REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, June 3, 2003; 10:00 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Jack Bergstedt, John Mastin, Barb Paulbeck, Doug Grindall, Dennis Hummitzsch, Rod Bergstrom, Paul Mielke; Reporters Laurel Beager, Roger Jerome and Jen O’Reily

2003/06-01 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-02 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes of the May 27, 2003 special meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-03 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Auditor’s bills in the amount of $72,664.46, to approve payment to Flaherty & Hood in the amount of $4,110.67 for lobbying services with payment from the Board’s Legislation Budget, to approve payment of the monthly County Board per diem and expense claims in the amount of $9,178.61, to approve payment of the May Board of Prisoner claim in the amount of $2,650.00 and to approve of the second half of 2003 MN Association of Veterans Service Officers dues in the amount of $35.00 as required for certification. Payment detail on file in the Auditor’s Office. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-04 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Adee to defer a request for a funding donation for the Koochiching Resource Directory to the Community Service Director for recommendation. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Chezick; voting no: Hanson, absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-05 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Chezick approving a 2003 through 2005 non-union salary pay and benefit settlement as presented to include 0% pay increase for 2003, 2% for 2004 and 3% for 2005 and 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. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-06 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Adee to transfer Car Pool Vehicle #107, a 2002 green Ford 4150 Pickup to the Highway Department for replacement of the Highway Foreman vehicle and in turn, transfer the Foreman’s pickup, a 1996 Chevy ¾ Ton Four-Wheel Drive pickup to the Environmental Service Department and that the Highway Department will provide a two-year mechanical maintenance agreement on the 1996 Chevy Pickup. Further that the Board approves an exception in County Policy requiring Highway vehicles to be orange to accommodate this vehicle transfer. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-07 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to award low quote to Hinckley Chevrolet for a full size, four door 2003 Chevrolet Impala at a price of $17,570 for replacement of Sheriff Unit #1 squad car with approval of additional expense for tax, license, striping and equipment not transferred from Unit 1. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-08 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Chezick to approve the following fees as recommended by the Sheriff: permit to carry a handgun - $100.00 and renewal permit fee - $75.00; copy of evidence video tap - $25.00; copy of taped statement - $25.00; copy of a digital statement - $25.00 and copy of a transcribed statement - $2.00 per page. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was informed that park rangers were checking boats for fishing licenses and fish limits and in one instance, conducted a breathalyzer and the Board asked the Undersheriff whether the Sheriff authorized this enforcement since one incident was in Koochiching County. The Undersheriff was not aware of the department being contacted or giving authorization and that maybe they were acting under agreements with the State. Later in the meeting Boat and Water Patrol Officer Randy Borden stated that the Park has agreements with the State and St. Louis County and it would be through those agreements park officials used such authority. Board will consider a meeting with the Chief Park Ranger to discuss the issue.

2003/06-09 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Chezick awarding low bid for hired truck as recommended by the Highway Engineer: for all zones, tandem axle dump truck rental to Tom Netland first and James Kennedy second; for all zones tractor and trailer combination to Tom Netland first and James Kennedy second. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-10 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to table payment of dues and assessment fee to the MN Transportation Alliance. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-11 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the Highway Engineer that as part of the reconstruction project for CSAH 20 (City Beach Road) to place concrete storm sewer pipe about 400 feet to an existing manhole to correct drainage. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner reviewed the results of the May 9, 2003 timber auction, which resulted in the sale of 21,098 cords at a sale value of $647,872. In addition, he reviewed the process and pricing factors used in setting appraised timber prices for sales.
2003/06-12 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to add a tract of land described as Lots 5 and 6, Block 1, Jones Subdivision in Northome to the 2003 Land Sale and to withdrawn Tract #62 described as the West 40 Feet of Lot 19, Block 2, Second Addition to Northome as recommended by the Land Commissioner. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board reviewed a request from the KEDA to withdraw a forty acre site on Highway 332 in Section 2, Township 70N, Range 24W, from the 2003 Land Sale to allow the Authority to designate it for future development as either a tax free or enterprise zone. Board members serving on the KEDA stated that the Authority has assessed development sites near and around the City of International Falls and found few sites, so therefore would like this parcel reserved for development purposes. It was noted that this parcel has already been available for a number of years with no bid for developmental purposes. If the property sells there will be revenue generated from the sale for local units of government in addition to increasing the County’s tax base. In response to a concern with the forty acres being split into four ten-acre parcels, it was stated that selling the individual ten acre parcels would provide a better return than selling the whole forty and that bidders could bid all four parcels if they want the full forty. In reviewing other developmental property potentials in the area, it was stated that this forty-acre parcel is better in comparison to some of the other parcels east of International Falls with regards to wetlands. The Land Commissioner stated that this parcel was put on the list as it was felt its sale would provide more benefit, especially in tough financial times. The Commissioner stated that the City of International Falls would also have the opportunity to review the land sale list and this request.

2003/06-13 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Pavleck to table the request to withdraw the forty-acre parcel on Highway 332 as requested by KEDA from the 2003 Land Sale. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-14 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve the recommendations of the Advisory Committee for the Tax Forfeited Land and Forest Resource Plan as presented with a letter to be sent to Committee members thanking them for their participation in process. Motion further directs that the Land Commissioner prioritize review of the cabin lease program due to the number of issues raised by the Committee and to recommend members for a committee to review the program with work to begin this fall. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:58 a.m. Paul Mielke addressed the Board with concern on the Jackfish Sewer Project cost estimate used by the County in filing for the State’s 2004 Intended Use Plan as it was lower than the cost estimate posted on the State’s website. He also stated objection to the County subsidizing the Committee’s newsletter supporting the project as the group not supporting the project does not get this same benefit and they feel the information in the newsletter is false and misleading. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment at12:04 p.m.

000 The Board recessed for lunch and reconvened the meeting at 2:30 p.m. following the meet and confer with the Highway Union.

2003/06-15 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Adee to add approval of a temporary hire for summer work at the transfer station to the agenda. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-16 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Chezick authorizing a temporary hire in the Environmental Service Department to assist with work at the transfer station for the summer. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-17 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 2:35 p.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.