SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, April 08, 2003; 10:00 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Duane Nelson, Doug Grindall, Susan Congrave, Jack Bergstedt, Einar Sundin, Richard Lehtinen, Dale Olson; Reporters Laurel Beager, Jen O’Reily and Roger Jerome

2003/04-16 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/04-17 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes of the April 1, 2003 regular meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/04-18 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve payment of monthly Board per diem and expense in the amount of $2,790.38, to approve payment of the March Board of Prisoner claim in the amount of $3,110.00 and to approve payment to Flaherty and Hood in the amount of $4,896.13 for lobbyist service. Payment detail on file in the Auditor’s Office. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/04-19 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the Assessor to grant the following abatements: Michael and Tonya Swanson, parcel #73-97-01498, for value reduction due to fire; Nancy Lee Harala, parcel #15-66-02040, for homestead credit, Gary Jensen, parcel #92-07-72010, for homestead credit. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/04-20 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Chezick adopting the following resolution
opposing legislation requiring reverse referendum on tax levy increases:

WHEREAS, Article 5, Sec. 1, Subd. 9 of H.F. 751 as introduced in the 2003 session of the Minnesota Legislature calls for creation of law which would implement a reverse referendum procedure on tax levy increases; and,

WHEREAS, this reverse referendum requirement could lead to the eventual dismantling of local government services to citizens and to diminishing the quality of life of Minnesotans; and,

WHEREAS, the citizens of Minnesota already have an enhanced role through electing local officials to become knowledgeable and to make informed decisions on behalf of their constituents, and through extensive citizen involvement on a daily basis; and,

WHEREAS, such a proposal breaks with long–standing historical legislative policy allowing for local control and local accountability, two of the most appropriate constraints on property taxes; and,

WHEREAS, the duly elected commissioners of the respective 87 Minnesota counties annually construct and prudently adopt an annual budget which results in property tax levies suited to the needs of the county; and,

WHEREAS, ample opportunities to influence the annual property tax levy are granted to citizens through public meetings of the full board of commissioners as well as the annual Truth in Taxation process; and,

WHEREAS, such a referendum would create an expensive unfunded mandate of a special election which tend to have mediocre voter turnouts and, as a result, the outcome of the vote can be a poor representation of the will of the majority; and,

WHEREAS, county commissioners stand before their constituents with a willingness to accept full responsibility for property tax increases that are justified, fiscally prudent, and serve the best long-term interests of the community even if short-term “political” considerations might dictate otherwise; and,

WHEREAS, other than raising fees, county governments in Minnesota have only the property tax levy available to meet the inflationary and population-driven demands of the mandated and essential services delivered to citizens; and,

WHEREAS, implementation of a local reverse referendum on property tax decisions could seriously jeopardize and cloud bond ratings and the ability to adequately fund debt service on existing debt; and,

WHEREAS, the necessary increases in the tax levy do not in and of themselves raise property taxes, which are affected by numerous other factors including class rate reductions, limited market value, programmatic aids, and property tax relief determined by the state legislature:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners hereby opposes passage of legislation, which would impose a reverse referendum on tax levy increases.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be forwarded to Governor Tim Pawlenty; Senate Majority Leader John Hottinger; Speaker of the House Representative Steve Sviggum; Senator Larry Pogemiller, Chair of the Senate Committee on Taxes; Representative Ron Abrams, Chair of the House Taxes Committee; local state legislators; and the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC). Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/04-21 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee approving a 2002 State and Local Supplemental Appropriation Planning Grant for Koochiching County in the amount of $5,000 (zero local match) revised to include anti-terrorism planning. Motion further authorizes the Sheriff and Board Chair to sign said grant documents. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was informed that John Mastin was promoted to the position of Undersheriff/Investigator beginning May 1, 2003.

2003/04-22 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee authorizing the purchase of a PC system and scanner for the new Undersheriff/Investigator who will continue as the County DARE Officer thereby authorizing expenditure of DARE Funds for this purchase. Purchase is authorized contingent on transfer of the existing PC system to the IS Unit. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/04-23 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Chezick authorizing the Highway Engineer to call for bids for CSAH 29 Bridge Replacement with results to the Board on May 6, 2003. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Public Health Director informed the Board that $10,000 of grant funds were received from the State to help find service replacement for Planned Parenthood. A request to approve a service contract for planning and initial implementation was presented. The goal is to seek $80,000 in additional grant funds to support the service for a two year period and that there is interest in the County to provide the clinic services. Local contributions to the program will be Task Force member’s time, donation of equipment and continued use of public health nurses in this service area.

2003/04-24 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to approve a service contract with Myrna Ahlgren up to $4,900 from State grant funds for planning and initial implementation of Community Clinic related to Reproductive Health. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Public Health Director informed the Board that they received $3,500 to support their Fire Alarm Safety Program.

000 The Environmental Service Director informed the Board that legislation is being introduced, H.F. 1259, allowing for appeal of variance decisions to the Board of Commissioners rather than directly to the courts thereby diminishing the role of the Board of Adjustments. The Board supports the separate autonomy of the Board of Adjustment and does not support this legislation.

000 The Environmental Service Director requested renewal of the Water Quality Cooperative Phase I Permit issued by the MPCA in order to maintain the approved status of the Water Quality Cooperative. It was reported by ARDC that the LCMR approved application for the Water Quality Cooperative has a high probability of being eliminated as it appears that funding for the LCMR will be moved to the State’s general fund to help fund the budget deficit. Efforts will be made to seek grant funds elsewhere. The Director stated that if the permit is not renewed, the County will need to reapply for the permit at some future time and therefore would be in the County’s best interest to just renew the permit.

2003/04-25 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to approve payment of $495.00 to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to renew the Rainy River Rural Utility Association Inc. Permit for the Water Quality Cooperative with payment from the Environmental Service Budget. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director provided the Board an update on the proposed Jackfish Sewer Project which at the current time is under the environmental assessment process through joint effort of the Army Corp and MPCA. Due to a request for an environmental impact study (EIS), the MPCA will need to make a determination on whether or not to prepare an EIS. This decision will determine if and when further work on the project will take place.

000 The Environmental Service Director provided the Board the Department’s plan to temporarily operate the Transfer Station for spring and summer until a permanent operation plan is decided by the Board. With sufficient prior notice, the plan would close the Transfer Station to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays with garbage haulers allowed access as they need to dump six days a week. The plan terminates the taking of Fort Frances recyclables unless overtime is allowed to process these materials. The Board was also provided a financial report for recycling for the City of Fort Frances. The Director stated that input was sought from garbage haulers, STS, SWAC and staff prior to drafting the plan. Board members expressed the desire to retain the servicing of Fort Frances recyclables and are willing to look at expanding into other neighboring areas in Canada. Board members stated they were looking for a mix of options for an interim plan, not just one plan. The Director and Solid Waste Technician stated that brainstorming was done to find options and that these options were reviewed and the plan presented was the best option based on work required of the department and its available resources. It was agreed to meet in committee in the afternoon to further review the presented plan and Board member’s ideas for operation of the transfer station.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:35 a.m. No comment was presented.

2003/04-26 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 11:35 a.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.