SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Monday, November 10, 2003; 9:30 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Lepper, Adee, Pavleck

MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioners Hanson and Chezick

OTHERS ATTENDING: Terry Glowack, Richard Lehtinen, Raoul Lufbery, Larry and Elaine Beach, Steve Shermoen, Melissa Fuller; Reporters Laurel Beager and Roger Jerome

2003/11-17 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/11-18 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to approve the minutes of the November 4, 2003 regular meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/11-19 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to approve a 2% salary increase to the elected Auditor/Treasurer, Recorder, Attorney, and Sheriff for 2004. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/11-20 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to approve State of Minnesota Airport Improvement Grant Agreement No. 85858 for State Project No. 3601-79 at the International Airport. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/11-21 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee ratifying a Memorandum of Understanding with the Community Services and Public Health Union clarifying contract language and resolving a seniority grievance. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/11-22 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck authorizing the Heritage Committee to seek bids for the Courthouse Front Entrance Project. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/11-23 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to authorize expenditure of up to $1,300.00 from the Sinking Building Account to improve the sound system in the second floor courtroom as well as providing listening devices for the hearing impaired as recommended by the Complex Superintendent. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/11-24 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee authorizing the Complex Superintendent to purchase a sound system for the third floor courtroom compatible for a courtroom and public meeting room and to include listening devices for the hearing impaired with expenditure from the 2003 Third Floor Courtroom Project Budget (estimated cost not to exceed $4,000). Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Complex Superintendent provided the Board the results of the annual building inspection. Overall the buildings are in good shape with exception of some painting. Report will be copied to respective department heads for review of repair recommendations.

000 The Complex Superintendent requested approval to replace a window in the Law Enforcement Center as set in the 2003 Budget. The Board stated the Complex Superintendent was authorized to replace the window if the funding is available in the revised 2003 Complex Budget as adopted in July 2003.

000 A copy of the Viewers’ Report was presented to the County Board for the proposed Jackfish Bay Sewer Project. Attorney Shermoen stated that the information in the report is not the determining factor for easements and condemnation. The report should be viewed as more information gathered in the process to guide the County Board in making the decision to move to the next step of the process which is to set the second and final hearing. A public hearing needs to be set 25 to 50 days following the filing of the Viewers’ Report with the County Auditor. Larry Beach stated that the viewers did not actually go on the properties so property owners’ question how they could ascertain damages in the report. It appears they evaluated trees only. Per the Environmental Service Director the viewers were sensitive to the no trespassing signs on some properties. Where there were signs, the Project Engineer pointed out the easement routes from the road or driveway where the viewers could obtain a clear visual of the route and used this to determine information in the report.

2003/11-25 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to set the required public hearing for the proposed Jackfish Bay Sewer Project on Thursday, December 11, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. at a meeting place to be determined and authorizing expense for a court reporter and video service. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2003/11-26 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to authorize payment of the expense claims for appointed viewers Bob Frederickson, Tom Worth and Bob Houska at $160.00 each with payment from the Jackfish Sewer Project Account. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 10:55 a.m. Larry Beach expressed his concern with the proposed Casino Project and social problems caused by gambling addiction. Melissa Fuller requested the Board hold a referendum to decide whether the Casino Project should be developed. Commissioner Pavleck stated that no other development project was decided by referendum and doing this would send a wrong message to developers looking at this area. Ms. Fuller then handed the Board a petition with 12 signatures from residents on UT #224 who do not want the proposed Jackfish Bay Sewer System. Elaine Beach stated concern with the future of AB/Backus should the Casino develop a convention center. She also stated concern with the number of casinos located in Northern Minnesota and questioned why the County needs to build another one. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed the session at 11:10 a.m.

2003/11-27 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 11:10 a.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.