REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, November 19, 2002; 9:30 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick

MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Pavleck (appointment out of town)

OTHERS ATTENDING: Kevin Adee, Doug Grindall, Richard Lehtinen, Dale Olson, Duane Nelson; Reporters Laurel Beager and Roger Jerome

2002/11-23 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/11-24 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes of the November 12, 2002 special meeting. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/11-25 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick to approve payment of the Highway bills in the amount of $100,685.93 with payment detail on file in the Highway Department. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/11-26 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick that the Koochiching County Board unanimously supports partnering with the City of Ranier for replacement of waterlines in French and Jamison Additions which are located in the unincorporated area of Koochiching County and further, to approve submission of a grant application to the USDA for the waterline replacement project and authorizing the Chairperson to sign the grant application and all other related documents on behalf of Koochiching County. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/11-27 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper that the Board Chair appoint Board representation to attend a Gateway Conference in New Mexico from December 3 through 5, 2002 which was set up specifically for counties that host national parks for discussion on how gateway communities interact with these federal agencies. Information provided to counties by the Association of MN Counties. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/11-28 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper authorizing Board members to attend meetings held by the DNR on the proposal to restrict harvest of sturgeon in Canadian border waters (the first public meeting is scheduled for December 17, 2002). Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/11-29 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick adopting the following resolution for County Road 83 Bridge Replacement (SAP 36-598-24):

WHEREAS, the County of Koochiching has applied to the Commissioner of Transportation for a grant from the Minnesota Transportation Fund for the construction of County Bridge No. 36J07 over an unnamed stream; and

WHEREAS, the amount of the grant has been determined to be $39,995.00 by reason of the lowest responsible bid.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the County of Koochiching does hereby affirm that any cost of the bridge in excess of the grant will be appropriated from the funds available to the County of Koochiching and that any grant monies appropriated for the bridge but not required based on the final estimate, shall be returned to the Minnesota State Transportation Fund. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/11-30 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper to accept the following low bids for Canister Site Attendants as recommended by the Environmental Service Director (one bid rejected for Big Falls as did not meet bid spec): Big Falls Site – Norman Achin; Birchdale Site – Phyllis Kramer; Littlefork Site – Tom Grotberg; Loman Site – Eli Story; Mizpah Site – Darwin Troy; Ray Site – Joe Jessop; Silverdale Site – Stanley Schuster. Motion further approves payment of contractors’ insurance premium as stipulated in Board Motion 0098/11-71. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/11-31 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to award low bid for canister site hauling to Eddie Williams for the Big Falls, Birchdale, Littlefork, Loman, Mizpah and Ray canister sites and to David Udovich for the Silverdale canister site as recommended by the Environmental Service Director. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/11-32 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson approving expenditure of up to $2,234.40 plus tax and shipping from the 911 Account for the purchase of seven portable radios to be donated to the Big Falls Fire Department upon execution of an agreement itemizing what was donated and specifying the use of the donated equipment. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick. Motion carried.

2002/11-33 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Sheriff to hire Jan McClanahan as the assistant emergency manager with payment of $150 per month which is in addition to her part time earnings as a dispatcher with funding from the Emergency Management Grant funds. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson; voting no: Chezick. Motion carried.

000 The Sheriff informed the Board that FEMA requires all counties to have an “All Hazard Mitigation Plan” in effect by November 1, 2003 or federal funding for disasters may be jeopardized. He has been in contact with ARDC who is doing a plan for Lake, Cook and St. Louis Counties and asked that Koochiching County be included. Cost is not known at this time but it is anticipated that future grants will be available and in-kind and a small monetary contribution by the County could be possible. The Sheriff will keep the Board apprised of the matter.

000 The Board requested an update from the Sheriff on provision of security at the Airport as they were informed that TSA personnel were stationed there now. The Sheriff stated that deputes are still stationed at the airport and that he was told this need may extend past 2003.

2002/11-34 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 a.m. Voting yes: McBride, Lepper, Hanson, Chezick. Motion carried.