REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, June 17, 2003; 10:35 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: John Mastin, Florence Hervey, Richard Lehtinen, Tom Toratti, Barb West, Kate Miller, Doug Grindall, Dennis Hummitzsch, Gail Costley; Reporter Laurel Beager and Jen O’Reily

2003/06-18 Motion by Adee, seconded by Chezick to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-19 Motion by Adee, seconded by Chezick to approve the minutes of the June 3, 2003 regular meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-20 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Pavleck ratifying the 2003 through 2005 AFSCME Union Community Service/Public Health and Courthouse Chapter settlements and approving the respective Bargaining Unit Contracts. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board received notice of the temporary hire of Patrick Morris on June 3, 2003 in the Highway Department.

2003/06-21 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Pavleck authorizing Board Chair’s signature to the Auditor’s May vendor payment listing verifying its review and to approve payment of the Highway bills in the amount of $28,323.74 with payment detail on file in the Highway Department. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-22 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck accepting the Assessor’s recommendation to grant an abatement to Sarah Knutson, parcel #15-78-02050, for a valuation change and to grant an abatement to William and Carolyn Presley, parcel #01-09-41000, for homestead credit. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-23 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Chezick setting the Board’s summer meeting schedule whereas the regular meetings for July and August are cancelled and setting Board meetings for July and August on Tuesday, July 8, July 22, August 12 and August 26 and with the regular monthly meeting schedule to resume in September. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-24 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Board Chair to appoint a County Board representative to the Arrowhead EMS Association. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried. (Board Chair appointed Commissioner Chezick.)

2003/06-25 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to approve expenditure of up to $1,600 for replacement of a lock for Jail Cell Block E as recommended by the Sheriff with expenditure from the 2003 Sheriff Budget. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director stated that this year’s legislative session approved a requirement for the MPCA to develop by January 2004 a plan to upgrade all failing and imminent threat ISTS within ten years and to conduct pilot projects to identify and correct failing systems. Other proposed legislation pertaining to ISTS management did not pass this session.

2003/06-26 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson authorizing payment of $1,080 to Environmental Financial Group, Inc. for utility management consulting for development of a financial plan for the proposed Jackfish Sewer Project which will be used to present financial information to the public with payment from the Environmental Service Budget. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director informed the Board that the Planning Commission is preparing its schedule to implement the Comprehensive Land Use Plan with the first order of business to revise the Zoning Ordinance. The first task is revision of the Glossary. The Planning Commission requests guidance from the Board as they begin their work. The Board requested that suggested changes provided to them for review and comment be done through a draft with strike lines representing text to be deleted and underlining text to be added so there is a clear picture of what is being proposed.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:35 a.m. Superintendent Barb West and Deputy Superintendent Kate Miller from Voyageurs National Park met with the Board to explain the National Park Service study of the Grand Mound site as a National Historic Landmark. The application for the study was submitted by the State Historical Society. Designation of a National Historic Landmark will not stop the closing of the site, which is happening now due to lack of state funding, but will give it a higher recognition in hopes of seeking more interest and other funding. The process first requires study and nomination with the designation decision made by the National Park Service. The process is expected to take about one and one-half years. The Board was appreciative of the interest in this historic site and supports the recognition of a national historic landmark. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment at 11:50 a.m.

2003/06-27 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Pavleck to award low bid to Diamond Mowers, Inc. for a 90 HP Tractor with Side Mount Rotary Mower for the Highway Department at a cost of $59,134.13 as recommended by the Highway Engineer. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-28 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee authorizing the Highway Engineer to call for bids for bridge replacement work on County Roads 53, 61 and 88 contingent on obtaining easement for Bridge 88 and bituminous overlay for approximately 1.7 miles of CSAH 4 with bid results to the Board in July. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-29 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee approving a grant application to ARDC for a Greater International Falls Transportation Plan as recommended by the Highway Engineer with the County local match paid from the Highway Budget. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-30 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck TO REVOKE AS County State Aid Highway No. 22 beginning at the Junction of 6th Avenue (State Highway No. 217) and Main Street; thence in a northeasterly direction along Main Street approximately 0.172 mile to 9th Avenue; thence easterly along 9th Avenue approximately 0.175 mile to the junction of Aspen Street and 9th Avenue and there terminating. Length - 0.371 mile.

TO DESIGNATE AS County State Aid Highway No. 22 beginning at the Junction of Aspen Street and Ninth Avenue; thence in a southerly direction along Aspen Street approximately 0.183 mile to the junction of Aspen Street and State Highway No. 217 and there terminating. Length - 0.183 mile. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-31 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Chezick approving the request from the City of Big Falls to grant utility easement across tax forfeited lots and County Highway occupied land involving property described as Lot 19, Block 9, Plat of Robinson’s and Swedback’s Addition to Big Falls and Lots 22, 23, 24 of Block 14, Plat of Robinson’s and Swedback’s Addition to Big Falls as allowed in law and as recommended by the Land Commissioner and further, waiving the $100 County easement fee since the City will do the paperwork required for the transaction. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-32 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve the renewal of the Soil Survey Agreement with no change and within the funding agreement as approved in the Board Motion 00093/03-30 and County Budget and as recommended by the Land Commissioner. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-33 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Chezick approving the employment separation of Forester David Larson on June 30, 2003. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/06-34 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 2:00 p.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Pavleck. Motion carried.