SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, May 27, 2003; 10:00 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Richard Lehtinen, Susan Congrave, John Mastin, Terry Murray, Bob Jamison; Reporters Jenny Gray, Jen O’Reily and Roger Jerome

2003/05-57 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/05-58 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2003 regular meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/05-59 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Highway bills in the amount of $30,136.68 with payment detail on file in the Highway Department, to approve payment to Johnson, Killen & Seiler, P.A. for personnel legal and negotiation services in the amount of $3,942.20 with payment from the Board and Administration Legal Budgets, to approve payment of the Public Health bills in the amount of $15,315.43 with payment detail on file in the Public Health Department, and 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. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2003/05-60 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee authorizing a 2003 Community Service Budget adjustment adding $6,292 in federal dollars as recommended by the KCCS Director. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/05-61 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Chezick approving a 2003 through 2005 non-union hourly pay and benefit settlement to include 0% pay increase for 2003, 2% for 2004 and 3% for 2005, continue support of Board Motion 0097/02-21 setting certain benefits for this period at the same level as the respective department bargaining unit contract, increase on-call pay per the County Policy for Home Care and Hospice Clients for Public Health Nurses at $2.50 retro active to January 1, 2003, and to revise the County Compensatory Time Off Policy excluding vacation and sick leave for qualifying for overtime premium. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/05-62 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Chezick authorizing payment of the 2003 Memorial Day and 4th of July celebration contributions with a twenty-percent cut from the amount provided in 2002 with contribution contingent on written request. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck; abstaining: Adee. Motion carried.

2003/05-63 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to approve a Sentence to Service Income Contract with the State of Minnesota renewing for two crew leaders with an effective date of July 1, 2003 and expiration date of June 30, 2005 unless otherwise terminated by either party. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/05-64 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee that due to the vacancy in the Complex Superintendent position and the need to manage county facilities, to appoint Dorlyn Desen as County Building Manager from May 27 to August 30, 2003 per the terms of the service contract and to upgrade the Assistant Custodian to B22 until such time as the Board replaces the Complex Superintendent. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/05-65 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Highway Engineer to hire temporary employees for summer roadwork. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was informed that Michael Takaichi was temporarily employed in the Highway Department.

2003/05-66 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee authorizing the Environmental Service Department to purchase a 1986 GMC spotter truck in the amount of $3,000 with payment from the 2003 Department Budget. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/05-67 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee authorizing the Board Chair’s signature to a letter requesting placement of the Jackfish Bay Sewer Project on the State’s Intended Use Plan for 2004 in order to remain eligible for State grant and loan money. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/05-68 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Pavleck to approve the agreement and contract with Western Lake Superior Sanitary District for operation of the 2003 Household Hazardous Waste Program. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Coordinator informed the Board that the State Auditor closed the Virginia Office, which raises concern, as new crews coming from a further distance will increase audit cost for the County. It was noted that the State Auditor has already increased audit rates starting in 2003. In addition, change in the crew might delay the County’s 2002 audit, which will be needed when setting next year’s budget. The Coordinator asked the Board for their support in sending a letter to the State Auditor objecting to any cost increase due to the closing of the Virginia Office as distance and time for sending new crews will increase the County’s audit cost. The Board was fully supportive of an objection letter if further research merits this position by the County.

2003/05-69 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Chezick approving a Community Alternative Care Waiver Contract with River Oaks Home Health Care and to approve CADI, TBI, AC and EW Waiver Contracts with River Oaks Home Health Care, Interim Health Care, Life’s Companion and North Itasca Home Care contingent upon review by the County Attorney and as recommended by the Public Health Director. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Public Health Director presented a proposal to the Board to have the County Health Department run the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program as a public health program. Currently Kootasca operates the program but due to financial reasons the Agency closed the Northome location and now services the program only out of International Falls. Since public health nurses are going to remote areas of the County now, the Department already provides the flexibility to service the WIC program in out-county. The State cut funding for WIC but there is federal funding available for the program and the Department would be seeking a grant of $29,000. The local match for the grant would be covered with third party and medical assistance service reimbursements. The proposal today is only to apply for consideration and does not lock the County into anything at this point. Board members questioned why Kootasca could not continue operation of the program if provided the funding. The Director stated that the Public Health Department has more flexibility in providing the service. It was noted that Kootasca also cut WIC service in Itasca County and now only services the program in the City of Grand Rapids. The proposal requires a half time person to coordinate the program and the Director would use existing staff. The Board asked its representative serving on the Kootasca Board to obtain more information on Kootasca’s position on this matter. The Director stated that postponing consideration until more information is obtained might put the request past the application deadline.

2003/05-70 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Adee authorizing the Public Health Director to submit a “Notice of Intent to Apply” to the Minnesota Department of Health for a County WIC Program. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Public Health Director provided information to the Board on investment in public health, results of a County health survey and a list of identified public health problems. The Director also informed the Board that there may be more tobacco dollars available to the department and will provide more information when known.

000 The Undersheriff provided the Board a list of service costs to their squad cars since January 2003 and requested the replacement of Unit 1 (sell or trade) due to bad performance and repair costs. With no deputy in Big Falls, the squad cars are getting more use and a new vehicle is needed. The Department would keep Unit 2 for a spare and would strip Unit 1 of its equipment, which will reduce the cost for a new vehicle. The 2003 Sheriff Capital Outlay Budget would not have enough money to cover the purchase but the savings in not filling the deputy position should more than cover the funding needed. In addition, the two vehicles up for replacement in 2004 (used in the City) will not be requested in the 2004 Budget. Also the Department is working on a transport plan that will not use full size cars.

2003/05-71 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee authorizing the Sheriff to seek various make and model vehicle quotes for replacement of Unit 1 with the understanding that equipment from Unit 1 will be transferred to the new vehicle to save cost and that the total cost of the new vehicle is found within the 2003 Sheriff Budget. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Pavleck; voting no: Chezick. Motion carried.

2003/05-72 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson to approve payment of burial case #NCN in the amount of $1,641.50. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/05-73 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee accepting the following Foster Day Care and Day Care licensing recommendations: case #47225 closing home for family day care at provider’s request, case #08395 closing home for family day care at provider’s request. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:22 a.m. Robert Jamison is in the business of moving and hauling for individuals and was informed by the Environmental Service Department that he could not get a key to the transfer station on the closed days because he did not possess a business/commercial license. He has been doing this work for twenty years and until now has never needed a business license. He uses a pickup for his work and needs to have the pickup empty in order to do the next job so waiting for open days at the transfer station means loss of jobs. The Board will talk with the Environmental Service Director and provide him a response within the day. With no other comment, the Board closed public comment period.

2003/05-74 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson to adjourn the meeting at 11:30 a.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.