SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, February 24, 2004; 10:00 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Einar Sundin, Jim Ramnes, Keith Stevens, Bob Peterson, Richard Lehtinen, Terry Murray, Doug Grindall, Susan Congrave, Nancy McHarg, Frank Bahr, Jan Derdowski, Trina Barnes; Reporters Laurel Beager, Roger Jerome and Jen O’Reily

2004/02-32 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-33 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes of the February 10, 2004 regular meeting. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-34 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to ratify a temporary service agreement with Aaron Carew at a rate of $15.00 per hour under the Temporary Hire Policy for servicing and training staff for deed changes necessary for the preparation of tax statements with payment from the Auditor/Treasurer Temporary Hire Budget. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-35 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners agree to sponsor the International Voyageurs Snowmobile Club in the MN Trails Assistance (Grant-In-Aid) and other trail grant programs for maintaining and operating the Blue Ox Grade Snowmobile/ATV Trail from Big Falls to International Falls as the Board has determined that the Snowmobile/ATV Trail utilizes an existing railroad grade which requires no further environmental impact. Sponsorship by the County requires that a Club/County Agreement is executed and a Certificate of Insurance is provided the County. As sponsor, the County is accountable to the State for expenditures charged to the program; sponsorship does not require financial support or liability for cost from the County. The County Board does hereby approve the necessary County authorities to sign said Grant Applications and other trail grant agreements. Motion further approves a letter of support for rehabilitation of the existing railroad trestle in Big Falls for use by ATV’s and snowmobiles. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-36 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick authorizing Board Chair’s signature to the Auditor’s January vendor payment listing verifying its review, to approve payment of the Highway bills in the amount of $74,445.45 with payment detail on file in the Highway Department, to approve payment of the Auditor bills in the amount of $40,767.65 with payment detail on file in the Auditor’s Office, to approve payment of the Public Health bills in the amount of $13,904.82 with payment detail on file in the Public Health Department, to approve payment of Community Service social service and financial claims and administrative expenditures as presented and to approve payment of burial case #404382 in the amount of $2,868.15. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Board received notice that Jan Hendrickson was hired as the Recorder/Land and Forestry Office Clerk with an anticipated start date of March 3, 2004.

2004/02-37 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Auditor’s Office to pay the gas credit card bill as an Auditor approved warrant to avoid finance and late fee charges. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-38 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Chezick to approve a zone change from R-1 to C-1 for Dan and Julie Schmidt for a warehouse business near Pelland Junction as recommended by the Planning Commission. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick; abstaining: Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-39 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Adee authorizing the Environmental Service Director to set up a Planning and Zoning Training Workshop for staff, Planning Commission and the County Board and with invitations to other public bodies responsible for zoning decisions with a request for cost contribution to help defray the cost of the instructor and setup. Motion further approves the workshop expenditure from the 2004 Environmental Service Budget. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-40 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve an AEOA Home Delivered Meals Service Agreement under the AC Waiver Program as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-41 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to renew the Northome Inc. Service Agreement for supervised visitation for out-county clients as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-42 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to renew the Littlefork Jackpine Chateau Service Agreement as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-43 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve a First Call for Help Service Agreement which replaces the existing crisis line for mental health clients with services from Grand Rapids and supported by a local crisis team as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-44 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to accept the following Foster Day Care and Day Care Licensing recommendations: case #13934 for foster care for a specific child, case #60105 relicensing for group family day care for twelve children, case #11790 relicensing for foster care for ten children and case #31426 closing home for foster care services at provider’s request. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-45 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing the Car Pool to bid for a full size car with budget shortfalls taken into consideration with regards to extras for the vehicle. Authorization for this vehicle bid is in addition to the two vehicles authorized for bid in 2004 under Board Motion 2003/07-29. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/02-46 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to certify final contract value with Gladen Construction for SAP 36-685-01 with final work value of $339,933.77 and SAP 36-600-08 with final work value of $199,753.81. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Public Health Director reviewed a 1990 Health Board resolution appointing the Public Health Director as the Board’s agent as communicator with the Commissioner of Health in accordance with MN Stat. 145.04 as part of the preparation work for public health preparedness. The Board requested that the resolution be updated based on action taken under Board Motion 0095/06-30 whereas the County Board resumed the duties of the Health Board and provide an update on the authority and duties of the Health Board.

000 The Public Health Director updated the Board on public health preparedness activity and Public Health Nurse Nancy McHarg reviewed the regional and local community survey results on Secondhand Smoke. A written report was provided on a Family Home Visiting Program underway in the Public Health Department for promoting parenting and the 2004 Annual Financial and Statistical Report was provided to the Board.

2004/02-47 Motion by Adee, seconded by Chezick acknowledging the relocation of County Assets in the Backus/AB Complex for the 4-H Program and Office as recommended by Regional 4-H Director Jan Derdowski subject to the annual review of county assets conducted by the Auditor’s Office and with the Board to consider the status of the assets on a yearly basis. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 Extension Educator Trina Barno requested in-kind/cash match in the amount of $6,000 for the provision of a half-time Nutrition Educator in Koochiching County. Under the University of Minnesota’s Nutrition Program, they fund a Nutrition Educator in lieu of the County providing the required in-kind/cash match to house the Educator. According to the Extension Educator, the person would be hired locally and the match requirement includes such things as office space, photocopier, phone and internet service, office supplies, support staff and file space. The Nutrition Program has a successful track record for providing nutrition education to low income and senior populations. The Board agreed to defer the request to the Management Committee for review upon receiving a list of the specific items needed to house the program in a County facility and meet the County’s match for the Educator.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 12:15 p.m. Frank Bahr asked the Board whether change to the Intermediate Timber Auction Policy was still under consideration. The Board Chair stated the policy was looked at for budget purposes but that the Board recently took it off the table with the understanding it would be looked at again when the Advisory Committee for reviewing the Tax Forfeited Land and Timber Plan is re-established. Mr. Bahr stated his support for no change in the current policy. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment at 12:15 p.m.

2004/02-48 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 12:20 p.m. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.