REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, April 15, 2003; 10:30 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Jaci Nagle, Doug Grindall, Richard Lehtinen, Terry Glowack, Ed Oerichbauer; Reporter Laurel Beager

2003/04-27 Motion by Adee, seconded by Chezick to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/04-28 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve the minutes of the April 8, 2003 special meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/04-29 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Highway bills in the amount of $37,135.59 with detail on file in the Highway Department, to approve payment to Johnson, Killen & Seiler P.A. in the amount of $3,954.40 for negotiation services with payment from the Board Legal Budget, accepting the Assessor’s recommendation to grant an abatement to Thomas Iffert, parcel #92-06-41110, for homestead credit on adjoining parcel, authorizing the Board Chair’s signature to the Assignment of Securities as recommended by the Auditor/Treasurer, to approve payment of 2003 MAAO dues which is required for training and licensing of Assessor and staff, and to renew a lease agreement with the Loman Fire Association for the former Loman Highway Garage for four years commencing January 1, 2004. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/04-30 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Hanson authorizing payment of $200.00 to the City of Northome from the 2003 Contribution Budget to support a history book project as part of the City’s Centennial Celebration this year. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/04-31 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to accept the recommendation of the Convention and Visitors Bureau for reappointment of Sue Olson, Bob Anderson, Cathie Dougherty, Tom O’Connell and Brian Briggs to the Board of Directors with the new term to begin May 1, 2003. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/04-32 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Adee authorizing expenditure of up to $3,500 from the 2003 Information System Capital Outlay Budget for purchase of a color laser printer for the Assessor’s Office as a first step in a sequence of equipment re-arrangement to better meet various departments printing needs. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/04-33 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck supporting a resolution supporting legislation making county authority under M.S. 18.76 to 18.88 optional:

WHEREAS, the state and counties are facing a significant budgetary shortfall that will impact the delivery of essential public services; and

WHEREAS, that legislation has been introduced eliminating much of the responsibility of the Department of Agriculture in managing noxious weeds and will affirm that this is a county mandate and that an amendment to this legislation will be introduced to make appointing a county agricultural inspector and enforcing the noxious weed law voluntary for counties.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Koochiching County supports making county authority under Minnesota Statutes 18.76 to 18.88 (Minnesota Noxious Weed Law) optional. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/04-34 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Highway Engineer to begin road vacation proceedings for a portion of CSAH 22 and CSAH 10 that are no longer used due to realignment of the new roads. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Commissioners Chezick and Pavleck met with members of the Ranier Water Committee, and East Kooch and North Kooch Sanitary Sewer Commissions to discuss formation of a water district to manage waterlines outside city boundaries. The discussion came as a result of not being able to apply for grant funds to replace the Jamison and French Addition waterlines due to jurisdiction issues. The group agreed to continue inquiry into forming a district to manage waterlines if their respective Boards were agreeable. The City of Ranier is supportive of further inquiry. The County Board also provided its support to inquire further.

2003/04-35 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Hanson to approve a revised 2003 Natural Resources Block Grant Agreement in the amount of $8,125 (previously $53,756 and cut in the Governor’s Budget Plan) with the new agreement not requiring a local levy match. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director presented the Department’s proposed Interim Plan for operation of the Transfer Station due to the vacancy of one operator position. The draft Plan was reviewed with the Board at the last meeting for input and comment. The Plan did not incorporate a schedule for commercial contractors for demolition dumps on days when the transfer station is closed to the public (plan closes the facility to the public on Tuesday and Thursday each week) but contractors can contact the department where access would be provided on a need basis. It is their belief that the public and contractors will work around the new schedule. Commissioners felt a safety net needed to be in place for the contractors as their construction season is short and have a lot of work planned in this short period of time. Others felt that if allowances are being made for the garbage haulers and contractors, the public might start questioning why they are being locked out. Others felt that spring and summer are the busiest times at the transfer station and it should be staffed to avoid the closure on Tuesday and Thursday. When questioned, the Director informed the Board that use of temporary hire through the summer months is part of the interim plan. The Board Chair closed by stating that this is an interim plan and subject to change as needed. That these are not ordinary times and that the budget deficit is real. The County is faced with cuts in funding and as these cuts are made, service levels will decline.

2003/04-36 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Pavleck accepting the Interim Plan for operation of the County Transfer Station to be implemented beginning on Monday, May 5, 2003 as submitted and recommended by the Environmental Service Director. Voting yes: Lepper, Chezick, Pavleck; voting no: Adee, Hanson. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:50 a.m. Historical Society Director Ed Oerichbauer informed the Board that the final documents have been approved by the State Historical Society for the historic renovation of the third floor courtroom and that the County will soon receive their $25,000 grant. The Complex Superintendent felt the room would be finished in about one month. With no other comment the Board Chair closed public comment.

2003/04-37 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 11:52 a.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.