based on the technicality of the questions, he is requesting the assistance of Ayres and Associates to assist in the responses. There is no timeline on the responses but the further we delay the responses, the further the review process is delayed which is needed before final plans and bidding can begin. He feels responses could be submitted by mid October. When the MPCA process is completed, they will submit a draft EAW to the Army Corp who will create the active document for public review and comment. In response to a question raised on location of individual line locations in the final plan, the Director stated that his understanding is that the EAW will address the main system design, not individual property hookups and that only if the EAW causes major change to the design, will individual property lines be affected. Paul Mielke stated that his understanding is that the final plan at this time does not answer the petitioner’s questions and asked if they will be addressed in the review process. He wanted to know why the petitioner’s questions were not addressed before the final plan was submitted for environmental review. The Director stated that the petitioner’s questions will be addressed in the EAW process and that it was decided to allow the EAW to address the issues rather than revisiting the final plan several times at the local level.

2002/09-44 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to adjourn the meeting at 10:30 a.m. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.