SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, February 10, 2004; 10:45 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Einar Sundin, Dennis Hummitzsch, Jack Bergstedt, Doug Grindall, Terry Murray, Julie Schumacher, Barb Dory; Reporters Laurel Beager and Roger Jerome

2004/02-21 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-22 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes of the February 3, 2004 regular meeting. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-23 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick to approve payment of the Auditor bills in the amount of $47,508.96, to approve payment to Johnson, Killen & Seiler P.A. for personnel legal services in the amount of $1,431.00 with payment from the 2004 Administration Budget and to approve payment to Arrowhead Regional Development Commission in the amount of $2,400.00 for 2004 ACA dues and lobbying fees with payment from the 2004 Board Budget. Payment detail on file in the Auditor’s Office. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-24 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick to approve a joint powers agreement with the MN DNR for the purpose of expediting mutual contract efforts for completion of forestry development projects on multiple owners land and further, authorizing the Board Chair and the Land Commissioner to sign the Joint Powers Agreement. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-25 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to authorize the purchase of an additional license for Highway Design Software in the amount $6,681.45 with payment from the 2004 Highway (Construction) Budget. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-26 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick certifying final value for SAP 36-631-15 (CSAH 31) with Ulland Brothers in the amount of $248,898.41and SAP 36-738-01 (CSAH 138) with Ulland Brothers in the amount of $1,376,609.02 as recommended by the Highway Engineer. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-27 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve a service agreement with Interim Healthcare for waivered supportive living services for clients in Woodland Apartments effective February 1, 2004 as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-28 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson authorizing a temporary hire rate of $8.25 for Vicky Wickstrom based on previous experience and per the temporary hire policy as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Kootasca Director and local Coordinator met with the Board to inform them of the change in the recruitment process for appointment to the Board of Directors. The new recruitment process will go through an application process with the Board of Directors deciding the appointment. This changes the current process for the County Board as they are appointing their own representative to the Kootasca Board. The Director stated that the current process can continue for 2004 with the new process implemented in 2005. The purpose for the change is to provide consistency in how members are appointed to the Kootasca Board of Directors. Board members expressed reservation with the change as the County Board prefers to have a County Board representative on the Kootasca Board if county resources and/or financing are utilized by the agency. It was agreed that a letter from Kootasca would be provided with more detail on the proposed recruitment change with the Board to review the matter with the Community Service Director in committee. The Director and local Coordinator then provided an overview of Kootasca’s function and their regional and local planning and strategy work in progress.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:45 a.m. Jack Bergstedt stated his support for the casino project for the most part but questioned whether the community could handle the social impact of a casino. He also stated his disappointment with the Governor for halting the project and not allowing the local units of government to decide the project. The Board stated that the social impact is weighed with all other aspects of a casino development in deciding what is best for the local community and economy. The Board agreed that without the Governor honoring the remaining covenant with the Red Lake Tribe, the local units of government are at a stand still in looking at a casino development. The Board has requested a meeting with the Governor but has not received a response to date.

2004/02-29 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing the Board Chair to send a letter to congressional representatives, if needed, requesting their assistance in resolving concerns raised by the EPA which are holding back the federal permitting process for the Pine Island Bog Peat Horticultural Project. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-30 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to send a letter of recognition to Boise for their innovative SPLOX speed loading box and thanking the Company for investing in our community by manufacturing the boxes at the local mill. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-31 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting at 12:05 p.m. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.